Samantha Barks Fan Blog

Oliver! UK Tour Production Photo - "I'd Do Anything"

2012-01-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

Photo taken by Alastair Muir at Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Taken from the official Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151150777205484.799228.366316710483&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=10151150777860484&set=a.10151150777205484.799228.366316710483&type=1&theater

Oliver! Rehearsal Pics...

2011-12-16T05:09:00.000-08:00

Taken from the official Oliver! site:

http://oliverthemusical.com/sights-sounds/tour-cast-rehearsal-photographs/

(Photos taken by Alistair Muir)

Official Nancy pics...

2011-12-15T01:28:00.000-08:00

Taken from the official Oliver! site:

http://oliverthemusical.com/sights-sounds/tour-cast-photographs/

(Photos taken by Seamus Ryan)

Behind the scenes of Oliver! photoshoot

2011-12-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

First unofficial Nancy photo

2011-11-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Andrew Harding (@AndrewJHarding) tweeted this picture of Sam as Nancy from the Oliver! UK tour photo shoot!

"@AndrewJHarding At the Oliver! UK Tour photo shoot."

It's official! Sam is going to be Nancy on tour!

2011-10-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

Sam will play the role of Nancy in the UK tour of Oliver! from 10th December 2011 until 23rd June 2012!

Rehearsals start on Monday!

More details to come...dates are below!

10 DECEMBER 2011 - 21 JANUARY 2012
WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE CARDIFF
Neil Morrissey as Fagin
Box Office 02920 63 64 64 www.wmc.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

25 JANUARY - 10 MARCH 2012
MANCHESTER PALACE THEATRE
Neil Morrissey as Fagin
Box Office 0844 847 2295 - www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

13 MARCH - 21 APRIL 2012
BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME
Neil Morrissey as Fagin - 13 March - 1 April 2012
Brian Conley as Fagin - 3 - 21 April 2012
Box Office 0844 338 5000 www.birminghamhippodrome.com
ON SALE NOW

1 - 26 MAY 2012
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER
Brian Conley as Fagin
Box Office 02380 711 811- www.mayflower.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

30 MAY - 23 JUNE 2012
EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
Brian Conley as Fagin
Box Office 0844 847 1660 - www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk
ON SALE NOW

3 JULY - 7 JULY 2012
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL
Brian Conley as Fagin
Box Office 01603 630 000 - www.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk
ON SALE NOW

Read more: http://broadwayworld.com/article/Samantha-Barks-Iain-Fletcher-to-Lead-OLIVER-UK-Tour-20111026_page1

Singing at Rugby League Final at Old Trafford - 8th October 2011

2011-10-08T14:37:00.001-07:00

Sam sung 'Jerusalem' at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester at the Rugby League Final earlier today just before kick off!

superleague.co.uk said "Old Trafford will also showcase West End star Samantha Barks, who will perform the Grand Final anthem ‘Jerusalem’ before the teams emerge from the tunnel. Samantha rose to fame on the BBC's "I'd Do Anything" and has since made her West End debut, playing Eponine in Les Miserables and performed the role in front of 50,000 at the O2 Arena. Samantha will be accompanied by Ottoni Brass, a symphonic brass band making its debut at the 2011 Engage Super League Grand Final."

SUMMER WITH … THE COMPOSERS: IRVINE, OLDING, SUTTON & WYTHE with special West End guests videos

2011-08-26T06:39:00.000-07:00

SUMMER WITH … THE COMPOSERS: IRVINE, OLDING, SUTTON & WYTHE with special West End guests.

2011-07-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

LONDON: The Battersea Barge
SUN 21ST AUG, 2011 6.30pm

SimG Productions presents

SUMMER WITH ... THE COMPOSERS: IRVINE, OLDING, SUTTON & WYTHE

Dougal Irvine, Grant Olding, Tim Sutton & Laurence Mark Wythe are heralded as four of the brightest lights in new British Musical Theatre writing - from Irvine's acclaimed acoustic musical 'Departure Lounge', to Olding's infectious skiffle songs in the National's 5star 'One Man Two Guvnors', to Sutton's verdantly scored 'The Secret Garden', to Wythe's multi-nominated Off-Broadway debut 'Tomorrow Morning'.

Join all four of these highly versatile and exciting writers, together with West End guests Stephen Ashfield (Jersey Boys), Samantha Barks (Les Miz), and George Ure (Wicked), (subject to availability), for a rare one-night-only opportunity to hear their work, live!

The Barge has been described by Mark Shenton (The Stage) as "one of the most atmospheric performance spaces in town" - so sit back and relax with a drink and enjoy the cabaret up close and personal!

All Tickets: £12.50 (limited availability)

Doors at 6.30pm, Cabaret at 7.30pm.

Location: The Battersea Barge, Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5BP
Nearest Tube: Vauxhall (Exit 6). 10mins walk.

Only available through www.WeGotTickets.com/SimGProductions

For more information please visit www.SimGProductions.com

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/121034

Les Mis Cast Change - 18th June 2011

2011-06-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Before the matinee:

After the matinee:

Up There - Stars of the West End Sing the Songs of Steven Luke Walker (Brokeback Mountain)

2011-05-19T15:56:00.000-07:00

David Freedman: Samantha Barks can sing anything and make it sound amazing!

2011-05-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

"Samantha Barks can sing anything and make it sound amazing. Here's proof. Chris Bemand, Stuart Evans and myself penned a little ditty for Groove High. When Zoe falls in love, she goes on a musical journey of well... a flight of fancy on the Cow Of Love. This is what happens when we don't have a design of a Unicorn, but there's a cow handy. I'm now officially glad we had no unicorn design."

http://davidfreedman.blogspot.com/2011/05/chris-bemand-stuart-evans-and-myself.html?spref=tw

Interview with Alfie Boe on Classic FM at the Classical Brits

2011-05-15T14:52:00.000-07:00

Alfie Boe and Samantha Barks at the Classic BRITS 2011 from The Classic BRIT Awards on Vimeo.

