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Post by kirsty on Feb 15, 2016 21:47:16 GMT
Thanks for sharing that, great interview x
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Post by carol on Feb 15, 2016 23:24:31 GMT
Thanks for sharing that, great interview x You are welcome Kirsty. xx |
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Post by carol on Feb 16, 2016 12:41:47 GMT
Another interview with Gareth
love Carol xx
GARETH GATES INTERVIEW WITH WYBURN & WAYNE
Worldwide smash hit musical Footloose bursts back onto stage this February at The New Theatre Cardiff. We got to chat with Gareth Gates who will take the lead role of Willard, a role originally made famous by Kevin Bacon in the 1984 smash hit film.
Gareth found fame through the ITV talent show Pop Idol and went on to sell over 5 million records worldwide. He has since gone on to star in West End shows such as Les Miserables and Legally Blonde. He has also appeared in shows such as Dancing On Ice and The Big Reunion.
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Wyburn & Wayne: Tell us about your role in Footloose, are you enjoying the show?
Gareth: I am loving it. It’s been a long rehearsal period and I couldn’t wait to get the show started! It’s a lot more acting than singing this role for me, so having a stammer I’ve had to put a lot of work in. I’ve loved working with Racky the director – she’s put a lot of hard work in to get the best out of everyone
Wyburn & Wayne: What’s your favorite number in the show?
Gareth: Well as this is more acting for me I only have one solo number which is Mama Says –which is great fun to do!
Wyburn & Wayne: How did you find the transition from pop star playing arenas to west end star playing theatre shows?
Gareth: I guess the biggest difference is being part of a team. Which is great. I enjoy touring and seeing different cities – I’m very lucky I’ve been nearly everywhere! I found the transition quite easy – but make no mistake 8 shows a week isn’t always easy!
Wyburn & Wayne: What does 2016 have in store for you? Will there be more music or are you concentrating on theatre?
Gareth: Well we have only just started this, so much of it will be Footloose. I’m also taking part in the second leg of Mad about the Musicals from mid April to Mid June.
Wyburn & Wayne: You’ve played Cardiff quite a few times now, what’s the audience like here? And do you have any stand out memories of playing Cardiff?
Gareth: Ah, I love Cardiff! I’ve got lots of friends that live nearby too and they always come and see me so I always feel very welcome! So I’m looking forward to it this time – both on and off stage! I’ve played a lot in South Wales – both as parts of shows and my own tours too and the audiences are great.
Footloose opens at The New Theatre Cardiff on February 29th until March 5th
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Post by ann2526 on Feb 16, 2016 19:02:12 GMT
GREAT Y INTERVIEW . GARETH OBVIOUSLY LOVES HIS WORK AND HIS SUCCESS IS DOWN TO SHEER HARD WORK AND DETERMINATION AND IT SHOWS IN EVERYTHING HE DOES THANK YOU CARO; FOR THAT LOVELY INTERVIEW  |
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Post by ann2526 on Feb 16, 2016 19:05:48 GMT
O WHILE I WAS DOING MY REPLY ANOTHER INTERVIEW HAS POPPED UP. THANK YOU AGAIN CAROL , LOVEING IT ALL  |
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Post by carol on Feb 17, 2016 18:32:17 GMT
Here is another review. I am no the only one who thinks he stole the show.  love Carol xxx Review: Footloose: The Musical **** SHARE THIS Add to Delicious Share on FriendFeed Digg submit to reddit TAGS Edinburgh Festival TheatreFootloose: The MusicalGareth Gates Print Friendly footloose There has recently been something of an 80s revival in cultural matters with acts such as Rick Astley, Adam Ant and ABC being part of the Rewind Festival which visits Scotland in July. If you recall that decade with more than a passing fondness and can’t wait until the summer for your 80s ‘fix’ then you should try to get along to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre this week for Footloose: The Musical. Based on the 1984 film in which American actor Kevin Bacon made his name, Footloose: The Musical is the story of Ren McCormack (played by Luke Baker) who loves dancing in the big city of Chicago but has to move to small town Bomont where dancing is banned following a tragic accident. However, new kid in town Ren is out to defy orders from the town’s Rev Shaw Moore, played by Nigel Lister and soon has the rest of the town following his lead. His actions impress the Rev Shaw’s daughter Ariel, superbly played by Hannah Price. The show is an effervescent collage of energy, high spirits, impressive dance moves and music which will take you back more than three decades. The second half of the show is quite moving in parts and a testament to the skills of the performers. Although the ending is as cheesy as a slice of gorgonzola, for those who have seen the film they will know what to expect. Those who do remember the 1980s will doubtless recall songs such as Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Holding Out For A Hero, Almost Paradise, Mama Says as well as the title