2022 highlights
john performED some festive shows in december
ON DECEMBER 3RD, JOHN APPEARED AT CADOGAN HALL, LONDON FOR WEST END DOES: CHRISTMAS 2022
THE TWO SOLD OUT SHOWS FEATURED FESTIVE FAVOURITES PERFORMED BY JOHN AND WEST END STARS LOUISE DEARMAN, ROB HOUCHEN, RACHEL JOHN, BRADLEY JADEN HIBA ELCHICKE AND JORDAN LEE DAVIS.
THE SHOW WAS HOSTED BY MATT LUCAS
ON DECEMBER 4TH, JOHN APPEARED AT SHANKLIN THEATRE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT FOR JOHN OWEN-JONES IN CONCERT AT CHRISTMAS
JOHN RETURNED TO THE ISLAND AFTER GUESTING FOR COLLABRO IN MAY AND PERFORMED A CHRISTMAS THEMED SOLO SHOW
ON DECEMBER 8, JOHN APPEARED AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL IN THE CHRISTMAS WITH KATHERINE JENKINS CONCERT
John was one of a handful of very special secret guests at the sold out festive show which was also Katherine’s 50th concert at the legendary venue
As well as John, Katherine was joined onstage by the London Concert Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Choir, celebrated actor Andy Serkis (who played saxophone!) and Sir Cliff Richard!
ON DECEMBER 15TH, JOHN WAS SET TO APPEAR AT CRAZY COQS, LONDON FOR JOHN OWEN-JONES AT CHRISTMAS
John was scheduled to perform a late evening Christmas themed cabaret at this intimate venue to a sold out crowd
THIS SHOW will be rescheduled for spring 2023
ON 18 DEC, JOHN APPEARED IN BBC RADIO 2’S WEST END CHRISTMAS
HE PERFORMED SONGS FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL PRESENTED BY ELAINE PAIGE
The performance was recorded in Maida Vale Studios London and featured the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe and other West End stars Samantha Barks, Trevor Dion Nicholas, Julian Ovenden, Rachel Tucker and Marisha Wallace.
The show will be on BBC Sounds app from Dec 1st.
As well as the broadcast itself, selected tracks from the special appeared across the schedules of BBC Radio 2 during December and John has had performances feature on The Elaine Paige on Sunday Show, The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show and the Dermot O’Leary Show
LISTEN here
ON 18 DECEMBER JOHN APPEARED ON MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS: LIVE LOUNGE CHRISTMAS SPECIAL
RECORDED IN EARLY DECEMBER, THE RADIO SHOW, HOSTED BY LUCIE JONES, FEATURED TWO LIVE PERFORMANCES OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS FROM JOHN INCLUDING A DUET WITH LUCIE
LISTEN HERE
FOOTAGE COPYRIGHT BY MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS 2022
ON 20 & 21 DECEMBER JOHN WAS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM IN THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS CONCERTS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
HE WAS SUPPOSED TO APPEAR IN DERRY AND BELFAST WITH THE ULSTER ORCHESTRA - UNDER THE BATON OF ALFONSO CASADO ALONG WITH SOLOIST KATIE BIRTILL.
SADLY, THESE CONCERTS WERE CANCELLED DUE TO THE RECENT TRAGIC DEATH OF A MUCH LOVED MEMBER OF THE ORCHESTRA.
JOHN SENDS HIS LOVE AND THOUGHTS TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF SUB PRINCIPAL DOUBLE BASS PLAYER MICHELE STRONG WHO SERVED WITH THE ORCHESTRA FOR 37 YEARS.
PLEASE CONTACT THE ORCHESTRA OR VENUES FOR REFUNDS
watch this space for RESCHEDULED dates In 2023
ON 31 DECEMBER, JOHN WILL PERFORM IN DUBLIN, IRELAND AT THE RTE CONCERT ORCHESTRA’S NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA CONCERT
HE WILL APPEAR WITH THE ORCHESTRA AT THE NATIONAL CONCERT HALL IN DUBLIN ALONG WITH SOLOIST JULIET CROSBIE
BOOK TICKETS HERE
JOHN PERFORMED AT THE LONDON PALLADIUM IN NOVEMBER
JOIN APPEARED IN “SCALA RADIO CHRISTMAS LIVE” AT THE LEGENDARY VENUE ON NOVEMBER 27TH
JOHN JOINED A HOST OF STARS FOR THIS CONCERT PERFORMING SOME CHRISTMAS FAVOURITES AND SONGS FROM MUSICALS TO CELEBRATE THE START OF THE FESTIVE SEASON.
