Posts with the label musicals
Showing posts with label musicals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label musicals. Show all posts
Friday, 17 October 2025
Gok Wan to Join Back to the Future The Musical for One-Night Cameo in London
Fashion icon and television personality Gok Wan is heading to the West End for one night only to join the award-winning Back to the Future The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre. To celebrate global Back to the Future Day, Gok will make a special cameo as Principal Strickland, adding his trademark charm and energy to the beloved sci-fi comedy.
The Olivier Award-winning musical, based on the 1985 Universal Pictures classic, continues to be one of London theatre’s most popular shows. Featuring Caden Brauch as Marty McFly and Brian Conley as Doc Brown, the production combines spectacular design, time-traveling special effects and a heart-pounding rock score by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard.
Gok said,
“I’m thrilled to be joining the cast for this special celebration. Returning to the stage alongside my good friend Brian Conley is such a treat- it’s going to be fabulous!”
Since its London premiere, Back to the Future The Musical has been seen by over two million people and is now in its fifth year at the Adelphi Theatre. The show has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards, including Best New Musical at the Oliviers.
photo credit: Mark Senior
Gok Wan to Join Back to the Future The Musical for One-Night Cameo in London
Friday, 17 October 2025
Jo- The Little Women Musical in Concert to Premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane
A beloved literary classic is heading to the West End. Jo- The Little Women Musical in Concert will receive its world premiere at London’s historic Theatre Royal Drury Lane, promising a spellbinding evening that celebrates sisterhood, ambition, and the enduring power of storytelling.
Inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s timeless novel Little Women, this semi-staged concert brings Jo March and her family to life through an emotional and beautifully orchestrated new musical score. With music by Dan Redfeld and book and lyrics by Christina Harding and John Gabriel Koladziej, the production is directed and choreographed by JoAnn M. Hunter, whose extensive Broadway credits include Bad Cinderella and School of Rock.
The initial casting announcement has theatre fans buzzing. Grammy nominee Christine Allado (Hamilton) will star as Jo March, joined by two-time Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole (42nd Street) as Aunt March. West End favourite Kelly Mathieson (The Phantom of the Opera) joins as Meg, with Sophie Pollono, Eleanor Grant and Tobias Turley completing the March family ensemble.
The musical follows the release of the critically acclaimed studio album, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and produced by Nigel Wright and Dan Redfeld. Redfeld said:
“Following the amazing response to the album, we’re thrilled to finally bring this magical musical to life in London.”
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, lovingly restored by Andrew Lloyd Webber, provides the perfect home for this new West End concert event. Fans can expect an unforgettable night of soaring vocals, emotional storytelling and a celebration of one of literature’s most cherished heroines.
Roam: New West End Musical to Premiere in Concert at Shaftesbury Theatre
A thrilling new musical is set to light up the West End. Roam will make its debut at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre in a special one-night-only concert performance. Directed by Rupert Hands (Evita, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) with choreography by Olivier Award winner James Cousins (Guys and Dolls), this ambitious production promises a night of emotion, power and musical innovation.
Featuring a genre-blending rock-pop-Romani score by Alexander Sage Oyen and a book by Michael Dovid, Roam tells the story of a nomadic family forced to confront the ghosts of their past when their caravan breaks down in hostile territory. Themes of love, family and legacy intertwine as the family wrestles with grief, identity and belonging.
The cast features some of musical theatre’s brightest stars, including Ramin Karimloo (Les Misérables), Frances Mayli McCann (Bonnie & Clyde), Diego Rodriguez (Evita, Sunset Blvd), Jordan Luke Gage (&Juliet, Bonnie & Clyde), Melanie La Barrie (Hadestown, &Juliet), Hope Lavelle (The Phantom of the Opera) and Olivier Award winner David Thaxton.
Director Rupert Hands said,
“We’re so excited to be premiering this brand-new musical in the West End with this extraordinary cast and team. Roam is the journey of a lifetime, full of soaring songs… It’s a story of love, family, and legacy in a totally original, funny, timely, and powerful script by Michael Dovid. We can’t wait to share it with London audiences.”
