Jade Ewen steps down from Godspell tour due to ill health - whatsonstage

Jade Ewen steps down from Godspell tour due to ill health

Laura Mansell is taking over from the former Sugababe

19 Mar 2015Editorial Staff • Nationwide

Jade Ewen has had to drop out of the Godspell tour
© Dan Wooller

Jade Ewen has had to drop out of the upcoming tour of Godspell in Concert due to ill health.

The former Sugababe, whose stage credits include Porgy and Bess and Tonight's the Night said: "I'm saddened to have to withdraw from Godspell due to ill health. I wish the cast and crew a truly successful run, although I know they will put on an amazing show, and I can't wait to see it."

She will be replaced by Laura Mansell, who was already involved in the production. Her theatre credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK Tour), Little Shop of Horrors (White Bear Theatre) and Steel Pier (Bridewell Theatre).

The tour, which opens at Hackney Empire on 4 April features "a brand new, modern-day rock score packed to the heavens with favourites such as "Light of the World", "All Good Gifts" and "Day by Day"." It is based on the 2011 Broadway revival.

The rest of the cast includes Andy Abraham, Leanne Jarvis, Tom Senior, Jennifer Potts and Jason Broderick.

Godspell in Concert runs at Hackney Empire until 5 April before visiting venues in Guildford, Southampton, Llandudno, Cardiff, Swansea, Reading, Brighton, Southsea, Gateshead, Sunderland, Torquay, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Ipswich, Manchester, Darlington, Grimsby, Dartford, Birmingham, Oxford, Hastings, Hull, Bradford, Glasgow, Woking, Watford, Blackpool, Wycombe and Northampton.

Laura Mansell replaces Jade Ewen in Godspell Tour

Due to ill health, Sugababe Jade Ewen has withdrawn from the forthcoming tour of Godspell In Concert.

Laura Mansell, who is already a member of the current cast who are in rehearsals, has been promoted to replace Ewen in Stephen Schwartz 's musical.

Jade Ewen said: "I'm saddened to have to withdraw from Godspell due to ill health. I wish the cast and crew a truly successful run, although I know they will put on an amazing show, and I can't wait to see it."

Mansell's previous credits include: Diva 2 in Priscilla, Queen of The Desert (UK Tour), Princess Lily in Puss in Boots (Gate Arts Centre), Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors (White Bear Theatre), Precious Maguire in Steel Pier (Bridewell Theatre), BBC Proms with Maida Vale Singers and John Wilson Orchestra (Royal Albert Hall) and ensemble in Rent In Concert (Garrick Theatre).

Godspell In Concert's new Tour Poster featuring Jade, Andy, Leanne and Tom

Godspell In Concert

Check out our Leanne and Tom cast Jade Louise Ewen Andy AbrahamOfficial Leanne Jarvis and Tom Senior #prepareye #buytickets

Godspell In Concert

The Easter Eggs have been out for a while but now its just around the corner. Godpsell could be the perfect way to spend your Easter weekend. We open at Hackney Empire on 4th April: http://bit.ly/GodspellUK

Godspell In Concert : Godspell Photo Call With Jade, Andy, Leanne, Tom and Producers at Hackney Empire.

Godspell In Concert : Godspell Photo Call With Lead Cast and Producers at Hackney Empire.

Jade Ewen at Hackney Empire.

Leanne Jarvis at Hackney Empire.

Tom Senior at Hackney Empire

Andy Abraham at Hackney Empire.

Producers Mark Pettit and Russell Scott — at Hackney Empire.

Video: Godspell In Concert Preview

Godspell In Concert Preview

Venues and Dates of Godspell starring Jade Ewen

Jade Ewen cast in the nationwide tour of Godspell in Concert 2015 UK Tour

First casting announced for Godspell in Concert 2015 UK Tour

First casting has been announced for the upcoming UK Tour of Godspell in Concert.

X Factor's Andy Abraham returns to the production as Judas/John following last year's West End gala. The cast also includes Jade Ewen (Sugababes) and Leanne Jarvis (The Voice). Tom Senior(pictured right), who is currently appearing in the West End production of Jersey Boys, will play Jesus. Kenneth Avery Clarkdirects with musical direction from Russell Scott.

Godspell in Concert opens at the Hackney Empire on 4th and 5th April 2015. The tour then plays: Guildford, Southampton, Llandudno, Cardiff, Swansea, Reading, Brighton, Southsea, Gateshead, Sunderland, Torquay, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Ipswich, Manchester, Darlington, Grimsby, Dartford, Birmingham, Oxford, Hastings, Hull, Bradford, Glasgow, Woking, Watford, Blackpool, Wycombe and Northampton.

Exclusive: Andy Abraham and Jade Ewen star in Godspell tour

The production, which follows last year's West End gala, opens at Hackney Empire in April

By Theo Bosanquet • 15 Jan 2015 • Nationwide

Andy Abraham and Jade Ewen

Former X Factor runner up Andy Abraham will return to the cast of Godspell in Concert later this year for the show's UK tour.

The tour, which follows the show's one-off West End gala last year, opens at Hackney Empire in April.

Abraham, who plays Judas/John the Baptist, will be joined in the cast by former Sugababe Jade Ewen, whose previous stage credits include Rod Stewart musical Tonight's The Night and Porgy and Bess at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. She represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2009, singingAndrew Lloyd Webber's "It's My Time".

They're joined in the principal cast by Leanne Jarvis (The Voice) and Tom Senior (Jersey Boys) as Jesus.

Kenneth Avery-Clark will once again direct the production, with Russell Scott as musical director.

Scott said of the tour: "Since the West End gala, we have worked tirelessly to bring Godspell back to the UK and on tour for the first time in almost ten years in our new semi-staged concert format."

A modern-day song-and-dance recreation of St Matthew's gospel, Godspell begins with John the Baptist gathering up followers and concludes with Jesus' crucifixion in a junkyard. Written by Stephen Schwartz(Wicked, Pippin), it features a book by John-Michael Tebelak.

Godspell in Concert opens at Hackney Empire on 4 and 5 April 2015, before visiting venues in Guildford, Southampton, Llandudno, Cardiff, Swansea, Reading, Brighton, Southsea, Gateshead, Sunderland, Torquay, Liverpool, Bournemouth, Ipswich, Manchester, Darlington, Grimsby, Dartford, Birmingham, Oxford, Hastings, Hull, Bradford, Glasgow, Woking, Watford, Blackpool, Wycombe and Northampton.