Siobhan Dillon Fan Blog

Siobhan at The Oliviers

2011-03-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

Legally Blonde Premiere Pics

2010-12-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the long wait, school kicked into high gear for me and I've been out of the musical theatre loop. Here's some new photos of Siobhan in Legally Blonde on the show and the after party. One picture makes me especially happy!! Oh nostaglia!!

She seems to be enjoying her time as the wannabe lawyer; I'm looking forward to hearing more. PS she looks awesome here. I'll be posting them to the Tumblr account.

Wishing everyone a lovely holiday! No more school till mid January mmmmmm sounds good to me!

Tumblr Gallery

2010-10-29T17:44:00.000-07:00

We finally have a gallery!! Flickr wasn't working out, as cool as it is but the slideshow function was kind of annoying. So I started a Tumblr account where I'll be posting all her promotional photos, candids, any maria stuff, anything I have really. I think it'll be easier to access and it'll look nicer!

Siobhan Tumblr

If you an account be my guest and follow! I'd be happy if you did!

Legally Blonde Remix

2010-10-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

I didn't think we'd see an audio so soon and I'm liking this efficiency!! She sounds so good!! I don't know the songs too well to know who sings what lines but I can definitely hear her voice for about the first minute and the last twenty seconds, sounds brilliant! Everything I've read so far says she's a great Vivienne! I haven't read one criticism!

Check out the voice!

Omigod You Guys! Legally Blonde Tonight!

2010-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Siobhan premieres as Vivienne on stage tonight! Or since because of the time difference she's probably got another part of the second Act to go! I hope she's enjoying her time there, her tweets seem like she was excited and nervous. Makes sense to me!

I'd love for some new production photos to pop up somewhere, otherwise hopefully some twitpics of her in costume! Haha

To add, I'm loving the new photoshoot pictures! I'll be posting more of them in the next couple days. They are labeled "album ideas", and I can definitely see a couple of these included in the album.

What do you think?x

The Final Part Deux

2010-09-16T09:28:00.000-07:00

So I believe I promised this review about two years ago...........yeah, I'm sorry that didn't happen but knowing me I kept putting it off until I gave up on it. I wanted to bring it back today because I believe it is 4 years ago today that the Maria finale aired! In a way this is a goodbye for me to one great program! I still can't believe it's been so long!
Does anyone still remember the finale? I think the part I'm about to review could be my one of my favorite moments on the show ever, if not my favorite!! Two, stunning, beautiful performances from Siobhan, what more could I ask for?

The final moments of the show for Siobhan starts off with a montage of the final three in Salzburg. Where there's random shots of the girls recreating memorable moments from Do Re Mi and getting their pictures taken. It's adorable! I haven't watched this in a long time so they all seem so young here!!

As Connie says Salzburg is "absolutely breathtaking", and it is stunning! It's definitely on my list of places I need to see before I die. I wonder if it's anywhere near Fucking, Austria because that's another place that's needs to be visited! Mostly just because I want to take a picture next to the sign that says I'm in Fucking! Thanks Graham!

Anyways back on track the montage leads us to the girls at the Church gate where they're discussing where they have seen this place in the film. They're inching the faces into the gate so far to get a better look but what they find is something a bit more creepy! ALW walks into view and all you hear the next couple seconds is screaming! It's always a good rewind moment hearing all of them scream, I still can't tell if that was staged or not but Siobhan's laugh is so loud and......well a little sadistic that she sounds genuinely shocked! I love it! A lot of laughs make me laugh with them. A perfect example would be Natalie Portman's drunk laugh in Léon, (look it up!) gets me every time. Siobhan's laugh falls into that category, it's just contagious!

Andrew brings them into the church and my favorite version of Ave Maria is playing in the background so it goes well with all the crying. From a film kid's POV I really love this part for the great shots that I get to see and "freeze frame". There's great depth of field that make beautiful screencaptures. There's a few of Siobhan that are just lovely. At one point where they've got the camera full on in her face and she's crying, I'm thinking to myself, does this girl know how beautiful she is? She's showing herself to millions of people, all vunerable, ready to be smashed to pieces! And yet she's fighting back as much as she can, showing them what she can do! That's when you can truly see through someone, when they don't have their mask on. Siobhan seemed to be one of the few in Maria where I could see through them and know who they were deep down. Or at least as much as you can know from an 8-week reality tv show.

End of that segment onto the 2nd songs! The finalists are wearing .....CURTAINS! Actually I think they all look lovely! Siobhan looked like she could be a Disney princess in hers! Her hairstyle for that night was definitely different, but she looked really gorgeous. I'd say it's my second favorite hairstyle with Songbird being the best! Hah!

So Siobhan's up first getting ready to sing "My Favorite Things". I really wanted her to get The Lonely Goatherd so she could show off a bit more talent, but no that has to go to the one they wanted to win of course!! But that's ok, because she didn't get Do Re Mi! Phew!

So she gets ready, sitting down on the stage and she looks poised like she could be a Liesel! She sings adorably, every mannerism is gracefully ticked in the correct place! This performance is absolutely perfect for me! But to me it's not performed like Maria would, it's performed like a younger girl, possibly more Liesel. Still this performance is my favorite of the three. The voice, the look, the great use of the stage, it's perfect!! I use this performance in my videos all the time, when she makes a stage angel PERFECTLY! I love that moment too much. Or when the camera follows her up the stairs and follows her turn PERFECTLY again! Far away in the crowd you can see John swinging back and forth in his chair, you can practically see his smile 20 feet away. Zoe sweeping her hair from her face like she's heard this 100 times already (which she probably has). And David starts talking to Zoe about something, hopefully on the topic.

Then comes the "woof" of the dog, which is so ridiculously cute!! And quite fascinating as well! The little dance she does at the end is again wonderfully in sync with the song and I'm shocked she can do it in heels. Must take a lot of practice!!

On to the judges so she can be ridiculed! But right before that there's a shot of her brother decked out in a supportive red maria t-shirt! Which I think is pretty awesome! Go Bro!

Back to the judges where David Ian starts off, he makes one of his jokes that's slightly perverted but we get over it quickly. He goes on to say that she sung much better than her last performance since Cilla Black "ain't her style" and her voice is more suited for Julie Andrews. You can see Siobhan pulling on her fingers at this point she's probably just trying to calm herself, poor thing. I probably mentioned that before but she would do that a lot and it's completely normal, I would do anything to stop myself from crying. Hold my hands tight, bite my lip hard, make faces that aren't in the shape of someone upset. She did them all in these couple minutes. David says he's still waiting for that "emotional explosion" from her to give her the winning role. I think I understand what he means but then again I don't. Siobhan's the contestant who's showed the most emotion on that stage. I've seen her countless times pour her heart on it. But I guess that's not what they wanted. It's certainly what I look for in a performer but not a casting director. They wanted an actress. Some who can pretend better than anyone else. Not someone who actually becomes the character. That was the difference I saw in Siobhan from Helena and Connie. She hadn't learnt to pretend yet, not really.

John next spilling out the obvious, where they are on the subject of Angels. She looks like one, she sounds like one, she might as well sprout some wings! He then says she's putting up a fight where she nods and which says to me "yes thank you for noticing my struggle here John." She says "I'm trying" and I definitely noticed how much she is trying. Her two performances here are by far her best ones, for me at least. Yes, Songbird will always be remembered as her standout and most loved performance, but her acting improved so much in these last couple.

Zoe next saying she sang really beautifully, very high, very sweet, just like Maria. It's a sweet moment, she says thank you so thoughtfully. Siobhan at this point will take anything good thrown at her, simple or not.And then dun dun dun, Andrew's turn to finalize everything. Siobhan inwardly laughs as he calls her delightful and delicious and I love it as much as I find it creepy. The camera slowly inches closer to face while she suddenly realizes his praise stops there and the laugh stops. Andrew again repeats that he doesn't think she's ready for the role, that nerves will get to her. I now realize he was right. I commend her for being so brave trying to hold back tears, but at the same time it shows that she wasn't ready for this role. Four years ago I wouldn't have said anything of this. Four years ago I was angry at the result, (which I got to hear over the phone and then watch on youtube hours later) when I thought Siobhan was the best and none of the other contestants mattered that much. But it's taken a lot of re-watching to see the tiniest of details that have shaped my conclusions. Plus, I know these contestants 200% more than I did then, I like them all! Still only love one though ;)

I love the moment where he says "I'm not saying this because I don't think you're great, because you are!" It's poetic Andy! She is great, I'm glad you noticed.

Fast forward through Helena and Connie, they were both good both got great comments blah blah. Then it brings us to another montage in Salzburg where Andrew's final challenge for them was to sing The Hills are Alive in the Hills! I think this was the biggest disappoint for me with Siobhan coming 3rd. I never got to hear her sing this song at any point in the program! I still want to hear her sing this song one day, hopefully the world or whoever is listening will get to hear her sure to be beautiful version.

On to the results and it's intense with more red, orange, and hot pink!! The shot of Siobhan here looking down is one of my favorites. It's so symmetrical and serene, something that start's with S! So after we zoom in on everyone's faces at least three times each Helena's put through and everyone says "OH". This is where I said "bye Siobhan you had a good run!". I think she knew she was going home after her first performance but there's always that question in your mind that says "well what if?" Her thoughts were probably so conflicted with each other. One side probably just wanted her name to be called because she knew she wasn't ready and was so scared. The other part saying I've worked sooo hard for this, I think that I can do this! I know I can! It's a lot of thought in a few seconds but being that nervous makes your mind run a lot faster. The person I don't understand in this part is Connie. Her faces show that she thinks she's actually going home. It's kind of funny actually. At one point right before Graham calls out Siobhan you see Connie's eyes tighten so hard looks like it hurts. She's pleading! Poor girl didn't know she was going to win from the very beginning.

Siobhan's finally called. That's it, she ended up with 3rd. I'll just say she did absolutely brilliantly throughout and out of all 4 of these shows now she still remains my favorite. Definitely goes in the Top 10 of all Andrew's contestants for me. Probably a definite Top 7 as well. She hugs Connie while Connie says "she loves her", I'm doubting that Connie was saying that earlier in the program! But I'm glad they became friends from this. Graham asks her who should win and she preciously says "oh that's horrible I can't do that no, no, you do it!" and laughs again so adorably. She ends up choosing Connie only because they are roomies and they do their little hand signal to each other as only roomies do!

Andrew starts talking about major record deals and than asks her if she's interested in one. She's shocked beyond belief and laughs it off like "why would I ever want that?" It's another funny moment I love her for. That laugh again is so marvelous I can't take it! David and Siobhan say their goodbyes in the only way that they can. And for the first time David speaks true words when he says he hopes to employ her in the theatre one day soon! That soon being 3 years ago as one miss Patty Simcox!

Now here comes Siobhan's true moment to shine and say "look here guys, this is what you're missing!" She really delivers and it's seriously unbelievable! Music starts and she's singing, I notice she's the only one of the goodbyes to actually sing this in character. I like it! She's playing it off like she's one of the kids, well atleast for the first half! She winks to Connie and possibly to Helena as well.

Connie messes up on her goodbye hand signals and it's interesting to watch her stop herself and correct herself in all of 2 seconds. That's a pro right there. But also every time I see it, I can't help but laugh.

