JOHN BARR
John made his West End Debut at the age of 12 in OLIVER at the Albery Theatre. Since then he has had a varied career appearing on Stage, TV, Cabaret, Concerts and Recordings.
Theatre - Dr. Thomas Parker in BATBOY THE MUSICAL at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London & the West Yorkshire Playhouse. RAGTIME at the Piccadilly Theatre, London. Koko in THE MIKADO-Opera Della Luna. Njegus in THE MERRY WIDOW –Opera Della Luna. Harry in FLORA THE RED MENACE–The Cambridge Arts Theatre. HEY, MR PRODUCER-Lyceum Theatre, London. Snoopy in SNOOPY-THE MUSICAL–The Cambridge Arts Theatre. Cliff in IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR–York Theatre Royal. Original Cast in ASPECTS OF LOVE. Feuilly in LES MISERABLES-1988 London Co-The Palace Theatre, London. ‘Che’ in EVITA-The Opera House, Manchester. Artist V in COWARDY CUSTARD–Theatr Clwyd. Peter Pan in PETER PAN (play version) Perth Theatre. Tobias Ragg in Sondheim’s-SWEENEY TODD–The Watermill Theatre, Newbury.
Television - THE BILL, THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER, THE ROYAL VARIETY SHOW & WEDNESDAY AT EIGHT.
Recordings - John has recorded 4 Solo CD’s -A SMALL AFFAIR,
IN WHATEVER TIME WE HAVE, A DIFFERENT CORNER &
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN - all on the DRESS CIRLCE / LML Labels.
Cast recordings – BATBOY THE MUSICAL, MATADOR, GODSPELL & LISTEN UP.
Radio – Principal cast member for the BBC Radio 2’s Musical Series-Simon in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Bill Calhoun in KISS ME, KATE, Motel in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF with Anthony Newley, Paul in A CHORUS LINE with David Soul & Donna McKechnie, and a regular Guest on SONGS FROM THE SHOWS & FRIDAY NIGHT IS MUSIC NIGHT.
Cabaret - He has performed his own Cabaret show’s in some of the most prestigious cabaret rooms all over the world – London, New York,
San Francisco, Las Vegas, Washington D.C, Chicago, Sydney, Venice, Switzerland, Denmark, and on the QE2.
British Cabaret Singers Debut CD 1996
A Small Affair – Debut Album (Cat No MBJB1)
15 Tracks including 5 new songs
Arrangements by Jason Carr, Glyn Kerslake, Andrew Lynwood, Fiz Shapur & George Stiles
Produced by Fiz Shapur
Released - December 1996 on The Dress Circle Label
Some Quotes For A Small Affair
"In a musical field increasingly marred by the mannered and the flash, Barr is that rare and unexpected thing - a swooping, flying, unforced voice that fills the theatre (and the heart) with unaffected feeling. A natural resource and a definite find." John Lyttle - The Independent
"Simple, straightforward and honest. This (A Small Affair) is a very brave CD using voice and piano, so there is no place to hide. It is also intelligent because when you are talented you don't have to hide behind anything. After 15 tracks I still wanted more. I'm quite thrilled by this CD." David Kenney, WBAI-FM Radio, New York
"Such a lovely, pure, emotional voice...with a whole lot of musicality in the sensitive mind behind it." John Bucchino
"...exemplary...terrific versions of songs I’ve rarely heard sung so well...recommended for both content and style" Stephen Schwartz - Oscar Winning Composer & Lyrist
"John Barr’s first CD is immensely impressive, with a strong dramatic line and some rare and rich discoveries of long-lost classics" Sheridan Morley - BBC Radio 2
"John Barr’s debut solo album shows what a talented singer he is... more than just a pleasing vocal delivery...you should catch John Barr live." Michael Darvell - What’s On In London
"Barr uses his vocal skill to offer dynamic interpretations...sings with impressive sensitivity" Max Preeo - Show Music Magazine (US)
"John Barr never fails to entertain no matter which aspect of his profession he is involved with...a clever, intelligent and thrilling vocal talent." Kevin Bishop, Executive Producer, BBC television
"One of that rare breed of singers who combines vocal skill and presence with equal measures of power, restraint and intelligence...one of the finest voices I have heard in my 15 years in television and radio..." Ross King - BBC television
"An intimate and appealing collection... Barr’s diminutive frame contains a big voice... less brash attention-seeking than his transatlantic counterparts and much more effective for it." Mark Shenton - The Sunday Express
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