Amelia Lily: "American Idiot is an unforgettable experience"

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Hawt Celebs

Written By: Mark Armstrong

If you are of a certain age, you may recall putting on some punk rock music and repeatedly (and quite violently) tossing your head back and forth to the beats. If that is the case, or even if it isn't (I could never master the punk rock head-toss), you will get a real kick out of American Idiot, a brand new musical which is based around the music of one of the most famous punk rock bands of the 20th century, Green Day. Boosting the prestige of this show is a performer who also has a musical background: Amelia Lily, who has released several singles since her successful run on The X-Factor in 2011. We wanted to know more about the show and about her too, so we spoke to Amelia about American Idiot, her career so far and why she's living the dream right now ...

First of all, tell us about the show American Idiot.

American Idiot is written based on the self-titled album by the American band Green Day, and has been transformed into a musical. It's about three guys: one of them goes off to the army, one of them moves off to the city and becomes heavily involved with drugs, and the other guy stays at home with his pregnant girlfriend; and they all go on their own separate journeys to find meaning.

Were you a fan of Green Day before being offered a part in this show?

Yes, absolutely! I wasn't a die-hard fan, but I knew all of their songs and stuff. I was very young when Green Day were at the peak point of their careers. Obviously, as I still knew their songs, I was looking forward to getting involved with a show that requires singing these huge hits every day. But funnily enough, my boyfriend (Steve Rushton), who is also in the show (as Will), is the biggest Green Day fan, so I've learned a lot about the band from him, which is a really nice bonus.

Can you tell us about your character in the show (whose name is actually Whatsername)?

Yeah, so I play a character called Whatsername. She is a city girl, she's very independent, and she falls in love with Johnny (the main guy who Newton Faulkner plays), and you see their romance blossoming throughout the show. They go through some quite intense scenes together, so it's definitely an emotional roller-coaster for me throughout the show in terms of acting, but she's such a fun character to play and she sings some epic songs as well.

Moving onto your own career: how did it feel when you made it all the way to third place on The X-Factor in 2011, and how did you cope with the pressure of the show as it reached the final stages?

The X-Factor feels like such a long time ago now, almost like it never happened; it doesn't feel real. But I was very young on The X-Factor, and I think my adrenaline got me through it. I knew why I was there, and that I wanted to get to the final and do well, and that's kind of what drove me. Of course, I was absolutely petrified, but I definitely think that the adrenaline got me through it.

Based on this experience, was it a dream come true when you began releasing your own singles, such as You Bring Me Joy (released in 2012)?

Yeah, absolutely. It was something that I'd always wanted to do, as with theatre; theatre is something that I've always wanted to do and planned on doing since I was ten-years-old. So, to be able to do both, and I'm still only 21; I consider myself to be extremely lucky.

So, what led you down the path to truly pursue theatre and perform on the stage full-time?

Basically, I got a phone call last year, asking if I would like to play the narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat on tour, which went really well. Then, after that, I got a call towards the end of last year asking me about a new show being made about Green Day, and they said they'd like me to get involved. It sounded really good, so I agreed to it and it just went from there, really. And now I'm on tour with the cast until July, which is really exciting!

Finally, what can the Liverpool audience expect from American Idiot?

Just expect an unforgettable experience, as it's totally different to any musical that's out there. We're getting standard ovations every night, so I think that says it all. It's something completely different and unique, and of course it's got Green Day's biggest hits. It's exciting, it's emotional - it's a great show to be a part of, and so many audience members have told us that it's a great show to watch as well.

American Idiot plays the Liverpool Empire from Tuesday June 21 to Saturday June 25. To book your tickets, click here.

For more information about American Idiot, click here.

Antony Costa: "I'll always cherish performing"

Image Source: Liverpool
Empire Theatre

Written By: Mark Armstrong

When you think of Antony Costa, you may think immediately of Blue, one of the most British popular boy bands of the early 21st century. But he has also established himself a successful career in theatre, having performed in such shows as Blood Brother and Boogie Nights, and he's back on stage for Save The Last Dance For Me, which comes to the Liverpool Empire Theatre next month. We spoke to Antony about his current theatre tour, as well as key events for him in music and television.

First of all, tell us about the upcoming show Save The Last Dance For Me.

Save The Last Dance is a 60s jukebox musical with a love story. There are some fantastic songs, written by two songwriters called Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; they wrote songs like A Teenager In Love, Viva Las Vegas and the iconic song Save The Last Dance For Me. It's a lovely musical that's very uplifting with a great love story.

Describe your Milton character in the show.

