Open call for artists for GFEST 2012
GFEST - Gaywise FESTival, the premier annual lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) arts festival in London is looking for submissions for this year’s festival.

‘Queer Art queries..’ is the theme of this year’s festival which will take place in November in venues across London.

They are looking for submissions from artists and organisations, with a particular focus on collaboration across art form, age and cultural backgrounds. The festival accepts submissions in three categories: films, visual arts and performance.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 29th June 2012.
Submissions are accepted on: www.gaywisefestival.org.uk
____________________________________________________________________

Hey Producer
Prominent players from the world of musical theatre have come together to record a unique collection of original musical theatre and cabaret songs, all composed by Danny Davies, with additional lyrics by playwright, director and actor Pete Gallagher, and lyricist Judy Wolfson.
 
With the blessing and full support of the UK’s best known theatre shop, Dress Circle and the musical theatre record label, Making Records, composer and producer Danny Davies has recorded "Hey Producer!", a unique album of original songs, some of which are drawn from his own musicals, others written specifically for the album and cabaret performances, featuring the talents of Julie Atherton, Shona White, Alison Jiear, Daniel Boys and many more.

The album has already received endorsement from world-­class actress, Dame Judi Dench, who commented, “I think Danny has produced something new and exciting. Have a listen and I'm sure you will agree."
Buy it now at Dress Circle.
www.youtube.com promo video of the album.
www.heyproducer.com.
Read the Monkey's review here.
_____________________________________________________________________

Meredith Braun: Someone Else's Story

Since 1990 Meredith has been considered one of the West End's brightest stars, originating and recording roles such as 'Betty Schaeffer' in 'Sunset Boulevard.'

After a ten year absence, Meredith returns to performing with the release of her debut solo album on March 26th, 2012.
www.stagedoorrecords.com and www.meredithbraun.com ___________________________________________

Dave Willetts: Once In A Lifetime

Leading West End Theatre Star, Dave Willetts, Celebrates 25 Years in Show Business with the release of his latest album Once In A Lifetime. The album, to be released by Stage Door Records on 28 May 2012, features 21 tracks, 16 of which are previously unreleased.
See the promotional video and www.stagedoorrecords.com
FREE TRACK DOWNLOAD
____________________________________________________________________

Stage Door Records in association with David Essex are pleased to announce the digital release of select theatrical titles from
David Essex's musical back catalogue.

On May 13th, 2012 the following titles were made available for digital download on iTunes, Amazon, eMusic and other digital e-tailers in all worldwide territories.

MUTINY! - ORIGINAL LONDON CAST (1985): Following on from Stage Door's 2010 CD release of the 'Mutiny!' London cast album, we are now pleased to make this out of print title available again on download.

FRIENDS - SONGS FROM MUTINY! (1985): Originally released as a 12" EP of studio pop recordings from the 'Mutiny!' score. David Essex performs all five tracks on this EP of 'pop versions' alternating to the London cast album. Released on digital for the first time.

THE ADVENTURES OF ROBINSON CRUSOE (1996): Throughout the 1990s David Essex performed his popular Christmas pantomime 'Robinson Crusoe' at theatres across the United Kingdom. This out of print 1996 EP features highlights from the show performed by Essex.

_____________________________________________________________________

MICHAEL BALL – 'HEROES LIVE'

Concert tour DVD released in November 2011 through Universal.
28 tracks; 12 piece orchestra; 5 guest vocalists
One star!

Recorded at Birmingham Symphony Hall on June 11th when Michael performed his outstanding new show, Heroes, named after his Top 10 album in which he paid tribute to some of his favourite singers such as Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Scott Walker, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more.
_____________________________________________________________________

Ghost the Musical Covers Gotye
“Somebody That I Used To Know”

To celebrate the amazing success of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”, Ghost the Musical leads Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans teamed up to for this amazing cover.

The pair recorded their own version of Australian musician Gotye’s massively popular hit, which held the UK’s number one spot for four weeks earlier this year. You can watch the entire track on YouTube.

Evans and Dillon joined the cast of Ghost The Musical back in January 2012, replacing original leads Richard Fleeshman and Cassie Levy as the unfortunate lovers at the centre of the stage adaptation of the much-loved movie.

Find out more on the production on the Ghost the Musical website: http://ghostthemusical.com and http://facebook.com/ghostthemusical.
 

Unmasked
JOHN OWEN JONES
Award winning performer John Owen- Jones - who has regularly performed on stage, TV and radio in shows such as The Royal Variety Show, Friday Night Is Music Night, Children In Need, The Three Phantoms in Concert, This Morning and The Alan Titchmarsh Show - has just released his second eagerly awaited album ‘Unmasked’ –out on Sain Records - featuring favourite theatrical songs and a few surprises.

