|
The Girls (musical)
''Calendar Girls'' (previously titled ''The Girls'') is a musical with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and a book by Tim Firth. The musical is based on the 2003 film ''Calendar Girls'', which is in turn based on a true story. Synopsis Annie's husband John dies from leukaemia at an early age. Her close friend Chris, wants to purchase a comfortable sofa for the visitors' lounge in the hospital where John was treated. She hits upon the idea of printing a calendar featuring some of the members of the Knapely branch of the Women's Institute, discreetly posing nude while engaged in traditional WI activities, such as baking and knitting, in order to raise funds. Her proposal is initially met with great scepticism, but she eventually convinces ten women to participate in the project with her. They enlist one of the hospital workers, an amateur photographer named Lawrence, to help them with the calendar. Background The musical is based on the 2003 film ''Calendar Girls''. The film itself ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow (born 20 January 1971) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He is the lead singer of the British pop group Take That. Barlow is one of the United Kingdom's most successful songwriters, having written thirteen number-one singles (ten with Take That, two solo, one with the Robbie Williams song "Candy") and twenty-four top-ten hits. As a solo artist, he has had three number-one singles, six top-ten singles and three number-one albums, and has additionally had seventeen top-five hits, twelve number-one singles and eight number-one albums with Take That. Barlow has also established himself as a talent show judge and television personality. He has judged on ''The X Factor UK'' (2011–2013), '' Let It Shine'' (2017), and ''Walk the Line'' (2021). Barlow has received six Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the award for Outstanding Services to British Music. He has sold ove ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Joanna Riding
Joanna Riding (born Joanne Riding; 9 November 1967) is an English actress. For her work in West End musicals, she has won two Laurence Olivier Awards, and has been nominated for three others. Early life Riding was born in Preston, Lancashire, England, growing up on a farm, where her father ran a successful cheese-making business. She received theatre training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is a drama school in Bristol, England. The institution provides training in acting and production for careers in film, television and theatre. BOVTS is an affiliate of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama. ... from 1986 to 1989. Career After leaving school, Riding worked at Chichester Festival Theatre for a season, playing Anne Page in ''The Merry Wives of Windsor'' and Dorothy in ''The Wizard of Oz (adaptations), The Wizard of Oz''. She met her former husband, actor Peter O'Brien, at Chichester. She was next cast as a replacement Sally in t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Michele Dotrice
Michele Dotrice (born 27 September 1948) is an English actress. She portrayed Betty Spencer, the long-suffering wife of Frank Spencer, portrayed by Michael Crawford, in the BBC sitcom ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'', which ran from 1973 to 1978, and returned in 2016 for a special. Career Her first significant role was in the 1962 13-part BBC TV adaptation of ''The Old Curiosity Shop'' in which she played Nell, and she appeared in '' The Witches'' for Hammer Films in 1966. In 1970 she had starring roles in the horror thrillers '' And Soon the Darkness'' (1970) and ''The Blood on Satan's Claw'' (1970). Her other film appearances include ''Jane Eyre'' (1970) with George C. Scott and the 1976 comedy ''Not Now, Comrade''. It was her appearance in ''Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em'' that made her a household name, and she played the role for five years from 1973. In February 2016, the BBC announced that she was to reprise the role in a one-off special to be broadcast as part of the Sport Reli ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sara Kestelman
