From the audience at the Duke of York’s Theatre, it’s clear that Shirley Valentine is a much loved story and after seeing Sheridan Smith’s performance, I think it’s only going to receive further love and praise.
‘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.
Mark Shenton bemoans the lack of British songwriters in Radio 2’s forthcoming musicals celebration
Radio 2’s Greatest Show could — and should — have been a platform to celebrate more British musicals, especially here, especially now, with the industry floundering so badly. A show of support for our own creators of new musicals would not have gone amiss.
CD Review: Amanda Holden – Songs From My Heart
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden releases her debut album Songs From My Heart, full of musical theatre treats and Sheridan Smith.
NEWS: Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-winning TV role in new Cilla The Musical tour
After much speculation, producers have confirmed that Sheridan Smith will revisit her award-wining portrayal of the late Cilla Black to star in Bill Kenwright’s stage production, Cilla The Musical, written by BAFTA award-winning writer Jeff Pope.
‘At its strongest in the more poignant moments’: JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT – West End
This production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a crowd pleaser, but there are moments which feels as though it is lacking the finesse that you would expect from a West End production.
‘Pure pleasure, in energy and design’: JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT – West End ★★★★
We love a starry debut, especially on opening night in a huge theatre: a 21-year-old not yet through drama school making a stonking, belting first professional appearance in a title role. So Laurence Connor knew what he was doing when he cast young Jac Yarrow in Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
‘You can practically hear doors flinging open to Yarrow all over town’: JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT – West End
The staging and orchestration of the Palladium’s new version of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat looks to the future, as a whole new set of children fall in love with this perennial musical.
NEWS: Full casting announced for the new production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium
Full casting has been announced for the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium following the previous announcements that Sheridan Smith will star as The Narrator, Jason Donovan will return to the show as Pharaoh, and Jac Yarrow will mark his professional debut as Joseph.
NEWS: Jac Yarrow makes his stage debut as Joseph in the new West End production
Jac Yarrow will take the lead role in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium. The show plays a strictly limited 11-week season from 27 June to 8 September 2019 (press night is 11 July).
NEWS: Jason Donovan is back at the London Palladium to play the Pharaoh in the new West End production of Joseph
Jason Donovan will return to the London Palladium in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to star as the Pharaoh. The show plays a strictly limited 11-week season from 27 June to 8 September 2019 (press night is 11 July).
NEWS: Sheridan Smith will play The Narrator in the new West End production of Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning actress Sheridan Smith will return to the West End this summer in the new production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium.
Mark Shenton rounds up news, reviews, interviews & controversies from London, New York & beyond
Mark Shenton offers reviews, news, interviews and tweets of the week from the West End, Broadway and beyond.
NEWS: Sunset Boulevard & HOME are big winners at Manchester Theatre Awards
Sheridan Smith and Danny Mac were among the winners at the Manchester Theatre Awards – which were announced at The Lowry Theatre in Salford, while HOME led the way with five awards for its productions and performers. The annual awards – regarded as the most important theatrical prize-giving outside London – honour productions seen in Greater Manchester during 2017. Janet …
‘Truly warms the heart’: CILLA – Touring ★★★★★
This story of the girl next door who did good, against the backdrop of music that truly stands the test of time, will warm your heart, make you smile, and ultimately leave you sad that we have lost a real “one-off” in Cilla.
What were our Top 25 reviews & other blogs in November 2017?
As it’s the first of the month, we’re taking a moment to remind ourselves of the most popular contributions from our 20+ syndicate Mates bloggers from the month just closed. What were the reviews and other blogs that got readers clicking most? Any surprises? Our Top 25 Mates Blogs from November 2017 are listed below with summaries and links to read more.
‘A stunning debut’: Review of Sheridan Smith’s new solo album
There are returns to the material that has justly made her reputation. Her impassioned take on Cilla Black’s swinging ‘Anyone Who Had a Heart’ remains an absolute joy and a full-throated rendition of Funny Girl’s ‘My Man’ recalls the energy of her Fanny Brice.
INTERVIEW: Spotlight On… Natasha Barnes, from Funny Girl to Tryst
Fresh from her performance as Mabel in the London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s performance of Mack and Mabel at the Hackney Empire, Natasha Barnes spoke to Love London Love Culture about her debut album and upcoming performance in Tryst.
FUNNY GIRL – Touring
Opening on Broadway in 1964 and more often known for the 1968 motion picture starring Barbara Streisand and Omar Sharif, Funny Girl is a biographical show based on the book of the same name written by Isobel Lennart.
FUNNY GIRL – Touring
This version from Chocolate Factory Productions returns to the original – with some updates – and is now touring after an acclaimed West End run. Much of the publicity has centred on Sheridan Smith in the central role, and she surely deserves all of the praise that continues to come her way.