West End Stars Pick Their 2015 Theatrical Highlights!

As always, we asked some of our West End pals to pick out their theatrical highlights of the year. Here's what they said...

Director Simon Greiff: "As Associate Director, I had the honour of directing Richard O'Brien and a host of wonderful performers in The Rocky Horror Show 'Live' in the West End - which was also screened live in cinemas across Europe.

"SimG Records, which I run, has also been busy - having released five new albums, including the latest from Richard Woodford in time for Christmas, and we are currently crowdfunding for an exciting project that will raise money and awareness for the MS Society."

Follow Simon on Twitter @SimGProductions

Leading lady Kerry Ellis: "My highlight would have to be playing Grizabella in Cats at the London Palladium. I always wanted to be a part of the iconic show and to do so at such a special theatre was magical."

Follow Kerry on Twitter @kerryjaneellis1

We took exclusive pictures of Kerry's cabaret at the Pheasantry earlier in the year - where her special guest was none other than long-time collaborator Brian May!

Rebecca Caine (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera): "Imelda in Gypsy, obviously - a towering performance of a lifetime in a musical that shows the business of show in all its true grottiness. The greatest tenor alive, Jonas Kaufmann, in the dress rehearsal of Andre Chenier, Royal Opera House - my first chance to hear him in person. West Side Story at Asolo Rep, Sarasota, Florida - where I'm rehearsing my first straight play. On a personal level, in the year that Les Mis turned 30, singing 'Bring Him Home' in the Canadian Arctic to an audience of First Nations people (indigenous Canadians) and realising that what we made then means so much to so many - not to mention pressing my breasts against Roger Allam's arm in the curtain call of the 30th anniversary performance of the same show. I loved that."

Follow Rebecca on Twitter - @rebeccacaine

Jim Caruso, host of Cast Party: "After hosting 'Jim Caruso's Cast Party' in Manhattan and all over the US for thirteen years, I was overjoyed to bring our open mic extravaganza to London in March for the first time! Musical director Billy Stritch and I immediately felt at home at The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zédel, and were thrilled with the extraordinary talent that showed up! Rachel Tucker, Robert Meadmore, Anne Reid, Giles Terera, Andrew Pepper, Fiona Jane Weston, Giselle Wolf, Steven Cree, Michael Mather, Kai Hoffman, Earl Okin and so many others stormed the stage and entertained us with impromptu performances at the baby grand. Needless to say, it's our fervent wish to make a return visit soon, so we are keeping our fingers (and eyes) crossed!"

Follow Jim on Twitter @jimcaruso1

Showstopper!'s Lucy Trodd: "Aladdin in Canterbury - in the finale the MD was flown over the audience to Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" - we were all on our feet cheering despite our inner voices telling us to keep it together. This made me realise that when panto's done well there's nothing better for bring an audience together (oh no there isn't etc).

"City Stories at St James Studio by James Phillips - lovely writing, simply staged, gorgeous music. Haunting.

"TREE (Daniel Kitson) at Old Vic. Again, simple idea, great performances. Memorable set.

"David Sedaris live BBC Radio 4 recording at RADA Theatre. We have the same producer (my claim to fame!). David is so special. Just one of a kind. To see him read his work was an utter privilege.

"The Oresteia at Almeida. Totally moved to uncontrollable tears by Hara Yannas's performance of Cassandra (speaking in Ancient Greek I believe). Wowee, so powerful.

"Beautiful - I'm a big Carole King fan so they didn't have to do much to impress me. I'm sure it wasn't the best show ever, but I took my parents (also fans) and what made it special was hearing my dad (not the most comfortable person in the theatre) whoop and cheer. Sometimes a show is for 'the people' - this was one of those times.

"Performing-wise - a bumper year for Showstopper! Far East tour (I did the Singapore leg - one of the happiest times of my life), followed by The Udderbelly run on South Bank, our eighth Edinburgh and we just completed a 10-week run at The Apollo, West End, and transferring to The Lyric in 2016."

Hear Lucy and fellow Showstopper Ruth Bratt in their Radio 4 series - Trodd en Bratt Say Well Done You.

