STEPHEN ASHFIELD
Stephen trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Music, London on the Musical Theatre Course.
He made his West End debut as Boy George in Taboo (opposite Boy George!) a role he reprised for the UK tour.
Other theatre credits include:John in new musical Tomorrow Morning (New End Theatre, London), Nick Piazza in Fame (West End), George in new musical The Ha'penny Bridge (The Point, Dublin), Harry in When Harry Met Barry(West End Showcase), Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro (Drill Hall, London), Soloist in An Enchanted Evening (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane) for BBC, Principal Vocalist in the national premier of Christopher Benstead's Carmen (Scottish Ballet), Colin in Mother Goose (Watford Palace Theatre), Beast in Beauty and The Beast (Clwyd Theatr Cymru), Prince Charming in Cinderella (Lichfield Garrick), Featured Artist in 16 Gobs (The Kings Head, London), Beyond Broadway, Kings of Swing and Masters of the Musical for Calibre Productions.
Recently Stephen created the leading role of Adam, in the world premier of Imagine This at Plymouth Theatre Royal. He can also be seen in Tim Burton's film Sweeney Todd.
Stephen can be heard on the original cast recordings of The Ha'penny Bridge - The Musical and Tomorrow Morning .
Stephen is currently playing the role of Bob Gaudio in the hit musical, Jersey Boys, which opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in London’s West End on 28th February 2008.
Stephen (as George) with Annalene Beechey (as Molly) in The Ha’penny Bridge
copyright to www.hapennybridge.com
copyright- Katie Vandyck/www.iphotou.co.uk
Stephen with Ryan Molloy in Jersey Boys
copyright to Brinkhoff/Mögenburg, www.jerseyboyslondon.com
JULIE ATHERTON
The following is used with permission from Julie Atherton. Visit her at www.julieatherton.com. (added 12th March 2007, updated 23rd March 2008)
Julie was born in Preston and started her training at Carnial Newham College, Preston before moving to London to train at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 1999.
Whilst at Mountview she appeared as Fern in Charlotte's Web for the Polka Children's Theatre in Wimbledon. Following which she played the role of Iris Bentley in the critically acclaimed new musical Let Him Have Justice at the Covent Garden Festival.
Julie was cast in the lead role of Sophie in Mamma Mia making her West End debut at the Prince Edward Theatre in this worldwide hit musical featuring the music of Abba. It was then off on the national tour of Fame as the lovestruck Serena Katz, a role she subsequently reprised for a Christmas season at the Edinburgh Playhouse .
A season was then spent at the Chicester Festival Theatre appearing in Out of this World and as the Kolokolo Bird in the Stiles and Drewe musical Just So .
Julie is a founder member of the company of Notes from New York - a groundbreaking series of shows bringing work from US composers to the West End stage. Having performed in four of the five Notes from New York shows to date, she recently reprised her role as Serena in the West End production of Fame .
Julie has recently completed a highly successful run playing the leading role of Kate Monster and Lucy The Slut in the West End premiere of Broadway hit Avenue Q.
Julie has also just released her debut album "A Girl of Few Words".
photos and text credited to www.julieatherton.com
MIG AYESA
The following is used with permission from www.migayesa.com and www.myspace.com/miguelayesa
MiG hails from Australia where he played 'Ritchie Valens' in 'Buddy.' He was then chosen to join the London cast including a Royal Variety Performance for Her Majesty the Queen. Back in Australia, he played 'Danny Zuko' in 'Grease' and in 'Grease - The Mega Musical', 'Dandini' in 'Cinderella', 'Aladdin' in 'Aladdin', 'Tony' in 'West Side Story', was in the NIDA production of 'Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens', toured Australia and Asia with 'The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber', played 'Sonny' in 'Grease - The Arena Spectacular', 'Angel' in 'Rent', 'Joe Vegas' in the Australian and Asian tour of 'Fame', "Ash Catch'em" in 'Pokeman - Live!' in Dubai.
