Blog / Royal Exchange Theatre

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.

18 Dec
2018

Like so many of us, Jonathan O'Boyle grew up on Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals. But one show he never saw was 1989's ASPECTS OF LOVE. Now he gets to bring his acclaimed Hope Mill Theatre revival to London thirty years after the musical's West End premiere. He explains how he feels about this honour...

17 Dec
2018

From Monday 11 to Saturday 23 February 2019 MT Fest UK at The Other Palace will showcase emerging and established writers. The programme includes a Taster Menu series of eight new musicals alongside talks and concerts from some of the most celebrated industry figures currently working in musical theatre. Could this be just the boost new writers need?

29 Nov
2018

CBBC regular Jade Johnson’s audition via Instagram must have been pretty successful because now she has a starring role in the world premiere of part-immersive, part-musical clubbing experience Club Mex at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in early 2019. Plus there’s a chance to view that new song below…

28 Nov
2018

2019 marks 30 years since Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's ASPECTS OF LOVE premiered at the West End's Prince of Wales Theatre. What do you have to look forward to when Jonathan O'Boyle's acclaimed chamber revival transfers from Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre to London's Southwark Playhouse in January to celebrate the anniversary? Watch this stunning trailer to see why critics are raving already...

23 Nov
2018

Manchester to London is becoming a well-worn path for musical transfers from the Hope Mill Theatre. After Pippin in January, now another of director Jonathan O'Boyle's Hope Mill classic revivals comes to Southwark Playhouse, care of Aria Entertainment. Full London cast is now announced for this new take on Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's ASPECTS OF LOVE. Have you seen who's who?

08 Nov
2018

Even after two hugely successful seasons in 2016 and 2017, it was still hard to say our farewells to Regent’s Park’s memorable staging of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Chris Superstar. Now we are looking forward to welcoming it back next year when it transfers to the Barbican Theatre for 60 performances from 4 July to 24 August.

02 Nov
2018

Following sell-out performances in 2016 and 2017, the London Musical Theatre Orchestra returns to the Lyceum Theatre for three performances of Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens & Mike Ockrent’s A Christmas Carol on 10 and 17 December 2018 & just look at the cast – full of #StageFaves. There’s no ‘Bah, humbug!’ from us!

22 Oct
2018

Southwark Playhouse could never be accused of not championing musicals including productions of new work. Next year’s season will see the transfer Aspects of Love from Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester; the one-man musical Stay Awake, Jake in its first full-length run and the world premiere of new musical The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. A trio of treats!

18 Oct
2018

London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s concert performance of Howard Goodall’s Girlfriends, composed by Emmy Award-winner Howard Goodall, can be seen at London’s Bishopsgate Institute on 1 and 2 November 2018 – & if the casting is anything to by, it’s going to be quite a treat!

03 Oct
2018

First presented at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, Hair – The Musical then went on to enjoy a sell-out transfer to London’s The Vaults. Now a national audience is going to have the chance to see this award-winning production, kicking off with the New Wimbledon Theatre. Are you ready for the Age of ‘Aquarius’?

24 Sep
2018

It was smiles all round as The Stage Debut Awards 2018 recognised breakthrough talent in the shape of Amara Okereke, the first actress of colour to play the role of Cosette, Louis Gaunt for his performance in Grange Park Opera’s Oklahoma! and composer Gus Gowland for his show Pieces of String at Mercury Theatre, Chichester. Have you seen any of their work?

21 Sep
2018

With the new Mary Poppins film coming to cinemas this Christmas (starring ultimate StageFave and honorary Brit Lin-Manuel Miranda!) and a West End return announced for next year, we thought we'd go back in time to 2015 when the cast of the touring production performed at the Royal Variety Performance. It was practically perfect in every way...

19 Sep
2018

David Thaxton’s Arthur and Savannah Stevenson’s Guenevere will not only be joined by the likes of Celinde Schoenmaker, Emmanuel Kojo & Oliver Savile in London Musical Theatre Orchestra’s special forthcoming concert version of Camelot on 6 October 2018, internationally renowned opera star Charles Rice has also been cast as Lancelot. How can we resist?

14 Sep
2018

The weather will just be fine on your parade if you catch this sneak peek of the cinema trailer for Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith. The Menier Chocolate Factory production, which had a West End run followed by a tour, was filmed during the final week of its run at the Manchester Palace Theatre and is released on 24 October 2018. Not long now…

13 Aug
2018

Cast changes see Hayden Tee playing Miss Trunchbull alongside Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer as Mr and Mrs Wormwood in the RSC’s Matilda The Musical with Gina Beck continuing as Miss Honey. There are also two new Matildas joining the cast, but where have they got to?

02 Aug
2018

Did you miss out on seeing Sheridan Smith in Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory, in the West End or on tour? Well, don’t despair as the show will be broadcast in cinemas nationwide on 24 October 2018, as part of a worldwide release.

31 Jul
2018

With Club Tropicana the musical soon to tour the UK, and an ex-Dreamgirls cast member Samira Mighty starring on the ITV2 show, it seems that Love Island and the theatre world are being inescapably drawn together.

25 Jul
2018

Have you seen the Barn Theatre's fantastic new trailer for THE RISE & FALL OF LITTLE VOICE? No wonder Michael Strassen's acclaimed production has just extended a week. You now have until 11 August 2018 to get yourself to Cirencester to see stunning newcomer Sarah Louise Hughes in action...

20 Jul
2018

The UK musical theatre scene is truly leading the pack at the moment. We have a thriving West End, wonderful UK tours, heightened interest in community and inclusive theatre, and now… a musical theatre cruise. Yes, you did hear that right. Later this year, Floating Festivals are premiering Stages At Sea, a 4 night immersive cruise experience with musical theatre appreciation at its’ core. WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE.

19 Jul
2018

Wicked, the hit musical, tells the story of what happened before Dorothy dropped into Oz. It opened in London’s West End in September 2006 and has been enthralling audiences ever since with gravity-defying moments of theatre magic… BUT GUESS WHAT?! You definitely missed some hidden eggs inside this magical land, all the way from the Badlands to Munchkinland… Here are some references that link the two tales together.