"I leave and heave a sigh and say goodbye" I could listen to this all day no joke. The way she sings the "goodbyes" are outstanding! One for the audience, one for the judges, and one for the girls with a wave! The last goodbye is the most beautiful note I've ever heard. It's a great moment in television for me! It's captured pure beauty in every way.

And that's it folks! I've finally finished looking back at the past after all this time. I'm sure I'll talk about Maria again sometime but I won't again to this extent. I hope you enjoyed my rants of nonsense, I hope they made at least a little bit of sense!

In a way to finally say a goodbye I might make one last fan video for Siobhan but I'll just have to pick the perfect song. Until then go have a marathon of maria to have your own celebration! I might even kick back and watch a couple for old times sake:)

End of Eras, New Beginnings

2010-09-06T17:44:00.000-07:00

Apparently promising to be back tomorrow means in 4 days. But that's ok! Well as you should all know by now Siobhan has landed the part of Vivienne in Legally Blonde!! I was so surprised when I found out, (which was a really long time ago) I wasn't expecting any new musical theatre news any time soon. She starts playing the in-the-end-lovable-bitch in October and I can't wait! At first I was surprised to find out she was playing Vivienne but then I remembered maybe her new haircut helped her fit the image more.

Yes I see it.

She's also joining with I'd Do Anything judge and theatre star Denise Van Outen and co-Maria Aoife Mulholland! Yay! My two favorite Marias, reunited again!!! Note to either of them reading this.....pictures please!! Thank you <3

I never got a chance to say goodbye to Grease as I probably should have with a gigantic, epic post but GOODBYE TO GREASE DAYS! You were loads of fun to keep tabs on, and I enjoyed seeing Siobhan grow and evolve on stage from Patty to Sandy. I look back now, and "Patty days" were 3 years ago, where did the time go?

On to Twitter talk, if you haven't noticed I added a tweet feed on the right hand column. She said she's in LA at the moment and then on to New York. Which is only a few hours away from me. That's just plain teasing I think. If only she was playing Blonde on Broadway, I could possibly afford if not make that trip! One day maybe!!

So no other new news I'm afraid as of right now. Maybe we'll hear something of the album on myspace soon ,and definitely next month should be buzzing with reviews and pics (hopefully!). This time last year was Cabaret and you all know how exciting I found her in that role. Which I hope she gets a chance to play again in the future, 3 months wasn't enough for me! I'm hoping Blonde excites me just as much!

If I'm missing something important on the news side please just email me, I feel like I'm missing a detail.

P.S. Leanne Dobinson just liked my status on Facebook. It made my day.

Happy Birthday to Siobhan!!

2010-09-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

A Happy 26th to the theatre star! The day snuck up on me! I usually like to spend the day geeking out to Maria songs and re-watching performances. I didn't even have time to make a slightly cool graphic! I had to move house once again, back for another year at University. Should be interesting!

Well I hope I have more time to update more often now that I'm back at school. I probably said the same thing about being home for the summer. Oh well, I've known for a long time I'm terrible at updating this but I'm trying my best!

According to twitter she's in LA right now ....or New York. Well anyways I bet she celebrated her day in style! I hope she had a nice time, maybe we'll see photos of her travels to the states!

I'll be back tomorrow with the big news everyone should already know about but I'm falling asleep as a type! Have a good night:))

Final Week!

2010-07-17T21:43:00.001-07:00

This is Siobhan's final week as Sandy in Grease! If you haven't seen her yet try to get tickets! This must be kind of an end of an era for her because she started her Grease career back in 2007 playing Patty, Marty, and Sandy. Now three years later she's handing back the cat suit! Maybe it's sentimental? Hope so because I'd love to see some pictures of her final night even if it's just a couple! Just want to see some memories snapped!

I'm afraid I'm going to miss her final night since I'll be away from internet access for the next week. Of course it has to be this week!! Hopefully so good doers will/can help me out! :)

Good luck Siobhan!! Give them a show to remember!

PS: Congrats to Lauren from 'Over the Rainbow' who will be taking over the role of Sandy after Siobhan next week! I already know she'll be fab! xx

Pics from West End Live!

2010-06-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

There's just a few! The rest are on the flickr account which you can view here! Thanks very much to Hilary JW and f1roro for the pictures! It's very much appreciated! If anyone finds any more pictures from the event, feel free to email me!

West End Live Flickr

More from West End Live!

2010-06-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Leicester Square TV we've got higher quality versions of Grease's performance at West End Live! It's great to see it right up close! I'm sure it's a better experience to actually have been there, but this is good too!

Part 1

Part 2

The patty cake high fives gave me this huge grin on my face. Why so adorable Grease?

Performance at West End Live!

2010-06-19T23:50:00.000-07:00

Hopefully we will have more on this event later on but for now enjoy the recorded performance on youtube! Not bad quality either!

Awesome as usual!! Looks like a fun event! Wish I could've gone!!

CSWY Songs!!

2010-06-18T23:03:00.001-07:00

I updated the youtube account with some old vids, some new vids, and two new songs!!! There's an mp3 of Can't Smile Without You and Somewhere Down the Road and both are just outstanding. Her voice sounds so powerful! I also thought she sounded different in general but then I remembered she has an American accent in this musical, so that's why! hah! I'm so happy I have a good quality version of CSWY!! I didn't think I'd ever hear of it again!

In other news, Siobhan tweeted she's going to be on frenchmusic radio on Sunday at 11am. singing Hopelessly Devoted to You in Acapella. Never heard of Frenchmusic radio before, I might miss this one out. Oh well, I'm still so excited about the CSWY songs!!!

West End Live!!!

2010-06-18T20:15:00.001-07:00

Siobhan and the Grease cast will be performing at the event in Leicester Square at 1:30 PM. If you can make it down there, you should definitely check it out! No doubt there might be videos that surface of the performance! Well let's pray there will be!!

Outtakes and Interview!

2010-06-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Now we know where that luscious photo shoot came from! Siobhan is on the MOT Models website and there are a few new photos that haven't been seen before. The outtake above I really love, I want it on the front page all the time!

Check out the rest here:

MOT Models

Broadway World recently posted a mini biography of Siobhan. Usually I wouldn't care if it was just another biography but this one mentioned some interesting stuff. Her quote on her memory of the Maria show sounds like it was definitely a tough experience but if she was asked to do it again I'm sure she'd do it.

"The overall scale and grandeur of the experience. The masses that auditioned, right through to the millions that watched us. That feeling of sink or swim will always override every lasting feeling. The sense of unity between us will stay with me forever…although some girls tried to isolate themselves, it was never for too long!"

I do think HDYSAPLM was the most tense of the shows. The Marias got along well but the Nancys and Dorothies just came across as a big group of friends. The Marias just had a bit more drama. But what do I know? I wasn't there!

"I learnt a huge amount in a very short space of time, and a lot of information was thrown at us from all angles! For every song there would be intensive lessons dissecting each piece: breaking the song down into dialogue by stripping away the music, building different skills and using different singing techniques and starting from basic movement with the dance part. We had such a short preparation time for each number, we had to learn quickly how to control our nerves and be ready for any question thrown at us on live TV with millions of viewers! As well as be able to deal with any mistake or technical hitch that cropped up!"

That's a great description of everything that goes on on the show. I thought about all that goes down behind the scenes and always wondered if the questions they're asked by Graham were pre-known or if they just had to be ready for anything asked about them. With the way the girls/guys handle themselves I always thought it was the former!

"Learn everything you can. In my experience in Musical Theatre, being a competent singer is a very strong tool. That, and having a good understanding of movement and acting, obviously. It sounds straightforward, but you really do need to have these things covered. Being outstanding at all three is almost impossible, but a solid understanding is important. And experience. Even if it's in a local youth Theatre or operatics society, it all helps!"

That's good advice! I'm just hoping she's not referring to herself as a competent singer! Haha

Broadway World

100th Post!

2010-06-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is my 100th post! Only took a couple years! Hah! How shall we celebrate this? Oh yes, a lovely new headshot! It's so captivating! Siobhan also made the list of the Top 10 Hottest Woman in the West End. ............That's as much a surprise as saying you need to be able to sing to be in a musical.

I'm glad Ruthie, Aoife, and Kerry also make the list, I love them! It's funny how I know almost all of these ladies in the West End but if you asked me to name someone on Broadway I wouldn't have a clue! I guess I just find the West End more talented, or at least more interesting.

WEST END LADIES

On another note, Siobhan finishes her Grease run on July 24th. So if you haven't gone to see her yet, you've got just over a month to get your butt over there!

Tweet of the Week

2010-05-22T19:20:00.001-07:00

Siobhan had a bit of a fumble on stage but glad she's okay. Sounds like a godawful bruise though! Eeeek! Almost want to see a picture of it!

On a side note, Over The Rainbow finished tonight and I was glad to have my favorite in the final once again!! (Last time that happened was..well guess who!!) Here she is

I thought Sophie was absolutely brilliant in the final! Actually made me tear up a bit. She did so well and I'm just really, really proud of her! Just wishing her all the best for the future and I know she'll go far, she's just that good!! Go Sophie!

More From Grease!

2010-05-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

There's a few more productions photos of Siobhan in Grease. Also the Grease youtube page released mini clips from the show and a trailer featuring Siobhan.

Grease Promotional Pics

2010-04-26T13:35:00.001-07:00

Haha Pants!! I don't hear that enough. Sounds like it wasn't her night ahh well here's some pictures of the production when it is!

Also an extra pic of when Siobhan guest starred with Noel Sullivan on Elaine Paige's radio show. Sorry for the hiatus, schoolwork mixed with Andrew Lloyd Webber's new reality show keeps me lazy and occupied!! Be back soon!

Preview to Songbird!!!

2010-04-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

Guess what's here?? That's right!!! Listen to it right now, it's b-e-a-utiful!!!

WE Story Siobhan Clips!

2010-04-05T19:17:00.000-07:00

If you missed West End Story that premiered earlier today or don't live in the UK and want to see it, it's available under name MissAVuk.

Siobhan's segment was in Part 5 and 6 and of course she was lovely as always. We get a short clip of her singing Songbird in the studio! Sounds good to me!! Check it out!

Her segment starts around 6:30! Enjoy!

West End Story! and Happy Easter!!

2010-04-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow BBC1 will feature West End Story: What Nancy, Joseph, and Maria Did Next! You'll get to see what the winners have been up to and the other contestants after all this time!! Or should I say since the Christmas special back in 2007.

Siobhan has confirmed on twitter that she will be in it!! Also gives us a Happy Easter!

So make sure you check it out! I'm hoping I'll be able to see in on youtube, unfortunately I'll be in classes when it's on! (unfair!)

West End premieres on BBC1

Monday April 5th

4:10 - 5:10p.m.

SOURCE

Performance of Amazing

2010-03-25T13:55:00.001-07:00

The One Song Foundation has added Siobhan's performance of her first single 'Amazing'. Her singing is absolutely stellar! At first I thought it was just the track dubbed over the the video but later in the video I realized it really was her singing live. That goes to show just how good she sounds live!

Have a watch!

Message from Siobhan!

2010-03-13T10:16:00.001-08:00

Hey Guys and Girls... Thank you so much for all your support, I really do appreciate it. I have been working very very hard over the last few months on my album and obviously in the West End too! One of the things that really keep me motivated is that you guys are so supportive. In emails, msg's and in letters I receive at the theatre... Every thought makes me smile and it's just fantastic to hear all your thoughts and comments... These songs you're hearing on my Myspace page are maybe going on the album... They're work in progress and I want to get as many people's comments as possible either on the page itself or Facebook as I know most of you contact me through that. Add me as your friend and tell me which one's your favourite!!!!!

