#Nicola Espallardo

[gelphiegifs]

Elphie's hand placement 👀

[phantomtrader19]

WICKED London 11/03/2023 Nicola Espallardo’s first Elphaba show with the 2023/24 cast

I decided instead of seeing Phantom again to go to Wicked and it did not disappoint!!

Lucy as Glinda stole my heart such a layered portrayal I’ve never seen from any other Glinda before I was so so amazed by her and of course the vocals were off the scale! By far one of the most talented and versatile actresses on the west end!

Nicola was fantastic as Elphaba ready quite young but acting was amazing and vocally lovely! Was nice to see a 2nd cover as well!

Caitlin Anderson was a fabulous Nessarose really believable arc to her character and a fellow Scot too so extra points!

I’m not a die hard wicked fan so I was quite surprised I chose it over Phantom but honestly it was absolutely worth every penny I’m planning on seeing it again in April hopefully with Alexia Khadime cause that’s absolutely legendary casting!

I did take audio of the show which I will most likely gift as the audience was pretty horrendous.

[raven-curls]

Nicola Espallardo's debut at West End.

X

[paradise-bi-the-dashboard-lightt]

Musical Theatre meme 2023

↳ [1/9] Characters → Elphaba Thropp

[shakeatradefeather]

JUNE RELEASE

Hey!

Ive just released some videos so i thought id share them here, please DM for my order form/site

You can view the screenshots and full information by joining my discord server: <https://discord.gg/FJJFD7aB>>

June 2023 release includes:

**Pretty Woman - West End - May 2023 (2)** - *Elly Jay as Vivian Ward, John Addison as Edward Lewis, Tom Andrew Hargreaves as Phillip Stuckey.*

**Wicked - West End - June 2023** - *Nicola Espallardo as Elphaba, Jessica Aubery as Nessarose*

**We Will Rock You - West End - June 2023** - *First Preview*

**Pretty Woman - West End - June 2023** - *Closing Night*

**Cabaret - West End - June 2023** - *Mason Alexander Park as Emcee, Maude Apatow as Sally, Adam Taylor as Cliff*

**Crazy For You - West End - June 2023** - *Filmed During Previews*

Please DM or Email for more details!

[valjeans]

did nicola espallardo ever get to go on as eponine? i know this is something i should probably know or could check but i am lazy so can someone just tell me thanks 

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Thoughts on the new Wicked London cast?

Ok... so...

I am super surprised how white this cast was.... I really thought we were going to get a POC Elphaba and POC Morrible this cast change, but anyway...

I'm super excited that Amy Webb and Charli Baptie are continuing as standby's because I think they are both phenomenal!! I'm also super excited for Nicola Espallardo who will be covering Elphaba! Our 3rd ASIAN ELPHABA (Outside of Asia)!!!! WOOOHOOO!!!! Cannot wait for her to go on!!! I also love how all Boq's are now POC.

Simeon Truby as Dr. Dillamond [Continuing]: Really have no opinion.

Carina Gillespie as Nessarose (Glinda u/s) [Continuing]: I am SUPER surprised she stayed on. I really thought she would leave to spend more time with her family. (Especially considering she's been calling out quite a bit lately)

Nicholas McLean as Boq [Continuing]: No opinion on him either.

Sophie-Louise Dann as Madame Morrible [New]: To reiterate, I was really expecting a POC Morrible, so this surprised me... I'm sure Sophie-Louise will be a wonderful Morrible, but she wouldn't be my first choice.

Gary Wilmot as The Wizard [New]: I heard fantastic things about him in Anything Goes so I'm sure he'll be just as brilliant here.

Helen Woolf as Glinda [Returning]: I am surprised she returned this quickly from maternity leave. But I think she's a lovely Glinda, so I'm not complaining.

L*cie Jones as Elphaba [New]: While I am super excited that this is for the first fresh blood Elphaba in over a decade (Last fresh blood was Louise Dearman, although if you don't count her for playing Glinda then the last one was Rachel Tucker). Just like with Morrible, I was really expecting a POC Elphaba. I have to be quite honest though... Casting Lucie is a really safe choice. I mean she is such an uninspired choice... They could have gone with Emma Kingston, Charlotte Wakefield, Christina Modestou, Renée Lamb or someone exciting. I have nothing against Lucie, but she's a very safe choice. She has a pretty voice, but she sounds like every other 20/30 something woman belter these days. I think she'll deliver a good Elphaba, but it will be a safe Elphaba. She won't push the status quo as to what Elphaba could be, if that makes sense.