Classical Brits 2011

2011-05-14T02:53:00.000-07:00

Here's a few pictures I've found of Sam at the Classical Brits at The Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 12th May 2011! It will be shown on TV on 29th May ITV1 at 10.30pm! Tune in!

With Alfie Boe:

Performing 'On My Own':

(I do not own these images. Credit to www.apimages.com and www.goffphotos.com)

Les Miserables 21 times!

2011-05-11T03:25:00.000-07:00

I have now seen Sam in Les Mis a total of 21 times!! I love the show and the cast so much and am so glad and feel so privileged to have been able to see them perform so many times! Every time it still amazes me and I still find new things every time. The cast are just amazing and such lovely and friendly people. I can't believe there is only 5 weeks left before most of them leave!! I will at least make it 23 times by cast change!

Classical Brits 2011

2011-05-11T03:24:00.001-07:00

Sam is performing 'On My Own' from Les Miserables at the Classical Brits on Thursday 12th May 2011. It will be shown on TV on 29th May ITV1 at 10.30pm! Tune in!

17 times as Eponine

2011-04-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have now seen Sam in Les Mis 17 times so far (making it 18 tomorrow hopefully, if the trains don't mess it up!). Every time it is amazing and I love the show so much!

Direct From The West End in Oxford - 6th Feb 2011

2011-04-15T11:53:00.000-07:00

I went to go see Sam in 'Direct From The West End' concert in Oxford on 6th Feb 2011. I don't really know how to explain it, it was just amazing!! It was lovely to see a few of the Les Mis cast doing something different. It just showed how talented they all are and their versatility.

I managed to get a picture with Sam, Killian and Scott after the show.

Dress Rehearsal for 'Direct From The West End' concert in York

2011-01-23T10:44:00.000-08:00

2011-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Direct From The West End

2010-12-30T04:08:00.000-08:00

New concert starring Samantha Barks and Antony Hansen
plus a cast of leading West End performers!

Direct from the West End takes you on a journey through some of the world's greatest and best‐loved musicals. Featuring two hours of spectacular songs from Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Oliver, West Side Story, Miss Saigon, Hairspray and many more...

For 3 nights only:
23rd Jan 2011 - York
6th Feb 2011 - Oxford
13th Feb 2011 - Windsor

Les Mis for my 8th time!

2010-12-20T01:55:00.000-08:00

Yes it's true! I have seen Sam in Les Mis 8 times so far! Each and every time she amazes me and is always on top form. No 2 shows are ever the same, with different members of the cast playing different roles every time I've seen it, it's always new.

Royal Variety Performance 2010

2010-12-20T01:29:00.000-08:00

Best friends keeping them grounded

2010-11-28T05:23:00.001-08:00

Former X Factor contestant, singer and model Lucie Jones (right), 19, and Samantha Barks, 20 (who was on BBC1’s I’d Do Anything) both made their West End debut this summer in Les Misérables as Cosette and Eponine respectively. Lucie lives in West London with her flatmate Jared Murillo from Strictly, and Samantha lives nearby.

Lucie says:
I only met Sam in June when we both auditioned for Les Misérables, but we’ve been best friends ever since. We spend every day together, doing eight shows a week, so it’s not surprising we’ve become close.
Having Sam there made my first day of rehearsals much easier.

Everyone was nervous, but we bonded over the fact we’d both done reality shows. I’d voted for Sam on I’d Do Anything; I thought she was amazing.

Now we watch The X Factor on Sunday at my place with a roast dinner, and we’ve talked a lot about how nerve-racking the experience is and how we dealt with it differently. Sam would get to a point where she just went numb and would go into her own zone, whereas I’d have five minutes of rising hysteria, and then be fine.

Sam only lives ten minutes’ drive away, so we travel to work together for 2pm every day. In the morning, we’ll walk our dogs or wander around the shops.

We go out a couple of nights a week to dinner or events, but rarely to clubs as I’m not a fan of clubbing and I’d never turn up to work hungover. We have a little routine when we’re leaving an event. We’ll check each other’s hair, make-up and clothes and ask, ‘Can you walk in those shoes or do we need to go out of the back exit?’

Sam’s the kind of friend everyone needs but not a lot of people have. If I’m upset at work, whether it’s man trouble or whatever, she’ll know when to take me out of the room. Sometimes you need to be on your own to cry – well, I’ll cry on Sam instead!

Samantha says:
Getting off the train on my way to the audition, I noticed the girl in front of me had these amazing boots. Then I saw she was walking to the same place as me and suddenly realised, ‘Wow, it’s Lucie from The X Factor!’

We hit it off straight away, bonding over our shared love of shoes. On The X Factor, I remember thinking Lucie was so lovely. She’s like that in real life, but even more bubbly and fun.

On your first day of rehearsals, walking into a room full of new people can be very scary. I felt so lucky to have someone there that I knew was going to be a good friend. It made me feel safe.

We have a lot in common, but I always like to plan and I’ve discovered that Lucie forgets arrangements as soon as she’s made them, so I have to remind her. I can always tell if there’s something bugging her and I know the best way to get Lucie chatting is to tease her. She does the same to me. She’ll wind me up by sticking her face right in front of mine or poking me! She always knows how to put a smile back on my face.

Royal Variety Performance 2010

2010-11-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Sam is going to be singing 'On My Own' at the Royal Variety Performance on the 9th December 2010!!!! Soo proud of her and wish her all the best for it!!

Afterparty at the O2

2010-10-04T10:15:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2

2010-10-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sam turns 20!

2010-10-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Sam's 20th birthday so me and 2 of my friends decided to have a party for her! We got lots of food, a cake, candles, balloons, put up banners and played Sam's songs for the whole day! We even lit the candles on the cake and sung happy birthday! It was sooo much fun and we hope Sam had an amazing day and that her celebrations are carrying on to today at the O2 concerts! Hear it's amazing from people that are there now!

