2005 Shows

Click on a link to go to your favourite show:

OLIVER! THE MUSICAL - Includes comments by Louise.

ANNIE THE MUSICAL - Includes comments by Louise.

PETER PAN

THE BENNY HILL SHOW

Recent Year's Shows: 2007, 2006

Prior Year's Shows: 2004, 2003, 1987-2002

OLIVER! THE MUSICAL

With Louise English as Nancy

Genting International Showroom

26 May to 14 June

"Thumbs up for 'Oliver!'" — New Straits Times

"Louise English...displayed her big, warm voice beautifully on the show-stopping anthem As Long As He Needs Me." — Malay Mail

Louise starred as the good-hearted Nancy in the smash hit Oliver! The Musical at the Genting International Showroom in Genting Malaysia, near Kuala Lumpur, from 26 May to 14 June.

This wonderful musical is based on Charles Dickens' tale of the orphan, Oliver Twist. Set in the early 19th century in a wretched workhouse in Britain, it sees lonely Oliver slaving away with a group of children for a cruel caretaker named Mr. Bumble.

Oliver's fate is jeopardised when he lands in trouble for asking for more gruel. Out of anger, Mr. Bumble sells him to vicious Mr. Sowerberry, the undertaker. After a series of mistreatments, Oliver ends up running away and befriending a group of street urchins. Fagin, a 'respectable gentleman' who teaches him the finer points of pickpocketing, looks after Oliver.

Louise says, "I play Nancy and she's this warm, loving character with a maternal instinct. She comes from a real rough background and straight away recognises what Oliver has been through." She further describes Nancy as, "someone who has had a hard life. She is a thief with a heart. She sees something in Oliver that reminds her of herself as a little girl. It is her who helps Oliver escape towards the end."

Louise as the warm-hearted barmaid Nancy quickly decides that young Oliver deserves better and showers her motherly instinct on him to defend Oliver from her sinister, brutal lover, Bill Sikes (Why is it that the lovely, good girls always fall for the bad boys?), who is worried Oliver might divulge information about crimes that the cold-hearted Sikes has committed.

Louise is enthusiastic about the show saying, "Fans are in for a big treat. We have the West End set, an array of beautiful costumes, fantastic cast and music. The songs featured will be similar to those in the movie such as Food Glorious Food, Where is Love, Consider Yourself, and As Long as He Needs Me." And, of course, all Louise's fans who are able to see her perform in person are amazed by her lovely soprano voice, graceful dancing, and acting talent.

Oliver! The Musical was produced by Chris Moreno Ltd. in association with International Malaysian Performing Arts Corp Sdn Bhd (IMPAC), directed by Chris Colby, and choreographed by David Kort. Mr. Colby says of the show, "This will be a lavish performance equipped with a revolving set, dances, marvelous musical score, and a brilliant script." He added, "The set design is simply huge and will definitely entice the audience."

Louise's co-stars included Ralph Jackman as Fagin and Adrian Beaumont as Bill Sikes, along with Ben Jennings, Halcro Johnston, Audrey Leybourne, Michael Morgan, Lorinda King, Nik Stoter, Amber Sinclair, Nichola Lagan, Paul Beech, Chris Molloy, and Stefan Carpino. Oliver Rushby and William Jeffs shared the role of Oliver.

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ANNIE - THE MUSICAL

With Louise English as Grace Farrell

UK and Ireland Tour - 29 June to 26 November

Rave reviews for Louise

"The daddies' interest was notably piqued by stunningly beautiful Louise English as Grace Farrell." — Irish Independent

"Splendid is Louise English as Grace." — Western Morning News

"Louise English is a dynamo of energy." — The Sun (Malaysia)

Louise English plays Grace Farrell "...with both charm and sophistication." — BBC Birmingham

"Louise English...sparkles as Grace Farrell." — Teesside Evening Gazette

"Louise English was grace itself." — The Scotsman

"Louise English shone as Grace Farrell." — Worcester News

"Louise English...plays Grace Farrell to perfection." — Grimsby Telegraph

ANNIE - The Musical is a heartwarming and entertaining musical to be enjoyed by the whole family.

The story of ANNIE - The Musical revolves around 11 year-old Annie, who as an infant, was left on the steps of a New York orphanage, with a note and half a locket. Annie runs away from the orphanage, and the mean-tempered matron Miss Hannigan, in search of her parents.

Befriending a stray dog she names Sandy, they take refuge along with some 'down-and-outs' until Annie is returned to the orphanage. However, the lovely and warm-hearted Grace Farrell (played by Louise), secretary to billionaire Oliver Warbucks, saves Annie from  Miss Hannigan's wrath by hosting her for the Christmas holidays at the Warbucks mansion.