MiG's film credits include playing a Brooklyn vampire in 'Queen of the Damned' and a latex-covered serial killer in 'Subterano'. MiG starred at Joe King in the AFI award winning TV series 'The Ferals'. His other TV credits include 'Mission: Top Secret', 'Hits and Memories', 'The Midday Show', 'IMT', 'Monday to Friday', 'Carols in the Domain', 'It's About Time', 'Carols by Candlelight', 'People's Choice Awards', 'Vidiot', 'Good Morning Australia' and 'Hey Hey It's Saturday', as well as various commercials including a series of ads for JeansWest and a global campaign for Ray Ban.
As a composer, he has written songs released by artists in the Phillipines, Japan and Malaysia, as well as writing various jingles and themes for TV shows.
Fresh from finishing 3rd on ROCKSTAR:INXS, MiG has been signed by Universal Records on the Decca label. He is currently working on his first album release, scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2006. MiG has been living in London for the past 3 years where he has played the lead in Queen's WE WILL ROCK YOU, and starred in RENT. Singer/songwriter MiG has been in many bands throughout his career, but is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead as he ventures forth as a solo artist. He has just released is debut album- see his website for details.
MiG is currently starring in We Will Rock You on its International Tour, currently in Singapore
JOHN BARROWMAN
The following is used with permission of www.johnbarrowman.com
John Barrowman, born March 11th, began his stage career during his formative years in his native Scotland. Taking center stage, he would stand on the counter at his mother's record shop in Glasgow, singing songs from the current TOP TEN. At home, his mother says, "He would sing kids songs and use a baking spoon as a microphone." Thus a star was born. But the roar of the crowd and the smell of the greasepaint was still away off for young John.
John at home in Glasgow; about 4 or 5 years old. He says the thing that looks like an egg cup here was often his "microphone".
Clan Barrowman was relocated by Caterpillar Inc. from Glasgow to Aurora, Illinois when John was 8. Now, despite crooning into mom's baking spoon and wowing them down at the record store, it wasn't until John's teenage years that the acting bug finally bit. It was at Joliet West High and at the Joliet Drama Guild, under the combined influence of supportive teachers, parents and a principal role as Barnaby in HELLO DOLLY during his freshman year (which spurred a bit of an uproar amongst the upperclassmen), that John finally began to hear his calling. He continued to perform throughout his high school years. With graduation looming his guidance counselor asked what he wanted to do with his life, John replied, "I want to go into the arts." The counselor said, "O.K., but what do you want to do to fall back on?" John replied, " If I have to have something to fall on, it will have to be my ass."
After High School in the summer of his Freshman year and Sophomore year at college John performed at the Opryland USA a musical Theme Park in Nashville Tennessee. It was here John learned the value of interacting and being accessible to his audience, something that has stood him in good stead throughout his life and career.
While working at Opryland, John was offered another theme park performance job with Disney. John however had other plans for himself and turned them down. The Disney representative told him, "You know. Most of the people who turn us down end up doing something really BIG. I'm sure we'll see your name in the future." John is a graduate of the United States International University in California. It was through USIU, John had the opportunity to return to the UK and study Shakespeare at a London University.
It was during his studies abroad John's big break came in the form of an open casting call. A young man who could sing and act and also do an American accent was needed to play opposite one of London's premiere theater stars, Elaine Paige in Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES.
Shortly after the run began, John received a letter from that DISNEY representative. He wrote to say, "I told you so. The people who know what they want are always the ones we lose." (On a slightly ironic side note, several years later, John WOULD work for DISNEY but this time on his terms...as the Beast in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in London's West End.)
What started out as a six month study abroad, turned into a theatre career that hasn't stopped yet. From ANYTHING GOES, John landed roles such as Chris in MISS SAIGON, the title role in MATADOR opposite Stephanie Powers, Raoul in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, RED RED ROSE, Claude in the 25th anniversary revival of HAIR, Che in Oslo's production of EVITA, Alex in an Irish production of ASPECTS OF LOVE and SUNSET BOULEVARD opposite successively, Betty Buckley and his guardian angel, Elaine Paige.