Chance UK Big Influence week

2010-09-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

'More with every line' - The music of Tim Prottey-Jones

2010-09-27T06:16:00.001-07:00

Sam is going to be featured on a new album!

'Every song on the album features vocals by actors and actresses who have played lead roles in Broadway or West End musicals. The full list of star guest vocalists consists of:

Sabrina Aloueche (We Will Rock You, Les Miserables)
Julie Atherton (Avenue Q, The Last Five Years)
Colleen Ballinger (Miranda Sings)
Samantha Barks (Les Miserables, Cabaret)
Jon Boydon (Jersey Boys, We Will Rock You )
Daniel Boys (Wolfboy, Avenue Q)
Jessie Buckley (A Little Night Music)
Titus Burgess (The Little Mermaid, Jersey Boys)
Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita)
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Flashdance, Grease)
Marcus Paul James (In The Heights, Rent)
Jon Lee (Les Miserables, Oliver)
Stuart Matthew Price (Parade, The Rocky Horror Show)
Drew Sarich (Les Miserables, Lestat)
Noel Sullivan (Grease, Fame)
Rachel Tucker (Wicked, We Will Rock You)'

http://www.facebook.com/pages/More-with-every-line-The-music-of-Tim-Prottey-Jones/150716411633109

Les Mis for 4th time - 25th September 2010

2010-09-27T02:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, I love the show so much I went again for my 4th time so far on Sat. Although I did have a reason behind going anyway, for Sam's birthday! I gave her a few presents and a good luck poster for the O2 concert that's on this Sunday that I had drawn.

Anyway, had a lovely chat with her before the show, can't remember what about now though haha.

The show was amazing as usual! Few little things that happened during it which kept me entertained. As I know a few more of the cast better now so I watch them as well as Sam.

After the show we had a chat about presents and pictures. It was soo cold standing outside and I got told by both Sam and Lucie to go home in the warm and that they were worried about me and the others being out in the cold for soo long.

Stage Dooring on 6th September 2010

2010-09-27T02:55:00.000-07:00

My new video

2010-09-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

On My Own

2010-09-16T04:56:00.001-07:00

Stage Dooring with the Stage Door Posse on 1st September 2010

2010-09-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

Me and Sam:

Tayla, Sam and me (aka Sam's buddy's and Sam):

Stage Dooring 4 times in 1 week!!

2010-08-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

I moved to London last sunday (22nd) and was sat in the flat bored, so I decided I would go to Les Mis stage door to see Sam and other members of the cast. I then went a further 3 times this week haha!

Me and Sam on 23rd Aug:

Me and Sam on 25th Aug:

Didn't get a picture on 26th.

Me and Sam on 28th Aug (my 19th birthday!!!):

Let Go - by Sam and Garry Lake

2010-08-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Sam on BBC Radio 5 - live interview

2010-08-18T10:55:00.000-07:00

Sam was on BBC Radio 5 having a live interview with Richard Bacon, who was at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London (home of Oliver!) with a special musical theatre show!

Sam's interview starts at 1:07:24!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b00tgf57

Yes I went to Les Mis again, 3rd time so far!!

2010-08-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

Yes, I went to Les Mis again for the 3rd time yesterday! I wasn't really looking forward to going as I thought Sam was going to be away and didn't really want to watch her understudy, not saying she's bad, just I couldn't face seeing anyone else in the role!

Anyway, I got to the theatre and asked Spike (one of the other cast members) who was on as Eponine, whether it was Sam or not as it all got a bit confusing online haha. He said he thought it was, so I waited at stage door for her. After about 5 mins she turned up but had to rush in for warm-up.

The show was amazing again, I had a really good seat too this time, 2nd row back, right in the middle so was soooo close I could almost touch the stage (if the orchestra pit hadn't been in the way)!

I am beginning to know who some of the others are now too so I watch them as well as Sam, makes it more fun and more entertaining, especially when you watch certain cast members in 'Master of the House'!!

Sam's solo, On My Own, was amazing as usual!! I 'woo'ed for her at the end of it, so did a couple of other people haha. The people sitting around me loved her too and were saying how amazing she was. The woman sat behind me told me I had to tell Sam she was amazing and had an amazing voice so I did!

I got a wave at curtain call which made me smile loads, then I rushed round to stage door as Sam said she'd come out afterwards. We had a little chat about the show and then with the 'Stage Door posse' and Lucie too before Sam and Lucie went to go and get something to eat. My friend had the camera but didn't make it in time, so Sam told me to wait there and she'd come back in a bit then we could get a pic. So me and my friend, when she finally turned up, waited for about 40 mins for Sam and Lucie to come back from eating haha!

We had another small chat and got a pic.

Then Sam went in but Lucie stayed outside for a bit so we chatted with her and got a pic!

I then got a few of the others (Alistair, Simon and Jonathan) to sign my programme and had a small chat with each of them.

Another awesome day spent with some of the most amazing and talented people!!

Les Mis official production photos

2010-08-07T01:35:00.000-07:00

Les Mis for 2nd time on 28th July 2010

2010-08-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

I went to see Sam in Les Miserables again for the 2nd time on Wednesday. We met her at stage door before the show and had a quick chat as she was running late for warm-up. I gave her a bag full of presents for her and something for Lily, her chihuahua, as it was her 1st birthday on Tuesday. We had pictures taken with her and then let her go in as she was late.

I bought another program as I had taken my first one apart so I could put the signed page in my frame on my wall so I needed one that was whole haha. I then went and took my seat in the theatre. I was really close this time, only 7 rows back, as opposed to 13 rows back the first time. I got talking to this woman and her daughter who were sitting behind me, who had seen the show over 100 times as her dad wrote it apparently. I was talking to her about Sam and found out that she watched 'I'd Do Anything' and Sam was her favourite. She got quite excited at the fact that Sam was in the show and couldn't wait to watch her. Her daughter didn't know who Sam was but knew who Lucie was so she got excited when I told her Lucie was in the show too.

