Hitting the highway until late 2022, after several staggering runs in Toronto, New York and London, Bat Out Of Hell returned to its proverbial Manchester home this weekend.
NEWS: West End showcase will feature 15 up & coming musical theatre writers
A concert to celebrate the Chamber Musical Project will take place on 4 October 2021 at London’s Garrick Theatre. The Chamber Musical Sessions concert will invite audiences to join the selected 15 writing teams from across the UK to hear an array of new songs from the chamber musicals that they are writing.
‘Grab a ticket if you still can’: SUNSHINE ON LEITH – Edinburgh Fringe
I kicked off our fringe experience with Captivate Theatre’s exuberant and joyful Sunshine on Leith. A large company of Edinburgh-based performers and musicians who first presented the show back in 2014.
‘Brims with exhilarating jazz & witty comedy’: WONDERFUL TOWN – Opera Holland Park ★★★★
As the world returns to a new normal, there aren’t many better ways to spend an evening than enjoying a glorious musical in the beautiful setting of Opera Holland Park. Quick Fantastic has returned to the space to present Wonderful Town, the half-forgotten 30s musical which brims with exhilarating jazz and witty comedy.
‘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.
Book Review: Hamilton & Me – Giles Terera
In Hamilton and Me, Giles Terera shares his personal story and relationship with Hamilton and his character, Aaron Burr. It covers how he auditioned for the role of ‘the villain’ and the journey he went on in order to understand and embody him on stage.
‘There is something for absolutely everyone’: WEST END MUSICAL CELEBRATION – Palace Theatre ★★★★★
As the final chorus of The Greatest Showman’s ‘From Now On’ rang out “and we will come back home”, I was reminded that the theatre really is home and if West End Musical Celebration is what it’s like then I never want to leave.
‘Funny, moving & thought-provoking’: YOU ARE HERE – Southwark Playhouse
After five long months, theatre buildings are finally back in business for in-person performances, meaning our calendar and credit card statement(!) are starting to look […]
NEWS: Pretty Woman: The Musical returns to the West End in July 2021
After breaking advance box office records at the Piccadilly Theatre when it opened in February 2020, the smash-hit feel-good PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL returns to the West End this Summer in its new home the Savoy Theatre, with performances from 8 July 2021.
‘Not simply a journey through history’: The Road to Prominence / Break Free – Thespie (Online review)
Thespie has launched its newest concerts in celebration of Black musicians and composers, and of LGBTQIA+ performers. These are now available on demand, and their proceeds go to Black Lives Matter and Stonewall respectively.
‘Country music’s loss is certainly musical theatre’s gain’: AN EVENING WITH DAVID BEDELLA – Crazy Coqs (Online review) ★★★★
David Bedella made each song his own during his cabaret An Evening with David Bedella, an show full of fun boasting a great choice of songs and a slick performance.
‘Full to the brim with theatricality’: THE SHOW MUST GO ON – The Lost Alhambra ★★★★★
The Show Must Go On is an immersive, cabaret dining experience which packs a punch. The night is complete with a three hour show, a two course meal, a welcome cocktail and bottomless Prosecco, you couldn’t really ask for more.
‘I would like people to experience the joy of being back together’: Rachel John stars in Songs For a New World at the London Palladium
After the success of the online streamed version of Jason Robert Brown’s Songs For a New World, Lambert Jackson has brought the musical back as one of the first live, in person performances in the West End. Theatrical powerhouse Rachel John will be starring in the show and is extremely excited to get back to performing…
‘Character investment is strong from the beginning’: AFTER YOU – TONIGHT AT THE LONDON COLISEUM (Online review)
After You is a brief but well constructed story about musical theatre’s favourite theme – love – but is less the straightforward tale of boy meets girl who live happily ever after. It is more a two-hander that plays with convention.
‘Truly sensational to experience’: PIPPIN – Garden Theatre ★★★★
The terrific cast of triple threats make the bittersweet, upbeat and consistently enjoyable musical Pippin at the Garden Theatre a must see.
The Show People Podcast: A 4th anniversary special with Peter Polycarpou
This episode of was recorded in January 2020 – before Covid-19 changed everything. Host Andrew Keates shares an explanation about where The Show People Podcast has been for most of 2020 and celebrates the podcast’s fourth anniversary.
‘The tale is in turns mystical & magical’: HOLLOW – The Space UK (Online review)
Included in the shows offered at this year’s digital Edinburgh Fringe, comes Hollow. It is a musical from performer David Kent and collaborator Dereck Walker, weaving supernatural stories with folk melodies.
‘Frothy, refreshing & much needed’: FANNY & STELLA – The Eagle Garden Theatre ★★★★
Fanny & Stella is a funny, bawdy, light-hearted musical that provides a very welcome distraction from the seriousness of the world.
What am I missing? 8 musicals where I just didn’t get the hype
For every person who is a major fan of a show, there is someone on the other end of the spectrum who doesn’t like it. What would be the fun if we all liked the same things?!
The return of the movie musical: 9 upcoming ones to look forward to
During the Golden Age of Hollywood, movie musicals were abundant and arguably the most popular genre. However, with the move towards pop culture in the 1960s, their popularity dwindled and gave way to a more rebellious style and tone.