Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams to return?

The Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams has become something of a soap opera in itself.
This week, this was reported in The Stage:

Beleaguered Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams is set for a possible resurrection, with producers being sought to stage a new version of the show.

A restaging of the musical could see creditors ­– who were left thousands of pounds out of pocket when the original production of the musical collapsed in 2012 – paid some of the money owed to them.

As reported by The Stage in 2012, the original arena show – starring Paul O’Grady – was pulled just two days into its run after producers hit financial problems.

Reckless Entertainment and Street of Dreams Ltd, the two production companies run by John and Trisha Ward that were listed as being behind the show, were subsequently placed into administration. Cast and crew were left thousands of pounds out of pocket as a result.

However, administrators Chantrey Vellacott DFK are now seeking “expressions of interest from parties interested in promoting and putting on a musical from the original concept of Street of Dreams”.

Adrian Hyde, from the administrators, said: “The Coronation Street brand remains hugely popular and the show itself was a big seller, despite its problems.  We are hopeful that with a fresh approach from an experienced operator the show could achieve the success that the creators had hoped.  We look forward to working with interested parties to put together an agreement that can satisfy all the major stakeholders, and deliver a return to creditors.”

Parties would be bidding for the show’s scripts, music, sets and costumes – which are co-owned by ITV – and the rights to put on the musical in either its current form, or a form that is agreed by the administrators and ITV.

In a document seen by The Stage, the administrators state that interested parties must have “well established commercial credentials, and an acknowledged reputation within the industry”.

The company adds that parties will have to satisfy both the administrators of Street of Dreams Ltd and ITV, which owns the Coronation Street brand.

“The rights to Street of Dreams – the Coronation Street Musical are subject to a pre-existing licence with ITV. A further full licence agreement will need to be agreed with ITV (in the event of a successful bid) and the format, musical and script will also be subject to agreement with ITV,” it says.

Read our review of the Street of Dreams musical here.

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Corrie musical 'Street of Dreams' producer goes into liquidation

 

Those owed money by the failed Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams say they have given up hope of receiving thousands of pounds owed to them, after administrators were unable to prevent production company Reckless Entertainment from going into liquidation.

The Stage have the full story which basically says that Reckless Entertainment Ltd – listed as one of two production companies behind the Street of Dreams musical – has now gone into liquidation, with many involved in the production left thousands of pounds out of pocket.

The Stage say that a report to creditors – among whom Paul O’Grady’s management  company is listed as being owed £80,000 – reveals there will no “asset recoveries”. A subsequent letter from the Insolvency Service to potential creditors of Reckless Entertainment also shows there is “no prospect of a distribution to creditors”.

It's been its own soap opera, that's for sure, and one with an unhappy ending for everyone involved.

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Tonight: Ken Barlow - the musical

Matthew Strachan

In August this year we blogged about award winning composer and singer-songwriter Matthew Strachan.  Matthew will be performing an evening of his songs at the St James Theatre Studio, London tonight - Saturday 24 November. And Matthew will also be debuting selections from a new oratorio based on the life of Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow.

Hang on a minute...

...an oratorio based on the life of our Ken?

But this is an award winning composer who has an illustrious musical career including composing the award-winning soundtrack to the international hit TV show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  He has a piano and vocal album of his songs called 25 Year Songbook just released by Nono Records and you can find out more about him on his website at matthewstrachan.co.uk

So why's he gone all musical about Ken the Corrie stud muffin?  Well, we wanted to know and so we asked him.  Here's our EXCLUSIVE Coronation Street Blog interview with Matthew Strachan who explains all.

Q. What is an oratorio?
A. It's sort of like an opera but not staged. More of a concert with a story, soloists and a chorus.

Q. Is the piece a comic work or something with more depth?
A. It's a bit tongue in cheek I suppose. But there'll be big dramatic bits. Especially when Mike Baldwin turns up.

Q. What does Ken mean to you? He must have made a big impact on you to inspire an oratorio.
A. He means the voice of reason in Weatherfield.

Q. Are you/were you a fan of Coronation Street?
A. I used to watch it every Monday and Wednesday with my mother.

Q. What aspect of Ken most fascinates you? He is, after all, both an intellectual and a ladies' man.
A. He's got a lot of turbulent history for such a mild man. He knows all about Shakespeare. He knows a lot about Rita Sullivan too...

Q. Is the oratorio based on the facts of Ken's life as we know them from Corrie, or are there imagined elements in it?
A. There's dream sequences in it but I'm aiming to stay true to Ken's history.

