The musicals of London s West End have some of the biggest voices in the business. From the divine Sister Act to outstanding Oliver!, leading ladies are dazzling audiences in theatres across the capital. Want to hear the best belt it out with the rest? Here s our pick of the five biggest voices in the London s best musicals:
Kerry Ellis in Oliver!
Former Wicked star Kerry Ellis is hanging up her broomstick to replace Jodie Prenger as Nancy in the acclaimed production of Lionel Bart s hit musical Oliver! at London s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. One of London s favourite leading ladies, Kerry has had huge success both on Broadway and in London s West End. Her most famous roles include Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You, Fantine in Les Miserables at the Queen s Theatre and Ellen in Miss Saigon. Kerry joins Griff Rhys Jones and the rest of the Oliver! cast from 29 March.
Oliver is performed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in Covent garden and will run until the 26th February 2011. Tickets are on sale now.
Patina Miller in Sister Act The Musical
Following Whoopi Goldberg s screen stealing performance as Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act was never going to be easy, but Patina Miller has pulled it off with gusto. Raised on a rich diet of gospel and blues in South Carolina, Patina left a role in popular US soap opera All My Children to play Dionne in the critically acclaimed Central Park production of Hair. In 2008, she beat hundreds of hopefuls to win the role of Deloris in Sister Act The Musical at the London Palladium, alongside much loved star of stage and screen Sheila Hancock.
You can see Sister Act at the London Palladium Theatre now and runs until the 18th December 2010.
Rachel Tucker in Wicked The Musical
Rachel Tucker comes to the cast of Wicked The Musical hot from playing Meat in the Queen and Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre in London s West End. A semi finalist in the popular TV series I d Do Anything, Rachel takes on the leading role of Elphaba in the widely acclaimed Wicked The Musical at the Apollo Victoria from 29 March, alongside Louise Dearman as the new Glinda .
Wicked The Musical has been long running at the London Apollo Victoria Theatre and continues to do so until the 30th October 2010.
Ruthie Henshall in Chicago
The original Roxie Hart , Ruthie Henshall returned to London s West End to reprise her acclaimed performance in Chicago at The Cambridge Theatre. Her 9 week appearance has been extended until 17 April, so you ve still got a chance to see the performance that earned Ruthie a Laurence Olivier Award nomination. The award winning actress, singer and dancer also won widespread acclaim in 2008 for her performance in the leading role of Marguerite at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Tickets are available for Chicago the Musical which is running at the Cambridge Theatre, Covent Garden until the 30th October 2010.
With so many sisters doing it for themselves, which musical are you most interested in seeing? No matter which your pick, you re in for a sensational night!