While performing in the evening on the West End Stage, John also worked for the BBC "telly" as a presenter on such shows as LIVE & KICKING and ELECTRIC CIRCUS, as well as host of THE MOVIE GAME and 5's Company, a weekday magazine show.
It wasn't long before John's talent and good looks caught the attention of American TV producers,(a niece of one of them had a poster of John above her bed), they caught John in SUNSET BOULEVARD and flew him back to the States where they introduced him to American audiences in the Daren Star CBS television Series, CENTRAL PARK WEST. To come full circle, it was while John was filming CPW in New York, that he made his Broadway debut. Pulling double duty between shooting CPW and helping Betty Buckley, get ready for her close up, he once more stepped back into the shoes of the character of Joe Gillis in the Broadway production of SUNSET BOULEVARD. A few years later, John would also return to American Television this time for Aarron Spelling as Peter Williams in NBC's short lived prime time soap TITANS.
John returned to the UK stage and earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for BEST ACTOR for his portrayal of Cal Chandler in the Donmar Warehouse's production of THE FIX. And back on the US stage, John received a BACKSTAGE WEST GARLAND AWARD for the Sondheim review, PUTTING IT TOGETHER, with Carol Burnett at Los Angeles's, Mark Taper Forum. (John reprised his role when the show transferred to Broadway in 1999.)
In addition to his stage and television work, John has also broadcast in concert for the BBC in THE MAGIC OF MUSICALS, from Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. NATIONAL MUSIC DAY with Betty Buckley and a concert version of CALL ME MADAM with Tyne Daly. John's recordings include cast albums for HAIR, GODSPELL and THE FIX. Selections from MATADOR, RED RED ROSE and GREASE, as well as THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER. John's first solo CD, a six track mini CD is JOHN BARROWMAN: ASPECTS OF LLOYD WEBBER. A full length solo CD, released in 2000 is entitled JOHN BARROWMAN: REFLECTIONS FROM BROADWAY, and spans songs from all the various shows John has done in addition to a few special tracks. In 2004, John released his third solo cd, JOHN BARROWMAN SWINGS COLE PORTER, a collection of Cole Porter songs on First Night Records. Fans eagerly await more recordings.
John is also a member of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme, an organization dedicated to promoting outstanding achievements in young people.
He recently returned to his roots to lead a theatre workshop for Joliet West High school, students hoping to pursue a career on stage. The Dreamers Workshops, open to all high school students, came into being partly due to Oprah Winfrey, "I watched a show about people giving back what they have learned in their life and giving it back to other people," John says. "I always wanted to come back to Joliet and do something after having some success in my career. I was given my greatest introduction to music and theater from Joliet West High School. It kills me today that high schools are cutting back on their arts programs," he says, for without them he wouldn't be doing royal command performances on the West End for the Royal Family and their invited guests or having Stephen Sondheim ask him to play opposite Carol Burnett.
If you would like more information regarding John's DREAMERS WORKSHOP, please contact Beverly Holt at dreamersworkshop@yahoo.com
John has also recently starred as 'Captain Jack' in the much loved TV series 'Doctor Who' and can currently be seen as Captain Jack in the BBC hit TV show 'Torchwood' and as a Judge on the BBC show to find a Nancy and Oliver for a new West End production ' I'd Do Anything'
*Biography complied from various articles and additional input from John Barrowman.
DARIUS DANESH
The following is used with permission of http://www.myspace.com/dariusdanesh
Darius Danesh's professional career began playing a ten-year-old Trojan boy in the Scottish Opera's avante garde 1990's production of The Trojans. As a teenager he then toured with the Scottish Opera in a critically acclaimed production of Carmen. After performing at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, Darius faced the first of many career cross-roads. He chose to return to his studies in lieu of training his rich baritone voice for an Operatic career.
While studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, a chance audition and promise of a record deal led Darius to fame on Popstars and the subsequent television phenomenon that was Pop Idol, from which American Idol was born. Millions voted for him, and the nation's favourite underdog left the show with a major record contract on the table. With this new career cross-road ahead, Darius veered off the road altogether, making his own path, guitar over shoulder. He turned down Simon Cowell's million pound offer to become a Cover-song Idol, and instead sent a self-composed track to his favourite producer in the hope of creating something original. Legendary, Grammy-winning U2-producer Steve Lillywhite signed him to a five-album deal. In the summer of 2002 Colourblind became Darius' first number one single and that Christmas, his self-penned album Dive In went platinum.
