Hayley Tamaddon joins Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Hayley Tamaddon, who played Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, is a wonderful stage actor and singer. We saw her in Thoroughly Modern Millie at our local theatre last year and can vouch for what a presence she is on stage. You can read my review here if you'd like to.

And now Hayley has joined the cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie in the role of teacher Miss Hedge. It's a gutsy performance and one I know Hayley will do well. It's a wonderful show, truly uplifting and beautiful, about a young boy called Jamie New. He's sixteen and lives on a council estate in Sheffield. Jamie doesn't quite fit in. Jamie is terrified about the future. Jamie is going to be a sensation - and he is!

Supported by his brilliant loving mum and surrounded by his friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight. With catchy songs by lead singer- songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells, and book and lyrics by writer Tom MacRae, this funny, fabulous, feel-good, musical sensation has been wowing audiences and critics alike. Sixteen: the edge of possibility. Time to make your dreams come true.

If you can go to see this musical, do. It'll be the best thing you'll do for yourself in a long time, I promise.

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Review: Hayley Tamaddon in Thoroughly Modern Millie

In Coronation Street, Hayley Tamaddon played Lloyd's girlfriend Andrea Beckett, destined to sit in the Rovers and frown.

But since leaving Weatherfield, Hayley has really come into her own in the world of musical theatre.  We saw her last on stage in November 2016 in the musical Chicago where she rocked as Roxie Hart - and you can read that review here.

Last night we went to Sunderland Empire to see Hayley on stage again, this time in the lead role of touring musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. And what a joy it was!  It's one of my favourite musicals and I've seen it on stage before, in that London, when Lesley Joseph starred as Mrs Meeks and Amanda Holden as Millie.

But last night we saw it again and this time at our local theatre. It was a cold and wet Tuesday night and - to be honest - the sort of night where all you want to do is curl up in front of the telly rather than put your slap on, your best jeans and head out into town.  But it was well worth it for I enjoyed every minute of the show and it made the cold, wet night outside seem a million miles away.

Hayley Tamaddon as Millie packs a punch in this show. She's the first one on stage, alone, where she belts out the opening song, solo. And you know from the minute she opens her mouth to sing that first note that she's left Andrea Beckett in Corrie a very long way behind.  Hayley is a powerful singer and actress, she really is something special. We saw that in Chicago last year and it was a joy to see her on stage again last night.

The evil Mrs Meeks provided a lot of the laughs in the show, and it was the first time I've seen the character played in drag. This added an air of pantomime about the musical, which was fun - and it worked for this fan, played to perfection by Lucas Rush.

Thoroughly Modern Millie's stage show is based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film and it takes you right back to the height of the Jazz Age in 1920s New York City, when ‘moderns’ including a flapper named Millie Dillmount, played by Hayley Tamaddon, were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love.

There are some excellent tap numbers and a ‘Fred and Ginger’ dance routine on a window ledge. There's singing, dancing, comedy and a strong storyline too. What more could you want?

Thoroughly Modern Millie runs at Sunderland Empire all of this week. Tickets available here. 

And the tour dates for the rest of the country are here.

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Corrie writer pens new comedy film starring Hayley Tamaddon

Coronation Street writer David Isaac is one of the two writers behind a new comedy film called Eaten by Lions.

It's a Blackpool based comedy about half brothers Omar and Pete .When their parents are eaten by lions they embark on a journey to find Omar's real father. What follows is a funny, heart-warming journey of self-discovery for both boys...in Blackpool. The Choudray family represents a truly contemporary example of modern multicultural Britain - but what will the brothers make of their eccentric newfound family? Will they be going to Mecca or Mecca bingo? In contrast to the old fashioned stereotypes about Blackpool, the comedy is sharp, current and non-stop.

The film stars Hayley Tamaddon, who played Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street. Johnny Vegas also stars in the film as well as a sterling cast. You can find out more here.

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Hayley Tamaddon to star in Thoroughly Modern Millie

Hayley Tamaddon, who played Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, will join the cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie on its UK tour next year.

Hayley's previous theatre roles include star turns in the U.K. tours of Chicago, Spamalot, The Rocky Horror Show, and Grease, as well as Boyband and Mamma Mia! in the West End.

We caught up with her at the Sunderland Empire last year when she was in Chicago and she fair nearly knocked our socks off with her performance. You can read my review of the show here.

