Whilst Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal prepare to return to Broadway's Rent, London is gearing up for a 'new version' of the cult Pulitzer Prize winning musical. According to Whatsonstage.com, it's rumoured to be opening at the intimate 382-seater Trafalgar Studios in a production to be given more "street edge"' by Kylie Minogue creative director William Baker. Its last West End run – which ran for a limited three month season in December 2002 – starred supermodel Caprice as Maureen. Rent has never been the same commercial hit in London as it is on Broadway; it ran for 17 months in 1998 before returning for two limited West End Christmas seasons in 2001/2002.
The new Fiyero in Wicked has been announced. Surprisingly, instead of using the role as an opportunity to cast a recognisable name (such as Adam Garcia, who created the part in London), producers have opted to upgrade his understudy Oliver Tompsett into the lead. Friends who have seen the performer say he's fantastic; and – whisper it – actually better than Garcia. Andy Mace will replace Martin Ball as Doctor Dillamond, but aside from that all current principals – Kerry Ellis (Elphaba), Nigel Planer (The Wizard), Susie Blake (Madame Morrible) Katie Rowley Jones (Nessarose) and James Gillan (Boq) - will stay with the show, joining the previously announced Dianne Pilkington as Glinda on July 16th.
Broadway's Faith Prince will make her London stage debut at the English National Opera this June, starring alongside Michael Ball in Kismet. A Tony winner for Guys and Dolls in 1992, Prince was last seen on stage in the Broadway transfer of London hit Noises Off in 2001. Running for 19 performances only between June 25th and July 14th, the musical is the first London production in 30 years and continues the opera company's staging of musicals in a usually operatic house; they are currently presenting a short revival of their successful production On the Town. Kismet will be directed by Gary Griffin and choreographed by Cabaret's Olivier award winning Javier de Frutos.
After a bumper year for new musicals last year, 2007 is quickly becoming a returning ground for some staple West End shows, with Buddy the latest to announce its return. With Fame, Joseph and Grease all set to return, Buddy completes the sect of shows which regularly return to the West End when desired. The Duchess Theatre will be Buddy's third London home from August 3rd, with the recent tour cast likely to reprise their roles, possibly including Dean Elliott and Michael Wycliffe, who shared the role on tour. Often hailed as the original jukebox musical, Buddy is a biographical journey through the life of Buddy Holly.
And finally, Baz Bamigboye reported in the Daily Mail on Friday that Saturday Night Fever could be the next reality TV show to follow The Sound of Music, Joseph and Grease. As another audience favourite which regularly stunt casts minor celebrities, it seems an ideal choice. Bamigboye reports that the new show will be shown on ITV, which still leaves a prime time slot for Andrew Lloyd Webber on BBC1. Meanwhile, gossip is rife – not least because Lloyd Webber keeps making pointed remarks – that Connie Fisher, who won How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, is being lined up to star in a revival of Funny Girl next year.
