Rebecca Trehearn - West End's Welsh Jewel!

I simply have to introduce you to Rebecca Trehearn.  She's a sensationally talented singer/actress hailing from Rhyl in Wales and she can currently be found treading the boards in London's West End. 
 

Rebecca is one of those rare jewels of a singer who can carry off a whole host of vocal styles.  Her voice has light and shade, beauty and grace, grit, power, soul and whole lotta rock n roll!

Rebecca studied and obtained a degree in performance at Mountview Academy of Theatre and Arts in London.  She has always lived and breathed singing and performance.  From the age of 7 she began competing as a singer and she started her professional stage career at the tender age of 10.

Her professional stage debut was as Princess Dim-Sum in Aladdin (City Varieties Theatre, Leeds, 2004).
Since then Rebecca has performed in the following roles:
Annie in the premiere of Alfie the Musical (Palace Theatre, Watford, 2005)
Covered & played Meat and Killer Queen in We Will Rock You (Dominion, 2007)

Dirty Dancing (Aldwych, 2008)
Covered and played Rose in Aspects Of Love (Menier Chocolate Factory, 2010)
Bernada Alba played Martirio (Union Theatre, Southwark, 2011)
Covered and played Jenny in Love Story (Duchess, 2012/2011)

Title roles in Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella (Pavilion, Rhyl, 2009/2010).
Workshops include Jack Dagger (Greenwich Theatre)
Moonshadow - featuring the music of Cat Stevens - and Playsong (Tristan Bates)
Television includes Casualty and A470.
Rebecca won The Wow Factor for S4C (Welsh version of X-Factor) which led to the release of her self-titled solo CD. 
 

She is also a session singer and has contributed to film soundtracks including Sweeney Todd, The Da Vinci Code and Mamma Mia!
She can also be heard as Rosalia on the 50th Anniversary recording of West Side Story and on the Love Story original cast recording.

Rebecca is currently ensemble/cover for Molly Jensen in Ghost The Musical 

(Piccadilly Theatre, London West End, 2012)

Confirmed Molly dates for Rebecca are:
Sat 26th May

July 23rd - August 4th
August 30th - September 1st

Book tickets here:
 http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/Ghost-tickets/artist/1017977

Follow Rebecca on Twitter:
www.twitter.com/RebeccaTrehearn
 
Rebecca will also be performing in "Laugh And Be Happy" at Chichester Festival Theatre on 8th July 2012
http://www.cft.org.uk/3983/Laugh-and-Be-Happy/321I recently attended West End In Concert at The Actors Church, Covent Garden on Sunday 20th May 2012 where I had the pleasure of hearing Rebecca perform two songs.  

I captured her stunning performances on video here:

Rebecca performs "Gravity" (Sara Bareilles)

And "Breathe" (In The Heights)

Enjoy!!

"Royal Albert Anthems" - Kerry Ellis and Brian May take "Anthems" on tour!

Kerry Ellis is royalty in the world of musical theatre.  Her most recent role was playing “Nancy” in the West End production of “Oliver” but she is probably most known for her time spent playing the lead role of “Elphaba” in the hit musical “Wicked.”  This role not only saw her triumph in London’s West End when she took over from Idina Menzel, (who originated the role) but also took her across the pond to New York where she reprised the role with critical acclaim on Broadway.  Kerry has always been destined for big things in the world of theatre.  She trained at Laine Theatre Arts where her incredible vocal talent was championed.  This training and without a doubt her natural talent allowed a gifted and ambitious Kerry to chase her dreams and live out her passion on stage.  Over the years she has played many a musical theatre role.  Before “Wicked” and “Oliver” Kerry played “Fantine” in West End production of “Les Miserables,” and “Ellen” in the National Theatre Tour of “Miss Saigon.”  She understudied the role of “Eliza” in Trevor Nunn’s production of “My Fair Lady,” at the National Theatre and Drury Lane.  She often stood in for Martine McCutcheon who was frequently absent due to illness.  It was here that Brian May first encountered the young Kerry in action and her presence and vocal ability blew him away.  When it came to finding performers for his new musical, “We Will Rock You,” he simply had to have her audition.  Of course she was hired and originated the role of “Meat” in the original London Cast recording of the now smash hit musical.

Brian has shown an everlasting faith in Kerry and has invested his heart and soul into their “Anthems” project, both the album and the tour.

May 1^st 2011 saw me witness their partnership in its prime at London’s Royal Albert Hall.  The show opened with a tribal fanfare of drums after which the orchestra built up the brass and string arrangement whilst mysterious caped, hooded figures leapt and weaved around the stage, trying to guard, protect and prevent a hidden treasure from breaking away from the group.  The frenzy of chords built to a crescendo just as Brian May strides on stage with his signature guitar playing the musical hook to the anthemic “Dangerland.”  Kerry bursts free from the shadows and rips off her cape to reveal a daring black diamond encrusted corset and some very short, feathered hot pants!  Her heart is pumping and she’s ready to live dangerously, rise to the challenge and delve courageously into a programme of performances that will take her to another level mentally, physically and vocally.  Her voice is in prime condition and as she sings her vocals soar powerfully around the majestic walls of the Royal Albert Hall.  Kerry Ellis reigns supreme in belting out ballads.

“Anthems: The Concert,” is where theatre meets rock, where structure mixes with wild abandon.  With her radiant blue eyes and cascading blonde locks, adorned with some quirky designer outfits, Kerry has a striking visual presence on stage.  Kerry Ellis and Brian May pour their heart and soul into every interpretation, stamping their unique sound on many musical styles from Queen classics such as “Somebody To Love” and “Save Me” to musical theatre, “I’m Not That Girl“ from “Wicked,” and “Anthem,” from “Chess” to classic power ballads like “Diamonds Are Forever,” and pop covers like “The Feeling’s” hit “I love It When You Call.”  For this performance she is even joined by “The Feeling’s” Dan Gillespie and together with Brian May they delivered an effervescent and upbeat interpretation of the song that sees everyone in the Royal Albert Hall on their feet, dancing along and clapping their hands above their heads.  Kerry transcends with ease through the scripted introvert world of musical theatre to the unpredictable, extrovert and self expressive world of music.  She can no longer hide behind a character, acting out a role.  She now has to expose her soul and reveal Kerry Ellis the artist and that she does triumphantly, her personality, energy and enthusiasm shining through on stage.

Kerry Ellis is an extraordinary vocal powerhouse and Brian May is a living legend.  The bond this pair share on stage is unique.  Anthems: The  Concert is an empowering rock symphonic spectacular, it’s star, the phenomenal rising star, Kerry Ellis!  A stellar performance packed full of “Royal Albert” Anthems! *

*The shows at the Royal Albert Hall were special performances which helped to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Research charity.  Special guests that night included Broadway star Adam Pascal and violin virtuosos “Escala.”

You can catch Kerry Ellis and Brian May as they continue on the Anthems Tour.  

Book your tickets here:

Ticketmaster: http://bit.ly/i3zpnK

Ticketline: http://bit.ly/f62bot

Kerry’s debut album, “Anthems” is available to buy: 

http://amzn.to/l0Lopm

For more information on Kerry visit her official website:

www.kerryellis.co.uk

Follow Kerry on Twitter :  

www.twitter.com/kerryjaneellis1

Visit her artist page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/officialkerryellis

*All Photos in this blog with the exception of the "Anthems" poster photo are owned by Louise Marris.