Who we are...
The WestEnders features six talented performers who between them have appeared in over twenty of the most popular and prestigious West End shows of the last decade - including Beauty & the Beast, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Aspects Of Love, Jesus Christ Superstar, Oliver!, Crazy For You and many more.
Under the musical direction of Jae Alexander, The WestEnders offers a semi-staged concert performance, featuring your favourite songs from the magical shows of the West End.
To find out what people have said about the WestEnders, read our reviews and commendations.
Jae Alexander - MD
Born in Port Talbot, Wales, and began his musical career at age 14. Has conducted some of the biggest shows in London's West End: West Side Story, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Follies, Cats, The Hunting of the Snark, Crazy For You, Beauty and the Beast, Oliver! Grand hotel, Guys & Dolls and Fiddler On The Roof. Many television shows to his credit, and Jae is in demand as a conductor of summer Classical Spectacular concerts working with The Royal Philharmonic, The Philharmonia and The English National Symphony. He is one of the founders of WestEnders
Lindsey Danvers
Lindsey is one of the most respected musical theatre artistes in the country. She has played many leading roles in the West End including, Grizabella in 'Cats' (New London Theatre), Fantine in 'Les Miserables' (Palace Theatre), Anna in 'The King And I' (BAC) and Jade in 'Metropolis'. Lindsey was a founder member of the all girl group Toto Coelo (recently featured on British TV as the 'original Spice Girls'), with chart success and extensive touring worldwide. They appeared on many shows, including Top of the Pops, performing their hit "I Eat Cannibals". Other recordings include being featured artist on Right Said Freds' album, 'Tug', recorded as Lily D. Various musical theatre compilations, Bone Dance (Ezzee-Posse) and Planet Pacific (various). Lindsey has released a CD, 'We Define Each Other' - The Songs of Miller & Bard.
Frances Fry
Frances hails from southern England and trained at The London Studio Centre. In the West End she has played Cosette in Les Miserables and was part of the original cast of Oscar winner Sam Mendes' production of Oliver! Other theatre credits include Hey Mr.Producer, The Sound of Music, Mannerisms, Captain Beaky, Melancholy Baby, Here Come the Clowns and concerts, cabarets and TV advertisements. She is one of the founders of WestEnders.
Alasdair Harvey
Alasdair has worked extensively both in Theatre and Television including Boatman/Dennis in the multi award winning production of 'Sunday In The Park With George' (Wyndhams), Alec D'Urberville in 'Tess Of The D'Urbervilles' (Savoy Theatre), the Original Beast in Disney's 'Beauty & The Beast' (Dominion Theatre), Raoul in 'The Phantom Of The Opera' (Her Majesties Theatre), Grantaire/Marius/Enjorlas in 'Les Miserables' (Palace Theatre), RNT production of 'Carousel' (Shaftesbury Theatre) and Cliff in 'Sunset Boulevard' (Adelphi Theatre). His TV credits include Taggart, The Bill, Casualty, Mr.Connors in Holby City and P.C. Robertson in Birds Of A Feather. Alasdair has also worked as a concert artist on radio and internationally, with the Halle, Scottish Opera, Schenzen Symphony and BBC Concert Orchestras.
Website: www.alasdairharvey.com
Helen Hobson
Trained at Mountview Theatre School, where she is now on the Board of Directors. Extensive West End credits include: Cathy opposite Sir Cliff Richard in Heathcliff, Clara in Passion, Rose in Aspects of Love, Blood Brothers and Les Miserables. Tours include: My Fair Lady playing Eliza Dolittle opposite Edward Fox, Mrs.Wa lker in Tommy and Grizabella in Cats. Other work includes: Lady in the Van, Stepping Out, Educating Rita, Persuasion and recently Is There Life After High School at The Bridewell Theatre. TV: Judge John Deed, Rosemary and Thyme and EastEnders. Helen worked as a WestEnder for the first time in 2003.
Spencer James - Associate MD
Spencer is currently acting as Assistant Musical Director on the current UK tour of 'Mary Poppins'. Prior to this he has been involved on keyboards with productions including 'Mary Poppins' (Prince Edward Theatre)
, 'Spamalot' (Palace Theatre), 'Hairspray' (Shaftesbury Theatre), 'Porgy & Bess' (Savoy Theatre) and 'Guys & Dolls' (Piccadilly Theatre and UK Tour). Spencer enjoys
playing all styles of music and he is also involved in projects as diverse as Noel Coward cabarets to 'Camp David', the David Bowie tribute act. Other interests include close-up magic.