Brett Haylock, creative producer, La Soiree: "2015 has been an absolute cracker for us. It has taken La Soirée to Asia (for the first time in our 11 years of touring), across Europe and a return to sunny Australia - but I have to say that a highlight has been returning to the UK where each trip back has provided a career high: an Olivier award in April, headlining the theatre and circus fields at Glastonbury in June, and more than one standing ovation for press night in November."

Follow La Soiree on Twitter - @lasoireelive

Siubhan Harrison, currently starring in Guys and Dolls at the Savoy Theatre: "Bryony Kimmings at the Soho Theatre in her autobiographical show Fake It Till You Make It, was heartbreaking in its honesty, to share her and her partner's story of their journey with depression was amazing to watch, funny, touching and real. I wish I had seen People Places and Things at the National but I'll be booking for my day off for the West End transfer. An Audience with Jimmy Savile at the Park Theatre was an amazing piece of theatre, challenging, uncomfortable and superbly performed. Dinner With Friends also at the Park Theatre was brilliant, they use their space so well there, an amazing bittersweet story of two couples and the dynamics within relationships. And Plaques and Tangles at the Royal Court, an uncomfortable yet touching story of early onset Alzheimer's with an amazing central performance by Monica Dolan and a superb supporting cast."

Follow Siubhan on Twitter - @soobs56

Rebecca Lock, currently starring in the UK tour of Mary Poppins: "My theatrical highlights of 2015 are getting my heart broken by Eva Noblezada in Miss Saigon; and Zizi Strallen flying in from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall as Mary Poppins in the Royal Variety Performance...magical and breathtaking moments both."

Follow Rebecca on Twitter - @RebeccaLock22

Robert Lonsdale (From Here To Eternity, Plaques and Tangles): "The Vote at the Donmar and Wonder.land - both because they were doing something brave and interesting."

Follow Robert on Twitter - @robertlonsdale

Sabrina Aloueche (Les Mis, We Will Rock You): "2015 was an incredible year for the smaller scale fringe theatre! Shows such as In The Heights (which also brought to light some incredible talent) currently at The Kings Cross Theatre, American Idiot the Arts Theatre, Dinner with Sadam at The Menier, Grand Hotel and Carrie at the wonderful Southwark Playhouse etc! These smaller venues are treasures, the emit such a buzz of excitement with so many in such small spaces, and the music and performances hit you on a much more personal level! Have to mention Memphis, Bend it like Beckham and Gypsy too! 2015 was another great year for British theatre!"

Follow Sabrina on Twitter - @sabrinaaloueche

Tiffany Graves (Kiss Me Kate, The Producers): "Top of my highlights list for 2015 has to be my solo cabaret show at Crazy Coqs "When You Got It, Flaunt It" - a sell-out night performing in front of an audience packed with my nearest and dearest on my first wedding anniversary. Such a wonderfully fun night (with lovely photos by BroadwayWorld to boot). The cabaret show took its name from the outrageous number I'd had such fun performing as Ulla in The Producers earlier in the year, touring with a star-studded cast led by the astonishingly talented Cory English alongside a host of hilarious comedians and the (as ever) outrageously be-frocked David Bedella.

"My other big show of the year was Kiss Me Kate, playing Lois with Opera North. Performing with such a huge chorus and orchestra, on such opulent sets and in such sumptuous costumes, was thrilling - not to mention the rave reviews we got for it (and the great friends I made from it) - and has to go down as one of the most special experiences of my year.

"But enough about me me me! I've prattled on at some length about all the fabulous shows I've been fortunate enough to catch this year, most of them starring dear friends, and some of the wonderful experiences I've had, such as meeting Mel Brooks and performing at Stephen Sondheim's 85th birthday gala. But in brief let me just say that your New Year's Resolution list should include doing all you can to get a ticket to see these stunning productions (as luck would have it, most of my favourites from 2015 are still going strong into 2016): In The Heights (extended at Kings Cross Theatre); Funny Girl (at the Menier Chocolate Factory and moving to The Savoy); Kinky Boots(at the Adelphi); Hangmen at The Wyndham's; Mr Foote's Other Leg at The Haymarket; and (if the success of The Winter's Tale was anything to go by) anything screened at Picturehouse cinemas from Kenneth Branagh's season at The Garrick.

"Merry Christmas & have a Happy Theatregoing New Year!"

Follow Tiffany on Twitter - @tiffanygraves4

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