Blog / West End Summer Pop-Up
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.
In recent years, the world of musical theatre has received an extra dose of LOLs with well-known comedians taking to the stage and appearing to take the new challenge in their stride. With Miranda Hart coming into the role of Miss Hannigan in the new production of much loved musical Annie opening soon at the Piccadilly Theatre, and with her name plastered across the advertising, Becky Wallis from the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society asks if comics can really make it work on the West End...
In recent years, the world of musical theatre has received an extra dose of LOLs with well-known comedians taking to the stage and appearing to take the new challenge in their stride. With Miranda Hart coming into the role of Miss Hannigan in the new production of much loved musical Annie opening soon at the Piccadilly Theatre, and with her name plastered across the advertising, Becky Wallis from the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society asks if comics can really make it work on the West End...
2017
Emma Rice may be leaving her position as Artistic Director of The Globe next year, but she's still bringing a whole host of exciting new shows to the theatre in the time she has left! They have just announced the 2017 winter season in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, entitled "The Winter Selection". Opening the season will be ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS, a new musical directed by Emma Rice (who also wrote the book), with lyrics by Christopher Dimond and music by Michael Kooman, presented by special arrangement with Radio Mouse Entertainment. Read all the info below...
Newcomer Fred Haig unfortunately won't now be making his official West End debut at the Open Air Theatre this summer as injury forces him out of Drew McOnie's production of ON THE TOWN. But the show goes on with #StageFaves stalwart Jacob Maynard stepping up into the role of Chip, alongside Lizzy Connolly and Danny Mac...
2017
After five months in the West End and three Olivier Award nominations, The Girls will be taking it all off for one last time at the Phoenix Theatre in July, before launching on a 42-venue UK tour.
2017
It's less than a month until #WestEndLIVE 2017 begins and we can't wait to spend a day hanging out in the sun watching our #StageFaves perform the best showtunes in front of an audience of thousands - FOR FREE!! To whet our appetites, the lovely organisers have released the shows that will be taking part. One thing's for sure, it's going to be a star studded line-up, and it's going to be GREAT! So don't wait a second longer, see if your favourite show is going to be there...
We love it when an understudy steps fully into the spotlight so splendiforous congrats to Alice Fearn, who is a standby Elphaba no more. She's joined by Sophie Evans as Glinda and several other WICKED newbies from 24 July 2017 at the Apollo Victoria...
2017
Perry O'Bree is gutted, especially in this heatwave, not to be heading to Regent's Park tonight for his latest #FirstNightTakeover. But while the show must go on, the press night has been cancelled for ON THE TOWN at the Open Air Theatre. Here's a short statement from the theatre...
BEAUTIFUL - The Carole King Musical has posted closing notices for 5 August 2017 at the West End's Aldwych Theatre, just before its planned UK tour opens. Will you visit the London production before it finishes? Watch here what happened when King herself visited in March...
2017
Theatre and cakes together – what could be better? This year’s West End Bake Off raised more than £5000 for Acting for Others as teams from 17 shows baked a host of sugary delights! 42ND STREET took the prize but there were spectacular cakes from lots of #StageFaves! We’ve rounded up 10 tweets from the day.
2017
BLONDEL is back! Tim Rice's lesser-seen musical comedy with a rock-opera twist opens at the Union Theatre this summer and Connor Arnold will be leading the cast as it heads to London for the first time...
2017
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL opens the first Work in Progress series at The Other Palace later this month and Charlotte Wakefield will lead the cast alongside Jamie Muscato and Liam Doyle. The classic 80's teen movie is the darkly delicious story of Veronica Sawyer, a brainy, beautiful teenage misfit who hustles her way into the most powerful and ruthless clique at Westerberg High. This work-in-progress adaptation looks set to be a hit, as do the other shows set to follow...
2017
Last night, THE COLOR PURPLE returned to the London stage with a concert at Cadogan Hall. The cast was filled with loads of #StageFaves, featurning Marisha Wallace, Rachel John, Wendy Mae Brown, Tyrone Huntley, Cavin Cornwall, Hugh Maynard, Seyi Omooba, T'Shan Williams, Bernadette Bangura, Rochelle Jackman and Krishana Parker. It was staged to raised funds for The British Theatre Academy, a unique performing arts programme that has inspired and nurtured the talent of thousands of young performers over the past 30 years. We've got some fantastic photos from the night...
2017
Were you at #WestEndBakeOff on Saturday? Our fantastic vlogger Perry O'Bree was, and he spent the day meeting #StageFaves and hanging out by the beautiful baking creations. Read our round-up of the fab morning, see who won and check out Perry's video diary...
2017
The Stephen Sondheim Society and Mercury Musical Developments have just announced the 12 finalists for the annual West End Gala for The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year and The Stiles + Drewe Prize. Olivier Award-winner and #StageFave Clive Rowe will host the event at the Noёl Coward Theatre on Sunday 11 June at 3pm and it's sure to be brimming with talent...
2017
Jonathan Larson is most famous for writing the groundbreaking 90's musical RENT, but diehard fans will know his autobiographical monologue TICK, TICK...BOOM! which was posthumously turned into a 3-hander and is playing at the Park Theatre this month. Bronagh Lagan, the show's director, shared some thoughts on the show and the company behind this production.
2017
Pride in London is the perfect time to celebrate all things LGBT+, so the world premiere of HE SHOOTS! HE SCORES! - A Musical With Balls at the Above the Stag Theatre in Vauxhall is the ideal opportunity to show some rainbow-laced solidarity...
2017
This week saw the raucous, riotous OUR LADIES OF PERPETUAL SUCCOUR rock its way back onto the London stage for its West End opening night at the Duke Of York's Theatre. The Olivier Award winning show promised "really rude language, flashing lights, pyrotechnics, lots of sexual references, excessive drinking, and extensive use of the smoke machine" and it didn't disappoint...Here's our round up of the best reviews from opening night and where you can get all the gossip from the red carpet...
2017
Life on the yellow brick road wasn't always easy for the legendary actress and singer Judy Garland, but it was certainly exciting! Opening tonight on the West End, JUDY! follows the story of one of America's greatest talents over three time periods - Young Judy, Palace Theatre Judy and CBS Judy. In honour of this fantastic show, filled to the brim with your #StageFaves, we've got a bunch of behind the scenes videos to whet your appetite for the month ahead.
2017
Life on the yellow brick road wasn't always easy for the legendary actress and singer Judy Garland, but it was certainly exciting! Opening tonight on the West End, JUDY! follows the story of one of America's greatest talents over three time periods - Young Judy, Palace Theatre Judy and CBS Judy. In honour of this fantastic show, filled to the brim with your #StageFaves, we've got a bunch of behind the scenes videos to whet your appetite for the month ahead.