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About John Barr

JOHN BARR - Biography JOHN BARR trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. He made his stage debut at the age of 12 in the West End production of "OLIVER". Since then he has appeared in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, ANNIE, and (UK Tours). Played Tobias Ragg in Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD, Jim Hawkins in a new musical version of TREASURE ISLAND at Birmingham Rep, Artist V in the Noel Coward Revue COWARDY CUSTARD (Theatr Clywd), original cast member of THE WONDERFUL WEST END-National tour and the title role in PETER PAN (play version) at Perth Rep. He was First-Ever Alternate "CHE" in EVITA (Opera House, Manchester) Directed by Harold Prince. Feuilly and covered and played Enjolras in LES MISERABLES (1988 London Co.) For Trevor Nunn, John was Phillipe in Stephen Schwartz's THE BAKER'S WIFE (workshop), and also in the original cast of the London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's ASPECTS OF LOVE. He sang the Tenor role in the Kurt Weill revue BERLIN TO BROADWAY, He then went on to play Harry Toukarian in the European premiere of Kander and Ebb's FLORA THE RED MENACE, Cliff in IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Theatre Royal, York) the title role in SNOOPY-THE MUSICAL in Cambridge, Robert Ross in OSCAR (Tricycle) and the title roles in Pantomime production's of PETER PAN and ALADDIN. Then in 1991 John was invited to take part in an open air concert with Michael Ball to celebrate the productions of Sir Cameron Mackintosh. In1992 he sang on a new studio recording of Stephen Schwartz's GODSPELL. He can also be heard on the concept recording of MATADOR with Tom Jones, ASPECTS OF LOVE (original cast recording), OSCAR (studio), and he sang the title role on the recording of THE HAPPY PRINCE.In 1994 John made his American Cabaret Debut at the US Library of Congress, Washington D.C. In 1996 saw the release of his Debut solo CD JOHN BARR - A SMALL AFFAIR on the Dress Circle Label, Later on that year he toured the USA playing some the most prestigious Cabaret Rooms in New York, Las Vegas and San Francisco. For the BBC Radio 2 Musical series he played Simon in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR with Roger Daltrey and Tony Hadley, Bill Calhoun in Cole Porter's KISS ME, KATE with Julia Migenes, Paul in A CHORUS LINE with Donna Mckechnie and David Soul, Motel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Anthony Newley, and a guest performer on SONGS FROM THE SHOWS. Then in 1997 he performed in two major open air concerts as the principal singer in ON BROADWAY TONITE with the BBC Big Band at Lullingstone Castle, Kent and LES MISERABLES - Hylands Park, Chelmsford. In 1998 John's second solo CD IN WHATEVER TIME WE HAVE was released on the Dress Circle Label, he was invited back to New York to perform at the club Eighty Eights, and a special Gala Cabaret at the Famous Greenbriar, West Virginia USA. He joined over 80 musicians from the BBC Concert Orchestra and the BBC Big Band in a Special Gala SONGS FROM THE SHOWS opposite Bonnie Langford and David Jacobs (1998) For Sir Cameron Mackintosh he performed in HEY, MR PRODUCER at the Lyceum Theatre, and was invited to take part in A MASTERCLASS with Barbara Cook at the Donmar Warehouse, London. John's TV credits include THE BILL (THAMES) THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER with Nick Berry & Jenna Russell (TVS) WEDNESDAY AT EIGHT (THAMES 1988) 1987 ROYAL VARIETY SHOW (LWT) and guest appearances on PEBBLE MILL (BBC 1).He played KOKO in Gilbert and Sullivan's THE MIKADO for Opera Della Luna, touring all over the UK, the Far East and South America. For the Millenium he played Buttons in CINDERELLA at the Corn Exchange, Newbury. In 2000 John's third solo CD A DIFFERENT CORNER was released on the Peroxide-Dress Circle label, for which he received glowing notices. He then toured all over the UK in a new production of THE MERRY WIDOW playing the role of NJEGUS for Opera Della Luna, also Bill Bobstay in HMS. PINAFORE at the Covent Garden Music Festival, again with Opera Della Luna. Also in 2000 he made his Australian Cabaret Debut at the Town Hall, Sydney with Alison Jiear, and made guest appearances at Gentry's Cabaret club in Chicago, USA. For The 2000-2001 Christmas Season, John made his "DAME" Debut as Christabel Crusoe in a New Pantomine Production of ROBINSON CRUSOE at the Corn Exchange, Newbury. In February 2001 He performed as a Solo Cabaret Performer and as a Member of The Concordia Theatre Company on the QE2 and Caronia Cruiseliners as part of the 2001 World Cruise. In July 2001 John made his “Cabaret Comeback” in a new show at The Jermyn Street Theatre for which he received rave reviews. For the 2001 - 2002 Xmas season John played Jack in Jack & the Beanstalk - A New Pantomime Production, written by Roy Hudd, at the Greenwich Theatre. In May 2002 John’s fourth Solo CD was released called ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN Produced by Robert Mackintosh and released on The Dress Circle/LMLmusic Labels. Also on 2002 John