Charlie Salem - Page 2

Hello from London, Cold and dark though it is - theatre here and especially musicals and serious drama are enjoying a surge of popularity. This has been put down to the sheer RANGE of shows on offer. Take where i am now at the Hampstead Theatre. Mike Leigh and David Hare are favourites here and tonights show is no exception at this cutting edge building and stage. Rehearsals on the eve of opening night are always a rush and a panic. But under cool headed Lucy Bailey the revival of Noel Coward's 'Private Lives' is proving to be a real hit with cast and critics alike. Broadway World caught up with her in a break from rehearsals after she'd sent via MMS, some photos of the actors going through their paces.

London Calling with Champagne Charlie January 18th 2009 Breathlessly running towards the check in at London Airport actor and producer Tom Hulce had promised to let Broadway World know FIRST what happening backstage at London's Lyric theatre as it gearings up for the UK premiere of 'Spring Awakening'. Good to his word - the call came through and he caught his breath and collected his bags and Duty Frees started to reflect on the week. 'We have the most AMAZING cast' he told me via his cell phone waiting in the departure lounge waiting for the flight back to New York.

Hi, I'm on my way to meet up with Tom Hulce - actor and Broadway producer. Seven years ago he came back from a trip in the UK with the same idea as composer friend Duncan Sheik; to bring to life the Frank Wedekind classic 'Spring Awakening' Years of work and collaborations with the right like minded creatives have brought this unique show to life. With a string of Tony awards to prove its success and endorse its popularity the show comes to London opening on January 23rd at the small but progressive Lyric Theatre. I am waiting for Tom to call on his way back from rehearsals where casting is underway when Mandy Patinkin comes on the text, unable to speak but happy to answer questions. His performances have turned into real phenomena here with sold out shows and a legion of now growing fans eager to see him return.

London Calling with Champagne Charlie January 6th 2009

Sister Act Defies launches with record breaking ticket sales! When it was first announced news spread like wild fire around the globe. Stories appeared everywhere from Thailand to Brazil and from South Africa to Russia. Whoopi Goldberg said: Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Doloris and the girls to get such a resounding 'come on in'. The response has been amazing and I'm thrilled Doloris, the nuns, the cast, the producers and the audience are all going to have some fun!

It's not the 1st time she's stolen the show...She made her West End debut as Maybelline in 125th Street at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2002, following it up with Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2003 and in 2005 made her debut at The Royal Opera House in Lorin Maazel's world premiere of 1984.

An old favourite of Champagne Charlie's returns; it's SUNSET BOULEVARD will once again open on a West End stage for the 1st time in 11 years with in a brand new production opening on December 15th 2008.

'This has moved me in a way no other show has' Peter Polycarpou confessed to me as he took a break from his afternoon prep prior to that's night's preview on IMAGINE THIS...

With a string of awards and hit plays behind him Hugh Whitmore author of the Emmy winning TV films like CONCEALED ENEMIES (Emmy Award for Best Miniseries); THE FINAL DAYS (dramatisation of the Bob Woodward/Carl Bernstein book, movie credits like 84 CHARING CROSS ROAD (starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins); UTZ, (an adaptation of Bruce Chatwin's novel, which won 3 prizes at the 1992 Berlin Film Festival) and Franco Zeffirelli's JANE EYRE (starring William Hurt and Charlotte Gainsbourg) and plays like STEVIE (starring Glenda Jackson); PACK OF LIES (starring Judi Dench); BREAKING THE CODE (starring Derek Jacobi) and THE BEST OF FRIENDS (starring John Gielgud, Rosemary Harrris) he wanted to do ‘a more intimate piece' with his latest hit ‘My Darling Clemmie'.

I never like comparisons but this show may very will be the next '39 Steps' a potential award winning mega hit that starts off from a (not so) small theatre. In this case it's the Lyric Theatre in south London and the show is a farce called ‘Spyski'. It's produced and performed by Peepolykus (pronounced people-like-us) who have been quite rightly lauded as one of - it not THE UK's most exciting touring theatre companies around. They really go to town with their latest hit packing them in at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith in rainy London.

FLAMENCO FLAMEN'KA and WASTE.