Following a successful West End engagement at the Dominion back in 2019, White Christmas has been taken on the road for the 2022 festive season. This time round, the Irving Berlin classic musical stars Jay McGuiness, Dan Burton, Jessica Daley, Monique Young, Lorna Luft and Michael Starke – and of course includes several renditions of the famous title song.
‘The musical experience of the leading players shines through’: SLEEPLESS A MUSICAL ROMANCE – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre ★★★
The fact that Sleepless is the first large-scale indoor production since lockdown gives it a wow factor beyond the production itself.
‘Works well in these socially distanced times’: SLEEPLESS A MUSICAL ROMANCE – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre ★★★★
Sleepless is a musical with plenty of heart and feeling that captures the spirit of the original film in a new way, making you see the story and its characters in a new light.
NEWS: Covid testing begins backstage at Sleepless Musical as new casting announced
SLEEPLESS, A Musical Romance, which announced last month it would begin socially distanced indoor performances at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre from 25 August until 27 September 2020, will begin using a new accurate Covid-19 test on cast, musicians, crew and theatre staff on a daily basis during rehearsals and the run of the show.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Big the Musical at the Dominion Theatre
Love London Love Culture rounds up the reviews for Big, the musical based on the Tom Hanks film, now playing for a limited season at the Dominion Theatre.
‘The nasty aftertaste negates the positives’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Though the design is superb, the kids are both adorable and excellent performers, and McGuiness’s work is solid, the appalling storyline of Big and its tone-deafness can get in the bin.
‘Out of step & time’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Big, the film, holds a special place in everyone’s hearts but this musical version is out of step and time.
‘Indulges entirely in cinematic nostalgia’: BIG THE MUSICAL – West End
Big doesn’t always mean better, size does matter, it’s not how big it is it’s what you do with it – whatever the pun, Big the Musical is a severe disappointment at the Dominion Theatre.
NEWS: Big The Musical gets West End premiere, starring Jay McGuiness at Dominion Theatre
Something BIG is coming to London this autumn – the West End premiere of screen-to-stager BIG The Musical, which will run for nine weeks only at the Dominion Theatre. Tickets are now on sale via MyTheatreMates!
‘Nostalgic, cheesy & delightfully good fun’: RIP IT UP – West End ★★★
Rip It Up does exactly that to the conventional West End tried and tested jukebox musical. In part a reality TV show and in part a showcase, the evening encapsulates a musical time-machine that will have you tapping your feet and smiling from cheek to cheek despite your best attempts to resist.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Rip it Up at the Garrick Theatre
Bringing the 1960s to life, find out what critics made of Rip it Up, now playing at the Garrick Theatre.
NEWS: Strictly favourites Harry Judd, Aston Merrygold, Louis Smith & Jay McGuiness bring Rip it Up – The 60s to the West End
Harry Judd, Aston Merrygold and Louis Smith will be joined by Jay McGuiness in the ultimate Strictly boyband when the show Rip it Up – The 60s begins a 16-week engagement at London’s Garrick Theatre from 7 February 2019.
Album Review: Big the Musical (2016 Original UK Cast Recording)
A 1990s musical of an 80s film – nostalgia has a lot to answer for but it was to Maltby Jr and Shires’ 1996 adaptation of the Tom Hanks-starring film that producers turned for their big Christmas musical at Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin.
KEEP DANCING – Touring
Accomplished and brash ballroom dancing makes the touring Keep Dancing entertaining enough. Publicity for the show concentrates on its (unofficial) links with Strictly Come Dancing, with the names of last year’s winners Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani prominent.