Wednesday, 8 October 2025
Les Misérables Arena Concert Spectacular Announces New 2026 Dates in Dublin, Birmingham, London & New York
As the iconic London production of Les Misérables celebrates its 40th Anniversary tonight with a special Gala Performance at the Sondheim Theatre, producer Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Nick Grace Management, has announced exciting new tour dates for Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables- The Arena Concert Spectacular.
Following a record-breaking global run, the Les Misérables Arena Tour will play at some of the world’s most prestigious venues in 2026, including:
3Arena, Dublin: Friday 29 May to Saturday 6 June 2026
Utilita Arena, Birmingham: Thursday 11 to Sunday 14 June 2026
Royal Albert Hall, London: Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026
Radio City Music Hall, New York: Thursday 23 July to Sunday 2 August 2026
Fans can sign up now at worldtour.lesmis.com for exclusive presale access starting Monday 20 October 2025.
Since the world tour opened in Belfast in September 2024, Les Misérables Arena Tour has sold over one million tickets worldwide, captivating audiences across 30 cities and 25 countries. These newly announced performances will mark the culmination of Les Misérables’ 40th Anniversary celebrations, honouring the world’s longest-running musical.
The London production has just entered its 41st year at the Sondheim Theatre, while Les Misérables was last seen on Broadway in 2016. Full casting announcements for the 2026 tour dates will be revealed soon.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh shared:
The Arena Concert Spectacular, which I put together as a World Tour to celebrate the incredible 40th year of Les Mis continuously running in London, has been a success beyond my wildest dreams, attracting capacity crowds around the world since it opened over a year ago - even in countries where the full stage production has never yet played.The Arena Tour has already sold over a million tickets, and the rapturous reception has been the same for over 300 performances in 30 cities across 25 countries around the globe wherever MIZ ROCKS is playing. Continuing what will have been an almost two-year record-breaking run, I am thrilled to announce that in 2026 we will be bringing home this iconic event to Dublin and Birmingham before it plays two of the World’s most iconic music venues – the Royal Albert Hall in London in June and Radio City Music Hall in New York in July.We haven’t played the Royal Albert Hall since the show’s legendary 10th Anniversary Concert (which has just been remastered and released on vinyl for the first time) and in New York, Les Misérables has not been seen for almost a decade since we closed our third triumphant run on Broadway. Even our return to Dublin, to the 3Arena (formerly the legendary Point), is full of Les Mis resonance as it is the place where our original Irish star, the great Colm Wilkinson, came home to play Jean Valjean – we hope to have another great Irish star to make the upcoming Dublin engagement equally memorable. We are putting together an incredible array of Les Mis alumni for these engagements and look forward to announcing our cast later in the year.I am especially excited about bringing this Arena production to New York as America is the only major English-speaking country in the world where I have not yet produced the concert. So, I was personally delighted that we were invited to do so by Radio City Music Hall where American audiences can see this spectacular event for the first time.To quote The Times, “Only Les Mis can generate an atmosphere between a rock concert and a football match – a hypnotic and virtuoso production”.Looking forward to seeing you roll up to MIZ ROCKS…. But hurry to avoid having to storm the barricades for a ticket!
With breathtaking staging, state-of-the-art lighting, and a world-class cast and orchestra, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production delivers Les Misérables on a scale never before seen- an electrifying celebration of one of the greatest musicals of all time.
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
Keywords: Les Misérables Arena Tour 2026, Les Misérables 40th Anniversary, Cameron Mackintosh, Boublil and Schönberg, Les Misérables Royal Albert Hall, Les Misérables Radio City Music Hall, Les Misérables Dublin 3Arena, Les Misérables Birmingham Utilita Arena, Les Misérables New York 2026, Les Misérables tickets, Les Misérables world tour, Les Misérables concert spectacular, MIZ ROCKS, Les Misérables musical London, Les Misérables tour dates, Les Misérables presale, Les Misérables arena concert
Tuesday, 7 October 2025
Lulu and Wayne Brady Lead To Sir, With Love Musical in the West End
Producers have confirmed the complete cast for the West End premiere of To Sir, With Love- A New Musical, based on E.R. Braithwaite’s acclaimed memoir and the beloved 1967 film starring Sidney Poitier.
The story follows teacher Rick Braithwaite, a Cambridge-educated engineer and former RAF pilot, as he navigates the challenges of race, respect, and resilience in an underprivileged London school.
Making her triumphant return to the title song that made her an international star, Lulu will play Dale Evans, joined by five-time Emmy Award winner and Grammy nominee Wayne Brady in his West End musical debut as Rick Braithwaite.
The cast also features Jess Folley, George Maguire, Chelsea Halfpenny, Kara Lane, Michael Vinsen, and newcomer Elijah Millar, alongside a talented youth company from Italia Conti.
Directed by Sheldon Epps, the production features a score by John Farrar and Kara DioGuardi, choreography by Edgar Godineaux, and orchestrations by Joseph Joubert.