[womenoflesmis]

[maraschinocheri]

Best of 2019 Countdown #14 :: Team Covers in the Les Mis London concert production. [ 15 ]

The cover contingent for this production really was a roll call of mostly previous West End cast members reprising their former roles or fresh, sparky faces who brought something interesting to the show when needed during the concert run. Massive cheers to many. Covers included Adam Bayjou (Valjean), Rosanna Bates (Fantine), Earl Carpenter (Javert, with alternate Valjean John Owen Jones), Katie Kerr (Madame Thenardier), Stephen Matthews (Thenardier), Rosa O’Reilly (Eponine); Craig Mather (Marius), Holly Anne Hull (Cosette), Vinny Coyle (Enjolras) and Ciaran Bowling (Grantaire).

We were blessed, too, by a rare photograph of a full second cover principals cast, to my delight: Oliver Brenin (Grantaire), Ciaran Joyce (Marius), Samantha Dorsey (Cosette), Nicola Espallardo (Eponine), Tamsin Dowsett (Madame Thenardier), Christopher Jacobsen (Valjean), Leo Roberts (Javert), Oliver Jackson (Thenardier), Sophie Reeves (Fantine), Barnaby Hughes (Enjolras), and Andrew York (Bishop).

[centrestagereviews]

Actor of the Week:

Nicola Espallardo:

Nicola trained at Guildford School of Acting.

Her theatre credits include: Working (Southwark Playhouse).

Her credits whilst training include: Muzzy Van Hossmere (Thoroughly Modern Millie), Fantine & Barbra Streisand (Forbidden Broadway: Greatest Hits), Ensemble (Guys and Dolls) and Madelaine True (The Wild Party).

Nicola is currently making her West End debut as an Urchin/ Whore in Les Miserables. 

For more information from Nicola you can follow her on: Twitter: @NicEspallardo OR head to the official Les Miserables to book tickets to see Nicola performing.

Images courtesy of Google Images.

[esteliel]

Full casting has been announced for the all-star concert production of Les Misérables, which opens in the West End next month.

Joining the previously announced Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, John Owen-Jones, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Katy Secombe, Matt Lucas, Bradley Jaden and Rob Houchen will be Shan Ako and Lily Kerhoas.

Ako will take on the role of Eponine while Kerhoas plays Cosette in the show.

They will be joined by Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, Ciarán Bowling, Simon Bowman, Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Barnaby Hughes, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O'Reilly, Claire Parrish, Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle and Andrew York.

The production, which will run in the Gielgud while the Les Misérables' customary home at the Queen's Theatre is renovated, will run from 10 August 2019 for 16 weeks until 30 November.

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's musical, adapted from the novel by Victor Hugo, will return to the Queen's Theatre, which will be renamed as the Sondheim Theatre in December 2019, where the newer 2009 staging of the production will be performed.

[jail-pat]

Final cast announced for concert

As rehearsals begin for Les Misérables -The Staged Concert, Cameron Mackintosh introduces Shan Akoand Lily Kerhoas who complete the principal casting as Éponine and Cosette respectively.  They join the previously announced Michael Ball as Javert, Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Rob Houchen as Marius, Bradley Jaden as Enjolras, Katy Secombe as Madame Thénardier and, for three performances a week, John Owen-Jones as Jean Valjean.

This spectacular staging of the legendary concert, with a company of over 65, will run from 10 August – 30 November 2019 at the intimate Gielgud Theatre, next door to the home of Les Misérables at the recently re-named Sondheim Theatre, previously the Queen’s.

The company also includes Rosanna Bates, Adam Bayjou, Ciaran Bowling, Simon Bowman, Oliver Brenin, Earl Carpenter, Vinny Coyle, Samantha Dorsey, Tamsin Dowsett, Nicola Espallardo, Celia Graham, Barnaby Hughes, Holly-Anne Hull, Oliver Jackson, Christopher Jacobsen, Gavin James, Will Jennings, Ciaran Joyce, Katie Kerr, Sarah Lark, Joanna Loxton, Craig Mather, Stephen Matthews, James Nicholson, Rosa O’Reilly, Claire Parrish, Sophie Reeves, Grainne Renihan, Leo Roberts, Raymond Walsh, Gemma Wardle and Andrew York.

