The massively popular musical Les Miserables is coming to Manila on March 2016.
Filipino singer Rachelle Ann Go will star as Fantine, a role she currently plays in the musical's West End production. Go moved to London last year to star in the West End revival of Miss Saigon, where she played Gigi Van Tranh. After her contract with that show ended, she was cast in Les Miserables, which debuted last June.
“Words can’t describe what I’m feeling. I’m coming home next year to play Fantine in my hometown with the Australian cast! How amazing is that?!” the 29-year-old performer posted on Instagram. “I’m excited to be with my loved ones and share with everyone what I’ve been doing here in London. I actually prayed for this to happen because I really miss my family.”
Go rose to fame after winning the reality-TV singing contest Search for a Star in 2004. She has since released five chart-topping albums.
Cameron Mackintosh, producer of Les Miserables, said: "Over the last 25 years, I have had a wonderfully rewarding relationship with Filipino talent, introducing the best of them to audiences around the world – so I'm thrilled that this time one of my productions can be seen in its full splendour in Manila."
4th Power dazzle at X Factor UK boot camp
The four Filipino sisters – Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina Cercado – collectively known as the girl group 4th Power impressed the judges of The X Factor UK during Sunday’s boot camp episode. The judges unanimously advanced the group to the next round of competition.
Filipino drama Heneral Luna going for Oscar gold
A historical biopic about the Filipino commander of a revolutionary army has been selected as the Philippines’s entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category of the 2016 Academy Awards.
Critical reviews of Heneral Luna have been universally positive, with audiences reportedly applauding at cinema screenings — an uncommon sight in the Philippines. Set during the Philippine-American war of 1899, the film tells the story of General Antonio Luna, played by John Arcilla.
After opening in about 100 cinemas across the Philippines on September 9, the film was pulled out of several theatres last week “to make room for upcoming foreign and mainstream films”, according to the movie’s producers.
Fans of the film took to social media to appeal to the country's major theatre chains to keep Heneral Luna in cinemas. The film continues to trend on Twitter. Producers previously announced a 50 per cent ticket discount for students.
“While theatres may have pulled this movie out, we strongly believe that that this movie now has a life of its own,” said producer Fernando Ortigas and screenwriter-producer Eduardo Rocha.
“Yes, you all have given this film a life of its own. And while we may have made this movie about a slice of Philippine history, you now are all a part of history – our history.”
The film is reportedly part of a planned trilogy, with the second instalment focusing on general Gregorio del Pilar, and the third on former president Manuel L Quezon.
Nadine Lustre, James Reid recognised by MTV
Nadine Lustre and James Reid have been nominated for the Best Southeast Asian Act award in the forthcoming MTV Europe Music Awards. The two Filipino actor-musicians are currently co-starring on the television series On the Wings of Love.
21-year-old Lustre was not originally included on the slate of nominees, but won an online vote for a wild card nomination. It is the first international recognition for both artists. Filipino pop star and The Voice of the Philippines coach Sarah Geronimo won the award last year. The MTV EMAs will be held on October 25 in Milan.
Anthony Bourdain announces return
Chef, author and television presenter Anthony Bourdain will be returning to the Philippines to shoot an episode for the upcoming sixth season of his popular CNN travel and food show, Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, to premiere on Sunday. "We're coming soon. This season, we're coming to the Philippines. We'll do better than the last time," he told local news network ABS-CBN.
"To all my Filipino fans, we're coming back." Bourdain first came to the country in 2008 to shoot for his then programme, No Reservations. His itinerary will also take him to other countries in the region. "We'll be going to Japan. We're going to the Szechuan province in China," Bourdain said.
The series will also have him tour Okinawa, Ethiopia, Borneo and Istanbul. Earlier this month, the programme won the Creative Arts Emmy for Best Informational Series or Special.
artslife@thenational.ae