BACKSTAGE: Wicked Whispers And Stopping Shows

Just a quick Backstage glance this week as I'm in Edinburgh, but the chatter in the West End goes on regardless.

We learnt from Gina Beck, London's Christine in Phantom Of The Opera, that she fancies a go at playing Glinda in Wicked one day. She didn't mention, however, that she's already got her idea l Elphaba all picked out. It's her friend Sabrina Aloeuche, currently starring in We Will Rock You. The pair worked with each other in Les Miserables, when Gina played Cosette and Sabrina played Eponine, and would dearly love the chance to star together in the West End's most coveted female roles.

Watch this space for an exclusive interview with the Showstopper: The Improvised Musical crew. They've decamped from London to Edinburgh's Musical Theatre at George Square for the duration of the festival, and they're still packing them in - audiences and special guests. They've already worked with the likes of Mike McShane and Matt Lucas, and their special guest star next week (August 17) is Keith Jack, runner-up in Any Dream Will Do?

Incidentally, don't forget our fabulous Edinburgh Festival coverage, from all strands of the performing arts - check out Hazel Davis's comedy reviews, RoBert Gould's thoughts on musical theatre, Jessica Pinkett's backstage diary and my interviews with some of the talent on the Fringe.

Spotted this week - Natalie Casey, extending her musical theatre career as Ado Annie in Oklahoma!, with her mates at the Open Air Theatre's terrific Hello, Dolly!

Spotted this week - Joan Collins at Sister Act, resplendent in white suit and matching fedora.

Spotted this week - one of the huge resin bull skulls that decorated the set of Too Close To The Sun, as obsessed theatre-goers from all over the UK picked up their eBay winnings - all the fixtures and fittings of the flop were auctioned off. Sadly I wasn't triumphant myself, but I did get to hold this piece of theatrical history, may it rest in peace.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.