Over the next two years, Darius would go on to support Shakira in Paris on her World Tour; complete his own sell-out UK tour; become an Ambassador for the Prince's Trust; contribute to the War Child charity album with Coldplay and Oasis; write a no. 6 Sunday Times Best Seller book, Sink or Swim; and headline in India with Alanis Morissette after his album went platinum there.
After receiving news that his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, Darius wrote and dedicated his second studio album to Dr Booth Danesh, the man he calls his "hero". In 2005, the album's title-track Live Twice became Darius' 5th Top Ten UK single. Amazingly, father Booth not only lived to see his son perform it at the Royal Albert Hall, but fought and beat his cancer into remission, echoing the song's lyrics.
Recently, Darius celebrated a five month sell-out West End run in Chicago and at 25, officially became the youngest actor ever to fill the role of Billy Flynn since the show first opened on Broadway in 1975, appearing in 121 shows without missing a performance. Off stage, Darius continues to work with the Lymphoma Association to raise awareness of one of the least understood and fastest growing cancers, and continues to work with underprivileged youth as a Prince's Trust Ambassador.
KERRY ELLIS
The following is used with permission from Kerry Ellis and www.kerryellis.co.uk
Training: Laine Theatre Arts
Theatre: Ellen in Miss Saigon (National Tour), Created the role of Meat in We Will Rock You (Dominion), Uderstudied and played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady on mant occassions (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Magic of the Musicals (National Tour) understudy to Marti Webb, Mary in Merrily we Roll Along (Yvonne Arnourd Theatre)
TV: Parkinson BBC Vocals for We Will Rock You, Queens Royal Jubilee Concert, Soloist at Party in the Park (Hyde Park)
Recordings: We Will Rock You and My Fair Lady (Original Cast Recordings)
Other: Lead vocalist on the Voyager RCCCL largest cruise line in the world. Performed duet with Brian May (Queen) at The Astoria, recent workshops include Way Beyond Blue, written by Imogen Stubbs and directed by Trevor Nunn. Helen of Troy, directed by Gary Griffin. Various concerts and charity performances.
Released No One But You as a download last year and is working on new music this year with the help oF Brian May (thanks Brian!)
Kerry more recently appeared as Fantine in Les Miserables at the Queens Theatre and as standby for the role of Elphaba in Wicked at the Apollo Victoria London. Kerry took over the lead as Elphaba in Jan 2007 and has just signed up to stay with the show until July 2008.
HADLEY FRASER
The following is used with permission from Hadley Fraser, visit him at www.hadleyfraser.com
Hadley studied at Birmingham University, then trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was a recipient of the Ian Fleming Musical Theatre Award. He graduated in 2002.
Theatre: The Pirate Queen (Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago), Pacific Overtures (Leicester Haymarket), Assassins (Sheffield Crucible), My Fair Lady (Larnaca Amphitheatre, Cyprus), Longitude (Greenwich Theatre), The Far Pavilions (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Last Session (Hackney Empire), One Day More (Birmingham Symphony Hall), Putting It Together (Harrogate Theatre), The Shaughraun (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), The Pirates of Penzance (Savoy Theatre), Peter Pan (Savoy Theatre), Les Miserables (Palace Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Northampton Derngate), and Assassins (Edinburgh Festival).
Television: Dr Who (BBC), Missing Moscow (Idiotlamp for Channel 4).
Hadley most recently starred in The Pirate Queen by Boublil & Schonberg at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago and then for its recent run on Broadway.
MARIA FRIEDMAN
The following is used with permission from www.mariafriedman.com and www.aboutmaria.com
Maria Friedman ‘the first lady of the
Maria’s first job was as a backing singer for a small band but she soon landed her first theatre role ‘Oklahoma’ in 1980 and has not looked back since.
