If you’re looking for some festive magic this year, look no further than the Dominion Theatre for a gloriously Christmassy, sparkly production of Elf The Musical. Based on the cult classic film, it tells the story of Buddy the Elf who finds out he’s really a human, so makes the journey from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father and experience the world. This musical adaptation has all the most iconic parts of the film plus a heap of theatrical magic that makes it the perfect festive treat.
‘Sassy, sexy musical comedy’: & JULIET – Broadway
Musical theatre’s new guilty pleasure, & Juliet is an accelerated endorphin rush that leaves the cheering crowd on a giddy high. A jukebox musical so in touch with its identity that it literally starts with a jukebox on the stage, & Juliet corrals more than two dozen of 100-plus hits of mega successful songwriter Max Martin into a sassy, sexy musical comedy.
‘Often hilarious & surprisingly moving’: AN IMPROBABLE MUSICAL – Hackney Empire
When you book tickets to a musical you would ordinarily expect to see a highly polished, carefully choreographed production where every line, step and song has been rehearsed a hundred times. Not so if you’re heading to Hackney Empire for An Improbable Musical, a show which will be improvised before your eyes.
‘There’s certainly heart to the story’: BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER – Turbine Theatre ★★★
Since its opening in 2019, the Turbine Theatre in Battersea has been a leading player in showcasing new musicals, while providing a safe space to try out modern and exciting work. Their most recent is a musical version of the cult classic film But I’m a Cheerleader. Producer, Paul Taylor-Mills has been championing this show for several years and after personally seeing it as a workshop version at MT Fest, it’s great to see how the musical has developed and progressed to its current form.
‘A treat to see such strong performances’: THE CHER SHOW – Touring ★★★
Turning back time from her Las Vegas residencies, The Cher Show begins in the 1950s with a young Cherilyn Sarkisian who’s longing to be a star, and progresses through her various ventures, successes and failures up to the modern day. Taking on the role of the musical icon, are three superstars who share (cher) the role and show her at various stages of her life. Debbie Kurup plays the Star, Danielle Steers is Lady and Millie O’Connell is the youngest, Baby.
‘Fantastically good fun’: Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Musical comedy Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder by Jon Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones at Roundabout @ Summerhall is a hilarious caper that embraces the genre’s fans, life’s unexpected heroes and the quest to find yourself.
‘You’d have to be a scrooge not to enjoy it’: Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Touring ★★★★★
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a staple and rite of passage for many musical theatre fans so when a production is mounted there’s always a ready and willing audience to view it. Thankfully for current audiences, the Palladium production which is currently touring the country is absolutely top notch and a dream night out.
‘Highlights the heartwarming & empowering messages’: Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert – Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★
Kinky Boots the Musical in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane is a fantastic showcase of a great cast as well as the heartwarming story that works surprisingly well in concert form. I can only imagine how great this ensemble would be in a fully staged production with all the glitz and glam the show deserves.
‘Sets the standard against which future productions will be judged’: SOUTH PACIFIC – Sadler’s Wells & Touring
This is a smart and thoughtful interpretation of South Pacific that takes carefully considered approach to some of the problems in the scenario without fully absolving the characters for their behaviour and choices. Managing to balance the sparkle of the big set-pieces and the not so charming effects of military occupation with some serious emotional clout that will leave you wrung through at the end, this sets the standard against which future productions will be judged. With a UK tour running until November, Bali Ha’i is calling you, don’t resist.
‘The sumptuous score is showcased to the highest degree’: CHESS THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT – Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★
After the success earlier in the year of Bonnie and Clyde in Concert, the bar has been set rather high for what concert productions at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane can provide, and Chess the Musical in Concert certainly hits the mark.
‘The comic timing from the cast is certainly on point’: SISTER ACT – Eventim Apollo
Based on the hit 1992 comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg, this is the latest touring incarnation of the highly entertaining musical Sister Act. Originally set to star Goldberg in a reprise of the role, the cast instead has the more than able replacement of Beverley Knight. Joined by Jennifer Saunders, Lesley Joseph and Clive Rowe, this revival certainly isn’t lacking firepower in the casting department.
‘Hurray for new British writing’: MILLENNIALS – The Other Palace ★★★★
There may be a little final sprinkle of fairy dust missing but Millennials at The Other Palace is one of the funnest shows about and it’ll be brilliant to see where it progresses.
‘Inspiring, empowering & uplifting musical’: Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World – Touring
Kate Pankhurst’s best-selling picture book Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is filled with fascinating facts about some of the amazing women who have changed the course of history. And it’s now been adapted into a musical by a creative team of wonderful women.
‘A lovely production chock-a-block with humour’: MY FAIR LADY – London Coliseum ★★★★
The London Coliseum was packed to the rafters and buzzing to see the long-awaited West End transfer of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Bartlett Sher’s joyous production had a highly acclaimed run on Broadway and has now opened here, with the glorious Amara Okereke in the leading role. A role that seems made for her.
‘It lacks the sparkle you expect’: WE WILL ROCK YOU – Touring ★★★
Back for its 2022 tour, We Will Rock You is set in a dystopian future where “real” music has been outlawed and replaced with manufactured pop. Society is lived online and it’s up to a group of Bohemians to travel across the Seven Seas of Rye, declare themselves the champions and bring back rock and roll and freedom for all.
’It’s the first-rate performances that really bring this show to life’: LIFT – Southwark Playhouse ★★★
Overall, Lift is a well-paced show which lacks real depth and cohesion but is carried exceptionally well by the eight person cast. As a cult favourite, it’s worth catching just for the powerhouse voices and strong visuals.
INTERVIEW: Alex Gibson-Giorgio on playing the villain in Zorro The Musical
Alex Gibson-Giorgio plays Ramon in Zorro The Musical at London’s Charing Cross Theatre. He chats to us about the rehearsal process, what it’s like playing the villain and what audiences can expect from the musical.
‘The megamix at the end proves an audience favourite’: THE OSMONDS – Touring ★★★
It has been over 50 years since the wholesome, handsome brothers from Utah, The Osmonds, began their career.
INTERVIEW: Evelyn Hoskins on returning to the Waitress diner on tour
Evelyn Hoskins plays Jenna’s lovable friend Dawn who’s looking for love of her own. Evelyn spoke to us about taking the show on the road and how the pandemic changed her portrayal.
‘A fun revival that doesn’t take itself too seriously’: DIRTY DANCING – West End ★★★★
Dirty Dancing is one of the cult classic films that’s beloved by many generations and continually stands the test of time, so a stage version has a built-in audience.