Thanks again everyone! xxxxxxxxxxxx

Siobhan x

Here's her official myspace page you can listen to her new songs and show your support by commenting on what you think!

Official Myspace Page

Also if you want to join Siobhan's mailing list to get updates right away on her album just go to her Reverbnation page here:

Reverbnation

Become a fan while your at it to show your support!! :)

Twitpics!

2010-03-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

Cool transformation yeah? That's some fringe too! Woah! If you're not already following Siobhan on twitter you should do so like right now.

SIOBHANDILLONUK

A new youtube account!

2010-03-07T20:33:00.001-08:00

I finally made a youtube account just for Siobhan videos! Been thinking about it for awhile to get my act together and update this site, I thought a youtube account would be a good start! I uploaded the Cabaret trailer and photoshoot, the Children in Need performance, the One Song Foundation kickoff video, and Siobhan's interview with Elaine Paige on BBC Radio.

I'll update soon with some more stuff later! Stay tuned!

SiobhanDillonBlog Youtube Account

More Pics from the One Song Foundation

2010-03-06T18:49:00.000-08:00

Just some stuff I've never posted! I know there's a lot of stuff I've forgotten to post over the months (don't kill me!)

4 New Songs!! Including 'Amazing'!

2010-03-05T12:43:00.001-08:00

Siobhan posted on facebook yesterday her new myspace which includes a few songs from her album! The songs include her first single 'Amazing', a cover of Bird York's 'In the Deep', and two new songs 'It Hurts' and 'Burnt'. Go check out the songs now here!

SiobhanDillonLive

I love all the songs!! I like 'Amazing' a lot more now hearing more than just the chorus. Or maybe it was just being able to hear the entire song this time! Haha "In the Deep" is one of my favorite songs soooo hearing Siobhan sing it, well you know! Ahhh she sang it so beautifully, just as beautiful as the original! I wouldn't want that song changed too much so I was really happy with it. 'It Hurts' was great too, reminding me of Shania Twain a bit! 'Burnt' was my favorite though. Not sure what it is about it that makes it stand out from the others. All I can say is it's a new sound? It's refreshing, I've never heard anything like it before. It's beautiful and really touching. She's also gets to show off her voice a bit which is always a good bonus!

Sorry I haven't posted Siobhan on Radio 2 yet or when she appeared on ITV Breakfast, will do soon!

Touchbase Interview

2010-02-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Touchbase magazine did a piece on Siobhan recently as one of their "local success stories". They discussed how she came to audition for Maria and the opportunities that opened up after the show. What it was like to work with Eliot Kennedy on her debut album which she's hoping to release the first single this summer. I'm guessing the first single is 'Amazing' from the OneSong Foundation. If your not interested in the reading, the new photoshoot looks fantastic! It looks like it's from the same shoot as the picture I posted a couple weeks ago. I hope bigger versions of these pictures surface at some point!

I took screencaps for anyone who wants to read the interview or you can visit the link posted at the bottom. When I took the caps I didn't realize how you will have to keep switching back and forth if you want to read it in order. So bear with me!

My favorite bit was her comparing other artists to her sounds and what the album is made up of, it sounds like great variety! I love Tori Amos!

"My influences are everything from Karen Carpenter through to Tori Amos. A lot of it is quite theatrical. There will always be strings and a big grand piano involved. Hopefully we're looking at the summer for the release of the first single."

Beautiful photos! The Cabaret one is especially stunning:) And they credited the blog while they were at it! That's amazing, now I feel even more pressure to update more! Hah

For a full look at the interview check out their site here:

A STAR IS BORN

Later tonight I'll be posting the radio interview Siobhan did with Elaine Paige this past Sunday. In it she sang Hopelessly Devoted To You which I'll post as well. It was brilliant of course can't wait for you to hear it if you haven't already.

P.S. Siobhan performed with the Grease cast last Friday on ITV Breakfast. If anyone knows where I can find this performance or they happened to record it, I would be forever grateful if you could share it with us, thank you! xx

EDIT: Sorry if the interview caps are kind of small, the blog makes them a certain size these days and I'm not tech savy enough to fix it! I recommend just going to the link to read it.

London Theatre Interview

2010-02-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

The London Theatre Guide interviews Siobhan as a newcomer to the West End and someone to look out for. I really like the interview, the answers are really detailed and a lot of that stuff I didn't know before. Check it out!

Here's a snippet:

Are you glad you did How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Of course. If I hadn’t have done that I wouldn’t be here now. There’s not one regret about anything, about how I was portrayed, about anything I was asked to do. It was just loads of fun. I didn’t feel any pressure because I was already in a degree, so it wasn’t the be all and end all, and I think it was because of that that I really enjoyed myself and made the most of it. But there are a couple of things I would have done very differently if I’d gone back to do it now. I would have actually practised for the Saturday night live show! I would have perhaps looked into singing things differently. I hadn’t done any of the acting or anything like that, so I didn’t really know how to act the song. But I’ve had lessons since then, private tuition in acting and dancing.

INTRODUCING

The picture above Siobhan posted on twitter, it's a preview to her latest photo-shoot. Looks pretty badass! I love it! Actually when I first saw it first thing that popped into my head was OMG Kristen Stewart! And on that note, I'm off!

Premiere with the New Cast!

2010-01-25T11:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the night Siobhan stars in Grease with an all new cast at the Piccadilly Theatre. She's playing opposite the new Danny, Noel Sullivan. This must be a real "pat on the back" moment for her; she's worked all this way to become a lead in a West End musical and here she finally is!

Above is a shot of outside the theatre displaying the cast photos and a giant poster of Siobhan! Oooo when will these photos be available? lol

All the best Siobhan! Bring the house down with those stellar vocals!!

Legally Blonde Gala Night!

2010-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:00

A few pictures of Siobhan at the Legally Blonde premiere, doesn't she look lovely?

Beginning of Grease Times!

2010-01-14T19:04:00.000-08:00

Siobhan debuted as Sandy tonight in the West End of Grease!! Everyone thought she would be starting January 25th but looks like she wanted an early start! It sounded like it went very well, only good things to come I hope!

Also, last night Siobhan attended The Legally Blonde Gala and was all praise for it. Saying the show's brilliant, Susan Mcfadden kicks butt and fellow Maria Aoife is ~amazing~! I'll have some pictures up tomorrow! Stay tuned!

2009 Tribute Video

2010-01-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

I'm a few days late making this an actual 2009 video but because of my lateness I'll be making another short video tomorrow for 2x the fun!!

I started using a new editing program so I'm not use to it yet (maybe you won't notice the yuckiness!)

Enjoy!

Back to the Grease Lightning days!!!

2009-12-17T15:58:00.000-08:00

A wop ba-ba lu mop, a wop bam boom!!

Yep yep, Siobhan's heading back to Grease! This time as Sandy! In 2007, she made her West End debut as Patty Simcox and now she's returning as her first leading lady on the West End. She'll be returning on January 25th, in just over a month it's going to come quickly!

Maybe I'll be able to see her in this? It would have to be during the summer though, well fingers crossed!!

WHATSONSTAGE

One Song Foundation Kick Off!

2009-12-17T13:44:00.000-08:00

Seemed like the night went fantastic by the look and sound of it!! Siobhan kicked off the night with her song 'Amazing' and there's a video of her singing bits and pieces of it here:

One Song

She looked amazing as well! Love this capture!

Everything seems promising from here on out, let's hope we hear more album news soon!

In Sheffield Tonight!

2009-12-16T09:46:00.001-08:00

There's a charity concert being held right at this moment at Sheffield City Hall and Siobhan's present! Comedy genius Peter Kay is hosting his pal singer-songwriter Eliot Kennedy's concert for the night.

"The show will also feature star guests joining Eliot to sing the songs he's written for them - including members of pop chart-toppers SClub, Simon Webb from Blue, Fame Academy's Alistair Griffin, Kavana, Kenny Thomas, Scott and Abz from Five, and Lord Webber's How To Solve A Problem Like Maria finalist, Siobhan Dillon.

Siobhan, who has recorded her debut album at Eliot's city centre Steelworks Studios, will perform debut single, Amazing – which doubles as the anthem of his new One Song Foundation, which will be officially launched on the night."

The Star

And as of Siobhan's tweets it sounds like a big moment for her!

I'm sure she's doing "Amazing!" (haha it's too easy)

And if the BBC are filming it, can I watch it? Please!!!

Inside the Singer's Studio!

2009-12-14T19:51:00.001-08:00

A picture Siobhan posted on twitter of 'one of her song's in the making'! Looks like the song's got many layers to it! (ha-ha!) The sound equipment looks all terribly exciting and complicated, I can't wait for this album!

I've been thoroughly enjoying your tweets Siobhan, very funny! Keep posting!

P.S We've finally reached 10,000 hits everybody! (finally!........mostly my fault for only posting once a year!)

Some old stuff

2009-12-12T11:27:00.000-08:00

Been a bit busy with school lately haven't had time to post all these lovely reviews and such! Finally I have a day where I can sit down and blog.

Back in October, the the New Wimbledon Theatre review (i know, long time ago!)

"In one of the great female roles in musical theatre, Siobhan Dillon gives a crowd-pleasing performance as Sally, showing off a fine singing voice, just the right side of the stridency that would be misplaced in so vulnerable a woman as Fraulein Bowles. At just 25 years old, we can expect Ms Dillon to grow into the spoken timing this blackest of comedy demands, but she's not quite there yet."

New Wimbledon

The Press review from York (this time being from November)

"Still on the rise from finishing “second runner-up” in the BBC’s talent-spotting How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Dillon sings with drama, sensuality and passion and moves alluringly and although she could have more of a Mayfair air, she nevertheless captures the essence of her flighty, headstrong interpretation of a prickly English rose."

The Press

Another York review (like this one!)

"Bowles is expertly played by Siobhan Dillon, the second runner up from the BBC programme 'How do you solve a problem like Maria'. Her understanding of the character added an incredible complexity and emotion to her performance, stealing the show and lifting triumphantly the sombre tone of the story."

The Yorker

A Bristol review (I agree with one part of this!)

"Siobhan Dillon, best known as runner up in the BBC’s Maria series, was an outlandish and effervescent Sally Bowles. Unfortunately she didn’t really capture the fragilities and humanity of the character but her voice was pitch perfect, nonetheless."

Bristol 24-7

Guide 2's review of Bristol

"But then there is Dillon, who is so exquisite and has such an extraordinary voice it seems utter nonsense that her character would be the victim of a string of both sexual and professional rejections by Bradshaw and Wayne Sleep’s scene-stealing Emcee."

Guide 2

Gazette and Herald

"Siobhan Dillon has a versatile and powerful voice, that's never in question, but her take on Sally Bowles’ is rather more screechy housewife than sophisticated socialite"

Gazette and Herald

Siobhan on Twitter!

2009-12-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

Yep it's official! You can find her under siobhandillonuk. She'll be posting news and photos from the recording studio, West End rehearsals, and some personal pics! Her tweets already are pretty amusing! Filled with the classic Home Alone and cheesecakes!

She already said she'll be in the studio today, so I'm sure we'll be getting more news soon!

If you're not on twitter yet, you have a great reason to get one now!