Sara Kestelman (born 12 May 1944) is an English actress. She is known for her role as Lady Frances Brandon, Lady Jane Grey's mother, in the 1986 film '' Lady Jane'', as well as for providing the voice of Kreia in '' Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords''. Life and career Kestelman was born in London, the daughter of Dorothy Mary (née Creagh), a dress designer, and Morris Kestelman, an artist. Her father was Jewish, from a family from Russia. In 1994, she won a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for her performance as Fraulein Schneider in ''Cabaret'' in the London revival of the show. She has performed with the Royal National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Kestelman joined the latter in 1968 but left in 1973 when she had her first film role in '' Zardoz''. In 1982, she played Lady Macbeth. Kestelman wrote a book of poetry, ''A Two Hander'', with Susan Penhaligon. It was published by The Do-Not Press in 1996. She voiced the character Kreia in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lisa Maxwell (actress)
Lisa Maxwell (born 24 November 1963) is an English actress, television presenter and singer best known for her role in ''The Bill'' as Samantha Nixon. Between 2009 and 2014 she was a regular panellist on ITV chat show series Loose Women. Early life Maxwell was born in the Elephant & Castle district of Southwark, South London, in November 1963. When she was conceived, her father, John Murphy, already had a pregnant wife. Her 22-year-old mother Valerie Maxwell returned to her parents' home, where the three of them brought Lisa up. She met her father for the first time when she was 45. She has three paternal half-siblings. Maxwell was educated at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts,Lisa Maxwell Loose Women, ITV, 29 April 2010 and first acted on TV aged 11, in a schools programme ''A Place Like Home''. In 1981, she par ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Denise Welch
Jacqueline Denise Welch (born 22 May 1958) is an English actress, television personality, writer and broadcaster. Her roles include Natalie Barnes in ''Coronation Street'' (1997–2000), Steph Haydock in '' Waterloo Road'' (2006–2010), and Trish Minniver in ''Hollyoaks'' (2021–2022). Welch also appears as a regular panellist on the ITV chat show ''Loose Women'' (2005–2013, 2018–present). Welch's other acting roles include the television dramas '' Spender'' (1991–1993), ''Soldier Soldier'' (1993–1995), and '' Down to Earth'' (2004–2005). In 2011, she was a contestant on the sixth series of ''Dancing on Ice'', where she was partnered with professional skater Matt Evers. In 2012, Welch won the ninth series of ''Celebrity Big Brother''. Early life Jacqueline Denise Welch was born in Tynemouth, North Tyneside on 22 May 1958. She has a younger sister, Debbie. Welch attended Bygate School in Whitley Bay, and La Sagesse School in Newcastle upon Tyne, before moving ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sophie-Louise Dann
Sophie-Louise Dann (born 1969) is a British actress, best known for her work in musical theatre. Career Dann trained at Arts Educational Schools, London. She appeared in minor roles in the films ''My Summer with Des'' (1998) and ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (2004). In 2010, Dann played the role of Diana Divane in the new musical ''Lend Me a Tenor'' at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. The production subsequently transferred to the West End in June 2011 in which Dann reprised her role. She received great acclaim for her performance, with Michael Billington writing "Sophie-Louise Dann seizes her moment and gives wonderfully over-the-top potted parodies of Tosca, Violetta and Carmen, while hugging the walls and clawing the furniture in the manner of an old-style soprano". She was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical. In April 2013 She played Dot and Marie in Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim at Théatre ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sue Devaney
Sue Devaney (born Susan Barber, 2 July 1967) is an English actress. Her roles include Debbie Webster in ''Coronation Street'', Rita in ''Jonny Briggs'', Liz Harker in '' Casualty'' and Jane in '' Dinnerladies''. Career Devaney has played various roles on British television including; Debbie Webster in ''Coronation Street'' (1984–1985, 2019–present), Rita Briggs in ''Jonny Briggs'' (1985–1987), Liz Harker in '' Casualty'' (1994–1997), and Jane in '' Dinnerladies'' (1998–2000). In the early 1990s she appeared in a commercial for the Gateway supermarket chain (later Somerfield). In 2009, she played the role of Peggy in the Channel 4 drama '' Shameless'', and lent her voice to the role of Jane in Carol Donaldson's BBC Radio 4 play ''Normal and Nat''. Devaney performed at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury as the Fairy Godmother in ''Cinderella'', Friday 2 December 2011 – Sunday 22 January 2012. In 2013, she appeared in the ITV comedy-drama series ''Great Night Out'' as Li ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lorraine Bruce