song. Luke Baker – whose recent credits include American Idiot, Sunny Afternoon and Hairspray – gives a fine performance but it’s the performance of Willard, played by Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates, which is the highlight of an impressive show. Gates has enjoyed a successful stage career since those Pop Idol days with hit shows such as Les Misérables, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Legally Blonde to his name. He plays the part of the loveable but naive Willard brilliantly. Also in the impressive cast are Maureen Nolan, a veteran of stage musicals and someone who can count Frank Sinatra among the many stars she has worked with and Matthew Tomlinson. I have to admit I had thought about cancelling my visit to the show as the Hibs-Hearts Scottish Cup replay was in my thoughts. However, when I couldn’t get a ticket for the game at Easter Road, I reverted to Plan A and headed for a musical treat. And given the way events transpired at the football, I’m glad I did! If you want good old-fashioned entertainment and enjoy a blast from the past, head along to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre for a thoroughly entertaining evening. With music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Footloose: The Musical is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie and is produced by David Hutchinson, Phillip Rowntree, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Stephen McGill and Runaway Entertainment. It runs at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre until Saturday 20 February 2016. Click here for ticket information Edinburgh Reporter Review: **** Attachments:
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Post by carol on Feb 18, 2016 12:34:56 GMT
This is an excerpt from a blog that Matt Evers tweeted, I just copied the part about FOOTLOOSE, which is relevant.
love Carol xx
Thursday night I traveled down to Dartfords Orchard Theatre to see my good friend Gareth Gates for the press night of Footloose the musical UK tour. The show was great and Gareth was awesome as the dim witted side kick "Willard". The show is everything that the movie provides with some great laughs and of course some great 80's music.
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Post by garethgemsmum on Feb 18, 2016 15:48:56 GMT
Great reviews Carol thanks for posting them up, shall be going to see the show myself in March Can't wait now love Andrea xx |
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Post by ann2526 on Feb 18, 2016 18:55:11 GMT
ANDREA THATS GREAT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FOOTLOOSE IN MARCH. HOPE YOU HAVE A BRILLIANT TIME |
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Post by carol on Feb 27, 2016 14:58:05 GMT
Great reviews Carol thanks for posting them up, shall be going to see the show myself in March Can't wait now love Andrea xx You will love it Andrea, can't wait for your report! Here is another great interview with Gareth Challenges are not something Gareth Gates shies away from, whether it’s playing a new role or conquering the battles he’s faced with his speech since he was young. After finding success on the inaugural series of Pop Idol in 2001, releasing three albums and achieving four UK number one singles, Gates forayed into theatre where he’s made a name for himself in productions such as Legally Blonde, Les Misérables and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. ADVERTISING He’s now wearing a slightly different theatrical hat, playing the more jocular role of Willard in the stage production of Footloose. “Willard is the comedic role in the show and that’s a part I’ve never played so it’s been a challenge, but an exciting one” he says. “The show is very light and uplifting and I’m loving having fun with the role and getting a laugh.” Gareth was adamant he wanted to be involved with the show, having loved the film as a young boy and admitting he’s a ‘sucker for 80s music’, so when the producers asked him to get on board, saying no was never an option. However, his exact involvement was ‘up in the air’ at first, and Gareth was initially considered for the lead, Ren MacCormack. “I’m not the greatest of dancers, and to play Ren, you really have to be an amazing dancer,” the 31-year-old said. “So after looking at the script and seeing Willard was a comedic character, I thought it’d be great to do something I’d never done before.” Gareth is almost one month into a three-month stint in Footloose, and so far the show has been extremely rewarding for the musician, who said competing in Dancing on Ice helped tremendously. “It’s been great, the audiences have been packed and they’ve responded really well,” he said. The show, which features all the famous hits including the title track and other favourites such as Let’s Hear It For The Boy and Holding Out for a Hero, is touring the UK until August with Gates as Willard until April 16 then returning to the show from June 20. “At the end of the show there’s a mega mix of all the songs, and everyone’s usually on their feet. “I think the live aspect of things is the reason I’ve done so much theatre over the years, getting that response from people then and there, night after night, is amazing.” Being away from his daughter But despite the evident rush of doing live shows and his love of performing, he admitted it’s difficult being away from home, and more importantly, away from his six-year-old daughter Missy. Constantly being on the road has taken some getting used to and Gates’ other major battle, one that he’s been fighting his whole life, is his struggle with speech. To see him on stage or hear him sing as fluently and eloquently as he does, you would never guess the extent of this struggle, but it’s something the musician refers to as an ‘ongoing battle.’ “I have good days and bad days,” he said. “But for me, being on stage is a lot easier.” His difficulties with speech seem to fade away “I’ve always had good experiences with singing so I haven’t got any sort of negative association between that and having a speech impediment. I think it’s why I love it so much,” he said. “As a child, I wasn’t able to get any words out, it was very hard and I really think that’s why my love for music has blossomed.” “For me, it’s a form of expression and release.” It’s clear that no personal or professional challenge is getting in Gates’ way, and with the hope of a new album out in the next year or two and various musical projects in the pipeline, he’s only raising his own bar higher and higher. Footloose is at the New Theatre, Cardiff, from Monday, February 29 until Saturday, March 5. Call 029 2087 8889 |
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Post by carol on Feb 27, 2016 15:10:50 GMT
And yet another great review. love Carol xxx Gareth Gates as Willard in Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin Hannah Price and Ariel Moore in Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin Joanna Sawyer as Rusty and Gareth Gates as Willard in Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin Luke Baker stars as Ren alongside the cast of Footloose at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre. Picture: MATT MARTIN Matthew Tomlinson as Chuck alongside the cast of Footloose at Lowestoft's Marina Theatre. Picture: MATT MARTIN Maureen Nolan as Vi Moore in Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin Scott Haining as Bickie in Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin The cast of Footloose. Picture: Matt Martin 1 / 8 FULL SCREEN Synonymous with dazzling dance routines and memorable music, Footloose captivated audiences across the globe as Kevin Bacon starred in the 1984 screen sensation. And as the Sell A Door Theatre Company brought Footloose: The Musical to Lowestoft it’s proved to be an equally popular hit with the local audiences. From the moment the opening lines of Footloose echoed out around the theatre, an attentive audience were transfixed by this talented cast of actor-musicians. Portraying the story of Ren McCormack, who moves with his mother Ethel from a vibrant city to a rural town in America where dancing is banned, what follows is his journey from being an outsider to breaking free. With the watching eyes of a town led by the Rev Shaw Moore fully focused on him, rebellious Ren leads the senior school students’ efforts to ‘change the law’ to get the town dancing – and united – once more. And, much like the success of the Footloose performers in getting the law overturned and being allowed to dance in the town of Bomont, they soon had the Lowestoft crowd ‘cutting loose’ as they got up on their feet and danced in the aisles – with the prom night bringing a fitting close to the production. Loud cheers and applause were prominent throughout this show. Complete with amazing dance sequences, fabulous set designs and some classic 80s hits – including Holding Out for a Hero, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and Footloose – praise must go to the cast for their stunning acting performances combined with undoubted skill as singers and musicians. From the moment Gareth Gates stepped onto the stage in blue dungarees as Willard he wowed the crowd. The excellent Luke Baker impressed as Ren McCormack throughout, showing great chemistry with the superb Hannah Price, who shone as Ariel Moore. Combining with great vocals from Joanna Sawyer, as Rusty, Natasha Brown, as Wendy-Jo, and Miracle Chance, as Urleen, their version of Holding Out for A Hero was particular impressive – as Mr Gates wore a Top Gun style pair of sunglasses and not much else! Maureen Nolan showed why she is such an amazing actress and singer as Vi Moore and Principal Clark, while Nigel Lister, as Rev Moore, and Matthew Tomlinson, as Chuck, gave strong performances. With talented cast members Alex Marshall, Thomas Cotran, Nicky Swift, Lauren Storer, Scott Haining, Natalie Morton-Graham, Luke Thornton and David Keech on drums making up a fantastic production, this is a musical not to be missed. Attachments:
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Post by ann2526 on Feb 27, 2016 20:47:24 GMT
THANK YOU CAROL FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT TO TYPE IN ALL THESE WONDERFULL REVIEWS. AND INTERVIEWS. GARETH IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH , AND IS GETTING THE PRAISE HE SO WELL DESERVES FOR HIS PERFORMANCES.