Review of Final Night!

2009-11-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

Thank you very much from one of the fans Bill, who in detail wrote his experience of seeing Cabaret this past year. Fans can look back on this passage to remember these great 3 months Siobhan has had! Thank you again!

As I approached the Bristol Hippodrome on Saturday evening I did so with a real mix of emotions coursing through me. Expectation is often better than realisation, but I have seen this touring presentation of "Cabaret" in 8 different cities over the last year, so I am well aware that, in this case, expectations have always been fully realised.

But this is the final show of a 15 month long tour and I have had so much pleasure from it that I can't help feeling a real tinge of sadness that the final curtain is soon to fall.

Every member of the cast of this great show has been really good, they are seasoned and highly talented professionals who have spared no effort in entertaining audiences all over the country. So I can imagine that when Siobhan Dillon took over the role of Sally Bowles in September she would have done so with trepidation. After all she was relatively inexperienced and this demanding role has been played over many years by a string of the world's most highly talented performers. Comparisons are inevitable and she had little time to rehearse so full marks to Bill Kenwright for backing his confidence that Siobhan could step up and take on this high profile role. A lot of people would have felt that Sally Bowles was a bit of a stretch for a girl who seemed more like Julie Andrews when she narrowly failed to get the part of Maria in the Sound Of Music. I was very disappointed when she didn't win, I thought she was the outstanding contestant and she certainly got my vote.

I first saw Siobhan play Sally Bowles at New Brighton and with her new short dark hair for the role she was quite transformed and she got right into the saucy irresponsible pleasure-seeker that is the teenage English 1930's vamp, Miss Sally Bowles. She performed with a gusto and confidence that was most realistic and her singing was tremendous. I did think there were some areas of performance which needed practice and polishing but I was delighted with the way she had taken on the role. By the time I saw her in Derby she had built up her performance really well and the cast got standing ovations that night. I have commented previously about Siobhan's brilliant performance at Wimbledon where I thought she absolutely nailed this very difficult and demanding role. She did it again in York and here we are,sadly, at the final show.

The Hippodrome is a large 3 tier old theatre and it was pleasing to see that a big audience had assembled for the show. Right from the start they were warm and enthusiastic and their applause was swift and loud for all the cast.

Wayne Sleep has played Emcee with great success at various times over the years and tonight he is pulling out all his many stops and delighting the audience with witty asides and gestures, great entertainment. Every cast member seemed to be giving it their all and the entire performance from them was just brilliant. I have to give special mention to Jenny Logan as Fraulein Schneider and Matt Zimmerman as Herr Schultz, their sincerity, warmth and skill was only matched by the great partnership they have built up in this show,true professional.

And so to Siobhan Dillon in her last performance as Sally Bowles. She acted and sang her heart out and gave everything in a truly memorable performance. Cabaret and Maybe This Time have never been performed better and her audience responded with huge rounds of applause which were richly deserved. There was such passion and emotion from Siobhan and she has a talent and ability that is usually only seen in mature performers, she is quite exceptional for one so young. Her future is surely a bright one indeed.

At the end the audience gave the cast a number of standing ovations before Wayne Sleep made an excellent spoken response on behalf of the cast. By this time the cast, including Siobhan, were in tears and it was a moment and a scenario I will never forget. I felt exhausted too and I was only watching, thank you to them all for a wonderful tour finale.

Oh, and by the way, Expectation became Acclamation on this superb night.

Children in Need

2009-11-29T21:11:00.001-08:00

While Siobhan was on tour in York, she took part in a Children in Need event at York Station to raise money. Fellow costars Wayne Sleep and Henry Luxemburg were also present during the event. Siobhan sang her rendition of "Maybe This Time" outstandingly! I love her pause after "Maybe this time i'll" and her "let's face it" look right after. The moment just feels so real and pure. So does her "win" at the end, it's just so pure! I've said it countless times, her voice is just too beautiful!

Check out the video they have on the website! They have highlights of her performance!!

THE PRESS

Last Night!

2009-11-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

Tonight was Siobhan's last night as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. It must of been an emotional night in Bristol for Siobhan. I've heard she's doing a couple weeks of the show in Dublin but it's not on the official website so I can't say that's a 100% true. I'll take this as being her final night or well at least her final night in England playing Sally.

One of our fans will be reviewing the final night, which I appreciate very much! It's nice to have the final night in writing!

Preview to AMAZING!

2009-11-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

It's been over three years and today we've finally got a preview, and just WOW! Her voice sounds so beautiful recorded!! The song is titled 'Amazing' and it's going to be the first song to kick off the One Song Foundation. The proceeds will go to the fund and will support projects that address sincere issues in the communities.

One Song Foundation

Check out the preview by clicking on the world off to the right hand side. I've listened to it at least 20 times already, I'm soooo excited to get it, I can't wait!! I can't even try to describe how much I need Siobhan on my ipod, it's ridiculous!!

This is the final week of Cabaret for Siobhan, plenty more updates to come this week!!

Worcester News Review

2009-11-24T21:53:00.000-08:00

Another review of praise for Siobhan as well for the rest of the cast!

"Siobhan Dillon, who starred in the BBC series How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria, was an exasperating but irresistible Sally; an oddball English girl whose self destructive streak was barely hidden behind her showgirl confidence."

Worcester News

‘Maria was my stepping stone’

2009-11-24T19:04:00.000-08:00

As Cabaret comes to York, Steve Pratt speaks to leading actress Siobhan Dillon, whose

career has seen her swap a dirndl for suspenders.

‘IF I said I didn’t like it, I’d be lying,” says Siobhan Dillon when mention is made of her

sexily scanty costumes in the stage musical Cabaret.

“The majority of them are very skimpy, but it’s quite a liberating feeling going on stage in

stockings and suspenders,”she says.

Perhaps the name Siobhan Dillon doesn’t ring a bell, but you might remember her if I tell

you she was one of the Marias in the BBC-TV talent show to cast the leading role in a

revival of The Sound Of Music.

She didn’t win but, in common with several other unsuccessful Marias, has had her stage

career boosted by the exposure that a hit Saturday night TV show can bring a performer.

She’s appeared on the West End stage in the musical Grease and toured, to Darlington

among other places, in the Barry Manilow musical Can’t Smile Without You.

Now she’s doing three months on tour in Cabaret, opposite Wayne Sleep as the Emcee.

She readily admits that she’s not the first person most people would think of when casting

the role of Sally, whose raunchy look couldn’t be more different to the nun’s habit of

Maria in The Sound Of Music. Liza Minnelli, I don’t need to remind anyone, played the

part in the film of Cabaret and won an Oscar for her efforts.

“It’s just so unlike any part I’ve done before and really is so complex,”

says Dillon. “Strangely, I’m loving every second of it and hopefully have made the part my own.”

“The songs really made it a challenge for me because they’re not what I would normally

sing. The style of singing is streets away from my solo album, but I love a challenge,”

she explains.

Can it really be three years since How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well it is, and

a string of stage roles means her debut album has been pushed on to the back burner

several times. “Whenever somebody says, ‘would you like to audition for this?’, the album

gets put on hold for three months,” she says.

Cabaret, which brings her to York Grand Opera House this month, is only on the road a

short time, but Siobhan is not sure she’d want to tour again. “You’re living out of a

suitcase and I’m a bit of a home girl and like being in my own bed. I find it emotionally

not very constructive to be away,” she says.

She quit her fashion school course to take part in the Maria contest when she was 21,

only making the final ten after one of the finalists dropped out at the last minute. It

earned her the nickname Second Chance Maria.

She has no regrets about entering – “not in a million years” – even though she didn’t win,

coming third.

“It gave me a platform to be able to do what I’m doing now. And I’m glad I’m not

typecast, doing everything from Grease to Cabaret and no one bats an eyelid.

“I loved every second of that programme.

It gave me exposure and the facility to meet different people in the industry. You can’t

buy that, just knowing all those people, casting directors and directors who’ve seen me on

the show. The name is enough to get me into the audition room.”

Link Here:

Northern Echo

Half and Half

2009-11-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

A bit of praise and a bit of criticism in these next couple reviews, nothing too disheartening though. I see more praise in both of them.

From Broadwayworld:

BroadwayWorld

From IndieLondon:

"Siobhan Dillon almost gets away with Sally Bowles and, in fact, succeeded in showing her vulnerability better than her brashness. I felt she was a little insecure in the role as her performance improved noticeably as the evening matured and I think Bowles is in her if only she would let her out."

IndieLondon

Looks like this is the last month for Siobhan in Cabaret, her last date is November, 28th in Bristol. Then I believe from I've heard she'll be performing in Dublin for a couple weeks! So book tickets soon!

Trailer of Cabaret!

2009-10-21T16:52:00.001-07:00

The official uploaded another video of the production onto youtube today, check it out looks pretty brilliant!

Uk Cabaret Trailer

Her eye-makeup kinda creeps me out in one part, not that that has any importance! But gosh!! The Cabaret scene looks likes she's giving it more than her all!!

Siobhan's Doing a Workshop!

2009-10-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

That's right, Siobhan's doing a workshop for musical theatre with low and behold her Maria pal Leanne Dobinson! Oh it's a Maria reunion! Love it!

She'll be doing West End Workshops on Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th at the Performing Arts Center, Esher High School.

"Your session starts with a warm up, then a West End tutor will teach you a famous number from a West End show. There is an opportunity to invite your family to see your ‘star’ performance, followed by a question and answer session."

Sounds pretty exciting to me, if any of you are interested here's the link

West End Workshops

A couple other bits for you...

A review from Gay Community News

"At the beginning of the show, Sally gets fired from the Kit Kat Club, which means that she and Emcee never get to sing together, as they did in the movie. This is a big pity, since the powerhouse vocals of Siobhan Dillon are the glue that hold this production together and pairing her with Sleep would have provided her with much-needed comic relief."

"Her three recognisable numbers, 'Mein Herr', 'Maybe This Time' and 'Cabaret' are showstoppers in the best traditional sense of the word, the first coreographed in constant motion on a moving staircase, making good use of the talented, buffed-up chorus. Dillon plays Sally as a woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown at all times, a desperate, frenetic thing who never stops moving and wants to be anywhere but where she is. She's heading into a life of obscurity as Clifford's wife and mother of his child, rather than that of a star, which is where her heart defiantly is."

"Sally sings 'Cabaret' just before heading off to have an abortion, effectively putting an end to her affair with Clifford, and Dillon's brilliant delivery veres from a heartbreaking, broken and frightened wail to a bold, sassy statement of empowerment in the face of dark forces. She certainly makes the part her own; Liza doesn't get a look-in with this Sally."

GCN

And one from the California Chronicle

"If Siobhan Dillon's Sally Bowles lacks Liza Minelli's sardonic edge, she more than makes up for it with her powerful singing voice, no more so than in Maybe This Time."

California Chronicle

More Reviews!

2009-10-11T14:09:00.000-07:00

Just a bunch of little bits for you, all positive about the show, the actors, and the sets. Love the bits when they mention Siobhan though, soooo.....

"She sings well and looks suitably fragile, bright and innocent (although naughty on the Kit Kat stage)"

Liverpool Daily

"Andrew Lloyd Webber prodigy Siobhan Dillon plays the English teenager, showing a flirtatious, innocent and delirious nature within Sally."

