Blog / David Pugh
Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.
2020
It’s hard to imagine the West End getting back to normal at the moment, but preparations are still being made for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s brand new version of Cinderella, opening at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre in October 2020, including the exciting casting of Victoria Hamilton-Barritt as the Stepmother opposite Carrie Hope Fletcher in the title role.
Andrew Lloyd Webber announces delay in the West End opening of his new musical version of Cinderella
In light of the ‘current global circumstances’ in relation to the coronavirus, the world premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical Cinderella, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, has been delayed to 28 October 2020, previewing from 9 October. Originally the much-anticipated musical was due to begin previews on 28 August.
It’s the traditional fairy tale with a modern twist and a very modern Cinderella as played by Carrie Hope Fletcher in Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Zippel’s new musical, based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, opening for previews at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on 28 August 2020.
New term dates are in the calendar for Wise Children’s musical adaptation of Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers, now in a co-production with Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, where the tour will open on 27 March 2020. London dates see the show running at the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 27 July to 31 August.
Did you hear that Gander is going to be welcoming (via London’s Phoenix Theatre) a bunch of new members of the Come From Away community from 10 February 2020 as the award-winning musical begins its second year in the West End? Surely a return visit is in order.
The West End welcomes Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical adaptation of Cinderella in late summer 2020
There were rumours that the new musical version of the classic fairy tale Cinderella with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by David Zippel, based on an original idea by Emerald Fennell, would open on Broadway but instead it will be London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre which will host the show when it opens in September 2020. Are you going to buy tickets for the ball?
2019
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the opening of Curtains at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre. Perry is wowed by the incredible dance numbers, fabulous vocals & on the edge of his seat as he tries to solve such an entertaining musical whodunnit. Plus he gets to chat post-show to the stars including Jason Manford, Carley Stenson, Rebecca Lock, Samuel Holmes and lan Burkitt. It’s certainly a musical to lift your spirits.
As the RSC's much-anticipated musical adaptation of David Walliams' children's novel THE BOY IN THE DRESS starts performances, check out what Walliams revealed to Faves founder Terri Paddock during rehearsals... including his love of Matilda and desire to play Miss Trunchbull! (Can you see it?)
It’s been five long years but the wait is over, the Olivier Award-winning production of City of Angels – directed by Josie Rourke – is heading to London’s Garrick Theatre in March 2020. The original creative team is back as are Hadley Fraser, Rosalie Craig and Rebecca Trehearn. Oh, and did we mention that Vanessa Williams will be making her West End debut?
2019
The Hoff is about to be hassled if Dolly Parton has anything to do with it. Yes, it’s David Hasselhoff who will play Franklin Hart Jnr in 9 To 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre from 2 December 2019 until 8 February 2020.
It’s a pretty exciting combination: Robbie Williams, Guy Chambers and Mark Ravenhill all creating a brand new musical adaptation of David Walliams’ novel The Boy In The Dress for the RSC in November 2019, directed by Gregory Doran. But now we know some of the casting too with Rufus Hound, Irvine Iqbal, Natasha Lewis and Forbes Masson all taking lead roles in the much-anticipated production.
2019
Jason Manford is going to be in good company when the UK tour of musical Curtains opens at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 4 October 2019, with Ore Oduba and Carley Stenson among the new cast members just announced. Let’s hope they pull it together!
2019
See what happened when our colleague @stagedoorjoe got to hang out at the BIG The Musical London press launch with Jay McGuiness, Kimberley Walsh, Matthew Kelly and Wendi Peters. There was an early preview of the score and a chance to have a play on the famous larger than life piano. The show will play at the Dominion Theatre from 6 September to 2 November 2019. For more images and video, read on…
2019
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of Tony Award-winning Canadian musical Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre. Perry was there at the after-party to catch up with several members of the cast including Rachel Tucker and Jenna Boyd, plus he also caught up with original stranded passenger Kevin Tuerff, and Janice Goudie – one of the islanders who expressed such love and compassion to the 7,000 people diverted to their hometown during the wake of 9/11. Welcome to the Rock…
There will be high expectations for the RSC’s world premiere musical production of The Boy in the Dress, adapted from David Walliams’ first children’s novel. But if anyone can pull it off, Mark Ravenhill, Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers surely have a pretty good chance. Will it be the next Matilda? Time will tell…
2018
StageFaves’ Perry O’Bree attended the West End charity gala opening of The Band at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, a special night raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Perry was there on the Red Carpet to chat to all the talented cast – one confessed to being a big fan of Perry – as well as Take That’s Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams too! Are you ready to see them ‘Shine’?
Tony Award-winning Canadian musical Come From Away will land at London’s Phoenix Theatre for its UK premiere from 30 January 2019, with a pre-West End stop-off at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin from 6 December 2018 to 19 January. Now we know which performers are on the journey, are you going to join them?
2018
TV star Jorgie Porter, soul legend Mica Paris and theatre star Keith Jack, currently appearing in the critically-acclaimed UK tour of Fame, will reprise their roles in the show’s West transfer, arriving at London’s Peacock Theatre in September 2019. Time to dig those legwarmers out of the drawer!
It may be 30 years since the original Miami production, but Fame The Musical continues to hit the spot with generation after generation. After a mega tour, the newest production will transfer to London’s Peacock Theatre from 11 September to 19 October 2019. So remember, remember, remember…
We can’t wait to see how Come From Away tells the incredible true story of 7,000 stranded air passengers during the wake of 9/11 and the small town in Newfoundland welcomed them. The musical lands next year at the Phoenix Theatre.