Blog / West End Live
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.
2017
The wait is over! HAMILTON officially got its London premiere tonight (21 December 2017) at the West End's Victoria Palace Theatre. We're rounding up the reviews as they come in. Do Brits get it? Here's what critics are saying so far...
2017
As the hours count down to HAMILTON's opening night, we've rounded up some of the best news stories about this fantastic show and how it really is changing the face of musical theatre. From the realisation of Lin-Manuel Miranda's epic vision to the racial politics of its casting, there's even room for a light-hearted look at cast members' favourite lyrics and our very own 'spy in the stalls' report of the first preview. Find out more about HAMILTON here.
2017
HAMILTON is more than just a musical. As the West End premiere of Lin-Manuel Miranda's 11-time Tony Award-winning blockbuster raises interest further, learn more about the man behind the rap with this short extract from the newly released Alexander Hamilton: An Illustrated Biography by noted Hamilton scholar Richard Sylla. And be sure to enter our competition to win a copy too!
2017
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree attending the West End premiere (on 14 December 2017) of macabre musical masterpiece THE GRINNING MAN, which has transferred to Trafalgar Studios after its award-winning 2016 world premiere at Bristol Old Vic. In addition to capturing the creepy atmosphere and Trafalgar transformation, Perry caught up with show stars Louis Maskell, Sanne den Besten and Amanda Wilkin, as well as fellow #StageFave Hannah Waddingham, who recently recorded her own version of one of the show's songs...
Keep smiling: Matt Lucas, Hannah Waddingham & Kelsey Grammar record more songs from The Grinning Man
As THE GRINNING MAN officially receives its West End premiere tonight (18 December 2017), let's catch up on celebrities recording their own signature takes on songs from the show... After the releases earlier this month of Alexander Armstrong, Louise Dearman and Harry Enfield's efforts, it's now the turn of Kelsey Grammer, Matt Lucas and Hannah Waddingham to put their own spins on this most gothic of new musicals...
2017
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree attending the London premiere (on 14 December 2017) of screen-to-stage adaptation NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL at the Eventim Apollo. What happened when he met Samantha Barks and other #StageFaves on the red carpet? Did he get into the festive spirit?
Laura Baldwin is making herself at home at The Other Palace. After she finishes in Big Fish, she'll stay on to star opposite American Liam Forde, making his London stage debut, in the premiere of EUGENIUS! Who else will join them in this new musical produced by actor Warwick Davis?
2017
After success with their young amateurs’ productions including The Secret Garden and 13 at the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre, the British Theatre Academy (BTA) has announced its summer 2018 season, which will include a major London run of BRING IT ON THE MUSICAL as well as stagings of Spring Awakening and, not to be outdone with today’s big-budget West End announcement, Chicago.
2017
This one has cult hit written all over it! The first four London dates of Edinburgh hit SIX THE MUSICAL, which turns the six wives of Henry VIII into pop princesses, have already nearly sold out. As an extra performance is added – and surely a transfer elsewhere – have a listen to this first professional recording from the show…
2017
Stage-to-screen musical adaptation NATIVITY! THE MUSICAL officially gets its London premiere tonight (14 December 2017) at the Eventim Apollo, but if you didn't manage to book for its limited, wildly popular five dates here, start planning ahead now - producers have confirmed it'll return for an extended festive run next Christmas...
2017
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas(aurus)! And to help #StageFaves get even more in the festive mood, Tom Fletcher has released a stunning music video to accompany the release of The Musical Edition of his hit novel THE CHRISTMASAURUS, which also comes to the London stage from 21 December 2017. Standby too for rehearsal room access this week...
2017
In MIRACLE ON 34th STREET, children tell Macy's Santa Claus, who just happens to be the real Kris Kringle, what they want for Christmas? We had to find out from the cast of this festival musical radio play what they'd ask for too. They also share their favourite Christmas songs and holiday memories. What are yours?
2017
New musical ORANGES AND ELEPHANTS is receiving its world premiere as part of Hoxton Hall's all-female spring season Female Parts and its cast has now been revealed. The show centres on two rival female gangs in Victorian London blending Music Hall, Fairground and Musical Theatre storytelling, so which of your #StageFaves do you think would be suited to the task?!
2017
Get ready to rock'n'roll across the UK as the cast is announced for the award-winning musical TEDDY, by Tristan Bernays, with music by Dougal Irvine. How many fresh new #StageFaves can you spot in this company?
The story of last night in the West End wasn't just HAMILTON's. At Trafalgar Studios, the transfer of Bristol Old Vic's THE GRINNING MAN had its first performance. See how the cast handled the clash. Plus, celebrities are queuing up to record their own takes on songs from the show. Watch Alexander Armstrong, Louise Dearman and Harry Enfield do their thing...
2017
We just couldn't wait. We sent a little spy in the stalls for the first preview of the West End premiere of Broadway blockbuster HAMILTON. Catch up on his tweet thoughts and pics here. Have you got your tickets yet? How long do you have to wait?
2017
Live at Zedel's new 2018 winter/spring season includes the world premiere of Alexander S Bermange's new revue I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical (you can relate, right?!), a new residency for American composer Scott Alan plus a slew of #StageFaves in cabaret...
2017
Ryan Carter is certainly a busy man! Not only is he currently performing in MOTOWN THE MUSICAL in the West End, but he also runs RyCa Creative, an online consultancy helping young London creatives realise their artistic vision. We caught up with Ryan to chat about the show, his plans for 2018 and the exciting new "Rep Finder" that Ryca Creative recently added to their website...
2017
It was a fantastic night for BAT OUT OF HELL on Sunday as it picked up the Evening Standard "Audience Award for Best Musical (voted by the public)" and now the hugely successful show has announced that it will return in April 2018 at the Dominion Theatre...
We once again salute all the #StageFaves performers and show shortlisted in this year's Evening Standard Theatre Awards, but it was Dreamgirls star Amber Riley and the world premiere of Jim Steinman's BAT OUT OF HELL that took home the musical gongs at tonight's star-studded performance at the West End's Theatre Royal Drury Lane...