After the last 15 months in which theatre has been mostly a wasteland, it is wonderful to be back in one of the grandest theatres of all (the London Coliseum) and watching one of the most delightful of shows (Hairspray).
‘Completely irresistible’: HAIRSPRAY – London Coliseum
Fourteen months and four attempts later, Hairspray is finally back in the West End – the energy, sentiment and exhilaration of the show is completely irresistible.
NEWS: Les Dennis joins the cast of Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum
Actor Les Dennis is to join the new production of Hairspray the Musical which is set to play a limited season at the London Coliseum from 21 June to 29 September 2021.
Mark Shenton’s weekly chart of forthcoming theatrical comings & goings has some new entries
This weekly column keeps track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, as theatres prepare to re-open from next month onwards. It will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Returning & new productions heading for the West End & beyond post-lockdown: Are you up to date?
Meanwhile, I want to start keeping track of the shows that are coming back, or are newly being announced, in a new feature here that will be updated weekly until such time as it becomes a reality, and from then on will provide a weekly update to that week’s openings and future ones.
Album Reviews: Marisha Wallace – Tomorrow / Shan Ako – Brave Heart / Soviet Zion
A trio of music reviews with Marisha Wallace’s album Tomorrow, Shan Ako’s EP Brave Heart and the original concept album of Soviet Zion.
‘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.
Album Reviews: A Hadestown Holiday Album / Leslie Odom Jr / Michael Ball & Alfie Boe
A trio of festive album reviews with If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album, Leslie Odom Jr – The Christmas Album and Michael Ball and Alfie Boe – Together at Christmas.
NEWS: Run of Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is extended due to latest Government restrictions on seating capacity
The run of Les Misérables –The Staged Concert at London’s Sondheim Theatre has been extended to 28 February 2021, with performances beginning on 5 December.
NEWS: Les Misérables – The Staged Concert returns to the West End in December 2020
Les Misérables – The Staged Concert will return to the West End for a six-week limited run, playing at London’s Sondheim Theatre from 5 December 2020 to 17 January 2021.
NEWS: Hairspray postpones for a second time, now runs for 19 weeks from April 2021
The return of Hairspray the Musical has been postponed again. It will now return next April, a full year after originally scheduled, but now for a longer, 19-week season, rather than ten weeks.
‘There are some really spectacular performances’: Les Miserables – The Staged Concert ★★★★ (Online review)
This glorious and musically powerful staged concert version of the beloved musical manages to maintain the drama.
‘The top-notch cast sing as if it’s the first time they’re hearing the music’: Les Misérables – The Staged Concert (Online review)
Les Misérables – The Staged Concert is released on digital download, along with a bonus featurette which is highly amusing.
The Shows Must Go On: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th birthday concert streams for 48 hours from Friday
The lockdown streaming schedule for free-to-view YouTube Channel The Shows Must Go On, continues this Friday with a broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s star-studded 50th birthday concert held at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
NEWS: Cameron Mackintosh releases digital download of Les Miserables concert to raise funds for Covid charities
Cameron Mackintosh has announced the debut of the hugely successful Les Misérables -The Staged Concert on digital download in the UK and Australia, which will also raise much-needed funds for performers, musicians and the NHS.
NEWS: Hairspray reschedules its London Coliseum season for this autumn
Producers have announced new dates for the return of Hairspray the Musical which, prior to the coronavirus crisis, had been due to run from 23 April to 30 August 2020 at the London Coliseum. The production will now run for a ten-week season from 1 September to 8 November 2020, with a press night on 8 September.
NEWS: Paul Merton will make his West End musical debut in Hairspray at the London Coliseum
Paul Merton, the popular comedian and star of BBC’s renowned programme Have I Got News For You – is to join the new production of Hairspray the Musical at the London Coliseum, making his West End musical debut as Wilbur Turnblad.
Stars on stage in 2020
Here’s our guide to some of the familiar faces that you can expect to see on stage this year…
Mind The Blog’s top five musical choices for 2020
If you’re struggling with all the choice, Mind The Blog has come up with her top five musicals you do not want to miss in 2020.
‘Will be long remembered’: LES MISERABLES – THE STAGED CONCERT – West End
Like its predecessors, 2019’s Les Misérables: The Staged Concert will be long remembered as another notable event in the musical’s performance history, heralding the return of Michael Ball to a show he helped to establish, but this time in the role of Javert.