Les Misérables‘’ much celebrated score includes the songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do You Hear the People Sing?, One Day More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, Master Of The House and many more.

Les Misérables is written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is based on the novel by Victor Hugo. It has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer and original French text by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel with additional material by James Fenton and adaptation by Trevor Nunnand John Caird.

Produced on stage by Cameron Mackintosh, Les Misérables is the world’s longest running musical now in its 35th year in London.  Produced on screen also by Mackintosh (along with Working Title and Universal), Les Misérables is now the most successful movie of an original stage musical.  The new production of Les Misérables, with a separate company, is currently on a sold-out international tour which has recently been extended to Autumn 2020.

[raven-curls]

X

[paradise-bi-the-dashboard-lightt]

Wicked | West End | May 20, 2023 | Matinee |  NFT Until June 3

Cast: Alexia Khadime (Elphaba), Lucy St. Louis (Glinda), Ryan Reid (Fiyero), Natalie Spriggs (u/s Madame Morrible), Mark Curry (The Wizard), Caitlin Anderson (Nessarose), Joe Thompson-Oubari (Boq), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Conor Ashman (Chistery), Harry Mills (Witch’s Father), Micaela Todd (Witch’s Mother), Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Jessica Aubrey, Joshua Clemetson, Fergus Dale, Nicola Espallardo (s/w), Ross Harmon, Kate Leiper, Paddyjoe Martin (s/w) Millie Mayhew, Jeanie Ryan (s/w), Christine Tucker, Jaydon Vijn, Taela Yeomans-Brown

NOTES: its-all-green's master. NFT Through master until June 3. Recorded from the front row. Alexia goes insane during No Good Deed. Tracked

This is quite possibly the best quality Wicked audio I have ever recorded and one of the best No Good Deeds I have ever heard. Alexia is a force of nature.

[londontheatre]

LtoR Kerri Norville, Izuka Hoyle & Nicola Espallardo in WORKING, credit Robert Workman

With the success of In The Heights behind him, Luke Sheppard returns to Southwark Playhouse to direct this Stephen Schwartz musical about working people. The book it is based on has the subtitle of ‘People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do’, although in this case, they sing too.

The musical is made up of a series of songs and monologues, rather than scenes and songs, and is an insight into the lives of real working people taken from interviews conducted by Studs Terkel in the 1970s. This updated version features new interviews which Stephen Schwartz led in 2006/7 to take account of the change in the workplace since the original book was published.

The show features music by Schwartz and various other composers including James Taylor and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Although each song has its own style, the source material is constant throughout so the piece becomes a musical, rather than a musical revue.

It is without doubt that this is an ensemble piece – and what an ensemble! Made up of Gillian Bevan, Dean Chisnall, Krysten Cummings, Siubhan Harrison, Peter Polycarpou and Liam Tamne, the six actors play 26 characters between them. Their combined experience and stunning vocals fill the very small space that is the Southwark Playhouse. Their performances are clear, well formed and intimate, and although it’s nice to see it in such a small theatre, the strength of these characters could fill a West End theatre (and I’m secretly hoping for a transfer!).

The cast is completed by six young actors, all making their professional debuts. At times acting almost as shadows or younger selves of the six older actors, they represent people coming into the workplace for the first time – as they themselves are. The total twelve cast members accompanied by a small but powerful band (brilliantly lead by Isaac McCullough) fill the theatre with beautiful harmonies and create a sound worthy of a West End stage.

There are certain standout performances. Liam Tamne’s ‘Delivery’ is a highlight (and feels like it’s straight out of In The Heights), Gillian Bevan’s ‘It’s An Art’ is stunning and Krysten Cummings’ Cleanin’ Women is a show stealer.

Luke Sheppard’s direction and Fabian Aloise’s choreography make it a smooth a slick evening and at just over an hour and a half, there’s not a second to breathe until the end. It’s a lot to take in, but every moment is well written and beautifully performed.

