Arlene Philips

Arlene Philips has worked with stars from film and TV to theatre and arenas, as well as becoming one of Britain’s favourite television judges. Her producing credits include The Sound of Musicals and The Very Hot Gossip Show for Channel 4; Britannia High for ITV; DanceX for BBC1; Dance War for ABC and Barbie Dance Star for DVD.

She was Creative Director for Monty Python Live at the O2, Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, The Manchester XVII Commonwealth Games, The 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games Official Theme with Sarah Brightman and Jose Carreras.

Arlene was the choreographer for a number of musicals including Starlight Express, Wizard of Oz, Flashdance, The Sound of Music, Grease, We Will Rock You, Saturday Night Fever, Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar, EFX at the MGM Grand and Matador.

In film, Arlene choreographed for Annie (John Huston), Legend (Ridley Scott), White Hunter, Black Heart (Clint Eastwood), Salome’s Last Dance (Ken Russell), Monty Python’s Meaning of Life and Wind in the Willows (Terry Jones), The Hunger (Tony Scott), Can’t Stop the Music (Nancy Walker), It Couldn’t Happen Here (The Pet Shop Boys), Escape to Athena (George P. Cosmatos) and for television, The Olivier Awards, The Best Possible Taste, An Evening with Michael Ball, The Brit Awards, The Royal Variety Show, The Prince’s Trust, Children in Need, Not the Nine O’Clock News, The Benny Hill Show, Party in the Park, Party at the Palace and the Kenny Everett Video Show.

Arlene has also choreographed music videos for Freddie Mercury, Whitney Houston, Elton John, Queen, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, AC/DC, The Bee Gees, Duran Duran, Aretha Franklin, Boy George, Joan Jett, Kiss, George Michael, Cliff Richard, Robbie Williams and Sarah Brightman. She has also been a TV judge on CBC’s Over The Rainbow, BBC1’s So You Think You Can Dance, Strictly Come Dancing, Strictly Dance Fever, DanceX and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief.

Her television appearances include BBC 1’s The One Show, It Takes Two, The Wright Stuff, The Magicians, Rhod Gilbert, Musicality: The Winner’s Story, Have I Got News For You, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, Eastenders: Christmas Party, BBC 2’s The Culture Show, Antiques Road Trip, Great British Bake Off, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, BBC 4’s The Story of Musicals, ITV’s Loose Women, Alan Titchmarsh, National Television Awards, Discomania: The Beat Goes On, Faking It: The Irish Clog Dancer, ITV 2’s Xtra Factor, The Apprentice: You’re Fired! Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of the Year, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Paul O’Grady Show, Sky’s Grease School Musical, Sky Art’s Dance Dance Dance and Nickelodeon’s Bedtime Stories.

Arlene’s radio credits include BBC Radio 4’s A Good Read, Desert Island Discs, Woman’s Hour, Saturday Live, Inheritance Tracks, BBC Radio 2’s Super Troupers, Steve Wright in the Afternoon, BBC Radio 3’s Private Passions, Magic FM’s Mother’s Day Special, BBC Radio 2’s The London Palladium Story, LBC’s Andrew Castle Weekend Breakfast