The show was amazing again, although I wasn't too keen on the new 'Javert' or 'Marius'. I don't know what it was about them, I suppose they just played it different, I'll get used to them I'm sure.

Sam was amazing as usual, even with a bad cough and not feeling her best. I managed not to go 'wooo' after her solo, 'On My Own' this time and just clapped as loud as I could instead. She made me cry 3 times this time; first time was the same bit that got me last time, where she was looking through the gate at Cosette (Lucie) and Marius. I'm not sure why it makes me cry, it must be her incredible acting as I can't help but sit there and feel sorry for Eponine and want to help her. Second time I cried was about half way through her solo. It was soo emotional and just hit me. The third and final time was her death scene. Last time I just about managed not to cry, but had a lump in my throat. This time I just couldn't help it.

Anyway, at the end of the show I was about one of the first to jump up to give them a standing ovation. I stood up as soon as they had finished the last word of the Finale and didn't wait for them to come back again haha. I hurt my throat by 'wooing' so much for Sam, but also for Lucie as she was amazing, Theo (who was in Cabaret), who i managed to spot this time and the little boy that played Gavroche as he was better than last time.

I then rushed round to stage door as we had arranged to meet Sam again after the show. This time was a lot better than last time as there were no barriers and no huge crowd of Nick fans. I had bought a poster in Dress Circle earlier in the day so I got Sam, Lucie and Simon Shorten to sign it for me. I am going to try and get as many of the cast to sign it as possible.

We got to talk to Sam for about 5-10 mins before she had to rush off to get food before her next show. She thanked me for all the presents and for Lily's sheep and I got another picture with her.

I then got her to call Lucie over so I could get a picture with both of them. I then started something as a few people who were stood behind me said 'Can I have a picture with both of them?', 'I want a picture with both of them!' so I apologised to Sam and Lucie for starting that one off haha.

Anyway, it was an amazing day again, thankyou to Sam for again, making it so amazing!! Can't wait til I go and see her in the show again on 25th September!!

Behind the scenes at 'Hello' magazine photoshoot - 23rd July 2010

2010-07-23T07:04:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 - 3rd Oct '10

2010-06-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

I can now announce that Sam will be playing Eponine in the 25th Anniversary Concert at the O2 on the 3rd October 2010!!

Below is the video of when Cameron Mackintosh told her that she had been chosen to play Eponine!! I think it is clear from her reaction that she is soooo excited!! On her Facebook status she put 'I am sooooo excited, its unreal' and on Twitter she said 'I am beyond excited!'

Les Miserables recordings - Opening Night (21st June 2010)

2010-06-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables - 23rd June 2010

2010-06-23T16:17:00.001-07:00

I went to see Sam in Les Mis today and all I can say is WOW!!! She was sensational!! Her acting has really improved, I totally believed her character so much that at one point when she is watching Marius (Nick Jonas) and Cosette (Camilla Kerslake) together, I actually felt sorry for her.

She looked very much the true professional we all know she is and you couldn't tell it was only her 3rd show!

Her voice has grown so much, I think it is a lot more powerful now and she filled the theatre no problem. When ever I hear her sing I get goosebumps and it sends chills down my spine, but this time I had a lump in my throat too and just about managed not to cry!

The man sitting next to me was so impressed with her voice that half way through her solo, 'On My Own', he turned to his wife and said 'wow! that's what you call a voice! totally amazing!!' I couldn't help but sit there and feel proud!

Not only was she playing Eponine, but she was also in the ensemble for most of Act 1 before Eponine makes an appearence. This amused me greatly, playing 'spot Sam' everytime anyone new came on stage!

The whole cast are great and they already are working so well together. I wasn't too sure on Nick Jonas's voice though. It sounded a bit too quiet and weak to me. I was expecting more from him, being a professional singer and all. Although he stood no chance when singing with Sam. She totally outsung him and out shone him! She made the show!!

I got to meet up with her before the show at stage door which was lovely (whilst trying to avoid the huge queue of Jonas fans). I only got to chat with her for a few mins as she had to go and get ready but it was still awesome.

I got to see her afterwards too but only for about 30 secs as she had to rush off to meet someone before her next show!

What an amazing day!! I want to re-live it again and again!!

Stage Door after Les Mis Opening Night - 21st June 2010

2010-06-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

Les Miserables Opening Night - 21st June 2010

2010-06-22T05:47:00.000-07:00

Pictures from the show and backstage after last nights show.

Sam on Twitter

2010-06-19T03:20:00.000-07:00

Sam is now on Twitter and getting quite into it. Please go and follow her @SamanthaBarks or go to the link below.

http://twitter.com/SamanthaBarks

I have set myself a challenge of getting her 2000 followers before her opening night on Monday (21st June). She currently has 1,897 so please help me in getting 103 more for her!! Thankyou!!

Recent pics - Out and About

2010-06-18T01:57:00.000-07:00

Sam with Lauren Samuels (from Over The Rainbow)

Sam with Lucie Jones (from X Factor and soon to be Les Mis fellow cast member)

Sam strikes a pose

Sam with Lucie again

Being a poser again!

More Groove High pics...