Q. Where does the oratorio fit in with the rest of your output?
A. I'm hoping I'll be a celebrated composer after this. Something like a modern day Handel.

Q. As a role model, what can Ken show us about life?
A. He's taught us to overcome setbacks, stay the course, be yourself against all odds and to look after your hair.

Q. Ideally, who would play Ken if your oratorio was performed?
A. I'm thinking Dmitri Hvorostovsky for Ken and Jonas Kaufmann for Mike Baldwin. We're talking to them. They're not talking back though.

Q. What other subjects do you write about?
A. I've written about murderers, the media, social networking, loneliness and Monica Lewinsky. Stuff you can dance to. I have also written about three straightforward love songs.

Well, Corrie fans, there you have it. A Ken Barlow oratorio from a world-cass composer. If anyone goes to see this and would like to blog about it for us afterwards, do please let us know!

Find out more about Matthew Strachan at his website 

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Paul O’Grady launches court action against Corrie musical producers

This just in today from The Stage, another chapter in the long-running saga that is the Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams. It's like a soap opera all of its own.

Paul O’Grady’s management company has begun legal proceedings against the producers of the postponed Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams. Reckless Entertainment, the company behind the musical, pulled the show, which starred O’Grady, just two days into a planned arena tour in May this year.

Now BM Creative Management Limited, which represents O’Grady, has launched a bid to have Reckless Entertainment wound up through a court order.

It continues: “Winding-up does not mean that the creditors of the company will necessarily get paid. The purpose of winding-up a company is to ensure that all the company’s affairs have been dealt with properly.”
The Insolvency Service also warns that costs may also be awarded against a company serving the petition, if the court believes it has “used the winding-up procedure inappropriately, where the company has good reason for saying it does not owe the money”.

BM Creative Management and Reckless Entertainment refused to comment.

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Corrie musical will go on, says producer Trish Ward

The Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams is turning into a soap opera all of its own. 

First they changed the dates upsetting fans who had bought tickets, travel and hotel rooms.

Then it was panned with terrible reviews.

Then it was postponed.

Then national treasure Paul O'Grady slammed the musical's producers for not paying staff.

Then sources went to the tabloids to report on the "chaos and farce" behind the scenes.

And now? Well, now the musical's composer Trisha Ward has told The Stage  that the musical will resume its tour this year, claiming the production is set to be “a box office hit”. She claims that an announcement would be made about the show’s future within four weeks and that she was confident everyone involved would be paid.

Trisha Ward blames the decision to postpone the musical on Katy Cavanagh (Corrie's Julie Carp who also stars in the musical), saying she had emailed the musical producers saying she would not be continuing with the production.
She said: “The reason we could not continue with the tour is that, on Friday, May 11, we received an email saying our leading lady was pulling out of the production. She was unhappy about many different things, and to be honest, I don’t blame her, as so was I.”

Trisha Ward insisted that, although she could not comment in detail about the financial aspects of the production, it was “ludicrous to say people were never paid”, as some cast members have suggested. She said “constant and confidential negotiations and discussions” with the show’s backers were currently taking place, about “resolving any outstanding issues”. She also refuted Paul O’Grady’s claim that she and her brother, who run production company Reckless Entertainment, were “inept”.

Anyone reading this know what the heck's really going on?

Corrie musical Street of Dreams embroiled in "chaos and farce"

First they changed the dates upsetting fans who had bought tickets, travel and hotel rooms. Then it was panned with terrible reviews. Then it was postponed. Then national treasure Paul O'Grady slammed the musical's producers for not paying staff and now there's another story in the paper about the Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams. Could it get any worse? Should it even be resurrected?

The Mirror reports today that the musical's backstage staff are refusing to work until they are paid. All trucks, sets and costumes for Street of Dreams have been withdrawn as part of a boycott.  It is understood the pay dispute is behind the hold-up of its return.


Last night a theatre source said: “It is absolute chaos and a complete farce.The actors, wardrobe department and make-up girls are all owed thousands.There are single mums in the show who cannot afford to keep going like this. They are massively out of pocket. One of the wardrobe ladies was even made to order in some stuff off her own back and has not been reimbursed.Cast members have had to provide their own costumes. It is a disgrace. Things have now come to a head, and the cast backed a move to hold all the equipment to ransom, refusing to give it back until their wages are settled.

There is every likelihood the show will be axed altogether.”

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Paul O'Grady slams Corrie musical

Oh dear. It just keeps getting worse.  After the Corrie musical Street of Dreams was announced this week as being postponed in an email leaked to The Stage, the show's narrator, Paul O’Grady has spoken out, labeling the show “bedlam” and accusing the musical's producers of being “incompetent, inept and unprofessional”

He also revealed that the majority of the cast have yet to be paid and urged Ward, who is the managing director of the show’s production company Reckless Entertainment, to “pay up”.