"Dillon shines as Sally when singing Kander and Ebb’s title song or iconic ‘Mein Herr’, whilst surrounded by her semi-naked cabaret girls and boys, whose choreographed moves by Javier De Frutos are outstanding from number to number."

What's on Stage

My favorite bit, I completely agree with it!

"Dillion oozes sexiness and has a very powerful voice"

"If there is one reason to see this production then it has to be for Siobhan Dillon who is sensational as she belts tunes with real feeling and emotion, a performance that is so mesmorising it draws you in."

Public Reviews

Pic from Birmingham Artfest!

2009-10-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Picture was taken by Tim Ellis. I just love the moment he captured, absolutely stunning!

A Gem!

2009-09-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Just a little mention in Burton Mail

"Dillon has recently taken over the role of Bowles and proves to be a gem among the stellar cast"

Burton Mail

Just a few piccies for the night! Stay tuned for more!

New Cabaret Video

2009-09-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Bill Kenwright's Official Cabaret website has updated with a new video interview of Siobhan getting ready for a promotional photoshoot! It's great to see her on camera again, last time that happened was the Christmas special from 2007? Where the time went I have no idea!

New Video

Will have screencaptures up soon!

Also above is a fan photo from Rachel with Siobhan after a night of Cabaret.

NEW Cabaret Pictures!!

2009-09-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Bill Kenwright's official website for Cabaret has updated with new pictures and a new video of Siobhan! Both are brilliant to see, wish the pics were a bit bigger but hey, not complaining! Will have the video up in a bit, for now just check out these great shots!!

4, 6, and 10 are pretty fierce! Love the craze in her eyes in 8 and 9 tears my heart apart!

Blurb from Sunday Mercury

2009-09-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Just a mention from Sunday Mercury for Cabaret. Everything positive, with a comment that needs to be highlighted for it's brilliance!

BOTTOMS up!
It’s 1930s Berlin – and the city folk are having a ball.

Hyper-inflation following Germany’s defeat in World War I has rendered their savings worthless, so they just want to spend, spend, spend.

The Weimar Republic has abolished all censorship so there’s no closing hours, and you can say and print what you like.
All sense of morality has gone out the window.

And everyone is hell-bent on seizing the day by revelling in the wealth of cabaret bars, revue bars and experimental theatre that has sprung up.

The Rep’s production of the celebrated musical Cabaret re-enacts the spirit of these times with relish.
It’s a fast and furious show, with a teasing touch of saucy humour.

The scantily-clad cast reels around the stage in stockings and suspenders, or just flash their bare bottoms, in several scenes while dancing and singing is played out.

Wayne Sleep shows off his fancy footwork and versatility as a dancer – despite his elder years (he’s 61) – and engages wonderfully with the audience who are delighted to welcome his banter.

Lichfield lass, and former star of TV talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, Siobhan Dillon proves a striking, yet vulnerable, Sally Bowles.

Her performance was powerful. And her hair, not a central part of the show, so shiny.

It’s a shame the evil Nazis had to break up the party. The show provides a stark reminder of the horrid fate that befell the heady Berliners.

Can't help but laugh out loud on that one! Link below:

Saving the World with Hot Pants!

2009-09-18T13:25:00.000-07:00

Sep 18 2009

Catherine Jones, Liverpool Echo

WHILE the New Seekers wanted to teach the world to sing, Siobhan Dillon wants to save it – one song at a time.

It’s an ambition the 25-year-old hopes to achieve through a new charity she’s setting up with record producer friend Eliot Kennedy.

But in the meantime, the How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? finalist is on tour bringing a taste of seedy 1930s Berlin to UK audiences as saucy Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

Fishnets and basques are a long way from Maria von Trapp, but then Siobhan has come a long way since the 2006 TV competition.

First was a stint in Grease, and last year she toured with Chesney Hawkes in Can’t Smile Without You. Now it’s Ebb and Kander’s Cabaret.

“I’d never done Cabaret before so I had to learn it from scratch,” she admits.

“It means I don’t have any preconceived ideas of how it should be done. I saw the show in the West End a couple of years ago but I didn’t really remember how they did it.

“I learned the script and songs in a week and they set and choreographed it in a week. I think I was in denial for the majority of it!”

Of course, rather like Julie Andrews and The Sound of Music, Cabaret will always be inextricably linked with Liza Minelli.

“I saw the film a few years ago, it’s one of my mum’s favourites, and you get mesmerised by Liza Minelli and can’t help but watch her body language and the way she moves around the stage,” says Siobhan.

“She’s awesome, iconic.

“But people say to me you have to remember that to give the role life and energy you have to live it through yourself. It has a facet of Siobhan as well.”

Surprisingly, it was the rather risque costume which helped her find her inner Sally.

“The first day I put it on, I walked across the stage when all the cast were there and they were cheering me on,” she smiles.

“It’s a little pair of hotpants and a bra top.

“I thought I’d feel self-conscious, but by the time I got into character I was strutting around. I was in a Sally Bowles frame of mind!”

Siobhan was co-writing songs for a new album when Bill Kenwright asked if she’d like to audition for Cabaret.

“I’ve always been a bit of a melody queen,” she reveals. “I’ve always got ideas about melodies and harmonies and musical bits and pieces.

“Now I’m really getting into it, I could write a song with music and lyrics alone if I had to. My producer has given me that confidence.

“If I did write a musical it would be along the lines of Moulin Rouge. It’s incredible, I love it.”

Then there’s the idea of using music to raise money for good causes.

“Eliot kept saying what can we do that can help change the world?” she says. “You know, those half-drunk conversations! And this is a fantastic opportunity for charity, not just in the UK but worldwide.

“The idea is artists will donate a song to the charity and you become a shareholder when you buy the song online.

“Then you can vote for the charity you think is the most in need and the one with the most votes gets a donation. It’s called Save The World One Song At A Time.”

It’s a happy thought.

Cabaret comes to the New Brighton Floral Pavilion from October 5-10.

.......

Above is a picture of Siobhan and Fran at the Birmingham Arts Festival.

Liverpool Echo

New Leicestershire Interview

2009-09-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

I like the title! Siobhan Queen of anything is Ok! in my book! Interesting interview, I loved when she said she drove her classmates crazy from her singing. That's just fun to imagine!

Link below:

Leicestershire

Certainly a Pleasure!

2009-09-12T09:39:00.001-07:00

A new gorgeous picture and a quick review for today. This time from the Reviews Gate.

"With Siobhan Dillon, as the legendary Sally Bowles, the naïve, self-obsessed, but ultimately tragic heroine, emphatically proving that while a great singing voice is not an absolute necessity for the role it is certainly a pleasure to listen to, particularly in the poignant and haunting Maybe This Time, and the signature number Cabaret."

Reviews Gate

Hopefully sometime soon we'll get some more production photos!

Reviews!

2009-09-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

A couple more reviews have surfaced, one from the Birmingham Post and the other The Stirrer.

I loved what The Stirrer had to say just have to paste it here:

"Lichfield born Siobhan Dillon proudly plays Sally – and How she’s risen to the challenge. Finishing third in the BBC’s ‘How do you solve a problem like Maria’,she now expresses passion and feeling when singing ‘Maybe this Time’ while in the show stopping title number ‘Cabaret’ the applause was loud, long and well deserved. (Most definitely a leading lady of the future she can surely see a very bright future on the road that has already seen her appearing in the West End production of ‘Grease’)"

Here's the links:

Birmingham Post

The Stirrer

Love that picture too!!! Why am I not seeing this???

Reviews from the Fans!

2009-09-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

There are a couple mentions of Siobhan I found online, both are of praise! And one review from one of Siobhan's biggest fans Fran from the blog (hope she doesn't mind me posting it!)

"I saw Cabaret this evening and was shocked by how good Siobhan Dillon was. I didn't watch 'Maria' but had heard negative things despite her high placing. She was the best thing about the show"

A little blurb from the hearing aid blogspot

"The stars of the show, a gloriously camp emcee in the shape of Wayne Sleep and runner up Maria (from that ‘How Do You Make Another Million for Lloyd Webber’ programme) Siobhan Dillon were spot on. Siobhan’s voice and acting in particular were first rate, neatly avoiding the musical clichés that so many actors and actresses fall into (over emphasising words, giving it jazz hands all the bloody time, acting rather than living the part…)."

Exactly why I like her she stays away from the cliches! Never knew what exactly it was that I liked about her acting and what I found different from others, but that's it!

Finally a write up from Fran! Thanks Fran:))

Hey!....

I'm back from windy and slightly rainy Birmingham!....
I decided to do the double yesterday and think I may just go and see the show a couple of other times too, just for quality control purposes!....
Well what can I say?.... Well I spotted Anna and Georgina outside the theatre before I'd even gone in to pick up my ticket!....
Anyways I had a nice ticket on the front row right slap bang in the middle!....
So um I'm rather looking forward to the show starting as the last time I saw Siobhan was on the last night of Can't Smile 9 months ago....
Well curtain up!.... The first we see of Siobhan is her flashing past on a ladder screaming!.... Dressed in stockings, suspenders, a pair of pink frilly knickers and a black bra!....
Hmmm ok.... where do we go from there?....
As I'm sure most of you will know Cabaret is a bit of a racy musical, although not as full of nudity as the recent London production.... They seemed to have made this version a little tamer....
The majority of Siobhan's work as Sally is in the first act, she has the numbers "Don't tell Mama", "Mein Herr", "Perfectly Marvelous" and "Maybe This Time" .... She totally nailed all of the songs and although Maybe This Time reminds me of Abi her performance made me grin from ear to ear!.... It was great!....
In the second act her big number is Cabaret and it was fab!.... Nailed it!....
Cabaret is also very hard hitting and as I've just come back from Berlin and visited a concentration camp it was quite weird!....
Infact Siobhan was announced in Cabaret the day I came back!.... Odd!....

7.30 show was just as good, they seemed to add something extra into "Two Ladies" but apart from that it was pretty much the same....

I will say that I'm not a great fan of Wayne Sleep as Emcee.... His diction is terrible!.... Most of the time I had no idea what he was saying!.... I did like Jenny Logan, for those of you that remember the shake and vac lady!.... As Fraulein Schneider.... I also enjoyed Matt Zimmerman's performance as Herr Schultz although sometimes you couldn't hear him too well above the orchestra.... I will also say that although Karl Moffatt's German accent was a bit suspect at times he was very good!.... Same goes for Henry Luxemburg's American accent!.... But I did like him in the part....

Anyways out after the show and to the stage door I go!.... There were a couple of people waiting around so I wasn't alone!....

Anyways hanging around by the stage door and out comes Siobhan!....

With SHORT hair!.... Yep folks she's had it all cut off!....

BUT I must say it does quite suit her, although I was like WHAT!!!!?.... I'd convinced myself she was wearing wig!..

Anyways after talking to the other people there she came over and gave me a hug and told me it was nice to see me!.... So after exchanging pleasantries and her asking if I'd enjoyed the show etc etc.... I asked her about the hair.... She had it cut off about two weeks ago!, said she'd tried a couple of wigs but they didn't look right so the hair had to go!....

She told me about being asked to audition for SOM, I told her I'd love to see her do it and I think she would really love the role too!.... BUT as she said she needs to get this album out!.... she said that she has another 4 songs to record and then its done.... She put it on hold for this three months of Cabaret, Siobhan said she really wanted to do it as it is so different and challenging from other theatre she's done.... So the album is still in production just paused while she does this....

