Blog / Features
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.
It was Musicals week on Strictly Come Dancing and glorious gaggle of dynamic duos treated us to a host of brilliant dances to classic Showtunes! From CATS to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, we were swept away by the marvellous moves, and we even spotted some familiar faces from the West End...
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
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
THE GRINNING MAN got its London premiere this week at the West End's Trafalgar Studios and is capturing the hearts of audiences and reviewers alike. Whether it's the puppets, the haunting score or the fantastic lead performance from Louis Maskell, we've rounded up the best reviews for your pleasure and perusal...
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
The 40th-anniversary revival of THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL is currently running at the Tabard Theatre, directed by the show's original composer, Keith Strachan. Did you know this is the show that gave us "Mistletoe & Wine"? How much more do you know? Keith looks back...
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?
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…
Jiminy Cricket makes his National Theatre stage debut tonight (13 December 2017) in Dennis Kelly's stage adaptation of the 1940 Walt Disney screen classic PINOCCHIO. Watch #StageFave Audrey Brisson bring him to life - and remind yourself of the Disney original. You'll be giving a little whistle all the way to the South Bank and back...
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?
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
When we tweeted a quick pic of #StageFaves on the red carpet at last night's Evening Standard Awards, little did we expect to help break an international entertainment news story. But when Lin-Manuel Miranda retweeted it, showing he and his clearly heavily pregnant wife, that's just what happened...
Marc Pickering's Doctor Gloom has a "really rather evil plan" in BANANAMAN - and he lays it out brilliantly in "Call to Action", the first song release from the comic book page-to-stage premiere, staring this month at London's Southwark Playhouse. (Psst! Have you also seen our gallery of rehearsal photos?)...
They took their passion and made it happen! To celebrate their single going to No 1 on the iTunes Soundtrack chart in the UK, Joanne Clifton and Ben Adams have shared an exclusive recording of ballad ‘Here and Now’, composed by Robbie Roth, from the smash hit UK tour Flashdance – The Musical.
What's Tony Blair doing in the run-up to Christmas? Saving the world from an insane Russian emperor threatening nuclear Armageddon and the mad monk Rasputin (who never died), of course! Outrageous comedy rock musical RASPUTIN ROCKS! continues its London premiere season at Stockwell Playhouse until 10 December 2017. Check out our featured show trailer, photos and audience tweets.
2017
Got your tickets yet for Streetlights, People!’s award-winning production of Adam Gwon's renowned ORDINARY DAYS? Meet the four-strong cast in our series of five videos... then get booking to see the show at Drayton Arms Theatre, where it continues its limited season until 9 December 2017.
2017
Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree attending the West End premiere (on 22 November 2017) of EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE at the Apollo Theatre. What happened when he met the real-life teen drag queen Jamie Campbell, who inspired the musical?
EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE, inspired by the real-life story of teen drag queen Jamie Campbell, receives its much-anticipated West End premiere tonight (22 November 2017) at the Apollo Theatre and our fave first-night vlogger Perry O'Bree will be there. Ahead of that, here are eight videos you should watch to get you good and excited about seeing this show...