Website: www.spencerjamesmusic.com
Linda Jarvis
Born in Wales, Linda trained at The Welsh College of Music and Drama. Her West End credits include Factory Girl and understudy to Fantine in Les Miserables, the original cast of Aspects of Love, and the original workshop of The Bakers Wife with Sir Trevor Nunn. Other work includes James and the Giant Peach, Jo in A Taste of Honey and Cathy in Wuthering Heights for BBC Radio 4. She is one of the founders of WestEnders.
Shaun Kerrison
Shaun was Associate Director of Les Miserables (Palace Theatre), resident Director of Martin Guerre (Prince Edward Theatre) and Associate Director of My Fair Lady at the National Theatre/Theatre Royal Drury Lane. His acting work includes the title role in Candide (Riverside Studios), understudied/played Frederick in The Pirates of Penzance (Lon don Palladium), Marry Me a Little (Water Rats), Sweeney Todd (Oldham), Chicago (Leicester), Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (Japan) and understudied/played Marius in Les Miserables (Palace Theatre). His concert work includes Cavalcade of Coward (Piccadilly Theatre), The Hired Man (Palace Theatre), Hey Mr Producer (Lyceum) and Les Miserables - 10th Anniversary Concert (Royal Albert Hall). He has appeared in and staged many cabaret performances at The Savoy, Cafe Royal, Mansion House and The Plaza Hotel in New York. Shaun trained at the London College of Music and The Guildhall.
Jill Nalder
Jill is from Wales and trained at Mountiview Theatre School. West End credits: include Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, and original cast of Sam Mendes' production of Oliver! On tour and in rep: Miss Mazeppa in Gypsy, plus Cabaret, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest, Annie, Nunsense, Sugar and Godpsell. Jill has appeared as Principal Boy in many pantomimes and worked extensively in concerts including Hello Dolly! with Chita Rivera, My One and Only and The Cole Porter Centennial. She is one of the founders of WestEnders.
Andrew Newey
Trained at Italia Conti Academy. West End credits: Miss Saigon, Spread a Little Happiness, Out of the Blue, Pirates of Penzance and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat understudying Jason Donovan. Regional credits Sweeney Todd and Assassins. Concert work includes: Simply Barbra, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar at London's Palace Theatre. With The Unconventionals Andrew reached the Live Finals of The X Factor performing alongside Leona Lewis, Take That, and Lionel Richie. They supported Westlife on their "Love Tour" including Wembley Arena, and Tom Jones & Beverley Knight in London. Andrew has been a WestEnder for a number of years and especially enjoys sailing the world with the company.
Website: www.myspace.com/theunconventionalsmusic
Lucy Newton
Lucy Trained at Laine Theatre Arts and her theatre credits include Wendy Jo in Footloose (UK tour), Les Miserables (Palace Theatre) in which she played Eponine on numerous occasions and Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour) alternate Narrator. In 2003 Lucy played the part of Kim in the Boy George Musical Taboo (The Venue, London) and subsequently appears on the Soundtrack and DVD recording of the show. She then went on to take the role of Serena Katz in the hit musical of Fame!. Further credits include; La Boheme and Carmen (Regency Opera). She has also performed as guest singer for a concert performance of Great Musical Writing Partnerships at the Palace Theatre. Recently Lucy was seen in the Final live shows of the X Factor 2006 with her Band The Unconventionals.
Jon Osbaldeston
Born in Wigan, Lancashire, Jon is a BA (Hons) graduate of Rose Bruford College and an International Scholarship stu dent of Texas Tech University. He is one of the founders of WestEnders and his show credits include: Les Miserables, Fiddler on the Roof, Leonardo and Kiss of the Spiderwoman. Other work incudes: Poppy, The Diary of Anne Frank; Anything Goes; Guys and Dolls; Uncle Vanya; The Rivals; Let My People Come and Promises Promises. Jon now lives in Canada, making his Candian theatre debut playing Aslan in Narnia for Theatre New Brunswick. Other Canadian credits include: Songs of Freedom and Madam Butterfly for Niagara International Chamber Music Festival. He also featured in the CBC drama series Afghanada. As a writer, he co-wrote (with Felicity Duncan) the BBC children's show The Adventures of PG Woodlouse, and his first solo play Hard as Nails won Best New Play at The London Writers Competition, and was produced by Moving Arts Theatre in Los Angeles. Although no longer a regular with WestEnders, Jon is always thrilled when the group ask him back to work with the wonderful Nollie, Jarv, Fly, Nana, Joyce and Penny, and of course you can hear him on their CD.