was honoured to share the stage with some of his friends Alison Jiear, Jenna Russell & Clive Rowe in a one off concert IN WHATEVER TIME WE HAVE – For the Kemper Insurance Group USA. Directed by Craig Revel Horwood at the Linbury Theatre, London. In May 2002 he performed his new Cabaret show ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN singing the songs from his new CD at the Jermyn Street Theatre. John was the London correspondent writer for 'Cabaret Scenes Magazine', writing a monthly column about the London Cabaret and Theatre scene. In July 2002 John performed with Alison Jiear & the BBC Concert Orchestra on BBC Radio 2's FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT John enjoyed playing Josh the Jester in SLEEPING BEAUTY for Tell-tale productions at The Paul Robeson Theatre, Hounslow for the 2002-2003 Pantomime Season. He then appeared in The Broadway Musical RAGTIME in its WEST END PREMIERE at the Piccadilly Theatre; he covered and played the Leading roles of TATEH & HARRY HOUDINI.In July 2003 John was thrilled to be asked to be one of the first singers to perform at the River Walk at the Famous OXO Tower, London. In 2004 John has made a guest appearance on Jason Carr’s Debut CD LISTEN UP singing a new song ‘SOMETHIN’ GOOD’. The CD features Jason’s writing including 20 new songs and performances by Michael Ball, Maria Friedman, Philip Quast, Claire Moore and William Dazeley. In March 2004 John was thrilled to be asked to perform on a new musical CD written for children playing Billy the Goat on THE WILD WEST ALBUM on the Perform Label. In May 2004 John played Dr. Thomas Parker in the HIT off-Broadway musical BATBOY THE MUSICAL, which premiered at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and then came into the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre. He received some great personal reviews, and appears on the cast recording of the show. In April 2005 he was cast as the religious rapist JOB in a small budget film called WRATH. In May-June 2005 John was thrilled to be invited to play DAVID in a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s COMPANY at the Derby Playhouse, which received some great notices from the major publications. John created the Role of RICHARD LEWIS in Christopher James Orton’s MY LAND’S SHORE – A New Musical For Wales - a workshop performance at The Royal Academy of Music. Then in August 2005 John was invited to appear in an excerpt from a new musical NELSON at the Arundel Music Festival at Arundel Castle with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. During the 2005-2006 Christmas Season John played the SNOWMAAN in a new Pantomime Production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - Written and Directed by Susie McKenna at the Hackney Empire. He then created the role of MAISIE in a new play with music DIAMOND - Written by Linda Wilkinson and Directed by Christopher G. Sandford at the Kings Head, Islington. John was thrilled to be asked to sing again with BBC Concert Orchestra under the Musical Direction of Mr. Nick Davies and to share the Stage with 2 Great Diva’s and friends Alison Jiear & Jenna Russell in Sing-A-Long-A-Musicals at the Hackney Empire. He can be heard on a new musical concept album DRACULA singing the role of RENFIELD released on the Dress Circle Label. For the 2006-07 Pantomime Season John played 3 Roles in a new Production of MOTHER GOOSE at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley for the F irst Family Group. In October 2007 he played AMOS HART in a New Production of John Kander & Fred Ebbs CHICAGO - Directed by Mitch Sebastian forBronowski Productions at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur. John then played Mona Hardup (a VERY UGLY Sister) in CINDERELLA starring Nigel Havers for the First Family Group at the Richmond Theatre. In the 2008-09 Panto Season - John played Pixie Hardup (a VERY, VERY UGLY SISTER) in CINDERELLA at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley appearing Opposite Hollywood Movie Star - Steve Guttenberg. In July 2009 he achieved an ambition to appear in CATS as SKIMBLESHANKS at the Larnaca Municipal Amphitheatre, Cyprus - Directed by Andrew MacBean. He performed on his 2 Cabaret shows LET ME SING & CURTAIN UP in 2009 on the Regent and Oceania Cruise Liners. John released his 5th Solo CD ALL I AM in 2009/2010 – He has spent the past 3 years recording this CD his most personal – featuring 4 Duets with Alison Jiear, Jenna Russell, David McAlmont and Rebecca Vere. John also co-wrote a song for the CD with David McAlmont. It contains some great songs from Musical theatre and the American songbook, also features 3 new songs including the title track ALL I AM. It's available on the Dress Circle Label & on iTunes. In March 2010 John played the role of Greta – The Drag Queen in Martin Sherman's moving play BENT at The Landor Theatre – Directed by Andrew Keates. John then made his PIZZA ON THE PARK Debut appearing alongside friends - Glyn Kerslake & Shona Lindsay in their Show LET'S FACE THE MUSIC. John is an accomplished solo cabaret performer whocontinues to perform in Cabaret all over the world. Myspace