The album contains a new interpretation of the Queen classic 'Love of My Life' recorded with the blessing of guitar legend Brian May and two duets with fellow Welshman, Bryn Terfel and classical artist, Natasha Marsh. The focus track taken from the album is a powerful version of Tom Jones’ ‘Thunderball’.

He is also now starring as the Phantom in Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘The Phantom of the Opera UK Tour ‘ until September 2012
Buy the Album from www.dresscircle.com,
read the Monkey's review here,
and visit
www.JohnOwenJones.com
for all the details and latest news.
____________________________________________
BEING SHAKESPEARE

Illuminations and Act Productions present an exclusive DVD of the sell-out stage play starring Simon Callow.

Released to capture Simon Callow’s triumphant performances at London's Trafalgar Studios in 2011 and again (by public demand) in 2012, the DVD features a virtuoso performance that weaves together extracts from Shakespeare’s most famous plays and poems, breathing new life into his unforgettable characters.

The DVD also includes an exclusive interview with Simon Callow and performances of his personal selection of Shakespeare’s Sonnets, including the famous Sonnet 18.

The DVD is price £14.99 and runs for 109 minutes (89 minutes performance plus 20 minutes of extras). It is in PAL Region 2 widescreen. Available through www.illuminationsmedia.co.uk.

Read the Monkey's review here.
____________________________________________________

London Awards for Art and Performance 2012
Presentation Ceremony in the Axis Restaurant, One Aldwych Hotel, Covent Garden, June 20th 2012 at 7pm

The award recognises an artist or performer who has made an outstanding contribution to their art form.

The London Awards for Art and Performance are the country's most expansive awards and recognises the best in British art and entertainment across 11 categories.

Nominations are based on recent and highly rated reviews of the artist or performer's work, and a recognition of their talent and skill in their art form.

As current and excellent practitioners of their art, the nominees pick their top artists or performers to arrive at the shortlist and award winner who will receive the trophy.

www.londonfringefestival.com has more information.
___________________________________________________________
THE WIZARD OF OZ
Discount Deals available - click here

Click the advertisement above to book your tickets direct
with the London Palladium Theatre official box office with NO BOOKING FEE.
or Click here for show details and other ticket-buying options.
___________________________________________________________
SHAKESPEARE: THE SONNETS

Shakespeare’s poetry. Shakespeare’s instruments. Modern songs.

Written during the time of Elizabeth I and re-imagined for the Diamond Jubilee year of Elizabeth II, these are the most precious words ever written about love. Performed on instruments from the early 17th century, they are played by the cream of the world’s period instrument specialists.

All the lyrics are Shakespeare’s own and no additions made, only occasionally moved to fit the song structures. Singers from all over the UK perform on the album, with expert musicians using recreated ‘period’ instruments, playing in period style.

Hear a sample, including Cara Dillon's "Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day":
click here
___________________________________________________________


The Music Box
by Gareth Peter Dicks
A sensational new album in which Nottingham-based composer Gareth Peter Dicks masterfully blends the familiar styles of rock, pop, classical and musical theatre to create a memorable musical journey for the listener.
This 17-track CD and 12-page souvenir booklet includes an array of original compositions, as well as rearrangements from his musical theatre back catalogue and instrumentals. West End talent who appear on the recording include: Ricardo Alfonso, Chris Barton, Gina Beck, Richard Dempsey, Liam Doyle, Liam Tamne, Rebecca Lock, Jeff Nicholson, Sarah Earnshaw, Abi Finley and Katie Rowley Jones.
FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO PURCHASE SEE:
www.garethpeterdicks.co.uk, www.dresscircle.co.uk,
and www.itunes.com.
Also, read the Monkey's own "Bookshelf" review now.

Siobhan Dillon and Mark Evans also release their spine-tingling cover of the Righteous Brothers song ‘Unchained Melody’ on June 11th 2012 on Sain Records.


This is the first track to be lifted from Mark Evans debut English album ‘The Journey Home’ – released June 18th 2012.

Their version of the song- which was originally used in the highest grossing movie in UK history- starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore from the iconic love scene at a potter’s wheel- is a duet version of the well-known song. The single also features two karaoke versions where you can sing alongside either Siobhan or Mark.

Siobhan Dillon who plays Molly in the musical says “I am thrilled that we have been able to record this wonderful arrangement of a truly classic song. This will always be a reminder of the incredible time I have had being part of Ghost the musical”

Mark Evans who plays Sam Wheat says of the single “We decided to release our version of Unchained Melody as we'd personally never heard a duet version of this classic song.
We feel this song represents our show perfectly with its eerie ghostly sounds. It's the one song everyone associates with Ghost since the film and it's featured in our show in a very unique way!
I adore singing it nightly with Siobhan and we're thrilled that people now have a little something take home to listen to as a reminder of what is hopefully a truly unique night at the theatre.”