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Post by carol on Mar 1, 2016 16:36:23 GMT
Another great write-up about the show.
love Carol xx
Home / Musical / Footloose – Cardiff New Theatre
Gareth Gates and company in Footloose
Footloose – Cardiff New Theatre
Posted by: The Reviews Hub - South West in Musical, Review, South West 5 hours ago 0
Writer: Dean Pitchford
Director: Racky Plews
Choreographer: Matthew Cole
Reviewer: Beth Steer
Fast on the heels of the 1980s film sensation, Footloose has long been a firm musical favourite, known for its sizzling combination of teenage rebellion and romance, and Racky Plews’ remastering does not disappoint.
Set in Bomont, a small town in middle America with an equally small mind, Footloose follows Chicago-born city boy Ren (Luke Baker) as he makes the move to the rural country. On arriving, Ren discovers that the town – big on Christianity and Sunday school – has banned dancing, forbidding all forms of fun as he knows it following a tragic accident years ago in which several teens died.
Encountering a community that follows the word of their much-loved preacher, Reverend Shaw Moore (Nigel Lister), and places more store on praying than partying, it isn’t long before Ren itches to break the rules, and leads the teenage population astray by kickin’ off his Sunday shoes and breaking out into dance.
A struggle between city and country – articulated through teenage rebellion, forbidden romance and illicit dancing – ensues, as Ren leads the town to forget the accident that caused ‘all the fun’ to be banned and embrace the ‘togetherness’ that dancing can bring.
Stuffed with pop numbers that have become classic dance floor hits such as Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, a young and talented cast creates a performance that has people dancing and singing in their seats.
As Ren, Baker gives a fantastic vocal performance – a poppy voice with an undertone of grit – and captures his character’s teenage angst perfectly. He is matched by Hannah Price who plays Ariel – the preacher’s daughter that isn’t so holy – who sasses her way through her vocal numbers with a strong performance, strutting her dance moves in the red cowboy boots that her daddy so thoroughly disapproves of.
Gareth Gates – who appears on stage to much heckling from delighted women that remember his Pop Idol days – plays Willard, the goofy, dungaree-clad teen who wants to find a way to woo his girl, Rusty (Joanna Sawyer). His performance is accomplished, adding a touch of comedy with his slapstick jokes and clumsy dancing, and Sawyer counters this with her seamless performance and strong vocal.
It’s a crowd pleaser, and the speckling of stars throughout the cast – including Maureen Nolan as Vi – delights the audience. Full of harmless, teenage fun, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, and by the time the sparkly cowboy hats come out in the second act, you’ll be secre
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Post by carol on Mar 2, 2016 14:33:00 GMT
This latest review speaks highly of Gareth, but not really the others. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I don't agree with her, I thought the whole cast and production were brilliant. She is obviously unaware of Gareth's voice problems, so is puzzled at to why he sings only one song. love Carol xxx OK, cards on the table from the start, I have never seen the much-loved film this serviceable musical is culled from. Goodness knows what I was up to in the 1980s, waiting for The Smiths to release a new album most likely, but I somehow resisted the charms of Kevin Bacon leaping about to the Kenny Loggins title track. You know it, right? You will do after this anyway, with us treated to what seems like five different versions of it at the start, in the middle and in a finale that brought a clearly smitten audience to its feet. Related : Gareth Gates plays it for laughs in Footloose The story, what there is of it, is simple. Chicago Ren McCormack, a lad from the wrong sides of the tracks in Chicago (although is there any other side of the tracks to come from?) moves with his mum to the Hicksville town of Bomont, a place entrenched in the American bible-belt and presided over by local preacher, the Reverend Shaw Moore, a role skilfully pitched by Nigel Lister, arguably the best actor in the whole thing. In Bomont, dancing is banned, which to be honest, if you’ve ever seen me dance, seems like a good thing, but is a bad thing in this context as, hey, the kids want to have a good time, they want to have a party! The first thing to say is that the show starts interminably slowly, taking an age for everyone to warm up. It perhaps never really gets going until the ‘big name’ of the evening, Pop Idol veteran Gareth Gates, enters the fray