Feature: The Show Must Eurovision – A Celebration of Musical Theatre Eurovision Song Contest Stars – Part One
A selection of UK stars of Eurovision who have also entered the world of Musical Theatre.
By: Adam Robinson May. 08, 2023
The Eurovision Song Contest is the world's biggest music celebration. Many of the artists who have taken the iconic stage have also tread the boards of musical theatre. Let's celebrate some of those Eurotastic thespians.
This iconic stand up comedian and TV star will co-host Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool. He became the UK's commentator in 2009, taking over from Sir Terry Wogan. Earlier that same year Norton made his West End stage debut in the Playhouse Theatre revival of La Cage Aux Folles, playing Albin. From 2006 to 2010 he hosted the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical star casting shows on the BBC. Norton also joined the judging panel for the Mad Trust charity event West End Eurovision.
Following on from hosting The Olivier Awards 2023, Waddingham will co-host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Currently enjoying huge success on TV due to her Emmy Award win from Ted Lasso, she received an Olivier Award nomination in 2007 as Lady of the Lake in Spamalot at the Palace Theatre. Then transferring to Broadway to play the same role. Waddingham originated the role of The Wicked Witch of the West in new West End production of The Wizard of Oz by 2009 Eurovision writer and performer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
While Graham Norton is on the Eurovision 2023 stage, Mel Giedroyc will take the microphone in the UK commentary booth on BBC One. She previously was a Semi Final Co-commentator in 2015, 2016, 2017 and was the UK spokesperson for 2018. Before joining the official Eurovision bubble, she hosted Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision! at the Edinburgh Fringe and then the Novello Theatre West End production. In 2018 Giedroyc played Sarah in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Company.
Before representing the UK at Eurovision 2017 with Never Give Up on You, Lucie Jones was a rising star of the West End, having played Cosette in Les Misérables in 2010. It was with that cast she performed lead vocal on Ukraine's 2008 entry Shady Lady at West End Eurovision 2011. Other credits include American Psycho and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. In the run up to the contest in 2017, she was touring the UK as Maureen in Rent. The success continued after her performance in Kyiv as she was cast as Jenna, the lead in the West End musical Waitress. Then returning to Les Misérables, this time as Fantine. In 2022 she defied gravity as Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria Theatre production of Wicked.
Having been a student of Sylvia Young Theatre School, Jade Ewen was approached to join the BBC search for a Eurovision artist in 2009. After becoming victorious she sang It's My Time, a song composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, in Moscow. Finishing with the best result for the UK since 2002, in fifth place. Her London musical theatre career began in the role of Clara in the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre production of Porgy and Bess, then as Vanessa in In the Heights. Disney then came calling to offer the role of Princess Jasmine in the musical Aladdin at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Photo Credit: BBC
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