Scala Radio and TV presenter Penny Smith hosted the show and the other artistes appearing were Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, Anne Dudley, Luke Evans, MILOŠ, Esther Abrami and The Ayoub Sisters. Musical accompaniment was provided by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra
the show will be broadcast on scala radio on 4th december and 25th december
listen here
JOHN FEATURES ON A NEW RECORDING RELEASED THIS AUTUMN
JOHN RECORDED A NEW VERSION OF A SONG FROM THE MUSICAL THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - “THE POINT OF NO RETURN”
THE DUET WAS RECORDED WITH FELLOW PHANTOM STAR MIRA ORMALA FOR HER FORTHCOMING ALBUM
JOHN toured the uk with his solo concert in september
he HEADED OUT ON THE ROAD to perform in SCOTLAND, england and Wales with most of the shows playing to full houses
THE TOUR BEGAN IN GLASGOW BEFORE TRAVELLING TO NEW MILLS, LYTHAM, RHYL, ABERYSTWYTH, CARDIFF, AND LEEDS BEFORE FINISHING WITH A SOLD OUT SHOW AT THE WEST END HOME OF THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - HER MAJESTY’S THEATRE IN LONDON.
JOHN WAS JOINED AT HER MAJESTY’S FOR THE FINAL DATE OF THE TOUR BY SOME FORMER WEST END PHANTOMS FOR A VERY SPECIAL FIVE PHANTOM FINALE!
HIS VERY SPECIAL GUESTS WERE EARL CARPENTER, SCOTT DAVIES, BEN FORSTER AND TIM HOWAR
Photos: Danny Kaan
READ A FIVE STAR REVIEW OF THE LONDON SHOW HERE
JOHN PERFORMED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN AUSTRALIA IN SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER!
he appearED IN “BOUBLIL AND SCHONBERG’S do you hear the people sing?” CONCERT
THE SHOW PLAYED TO PACKED HOUSES AT HAMER HALL, MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE
JOHN JOINED A CAST OF STARS FROM BROADWAY, THE WEST END, FRANCE, KOREA AND AUSTRALIA. THE SHOW WAS LED BY MUSICAL THEATRE LEGEND MICHAEL BALL AND THE CAST ALSO INCLUDED RACHEL TUCKER, SUZIE MATHERS, DAVID HARRIS, BOBBY FOX, SOOHA KIM, MARIE ZAMORA, A CHOIR AND A 30 PIECE ORCHESTRA.
The concert was created by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and is the only celebration of their work that the duo has ever authorised.
you can read a review of the show here
JOHN WAS IN A BRAND NEW MUSICAL THIS SUMMER!
He appearED in “Great British Bake Off the Musical” in July and August
THE SHOW HAD ITS WORLD PREMIERE AT CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN THEATRE AND ENJOYED A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN OVER THE SUMMER
JOHN PLAYED BAKING JUDGE “PHIL HOLLINGHURST”, THE CHARMING SILVER FOX WITH A TWINKLE IN HIS OH-SO-BLUE EYES (SOUND FAMILIAR?)
JOHN JOINED A BRILLIANT CAST FEATURING ROSEMARY ASHE, CLAIRE MOORE, CHARLOTTE WAKEFIELD, DAMIAN HUMBLEY AND MORE AND THE SHOW WAS DIRECTED BY RACHAEL KAVANAUGH
Endorsed and created in association with the producers of the worldwide television phenomenon, the nation's favourite baking show has been magically reimagined into a perfectly formed musical-comedy. Take eight amateur bakers, add two presenters, two iconic judges, the most delicious original score, and the result is the ultimate showstopper!Filled with delectable songs written by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary 'one of musical theatre's most dynamic writing partnerships', and bursting with the creme de la creme of performers and musicians from the West End; come and take a peek inside the tent at this big new musical sensation.
WATCH AN EXCLUSIVE VIDEO OF DUET “I’D NEVER BE ME WITHOUT YOU” BELOW!
JOHN PERFORMED AT “LYTHAM festival presents the last night of the PROMS” IN AUGUST
HE WAS THE VERY SPECIAL GUEST OF ALFIE BOE ON AUGUST 28th
TAKING PLACE IN THE GROUNDS OF HISTORIC LYTHAM HALL ON SUNDAY AUGUST 28, THE SHOW SAW JOHN SUPPORTING HIS LES MISERABLES COLLEAGUE ALFIE BOE AS THEY PERFORMED ALONGSIDE A FULL ORCHESTRA AT THIS PICNIC PROMS-STYLE EVENT.