Milton is very much a ladies' man, a bit of a wheeler and dealer. He's an American Air Force guy; wherever he was based, the first thing he would do is to go out and try to meet girls and have a party etc. That's what he does! Also, Milton introduces Marie (played by Elizabeth Carter) to Curtis (played by Wayne Robinson), whose character is my best friend, and from there Marie and Curtis fall in love, and it's about their journey - do they or don't they?

Are there any differences from a performer standpoint between playing for a theatre audience and playing for a pop audience?

I think the theatre audience are there to see the show, which is great because you're part of an amazing show, whereas if a pop audience have paid to see, say, Blue, then they're specifically paid to see you if you know what I mean. But I think that's the only difference between the audiences really. Both are fantastic, by the way; I love performing, and I'll always cherish any sort of performing that I can do. So, it just depends on what you're doing really. I know that every audience that we've had for this show so far this year have been different, and they've all been great.

You rose to fame as a member of Blue with Simon Webbe, Duncan James and Lee Ryan. How did the group originally form, and when did you feel that Blue had truly made it?

Well, we formed in the year 2000, we had all become friends through auditions and different situations like that, so really we just became mates and from there Blue formed. Then, in 2001, we released All Rise, and it all happened from there for us.

How did you find the experience of participating in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2005?

It was amazing. A really, really good experience. It's an experience that I'll never forget and that I'll always cherish. It was hard, I'm not gonna lie, but it was really enjoyable!

Tell us about how Blue reformed in 2011 prior to competing in the Eurovision Song Contest.

It was brilliant to get the group back together. You know, to represent your country, in any field I suppose. It's fantastic to be able to represent the country in something that we love doing, which for us is singing. We really enjoyed the experience. It was hard work, but enjoyable.

Finally, what can the Liverpool audience expect from Save The Last Dance For Me?

What they can expect is an uplifting show with great music. We want them up dancing from the start singing along, having fun, leaving their troubles outside and going home with a smile on their faces.

Save The Last Dance For Me plays the Liverpool Empire from Monday June 6 to Saturday June 11. To book your tickets, click here.

For more information about Save The Last Dance For Me, click here.

Full casting announced for Save The Last Dance For Me

Image Source: Liverpool
Empire Theatre

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Final casting has been announced for the UK tour of Save The Last Dance For Me. Lola Saunders, a finalist on The X Factor 2014, will make her theatrical debut in the role of Jennifer starring alongside previously announced Antony Costa as Milton, with Wayne Robinson as Curtis and Elizabeth Carter returning to the role of Marie.

From the writers, producers, creators and director of the huge success Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save the Last Dance for Me will take you back through the 'music and magic' of the early 60's, a time when each passing week brought another Rock'n'Roll classic. The production will play the Liverpool Empire from June 6-11.

Written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran (of ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, ‘Birds of a Feather’ and ‘The New Statesman’) the show features the unmistakable music of Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, authentically recreating the Rock 'n' Roll sound live on stage with hits including Sweets for my Sweet, Please Mr. Postman, Viva Las Vegas, Can’t Get Used to Losing You, the title track Save the Last Dance For Me and more. This nostalgic, feel-good journey will transport you back to music's golden era.

Save the Last Dance for Me follows two teenage sisters through the summer of '63 as they embark, for the first time without their parents, on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base... But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Lola Saunders (Jennifer) came to the public’s attention on The X Factor in 2014, becoming the UK’s most famous fishmonger almost overnight! Originally from East Boldon in South Tyneside, Lola wowed the judges with her powerful voice and soulful tone taking her as far as the judges’ houses before being sent home - only to return for the live shows as Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s wildcard. Most recently Lola has been headlining concerts around the UK and writing and recording new music. Save the Last Dance for Me is her theatrical debut.

Elizabeth Carter (Marie) played Marie in the 2013 UK tour of Bill Kenwright's Save the Last Dance for Me. Her theatre credits include Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK tour 2012 for Bill Kenwright Ltd) and the original cast of Dreamboats and Miniskirts (UK tour 2014/15 for Bill Kenwright Ltd). Elizabeth also appeared in The Wizard of Oz (Popular Productions) and Peter Pan (Evolution Productions).
Wayne Robinson (Curtis) most recently appeared in Kiss Me, Kate (Opera North / National Tour), Thriller (West End/International tour) and In The Heights (Southwark Playhouse). Wayne’s many other theatre credits include Stephen Ward (West End), We Will Rock You (West End) and The Wiz (Birmingham Rep/West Yorkshire Playhouse).

Previously announced, Antony Costa (Milton) has previously appeared on stage in Blood Brothers (West End) and Boogie Nights (UK Tour). He is best known as one of the members of Blue, one of the biggest British boy bands of the Noughties, who enjoyed chart success with three number one albums and 11 Top Ten singles including their debut song All Rise. Blue, which also included Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan and Duncan James, disbanded in 2004 but then reunited in 2011 and that year they represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year they released their fifth studio album Colours before embarking on a UK tour.