Click here for tour dates and ticket information. 

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Hayley Tamaddon rocks as Roxie in Chicago The Musical

 

I'm a firm believer in not knowing what our favourite Corrie stars are truly capable of until - and unless - we see them outside of Coronation Street.  

Within Coronation Street, actors are constrained by their soap characters, destined to sit in the Rovers and frown. I's all about how they're written and how they're meant to be within the confines of a back-street up north.  For many actors this works to their advantage while others struggle to fit. Hayley Tamaddon's character of Andrea was one of those I struggled to like in Corrie. Mind you, anyone who was brought in to cause friction in the budding bromance between Lloyd and Steve was never going to be popular in our house.

But Andrea had something about her, a cheeky sense of humour, that could have been exploited more. Remember when she got drunk and sang Tainted Love?  If only we'd seen that side of Andrea more, who knows what might have happened.  As it was, she left Corrie with Lloyd in the live episode to mark ITV's 60th birthday in September last year.

And what of Hayley Tamaddon since then? 

Well, she's currently starring in the touring production of Chicago the Musical and I went to the show at the Sunderland Empire last night.  Hayley plays the starring role of Roxie Hart and she sings and dances her way through the show in fantastic style.

Despite my seat being up at the back of the dress circle while watching Chicago, Hayley projected such emotion, sexiness, acting ability and chemistry all the way up to my row - and beyond.  She really was amazing to watch. Her singing voice is fantastic, comic timing is perfection and I can't rave on enough about how flamin' great she was. 

I've seen Chicago live on stage before, in that London many years ago. Admittedly, I only went to see it back then because Alison Moyet (of whom I'm a BIG fan) was playing the role of Mama Morton. This time around that role goes to Mica Paris who is well worth seeing too.

If you get a chance to see Chicago the Musical at a theatre near you, do go. The UK touring schedule is here and if you're in the north-east, it's running at Sunderland for the rest of this week.


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Goodbye Andrea Beckett - for now

In October 2013, I interviewed Hayley Tamaddon, who playsAndrea Beckett. Now, just a month shy of a 2 year stint, she will leave, newly pregnant, with Lloyd, in the live episode, to be broadcast on Wednesday 23 September.

I had such high hopes for the character Andrea Beckett, especially because the initial storyline entailed Andrea going all out to claim Steve MacDonald. You’ll remember that Amy was involved in a history project at school and her father couldn’t properly answer her questions. It was this inability to help, which steered Steve towards college and taking a course in history. In his class was Andrea and the initial storyline was that Andrea would become totally infatuated with Steve and would stop at nothing to claim him. Not Michelle, not Liz and not his mates would dampen her ardour. Sadly and most disappointingly, that storyline disappeared. After a bit of laughter and banter, accompanied by Michelle’s questioning as to who exactly Andrea was, and whether or not she was attractive, that plot was clearly sidelined.

Instead, what did happen, and this was quite unpalatable at the time, was that Michelle, with sidekick Liz, mocked Steve for trying to better himself. Michelle, in particular, treated him as an exasperating child, rather than the man who was her life partner. Maybe it was jealousy on Michelle’s part and maybe Liz sided with Michelle as she was hoping that Steve and Michelle would stick together. Michelle was particularly put out when she learnt that the green blouse Steve had bought her was purchased on a shopping trip with Andrea. Whatever the reason though, Michelle and Liz did themselves no favours at that time and they lost a few fans through their ignorance and ridiculing of Steve.

Had that original storyline gone ahead it would have caused some real upset and some terrific drama. If drama is conflict, as the great dramatists claim, then there would have been enough for all. Originally, Andrea was to dress like a femme fatale and to make it crystal clear to Steve that she wanted him. She was to flaunt herself in The Rovers and have an - ‘All’s fair in Love and War,’ attitude towards her attempt to ensnare Steve.

It’s such a shame that it did not materialize and instead we were granted dreary, confused, Neil and a steady (ish) relationship with lovely Lloyd; at least until she stole Lloyd’s prize record to flog, to help out the mysterious, never seen, Jess.  It is worth noting that Steve appeared to be a little bit jealous of Lloyd when he started going out with Andrea.