Annie arrives at the mansion to be greeted by Oliver Warbucks, a powerful businessman. He had expected the orphan to be a boy, and is puzzled by the prospect of dealing with a little girl, yet he immediately feels a connection with Annie. A week later, Warbucks decides to adopt Annie, but promises her that he will first make every effort to find her real parents.

Annie and Warbucks appear on a radio show on which Warbucks offers $50,000 to anyone who can prove they are Annie's parents. With Miss Hannigan's help, her brother Rooster, an ex-con, and his floozy girlfriend Lily, they scheme to claim the reward.

Warbucks along with Annie, visits the White House where President Roosevelt and Warbucks discuss the depressing economic situation. Annie's enthusiasm inspires the President. Meanwhile, hundreds of people claim to be Annie's parents but none of them can provide proof of Annie's beloved locket.

Warbucks moves to adopt Annie but before it is finalised, Rooster and Lily appear in disguise with the other half of Annie's locket. Warbucks calls on Roosevelt to check the claim. Investigation reveals them to be imposters and they, along with Miss Hannigan, are hauled off to jail.

Happiness reigns as Sandy is returned, Warbucks proposes to Grace, and they all look forward to a brighter tomorrow.

Louise says of the show, "I've been in Annie since we started doing it five years ago." And how does she feel about having played the delightful Grace Farrell for five consecutive tours throughout the UK, Ireland, and Kuala Lumpur? "I'm loving it," says Louise, "I like the touring and it's a very happy company. It's like a family." Louise's comments certainly embody the spirit of Grace Farrell.

She continues, "The singing is lovely and there are lots of little children in the show and I like acting with children. Annie is staggeringly popular and it's nice to be in something that packs the theatres."

This wonderful musical featured such classic songs as: "Tomorrow", "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile", "It's A Hard Knock Life", "I Think I'm Gonna Like It Here", "NYC", "You Won't Be An Orphan For Long", and many more favourites.

Louise's co-stars included Ruth Madoc as Miss Hannigan and Mark Wynter as Oliver 'Daddy' Warbucks. Emma Hopkins and Megan Joyner shared the role of Orphan Annie.

Annie - The Musical was produced by Chris Moreno, directed by Chris Colby, and choreographed by David Kort for Chris Moreno Ltd. Musical direction was provided by Tim Davies with lighting by Graham McLusky and design by Allan Miller Bunford.

Annie - The Musical 2005 Tour Schedule:

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PETER PAN

With Louise English as Mrs. Darling and The Mermaid

Manchester Opera House

10 December 2005 to 8 January 2006

Louise starred as Mrs. Darling and the Marilyn Monroe-esque Magical Mermaid in the popular action-packed pantomime Peter Pan that played at the Manchester Opera House, helping to give Christmas a sprinkling of magic dust and a dash of swashbuckling fun and providing a magical adventure for the whole family.

Her co-stars included soap baddy Steve McFadden (aka EastEnders favourite bad boy, Phil Mitchell) as Mr. Darling and the arch-villain Captain Hook. Sophie Lawrence (aka Diane Butcher from EastEnders) starred as the high flying Peter Pan, Matt Slack as Smee, Beth Humphries as Wendy, Penny Tovey as Tinkerbell, the multi-talented Acromaniacs as the pirates, and Alana Maria.

There was plenty of family fun and adventure in Never Land in this tale of the boy who would never grow up including spectacular sets, costumes and effects as Peter Pan chased shadows, cheated a ticking crocodile and looked after his family of lost boys, all with the help of his magical friend, Tinkerbell.

Peter Pan was produced by Qdos Entertainment Plc and directed by Sophie Lawrence, with choreography by Sarah St George and musical direction by Paul Fullard.

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THE BENNY HILL SHOW

With Louise English as Benny Hill's leading lady and the featured performer with Hill's Angels

BBC America - Weekdays 1:00 & 7:00 PM; Weekends 3:00 PM (Eastern time)

OK, OK! Yes, we know this isn't a new show for 2005. However, so many of Louise's American fans have recently enquired about when and where they can see Louise on The Benny Hill Show, it seems appropriate to include the information here.

BBC America is now broadcasting The Benny Hill Show on weekdays at 1:00 and 7:00 PM and weekends at 3:00 PM (Eastern time). Please check the BBC America weekly schedule for episode information.

Many of Louise's frequent guest appearances on The Benny Hill Show as Benny's leading lady in sketches he wrote especially for her, performing as the featured singer, and singing and dancing with Hill's Angels, are available on Benny Hill: Set 4 - The Hill's Angels Years. You can order now!

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