Wednesday, 15 October 2025

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}

UK Premiere of Daniel’s Husband Brings Award-Winning Off-Broadway Play to London Theatre


Plastered Productions has announced the full cast for the highly anticipated UK premiere of Michael McKeever’s Daniel’s Husband. The hit Off-Broadway play arrives at London’s Marylebone Theatre, directed by Alan Souza, and promises a deeply emotional exploration of love, identity, and conviction.

The acclaimed cast includes three-time Olivier Award winner David Bedella (& Juliet), Luke Fetherston (Big Mood), Raiko Gohara (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Joel Harper-Jackson (Cock), and Olivier winner Liza Sadovy (Cabaret). Together, they will bring to life McKeever’s powerful examination of relationships, choices, and the human heart.

At its core, Daniel’s Husband follows Daniel and Mitchell, a couple whose seemingly perfect life is shattered by an unexpected crisis. As their love is tested, the play delves into the meaning of commitment, the fragility of security, and what it truly means to be a family.

Originally debuting in the US to critical acclaim, Daniel’s Husband has won multiple awards and captivated audiences with its honesty and emotional impact.

Plastered Productions shared that they chose the play as their inaugural London production to “inspire reflection on love, morality, and connection.”

A moving addition to the London theatre landscape, Daniel’s Husband invites audiences to confront both the beauty and complexity of love.

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.