Lorraine Bruce is a British television, film and stage actress, best known for her portrayal of Denise Simpson in the Kay Mellor five part BBC One series '' The Syndicate'' In 2013, she was cast in '' Lucky 7'', the U.S. version of '' The Syndicate''. Bruce trained at The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Filmography Television Film Theatre * '' Piaf'', as Toine; Donmar Warehouse/ West End transfer * '' Les Miserables'', as Madame Thenardier; West End * '' Vernon God Little'', as End Pam/Judge/Other Roles; Young Vic * '' That Day We Sang'', as Dorothy/Pauline; Manchester International Festival * ''The Rise and Fall Of Little Voice'', as Sadie Mae * '' Teechers'', as Hobby * ''Romeo & Juliet'', as Nurse; Hull Truck * '' Saucy Jack & The Space Vixens'', as Chesty Prospects; London Cast * ''Mail Order Bride'', as June * ''Get Ken Barlow'', as Leslie * ''Scuffer'', as Cathy; West Yorkshire Playhouse Leeds Playhouse is a theatre in the city centre of Leeds, West York ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Karen Dunbar
Karen Dunbar (born 1 April 1971) is a Scottish comedian, actress and writer. She first appeared on television on the BBC Scotland sketch comedy series ''Chewin' the Fat'' (1999–2002), and was subsequently given her own show by the channel titled ''The Karen Dunbar Show'' (2003–2006). Early life Dunbar was born in Glasgow and moved to Ayr at an early age. She attended Ayr Academy. Career ''Chewin' the Fat'' Dunbar began her career as a DJ and karaoke host before she attended The Comedy Unit's open auditions in 1997 where she was cast in the BBC Scotland comedy sketch show ''Chewin' the Fat.'' It has been rumoured that Dunbar was offered the role of Isa for the spin-off '' Still Game'' focusing on the characters Jack Jarvis and Victor McDade, but she declined in order to star in her own show. No such rumour has ever been confirmed nor denied by Dunbar or any of her former co-stars. ''The Karen Dunbar Show'' She was subsequently given her own show by the channel, ''The Kar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Claire Machin
Claire Machin is a British actress, best known for her work in musical theatre. Career At the age of 16, Machin trained at Sylvia Young Theatre School, taking part in an adult drama course. Through the 1990s and early 2000s she appeared in the ensemble of several major West End shows including roles in ''Les Misérables'', ''Oliver!'' and ''My Fair Lady''. She took part in workshops for the stage adaptation of ''Mary Poppins'' and in 2004 was part of the original cast playing the role of Miss Lark, for which she appears on the Original London Cast Recording. In 2009, Machin played Mamie Eisenhower in the UK professional premiere of ''First Lady Suite'' by Michael John LaChiusa, with the Whatsonstage.com review describing her performance as "particularly memorable". In 2013, she played the role of Mabel in the Chichester Festival Theatre production of ''The Pajama Game''. The production then transferred to the West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre from May to September 2014. In ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rebecca Storm
Rebecca Storm is a British singer and musical theatre actress. Her 1985 hit single "The Show" was the theme to the ITV television series ''Connie''. Early career Rebecca Storm found her passion for singing when she was 11, although she began singing nine years earlier. After studying Music and Drama at Leeds University, Storm toured the United Kingdom and mainland Europe with her own band singing folk and rock songs. At 24, she auditioned for and landed a role in '' Blood Brothers'', her first musical show. Although a little young to play the character of Mrs. Johnstone, the Catholic Liverpudian mother of seven, author Willy Russell was captivated by her voice and gave her the role, aided by wardrobe and make-up. An album of songs from the show, ''Rebecca Storm Sings Blood Brothers'', was released by CBS Ireland. She went on to play the role for several years. Musical theatre Her role as Mrs. Johnstone gained rave reviews which catapulted her into the world of Musical theatre. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