Just a quick note here too about Todd - I interviewed BrunoLangley who plays Todd, the same day as Hayley Tamaddon. Bruno stated that viewers would find out what had turned Todd bad; it was to something in ‘that London’ that had traumatised him, explaining why he had undergone a metamorphosis.

As far as I know, we’re still waiting…

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Hayley Tamaddon reveals Corrie live episode spoilers

Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, was interviewed on Good Morning Britain today.  Hayley has already finished filming on Corrie although she'll be back with Craig Charles (Lloyd Mullaney) for the live episode.

Hayley revealed that the hour-long live episode will be aired on Wednesday 23rd September.

Hayley also spoke a little about Andrea's upcoming storyline where she sells off one of Lloyd's Northern Soul records to pay off her daughter Jess' debts.

She also told GMB that the door has been left open for a return to the Street for Andrea and Lloyd and she confirmed that the couple leave during the live episode in September. She also admitted she didn't really want to leave - neither does Craig Charles.

Watch the interview here.
 
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Lloyd's Northern Soul record gets nicked - by Andrea

Lloyd's a man who likes his music and his vinyl collection means the world to him.  Next week on Coronation Street, one of his favourite Northern Soul records goes missing - and it's been stolen by Andrea to pay off her daughter Jess' debt.

Inside Soap magazine reveal that there's a twist in the tale to come in this story after the couple split up. 

We already know that Craig Charles and Hayley Tamaddon (Lloyd and Andrea) have filmed their final scenes.  

However, they will also both be featuring in the live episode to be shown in September, so I'm not quite sure what's going on there and how that will work out.

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Hayley Tamaddon to leave Coronation Street

ITV today is bringing us the news that the next actor to leave Corrie is Hayley Tamaddon who plays Andrea Beckett. Hayley has been in the Street for two years after initially only expecting to be on screen for three months. Her exit storyline is expected to be tied in to the story leading up to the live episode in September. Her exit will be left open in case she ever wants to return.

Hayley says  "I will be so sad to leave, I have had the best two years of my life here. It really is one big family. Everyone looks out for each other and I’ve made some incredible friends."

Stuart Blackburn added "Hayley has brought real magic to the Corrie cobbles - funny, energetic, totally professional and a joy to be around as a friend and colleague alike, she'll be sorely missed and I'd simply like to wish her all the very best for the future.”

While there have been a lot of our readers that haven't enjoyed Andrea on the show, I think she's always been a breath of fresh air. It does seem, though, since her main storyline ended with the exit of Andrea's ex-husband, Neil, and later with Craig Charles' absence from the show last fall, Andrea has been under used and they've not really known what to do with her.

We at Blog Towers wish Hayley Tamaddon all the very best!


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Is Andrea the one for Corrie's Lloyd?

I don't know what it is, but the whole Lloyd, Andrea, Neil storyline just isn't working for me. I hate to admit it, but I did begin to fast forward through all their scenes last night.

I've always loved Lloyd. Craig Charles is brilliant in Corrie. His double act with Simon Gregson is a joy. It's a shame they didn't spend more time developing the Lloyd and Jenna relationship onscreen, instead preferring to focus on Lloyd and Andrea. 

The whole story is just a big snooze to me and it's such a pity. Lloyd is crying out for a decent story to get his teeth into and I'm afraid this really isn't it. The actor playing Neil is great although I'm really not sure what this character's game is! I'm sure all will become clear in time, hopefully fairly soon though as it feels like this is being drawn out.


I do have a bit of a problem with the way both Lloyd and Andrea have dealt with Neil. Yes he is being painted as a big wet blanket who won't take the hint, but they are treating him cruelly at times. Given that Andrea in particular has cheated on Neil and broken up their marriage I feel like she should have a bit more respect for her husband. 

Lloyd too has been rather harsh and less than understanding. As he acknowledged briefly last night, he knows what it is like to be messed about and dumped by a partner, so even though he was an unwitting accomplice in this mess, he should really be more sympathetic towards Neil. 

I'm not sure what I make of Andrea. At first she was a breath of fresh air, mainly because she highlighted how atrociously Michelle treats Steve. Then things got complicated and her motives became unclear. I don't think she's a baddie in the traditional sense, she's flawed and human like the rest of us. At the end of the day though she basically just irritates me and I can't seem to get past that. 

So what do we all make of this storyline? Are you enjoying it or do you wish we could move on to something new? Do you think Andrea is the one for Lloyd? 



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