john leads the cast in new MUSICAL radio play RECORDING “kisses on a Postcard”
THE SHOW WAS RECORDED AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS IN 2021
JOHN PLAYS UNCLE JACK IN A SHOW WRITTEN BY THE LATE TERENCE FRISBY THAT TELLS THE TRUE STORY OF TWO EVACUEE CHILDREN IN WORLD WAR 2
‘Kisses on a Postcard’ is the autobiographical story of playwright Terence Frisby’s childhood as an evacuee in WW2. His most famous play, ‘There’s a Girl in My Soup’, opened in 1966 and ran for over 6 years to become the then longest-running comedy in the history of the West End. It was a worldwide hit including runs on Broadway and Paris (starring Gérard Depardieu). His script for the 1970 film, which starred Peter Sellers and Goldie Hawn, won the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for the Best British Comedy Screenplay. His sitcom ‘Lucky Feller’, starring David Jason as one of two working-class brothers living in a council flat in south-east London was one ITV’s most successful sitcoms of the 1970s, and, another of his sitcoms, ‘That’s Love’, would become one of ITV’s most successful sitcoms of the 1980s. ‘Kisses’ is based on his award-winning BBC radio play ‘Just Remember Two Things: It’s Not Fair and Don’t Be Late’, which was broadcast 10 times.
The show feature a large cast led by John Owen-Jones as Uncle Jack, Katy Secombe as Auntie Rose and Brandon McGuiness & Frankie Joel-Celoni as Terry and Jack.
The show also features Rosie Cavaliero, Marcia Warren, Evelyn Hoskins, Ian Virgo, James Clyde, Peter Temple, Sherry Baines, Henrietta Bess, Louise Cookman, Lynsday Danvers, Rupert Degas, Ginny Fiol, Valerie Gogan, Paul Jones, Jonathan Kydd, Helen Langford, Trevor Lock, Aideen McQueen, Cathy Murphy, Matt Price, Danny Ward, Mary Woodvine, Simon Thomas, Lance Ellington, Cordell Mosteller, Micah Touchet and Dennis Caldwell.
Kids roles are played by Safin Sheikh, Alex Braglevicz, Harlyn Price-Lewis, Rudyard Braggist, Izabella Bucknell, Lola Byrne, Lola Frisby Williams, Ferdie Frisby Williams, Arthur Hastings, Molly Hedges, Poppy Jestico, Henry Littell, Edward Planche and Sofia Rega.
The show is Written by Terence Frisby, adapted, directed and produced by Dominic Frisby with music by Martin Wheatley, Gordon Clyde and others
to listen to the show and to get more info go here
JOHN APPEARED ON WELSH TV SHOW “NOSON LAWEN” IN THE AUTUMN
John filmed a SPECIAL performance for the popular Welsh language entertainment show
HE SANG A WELSH LANGUAGE VERSION OF “THIS IS THE MOMENT” FROM THE MUSICAL JEKYLL AND HYDE BY FRANK WILDHORN
The performance will be broadcast on Welsh language TV channel S4C in early 2023
John performED an intimate london show in May
the SOLD-OUT show TOOK place on Monday 16th may and WAs one of a series of shows called The Westway Sessions.
THE CONCERT SERIES TOOK PLACE AT PIANO, SMITHFIELD IN LONDON AND FEATURED A CRACKING LINE-UP OF BRITISH MUSICAL THEATRE TALENT
JOHN APPEARED IN CONCERT WITH COLLABRO IN MAY
the boys joinED forces for one night only on the isle of wight on MAY 28TH 2022
THIS WAS A NEW DATE AFTER THE ORIGINAL DATES WERE POSTPONED
JOHN AND COLLABRO WERE ORIGINALLY DUE TO PERFORM TOGETHER AT THE SHANKLIN THEATRE ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT ON JUNE 5TH 2021. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CONCERT WAS POSTPONED DUE TO EVER CHANGING GOVERNMENT COVID RESTRICTIONS. THE CONCERT WAS THEN RESCHEDULED TO FEB 19TH 2022 BUT WAS AGAIN POSPTONED DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF STORM EUNICE WHICH SAW RECORD WINDSPEEDS OF OVER 115MPH ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT. THE NEW DATE IN MAY WILL BE THIRD TIME LUCKY WE HOPE…!
JOHN PERFORMED AT CARDIFF CASTLE IN JUNE
HE JOINED OTHER WELSH STARS TO PERFORM A VERY SPECIAL CONCERT CELEBRATING THE PLATINUM JUBILEE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II
THE “PLATINUM JUBILEE CONCERT” TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY JUNE 4TH
As well as John, the show included hosts Aled Jones and Shân Cothi alongside Bonnie Tyler, Caroline Sheen, Millie Evans, everyone’s favourite drumming weatherman Owain Wyn Evans from BBC TV, funnyman Mike Doyle, Pendyrus Male Voice Choir and the Welsh Pops Orchestra.
The concert also included a specially produced “Singing in the Reign” segment to celebrate the best Welsh hits to have coincided with the Queens 70 years on the throne, with the hits of Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Shakin’ Stevens, Bonnie Tyler and many more.