Developed with Romani theatre company Giuvlipen and the National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, Roam combines cultural authenticity with powerful theatrical storytelling.
Thursday, 16 October 2025
Matthew Harvey’s New Musical Unbound Releases Haunting Live Album for London Theatre Fans
Composer and writer Matthew Harvey has announced the release of a live cast recording of his spellbinding new musical Unbound, captured during its concert staging at London’s Hoxton Hall. The album will be released on Halloween, adding a touch of musical magic to the spooky season.
Featuring a powerhouse West End cast including Courtney Stapleton, Lauren Byrne, Evelyn Hoskins, and Jodie Jacobs, Unbound tells the story of Iris, a home-schooled teenager whose high school prank accidentally unleashes an ancient witch. With a darkly comic edge and a thrilling pop-rock score, the show has already earned a cult following among London theatre fans.
Originally commissioned by British Youth Music Theatre, Unbound first premiered at Birmingham Hippodrome before its London concert production. The live album, produced with Spiritland Productions, captures the raw energy and excitement of that performance.
Harvey shared:
“Revisiting this concert through the recording feels incredibly special, the music, the story, the cast, it’s all pure magic.”
With its mix of humour, heart, and haunting melodies, Unbound continues to prove why new British musicals are thriving in London’s vibrant theatre scene.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Musical Returns with Kevin Clifton and Adèle Anderson in Dazzling London Theatre Revival
A sparkling new cast has been revealed for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert- The Musical, promising sequins, heart, and disco anthems galore. Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing) stars as Tick/Mitzi, alongside Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda), Nick Hayes, and Peter Duncan in this joyous celebration of self-expression and friendship.
Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot OBE, with choreography by Olivier winner Matt Cole, the production features over 100 eye-catching costumes designed by Strictly favourite Vicky Gill. Expect dazzling feathers, glitter, and glamour in every scene.
Based on the Oscar-winning 1994 film, Priscilla follows three friends on a road trip across Australia in a battered bus, discovering love, acceptance, and the courage to be themselves along the way. With its iconic soundtrack featuring "It’s Raining Men", "I Will Survive" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", it’s a feel-good party wrapped in heart and humour.
Kevin Clifton shared,
“This show is pure joy from start to finish, it’s bold, unapologetic, and full of love.”
A celebration of identity, friendship, and the power of being unapologetically you, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is set to dazzle audiences across the country.
photo credit: Matt Crockett
Wednesday, 15 October 2025
The Greatest Showman Musical Announces Star-Studded Cast for Spectacular UK Stage Premiere
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated musical theatre premieres in recent memory, The Greatest Showman is officially coming to the UK stage. The spectacular new adaptation of the 2017 hit film will debut at the Bristol Hippodrome, bringing the story of P.T. Barnum to life with all the energy, heart, and magic that made the movie a global phenomenon.
Leading the cast is acclaimed West End star Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet, We Will Rock You) as showman P.T. Barnum, alongside Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) as Charity Barnum. Joining them are Lorna Courtney (& Juliet Broadway) as Anne Wheeler, Ben Joyce (Jersey Boys) as Phillip Carlyle, Vajèn van den Bosch as Jenny Lind, and Malinda Parris (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) as Lettie Lutz.
The musical will feature a powerhouse creative team, including Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, whose dynamic work on The Book of Mormon and Aladdin has dazzled audiences worldwide. The beloved score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) and a new book by Tim Federle promise to bring both familiarity and freshness to this dazzling stage spectacle.
In a statement, Nicholaw shared:
“It’s an absolute joy to finally share our incredible cast with the world — led by the brilliant Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks. Together with a world-class creative team, we are so excited to bring this story to life for the first time on stage.”
The full company features a remarkable ensemble of singers, dancers, and circus performers, including Mia Raggio, Angelica Pearl Scott, Harly Gill, Ellie McArdle, Eleanor Sebastian, Max Bispham, and Joel Tennant Clark Young. Josh St. Clair serves as the P.T. Barnum alternate, with Katie Tonkinson as the standby Anne Wheeler.
