To hear Chris sing "A Bit of Earth" click the play button

Sunday 17th February 2008

Through the barricades

By Linda Kirkman

THIS musical phenomenon has been wowing audiences worldwide for almost 23 years, thanks to a powerful story of love, hate, betrayal, compassion and every emotion between.

Anyone who has seen the stage version will have marvelled at the complex set, particularly the barricades. But it's the music all makes Les Mis a favourite, and in this concert - naturally devoid of barricades etc - the stunning, thrilling score shone through.

The singers were to die for, giving much more than mere concert performances and showing just what true West End stars are made of.

... Chris Holland, bringing every ounce of emotion to Enjolras; ... 

Never was a standing ovation better deserved.

"Queen Spectacular" a huge success in Bournemouth on Friday, 3rd August, 2007. A HUGE thank you says Andy Martin in the Bournemouth Daily Echo, to the brilliant Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and guests, Mazz Murray, Kerry Ellis, Chris Holland and MiG Ayesa, for helping him relive some of his well spent youth by recreating a kind of magic. And spectacular it certainly was, not just on stage but across the park as an audience of thousands swayed, waved and clapped to the sound of Radio Ga Ga, Don't Stop Me Now, Fat Bottomed Girls, and many more. As darkness fell, hundreds of hand-held fluorescent light sticks contributed to an amazing atmosphere. Conducted by self-confessed Queen fan Peter Harrison the orchestra was in outstanding form playing new arrangements by Richard Sidwell. Four magnificent singers took turns in fronting the hits; Mazz Murray, Kerry Ellis, Chris Holland and MiG Ayesa, each bringing something different to the interpretation. It ended in true Queen style with We Will Rock You, the worldwide anthem We Are The Champions and the enduringly powerful Bo Rap, superbly delivered by orchestra, singers and audience in one hugely emotional joint effort. Brian May, who sent a note of support, would have appreciated the night. The great showman himself would have done so too, I am sure. In one of the last songs he recorded before he died in 1991, Mercury poignantly decreed, The Show Must Go On. "It does Freddie, it does."

Chris on the big screen MiG Ayesa Chris and Kerry Ellis

Chris accompanied by Brian May on guitar in "We Will Rock You"

We Will Rock You 2003 for 2 years

As Snake Preacher in "Whistle Down the Wind" in 2002 & 2006

"From the Argus Brighton on Thursday 3rd Oct 2002 - Whistle Down the Wind. Chris Holland, as the stranger, has a fabulous voice, emphatic, firm and full of vigour."

Chris was a star of "The West End Rocks" DVD.

WEST END ROCKS.

This is a rock show with a difference. It's a spectacular music extravaganza with songs all from West End musicals. So there's music from Tommy, Rent, We Will Rock You, Tonight’s The Night and many other great rock musicals.

"Rapturous applause" for Chris Holland and friends

From a number of West Country papers, first published Wednesday 4th Apr 2007.

THREE top West End stars appeared at a charity concert, in aid of St Margaret's Somerset Hospice, at Bridgwater Town Hall last Sunday (April 1).

There were no April fools to be seen as the stars, together with a talented four-piece band, delighted the packed audience and brought the excitement and talent from the big city to the Bridgwater venue. Earl Carpenter, who appears as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, made the trip with Chris Holland from London. He enthralled with stunning versions of Empty Chairs and Empty Tables, Phantom Of The Opera and Music Of The Night. He also sang the theme song from Beauty and the Beast, explaining that he played the beast in the original Disney cast.

Jenna Lee-James, appearing as Scaramouche in We Will Rock You at the Dominion Theatre, was next to titillate, kicking off with I've Got The Music In Me and I Am What I Am. She was full of energy with her vocals ranging from the Carpenters Yesterday Once More to Elkie Brook's Pearl's A Singer and ending with a rip roaring It's Raining Men.

Second half was time to welcome Chris Holland to the stage and although suffering from a severe cold, he didn't fail to deliver his usual impeccable performance. Chris kicked off with Somewhere, Jesus Christ Superstar, Best Thing that Happened To Me and from Jekyll and Hyde and This Is The Moment. As well as an amazing voice, on stage his charisma and personality shone through and his range of songs stretched from modern and contemporary to the more dramatic ones from the shows.

He sang a duet with Jenna, a song from We Will Rock You, which was great fun.

Equally amusing, was Chris' duet with Earl, starting with offering the audience a chance of bidding for them to sing opera together. After being promised a further £60 towards the cause, they sang a fabulous and unique version of Granada, again well received by everyone.

All three performers were on stage for the finale, a medley from Grease. It was great to see them enjoying themselves as much as we all were watching them.

Rapturous applause and shouts of admiration followed and Chris was persuaded to return to the stage for an encore, performing a dramatic song, Pity The Child.

Organisers Ken and Carole Baker expressed thanks to everyone who had contributed, but particularly to Earl, Jenna, the band and special thanks to Chris who gave his all when he was unwell.

An amazing £3,500 had been made to donate to charity.

Voice of Musical Theatre 2002

1^st November 2002. Radio2.

Final six line up to be BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre 2002

Six finalists will be taking the stage tomorrow (Saturday 2 November 2002) in a sensational singing spectacular to find the BBC Radio 2 Voice of Musical Theatre 2002.

Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce is host for the evening, introducing the six which includes two Britons, two Americans, a New Zealander and a Greek/Briton who once competed in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The competitors, who have already won through preliminary rounds and semi-finals in front of a live audience, as part of the first International Festival of Musical Theatre in Cardiff, will be competing for a £10,000 prize when they line up at Cardiff's New Theatre in front of a distinguished panel of judges.

Choosing the winner of the contest, organised and produced by BBC Wales, will be star of stage and screen Julia McKenzie, Lewis Carnie, an executive producer at Radio 2, internationally renowned vocal coach Mary Hammond, record producer Nicky Graham, conductor David Charles Abell and Peter Polycarpou, whose face is well known as the husband of Sharon (Pauline Quirke) in BBC ONE's Birds of a Feather but who has also appeared in musicals including Oklahoma and Miss Saigon.

The final contestant is Briton Chris Holland, who took the second semi-final title. Chris has appeared in the West End in Miss Saigon and on the national tours of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease.

Chris will be singing I Want To Break Free from the Queen epic We Will Rock You, A Bit of Earth from The Secret Garden and hopes to recreate his show-stopping number from the semi-final, Gethsemane from Jesus Christ Superstar.