JOHN PERFORMED IN CONCERT WITH COMPOSER FRANK WILDHORN IN LONDON IN April
the “FRANK AND FRIENDS” CONCERT HAPPENED ON April 17TH AT CADOGAN HALL
John joined the legendary musical theatre composer onstage to perform his music for Frank’s first ever London concert!
THIS CONCERT WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO HAPPEN IN JANUARY BUT WAS POSTPONED DUE TO ISSUES WITH COVID-19.
JOHN APPEARED IN A CHARITY CONCERT FOR UKRAINE WAR RELIEF iN APRIL
JOHN PERFORMED AMONGST A HOST OF STARS IN “STAND UP FOR UKRAINE” AT EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM
THE ONE-OFF EVENT (WHICH WAS ALSO LIVE-STREAMED) TOOK PLACE ON SATURDAY APRIL 2, WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO THE DISASTERS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE ACTION FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS, AND CHELTENHAM WELCOMES REFUGEES IN SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.
Alongside John, the show featured author Sir Michael Morpurgo, impressionist Rory Bremner, sketch actor Ben Miller (Armstrong & Miller Show), MC Sam Harries, Tweedy the Clown, comedian Dom Joly, actress Lisa Maxwell, magician John Arthur, the EveryVoice Choir (feat. Ukrainian soloist Nadia Postolatii) and was a co-production between Cheltenham Everyman Theatre and the Barn Theatre Cirencester
The show raised an incredible £50,000!
JOHN APPEARED IN NEW MUSICAL “MIMMA” IN FEBRUARY
THe show played a SPECIAL gala performance at cadogan hall, london
JOHN APPEARED AS “LORENZO” - ONE OF THE LEADING ROLES IN A STORY OF WAR AND FRIENDSHIP SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF THE RISE OF FASCISM IN ITALY IN WORLD WAR II.
WITH A LIBRETTO BY GILES WATSON AND MUSIC BY RON SIEMIGINOWSKI, MIMMA FIRST DEBUTED IN AUSTRALIA. THIS BRAND NEW CONCERT VERSION OF THE SHOW FEATURED THE BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA CONDUCTED BY RICHARD BALCOMBE AND A CENTRAL PERFORMANCE BY CELINDE SCHOENMAKER AS MIMMA. THE SHOW ALSO FEATURED PERFORMANCES FROM LOUISE DEARMAN, STEVE SERLIN, ASHLEY RICHES, ELENA XANTHOUDAKIS AND SIR DAVID SUCHET
100% OF TICKET PROCEEDS WERE DONATED TO THE PRINCE’S TRUST CHARITY
John appearED in AN AWARD WINNING tv sitcom
he appeared in an episode of “toast of tinseltowN” on bbc2 in January
AN ALMOST UNRECOGNISABLE JOHN PLAYED THE ROLE OF“NEIL DOOBLA-DECCA” IN THE SERIES FINALE “MONSTER MASH”
Written by Matt Berry (The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd) and Arthur Matthews (Father Ted), the show tells the hilarious tale of struggling actor Steven Toast (played by Matt Berry). After three BAFTA Award winning series of “Toast of London” on Channel 4, the show moved to BBC to tell the story of Toast’s attempt to make it in Hollywood.
John said - “‘Toast’ is one of my all time favourite comedies and I was over the moon to be offered a role in it. It was a dream come true!”
You can watch JOHN’S episode HERE
watch all EPISODES of ‘Toast of London’ HERE OR ‘Toast of Tinseltown’ here
JOHN PERFORMED AT MANCHESTER’S AO ARENA IN JANUARY
HE JOINED THE LINEUP OF ”THE NATIONAL LOTTERY’S BIG NIGHT OF MUSICALS” IN FRONT OF 14,000 PEOPLE
THE SHOW WAS PRESENTED BY JASON MANFORD AND SCREENED ON BBC1 AND BBC RADIO 2
A number of West End shows were represented with some incredible talent performing and John was the only solo artist to appear - and incredibly was the only performer to receive a standing ovation from the entire arena for his performance!
Watch john’s performance of Bring Him Home by clicking the image below
JOHN PERFORMED AT A BOXING MATCH IN CARDIFF IN FEBRUARY
JOHN PERFORMED ‘DELILAH’ IN FRONT OF 10,000 FANS AT THE MUCH ANTICIPATED ‘EUBANK JR V WILLIAMS’ FIGHT
THE WHOLE EVENT WAS SCREENED LIVE ON SKY SPORTS
JOHN SAID - “THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST NERVE-WRACKING THINGS I HAVE EVER DONE! IT’S NOT EXACTLY MY USUAL CROWD BUT THE AUDIENCE WERE AMAZING - THEIR SINGALONG TOOK THE ROOF OFF AND JUST BEING THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. I’VE NEVER FELT AN ATMOSPHERE LIKE IT’
