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Jimmy Osmond is back after 35 years
Evening Standard7 Jan 2009
HE topped the British charts as a nine-year-old and still sells out arenas with his brothers.
But Jimmy Osmond, the youngest of the family that enjoyed hit after hit in the Seventies, is about to notch up another career first when he makes his West End stage debut.
The former child sensation had his last solo hit in Britain in 1974. Now 45 and a father-of-four, he is taking on the role of Teen Angel for six weeks in the long-running London production of Grease.
I always wanted to play in the West End. It was one of my dreams [so] I'm feeling kind of fancy, he said. And I've always loved Grease. Years ago, before the movie came out, they had offered the role of Sandy to my sister Marie but she wasn't able to do it because of conflicts of schedule. It's fun to do, even though it's not that big a part.
Teen Angel played by Frankie Avalon in the 1978 movie tries to guide Frenchy when she drops out of beauty school.
Despite his Mormon faith, Osmond said he had no issues with the story of Grease which tackles issues of teenage pregnancy and gang violence during the sexual revolution in the Sixties.
I've got no problem being in a play or being part of television shows that deal with real issues with real people, he said.
Osmond is currently starring as Buttons in Cinderella at the Derngate theatre in Northampton even though he had never seen a pantomime before.
He will appear in Grease at the Piccadilly Theatre from 19 January to 28 February.
He will then play Billy Flynn in a regional tour of Chicago.
Reader views (3)
Jimmy Osmond has been amazing in Cinderella panto in Northampton - a real class act. So many years of experience under his belt.
- Carol, Northampton uk, 08/01/2009 21:54
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I met him last year. He was a complete sweetheart and deserves this. I hope he has a great time.
- Mary, London, 07/01/2009 16:37
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Ah yes, there was one thing I didnt miss about the 70's after all.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 07/01/2009 11:46
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