WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Congratulations to EDDIE REDMAYNE

EDDIE REDMAYNE won Best Shakespearean Performance for Richard II the Donmar

Congratulations to SHERIDAN SMITH

SHERIDAN SMITH has won Best Actress at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards

Congratulations to IDRIS ELBA

Congratulations to IDRIS ELBA on his Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a mini-series or TV movie for LUTHER

The Evening Standard's top theatre awards for 2011 go to NYMT Alumni!

BEST ACTOR:
Jonny Lee Miller (Frankenstein, National Theatre)
(Jonny shares the award with his co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch)

BEST ACTRESS:
Sheridan Smith (Flare Path, Theatre Royal Haymarket)

MATILDA hits London like a bombshell!

The RSC production of MATILDA, directed by Matthew Warchus has opened at THE CAMBRIDGE THEATRE 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 Tim Minchin, 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 good 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 SHREK at Drury Lane, NIGEL HARMAN, (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 DOWNTON ABBEY, comes to The Old Vic 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 Bristol Old Vic 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 SHERIDAN SMITH (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, EDDIE REDMAYNE (NYMT 1998), whose latest film, MY WEEK WITH MARILYN, opens soon, is about to give his RICHARD II at The Donmar Warehouse directed by Michael Grandage and, back in the opera 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 Channel 4'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 JUDE LAW (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.

As ever, the theatre, TV and film-worlds continue to feature the work of past members of the National Youth Music Theatre.

Few have been busier than MATT LUCAS (1987, The Roman Invasion of Ramsbottom) who has featured in all three categories since. Following his double-appearance as both Tweedledum and Tweedledee in Tim Burton’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND, he has also recently had a major TV Series, COME FLY WITH ME, and is soon to open as Thenardier in LES MISERABLES in the West End. Matt has also recently become a Patron of the International Youth Arts Festival in Kingston, as has SHERIDAN SMITH (1995-99, Pendragon, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali, The Kissing-Dance) who has dominated the London stage for the past 15 months with her magnificent Olivier-Award winning performance in LEGALLY BLONDE and her current, critically acclaimed role in FLAREPATH at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket directed by Trevor Nunn. There are strong rumours that she next will be playing the lead in the new stage production of BRIDGET JONES.

Keeping the NYMT flag flying in LEGALLY BLONDE is SIMON THOMAS (1994 – 2000, Oliver!, The Ragged Child, The Kissing-Dance, The Dreaming) playing Warner following his excellent performance as the Prince in INTO THE WOODS in Regent’s Park last summer, while another playing a lead for TREVOR NUNN has been BEN BARNES (1997-2002, The Ballad of Salomon Pavey, Bugsy Malone, The Ragged Child, The Dreaming) in BIRDSONG at the Comedy Theatre. Ben’s latest film, KILLING BONO, has enjoyed popular acclaim. JAMIE BELL (1996-8, The Wizard of Oz, Tin Pan Ali, Bugsy Malone), is also enjoying current film success in THE EAGLE).  Next in the Trevor Nunn/NYMT continuing link is JAMIE PARKER (1997-9, The Beggar’s Opera, Into The Woods) who is playing Guildenstern in the new production of ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at The Haymarket. Hot off the press is the casting of MIKE JIBSON (1995-2000, Tin Pan Ali, Bugsy Malone, The Kissing Dance) in Stephen Sondheim’s new musical ROAD SHOW, which has its European Premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory in June.

On screen, look out for TOM HOLLANDER (1981-2, The Leaving of Liverpool, Captain Stirrick) in the highly-praised new film, LEAH. Tom has also just completed a long run at The Old Vic in A FLEA IN HER EAR under the direction of Richard Eyre. TIM McMULLEN (1980, Tin Pan Ali) was also in the cast and goes on to play Simyanov Pischick at The National Theatre. FRANCESCA JACKSON (1997-8, Bugsy Malone) is at The Duchess Theatre in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET; ADAM PEARCE (1999-2000, Pendragon, Oklahoma) plays Squelch in LOVE NEVER DIES at the Adelphi  alongside  SIMON GREEN (1994, Bugsy Malone), OLIVER THORNTON (1996-7, The Beggar’s Opera, Aurelius) continues his hilarious leading role in PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT, DANIELLE COOMBE (1988-9, Drake, Oliver!)and CHARLOTTE RIBY (1994, Whistle Down the Wind, creation, Tin Pan Ali, Warchild) is playing Diva at The Palace while ADIBAYO BOLAJI and DARREN CARNALL (1996-8, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali)are in the cast of GHOST at The Piccadilly. JONNY LEE MILLER (1986-9, Bodywork, The Ragged Child, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Les Petits Rats) is sharing the roles of FRANKENSTEIN (1996-9, Bugsy Malone, creation, Aurelius, Tin Pan Ali) and THE CREATURE with Benedict Cumberbatch at The National Theatre, where PHILIP CUMBUS (1996, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali) is also currently in One Man, Two Gunners directed by Nick Hytner. DOMINIC MARSH is in THE UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG with the Knee High company at the Gielgud. TOM SUTCLIFFE (1996, Warchild) and SEAN PARKINS (1997-8,Bugsy Malone)  continue in WICKED at The Apollo Victoria and CHARLES EDWARDS (1986 -9, The Ragged Child, Les Petits Rats, the Caucasian Chalk Circle) following a recent stint at The National, joins the 2011 company at Shakespeare’s Globe to play Benedict in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. At Drury Lane, soon to open in SHREK as Lord Farqhaal, is NIGEL HARMAN (1991, October’s Children) alongside DELROY ATKINSON (1995, The Threepenny Opera) and STUART PRICE (1995-6, Bugsy Malone, Tin Pan Ali) while MICHAEL PICKERING (2004, Oklahoma) following a tremendous performance as Athos in The Four Musketeers at The Rose last Christmas, is now in GREASE playing DOODY in the West End. JUDE LAW (1987-1990, Bodywork, The Ragged Child, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Captain Stirrick, The Tailor of Gloucester) returns to the Donmar company to play Matt Burke in ANNA CHRISTIE. Jude also became a patron of NYMT in August 2010, joining TOM CHAMBERS, who has landed the plum role of Fred Astaire in TOP HAT.