Behind the scenes, the creative lineup includes Alex Lacamoire (music supervision and orchestrations), David Korins (scenic design), Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), and Peter Hylenski (sound design), alongside a host of award-winning designers and choreographers ensuring every moment shines.
This world-premiere production of The Greatest Showman is poised to deliver everything audiences love about the original film- breathtaking visuals, heart-stirring music, and an inspiring story of courage and self-belief- now reimagined for the stage.
photo credit: Sebastian Nevols
Rachel Zegler to perform “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” on Strictly Come Dancing
Golden Globe-winning actress Rachel Zegler will make her UK television performance debut on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing later this month.
According to The Independent, The West Side Story and Hunger Games star will perform “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” during the Icons Week results show on 26 October, accompanied by two of Strictly’s professional dancers.
The performance follows her acclaimed turn as Eva Peron in Evita at The London Palladium, directed by Jamie Lloyd. Zegler will also appear on The Graham Norton Show and The One Show this month.
Her appearance continues Strictly’s star-studded guest lineup, which recently included Cynthia Erivo, who mentored contestants and performed live.
Photo credit: Sarah Krick
Here & Now The Steps Musical Tour Review- A Pop-Fuelled Jukebox Ride That Charms
Here and Now: The Steps Musical (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Here & Now is a vibrant, glitter-filled night of pop nostalgia that wears its heart- and its sparkly costumes- proudly on its sleeve. Built around the iconic hits of Steps, this jukebox musical takes place in a brightly lit supermarket called Better Best Bargains, where dreams, heartbreak, and friendship collide in equal measure.
At the centre of the story is Caz, played with warmth and power by Rebecca Lock, whose vocals soar through the theatre and whose emotional honesty gives the show its core. When her life takes an unexpected turn, she and her co-workers are forced to re-evaluate their choices and embrace a “Summer of Love” that doesn’t quite go to plan. Alongside her, Blake Patrick Anderson (Robbie), Jacqui Dubois (Vel), Rosie Singha (Neeta) give great performances and their chemistry is lovely to see. River Medway also has some brilliant moments as Jem. Finty Williams is a comic delight as Patricia, the dry, sharp-tongued store boss whose perfectly timed one-liners steal more than one scene, I wish we got a little bit more of her story. The rest of the cast bring great energy and charm, with tight ensemble work that keeps the show lively and fast-moving.
Visually, the production is dazzling. Tom Rogers' supermarket set transforms fluidly, bursting with colour and clever design touches, while Howard Hudson's lighting shifts between campy exuberance and tender intimacy. It’s a feast for the eyes, even if sometimes there’s so much going on that it’s hard to catch every detail. Matt Cole's choreography is slick and punchy, perfectly capturing the upbeat essence of Steps while grounding it in musical-theatre storytelling.
Where the show falters slightly is in pacing and clarity. With so many interwoven storylines and emotional beats, some scenes feel rushed, and the final moments could benefit from a little more breathing room. At times, the sheer spectacle overwhelms the subtler emotional notes, but when it lands, it’s joyous.
Despite its imperfections, Here & Now is a fun, heartfelt celebration of pop, love, and second chances. Rebecca Lock is a standout, Finty Williams adds sparkle and humour, and the ensemble delivers with infectious enthusiasm. It may not reinvent the jukebox-musical format, but it’s packed with enough charm, choreography, and nostalgia to leave audiences smiling and maybe even dancing their way out of the theatre. A glittery supermarket of pop, heart, and pure nostalgia!
★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 14th October 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS returns in a brand-new outdoor production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
One of the world’s most beloved musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, is making a spectacular return in Summer 2026 at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this reimagined outdoor production will run from 25 July to 12 September 2026, before touring across the UK through 2027.
McOnie, a former cast member himself, said:
“CATS was transformative for me, directing this new version feels like coming full circle.”
Producer Michael Harrison added:
“This dazzling revival will breathe new life into a legendary musical for a new generation.”
Tickets go on sale 28 October at openairtheatre.com. Casting to be announced.
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