Review by Elliott Wallis

Working is the extraordinary genre-defining musical from Grammy and Academy Award winner STEPHEN SCHWARTZ (Wicked; Godspell) based on Studs Terkel’s best-selling book of interviews with the American workforce.

This highly original and universal portrait of the American workday is told from the perspective of those that the world so often overlooks – the schoolteacher, the housewife, the fireman and the waitress amongst many – whose daily grind and aspirations reflect the truths of the people that make up a nation.

Employing a range of musical styles and genres from contributing composers such as five-time Grammy Award winner JAMES TAYLOR and Pulitzer Prize winner LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA (Hamilton; In The Heights), Working makes for a strikingly dynamic and contemporary look at what it is to work and what it is to be a musical.

Working receives its European premiere from Luke Sheppard, the acclaimed director of the Olivier Award-winning In The Heights.

Creative Team Director – Luke Sheppard Choreographer – Fabian Aloise Musical Supervisor – Alex Parker Musical Director – Isaac McCullough Designer – Jean Chan Costume Designer – Gabriella Slade Lighting Designer – Nic Farman Sound Designer – Tom Marshall Casting – Will Burton CDG Performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Ltd

Cast: Gillian Bevan, Dean Chisnall, Patrick Coulter, Krysten Cummings, Nicola Espallardo, Siubhan Harrison, Izuka Hoyle, Luke Latchman, Huon Mackley, Kerri Norville, Peter Polycarpou and Liam Tamne.

Jack Maple, Ramin Sabi, Christopher Ketner & D.E.M. Productions present the European Premiere of Working From the book by Studs Terkel Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso With additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg Songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers & Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz and James Taylor 2 JUNE – 8 JULY 2017 http://ift.tt/IyHGBX

http://ift.tt/2rQc9eq LondonTheatre1.com

[thediaryofatheatrekid]

Casting Goals: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (UK Edition Full Cast)

So I’m still waiting on this UK production of Great Comet and it could be done perfectly. You build hype by having a semi staged concert/workshop at The Other Palace and really hype it up, but make tickets affordable. Then if hype is good have a repeat engagement all the while producers can be building up funds to do a limited West End run. However, they should tone down the sets and not make it as extravagent as it was (They should still keep the tables and audience interacations and the stair case connecting the balcony to the orchestra, but tone down the extravagance if that makes sense) When they tone it down they can cut down on costs and possibly put it in a smaller theatre such as the Garrick or Playhouse. I think that Great Comet works better in a smaller environment and while it did do well at the Imperial on Broadway I think they should go back to a smaller venue like when the show first started out.

Amara Okereke as Natasha Rostova

John Owen-Jones as Pierre Bezukhov

Natalie May Paris as Sonya Rostova

Hannah Waddingham as Marya Dmitriyevna

Ben Forster as Anatole Kuragin

Renée Lamb as Hélène Bezukhova

Cleve September as Fedya Dolokhov

Niall Sheehy as Andrey/Bolkonsky

Charli Baptie as Mary Bolkonskaya

Adam Bayjou as Balaga

Killian Donnelly as Pierre Bezukhov (s/b)

Ensemble: Alexia McIntosh, Benjamin Yates, Carl Man, Courtney Bowman, Grace Mouat, Helen Aylott, Julian Capolei, Leah Hill, Luke McCall, Natalie Chua, Nicola Espallardo, Raymond Walsh, Rosa O’Reilly, Samuel Edwards, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje and Vicki Manser

Swings: Alexzandra Sarmiento, Amy Goodwin, Barney Hudson and Joe Griffiths-Brown

Covers: Natasha- Amy Goodwin, Natalie Chua and Rosa O’Reilly...Pierre- Adam Bayjou, Luke McCall and Raymond Walsh...Sonya- Courtney Bowman, Natalie Chua and Vicki Manser...Marya D- Vicki Manser, Alexia McIntosh and Grace Mouat...Anatole- Benjamin Yates, Samuel Edwards and Carl Man...Hélène- Alexia McIntosh, Vicki Manser and Grace Mouat...Dolokhov- Carl Man, Stephenson Arder-Sodje...Andrey/Bolkonsky- Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Raymond Walsh and Julian Capolei...Mary- Amy Godowin and Rosa O’Reilly...Balaga- Raymond Walsh, Luke McCall and Stephenson Ardern-Sodje