Posted June 7, 200619 yr thakns to .net fpor this Jennifer Ellison is rejoining the cast of West End musical Chicago Ellison, 23, will make her return as murderess Roxie Hart - a role she first played in 2004. Kelsey, who played Dave Glover in Emmerdale and went on to appear in Casualty, has landed the part of scheming lawyer Billy Flynn. Both will appear at London's Cambridge Theatre for a limited five-week season from July 10 to August 12. Ellison proved a hit when she first appeared in the West End show. The former Brookside star has since appeared in the Hollywood version of The Phantom Of The Opera. Roxie Hart is currently being played by Bonnie Langford. Kelsey, 39, will take over from Darius Danesh, who is also returning to the show from June 17 to July 8. The role of Billy Flynn has been played by Marti Pellow, Sacha Distel and David Hasselhoff since the show opened in 1997. Edited June 7, 200619 yr by prettyinpink
June 7, 200619 yr Thanks, pip. Nice to see it confirmed at last. So definitely no extension this time - he really meant it when he said 3 weeks only. Shame! Still it's a big bonus I definitely wasn't expecting. I wonder if he was coming over to the UK for Father's Day anyway. I'm just sorry I can only fit in one day in London this time. I guess the rest of the cast must be staying as it is. I'm looking forward to seeing Bonnie but I know I'll be watching Darius when he's on stage, no matter who else is there, even if he is not supposed to be the main focus at that point. He is for me! I can virtually remember everything he did at the Adelphi, so it will be interesting to see if there any changes in his role this time. Edited June 7, 200619 yr by Baytree
June 8, 200619 yr Thanks, pip. Nice to see it confirmed at last. So definitely no extension this time - he really meant it when he said 3 weeks only. Shame! Still it's a big bonus I definitely wasn't expecting. I wonder if he was coming over to the UK for Father's Day anyway. I'm just sorry I can only fit in one day in London this time. I guess the rest of the cast must be staying as it is. I'm looking forward to seeing Bonnie but I know I'll be watching Darius when he's on stage, no matter who else is there, even if he is not supposed to be the main focus at that point. He is for me! I can virtually remember everything he did at the Adelphi, so it will be interesting to see if there any changes in his role this time. I am looking forward to seeing him again. Each time I saw him there were subtle changes in his performance, and the rest of the cast too. I wouldn't have made a special trip to see Bonnie in the role of Roxy, but it is a bonus she is remaining it it, so I can check her out. I really have never been a fan, but some people have said she is extremely talented. It will be nice to be able to see for myself :)
June 8, 200619 yr Sky News has the cast change news almost verbatim.......I say almost because ,wouldn't you just know they'ved erased the part about Darius. They do it all the time. It's so petty. Someone must really hate Darius when they have to cut out every mention of his name. Edited June 8, 200619 yr by Baytree
June 8, 200619 yr If you hadnt said that Baytree, I would have because I thought exactly that with the this is london write up. Jennifer ellison was lauded at the top of the report and it was as if he was just an afterthought. They are hoping he will get bad houses I feel with no press. I feel each time he is being suppressed.
June 8, 200619 yr I've nothing against the This is London piece - it's obviously the official info from Chicago. If they run the news about a change of stars a month or so in advance they can organise interviews and photoshoots and such like, just like they did when they announced Darius on Oct 19th although he didn't start until 21st Nov. I expect the photos which come out will feature both Ellison and Kelsey. What does surprise me is they are only down for 5 weeks - that's very short, even for household names. This press release acknowledges that Darius is coming back and gives the relevant dates so any media receiving the info about Jennifer also get the info about Darius. Fans of Bonnie may have thought that the fact she had extended her contract ahould have been given more of a shout as it was when Darius extended his during his last run. What annoys me is that certain elements of that media doctor the announcement to remove information viz the fact that Darius is coming back. First time round lots of them were trying to paint him as a failure who wouldn't cut it in the West End. Now, maybe silence is their best tactic. Underhand offensive attacks on Darius just won't wash this time because he's already proved he can hold his own in the West End.
June 8, 200619 yr I do seewhat you say baytree but I was thinking from a different viewpoint in that Meg had posted on net quote - I asked as I was told that the current Billy Flynn wouldn't be doing the 17th. It does seem weird though. There were lots and lots of seats available. I don't suppose many people know he's back as Billy apart from us- and also a new member has joined net and said he wouldnt have known anything about Darius appearing without our site, just want him to bring the people in and the gen.public dont read the theatre sites etc as a whole , that was my thinking.
June 9, 200619 yr Maybe his decision to take this season doing Billy Flynn was made at the last moment and didn't give them time for publicity. He was so good, some of that will carry through and encourage people to go. If he's given them more noticee, it may have all been different. I'm just glad he managed to fit in something in the UK
June 9, 200619 yr Darius isn't back in the UK yet, is he? I expect that's when something will appear in the 'ordinary'press.
June 13, 200619 yr He wasn't intending to be in the UK at this time. I don't know when he'll come. Surely he would rehearse before his first night wouldn't he??? :o
June 14, 200619 yr He should be here now I wish I lived in London, I wouls hang around the Cambridge theatre just in case he was nipping in for morning rehearsals etc :)
June 14, 200619 yr Me too :D If we did we could meet up with a flask and sandwiches and go D spotting :D :rofl:
June 14, 200619 yr I like the sound of that :dance: Imagine being paid to follow D around and photograph him :o Now that is a job I would enjoy with his cooperation and blessing of course :)
Create an account or sign in to comment