2010-05-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

A message to the Dorothys from Sam and Niamh

2010-05-07T18:08:00.000-07:00

I have just found this little video of Sam and Niamh Perry giving a message to the Dorothy in BBC1's Over The Rainbow on Andrew Lloyd Webber's website so thought I would share it on here.

http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/shows/the-wizard-of-oz/from-nancy-to-dorothy-a-messa/

Sam on Manx Radio talking about Les Mis

2010-05-04T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Yeah, obviously I was really excited because I was doing Groove High and a phone call arrived and I’ve been offered the part of Eponine in Les Mis, which is such a famous, iconic role…gosh…I’m so excited…yeah…not only to have the one job but to have two, two this year is, I mean, I’m chuffed to bits. I’m really lucky and very grateful. Ahh, Les Mis is one of them classics, and it’s a very special year to be a part of it because it’s the 25th anniversary. Playing such a great part…you know…On My Own, that’s such a classic song that everybody knows. I’m just really excited to be, kind of, doing that every night! Massive, massive honour!

http://www.isleofman.com/news/article.aspx?article=25957

Sam's Groove High blog (Entry 1) - Accents and Tayto Crisps!

2010-04-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

So this week was my first week of Groove High!! At this stage we are only doing the voice recording for the animated parts! And Oh my, I never thought I could have so much fun in 2 days!! The cast are sooo amazingly talented that you are sat in a booth all day being entertained by the amazing voices and accents people are doing!! My character Zoe and another character Tom played by Jonny Bailey are the characters that feature in the live action but all the others only feature in the animated parts so some of the actors are playing a few different parts so one minute they are Scottish the next they are from Brooklyn and so on, but each accent is flawless I am blown away by the things these people can do with their voices!!We were filming in Ireland which was B-E-A-utiful!! But not only that but its the home of Tayto crisps!! So I seriously stocked up while I was there (if any one has the chance BUY SOME, I recommend cheese and onion, beautiful!!) Being a disney character is so much fun and I can't wait to record again in a few weeks time! Sam x

Les Miserables

2010-04-29T02:36:00.001-07:00

Sam has just landed the role of Eponine in Les Miserables in London's West End!!

Rehearsals start on 17th May and her opening night is 21st June 2010!!

She has got a year contract with the show!

Keep checking back for more details...I will post them as soon as I know them!

Well done Sam!! We are all very proud of you!!

'Groove High' update

2010-04-20T03:04:00.001-07:00

Filming for 'Groove High' has been delayed by the Volcanic Ash from Iceland. It was due to start on Mon 19th April 2010 but has been put back to Weds 28th and Thurs 29th April 2010 instead.

This is the first lot of filming Sam is doing. Keep checking back for more information on other filming dates and locations if I can find them out. Plus I may even try and get a couple of little diary entries from Sam during filming to see how things are going....not sure if that'll work yet though, I'll discuss it with her and see.

Update on diary: I have discussed it with Sam and she has agreed, so keep checking back for a diary update on how her filming is going in the next couple of weeks....

Catch-up

2010-04-08T05:16:00.000-07:00

I met up with Sam in London on Tuesday (6th April 2010).

I had made her a very special present so we met up so that I could give it to her.

It was a Scrapbook to say good luck with her tv role in 'Groove High'. A few other people had given me messages to put in it and she loved it. I also gave her a couple of other presents and a little toy for Lily (her chihuahua).

It was amazing to get to see her again. We sat in Cafe Nero for nearly an hour just chatting. It was awesome to be able to have the time just to sit and catch up without having to think about anything else.

Groove High

2010-03-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Sam is going to be in a new Disney TV series called Groove High.

When asked about it she said, "Well I have just a few days ago been offered a Disney series called Groove High, playing the lead female Zoe, which I am very excited about and which I start filming for next month (April)! So it will be half animated and half live action! So I am very excited as I have always wanted to be made into a Disney cartoon!!"

2010-03-05T03:26:00.001-08:00

2010-03-05T03:23:00.001-08:00

Flower Records

2010-03-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Sam has been writing and recording some new songs recently, and so far one has been released online. It is called 'I Hate Playing Games' and is available to listen to for free online, although isn't available to buy or download yet. However, this may change in the near future.

Some more Aladdin reviews

2009-12-19T03:18:00.001-08:00

Samantha Barks’ Aladdin is principal boy perfection. She can sing, act and dance beautifully and she sure knows how to slap her thigh. Barks plays Aladdin as a cheeky adventurous young scamp and she has a great future ahead of her as a principal boy if she wishes to pursue this role in future seasons. Some producer had better snap her up for next year quickly as she is sure to guarantee success; that is if she’s not already taken. With actresses like Barks playing the role so well, we may just see the return of the female principal boy as finally we have someone who does the role justice and takes it seriously.

Hats off to director Julius Green, a passionate fan of traditional pantomime, who this year brings back a Principal Boy in the title role, the wonderful thigh-slapping Samantha Barks of recent Cabaret fame. Her Aladdin can sing and dance up a storm, act the handsome hero and yet she never once leaves us in doubt that this young chap is also a truly gorgeous girl.

My Aladdin review

2009-12-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday (12th Dec 09) I went to go and see Sam in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal in Windsor with my family. This was my fourth time meeting Sam and I had a very weird feeling in my stomach all day. I kept feeling ill and didn't eat anything til after the show. When we got there we went straight to find the stage door so we could run round to it in the dark after the show.

We decided to go and have a look inside the theatre and I found there were lots of flashing things to buy! I made my dad buy me a green flashing snowman, a big foam hand (like the ones from gladiators) and a programme.

After having a little walk to the shops near by it was time to go in!! As we sat waiting in our seats we sang along to christmas songs which was amusing. Then suddenly the lights went down and the curtain lifted!!

The first thing I noticed on stage was the group of girls all had wigs on that reminded me of Sam's Sally Bowles haircut, that amused me for the first few seconds and then I suddenly realised someone was singing. I looked to the right of the stage and there she was, Sam in her Aladdin costume singing 'Good Morning Oh Peking' (yes, taken from Hairspray and adapted). After an amazing first song, she introduced herself 'Hi, I'm Aladdin (slaps thigh) and this is my brother Wishee Washee (Steven Blakeley from Heartbeat).

As the show went on there were a few links to past things, such as in her second song she sang the words 'I'd do anything' and 'life is a Cabaret (sound familiar?).

