April 30, 2009
- Michael Praed will star as ‘Captain Von Trapp’ alongside Connie
Fisher as ‘Maria’ in the National UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber, David Ian
and The Really Useful Group’s smash hit production of the legendary Rodgers and
Hammerstein musical 'The Sound of Music' opening at the Wales Millennium Centre,
Cardiff on 26 July 2009, where it will play until 29 August 2009 (Box Office: 08700 40 2000).
For the full tour schedule please visit the official tour website.
Michael Praed’s musical theatre credits include
leading roles in the West End productions of 'Aspects of Love', 'Copacabana',
Susan Stroman’s 'Contact' and 'Beautiful and Damned'. His television credits include
'Dynasty', 'Robin of Sherwood' and 'Riders'.
Connie Fisher won BBC 1’s
'How Do You Solve a
Problem Like Maria?' and played the role at the London Palladium for 15 months to critical
acclaim. She most recently starred in the Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of
'They’re Playing Our Song' and the ITV drama 'Caught in a Trap' last Christmas.
Michael and Connie will be joined by Margaret
Preece as ‘Mother Abbess’, Jacinta Mulcahy as ‘Baroness Schraeder’, Martin Callaghan as ‘Max’,
Claire Fishenden as ‘Liesl’ and Jeremy Taylor as ‘Rolf’. Kirsty Malpass will play ‘Maria’ at
certain performances.
This lavish production tells the story of the Von
Trapp family’s flight across the mountains with its unforgettable score that includes some of
the most memorable songs ever performed on the musical stage including ‘My Favorite Things’,
‘Do-Re-Mi’, ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’, ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and the title song ‘The Sound of Music’.
'The Sound of Music' has music by Richard Rodgers and
lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, with a book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by
The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trapp.
'The Sound of Music' will be directed by Jeremy Sams,
with choreography by Arlene Phillips, design by Robert Jones, sound by Mick Potter and lighting by
Mark Henderson.
This production of the legendary Rodgers and Hammerstein
musical opened to rave reviews and sell-out business at the London Palladium in November 2006 and
closed on 21 February 2009 after 954 record-breaking performances and was seen by well over 2 million
people.
'The Sound of Music' originally premiered on Broadway in 1959, when it won six Tony Awards,
including “Best Musical”. The show first opened in London in 1961 and its last London revival was in
1981, both productions having record-breaking runs. The 1965 Hollywood film, which starred Julie
Andrews and Christopher Plummer, won five Oscars, including “Best Picture”.
Last week for 'The Murder Game'
April
17, 2009
- This is the last week for 'The Murder Game',
the lighthearted romp set in New Orleans.
The production is
ends 19 April 2009. Michael Praed and Josefina
Gabrielle star in the 'The Murder Game' at the King's
Head Theatre in Islington. Other cast members include Matt
Healy, Ben Jones and Patrick Clancy. For your reference, a concise guide to the venue,
a local map, ticket
ordering links, local transportation, and restaurants is
provided by Fanfare
here.
Michael narrates 'In Shackleton's Footsteps'
April 4, 2009
-
Michael Praed
narrates 'Timewatch: In Shackleton's Footsteps' on Saturday, 4
April 2009 at 20.40 on BBC2. Check
the Timewatch website for updates, glimpses behind the scenes, discussions
and videos. (Unfortunately, video clips are available to those in the UK
only.)
A small group of British men have some
unfinished family business in Antarctica. One hundred years ago their ancestors, under
the leadership of the renowned explorer Ernest Shackleton, tried and failed to become the
first men to reach the South Pole. Following in their footsteps, the team set off on a
900-mile trek across frozen wastelands. 'Timewatch' follows their remarkable journey.
Michael has been a
frequent 'Timewatch' narrator since 2003.
'The Murder Game' continues
March 23, 2009
- Repeat Tony nominee John Tillinger directs Michael Praed and Josefina
Gabrielle in the 'The Murder Game' at the King's Head Theatre in Islington.
Other cast members include Matt Healy, Ben Jones and Patrick
Clancy. The production
is booking to 19 April 2009. For your reference, a concise guide to the venue,
a local map, ticket
ordering links, local transportation, and restaurants is
provided by Fanfare
here.
In 'The Murder Game', a
quirky comedy set in the vicious realm of the New Orleans underworld, a killer is on
the loose. Where is he? Can the two people whose job it is to catch him
do so before killing each other?
Michael narrates 'Timewatch: WWI Aces Falling'
March 22, 2009
-
Michael Praed
narrates 'Timewatch:WWI Aces Falling' on Saturday, 22 March 2009 at 20.00 on BBC2. Check
the Timewatch website for updates, glimpses behind the scenes, discussions
and videos. (Unfortunately, video clips are available to those in the UK
only.)
Edward Mannock VC and James McCudden
VC rose from modest backgrounds to become two of Britain's greatest fighter aces in World War One.
As the number of their victories grew, so did their chances of dying in flames.
'Timewatch' tells the
story of their battle to survive against the odds, and of the 90-year-old mystery surrounding the
death of one of them.
Michael has been a
frequent 'Timewatch' narrator since 2003.
