London is a breeding ground for creativity in the world of musical theatre. The stars of the West End stage aside, it is a hotbed for musical talent and there is a multitude of both established and up-and-coming British writers putting their mark on the theatre scene with their compositions. In March of this year, a selection of these writers were brought together by Mercury Musical Developments (MMD) for the composer and lyricist showcase A Song Cycle For Soho. MMD has been dedicated to the support and development of promising composers/lyricists/book writers for the past 20 years, and A … more »
Category: London Theatre Articles
Chicago The Musical Competition
Your chance to win 2 tickets to see Chicago at the Garrick Theatre on Thursday 31st May, 2012 The winner will also have the chance to meet leading cast AND have a backstage tour before the start of the musical and enjoy a glass of champagne after the show with cast (subject to availability). To enter the competition you simply have to answer the following 3 questions and email your answers to chicago@lastminutetheatretickets.com 1. What is the name of the corrupt matron in the county jail? 2. What is the name of the tabloid columnist in the musical? 3. … more »
London launch of A Song and a Sip cabaret at Leicester Square Theatre in May 2012
We’re now into the fifth month of 2012 and so far this year, theatregoers have had a selection of delicious cabarets served up on a platter for them. There have been musical offerings from up-and-coming composers like Chris Passey and Anderson & Petty, solo efforts from West End performers like Chloe Hart (Wicked) and Scott Garnham (Les Miserables) and group gatherings of West End stars in nights like Giggin4Good and Your Song. In the month of May there are even more of these wonderful, intimate events coming up, such as the previously mentioned West End In Concert at the … more »
Des O’Connor as The Wizard of Oz for Final Season
DES O’CONNOR IS…..THE WIZARD! Marking the legendary entertainer’s 1,250th LONDON PALLADIUM APPEARANCE! Following a staggering 1,200+ solo appearances at the London Palladium, DES O’CONNOR is set to star at the world renowned venue for the very first time in a stage musical. Star of stage, screen, and music, Des was awarded the CBE in 2008 for his services to entertainment and broadcasting and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best loved and most respected stars. FROM TUESDAY 22nd MAY FOR THE SHOW’S FINAL SEASON… He will take over the iconic role of THE WIZARD in ANDREW LLOYD … more »
Tim Minchin to play Judas in arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar
Reports that comedian Tim Minchin is set to take on the role of Judas in the new arena tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar have been widely circulating online. The rock musical is to open at the O2 Arena this summer, with the leading role of Jesus being cast via the upcoming ITV televised talent search ‘Superstar’, following the same format Lloyd Webber used for his productions of The Sound of Music (‘How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?’), Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (‘Any Dream Will Do’), Oliver! (‘I’d Do Anything’) and The Wizard of … more »
The Wizard of Oz 48 Hour Ticket Sale London Palladium
What’s the deal? Book The Wizard of Oz tickets during our 48 hour sale and save 50% on top price seats – only £32.50 each (usually £65)†. But hurry – this deal must end on Thursday 10 May at 10.30am on the dot. Book your seats right away to make sure you don’t miss out on this half-price offer. What’s the show about? Innocent Dorothy is caught in a tornado in humdrum Kansas that carries her away to an enchanted land called Oz. She joins a Cowardly Lion, a Tin Man and a not-too-bright Scarecrow along the Yellow Brick … more »
West End star Louise Dearman releases second solo album
Louise Dearman is one of the West End’s biggest musical theatre stars, perhaps best known for her most recent role as Glinda in Wicked which is currently in its fifth year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Dearman played opposite Rachel Tucker’s Elphaba from 2010-2011 and the duo were acclaimed by critics and fans alike in their portrayal of the early life of The Wicked Witch of the West and The Good Witch of the North. Gina Beck took over from Dearman in December 2011 and since then, Dearman has been working on her second solo album which was officially … more »
Coronation Street musical Street of Dreams debuts in Manchester on 9th May 2012
I’ve made mention before of the lack of inspiration behind the creation of some new musicals. The use of popular trends as subject matter for musical theatre is becoming more commonplace, the recent musical based on the life of Britain’s Got Talent singer Susan Boyle serving as an example of this practice. I suggested that the next thing we’d be seeing would be Eastenders The Musical and, though I wrote that with tongue firmly in cheek, it was written with the knowledge that a similar production was in development. A stadium musical celebrating long-running soap ITV Coronation Street opens … more »
South Downs and The Browning Version Review
Following a hugely successful run at The Chichester Festival, Rattigan’s The Browning Version and its new companion piece by David Hare, South Downs, have transferred to The Harold Pinter Theatre. David Hare was approached to write a new curtain-raiser for the 100th anniversary of Rattigan’s birth. Hare explains in the programme that “My play is written as a tribute to Rattigan, and aims to share common themes with his”. Two one act plays, featuring two acts of kindness. South Downs is set in a school in 1962. Hare was at Lancing in the early 60s and gives us a … more »
In Profile: Olivia Phillip
Ghost The Musical is one spectre-cle of a show. The award-winning musical continues to bring in an audience on a nightly basis since it came to the West End in 2011, and even though the production and the story are enough of a draw themselves, the cast are also a big part of its attraction. Mark Evans and Siobhan Dillon, who took over from original leads Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy as Sam and Molly respectively in January 2012, have received rave reviews alongside original principals Andrew Langtree (Carl) and Sharon D. Clarke (Oda Mae). Their performances are certainly … more »
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