It was hard throughout the show to think of her as a boy, no wonder all the little kids there were confused. Anyway, she did an amazing job at pulling it off, and anyone that said in Cabaret reviews that she can't dance, go and see Aladdin!!! She'll prove you all wrong then!!

During singing 'A Whole New World' I'm pretty sure she saw me as I was singing along and waving my flashing green snowman in the air along with my foam hand. She then looked straight at me three times during the next 10 seconds or so.

Then the magic carpet bit came!! At first they just had a normal rug on the stage, then the lights went down and she was the only one left on stage, then a 'floating' magic carpet came from the left and she jumped on it with a huge grin on her face. I knew what was coming and had said as soon as I knew she was doing Aladdin this would happen. The music began and she started singing 'So if you care to find me, look to the western sky......' yes, no points for guessing, she sang Defying Gravity!! By this time I was waving my flashing snowman (appropriately green) in the air as high as I could and singing my loudest! She kept looking my way during this song too which highly amused me haha.

The rest of the show was very amusing but extremely good! I just want to go into detail about what happened at the end as this was the most exciting bit for me (apart from the defying gravity bit).

They all came down the stairs at the back of the stage for the 'wedding of Aladdin and Jasmine scene' so when Sam and Poppy Jhakra (Princess Jasmine) came down the stairs me and my mum jumped up to give her a standing ovation! I still had my flashing snowman on and she gave
me a huge smile and then nodded at me. They then had to sing and dance and at the end they ended up being picked up. She looked straight at me and gave the biggest smile ever just before the curtain came down.

They then did the classic kids going up on stage, getting prizes bit with Toby Hull and Emu. We all had to sing Old Macdonald Had A Farm. Then the curtain went back up again as it was the end.

They all came back on and the crowd went wild. I was doing my wooing (well as well as I could as my voice had nearly gone by this point). They sang 'We're All In This Together' from High School Musical and Sam kept looking at me and smiling, and almost winking at me. This amused me and I was in hysterics. She then had to sing another song and she just about did it without laughing. Then all the cast waved to the audience and she waved at me so I waved back which made her laugh again.

I then had to get up, grab the bags of presents for her and run to the stage door. When I got there she was standing there with the door open waiting for me. I had a lovely catch up with her and gave her the presents. She signed twelve pictures I had printed off as well as the programme and flyers and she even went to go and get her little dog, Lily, to show me. I really appreciated the fact that she had given up some of her very short break between shows to see me and chat. It was awesome!!

Well done on another amazing role Sam and remember you are a star and I'll always be here supporting you through everything!!

Sam opens new Breasthealth UK Thames Valley clinic

2009-11-30T11:08:00.000-08:00

(Taken from the Breast Health UK website)

At 11:00am on 27 November 2009, actress and singer Samantha Barks – star of Aladdin at the Theatre Royal, Windsor – will officially launch BreastHealth UK’s new clinic at the Spire Thames Valley Hospital in Wexham, which offers new types of screening to women of all ages.

“A lot of women – younger women especially – don’t realise how simple and important it is to self-check, and to have regular screening,” said Sam.

“I’m delighted to open this new clinic and to be involved in raising awareness, to encourage women of all ages to take better care of their breast health.”

Sam will perform in the title role in Aladdin at the Theatre Royal Windsor from 9 December to 10 January. She will officially launch the new BreastHealth UK clinic at the Spire Thames Valley Hospital on 27 November. The new clinic will ensure that women throughout the region have fast-track access to experienced consultants and convenient, well-equipped and expertly-staffed facilities for breast care.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women under 35, and most new cases arise in women with no prior family history of the disease. The earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival and the less the personal trauma. As well as offering advanced screening technologies, the BHUK clinic will also have specialist nurses who can perform clinical breast examination and teach women how to check themselves properly.

Sam, who is 19, is keen that younger women know how to check their own breasts and are aware of the screening technology that is now available.

“Thankfully, no-one close to me has been affected by breast cancer,” she says. “But I’m very conscious that it’s something that can affect any woman, and so awareness of your body and any changes is really important.”

Mr Stephen Knight, consultant breast surgeon at the BreastHealth UK Thames Valley clinic, said,

“One in nine women in the UK will develop breast cancer and every year more than 44,000 new cases are diagnosed. We will be offering the Breast Health Risk Assessment test, which uses the latest genetic understanding coupled with lifestyle, medical and family history factors. It can help us to gauge a young woman’s personal risk, enabling us to tailor an individual breast screening programme, with appropriate counselling, just for her.

“Mammography is used as part of the routine screening programme for women between 50 and 70, but it is generally less effective for younger women who have denser breast tissue. BHUK offers other approaches which are beneficial for these women, enabling us to offer an enhanced service. Women can access our clinic quickly, and without a GP referral.”

“It’s fantastic that women will have easy access to these services, whatever their age,” said Sam.

The new BreastHealth UK clinic will offer access to a personalised breast screening programme that may include mammography, clinical breast examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other screening technologies, depending on a woman’s personal level of risk and other circumstances.

Aladdin Press Launch

2009-11-26T15:42:00.000-08:00

Sam switches on the Christmas Lights in Windsor

2009-11-21T13:08:00.000-08:00

Tonight (Sat 21st Nov 09) Sam, along with Wendy Craig and Jess Conrad (fellow cast members in Aladdin) switched on the Christmas Lights in Windsor's town centre. This was part of a magical evening, with live performances from the Irish Guards, the internationally-renowned Choir of St George's Chapel and a procession of local school children and their handmade lanterns through the town centre.

Click the link below to watch a short video:
http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-13800-video-panto-star-turns-on-windsor-lights/

Sam's new look

2009-10-20T11:15:00.001-07:00

Interview taken from Isle of Man Today site (slightly edited by me to make it read right now)

Singing star Sam Barks has unveiled her striking new look — and is delighted to say goodbye to her short hair.

