Blog / Mercury Musical Developments
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.
We all love Musical Theatre here at #StageFaves, but let's be honest - it's a tough career! The life of a performer is often full of uncertainty, fear, huge highs and dragging lows. Every aspect can be very rewarding, but also draining and, yup...stressful! For those of you looking forward to a time at drama school, George Fairclough from our wonderful friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society offers some tips and tricks on managing stress and getting the most out of life as a performer...
2017
Theatre Royal Stratford East has long been a champion of musical theatre and the team there are now embarking on their Musical Theatre Workshop 2017 which has just begun its two-week development period with six new musicals. They've spent months picking a top-class bunch of creatives and we're certain they'll come up with something magic...
The bond between performers and fans has always been a strong one and in the age of social media, it's easier than ever to keep up with your favourite actors. Many fans love waiting at stage door to catch a few seconds with their heroes and it can be disappointing when you don't get to meet them after a show. But recently there have been incidents of fans taking to social media to air their grievances and personally attack the actors. Ben Platt, Tony Award-winning actor in DEAR EVAN HANSEN recently responded to these attacks, and Lisa Martland of Musical Theatre Review explains why his priorities are in the right place...
The London Musical Theatre Orchestra is celebrating its second birthday by announcing details of the last two concerts in its already successful 2017 season. Musical Theatre Review's Angela Thomas shares more info on the season, as well as the full casting announcement...
She tried to suppress it, but it was only a matter of time until Lauren Philpott from our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciate Society fell under the Hamilton spell! Here's the story of how she fell hard for the #Hamiltonhype (look out for the puns!)...
They've already got a host of live venues in the capital, but restaurant chain Pizza Express have announced they'll be opening another new live entertainment venue at its newly designed restaurant in London’s High Holborn at the end of August. There are already some big names on the line-up and judgting by those first announcements it's going to be a flagship venue for the pizza chain...
It's been a little over a week since the biggest night in American Theatre - The Tony Awards - dominated theatre headlines worldwide. DEAR EVAN HANSEN dominated the affair with HELLO, DOLLY! Also picking up awards for itself and its star Bette Midler. But what about the shows that didn't win? Or the shows that never even got anomination? Joanne Sadler from our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society asks whether or not a Tony Award defines success...
They were written a century apart, but Opera classic LA BOHEME and Musical Theatre groundbreaker RENT have more in common than you might think. In fact, RENT was actually based on Puccini's Italian masterpiece. Lauryn Clarke - from our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society - delves into the differences and similarities between the two shows...
Fans of MAMMA MIA! were recently hit with the news that a sequel is in the works for 2018, and people have been having a lot of feelings about it! Sophie Wood and our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society discuss whether studio exects are right to take a chance on a new film or if we should all be shouting SOS...
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...
With the news of HALF A SIXPENCE sadly closing its doors this September, our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society look at what productions they'd like to see take its place at the Noel Coward Theatre…
Musical Theatre is well loved by millions of women all over the world, but the gender balance and character exploration onstage seems to be firmly in favour of men. Frida Lindberg from our friends at the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society asks whether there should be more to female characters than simply pining for a man...
Disney musicals are now a family favourite and a staple on both sides of the theatrical pond. Musical Theatre Appreciation Society's Charlie Reynolds looks back on some of the biggest hits and the biggest flops in the back catalogue...
Who's joining Samantha Barks and Arthur Darvill in the London Musical Theatre Orchestra stellar concert presentation of Broadway musical HONEYMOON IN VEGAS? This is one night at the London Palladium not to be missed. (And you could win tickets through #StageFaves if you're lucky!)
Musical Theatre Appreciation Society's Kate Rose wonders, why are the theatre scenes on Broadway and in the West End so different?
Musical Theatre Appreciation Society's Kate Rose wonders, why are the theatre scenes on Broadway and in the West End so different?
Is it better to see a musical live on stage, or to snuggle up with a glossier, pre-packaged film alternative? Musical Theatre Appreciation Society's Katie Rose compares her best and worst contenders...
You know the Marmite musicals - the ones that people either passionately love or passionately hate? How can the same musical be both a must-see and a must-avoid? Musical Theatre Appreciation Society's Dawn Bush gives her view...
2016
UPDATED: Imelda Staunton wins Best Actress in a Musical for Gypsy. Brush up on all all you need to know about Imelda and other worthy contenders Laura Pitt-Pulford, Natalie Dew, Sophie Thompson and Tracie Bennett.
2016
UPDATED: Matt Henry wins Best Actor in a Musical for Kinky Boots. Brush up on all you need to know about Matt and other worthy nominees David Haig, Jamie Parker, Ian Bartholomew and Kinky Boots' co-star Killian Donnelly.