as the bumbling, but kind-hearted Willard. Gareth Gates as Willard Gates is without doubt the best singer on stage, I mean, you don’t get to almost win one of the biggest singing competitions in history without being able to hold a tune, so why he seems to have only one solo number all night remains a mystery. As for the other leads, well, Luke Baker as the maverick Ren, is an attractive figure, but the voice and, funnily enough, the dancing barely rises above passable. The same goes for Reverend Moore’s daughter Ariel played by Hannah Price, a character not named after Shakespeare’s freedom-seeking spirit from The Tempest by accident. Maureen Nolan, of Nolan Sisters’ fame, is fine as the repressed Vi Moore and school principal Clark. Indeed the entire cast is fully committed, eventually, as they take us through the likes of ‘Holding Out For A Hero’ and ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boy’ and one can only marvel that they play their own instruments on stage. New Theatre reviews The Rocky Horror Show Gangsta Granny Blood Brothers Feast of Fools It is a move that leaves one impressed by everyone’s talents of course, but a decision which struck me as weird at times. Guys doing press-ups in a gym scene with guitars slung over their backs anyone? Meanwhile the set I found messy and cluttered and the sight of people wandering around in the background distracting. Look, if you love the movie, you are going to enjoy this fun romp back through it. The audience by the end here seemed to be doing just that. Me? Well, I went home and listened to Meat is Murder because, for all the bad press, the 1980s did contain some moments of genius. Footloose runs at the New Theatre, Cardiff until Saturday. For tickets visit www.newtheatrecardiff.co.ukAttachments:
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Post by carol on Mar 3, 2016 8:44:20 GMT
Review from New Cardiff.
love Carol xxx
Home / Musical / Footloose – Cardiff New Theatre
Gareth Gates and company in Footloose
Footloose – Cardiff New Theatre
Posted by: The Reviews Hub - South West in Musical, Review, South West 2 days ago 0
Writer: Dean Pitchford
Director: Racky Plews
Choreographer: Matthew Cole
Reviewer: Beth Steer
Fast on the heels of the 1980s film sensation, Footloose has long been a firm musical favourite, known for its sizzling combination of teenage rebellion and romance, and Racky Plews’ remastering does not disappoint.
Set in Bomont, a small town in middle America with an equally small mind, Footloose follows Chicago-born city boy Ren (Luke Baker) as he makes the move to the rural country. On arriving, Ren discovers that the town – big on Christianity and Sunday school – has banned dancing, forbidding all forms of fun as he knows it following a tragic accident years ago in which several teens died.
Encountering a community that follows the word of their much-loved preacher, Reverend Shaw Moore (Nigel Lister), and places more store on praying than partying, it isn’t long before Ren itches to break the rules, and leads the teenage population astray by kickin’ off his Sunday shoes and breaking out into dance.
A struggle between city and country – articulated through teenage rebellion, forbidden romance and illicit dancing – ensues, as Ren leads the town to forget the accident that caused ‘all the fun’ to be banned and embrace the ‘togetherness’ that dancing can bring.
Stuffed with pop numbers that have become classic dance floor hits such as Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, a young and talented cast creates a performance that has people dancing and singing in their seats.
As Ren, Baker gives a fantastic vocal performance – a poppy voice with an undertone of grit – and captures his character’s teenage angst perfectly. He is matched by Hannah Price who plays Ariel – the preacher’s daughter that isn’t so holy – who sasses her way through her vocal numbers with a strong performance, strutting her dance moves in the red cowboy boots that her daddy so thoroughly disapproves of.
Gareth Gates – who appears on stage to much heckling from delighted women that remember his Pop Idol days – plays Willard, the goofy, dungaree-clad teen who wants to find a way to woo his girl, Rusty (Joanna Sawyer). His performance is accomplished, adding a touch of comedy with his slapstick jokes and clumsy dancing, and Sawyer counters this with her seamless performance and strong vocal.
It’s a crowd pleaser, and the speckling of stars throughout the cast – including Maureen Nolan as Vi – delights the audience. Full of harmless, teenage fun, it’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, and by the time the sparkly cowboy hats come out in the second act, you’ll be secretly wishing you could barn dance.
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