Her appearance now is a long way from the fresh-faced girl who won through to the final of BBC TV reality talent show I'd Do Anything last year.

And Sam, who will be starring in panto in the UK this winter, is pleased with the result.

'When you're young, it's about changing your image all the time,' she told iomtoday.

It's not the first dramatic change in image for Sam, who had her hair cut short for her starring role in a UK-wide tour of Cabaret, in which she played the lead role of Sally Bowles which finished in July.

Sam revealed: 'I'm really pleased I've been able to grow my hair since Cabaret. Short hair is gorgeous on people who can pull it off but my face is a bit round!'

Her next move is in the title role in a pantomime production of Aladdin.

The 19-year-old, from Laxey, Isle of Man said: 'To be starring as Aladdin will be great fun and I can't wait. A lot of crowd interaction will be new to me but it will be exciting.'

She added: 'My fellow Nancy, Niamh Perry, did panto last year and she had a fantastic time, which has encouraged me to have a go too.'

The show, on at the Theatre Royal Windsor between December 9 and January 10, will also feature Rod Hull's son Toby and Emu, who have a show on ITV.

Sam is currently living in Chiswick, West London, with Niamh.

She said life as an actress was 'sporadic and intense' and that, since Cabaret, she has been taking part in musical theatre nights in London, as well as enjoying a well-earned break.

'I have been to many exciting events over the last few months, now I have some free time here and there,' she said. 'In fact, I was invited to be a part of a celebrity audience for the BBC's National Lottery Awards which was exciting as I met lots of fantastic people! What an honour to be invited to something like that.'

She added: 'Last month, I was invited to the press night premiere for the opening of the London musical Dreamcoats and Petticoats. I met Lord Lloyd-Webber and Bill Kenwright there and it was great to see them both again. I was surprised also to bump into Cilla Black and we chatted about how I had performed her song Anyone Who Had A Heart in the final of I'd Do Anything.'

Before rehearsals for Aladdin begin in November, Sam went on a trip to Shanghai earlier this month with government officials to smash a champagne bottle against the bow of new bulk carrier ship the Caly Manx (article below).

Lars Ugland, the Douglas-based chief executive officer of local shipping companies LTU Management Ltd and Seven Mile Shipping, paid for Sam to fly to China.

'It is a great honour for me and I am so happy and proud to have been asked to launch the ship by Mr and Mrs Ugland,' she said speaking before the trip. 'It will be such an amazing experience. I have never been anywhere near China.'

Sam has not got any plans for when she finishes in Aladdin, and said she will wait to see what opportunities arise.

And she said that while she was not producing any music at the moment she would not rule it out in the future.

Sam, who is currently single, said it was difficult to have a boyfriend when you were living an unpredictable lifestyle, which involved moving around.

But she added: 'Hopefully it will happen one day soon.'

In the meantime, she admitted: 'I'm obsessed with shopping and shoes!!'

By Jackie Turley

It's panto time!!

2009-10-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

Sam will be playing Aladdin in Windsor this christmas. She will be performing at the Theatre Royal from 09th December 09 til 10th Jan 2010 in 'the most magical panto ever' alongside 'more stars than ever before', including Wendy Craig (currently playing Matron in The Royal) as The Empress, Jess Conrad as Abanazar, Emu with Toby Hull as The Chinese Policemen, Coronation Street's Poppy Jhakra (Minnie Chandra) as Princess Jasmine, Heartbeat's Steven Blakeley (PC Geoff Younger) as Wishee Washee, Michael Sharvell-Martin as Widow Twankey and there will also be a magical appearance from the Man in the Mirror, also known as Tony Blackburn.

To book tickets or to find out more information visit www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk and go to the 'What's On' section.

Sam launches new Manx ship in Shanghai

2009-09-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

The launch of the £21.7 million bulk carrier ‘Caly Manx’, at the Tsuneishi Zhoushan Shipyard near Shanghai in China, will form part of a mission to raise the Island’s profile as a leading international business centre.

It will set sail under the Isle of Man ensign following the official naming ceremony on 30th September which is to be performed by Manx singer and actress Samantha Barks.

Mr Ugland added that when he looked for a suitable "godmother" to name the Caly Manx, singer and actress Samantha Barks immediately sprang to mind.

He said, "Samantha is somebody who has raised the profile of the Isle of Man to the wider public and we feel that she shows to the youth of the Island that with hard work and dedication you can fulfil your dreams."

The Laxey teenager, who found fame on BBC talent show ‘I’d Do Anything’, will take centre stage during the ceremony, cutting a rope to send a bottle of champagne crashing against the bow of the ship as she names it Caly Manx.

"Sam Barks is an inspired choice to name the vessel. It is a great honour for any lady to perform this important feature of the ceremony.

"The choice of “godmother” means a great deal to the owners of the vessel and the crew and Samantha ticks all the right boxes."

The taxpayer is paying for the politicians and Mr Welsh to go. It is believed that the shipping firm is paying for Sam's travel and accomodation.

The Launch

(Taken from article on Isle of Man Today's website about the launch on the web)

Singing sensation Sam Barks was in cracking form while in China to name new £22 million bulk carrier ship the Caly Manx.

The 19-year-old was joined by Chief Minister Tony Brown MHK, Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney MHK and director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry Dick Welsh, who also met with Chinese government officials and business leaders during the visit.

The taxpayer has paid for the politicians and Mr Welsh to go. It is believed that the shipping firm paid for Sam's travel.

Sam, from Laxey, who found fame on BBC talent show I'd Do Anything and subsequently starred in stage show Cabaret, officially unveiled the latest addition to the Island's ship register at the Tsuneishi Zhoushan Shipyard near Shanghai on September 30.

Sam sang the Manx National Anthem and cracked a bottle of champagne against the ship's bow during the ceremony.

Chief Minister Tony Brown said "Sam Barks was a superb ambassador for the Island and made a great impression on everybody she met. To hear her sing the National Anthem in China was breathtaking and added to the sense of occasion."

