Blog / West End Calling
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.
Roll up, roll up! The greatest show on earth is coming to the Menier Chocolate Factory this Christmas. Gordon 'Guys & Dolls' Greenberg will direct London's first major revival of circus musical BARNUM from 25 November...
2017
Rehearsals are already under way for the new production of THE SWORD AND THE DOPE opening at the Waterloo East Theatre next month and it's already sounding fantastic! They sent us over a little clip from behind the scenes and it's made us even more excited to see it for ourselves...
StageFaves founder Terri Paddock hosted a panel debate this week to help open the fifth annual From Page to Stage festival of new musicals, in its new home at The Other Palace. Listen to the podcast, with a panel including Aria Entertainment impresario Katy Lipson and The Diary of Adrian Mole co-writer Jake Brunger, here...
Join the Tribe! Andy Coxon, who finishes this weekend in Yank!, leads the 50th-anniversary revival of HAIR as hippy Berger, alongside original Manchester cast members Robert Metson and Laura Johnson as Claude and Sheila. Who else has been cast?
2017
X Factor star Stevi Ritchie is set to make his musical debut alongside former S Club Juniors singer Stacey Franks (nee McClean) in The Sword and the Dope, a musical comedy at Waterloo East Theatre, making its fourth run in September with a new political edge.
The amazing Mr Toad and his furry friends are packing up and leaving us at the end of the summer. THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS will now finish its West End run at the London Palladium on 2 September. Will you have a chance to see it before it closes? Big plus: Kids go FREE!
2017
Our #SummerMusicalMoment interview series is in full force and we're feeling the summer vibes! This week, we chatted to BEAUTIFUL's David O'Mahony about his post-West End plans, jetting off to foreign shores and taking his girlfriend with him...as long as she gets a window seat!
2017
How can time have flown by so quickly? On Saturday 5th August BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL bowed out after more than two fabulous years in the West End and we were so sad to see it go! The good news is that a UK tour with a new cast kicks off in September! In the meantime, we counted down 10 top tweets from the final night. Warning: you may need a box of tissues handy…
2017
Here's a #StageFaves question for you - can you guess how many toilets are inside the Dominion Theatre? And how much it might cost to refurbish them all? Well, £6 million goes a long way towards sprucing all 95 of them. And in addition, they've also added the West End's largest and swankiest double-sided LED screen onto the facade alongside a host of other improvements.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL may be full of revolting children but the focus is on the adults today as a host of new #StageFaves join the cast from 12th September. Stepping into the sensible shoes of Miss Trunchbull is David Shannon and taking on the role of Miss Honey, is star of Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera and much more, Gina Beck.
2017
It's official, the smash-hit musical SCHOOL OF ROCK has announced yet another extension along with a whole new 'kids' cast which will take over later this month. We've got all the info on the booking extension, the brand new cast and open auditions for the next batch of young music maestros...
Tomorrow, tomorrow... or, to be more exact, six weeks from now, Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood will reprise his cross-dressing performance as Miss Hannigan in the West End production of ANNIE, taking over from Miranda Hart. Can you spot the difference?!
2017
Faves founder Terri Paddock has been raving about Conor McPherson's new musical GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY, inspired by Bob Dylan songs, and judging by this video of Sheila Atim's performance in the show at the Old Vic Theatre, we can understand why! Have a watch...
Don't be too sad to wave goodbye to Ben Forster - THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA has a new Ben on the way, and he's not exactly new to the role of the masked man. Ben Lewis was acclaimed in the Australian premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber sequel Love Never Dies. Which other #StageFaves join him in the West End from 4 September?
2017
Happy 1st August! If you’re not heading off on holiday, never fear! Instead, let yourself be carried away by one of the fantastic new shows opening in London this August! We've counted down some of the shows you definitely don’t want to miss this summer in 12 top tweets!
2017
Happy 1st August! If you’re not heading off on holiday, never fear! Instead, let yourself be carried away by one of the fantastic new shows opening in London this August! We've counted down some of the shows you definitely don’t want to miss this summer in 12 top tweets!
We're sorry to see BEAUTIFUL bowing out of the West End this weekend. But the just-announced cast for the UK and Ireland tour, launching next month, looks gorgeous enough to travel for. It's led by Bronte Barbe as Carole King and tons more #StageFaves...
2017
How do you feel about the state of things? How will you feel about The State of Things?! A new British musical comes to the Brockley Jack Studio Theatre for its world premiere in September.
2017
On Thursday 27 June, London’s West End showed an overwhelming display of support to the Mayor’s "London is Open" campaign. Over 30 theatres and shows collectively shared photos and videos on Twitter, encouraging visitors to come and experience the magic of London theatres. The Mayor of London then shared a bunch of them on his own Twitter! We've collected our favourite videos and photos so you can see all your #StageFaves messages in one place...
We say Cheers to that! Yes, Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is coming over here. He'll make his London debut amongst a company of fab #StageFaves - including Jamie Muscato and Matt Seadon-Young - in the London premiere of Andrew Lippa's Broadway musical BIG FISH. An awful big catch for The Other Palace in its first year, wouldn't you say?