Matilda The Musical was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 14 November 2026. The production continues touring until 17 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A charming fairytale of a story, powerful and fun.
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Space Hamlet – The Cockpit
Space Hamlet continues at The Cockpit, London until 31 October 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ When the cast is firing on all cylinders, and the stars are aligning on the production, the farce is strong with this one.
Operation Mincemeat – Victoria Theatre, Halifax and Touring
Operation Mincemeat was reviewed at the Victoria Theatre, Halifax where it continues until 31 October 2026. The production continues touring until 20 November 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ An intelligent production that will leave audiences thinking as well as in stitches.
Film Review: Moment by Moment – A Song Cycle Film
Moment by Moment, the movie adaptation of a song cycle by Alexander Sage Oyen. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ While its video form is enjoyable in its own right, it feels as if the stage would be the best place to experience the tales.
Love Never Dies In Concert – London Palladium
Love Never Dies In Concert was reviewed at the London Palladium. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Love Never Dies, long mocked as ‘Paint Never Dries’, has found in the concert format the rebirth its original staging never gave it.
The Pianist – Park Theatre
The Pianist continues at the Park Theatre, London until 28 November 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Pianist is an astounding work that will stick with its audience long after their journey home.
High School Musical – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
High School Musical continues at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London until 3 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ What is most endearing is seeing these characters and songs that mean so much to their original audience resonate just as deeply with a younger generation.
Martin Guerre – The Old Vic
Martin Guerre continues at The Old Vic, London until 31 October 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ This version has grown up, matured and deserves to be welcomed.
Five Questions With: Shanay Holmes
Following acclaimed performances as Nancy in Oliver! and Miss Sherman in Fame the Musical, Shanay Holmes has released her debut studio album, ‘BECOMING’ today (16 October 2026).
Mamma Mia! – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Mamma Mia! was reviewed at the Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 24 October 2026. The UK leg of the tour continues until 30 January 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s a thoroughly entertaining celebration of love, friendship and family.
Road to the big screen: Hadestown in cinemas
Musical Theatre Review’s Libby O’Connell attended a special screening of the filmed version of Anaïs Mitchell’s record-breaking West End production Hadestown: The Musical. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Trafalgar Releasing officially gave theatre fans a new way into the Underworld on 13 October, as Hadestown: The Musical arrived in cinemas in a live capture […]
Jersey Boys – Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh and Touring
Jersey Boys was reviewed at the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh where it continues until 17 October 2026. The tour continues until 21 August 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A remarkable show that leaves the audience with songs in their heads and smiles on their faces.
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody – Underbelly Boulevard Soho
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody continues at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, London until 1 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ While this musical parody may be unauthorised, its tenacity, rudeness and smart adaptation of Tierney’s TV series make it a great ambassador for the show.
Cats – Theatre Royal Plymouth and Touring
Cats was reviewed at Theatre Royal, Plymouth where it continues until 17 October 2026. The tour continues until 19 June 2027. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Perhaps the best approach is to not analyse it too deeply, but instead have an open mind. You can then be captivated by the dancing and music with a sense of enjoyment that can’t really be explained.
Little Shop of Horrors – Northcott Theatre, Exeter
Little Shop of Horrors was reviewed at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter where it continues until 17 October 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a brilliant, five-star production and, hopefully, a taste of more top-notch regional collaborations to come.
Birmingham Rep’s Sweeney Todd is named Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards
Birmingham Rep’s Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street received Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards 2026.
Don Black’s From the Heart – Garrick Theatre
Don Black’s From the Heart continues at the Garrick Theatre, London until 18 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This long overdue and highly personal reflection, in revue form, is a marvellous reminder of the considerable lyrical talents of Don Black.
Remembering Adam Lenson 1985-2026
Adam Lenson’s impact was far-reaching. Through his artistry and advocacy he helped shape the landscape of modern British musical theatre.
Rent – Tom Stoppard Theatre
Rent continues at the Tom Stoppard Theatre, London until 29 May 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Larson’s great work encourages a new generation not only to learn more about the era in which it was written, but to question what is going wrong now.
How Soon is Now – Storyhouse, Chester and Touring
How Soon is Now was reviewed at Storyhouse, Chester. The tour continues until 7 November 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ The music is already memorable in its own right, but this show is memorable chiefly for four central performances.
Little Shop of Horrors – Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Little Shop of Horrors was reviewed at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester where it continues until 28 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ This production isn’t all homage; there’s enough fresh energy to show why audiences still love this show.
Into the Woods – Noël Coward Theatre
Into the Woods continues at the Noël Coward Theatre, London until 9 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As the stage went black and applause filled the Noël Coward Theatre, a gentleman sitting behind me in row H of the stalls confessed to his friend that he assumed Into the Woods was […]
Burlesque – The Alexandra, Birmingham and Touring
Burlesque was reviewed at The Alexandra, Birmingham where it continues until 17 October 2026. The tour continues until 15 May 2027. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ When the ensemble break out the moves, it’s an enjoyable experience.
A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) – Young Vic Theatre
A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) was performed at the Young Vic Theatre, London as part of the venue’s Shedinburgh season. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Bright, silly, sad and surprisingly affecting, the shows earns its optimism rather than forcing it.
Franz & Marie – Charing Cross Theatre
Franz & Marie continues at the Charing Cross Theatre, London until 14 November 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Although it needs some tightening, this folk musical is a disturbing yet toe-stomping night at the theatre.