Maria has numerous
Recent times have seen Maria debut the role of Marian Halcombe in Andrew Lloyd Webber's ‘Woman in White’ both in the
‘Maria Friedman delivers a standout performance’ The Sun 16.9.04
‘Maria Friedman gives a star performance, warm, glowing and captivating’ The Sunday Times 19.9.04
But Maria is not just a stage star…she has many film and television credits to her name including the Narrator in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ film. She has numerous recording credits including cast recordings and solo albums. ‘Maria Live’ was released in 2003. May 2006 saw Maria’s first American solo album ‘Now and Then’.
More than just recordings, Maria also has a list of concerts to her name, including singing with the London Philharmonic, The
A shy performer, Maria comes alive when singing…a much loved
Maria will be starring in 'Maria Friedman Re-Arranged' at The Menier Chocolate Factory from Weds 19th March to Sunday 4th May 2008. A rare oppertunity to experience Maria in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. An unforgettable evening of musical magic.
JAMES GILLAN
The following is used with permission of www.jamesgillan.org
James was born in Glasgow and trained at the Arts Educational Schools in London.
Theatre work includes: The title roles in Peter Pan (Royal Festival Hall), Pippin (Bridewell), James and the Giant Peach (UK Tour), Rusty in Starlight Express (Apollo Victoria and UK Tour), Marilyn in Taboo (UK tour), Tommy (Shaftesbury Theatre - Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical), Antony and Cleopatra, Julius Caesar (Shakespeare's Globe), When Harry Met Barry (Gatehouse), Fame (Swedish Tour), Golem (New End, Hampstead), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour), Godspell (Chichester Festival Theatre).
TV credits include: Doctors, ‘Orrible and 7 Industrial Wonders of the World (all BBC)
Radio includes: Peter Pan (BBC Radio)
James has a solo album out entitled James Gillan
James has also provided some voice over work for Q Voice (his work can be found by clicking here.... www.qvoice.co.uk)
James is currently appearing in the London West End Premiere of Wicked in the role of Boq and has confirmed he will stay in the role until 7th June 2008.
STUART GLOVER
Stuart started working in the theatre world at the age of 11 when he made his West End debut in the original cast of Joseph and the Technicolour Dream Coat at London’s Palladium.
Stuart has just shot an exciting video for his new song Fatal Attraction.
ASHLEIGH GRAY
Ashleigh is currently delighted to be making her West End debut, having joined the cast of Wicked, Playing the role of Pfannee, Ashleigh is also 1st cover for Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. Wicked, the untold story of the Witches of Oz, is based on Gregory Maguire's spellbinding novel of the same name and is currently playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London.
Ashleigh has most recently appeared in the European Premiere of the song cycle MYTHS AND HYMNS at The Finborough Theatre by Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Adam Guettel.
Prior to this in the UK national tour of Grease playing Miss Lynch and first cover Rizzo and Jan and in NHS The Musical at the Drum Theatre Plymouth.
Ashleigh made her professional debut playing the lead role of Kim in the UK tour of the hit Boy George musical Taboo.
Ashleigh made her West End debut in the highly acclaimed series of shows Notes from New York and was invited back to appear in the shows Anniversary Gala.
Prior to this she played the leading role of Kirsty in her native Edinburgh, in Terry Pratchett's Only You Can Save Mankind at the Pleasance Theatre as part of the Edinburgh Festival.
Ashleigh is originally from Midlothian, Scotland and trained at the Guildford School of Acting where she received the Principal's Award for Musical Theatre and the Margaret Veale Award for Singing.
During her training Ashleigh was a soloist and company member with the GSA Singers, and played the roles of Marta in Stephen Sondheim's Company, Lindy Lou in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Mary Rosegarden in Love off the Shelf.
Ashleigh also played the role of Grace Farrell in GSA's graduation production, Annie at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. At the same venue she appeared in the Kevin Wood pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk understudying Rula Lenska in the title role of Jack.
In addition she supported Ruthie Henshall in The Magnificent Musicals in both Richmond and Milton Keynes.
