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Home , Matthew Warchus, Michael Grandage, Nigel Harman, Sue Perkins

Where are they Now? November 2011

MATILDA hits like a bombshell! The RSC production of MATILDA, directed by has opened at THE where, if justice is done, it should remain for the next hundred years! It is a wonderful production largely due to the extraordinary vision of its composer , and the visionary choreographic skills of PETER DARLING (NYMT, 1977). The cast includes three astonishing teams of 9-12 year olds as well as an ever-young NICKY SEARLE (NYMT, 1984), still dancing up a storm. Associate Director is LOTTIE WAKEHAM (NYMT 2006). Soon to come to The Palace Theatre hot from Chichester is SINGING IN THE RAIN for which ANDREW WRIGHT (NYMT 1997-90) has won high praise for his choreography, while another distinguished director/choreographer, CAROLE TODD (NYMT 1984) currently has two shows in London, DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS at The Playhouse and SANTA CLAUS AND THE CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE at The Ambassadors. How to hear that DREW McONIE (NYMT 1998-99) is ‘coming home’ to choreograph 13 for the NYMT next summer along with multi- instrumentalist, composer and conductor TORQUIL MUNRO (NYMT 1987-93) as musical director. Another composer, GRANT OLDING (NYMT 2002) has scored a huge hit with his music for the massive hit ONE MAN TWO GUV’NORS soon to transfer from The National to The Adelphi and director RUSSELL LABEY (NYMT 1985-2000) has just finished his production of THIRD FLOOR at The Trafalgar Studios. Another about to finish after a huge run as Felicia /Adam in PRISCILLA at The Palace Theatre is OLIVER THORNTON (NYMT 1996-98) and, of course, MATT LUCAS (NYMT 1987) has just finished his stint in LES MISERABLES at The Queens. Many congratulations to CHARLES EDWARDS (NYMT 1987-90) who has landed the lead in the new stage version of THE KING’S SPEECH. Also to TOM CHAMBERS (NYMT 1990-97) playing Fred Astaire in TOP HAT to high critical acclaim on tour at the moment and which comes into London in the new year. Also currently on stage, or about to come on-stage in the West End, OLIVER TOMPSETT (NYMT 1999-2000) is storming it in ROCK OF AGES alongside JAMIE MUSCATO (NYMT 2004) and CORDELIA FARNWORTH (NYMT 1999-2000) at the Shaftesbury Theatre. In at Drury Lane, , (NYMT 1992) is hilarious as Lord Farquaad; also in the cast are DELROY ATKINSON (NYMT 1998) and STUART MATTHEW PRICE (NYMT 1996-98). AMY NUTALL, (NYMT 1994-96) not content with currently stealing the screen in , comes to in NOISES OFF while GINA BECK, (NYMT 1998-200) moves from LES MISERABLES to play Glinda in WICKED at The Victoria Apollo. Gina's contemporary, AKIYA HENRY (NYMT 1995-2000) moves into the Vaudeville Theatre from The with the much-acclaimed SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS playing the wonderfully named role of Titty Walker! CARL AU (NYMT 2000), fresh out of Arts Ed, plays Joe Pesci in JERSEY BOYS at The Prince Edward, and just round the corner, ADEBAYO BOLAJI (NYMT 1997-2000) and DARREN CARNALL (NYMT 1996-97) are in GHOST, THE MUSICAL at The Piccadilly; Following (NYMT 1994-98) at The Savoy, ELLIE KIRK (NYMT 1998-1999) is playing Margot in LEGALLY BLONDE and WARREN SOLLARS (NYMT 1996-98) is currently playing Pepper in MAMMA MIA at The Prince of Wales. ANYA RODFORD (NYMT 2002) has just enjoyed great success in KISSES ON A POSTCARD directed by Jeremy James Taylor at The Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple. JIM STURGESS (NYMT 1994-95) continues to roll out top class performances in top class films. Playing the lead opposite Anne Hathaway, ONE DAY is well up there. Judging by the reviews the same can be said of JAMIE BELL (NYMT 1995-97) playing the title role in Stephen Sondheim’s THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN. Busier than ever, (NYMT 1998), whose latest film, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, opens soon, is about to give his RICHARD II at The directed by and, back in the house, JO DAVIES (NYMT 1986-96) has come up with a huge winner with her production for ENO North of RUDDIGORE, which comes from Leeds via Newcastle and Salford touring dates to The Barbican. Don’t miss it. On television, a welcome return of REV to BBC2 with TOM HOLLANDER (NYMT 1981-83) up to his usual standard, SUE PERKINS (NYMT 1984-85) is currently doing 's breakfast show RI:SE. and on radio ADAM PARSONS (NYMT 1980) is frequently heard presenting on BBC Radio Five Live. Finally, for making the short-list for the EVENING STANDARD AWARDS 2011, congratulations are due to (NYMT 1987-90) for his performance in ANNA CHRISTIE at The Donmar, SHERIDAN SMITH again for a remarkable performance in FLAREPATH at The Haymarket, JONNY LEE MILLER (NYMT 1986-89) for FRANKENSTEIN at The National Theatre and CHARLES EDWARDS for his hilarious Benedick in MUCH ADO at Shakespeare’s Globe.