Ben Forster.
Proms substitute one Phantom for another
August 20, 2023
Phantom of the Opera veteran John Owen-Jones has had to pull out of his guest appearance at Lytham Festival's Last Night of the Proms next Sunday. But his place will be taken by another hugely popular Phantom, Ben Forster.
The late substitution occurred after Owen-Jones was forced to take a break from performing because of a throat infection, which has also temporarily stopped him appearing in La Cage Aux Folles at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, where he was playing Edouard Dindon.
He announced his illness on Twitter, saying: "Exciting news! I’m currently not performing as I’ve had a particularly nasty upper respiratory tract infection, lost my voice and am on complete vocal rest."
Saving the day to star at the Proms gig alongside headliner Katherine Jenkins and fellow West End stars Danny Mac and Louise Dearman, Forster said he was "very happy" to be joining the line-up at Lytham.
The fund-raising event – a spin-off from the annual Lytham Festival – takes place in the grounds of Lytham Hall on Sunday, August 27. Organisers Cuffe and Taylor have so far raised more than £200,000 towards the restoration of the historic venue.
Tickets are available at www.lythamfestival.com.
August 20, 2023
Phantom of the Opera veteran John Owen-Jones has had to pull out of his guest appearance at Lytham Festival's Last Night of the Proms next Sunday. But his place will be taken by another hugely popular Phantom, Ben Forster.
The late substitution occurred after Owen-Jones was forced to take a break from performing because of a throat infection, which has also temporarily stopped him appearing in La Cage Aux Folles at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, where he was playing Edouard Dindon.
He announced his illness on Twitter, saying: "Exciting news! I’m currently not performing as I’ve had a particularly nasty upper respiratory tract infection, lost my voice and am on complete vocal rest."
Saving the day to star at the Proms gig alongside headliner Katherine Jenkins and fellow West End stars Danny Mac and Louise Dearman, Forster said he was "very happy" to be joining the line-up at Lytham.
The fund-raising event – a spin-off from the annual Lytham Festival – takes place in the grounds of Lytham Hall on Sunday, August 27. Organisers Cuffe and Taylor have so far raised more than £200,000 towards the restoration of the historic venue.
Tickets are available at www.lythamfestival.com.
Classical star Katherine Jenkins.
Musical theatre flavour to last night of the proms
August 18, 2023
Musical theatre stars will be giving a distinctly theatrical flavour to a concert at Lytham Hall next week.
The Last Night of the Proms – a spin-off event from the annual Lytham Festival extravaganza – features classical star Katherine Jenkins in a return visit after headlining the original festival in 2011. She will be joined by musicals favourites Danny Mac, John Owen-Jones and Louise Dearman, alongside other West End performers.
The Welsh soprano, named Classic FM’s biggest-selling classical artist of the century, said: “There’s something very special about a Proms concert. They are always such wonderful events and I am looking forward to returning to Lytham in a whole new setting.”
The concert, which takes place in the grounds of Lytham Hall on Sunday, August 27, is the latest in a line of events staged by festival organisers Cuffe and Taylor which have raised more than £200,000 towards the restoration of the historic venue.
Danny Mac has a long history in musicals, having appeared as Gavroche in Les Misérables at the age of 10. His credits include Legally Blonde, Wicked, Sunset Boulevard and, most recently, Pretty Woman, as well as a memorable turn on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Owen-Jones is a veteran of the West End and Broadway, having starred as Jean Valjean in Les Mis, Phil Hollinghurst in the Great British Bake-Off musical, and the title role in The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times. He also made a guest appearance at last year’s Last Night of the Proms alongside his old pal Alfie Boe.
Wicked provides two more West End stars in the shape of Louise Dearman and Nicholas McLean, while Classical Brit nominee Geogi Mottram will also be putting in an appearance.
Festival co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We are delighted to welcome Katherine back to Lytham. Our Last Night of the Proms concert is always an exciting occasion and for the last two years we have enjoyed staging this event in the wonderful surroundings of Lytham Hall.
“It is also a pleasure to see John return and we look forward to welcoming Danny, Louise, Nicholas and Georgi. They are all incredibly talented individuals and we know this will be a very special evening in a magical setting.”
Tickets for the event are available at www.lythamfestival.com.
August 18, 2023
Musical theatre stars will be giving a distinctly theatrical flavour to a concert at Lytham Hall next week.
The Last Night of the Proms – a spin-off event from the annual Lytham Festival extravaganza – features classical star Katherine Jenkins in a return visit after headlining the original festival in 2011. She will be joined by musicals favourites Danny Mac, John Owen-Jones and Louise Dearman, alongside other West End performers.
The Welsh soprano, named Classic FM’s biggest-selling classical artist of the century, said: “There’s something very special about a Proms concert. They are always such wonderful events and I am looking forward to returning to Lytham in a whole new setting.”
The concert, which takes place in the grounds of Lytham Hall on Sunday, August 27, is the latest in a line of events staged by festival organisers Cuffe and Taylor which have raised more than £200,000 towards the restoration of the historic venue.
Danny Mac has a long history in musicals, having appeared as Gavroche in Les Misérables at the age of 10. His credits include Legally Blonde, Wicked, Sunset Boulevard and, most recently, Pretty Woman, as well as a memorable turn on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Owen-Jones is a veteran of the West End and Broadway, having starred as Jean Valjean in Les Mis, Phil Hollinghurst in the Great British Bake-Off musical, and the title role in The Phantom of the Opera more than 2,000 times. He also made a guest appearance at last year’s Last Night of the Proms alongside his old pal Alfie Boe.
Wicked provides two more West End stars in the shape of Louise Dearman and Nicholas McLean, while Classical Brit nominee Geogi Mottram will also be putting in an appearance.
Festival co-founder Peter Taylor said: “We are delighted to welcome Katherine back to Lytham. Our Last Night of the Proms concert is always an exciting occasion and for the last two years we have enjoyed staging this event in the wonderful surroundings of Lytham Hall.
“It is also a pleasure to see John return and we look forward to welcoming Danny, Louise, Nicholas and Georgi. They are all incredibly talented individuals and we know this will be a very special evening in a magical setting.”
Tickets for the event are available at www.lythamfestival.com.
West End veteran John Owen-Jones.
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Musicals favourite Danny Mac.
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