To Sir, With Love will play two concert performances at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on 24 November 2025.
Monday, 6 October 2025
Rachel Zegler London Palladium Review: A Luminous 5-Star Concert
Rachel Zegler
London Palladium
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this review because yesterday’s concert at the London Palladium was nothing short of magical. If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that my love for Rachel Zegler goes way back, right to 2017, when I stumbled across her cover of Anyway by Kerrigan and Lowdermilk. (I even featured her in a website post at the time.) Since then, I’ve been following her outrageously amazing career from YouTube videos in her bedroom to, well… global stardom. It’s somewhat depressing how little I’ve achieved in that same time while Rachel has basically achieved world domination… but hey, we won’t harp on that hahaha.
What I will harp on about is how utterly luminous she was on that Palladium stage during her debut solo concert. And luminous really is the word.
We all knew Rachel’s voice was spectacular; her run in Evita was proof enough of that (I’m still mourning the show's closing). But this concert felt like a complete vocal masterclass. Her tone is crystal clear, her breath control flawless, and the strength and health of her voice is something to marvel at. Every note rang out like it was the easiest thing in the world, yet full of emotion and nuance. Rachel’s voice doesn’t just sound beautiful, it feels like it’s telling you a story, every single time.
The setlist was an absolute dream. We got theatrical classics like Jason Robert Brown’s I Can Do Better Than That, a stunning duet from Sunday in the Park with George with none other than Ramin Karimloo (Phantom fans rise up), and a heartfelt tribute to her Taylor Swift YouTube cover days with You’re On Your Own, Kid.
She also gifted us with a gorgeous Amy Winehouse/Ariana Grande mashup (Just Friends/we can’t be friends) which was an inspired blend of styles. On top of all that, she introduced two original songs, both of which were glorious, beautifully written, and made it so clear that Rachel isn’t just an interpreter of music, she’s a creator too.
I truly loved all the choices, with tributes to key parts of Rachel’s career and life so far. There were nods to The Hunger Games, to her being a literal Disney princess, to her Broadway debut in Romeo and Juliet, and to the musical theatre legends who have shaped her artistry. It was like watching her personal and professional journey unfold in song. A reminder of just how much she’s done, and how much she loves what she does.
As dazzling as her voice is, what made this concert unforgettable was Rachel herself. Her banter, her humour and her vulnerability; she was so open, joyful, and clearly utterly in love with theatre and music. As long as I've followed and chatted to Rachel, she has always been so incredibly kind and giving, and that same spirit filled the Palladium. You didn’t just see a star performing; you saw a human being sharing herself with the audience, and it was beautiful.
Rachel joked at one point that Javert is a role she’d never get to play but honestly, having watched how she’s manifested the rest of her career, I wouldn’t be surprised in the slightest if it happens someday. She’s unstoppable.
This concert was a testament to everything Rachel Zegler is: luminous, powerful, generous, and truly unique. She is a once-in-a-generation talent, and I have no doubt she will continue to soar and shine (hopefully back on a West End stage in the not too distant future). Until then, I’ll keep cheering her on, as I always have, from that first Anyway cover in 2017 to now. Here's to continued Rachel Zegler world domination!
★★★★★
Reviewed on Sunday 5th October 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
Sunday, 28 September 2025
Swan Lake Review 2025: A Young Dancer’s Take on Matthew Bourne’s Iconic Ballet
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
I didn’t really know what to expect when I went to see Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, but it totally blew me away. First of all, the swans were played by men, which was surprising at first, but actually made the story feel way more powerful and intense. The dancing was amazing – super sharp and full of emotion. You could really tell what the characters were feeling, even though there were no words.
I do ballet myself, so watching this was honestly really inspiring. It made me want to work harder in class and try new ways of expressing emotion through dance. The way the dancers moved was so strong and full of feeling – it wasn’t just about being perfect, it was about telling a story.
The swan costumes looked wild and kind of scary, but in a cool way. Their design was so free and the way the feathers moved as they jumped and spun was incredible.
The music by Tchaikovsky was beautiful and dramatic, and the way it matched the dancing gave me goosebumps. I found the dream scenes confusing and strange but I could still follow it. My favourite part was the mini play because it reflected the story in such a funny and amusing way and the reactions from the pink lady was so funny . I especially loved when she dropped the purse and the queen rolls her eyes at her.
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake wasn’t like any ballet I’ve seen before, but I loved it. It was emotional, creative, and totally unforgettable.
★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 23rd September by Freya Myers
Photo Credit: Johan Persson
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Thursday, 25 September 2025
50 First Dates Musical World Premiere Review: A Fun, Heartwarming New Rom-Com for the Stage
50 First Dates the Musical
The Other Palace
Walking into the world premiere of 50 First Dates: The Musical, I didn’t really know what to expect. I haven’t seen the original film, so I came in with fresh eyes and no preconceptions. What I got was a fun, heartwarming tale full of laugh-out-loud comedy, sweet romance, and a cast that truly pours their energy into every moment. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely a crowd-pleasing new addition to the musical theatre scene.