“That is what is killing me. I can afford it, but they [the cast and crew] can’t." he says. "I feel like screaming out, ‘Pay your crew.' That is what is sickening me. And there were people on this for whom this was their first job, and I had to tell them it’s not like this all the time.”

He also revealed that when the production opened there was no complete script in place, with the performer claiming he had to “cobble stuff together” during the Manchester performances. He added that the set was unfinished, and that cast members were asked to provide their own costumes for the show.

And even if the musical does come back to the stage, Paul O’Grady said he is unlikely to be part of it.

“I don’t think I could to tell you the truth, I have been poisoned so much. We all feel like we have been thrown down the rabbit hole, gone through some crazy wonderland, and come out the other side saying, ‘What was that about?’.”


Read Paul O'Grady's full interview at The Stage website

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Corrie musical Street of Dreams postpones tour

This just in from The Stage

Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams has postponed its forthcoming tour, with the producers claiming they are “far from happy with the show artistically”.

The musical opened in Manchester on May 9 and 10. It was due to continue to Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle later this month.

In an email seen by The Stage that was sent to cast and crew involved in the production, the show’s co-producer John Ward, from Reckless Entertainment, said he was postponing the dates planned for later this month because he and his production team, which includes Coronation Street Executive Producer Kieran Roberts, “are far from happy with the show artistically and we are not prepared to take it out again in its present form”. He added: “We will be re-working the show for dates later in the year.”

Ward stressed the show has not been cancelled but admitted that it has “been a very rocky ride”.

He added: “But the upside is that we had a terrific reaction from the fans on both Wednesday and Thursday night and an improved show certainly has the potential to go on and be a long running hit. We had some mixed reviews but also some raves. But it needs to be changed.”

He said he and the show’s composer, Trisha Ward, would be “doing everything in our power to make this a smoother ride from now on”. In his email, Ward moved to allay fears about payment of those involved. He said that he will be in touch with those involved "individually shortly regarding matters financial. People will be paid but we do need a bit more patience and that may not be what you want to hear,” he said.

Crikey. It did get awful reviews, mind. 

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Review: Corrie Musical Street Of Dreams

Reprinted with permission from David's Daily Dramas Blog

Yesterday I went up to a very wet Manchester to see the first ever performance of the Coronation Street musical, Street Of Dreams. I was due to go in March but it was cancelled due to technical problems and postponed for two months so I was expecting it to be spot on by now.

It is being performed in arenas rather than theatres and on entering the MEN arena it was easy to see why. The set was a life size replica of the famous terrace placed lengthways across the arena floor. I took my seat in the 3rd row outside No. 11 and waited for the action to begin.

Corrie has been broadcast longer than I have been alive and over the five decades I have followed the ups and downs and big storylines of the famous cobbled street. Paul O'Grady is a famous fan of the Street and he opened the show and took the role of narrator leaping across the decades to the various storylines now being presented in song. He was joined by current character Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) who was playing the Angel of Death picking off some of the many characters who had died in the show. This to me was a mistake, she made it all veer towards panto with her ridiculous outfit and the jokes between her and Paul O'Grady were a bit childish and unnecessary to the story.

The first two numbers were Ena Sharples from the opening episode in the corner shop ("I said no eclairs") and Martha Longhurst dying in the Rovers, both done really well. There was an orchestra on the rooftops and then a huge screen showing the original footage from the story lines.

Next came who I regard as the queen of the cobbles, Elsie Tanner! Kym Marsh played Elsie from the 60s and looked fabulous - and to me was the star of this show. She has leading lady written all over and had the best voice of the night. Elsie left The Street but returned in the 70s in colour and was played by Jodie Prenger, fuller figured, red haired but still as feisty. The best moment in the whole show was a song between the two Elsies.

Famous for its ballsy, blousey women who come back fighting no matter what life throws at them we next met Bet Lynch. With her blonde beehive, leopard skin and short skirt she sang Just A Bit Of Lippie and was joined with a whole chorus of Bets dancing on stage. As the song reached the last chorus the set opened to reveal Julie Goodyear, who played Bet Lynch, to thunderous applause and a standing ovation. It was fabulous that she did it but looking like a 90 year old drag queen in a panto outfit and not a singer she was obviously there just as a name to sell tickets.