Lisa Peace
Training: Arts Educational School. Lisa can currently be seen in the video for 'Just Jack's single 'The day I died' opposite James Nesbitt. She is about to travel to Dubai for 5 weeks to play 'Mrs Johnstone' in Blood Brothers. Lisa has appeared in many West End productions including 'Peggy Van Aulden' in Jailhouse Rock; alternate 'Sukie Rougemont' in The Witches of Eastwick, opposite Ian McShane; 'Jellylorum' and u/s 'Grizabella' in Cats; Ensemble and u/s 'Cosette' in Les Miserables; 'Ashley' & 'Pearl' in Starlight Express (London & Germany) and 'Cynthia Boyce' in Mr. Cinders (Kings Head) with Sam West. Touring and regional work includes 'Ethel McCormack' in Footloose (Tour); 'Berta' in Acorn Antiques! (Tour); 'The Narrator' opposite Phillip Schofield in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; 'Catherine' and u/s 'Bertrande' in Martin Guerre (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Tour); 'Maria' in The Sound Of Music (Lyric Theatre, Belfast) and 'Kate Bush' in Hot Stuff (Leicester Haymarket). TV & Radio work includes: 'Katie' in Eastenders, 'Receptionist' in Murder in Mind opposite Keeley Hawes and Like They've Never Be en Gone Before for Radio. Lisa has also appeared as the florist in a T Mobile commercial and a Chex Mix snack commercial for the US.
Nick Pound
Nick is a keen vegetarian cook, and was a contestant on BBC's 'Masterchef competition. He enjoys DIY, especially carpentry, having designed and built his own kitchen in his Hertfordshire house. Theatre: Cats (Old Deuteronomy), Notre Dame de Paris, Chess, Evita (Peron), Les Miserables (Jean Valjean), P&O Cruises (Canberra and Sea Princess).
Tim Rogers
Tim graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in Australia, and his performances in Australia included "The Phantom of the Opera", "South Pacific", as Young Ben in Sondheim's Follies, then as Freddie Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady. He also performed in the original Australian cast of Miss Saigon and Jesus Christ Superstar. Tim's UK debut was playing the role of Tony in West Side Story (West End & UK tour). Since then he has appeared as Frede rick in Doyly Cartes' The Pirates of Penzance at the Savoy and as Bobby in Putting it Together at the Manchester Library Theatre. He performed the role of Jerry in the smash hit tour of The Full Monty, and also The Man in the original tour of Whistle Down the Wind and at the Palace Theatre. Most recently Tim played 'Alex' in the UK Tour of Aspects Of Love.
Charles Shirvell
It is with great sadness - but also great joy at having known him as both a friend and fellow performer - that The WestEnders remember and pay tribute to Charles Shirvell, who passed away on 10th September 2008. Click here for our tribute to Charles.
Gareth Snook
Gareth trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. In 1988 Gareth played Grantaire and Bamatabois in the London production of Les Miserables. In 1995 he once again played Bamatabois for the Les Miserables Tenth Anniversary Concert. He was also part of the ensemble of the Les Miserables Complete Symphonic Recording (1988). Gareth's theatre/musical credits include: Hugo and Alex in Aspects of Love (1991-1992), Lee Harvey Oswald in Assassins, Mickey in Blood Brothers, Busthoper Jones, Asparagus and Growltiger in Cats (1999-2002), Billy Flynn in Chicago, Paul in Company Jesus in Godspell (1987), Danny and Kenickie in Grease, Skyrocket in Guys and Dolls, Father Dominic in Martin Guerre (1999), Joe Josephson in Merrily We Roll Along, Harry in My Fair Lady (2003), Artie Green in Sunset Boulevard (1993), Harry and Joe in The Hired Man, Guy, Dino and Father Rocco in The Rink (1988), Eddie and Dr Scott in The Rocky Horror Show.
Stephen Weller
Stephen trained at Mountview, and his professional debut was in the London Production of Les Miserables, understudying and playing Enjolras. He played the title role in the UK Tour of Martin Guerre (Cameron Mackintosh) and recreated the role on the 1999 Cast Recording. Other work includes Jerry Springer - The Opera; Crusade and m ost recently playing Young Ebenezer/Harry opposite Shane Richie in Scrooge. With Capital Voices, Stephen works as a session singer for performers including Martine McCutcheon; Michael Ball; Gareth Gates & Will Young. Stephen has been with the WestEnders since 2003 and has enjoyed working in some amazing places, and meeting
some wonderful people. Most recently, Stephen was in the cast of The Producers at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and on tour.
Website: www.stephenweller.com