Finty Williams Makes Musical Debut In Michael Bruce Gala Concert

Celebrated screen and stage actress Finty Williams will make her musical theatre debut alongside
West End stars Julie Atherton, Helena Blackman, Daniel Boys, Mark Evans, Clare Foster, Alex
Jessop, Sarah Lark and Paul Spicer as they dispense with the old and bastion the new when they
showcase the work of 25 year old musical theatre composer Michael Bruce in a one-off gala
concert of his work at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on Sunday November 1 2009.

Finty Williams, whose extensive credits include TV series such as Born and Bred and The Cranford
Chronicles, as well as the films Gosford Park and The Good Night, is currently appearing in Peter
Hall's brand new production of Alan Ayckbourn's classic comedy, Bedroom Farce at the Rose
Theatre, Kingston. She is the daughter of none other than the legendary actress Dame Judi Dench.

Michael Bruce is an exceptionally rare talent. A young British composer breaking free from the
confines of the fringe, and having his songs performed in the heart of the West End by a selection
of the UK's hottest young musical theatre stars. Seizing an opportunity most musical theatre
composers would die for, he will accompany the performers at the piano, along with a full band.

Winner of the groundbreaking Notes for the Stage competition in 2007, which was co-promoted by
West End show series Notes from New York and entertainment industry bible The Stage, Michael
Bruce offers a burgeoning ray of hope for the future of the British musical. Since winning the
competition, this gifted young songwriter has been nurtured by the young producers behind it. He
will now prove the pessimists wrong, by confirming that the best new writers can flourish beyond
the confines of the fringe, as long as they are afforded the artistic and commercial vision to do so.

Michael Bruce first took to the stage in the Scottish National Ballet's Nutcracker, following which
he became Highland Dancing Scottish Champion. Done with dancing, he took up table tennis in his
teens, playing in the Scottish national table tennis team throughout Europe. Academically gifted,
his careers advisor suggested he should study law, but the songwriter in him started to emerge. A
year out working in Sainsbury's allowed him time to hone his craft, following which he auditioned
for LIPA, where he studied voice as a singer / songwriter. He then graduated as a musical director
and songwriter, working on a variety of shows in London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Lincoln, as well
as assisting on several national tours, cruise ships and pantomimes. He then entered and won the
Notes for the Stage competition run by Notes from New York and The Stage, following which his
work has been performed in Christmas in New York at the Lyric Theatre and at the Trafalgar
Studios. His show Ed receives its professional première at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Julie Atherton recently reprised her acclaimed roles of Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q
alongside her co-star Daniel Boys as Princeton. Helena Blackman recently received extensive
acclaim in the West End revival of Stephen Sondheim's Saturday Night following her lead role in
the UK tour of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific. Mark Evans is currently playing Brad in the
UK tour of The Rocky Horror Show, having earlier this year been a runner-up in the BBC and
Andrew Lloyd Webber's search for a new Eurovision star. Clare Foster most recently appeared in
ITV drama The Bill after being in the original cast of Avenue Q. Alex Jessop is playing the role of Boq in the hit musical Wicked. Sarah Lark is appearing in Oliver at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Paul Spicer most recently played the role of Jamie in The Last 5 Years at the Duchess Theatre, following his debut at the Gothenburg Opera in Sweden, playing Tobias in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. Michael Bruce is produced by Neil Eckersley and Paul Spicer for Speckulation Entertainment.

For tickets call the Box Office on 0844 412 4658 (24 hrs).

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