Amanda – The Night Before Me – The Bridge House Theatre
Amanda – The Night Before Me continues at The Bridge House Theatre, London until 10 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It serves as a powerful reminder of the humanity behind the issues we so often reduce to headlines and labels.
The Musical Medea – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
The Musical Medea continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London until 4 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ What is already there is an emotive, intimate and hugely talented fusion of music, storytelling and performance.
Wallace – King’s Theatre, Edinburgh and Touring
Wallace was reviewed at the King’s Theatre, Edinburgh. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ The resonance with the current political state in Scotland is clear and this makes Wallace a very timely production indeed.
Sylvia – Curve Leicester and Touring
Sylvia was reviewed at Curve Leicester. The tour continues until 15 November 2026, including a run at the Royal Albert Hall, London from 13-15 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The musical Sylvia has returned to our stages on a UK tour, showing the same amount of fierce drive and determination as […]
Singin’ in the Rain – Théâtre du Lido, Paris
Robert Carsen’s production of Singin’ in the Rain is simply the best production yet of the Théâtre du Lido’s new life as a musical theatre venue.
Pip and Posy Live on Stage – Little Angel Theatre
Pip and Posy Live on Stage continues at the Little Angel Theatre, London until 22 November 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Life lessons are learned in a way that certainly holds the attentions of the preschoolers in the audience.
Hadestown – Lyric Theatre
Hadestown continues at the Lyric Theatre, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The mythic retelling which is the heartbeat of Hadestown pulses, beats and is ready to revolve again.
Jordan Luke Gage, Julianne Pundan and James Spence among the winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2026
Among the musical theatre winners at The Stage Debut Awards 2026 were actor and writer Jordan Luke Gage who won the award for Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer for Redcliffe at Southwark Playhouse Borough.
Waitress – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Waitress was reviewed at the Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 26 September 2026. The tour continues until 31 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A much-needed reminder that, in our lives, there is very little more important than love and kindness.
Three Men in a Boat – Rose Theatre, Kingston
Three Men in a Boat continues at the Rose Theatre, Kingston until 10 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Al Smith’s lighthearted adaptation is a riot of music hall styling, strong physical comedy and broad satire.
The Last Ship – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The Last Ship continues at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London until 3 October 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ When a piece of virtual set is the best thing about a show, you know there’s something wrong.
Le Guide du Parfait Gentleman Assassin – Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris
Le Guide du Parfait Gentleman Assassin continues at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris until 20 December 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Probably one of the most purely enjoyable and closest to perfect Broadway evenings Paris has seen in years.
Spring Awakening composer Duncan Sheik dies aged 56
Tony and Grammy Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik, best known for co-creating the musical Spring Awakening, has died aged 56.
Taking the Leap: A peek at The Little Frog Who Couldn’t Jump Too Good
A one-night-only semi-staged reading of the musical The Little Frog Who Couldn’t Jump Too Good was recently held at London’s The Other Palace, offering a sold-out audience a glimpse of the show as it continues to develop.
Million Dollar Quartet – The Arts at Marble Arch
Million Dollar Quartet continues at The Arts at Marble Arch, London until 6 December 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ There is a whole lot of shaking going on in the auditorium and audiences are sent home on an invigorated high.
Thelma & Louise – Young Vic Theatre
Thelma & Louise continues at the Young Vic Theatre until 24 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Thelma & Louise’s road trip keeps going for ever – but now it’s destined to continue as a terrific musical.
The Elixir of Love – Wilton’s Music Hall
The Elixir of Love continues at Wilton’s Music Hall, London until 19 September 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Perfect if you want a fun night with great tunes and a comic story engagingly told.
Under the Influence – King’s Head Theatre
Under the Influence continues at the King’s Head Theatre, London until 26 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The show is short and sweet, but lingers long after the curtain falls, leaving a sense of nostalgia, reflection and love.
Kimberly Akimbo – Hampstead Theatre
Kimberly Akimbo continues at the Hampstead Theatre, London until 7 November 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An exceptionally entertaining evening out with exactly as much to give as you are emotionally able to take.
Jane Eyre A Musical – Southwark Playhouse Elephant
Jane Eyre A Musical continues at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London until 24 October 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ This musical version is imaginatively staged with an ensemble of nine from which most of the roles emerge.
Book Review: Gillian Lynne’s Book of Particular Cats: A Memoir
Michael Darvell follows the life of Dame Gillian Lynne through her fame as actress, dancer, choreographer and director, with special reference to her work on the musical Cats.
You & It – King’s Head Theatre
You & It continues at the King’s Head Theatre, London until 26 September 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ A very human and touching tale about the lengths people will go to keep the memories of their loved ones alive.
Jonathan Bailey withdraws from Sunday in the Park With George following Ariana Grande’s departure
Following the news in early August that Ariana Grande had withdrawn from next year’s eagerly awaited new production of Sunday in the Park With George at London’s Barbican Theatre, it has now been announced that Jonathan Bailey will also no longer appear in the production.
Burke ‘n’ Hare: Let the Bodies Hit the Floor – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Burke ‘n’ Hare: Let the Bodies Hit the Floor was reviewed at LAB at PBH’s Free Fringe @ CC Blooms. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Fun, foul and factually accurate, this is surefire entertainment.
Mothman: A Romance Musical – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Mothman: A Romance Musical was reviewed at Belly Button at Underbelly, Cowgate. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Probably the funniest show I’ve seen for a long time.