'Beautiful and Damned' downloadable
March 20, 2009
- The DVD of Michael's musical 'Beautiful and Damned' is now available for free
download on the 'Beautiful and Damned'
official website,
courtesy of the executive producer Charles Dobson. The musical about Zelda and F Scott Fitzgerald
met with mixed reviews when it played in London's West End in
2004, but it had fans too. 'Beautiful and Damned' served as a springboard for
actress Helen Anker,
who played the tragic, charismatic Zelda so brilliantly. If you want to
make your own judgment on the show – and have a rare chance to
see a legitimate recording of Michael in a musical – here's your chance!
A permanent link to the download has been placed on the Fanfare Merchandise page
for your convenience.
Update: Mr. Dobson
sent us a note saying the download was temporarily unavailable
as the server was being updated. In the meantime, he gave
us a YouTube video of Michael singing
'Tender is the Night' from the
show in either standard format or HD.
Thanks to
Michael's fans Gerry for her long campaign with Mr. Dobson and
to Joan for bringing this to our attention.
'Robin of Sherwood' featured on 'Drama Trails'
March 7, 2009
- 'Drama Trails', ITV's show on how various ITV
dramas are interconnected through cast members, writers, or
location, will focus on the six degrees of separation between
'Robin of Sherwood' and 'Prime Suspect'. Michael, of
course, portrayed Robin of Loxley on the ITV Robin Hood series.
'Drama Trails' is a ten minute segment on Monday, 9 March 2009
from 4:55pm to 5:05pm on ITV3. Check the ITV3 website for more information on
the series.
'HMS Michael Praed' link
March 7, 2009
- We've added a link to our Links page to help you apply for crew status aboard
the HMS Michael Praed,
the 'Facebook' Michael Praed community which launched
after a popular trial cruise on Fanfare last summer. The
site has grown and expanded ever since, offering galleries,
interviews, quizzes and other goodies. In order to keep its
cozy ambiance, however, they've elected to keep it a closed group. You can apply to become a member either by contacting
webmaster
directly or by tracking them down on 'Facebook' (HMS MICHAEL PRAED).
Bon Voyage!
Michael narrates 'Timewatch: The Real Bonnie and Clyde'
March 5, 2009
- Michael Praed narrates 'The Real Bonnie and Clyde' on Saturday, 7 March 2009
at 20.00 on BBC2. Check the Timewatch website for updates, glimpses behind the scenes, discussions
and videos. (Unfortunately, video clips are available to those in the UK
only.)
Hollywood portrayed
them as the most glamorous outlaws in American history, but the
reality of life on the run for Bonnie and Clyde was one of violence,
hardship and danger. 'Timewatch' takes an epic road-trip through the
heart of depression-era America, in search of their true story.
Michael has been a
regular 'Timewatch' narrator since 2003.
Thanks to
Michael's fan Sylvia for bringing this to our attention.
New 'The Murder Game' reference page up
March 5, 2009
- A popular feature on Fanfare are the reference pages for people contemplating attending Michael's plays.
The newest page has just been posted for 'The Murder Game'. The
reference includes information on
the The King's Head Theatre, ticket ordering links, local transportation, restaurants and a hotel convenient to the action.
A link to the page will be accessible from the Home page and
Club News section for the duration of the run.
Michael Praed will
join Josefina Gabrielle, Matt Healy, Ben Jones and Patrick
Clancy in the quirky comedy 'The Murder Game', directed
by John Tillinger. The play will begin on 11 March at the King's Head
Theatre in Islington. The production
is currently booking up to 19 April 2009.
Michael in 'The Murder Game'
February 25, 2009
- Repeat Tony nominee John Tillinger will direct Michael Praed and Josefina Gabrielle in the
'The Murder Game'. Other cast members include Matt Healy, Ben Jones and Patrick
Clancy. The new James Farwell play will begin on 11 March at the King's Head
Theatre in Islington with the official première set for 17 March 2009. The production
is currently booking up to 19 April 2009.
In 'The Murder Game', a
quirky comedy set in the vicious realm of the New Orleans underworld, a killer is on
the loose. Where is he? Can the two people whose job it is to catch him
do so before killing each other?
The
King's Head Theatre is one of London's leading Off West End
theatres, having transferred 38 shows to either the West End or
Broadway in its 40 year history.
More information will be posted
soon, including a schedule and links to order tickets. Keep watching!
February 25, 2009
- Michael Praed narrates 'QE2- The Final Voyage' on Saturday, 28 February 2009
at 20.00 on BBC2. Check the Timewatch website for updates, glimpses behind the scenes, discussions
and videos. (Unfortunately, video clips are available to those in the UK
only.)
More than 40 years after the launch of the last
great ocean liner, 'Timewatch' bids a fond farewell to the QE2. Using exclusive access
on the final voyage, this program looks back over the ship's four glittering decades,
sailing the world's seas. Participants include Ben Kingsley, Jimmy Savile, Tony Curtis,
Simon Weston, Jeffrey Archer, Terry Waite, and Tony Benn.
Michael has been a
regular 'Timewatch' narrator since 2003.
Thanks to
Michael's fan Sylvia for bringing this to our attention.