Oliver and Cabaret Workshop in Sidcup

2009-06-17T00:45:00.000-07:00

Sam did an Oliver and Cabaret Workshop at Blackfen School for Girls in Sidcup on 4th July 09 from 11am - 1pm.

This fabulous workshop was led by Sam herself and the Musical Director of the show, Tom De Keyser.

Workshop Structure 11am-1pm:

Introduction and Warm Up Games

Music from Cabaret and Oliver

Choreography from Cabaret and Oliver

Samantha performing a song

Q and A.

2009-06-09T04:41:00.001-07:00

Get Your Own Free Hypster.com Playlist.

So Jest End

2009-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:00

On the 23rd April 09 Sam went to the gala performance of So Jest End at the New Players Theatre in London. Among many other celebrities there were friends and fellow former Nancys, Niamh Perry, Sarah Lark and Rachel Tucker (who performed there).

Theatregoers Choice Awards

2009-04-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

On the 15th Feb 09 Sam performed the Dolly Parton classic 9-5 at the Theatregoers Choice Awards at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London along with Sarah Lark.

Below is a video, taken by a fan outside a hotel just around the corner from the Theatre, a few hours before the show.

An Audience with Sam Barks review

2009-01-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

'TWO fish in a tank. 'One turns to the other and says: "How do I drive this thing?"'

Well, I laughed a lot. As part of the "Samsational" show on Saturday night, the audience got a chance to ask Samantha questions – including whether she knew any good jokes.

I certainly don't think she should give up her day job any time soon, but the witty answers to questions thrown at her and the goosepimply performance she gave showed that she's not changed one bit from the down-to-earth but gifted Laxey girl who left the Island at 16 to follow her dreams.

Before the live entertainment started, a montage of Nancy moments was projected onto big screens either side of the stage. It brought me back to those Sunday nights last year, perched on the edge of my seat with wobbly butterflies in my tummy, ordering Graham Norton to tell Samantha that she 'could still be Nancy'.

On Saturday, with help from backing singers, accompanying dancers and a 12-piece band led by David Holland, Samantha took us on a journey of her musical life so far.

Her song choices ranged from the early days when she performed in amateur theatre and school productions in the Island, right up to the present day as the 18-year-old who wows UK audiences eight times a week as leading lady Sally Bowles in sizzling performances of Cabaret.

The show opened with I Love Rock 'n' Roll – the song which first left Andrew Lloyd Webber breathless in week one of the I'd Do Anything live programmes on BBC One. Although she wasn't wearing those well-known hot pants this time round, seeing it live in front of you rather than on the telly made it a million times more special and the audience was already buzzing.

Following that, we were treated to songs from shows including Grease, in which she played Rizzo in the St Ninian's High School production, and Back to the 80s, which she did with the Manx Operatic Society. Samantha told us that she gets a bit of stick from her friends because all the music on her Ipod tends to be from musicals and there's nothing 'modern' on there. However, she gave amazing performances of Kelly Clarkson's Since U Been Gone, Duffy's Warwick Avenue and the Mark Ronson/Amy Winehouse version of Valerie.

Jessica Ellen (a Cabaret cast member) and local girl Laura Breadner, dancing in sexy corsets and hotpants, joined Samantha on stage for Valerie.

For the Kelly Clarkson song, a very nice tight-trousered young man called Alastair Postlethwaite, also in the Cabaret cast, did an accompanying dance.

Both the band and dancers easily kept the crowd entertained as Samantha did her costume changes throughout the evening. All her dresses were blue – reminding us of her identifying colour in I'd Do Anything.

Rumour has it Samantha is a chocoholic, but her figure in those slinky dresses certainly didn't show that she'd overdone it on the Quality Street this Christmas. She was looking fabulous – especially during the sassy song Sway, which had got Barry Humphries all hot and bothered in I'd Do Anything.

The first half concluded with Nancy's song from Oliver, As Long As He Needs Me. The audience went wild after the first line and fireworks exploded at the end of the breathtaking performance.
The second half continued with more stunning performances and routines, ending with Samantha's version of Defying Gravity from her favourite musical, Wicked.

The encore was Life is a Cabaret, and with the glitter ball going and the audience on their feet it was an electric end to a unique evening.

Samantha thanked everyone for all the support they gave her during I'd Do Anything.

From the crowd's reaction, there's no doubt that the Isle of Man (or should I say Isle of Sam?) is incredibly proud of her. She's won the hearts of everybody, including the little boy stood at the side of the stage with a huge sign saying Marry Me Sam.

Three girls from Hampshire, who call themselves Sam's Lambs, had flown to the Island using student loans and Christmas money just to meet Samantha and see her show.

The evening was all in aid of Rebecca House, the Island's children's hospice. Dot Tilbury and the show's host James Turpin auctioned off those famous hot pants, which had been framed along with some signed photos and flyers. They alone made £300 for the cause. You didn't really get a lot of material for your money but their proud new owner didn't seem to mind at all.

At one point in the show, Samantha told us that she found out a very close friend of hers had died on the eve of the I'd Do Anything semi-final. Patrick Taylor had sponsored Samantha to take her place at the Arts Educational School, London. She said without his generosity and belief in her she'd never have got to where she is today.

On semi-final night, appropriately, she sang There Can Be Miracles, When You Believe from the Prince of Egypt, and she sang it again for us on Saturday.

Samantha meant every word.

by Gael Stigant

Sally Bowles

2008-08-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

Sam is doing amazing in Cabaret so far!

There are many fantastic reviews all over the internet about how well she is doing!!

Well done Sam!!

Keep it up!!

2008-08-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

hey guys!

im new to this and have only just set up this fan blog for Sam Barks!

my friend,Kim, noticed that Sam didn't have one, so we decided that we had to change that, so i set this up!

hope you like it!

and please tell me what else i can add to improve it!
x