Anyways Siobhan had friends waiting for her and I didn't want to keep her so I thanked her for her time and told her I'd see her again on the tour at some point.... She gave me another hug goodbye and that was it!....

I thought she portrayed Sally very very well.... She was a little sultry and moody in some of her songs which I liked, Maybe this Time, Mein Herr and Cabaret were just fabulous!.... and her acting showed all emotions in the right places!.... Her acting has really come along and I really did enjoy her overall performance..... There were also a lot of people around me at both shows that were commenting on how much they were enjoying Siobhan's performance....

If you get the chance, go see her.... This ONLY a 3 month stint!....

Until next time!....

Bits and Bobs!

2009-09-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

It's almost been a week since Siobhan has debuted as Sally Bowles in Birmingham and over the web there have been a few reviews I've scouted out (or should I say have been sent!) So I will have those up for you later on today.

For now there's just a couple pictures to tide you over with!

Here below is a larger version of the Sally Bowles promotional picture.

A couple more pics with Darren from Dancing with the Stars.

And here is a really cool piece of fanart made by Howard Shum. Right away I could tell it was her which makes it even better.

Here's his excerpt "Had it been up to me, I would have chosen Siobhan Dillon to win "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" but alas, the world has yet to succumb and do as I wish. Oh, well, here's her consolation prize, a drawing by me."

Birmingham Article

2009-09-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yep that's the first official picture of Siobhan as Sally Bowles and if I may quote Zoe Tyler she looks "fan-flippin'-tastic!" I can't tell if she's cut her hair or if it's just a wig, but I'll take a good guess and say wig.

The article is pretty read worthy ranging from being bullied at school to having tea time with the Lord himself! Which I find really amusing to imagine.

Check It Out Here!

Break a leg Siobhan!!!

Happy Birthday!

2009-09-01T12:06:00.001-07:00

From the blog, David and I hope Siobhan a wonderful 25th birthday, and hope her next year is filled with surprises, plenty of excitement, and of course lots of music!!!

I look forward to some reviews of her as Sally Bowles in the next few weeks, I'm assuming she's spending today or a better part of it getting prepared for the big day.

Have a great week Siobhan!!

Message from Siobhan!

2009-08-31T05:15:00.000-07:00

Siobhan recently just sent me the low down of what's been going with her in the last few months, check it out!

Ok, So... I was busy recording one of my songs in the studio with my producer Eliot Kennedy when I had a phone call from Bill Kenwright's office asking me if I wanted to audition for Sally in his 3 month UK tour of Cabaret!

I didn't even think about it.... I just said YES and the following week was auditioning!

They offered me the part 2 days after and that's when the fun began!

I took 10 days holiday in the South of France and when I returned I had two weeks of constant work.. learning lines, songs, choreography and subtext of the radically complex characteristics of Sally Bowles!

This job for me has been such a massive learning curve, it's rapidly turning into a spiral of learning curves!! The thought of learning a whole musical in two weeks was daunting but now I'm completely absorbed within this fantastic role and am absolutely loving every second. I couldn't wait to get my teeth into a really meaty acting part and finally, here it is!

This musical is essentially a play with extraordinary dancing and music... Which, I realise, sounds obvious, but I never really understood the meaning behind these iconic songs. They are a continuation of the script and seem to have so much more meaning in context.

A gripping story line, beautiful, haunting, sexy and just plain saucy songs! Amazing choreography from aggressive tap to contemporary ballet, cleverly written dialogue and a wonderful cast!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just hope I do this amazing part justice!

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who often message me on Facebook showing their support and sending love and luck... It's always so great to know people enjoy being a part of what you do...

I will send in little updates when I have news, and let you know how it's all going!.. As for me right now... I'm just resting up before our first night in Birmingham on Wednesday (Day after my Birthday! 25 now! Getting old!)

Bye for now! From a nervous, but very very excited Siobhan! Fingers crossed!!!!!! x

There you have it! I just learned quite a bit from this little email. Eliot Kennedy seems like a pretty cool producer having worked with S Club 7 and Spice Girls. Also, now it's confirmed she'll be in Cabaret for 3 months, not a whole year. Well, let's hope I see her one day!

Thanks Siobhan for giving us an update in musical world! We all really appreciate it!

Life is a Cabaret!

2009-08-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

THE MULTI award-winning production of Cabaret returns to Birmingham Repertory Theatre from Wednesday, September 2 following its sell-out run last year.

Directed by Rufus Norris, the production features a star cast including world-renowned dancer and TV favourite Wayne Sleep as the notorious Emcee and Siobhan Dillon, the hugely popular runner-up from the hit BBC series How Do You Solve A
Problem Like Maria, as Sally Bowles.

Dillon, from Lichfield, entered Andrew Lloyd Webber’s search for a West End star in 2006 and was watched by millions as she made it through to the finals, eventually finishing as a runner up to Connie Fisher.

The 24-year old has since gone on to appear in the West End in Grease and is due to release her debut album this Christmas.

Since its Broadway premiere in 1966 and the famous movie version, with Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, Cabaret has won a staggering number of stage and screen awards including eight Oscars, seven BAFTAs and 13 Tonys.

The sensational double Olivier Award winner and Variety Club Awards Best Musical, turns Weimar Berlin of 1931 into a sassy, sizzling haven of decadence.

And at its heart is the legendary Sally Bowles, who performs nightly at the infamous Kit Kat Klub.

It features show-stopping choreography, dazzling costumes and some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre including Mein Herr, Maybe This Time and of course Cabaret.

Joining Wayne Sleep and Siobhan Dillon in the cast will be Henry Luxemburg as Clifford Bradshaw and Jenny Logan as Fraulein Schneider.

Cabaret runs until Saturday, September 19 with shows at 7.30pm Monday to Friday, 8pm on Saturday, apart from Monday, September 7 when it starts at 7pm.

Matinees at 2pm on Thursdays and at 3pm on Saturdays.

Tickets cost from £12 to £32 and are available by calling 0121 236 4455.

Christmas was my next guess if the album were to be pushed back again. For once it doesn't bother me at all! So much to look forward to in the next few months, and I know what I'll be asking for Christmas!

Anyone going to see Siobhan in Cabaret and would like to share a review just send me an email and I'll post it on the blog. Good or bad.

Siobhan Lands Cabaret!

2009-08-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Siobhan has won the leading role of Sally Bowles in Bill Kenwright's touring production of 'Cabaret'! She will be taking over from the current Sally, 'I'd Do Anything's' runner-up Samantha Barks starting September 2nd onwards.

This will be the second Bill Kenwright production she will be starring in but the first production she will be the lead in. I am very excited for this next step into her career and can't wait to see what she will bring to the table.

Link:

THE REP

Hopefully soon in the next week or so we will see some production photos of Siobhan in character. Now I'm wondering if she's going to cut and die her hair. I'm also wondering if this will push back her album release even further. Hmmmmm....

Anagrams never lie.

2009-07-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

I just finished this book called An Abundance of Katherines and the main character has the skill to anagram anything. So I tried it myself trying out people's names, of course I had to try out Siobhan's name!

Siobhan Dillon - A Blondish Lion

*be right back, dies forever*

The Dancing Maiden

2009-06-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

I don't know this man Darren Gough from Strictly Come Dancing because I don't get that show over here, but he's a very lucky guy if he got to dance with Siobhan.

They seem to be having fun in the picture. Can't tell if he's concentrating on his moves or is transfixed from her Joseph style clothing!

CRICKET'S Strictly Come Dancing winner Darren Gough was bowled over when this TV beauty got him up to dance in Sheffield.

She recently showed off her own dancing skills in a West End production of Grease.

So she quick stepped at the chance to dance with Strictly winner Goughie at his Sheffield City Hall charity dinner, following a golf day at Beauchief, all in support of Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

Siobhan, a guest of singer-songwriter to the stars Eliot Kennedy, is recording her debut album at his city centre studio.

But Barnsley-born Gough, 38, had to be cajoled by Siobhan, his own family, friends and fans in the audience for the unrehearsed dance. It went down a storm, as big band star Paul Pashley - Wayne Rooney's wedding singer - sang Sway.

"I wasn't expecting it. I wasn't too sure. But she's a good dancer and everyone seemed to like it.

For full article:

Darren's Dancing Maiden

The Final Part 1

2009-06-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry again for the long wait in posting but what can I say? I have been very busy lately but that's not all true. I also can't help being an extremely lazy person. So let's leave it at 50% workaholic and 50% pure procrastination! Plus, it's probably a good idea I'm spreading these reviews out because really, there is hardly any news at the moment. Just that she's still recording the album, and it is still supposed to be out this summer .....hopefully! *fingers crossed*

But where were we? Oh, yes "The Final." Where no one saw that result coming. I remember this day pretty clearly actually. I only just found Maria performances on youtube on the day of the final (or the day before, can't remember.) I watched all of Siobhan's performances over and over again (mostly "All That Jazz" lol!) So the day of the final I was hoping the clips would surface youtube in a matter of hours after, my prayers were answered...sort of. My Nan called up after they all sang their first songs, she said the judges didn't like her performance as much as the others. So at that point I was pretty set on her getting 3rd place. At the time I was only bewildered by two things, 1. How in the world does someone who is so amazingly talented and beautiful get 3rd place? And more importantly, 2. How the hell did Helena get into the final? Those thoughts were almost three years ago and my opinions since then have changed many times. It took me awhile to figure it out but Siobhan wasn't ready for Maria, when it came down to acting. Also, I don't think she had the "look" for Maria. It might be terrible to say, but she was too gorgeous for the character. She belonged in something a bit younger for her and more modern. That's why I think Grease suited her so well.

Luckily for me before the first results came on, someone posted the first performances on youtube. I remember watching "Anyone Who Had a Heart" and thinking, "this is BLOODY BRILLIANT! HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS??!?" I think it made me kind of angry. (no kidd.) I had myself believing they planned to say "you're too young for this" and "you do struggle with passion and emotion" because that was clearly not the case with that performance. I got as much emotion from it as I did with Connie's "As Long As He Needs Me", but they planned for her to win so no bad comments for her. I loved every moment of her performance, every facial expression and every note. I didn't really notice that her voice was too high for the song, it seemed just fine for me. At some points I actually thought it sounded amazing. Actually scratch that just watched it again and everything sounds amazing except for the high parts for me, they're just really good lol. Does that make sense? For her not to sound amazing at the high parts? IDEK, someone will have to explain it to me.

I love how she doesn't even look out into the crowd not even one glimpse. It's always the guy, her hands, the floor, the ceiling. She's completely in character in this one which I don't think we had seen since "Chains". Best parts are obviously when she knocks the chair down and then hits the model guy in the end, there's no denying the amazing-ness of dramatics!

Performance over and Graham starts asking questions, I always do get a little tense before Siobhan answers because she does have a tendency to not say the right thing. A lot of votes depend on what the contestant's view is of themselves and of the competition. What she said wasn't too bad but Andrew's fake smile after she finished didn't really help her. (ERRRR!)

David starts off the comments and I really HATE his quote "I think you do struggle to show passion and emotion, perhaps as a person as much as an actress." Do I not understand this quote or did he say she is emotionally disabled as a person? That's kind of a funny diss if it was a joke to a friend but c'mon he was serious! That's just awful, no wonder these girls cry backstage. There's some emotion for ya!

John and Zoe's comments were good, no harm done. I love Siobhan's thank you after Zoe's comment though, it's so cute and sincere.