The choreography world is currently represented by PETER DARLING, (1977, The Ballad of Salomon Pavey) whose work on BILLY ELLIOT continues to make the show one of the top draws in London and CAROLE TODD, (1984, Drake) is doing the same for DREAMBOATS AND PETTICOATS at the London Playhouse Theatre and on tour. From that same production in 1984 SUSAN PERKINS is never off the TV; the same goes for KONNIE HUQ (1990, Captain Stirrick). Watch out for AMY NUTTALL (1996-8, Whistle Down The Wind, Aurelius) who is soon to appear in the new series of Downton Abbey. MARK QUARTLEY (1998-2003, The Ragged Child, Oklahoma) is currently on the road playing the lkead in PRIVATE PEACEFUL and ADAM KNIGHT (1995-6, Pendragon, Warchild) has recently become Director of Productions at The Belfast Opera House. LOTTIE WAKEHAM (2004, The Kissing Dance) has recently directed THE KISSING DANCE to great acclaim at The Jermyn Street Theatre with a cast that included GINA BECK (1998-2000, Warchild, Pendragon, The Kissing Dance) and IAN VIRGO (1998-2000, The Kissing-Dance).

The steam-roller which is embodied by the fantastic heritage of wonderful performers, technicians, directors, designers etc etc which has come down through the work of the NYMT over the past 30 plus years, marches confidently on. Just look at this list!!!

SALLY HAWKINS (1993-5) follows up her Golden Globe award for HAPPY GO LUCKY with another fine performance in AN EDUCATION which opened to excellent reviews in October. LAURENCE DOBIESZ (1995-7) is in the West End in the RSC's wonderful TWELFTH NIGHT. KATE PRINCE (2001) is about to open her production of THE BOYS IN THE HOOD at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. SIMON THOMAS (1994-200) has just landed the plum role as TARZAN in Disney's new film while BEN BARNES (1997-2004) has just completed his second stint as PRINCE CASPIAN, also for Disney and is currently filming in Ireland. JUDE LAW (1987 -90) continues to work as hard as anyone with his HAMLET just having wowed New York, a new HENRY V coming up in London, a major role in THE LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES and the new face on the Dior Homme Sport commercial campaign. JAMES STURGESS (1993-5) has had a busy year filming THE WAY BACK with director Peter Wier, HEARTLESS directed by Philip Ridley and enjoying his success in 50 DEAD MEN WALKING. EDDIE REDMAYNE (1998) is never off the cinema screen with GLORIOUS 39 currently opening and BLACK DEATH in the pipeline.On stage he is in the new production of RED at The Donmar Warehouse. CHIKE OKONKWO (1998 - 2004) is enjoying great success in the BBC's new seris, PARADOX, and, if you see the current PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, get a double hit with GINA BECK (1996- 2000) as Christine and REBECCA LOCK (1993-7) as Carlotta. Another West End leading lady in the form of KERRY ELLIS (1990) currently sharing NANCY in OLIVER with Jodie Prenger.. Along the road in the record-breaking BLOOD BROTHERS is another 'double' in the form of STEPHEN PALFREYMAN (1990 -91) and LOUISE CLAYTON (1995-8) now husband and wife in real life! With the NATIONAL THEATRE are JASPER BRITTEN (1976 -7) in THE POWER OF YES IN THE Lyttleton, EAMONN O'DWYER (1995) in WARHORSE at The New London as is RACHEL SANDERS (1989-90) while GURPREET SINGH (1999-2000) is in NATION in The Olivier (1995) SHERIDAN SMITH (1994-2000) opens any minute in LEGALLY BLONDE at The Savoy in which she is stunningly brilliant as is DARREN CARNALL (1996-7)and OLIVER THORNTON (1996-8) continues to wow them playing opposite Jason Donovan in PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT at The London Palladium. With him in the cast are ZOE BIRKETT (1997-9) and DANIELLE COOMBE (1984-6). OLIVER TOMPSETT (1997-8) continues leading the cast of WICKED Outside the West End, if you can possibly catch THE HOT MIKADO on tour at the moment, do, DOMINIC TIGHE (1994 -2003) is one of a fantastic cast of actor/singer/dancer/musicians who do huge credit to the world of music theatre CHARLES EDWARDS (1988 - 1990) continues his extensive work for Sir Peter Hall in the new production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM coming to The Rose Theatre in Kingston where, later in the year there are plans for a new production of THE REVENGER'S TRAGEDY to be co-directed by JO BILLINGTON and FRANK WHATELY and a new production of THE BALLAD OF SALOMON PAVEY by JEREMY JAMES TAYLOR. KATIE BEARD has just directed Richard Taylor's WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND at the Electric Theatre in Guildford. MIKE JIBSON (1995-2000) is off to Manchester to play DROMIO in a new production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS and JULIAN OVENDON (1993) is being a big hit playing opposite Jane Horrocks in ANNE GET YOUR GUN at The Young Vic with JOHN MARQUEZ (1996-7) also in the cast.