In a special, one-night-only concert, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s musical Sunset Boulevard will be staged at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 3 December 2021.
From Cinderella to the Court: Mark Shenton reflects on another eventful week in the theatre calendar
The week began with Andrew Lloyd Webber being mentioned by Boris Johnson, as he extended the lockdown from the originally hoped-for ‘Freedom Day’ of 21 June to 19 July, at which point theatres may be able to reopen without social distancing in place;
‘So many treats’: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – Palace Theatre & Online
Featuring 18 West End musicals, The Show Must Go On is a concert to remember, featuring a whole host of theatrical talent both on and off the stage.
‘Perhaps the best one yet’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 5 The Classics of Broadway (Online review)
We are now into a third lockdown, but the Theatre Cafe and Adam Blanshay Productions continue undeterred with the Theatre Channel’s musical theatre spectaculars.
‘Felt like a true celebration’: MUSICALS: THE GREATEST SHOW – BBC One ★★★★★
Dazzling from start to finish, the high quality of the performances, music and of course the venue featured in Musicals: The Greatest Show reminded us why exactly we are missing the theatre.
‘A theatrical enterprise growing from strength to strength’: The Theatre Channel – Episode 4 Holiday Special (Online review)
Nipping in just before Santa arrives, The Theatre Channel’s fourth episode delivers festive treats aplenty in The Holiday Special.
CD Review: Mazz Murray – Midnight Mazz – Here We Go Again / Mascherato the Musical / Howard Goodall’s Songs from the Musicals Vol 1
This set of album reviews covers Mazz Murray – Midnight Mazz – Here We Go Again, Mascherato the Musical (Original Studio Cast Recording) and Howard Goodall’s Songs from the Musicals Vol. 1.
‘Deserves to be seen in a full-scale production’: CINDERELLA – Cadogan Hall ★★★★★
Warmhearted and sincere, Jonathan O’Boyle’s concert production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical take on Cinderella is gorgeous to watch and listen to from start to finish.
NEWS: Caroline Flack joins the West End production of Chicago as Roxie Hart
Caroline Flack will star as Roxie Hart in Chicago from 10 December 2018 until the end of the show’s run at the Phoenix Theatre on 5 January 2019.
NEWS: YouTuber & star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Todrick Hall will star as Billy Flynn in the West End’s Chicago
Star of RuPaul’s Drag Race, American Idol and YouTube sensation Todrick Hall will star as Billy Flynn in Chicago from 19 November 2018 until the end of the show’s run at the Phoenix Theatre on 5 January 2019.
NEWS: Alexandra Burke & Duncan James will extend their runs in the West End production of Chicago
Due to popular demand, Alexandra Burke and Duncan James will extend their runs in Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre. Burke will play Roxie Hart until 10 November 2018 and James will play Billy Flynn until 17 November.
‘Always enjoyable to see women characters completely take centre stage’: CHICAGO – West End
Chicago must be praised for not pulling punches in exploring subtexts around gender politics and in integrating serious themes with a thoroughly entertaining show.
‘Feels as though it has a new lease of life about it’: CHICAGO – West End ★★★★
Thanks to the strong casting, there seems to be a new lease of life in this classic production of Ebb and Kander’s musical Chicago.
NEWS: Laura Tyrer secures Velma Kelly role in West End Chicago on new TV audition show
Laura Tyrer will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Velma Kelly from Monday 24 September through to Saturday 6 October 2018. Tyrer joins Alexandra Burke as Roxie Hart, Duncan James as Billy Flynn, Mazz Murray as Mama Morton and Paul Rider as Amos Hart.
NEWS: Denise Van Outen will play Velma Kelly in the West End production of Chicago
Star of stage and screen Denise Van Outen will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Velma Kelly from 24 September 2018 through to 17 November 2018.
NEWS: Duncan James returns to the role of Billy Flynn in the West End cast of Chicago
From Monday 10 September 2018, Duncan James will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Billy Flynn, a role he originally played in 2008.
News, reviews & controversies: Mark Shenton has plenty to discuss as he views the week ahead
News, reviews, controversies and interviews of the week from London to Broadway, by way of Edinburgh, including the ‘banning’ of Mazz Murray from singing a song from Dreamgirls, Edinburgh venue pay rates, and a 70-year-old Broadway understudy getting the lead.
NEWS: Alexandra Burke joins the West End cast of Chicago as Roxie Hart
Alexandra Burke will join the West End cast of Chicago at the Phoenix Theatre, playing the role of Roxie Hart from Monday 16 August through to Saturday 14 October 2018.
NEWS: Natasha J Barnes & Ria Jones nominated for Best Understudy in Wilma Awards
Nominations have been announced in the third annual West End Wilma Awards, which will be held, once again, in association with London’s Hippodrome Casino. Public voting to decide the winners opens online on 2 September 2016 at westendwilma.com