But of course, the comment that's well, "suppose to matter" was Andrew's "yes, but in a year or so". Which as I said before I was really annoyed with, now I agree. It just still bugs me because her reaction to it is "omg I can't believe this!" and at the same time "I'm really depressed now", but I guess he had to say it for her own good.

Btw her hair completely won at life in this episode. Just stunning!

Will have more review of the Final and soon I promise! Here's a youtube link of the performance.

PS: Welcome BBCA fans! I'm glad to see all the American flags:)

HDYSAPLM? Coming to the USA!!!

2009-05-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Guess who's coming to a TV near me? .........THE MARIAS!!! Well it's about bloody time! How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? will premiere on BBC America Sunday, June 7th, 10:00 ET/PT.

I really hope they don't cut out missions and group songs just to save time for commercials because that would be really annoying. How else am I going to get my Siobhan fix if they cut all her amazing one liners and awesome randomness? How?!?!

If you live on my side of the pond there's no question if you are watching this......none.

Check out the link here:

LINK

Recording in Session!

2009-02-16T21:47:00.000-08:00

Today, Siobhan is back from her vacation in Australia and is jumping straight into the recording studio!

She'll will be recording for her upcoming album, and will include her version of "Songbird" that she sang on HDYSAPLM? just for us fans! So please, thank her when you see her!!!

All That Jazz

2009-02-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

The long awaited review for Siobhan's 'All That Jazz' is finally here, and it's almost worth it. The semi-final is always so tense between the contestants that it could either be my favorite episode or least. The judges all of a sudden became a lot harsher with their comments and Siobhan's porcelain doll image was too shiny and clean for them this time around.

Even before the performance I already had the feeling that Andrew wasn't going to like it. Graham was a bit skeptical when he read the song title and Andrew didn't help when he said "I don't know" to if she could pull it off or not. We then saw what she was wearing and I'm sure there was a moment where the population went "Oh my lord what is she wearing?.....not much." Now I bet there were many who quite enjoyed it and then others who probably dropped their tea cups. Personally, I thought it looked more like a Satanist's table cloth than anything, but Siobhan pulled it off, she looked amazing obviously!

Now enough about the dress let's talk about the actual performance! Well, it was good. Sometimes even great. But it wasn't "ohmygodthisisthemostamazingthingihaveeverseeninmylifegood!" as the judges were hoping for. The first time I watched it I was so happy for her thinking that she really pulled that out of the bag. I was really angry with the judges comments, I mean were we watching the same performance? The only judge who didn't give her criticism was David, but he didn't help when all he spoke about was how she looked. The other judges didn't think she "inhabited enough", which over time I've been brainwashed to believe is true. I mean if she did inhabit it any more she'd practically be Velma Kelly and she'd be getting a standing ovation (well at least from me!) Now that's all I can think of is that the panel wanted something from Siobhan that was over 100% in order to beat out their front runner Connie. Instead, they were given something just above 90% that made them realize and made sure that the audience at home noticed that they didn't want her to win the competition.

I definitely felt bad for her because it looked like she just worked her socks off to deliver that and to get those comments back must of made her want to punch something. Though, I will say that she didn't help herself when she said "I think I can do it" to Graham. She changed her answer so it sounded a bit better but it was definitely one of those "Oh F***! I just screwed myself" moments. It was almost like Andrew was hoping she would say that. Yeah, sometimes I really hate that guy!

Now this performance did lead her into being in the sing-off with Aoife, and I'm kinda glad it did because it was amazing to finally have a good sing-off! Siobhan sang beautifully as always, but for some reason unknown, it was more beautiful than it normally is. I do agree that Aoife acted it better than Siobhan but that's hard to judge because they acted it differently. Siobhan acted it like she would be on stage and Aoife did to the audience at home through the camera. So I understand that the audience understood Aoife more because she was acting right to them. So actually, I can't choose between the two they are my favorites after all.

The only thing that I didn't like in this episode was Siobhan's reaction to her being saved for the final. I understand that she was very shocked but it came across as rude to Aoife. She did redeem herself though when she said "I'm so sorry!" at the end of Aoife's 'So Long, Farewell' with Aoife saying back "Oh, it's OK!" Awwwwwwwww, cute!!!
Parts to watch out for:

When she sings the line "C'mon Hun, we're gonna bunny hug!" I think that's the best part of the vocal. Definitely a rewind pleasure!

Also Siobhan's many faces of the night. She's just VERY good at making them!

Ahhh, good times!

Watch All That Jazz!

Christmas Cracker Photos!

2009-01-15T19:47:00.001-08:00

Gem has thoughtfully sent a batchful of photos of Siobhan singing 'Can't Smile Without You' at the Christmas Cracker party with Chesney Hawkes. This was the performance where you could hardly hear her because the music was too loud (one of the pictures you can just tell it's not working out.) There are much bigger versions but you have to pay for them, so these will have to do!
The rest of the photos will be at the Siobhan Flickr Account where I will upload most of the pictures I have there.
Siobhan Flickr

But here a couple more that stand out for me!

Happy New Year!

2008-12-31T14:10:00.000-08:00

David and I wish everyone a Happy New Year and a good luck to Siobhan in 2009! We're all hoping for good things to come!!!

My favorite Siobhan moment of 2008 would have to be creating this blog for her! I'm glad that she likes it and I hope everyone else is enjoying it too!

See you next year!

Site Updates

2008-12-29T22:38:00.000-08:00

Just to let everyone know because it might go unnoticed, that I have updated the Mp3 and Video section to this present day. I have put up the recording of Can't Smile Without You that gem gave us; regardless of its quality I still have listened to it countless times!

In the video section you will find all the Christmas Special performances that include interviews as well, all parts of Siobhan in Connie's Story, and the Grease performance on Children In Need. All were over a year ago, so Siobhan I think it's about time you return to being in front of the camera, we miss you!

If they're any other video clips or Mp3's that people would like to have such as group performances or behind the scenes stuff please just send me an email, I love them!

New Tribute Video!

2008-12-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

I thought it was about time to make another one of these things! It seems like I'm making one a year! Who knows, maybe I'll have more footage to work with next year!

The song I think you will probably recognize and I hope you enjoy it!

Merry Christmas!

Songbird

2008-12-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

Every one's favorite performance is finally here and it doesn't disappoint in the slightest. It's the most popular Maria performance watched online, and there's a good reason for it. It's just the way she sings the words. If any of the other girls sang it, it just wouldn't be the same. Her voice has such a beautiful tone to it that it's hard to compare it to anything. All I can think of is as church bell; it has that beautiful harmonious charm to it and it never wavers.

It's also this unexplained emotion she puts into her voice when she sings. I can't put my finger on it but it's almost depressing. Which I mean in the best way; I love my ballads very emotional.

Songbird starts off with a practice with Andrew where she sings a lyric to him. That line is amazing! I rewind it so many times it's embarrassing to say. "Cause I feel that when I'm with you!" I love the way she sings "that," she sounds even better without a band to back her also.

But with the band, the performance is stunning. All she needs is her voice, no male dancers, and no choreography is needed. Some points of the song to watch out for that I like myself are "I'd never be cold," and the ending is my favorite part of the song. The bands stops and it's just her voice singing "like never before." It's just unbelievably beautiful, there's really no more that I can say. Beautiful really does say it all.

Even Andrew could hardly breathe after it! I think she was purposely put last to end the show, and the panel had comments I actually wish were better; as funny as that sounds. She got great praise but it still felt like a slap in the face. "You could be my mar-...leading lady any day baby, you so could." What's that John? Huh? ....No I'm just kidding, no hard feelings John! She got great comments, even from Andrew! "This is the night that the porcelain doll becomes flesh and blood." Even though she's always been human and he was too daft to notice until this episode, I still loved that line!

Her constant "Thank yous" were so cute as well, I don't even blame her for giving a mountain full of grins. The whole thing seemed kind of overwhelming for her, or maybe she was giving that great sigh of relief that it went so well. It really was her night after all, she also was chosen to sing with the children and during So Long, Farewell, her voice was heard above all the others easily.

Watch Songbird!

YOUTUBE

PS: Awww bless her for thinking of her Grandma:)))

Audio of Can't Smile Without You

2008-12-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Gem from the TIF we have an audio of Siobhan's solo Can't Smile Without You. Although not the best quality, it still gives an idea of what she sounded like for those who weren't able to see the show. I haven't heard her voice for a year so this was just amazing to listen to.

Here's the Youtube link:

YOUTUBE

There are other audios of Siobhan on Gem's youtube account if you want to take a look!

Thanks again Gem!!

Reviews from Fran!

2008-11-30T19:33:00.000-08:00

One of Siobhan's biggest fans Fran was lucky enough to see CSWY twice in the same week, including the final night! Here are her reviews of Thursday's and Saturday's show! ---

Hmmm, no flame retardant clothing was needed although there was a slightly batty guy sitting behind me in the second act singing away!....

I resisted the urge to: A/ Hit him and tell him to shut up B/ Laugh uncontrollably!....

Well THANK GOD! we had a full cast last night!....

I made a slight plank of myself as I was waiting by the stage door after the matinee to see if everyone (well one person) was present.... Saw her come out of the stage door (relief) but she didn't see me!.... Ahhh all ok so I thought why not pop to the pub on the corner for a bevvie whilst I'm waiting..... So I walked round the corner and there is no pub but a restaurant and as I'm doing so Siobhan is leaving in a car and sees me!.... Oh god! She probably thinks I'm stalking her!.... Bah!....

Anyways so after wandering off for a little while I return to the stage door wait for the cast to return.... Fran is first and then along come Chesney and Siobhan.... So I give her a little wave and she toodles over and says "What are you doing here?".... Erm.... Coming to see you?.... She didn't get my message!.... Anyways she was running late so she asked if I would be there later.... Er.... YEAH!.... I told her I was in the front row but to let Chesney know I wasn't wanting any of his "funny business!".... She was like ooooh I'm gonna tell him to come over to you!.... Eeeek!.... Not funny!....

Anyways I take up my seat in the front row.... Very nice, almost dead central....

Impressions of the show.... Very cheesy but some great singing by all the cast of the Manilow classics!.... Now we get to the part where Chesney is going to get beaten up.... Some fan gave him their phone number.... Their name?.... FRAN!.... I was like, hmmm is that supposed to be a name check?....

Anyways Siobhan's solo's were fab!.... But I was also impressed by Chesney and Fran (even though she doesn't have an awful lot of time in the show)....

Fortunately Chesney picked on an older lady in the front row a couple down from me to sing to.... Thank goodness!.... Maybe it was my nooooo! signals I was giving him!

Anyways show over and to the stage door I go!.... They all come out pretty quickly and Siobhan comes out from the stage door and says "Hello Darlin!".... Anyways we exchanged pleasantries and have a quick chat, including getting introduced to Chesney and then telling him my VERY embarrassing story of when I was 16 outside Radio 1 chasing his car down the road to get an autograph!.... Oooh the things you do when you're young!....

Anyways good news!, Siobhan has got financing for her album!.... An independent record label will release it sometime next year!.... She hasn't finished writing for it yet but it looks likely that none of her original material will make it to this new album.... She did say that on Alecia Dixon's new album there is a track on it that she originally recorded.... I'll have to have a look to see if I can remember which one!.... As she said it would give us an idea of the kind of stuff she's doing.... I asked her about the music going on MySpace and she said it will get done....