The story follows Lucy, played by Georgina Castle, who is utterly charming in the role. She brings warmth, humour, and vulnerability to a character who could easily feel one-note. Opposite her, Josh St Clair shines as Henry, balancing comic timing with a sincerity that makes their relationship believable. Together, they make a likeable pairing, grounding the show’s quirkiness with genuine chemistry.
For me, though, the standout was Chad St Louis as Sandy, a Disney-loving character who lights up the stage every time he appears. His vocals are sublime, soaring, effortless, and memorable; and his comic flair makes him the kind of scene-stealer audiences will talk about afterwards. Natasha O’Brien is also perfectly cast as Delilah; she’s hilarious, bold, and brings a spark of chaos that keeps the momentum rolling. The rest of the ensemble is equally strong, with every performer pulling their weight to create a show that feels tightly knit and well-rehearsed.
At just one act and around 100 minutes, the show is lean and well-paced, managing to pack in both big laughs and tender moments. However, the ending does feel a little rushed, as if the creative team were racing to tie everything together before the curtain falls. Another ten minutes of breathing space might have allowed the conclusion to land with more emotional weight.
The music is fun and infectious in the moment, and the cast performs it with absolute gusto. The problem is that, like Lucy’s forgetful condition, none of the songs really stick in your head after you leave the theatre. They’re enjoyable while you’re watching, but there aren’t any standout motifs or melodies that elevate the show into instant-classic territory. A stronger, more memorable score would take 50 First Dates from enjoyable to unmissable.
Visually, the production is bright and colourful, with clever set design that helps transport the audience into its tropical, playful world without overcomplicating things. The choreography is light, cheeky, and matches the tone of the show, keeping things lively throughout.
In the end, 50 First Dates: The Musical is close to being exactly what you’d want from a rom-com on stage: it’s funny, heartwarming, and full of charm. The cast is excellent, the pacing is snappy, and there’s a lot of joy to be had in watching it. It might not yet be destined for the status of a theatrical classic, but it’s certainly a promising and highly entertaining premiere.
★★★
Reviewed on Wednesday 24th September 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Keywords: 50 First Dates musical review, world premiere 50 First Dates stage show, Georgina Castle Lucy 50 First Dates, Josh St Clair Henry 50 First Dates, Chad St Louis Sandy Disney 50 First Dates, Natasha O’Brien Delilah 50 First Dates, new musicals 2025 review, rom-com musical UK premiere.
Sunday, 7 September 2025
Grease the Immersive Movie Musical Experience | REVIEW
Grease the Immersive Movie Musical
Battersea Park
If you’ve ever watched Grease and wished you could be part of Rydell High for a night, Grease: The Immersive Experience is exactly that dream come true. From the second you walk in, it’s like the movie has exploded into real life around you. The sets are ridiculously detailed- from the moment you walk in, it’s like the film comes alive! The set design is magical with full 50s fairgrounds, classrooms, and drive ins, the costumes are spot-on, and everywhere you look, there’s something happening. The diner is ready to serve you a milkshake, the lockers look like they’ve been there for years, and yes, Greased Lightning is sitting there in all its chrome glory. Even the little things, like the signs, the menus, and the jukebox lighting, feel spot-on.
One of the things that really blew me away was the casting. These actors don’t just play the characters, they look and act like the real deal. Danny has the swagger, Sandy has the sweetness, Rizzo has that perfect mix of sass and charm… it’s almost eerie how close they are to their movie counterparts. You can tell the casting team put a lot of thought into getting the right people for each role.
The way the show works is pretty clever, it’s happening all around you. Scenes are popping up in different corners at the same time, and you can choose where to go and who to follow. It’s exciting, but it also means you’ll miss things. You can’t possibly see it all in one go, but honestly, that’s part of the magic. You could come back three or four times and still spot new moments, new interactions, or even jokes you didn’t catch the first time.
Now, it wasn’t all perfect. At the start, there were some sound issues (a few lines got lost under the music) but as the night went on, it got much better. Once it clicked, the energy, the music, and the performances all came together beautifully.
If you know Grease, you’re going to have a blast spotting all the little nods to the movie. If you don’t know it, you might find the whole thing a bit confusing, because the show doesn’t really slow down to explain who’s who or what’s happening. But for fans? It’s pure joy.
Bottom line? Grease: The Immersive Experience is a big, loud, colourful party of a show. It’s chaotic in the best possible way, it’s packed with detail, and it’ll make you feel like you’ve just stepped into one of the most loved musicals of all time.
A must-do for film lovers, musical fans & immersive theatre junkies. Greased Lightning never looked so good!
★★★★
Reviewed on 6th August 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Danny Kaan
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
Keywords: Grease Immersive Experience London, Rydell High immersive theatre, immersive Grease review, Grease stage show, immersive musical London, Grease immersive cast, Grease theatre London review.
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