6 pop stars who have wowed in musical theatre
Radio 2's and are all set to host the 2017 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, a prestigious event celebrating the best productions and performers in London.
One of the most exciting results on the night is sure to be the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical. It set us to thinking about all the fabulous pop stars who have proved themselves a natural at musical theatre. We've rounded up some of our favourite examples for you, below.
1.) Melanie C
Could Melanie C be returning to the West End?
Michael Ball sure thinks she should...
Spice Girls legend and solo star Melanie C is well known for having one of the most distinctive voices in the pop business, but she's proved herself a dab hand at musical theatre too.
She first starred as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers back in 2009 and 2010, then as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar from 2012 to 2013. Will we see her performing in another incredible show soon? We can only cross our fingers and hope!
2.) Marti Pellow
Wet Wet Wet frontman and solo star Marti Pellow has also come to have a very successful career in musical theatre. The Scotsman has appeared in Chess, Evita, The Witches of Eastwick, Chicago and more.
"Aye, I’ve discovered this love and passion for musical theatre and I never saw that one coming," he told in 2010.
"My idea of musical theatre was just loads of people singing about nothing. But when I went and saw Chicago, I was seduced by it instantly. It engaged my imagination."
3.) Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight in The Bodyguard: "People would chant during the dramatic pauses"
Beverley Knight on the awkward moment when fans at The Bodyguard start shouting at her...
Beverley Knight is not just one of the UK's greatest living soul singers, a Radio 2 host and an MBE to boot, she is also an acclaimed star of musical theatre. In 2013 she made her stage debut, taking on the lead role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, and she has since starred in the musical Memphis.
We really hope to see much more musical magic from this leading lady.
4.) Leona Lewis
Bleeding Love singer Leona Lewis has most recently put her powerhouse vocals to use playing Grizabella in the Broadway revival of Cats - a role left open at short notice after Nicole Scherzinger dropped out.
“It’s been amazing playing Grizabella," she told last year.
"The audience reaction has been greater than I could have hoped for and I’ve really enjoyed it."
5.) Louise Redknapp
Her impressive runner-up turn in last year proved she could dance as well as sing, but Eternal girl turned solo star and TV presenter Louise is currently singing, dancing AND acting in Cabaret (starring alongside fellow pop legend Will Young.)
Is there no end to the girl's talents? Doesn't look like it just yet.
6.) Ronan Keating
Boyzone and solo star Ronan Keating massively impressed critics when he appeared in the lead role in West End musical Once.
"A musical is never something I thought I’d do," he told in 2014.
"But it was the combination of great dialogue from playwright Enda Walsh and great songs. I just fell in love with it. I thought, I can do this."