She said that she wants to concentrate on the album now so I think that's it for musicals for her, for the time being which is sad.... She did say that she has been asked to audition for some musicals but has decided against in favour of her music.... I asked about Can't Smile continuing next year.... Its possible but if Siobhan's concentrating on her album then I assume it could be without her....

I also asked about the neck incident for which I got a very strange answer!....Ok, what happened was Siobhan knitted herself an amazingly long scarf.... She was wearing it one day whilst driving but shut it in the door by accident.... I have no idea how but it got caught round the wheel of her car (Smart car) and nearly chocked her!.... Hence the reason why she was wearing scarves, to cover the burn marks on her neck!.... Oh my god!.... I'm thinking this could only have happened to Siobhan!.... Odd story but TRUE!, poor girl nearly killed herself....

Anyways chat over, the cast went off for drinks and I went off to the town centre to wait for my coach back to London.... The coldest 2 hour wait of my life!....BUT I'm doing it again on Saturday!.... Can't resist! Well who knows when we'll get to see Siobhan again singing on stage?.... Maybe at the O2?.... I wish her all the best in the persuit of her singing career!....

......................................................................................................

Hey all....

Suppose I should post something about going to see Siobhan at the final performance of Can't Smile....

I only got back this morning and felt like a train wreck, overnight coaches aren't a good thing!...

Well I got into Darlington yesterday at 18.30 and went straight over to the Box Office to pick up my ticket, the matinee was just kicking out when I arrived.... I went into the box office and got my ticket but as I was speaking to the staff Siobhan popped in and said hi.... She also had to give the box office staff a forwarding address for a package she hadn't received from Connie.... Had a quick chat about not an awful lot but said to her about Isadora Duncan which she knew about and said "but I didn't die!" To which I replied, THANK GOD!.... Or something along those lines....

She said she had to go but asked if I would be about later.... I said that Beej would be down from Edinburgh to see the last show too so we'd catch up with her later.... I also saw Chesney at the Stage Door before he left and he remembered me and said "Hi Fran" which I thought was nice.... Incidentally the name check was for me the other night!.... Funny!.... Ooh and apparently the matinee was complete carnage!.... Siobhan asked me if I had been to see it but I couldn't get there on time.... She said that a couple of times she couldn't stop laughing, too many pranks to mention specifically but she said it was funny....

Anyways after our chat I trotted to a pub to have a bevvie and keep warm.... I then went back to the theatre before the show to meet up with Beej....

Anyways we take out seats for the last show, Chesney is off so the U/S Richard Taylor Woods was on.... He was actually very good.... Chesney sounds more like Barry Manilow when he sings but RTW was a good all rounder.... I thought that Richard and Siobhan were a good pairing and they sounded great together.... Siobhan's solo's were perfect, she just sounded amazing!.... Would love to be able to get my hands on an audio!....

Well after 27 Manilow songs it was all over!.... Siobhan genuinely looked a bit emotional at the curtain call and they all got a good standing ovation which was lovely!....

After the show Beej and I took our place at the Stage Door to wait for the cast.... Beej managed to get a couple of posters from the show, nice one!.... I had asked on Thursday but was told no!.... Some people just have luck!....

Anyways Siobhan comes out and heads over.... I really have no idea what we talked about.... Maybe something to do with all the wine I had drunk!.... All I can remember is Beej and I telling her that it would be a crime for her to go back to handbag designing, she needs to sing!.... Plus we were sad she wasn't going to do anymore shows for a while.... She's definitely going to concentrate on her music, and has said that if the record company wish she may do some live promotion gigs once the c.d is released.... So that's kinda good news to hope for!.... Anyways after a few minutes she was off, so we wished her well and off she went....

Who knows when we'll see her about again, hopefully in the not too distant future that's for sure.... Her voice is too special not to be heard!....

The Final Night!

2008-11-29T07:34:00.001-08:00

Siobhan's last show of Can't Smile Without You is today and I just want to wish her the best of luck! Not just to do brilliantly, (which won't be a problem!) but not to hurt herself on stage because she really doesn't need anymore accidents!! LOL

This is probably a really special day for Siobhan because she doesn't know when she will be tackling musical theatre again. She wants to focus on getting her album out now and who knows when she will be in a show again, if she ever is! Which is a scary thought! She needs to sing live as much as possible in her lifetime.

I for one am very excited for the album, and after waiting 2 and a half years, I don't mind how long it takes for her to release it! (well, sometime before the next school year please! haha)

If you are going to tonight, I envy you! I really wish I could be there! Siobhan you doing anything in April? lol

Another Lovely Review!

2008-11-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

OK, I'm speaking the truth this time; I actually like this one!

It's short and isn't very keen on Chesney Hawkes but she seems to have loved Siobhan, which I am totally fine with!

It is such a great feeling to read some nice compliments (unlike others!) towards the end of the show. Her final night is this Saturday, November 29th.

WHAT: Can’t Smile Without You

WHERE: Darlington Civic Theatre

WHEN: Until Saturday

VERDICT: Disappointing male lead but superb support from cast

THERE ARE some excellent elements to this musical but unfortunately the male lead isn’t one of them.

Chesney Hawkes, although much better looking than Barry Manilow, just doesn’t have a strong enough voice to do justice to an international superstar.

It’s easy to see why he was chosen for the role. He has similar colouring and there are times when he does sound like the man himself.

However, all too often he seemed to struggle for those high notes.

He was outshone in spectacular fashion by Siobhan Dillon, a runner-up on the BBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria.

Her voice is a joy to hear. Her presence on stage is mesmerising.

The harmonies from the cast are as tight as you could ever hope to hear. The band is great and Howard Samuels injects some much-needed comedy into the show.

GAZETTELIVE REVIEW

Darlington CSWY Review

2008-11-26T18:56:00.000-08:00

A wonderful, just absolutely lovely review of Can't Smile Without You has landed on the web and it's something that should not be missed!

The One and Only one-hit wonder, Chesney Hawkes teams up with ‘reality’ rejects Siobhan Dillon (How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?) and Francesca Jackson (I’d Do Anything) to star in this contrived musical based around the songs of Barry Manilow.

Hawkes plays Tony Lowiman (notice the ‘witty anagram’), an aspiring young musician who is offered the chance to participate in a reality TV talent contest and become the next pop sensation. However, before he can realise his dream, he is caught up in a tragic sequence of events which leave him fighting for his life.

Francesca Jackson plays Lucy, his girlfriend who is, surreptitiously, romantically involved with his best friend and fellow band member, Scott (Edward Handoll). Siobhan Dillon is Mandy, the abrasive PA of Jeff (Howard Samuels), a smarmy TV executive.

Tony falls for Mandy but doesn’t want to hurt Lucy, Lucy wants Scott to reveal the truth about their affair to Tony, Jeff wants to make a star of Tony but not the rest of the band . . . it all gets rather complicated!

After a gig one evening, Tony is given a note from a fan which offers her name and telephone number. Without having even met the girl, he is accused by her boyfriend of attempting to steal her from him. This results in him being beaten up by the boyfriend and two other thugs in the most unconvincing fight scene in the history of musical theatre.

The plot is as thin as a size-zero supermodel and to say that the acting is wooden would be an insult to Pinocchio. The biggest fault lies with Tim Prager’s writing, which is banal and predictable at best and contains enough corn to keep the Jolly Green Giant supplied for the next decade. However, the cast do little to redeem themselves, too.

Although Chesney Hawkes has a decent enough singing voice his performance lacks the passion that is necessary to completely engage with his character. This could also be said of the two leading ladies. Both seem desperate to prove themselves as legitimate actresses and singers, rather than just reality show runners-up. Each tries to out-sing the other, particularly in the duet and trio numbers, until their pitch only becomes audible to dogs and dolphins. And Siobhan Dillon’s New York accent didn’t so much wander - it ran away.

Howard Samuels as Jeff was more camp than a row of pink tents as he flounced around the stage, gesticulating as though he had an itch in a place that he dared not to scratch.

The setting was basic, using little in the way of real scenery, although the dropcloth, which depicted a New York and London skyline, was used throughout, despite the fact that certain scenes were supposed to be taking place in New England, Monte Carlo, Saint Louis, Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The addition of overhead signs to explain the scene setting added to the feeling that the audience was being presented with theatre-by-numbers.

The undoubted stars of the show were Manilow’s songs and Can’t Smile Without You includes more than thirty of them. Unfortunately, direction from Bill Kenwright and Keith Strachan and choreography by Carole Todd cannot do anything to save this lame bird. This is one turkey that even Bernard Matthews would have trouble off-loading.

Steve Burbridge.

DARLINGTON REVIEW

Well as you can see I was obviously kidding, it is the worst review CSWY has had so far. But I'm not taking it seriously, it actually makes me laugh!

Smile? Siobhan is grinning like...

2008-11-21T20:06:00.000-08:00

SIOBHAN Dillon nearly knew how to solve a problem like Maria, won a record deal, a role in Grease, and another record deal in America...

Now the 24-year-old is touring as the female romantic lead in a brand new musical love story featuring 30 of the songs of Barry Manilow.

Next stop Darlington, she plays Mandy opposite Chesney Hawkes of The One And Only fame at the Civic Theatre for the week from Monday in CAN’T SMILE WITHOUT YOU, a show fully endorsed by Mr Manilow himself.

Siobhan was 21 and a fashion design student at London University when her life was changed by How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?

The winner of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first TV show search for a West End star would land the lead, played on film by Julie Andrews, in the new production of The Sound Of Music.

Siobhan came third but was told on live TV by Andrew that she had a record deal to make an album with his company. Her showbiz career took off and she never returned to university.
Siobhan, from Lichfield in Staffordshire, has been singing for most of her young life.

“I used to do Barry Manilow’s I Write The Songs. I used to sing it all the time when I was eight or nine.

“I had two years of singing lessons at ten and made a demo record at 14, then I did Michael Parkinson’s charity ball at Bray in Berkshire for three years in a row from 15-17.”

The chat show maestro’s son Nick had heard her sing and first asked her to appear.
“I used to drive people mad singing so, after A levels, decided I wanted a change. I thought fashion was calling me but I was getting withdrawal symptoms from not being able to sing.”

That is when she heard of the hunt for Maria. She got to the semi-final but she became ill, her voice was affected, and she was eliminated ... but the show had not heard the last of her.
One of the last three dropped out, and she found herself in the final which Connie Fisher won. The pair are now best friends.

After making her album, she was cast in another new West End musical revival, Grease. She stayed for a year, playing Patty Simcox, the cheerleader with a crush on Danny, and understudying the female lead role of Sandy.

“I left in June and went straight to America to write and record songs in Nashville for the new album I want to release next year.”

She had won the role of Mandy before she left.

“I came home from America on the Sunday and went straight into rehearsals for this in August. After three weeks, we were off on this massive tour, my first tour.”

The show has turned Siobhan into a Barry Manilow fan.

“Since doing this show I’m converted and love the songs very much. I can’t get them out of my head.”

The tour ends just before Christmas.

“It might go into London’s West End next year,” says Siobhan. “That would be nice and, if they asked me back to do it, I would - but I’m hoping to go into films now. I’d really like to be on screen.”

Can’t Smile Without You:

Civic Theatre, Darlington Monday, Nov 24-Saturday, Nov 29, details 01325 486555.

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Sep 18 2009

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