As famous for its comedy moments as its tragedy we were treated to Jack & Vera and the Vince St. Clair story and Stan & Hilda's second honeymoon: "What does that lipstick taste of?" "Woman Stanley, woman." My only criticism of Hilda was that we should have been introduced to her in her curlers and mac with the dirty collar as she only had her rollers out half a dozen times in her Corrie carear.

Fast tracking to more modern times there was a great number from Becky McDonald, with a number of Beckys in her different signature outfits including both wedding dresses. This worked really well but the scene with Sean was a complete disaster. He sang a song at his sewing machine about sewing gussets and dreaming of a more glamorous life. Cue two Priscilla-type drag queens and a butterfly costume as he was hoisted over the audience. With Canal Street being a tram ride away he could get a taste of that life any night of the week, it just didn't make sense.

The show ended with the tram crash and the Angel of Death going into overdrive killing everyone. Great effects with the street bursting into flames but being so close I could feel my eyebrows singeing. For some unexplained and unknown reason in the big finale number with everyone on stage Russell Watson appeared and sang the last song. This also didn't make any sense.

All in all I enjoyed it but more so because I am a fan of the show. The plot had more holes in it than Ena's hairnet and it could and would need to be a lot better to ever make it to the West End, which it could easily with some more work.

With some really outstanding moments and strong songs it definitely wasn't the tram crash it could have been, but it did try too hard to be funny which was just not necessary. I clocked a number of Brighton & London A gays there, along with the coach loads of pensioners so there is an audience for this show and I'd give it a 7 out 10, boosted mostly by Kym Marsh's outstanding portrayal of Elsie.

David McDonagh, May 2012

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Winner announced in our Corrie musical Street of Dreams competition

Congratulations go to Trish Omerod in Bury who has won two tickets to see the Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams at the Manchester Evening News Arena on Wednesday 9 May 2012.

Trish was drawn at random from the Kabin-load of correct entries we received in this wonderful competition.

With thanks to the lovely people at ITV for this!


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Russell Watson to sing at Corrie musical in Manchester

Following the news that Joe McElderry is joining the Coronation Street Musical 'Street of Dreams' in Newcastle, ITV have announced that singer Russell Watson will join the musical show in Manchester.

Salford-born Russell said: "It's an incredible privilege to be asked to be a part of something so amazing and unique.  Coronation Street was a prominent fixture in the Watson household whilst I was growing up so any opportunity to combine such an iconic brand with exquisite music is one I'd never hesitate in taking on. I'm so looking forward to coming home and joining old friends on stage - I doubt there'll be a dry eye in the house!"

Street of Dreams will premiere in Manchester before touring on to Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle later in May.

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New pic of Kym Marsh as Elsie Tanner

With thanks to Rob Evans Photography for allowing us to post this fantastic picture here on the Coronation Street Blog.

It's another picture of Kym Marsh as the young Elsie Tanner, a role she'll play in the Coronation Street Musical, Street of Dreams. 

I think the picture is stunning and I know that on this blog with some fans Kym has her knockers, as it were, but this is a role that this particular fan feels she'll do justice to. 

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Kym Marsh confirmed as young Elsie Tanner for Street of Dreams Musical

Kym Marsh, who plays Coronation Street's Michelle Connor, has been confirmed to play the young Elsie Tanner in the Coronation Street Musical, Street of Dreams.

I think Kym looks stunning in this picture, released today.

The Coronation Street live musical has its world premiere at the Manchester Arena in May before dates in Dublin, Belfast and Newcastle. Anyone going to see it?

Jodie Prenger will play the older Elsie Tanner.

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Coronation Street musical - national tour dates announced

The Coronation Street musical - Street of Dreams - will be going on tour around the UK. 

Kevin Kennedy, who plays Curly Watts in the musical, announced live on air today on ITV's Loose Women show that the tour will be starting in Manchester and then going on an arena tour of the UK.

The musical is hosted by Paul O'Grady and stars ex-Corrie actors Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch) and Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts).

The premier of the musical has been moved back, therefore, from March to May 9 and 10 in Manchester.

After that a whole UK tour will take place.

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Coronation Street musical at MEN has changed dates

Does anyone know what's going on with the Coronation Street Musical "Street of Dreams"?  Their official website hasn't been updated on twitter and facebook in weeks and it still says on the site that the show is on at Manchester MEN on March 21 and 22.

But when you click through to buy tickets from the official website, as has been pointed out to us by Corrie fan @alastairlewis on twitter, the dates have been changed. Ticketmaster and other sites are now saying that the show is on for the two nights 9 and 10 May.

