Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Thom Southerland. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Thom Southerland. Sort by date Show all posts
Thursday, 23 October 2025
West End Musical Theatre Stars Join Maury Yeston 80th Birthday Concert in London
To mark the 80th birthday of Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist Maury Yeston, producer Danielle Tarento will present a spectacular one-night-only concert in London celebrating his extraordinary musical theatre legacy. The evening will be directed by Thom Southerland and will feature some of Yeston’s most beloved works performed by a cast of leading West End and Broadway stars.
Tarento and Southerland have long been champions of Yeston’s music, having collaborated on several of his acclaimed musicals in the UK, including the London premieres of Titanic the Musical and Death Takes a Holiday, as well as a celebrated revival of Grand Hotel. These productions helped introduce Yeston’s emotionally rich scores to new audiences across London’s theatre scene, and now, this concert will showcase highlights from those shows alongside songs from Nine and Phantom, Yeston’s 1991 version of The Phantom of the Opera which has been performed in over 1,000 productions worldwide.
The concert will also include never-before-heard songs and a brand-new overture composed specially for this milestone event. Leading the cast is internationally renowned performer Ramin Karimloo, who has a long-standing connection with Yeston’s work. Karimloo recently starred as Barrett in Titanic the Musical at NYCityCenter’s Encores! and as Guido Contini in Nine in Concert for Hope Mill Theatre at The Lowry. Further star casting will be announced in due course.
The performance will feature the London Musical Theatre Orchestra (LMTO), conducted by Mark Aspinall, bringing Yeston’s lush orchestrations to life.
Producer Danielle Tarento said:
“My working relationship and friendship with Maury is one of the great joys of my life. His musicals resonate so deeply with me and have framed so much of the past 15 years of my career. To be able to celebrate his 80th birthday in such a significant way is a privilege and an honour.”
All profits from the concert will be donated to Bowel Cancer UK, supporting the charity’s essential work in research and awareness.
Maury Yeston is widely regarded as one of Broadway’s most accomplished composer-lyricists. His numerous accolades include Tony Awards for Titanic the Musical and Nine, as well as Drama Desk Awards and international recognition for Grand Hotel and Phantom. Beyond the stage, Yeston’s music has been heard in the Oscar-nominated film adaptation of Nine, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman and Dame Judi Dench. He also composed acclaimed concert works such as Goya – A Life in Song, December Songs, and An American Cantata – 2000 Voices, premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
This special London event promises to be a heartfelt tribute to one of musical theatre’s greatest living composers, honouring eight decades of creativity, storytelling, and unforgettable melodies.
Thursday, 14 December 2017
Jack and the Beanstalk (Pantomime), New Wimbledon Theatre | Review
Jack and the Beanstalk (Panto)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Tuesday 12th December 2017 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★
Now I must admit, I'm not the biggest panto fan but I thought I'd give it a go this year so popped along to Wimbledon to see Jack and the Beanstalk and I was pleasantly surprised! Festive favourite and seasoned Dame, Clive Rowe takes on the role of Dame Trot whilst comedian Al Murray is a panto newbie as the landlord, Al.
Directed by Thom Southerland, Jack and the Beanstalk focusses on the humourous rapport between Rowe and Murray rather than an actual storyline. Panto isn't Shakespeare and of course the plot isn't meant to be dramatic or emotive, but at times it did feel a little too bare and in-cohesive and was somewhat of a let down. However, the witty one liners and and magical moments saved the show.
Despite some of his jokes falling a bit flat, Murray is hilarious as the Pub Landlord and his audience interaction is fantastic. He really knows how to warm and audience up. I also appreciated how much he was able to not take himself seriously and just brush off when a joke doesn't work. Clive Rowe as Dame Trot is fantastic and again, works the audience wonderfully. The two are really a winning pair; bouncing off one another and pushing each other to corpse at every possible moment. I loved this interaction and they really made the show.
I personally wasn't a fan of the music used. The songs are forgettable and felt put in for the sake of it. The children involved however, seemed to be having the time of their lives which was lovely to watch. Liam Tamne was great as Jack but I would've liked to see more of him. Despite being the title role, he was barely in the show and his relationship with Princess Apricot came and went at lightning speed. The second half especially felt like a mad dash to rap up the story.
The special effects were magical and definitely make the show for the children and adults alike. The dramatic helicopter scene at the end of Act 1 was unexpected and exciting and the 3D scene in act 2 added another level of interest.
At the end of the show everyone was buzzing and seemed to have really enjoyed their night at the panto. Don't expect a masterpiece, but for a fun, lighthearted show full of one-liners and audience interaction, take a trip to the New Wimbledon Theatre and experience this show for yourself.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at New Wimbledon Theatre until January 14th.
photo credit: Craig Sugden
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
Ragtime, Charing Cross Theatre | Review
Ragtime
Charing Cross Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 17th October 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed on Monday 17th October 2016 by Olivia Mitchell
★★★★★
Set in the racism filled America of the early 20th century, Ragtime follows the stories of a white family, a black family and a Jewish immigrant family as they navigate their way around the country and discover what life has to offer them. Despite facing their own individual struggles, the families stories intertwine to create a stunning and flowing arc. The story is drama at its highest and features moments of extreme joy as well as despairing pain and heartbreak. It's sure to take you on an emotional roller coaster and leave you with a new view on life.
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