The cast also includes Sackie Osakonor, Rachel Nottingham, Kieran Kuypers, Joe McCourt, Andrew Joseph, Michael Kantola, Chris Coxon, Sheridan Lloyd, Josef Pitura-Riley, Alan Howell, Anna Campkin and Kate Hardistry.

The director is Bill Kenwright; the designer is Mark Bailey; the sound designer is Dan Samson; the lighting designer is Tim Oliver; the musical supervisor is Tom de Keyser; and the choreographer is Bill Deamer.

To book tickets, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/save-the-last-dance-for-me/liverpool-empire/.

Jodie Prenger stars in Tell Me On A Sunday at the Empire

Image Source: Tell Me On A Sunday

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Jamie Wilson and Gavin Kalin Productions are delighted to present the Watermill Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical Tell Me On A Sunday starring Jodie Prenger at the Liverpool Empire Theatre on Monday May 23 2016. Tickets are now available!

Tell Me On A Sunday charts the romantic misadventures of a young English girl in New York in the heady days of the 1980’s. Brimming with optimism, she seeks success and love. But as she weaves her way through the maze of the city and her own anxieties, frustrations and heartaches she begins to wonder whether she's been looking for love in all the wrong places. This iconic musical, with a wonderful original score, features the chart-topping Take That Look Off Your Face and the title track Tell Me on A Sunday.

Jodie Prenger is probably best known for winning the role of ‘Nancy’ in Cameron Mackintosh’s West End production of “Oliver!” through the BBC television series “I’d Do Anything”. During her run in the show at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane she received both critical and public acclaim for her portrayal of the role. Most recently Jodie wowed audiences playing the title role in the national tour of the musical “Calamity Jane”. She has also starred in the National Theatre’s hit production of “One Man, Two Guvnors” both in the West End and on tour and as ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot”. Jodie is also a regular presenter on BBC Radio 2.

Originally conceived for television, Tell Me On A Sunday has been performed by many legendary musical theatre stars including Marti Webb and Sarah Brightman. This new production for 2016 will include an intimate chat with Jodie about life, love and playing the role of Emma.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is the composer of some of the world’s best known musicals including Cats, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera and Sunset Boulevard. He is currently working on a stage version of the movie School of Rock which will begin previews on Broadway in November this year. He is the recipient of many awards including seven Tonys, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys and the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre. Don Black is an Oscar winning lyrist for Born Free and has penned numerous James Bond theme tunes, and chart hits including Michael Jackson’s Ben and Lulu’s ‘To Sir With Love.’

Tell Me On A Sunday is directed by Paul Foster with musical supervision by Catherine Jayes. It is designed by David Woodhead with lighting design by Howard Hudson and sound design by Tom Marshall. The movement director is Matt Flint.

To book tickets, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/tell-me-on-a-sunday/liverpool-empire/.

Antony Costa stars in Save The Last Dance For Me at the Empire

Image Source: Liverpool
Empire Theatre

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

From the team that brought you the huge success that is Dreamboats and Petticoats, Save The Last Dance For Me will take you back through the ‘music and magic’ of the early 1960’s, a time when each passing week brought another Rock ‘n’ Roll classic. This nostalgic, feel-good journey will transport you back to music’s golden era as we follow two teenage sisters through the summer of ’63. The production will play at the Liverpool Empire from June 6-11 2016.

For the first time without their parents, the sisters embark on a holiday to the seaside. Full of freedom and high spirits they meet a handsome young American who invites them to a dance at the local U.S. Air force base ... But young love and holiday romance is never as simple as it sounds, and the sisters soon realise that while the world around them is still watching itself in black and white, life and love can be much more colourful.

Antony Costa (Milton) has previously appeared on stage in Blood Brothers (West End) and Boogie Nights (UK Tour). He is best known as one of the members of BLUE, the biggest British boy band of the Noughties, who enjoyed chart success with three number one albums, and 11 Top Ten singles, including their debut song All Rise. Blue, which also included Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan and Duncan James, disbanded in 2004 but then reunited in 2011, and that year they represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year they released their fifth studio album Colours before embarking on a UK tour.

Featuring the classic hits of Pomus and Shuman including A Teenager in Love; Sweets for my Sweet; Turn Me Loose; Here I Go Again; Viva Las Vegas; Little Sister; His Latest Flame; Suspicion; Can’t Get Used to Losing You; Save the Last Dance For Me and many more ...

To book tickets, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/save-the-last-dance-for-me/liverpool-empire/.