If anyone from ITV or the musical can confirm the date change, fans would be very grateful indeed. Have the dates been changed from March to May or are the May dates additional ones? Come on Street of Dreams, don't leave fans hanging on wondering what's going on, it's a bit unfair.

STOP PRESS: The dates HAVE changed from March to May.

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Video: Kevin Kennedy on bringing Curly back to Corrie

Kevin Kennedy was interviewed on ITV's Breakast show today about bringing Curly Watts back to Coronation Street. Kevin will be starring in the new Corrie musical Street of Dreams as the hapless Curly.

He says he misses playing Curly and misses the people he used to work with at Coronation Street.  He talked about shooting a scene as Curly with Racquel when he named the star after her, a wonderful scene that this fan remembers well.  Asked if there was a chance he'd be back on the soap, he says: "You never know" and admits it's no secret that he'd love to return.  As would we!

Talking about the new musical, Kevin said it'll be a spectacular, amazing stageshow, narrated by Paul O'Grady. It's an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular and advises people to get their tickets asap as they're selling very fast indeed.

Kevin said his children are too young to remember him as Curly on Corrie so they'll be along to see their dad in the new musical show in Manchester.

Watch Kevin's full interview on video here.

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Three Coronation Street live stage plays for 2012

Coronation Street fans are in for a treat in 2012 with not one, not even two, but three live plays on stage.

In January 2012, you can see a rare production of Coronation Street in the Lass O'Gowrie pub in Manchester.  More details here.

In March 2012, you can see the Street of Dreams Musical at the Manchester MEN Arena. This stars Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch and Kevin Kennedy as Curly Watts and is inspired by the Coronation Street album which was released last year.  More details here.

And in April 2012, you can see Steve Huison live on stage in Harrogate as Fat Brenda in the play "Fat Brenda: My Flamin' Story"  More details here.

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Julie Goodyear on bringing Bet Lynch back to Coronation Street

Julie Goodyear was interviewed on ITV's Loose Women today where she talked about bringing Bet Lynch back to Coronation Street in the new musical Street of Dreams.

As camp as Christmas and surrounded by three semi-naked young hunks, Julie made her apperance on the show in a sparkly top and trademark heavy eye liner. She always gives good telly!

Julie says the new Corrie musical will be a "10 star" show and she will be working with her old mate Paul O'Grady, who is the show's narrator.   There'll be West End dancers, a huge live orchestra, the houses from the Street will be on the stage and it'll cover the whole five decades of Corrie. 

Julie revealed that one of the songs she'll be singing in the musical as Bet will be called: "Nowt that a bit o' lippy wouldn't solve," which sounds wonderful.

Asked if she would be reappearing as Bet on Coronation Street on TV, Julie replied: "You never know!".


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Paul O'Grady on Corrie's Street of Dreams musical

There's a good interview today in The Mirror with Paul O'Grady who talks about his role in the new Coronation Street musical, Street of Dreams.

From The Mirror:

The musical will re-enact memorable storylines and iconic characters from the past five decades, in 90 minutes of high energy song and dance routines.The premiere is in March in Manchester and features Paul alongside famous faces, including William Roache (Ken Barlow), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts), Brian Capron (Richard Hillman) and actors playing much-loved characters of the past such as the late, great Elsie Tanner and Ena Sharples.

Paul says: “The show is based on the album Coronation Street – Rogues, Angels, Heroes and Fools, which was written by Trisha Ward. I was sent a copy last year and I played it on the radio and I thought the songs were really clever, so when Trisha rang up and asked if I was interested I said yes. I fancied doing some theatre, it sounded like a good idea and I love Coronation Street.”

Paul is on stage for most of the show. “There’s no popping off for a cup of tea for me,” he laughs. “I’ve got a script that is as thick as Lord of the Rings. There’s a nice little bit with me and Ena Sharples in the shop – now there’s something I thought I’d never say! Me and Elsie… it’s just incredible. I’m going to be having tea with the Barlows, doing a bit of a tango with Vera. I’ve not handpicked the storylines myself but I know each and every one of them inside out. Our household were such avid Corrie viewers and at 7.30 pronto we’d all sit down together and watch it. And if the phone dared ring during that half hour my mother would be outraged. There are still big chunks of script engraved in my memory from 30 years back.”

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Street of Dreams musical announced!

I was just looking at some Coronation Street videos on Youtube, when I spotted this, and it was uploaded today. It's a trailer for the upcoming musical, starring in the trailer is Paul O'Grady, Curly Watts and Bet Lynch.


I don't actually think this has been formally announced just yet, but the tickets will be on sale at MEN arena website.

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