Welcome to Musicals Mash Up in which we catch up with lots of the week’s stories that haven’t yet appeared on the Musical Theatre Review pages. We hope you approve! News editor Angela Thomas reports
Killian Donnelly and Lucy St Louis in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera. Picture: Johan Persson
West End’s Phantom – New booking period announced
Booking for The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre has been extended up to 30 September 2023. The enduringly popular show currently stars Killian Donnelly as The Phantom alongside Lucy St Louis as Christine, Matt Blaker as Raoul, Kelly Glyptis as Carlotta, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, Greg Castiglioni as Ubaldo Piangi, Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry and Ellie Young as Meg Giry. At certain performances Holly-Anne Hull plays Christine Daaé.
The cast is completed by Hollie Aires, Connor Carson, Corina Clark, Edward Court, Michelle Cornelius, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Serina Faul, James Gant, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Emma Harris, Yukina Hasebe, Thomas Holdsworth, Olivia Holland-Rose, Jacob Hughes, Grace Hume, James Hume, Tim Morgan, Michael Robert-Lowe, Eve Shanu-Wilson, Tim Southgate, Anouk Van Laake, Jasmine Wallis, Rafe Watts, Skye Weiss, Simon Whitaker, Lizzie Wofford and Andrew York.
Dates confirmed for NT transfer of Standing At The Sky’s Edge
Sheffield Theatres’ home-grown new musical Standing At The Sky’s Edge will make its much-anticipated London debut at the National Theatre in early 2023 after playing an encore run as part of The Crucible Theatre’s 50th anniversary season this Christmas. A National Theatre co-production with Sheffield Theatres in association with Various Productions, the musical was a hit with critics and audiences when it made its sold-out debut in Sheffield in 2019.
Directed by Sheffield Theatres’ artistic director Robert Hastie, the musical will make its delayed London transfer run in the Olivier Theatre from 9 February until 25 March 2023. Combining new and classic songs by award-winning singer/songwriter Richard Hawley and inspired by the people of his home city of Sheffield, the show which features a book by playwright Chris Bush follows the fortunes of three families through 60 turbulent years in the high-rise Park Hill area of the city. The cast includes Darragh Cowley, Ahmed Hamad, Samuel Jordan, Bobbie Little, Robert Lonsdale, David McKechnie, Maimuna Memon, Baker Mukasa, Alastair Natkiel, Faith Omole, Adam Price, Nicola Sloane, Jake Small, Deborah Tracey, Rachael Wooding and Alex Young.
Frozen the Musical is this year’s Radio 2 Gala performance in aid of Children in Need
This year’s Radio 2 Gala performance in aid of BBC Children In Need is Frozen The Musical. It takes place on Sunday 6 November at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. At the end of the show, Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox will be joined on stage by Pudsey, with Radio2 presenters also in the audience watching the show.
Full cast for Love Goddess at The Cockpit Theatre
Final casting details have been confirmed for the world premiere of Love Goddess, the Rita Hayworth Musical at The Cockpit Theatre from 18 November until 23 December 2022. Inspired by the tragic story of legendary movie star Rita Hayworth, the musical is based on Almog Pail’s solo play Me, Myself and Rita and cabaret show Love Goddess.
As previously announced Pail will star as Hayworth alongside Simon Kane as Orson Welles/Harry Cohn; with recent graduate Imogen Kingsley-Smith as Young Rita, Jane Quinn as Jules Graham/Volga Cansino and Joey Simon making his London stage debut in the production as Fred Astaire/Eduardo Cansino. Presented in collaboration with The Cockpit and featuring five actor/singers portraying over 40 characters, the musical has been co-written by Pail and Stephen Garvey with 12 original songs by composer-lyricist and music supervisor/arranger Logan Medland. Steve North directs.
Robert Gould’s lyrics are showcased in new concert Perfect Imperfection
After a series of four sold out concerts at the Union Theatre between 2016 and 2018, Robert Gould returns to present another evening of songs with his lyrics, Perfect Imperfection, on 6 November. The concert will include world premieres of songs from new musical The Juniper Tree and Love Songs in Four Seasons (a song cycle written with co-writers from the UK, Sweden and the USA). There will also be numbers from the musical Cleopatra and My Land’s Shore. Music is by composers Christopher J Orton, Lyndon Samuel and Bo Wastesson, along with a brand new composiyion co-written with actor/singer/musician/composer Jonathan Eio.
The stellar cast of vocalists for the concert includes (subject to availability): Tom Blackmore, Gary Bland, Luke Byrne, Laurel Dougall, Rebecca Gilliland, Lowri Hamer, Miles Harding, Dylan Ross, Kelsey Walsh and Dylan Wynford. The performers will be accompanied by Alex James Ellison and Lyndon Samuel.
Trio of staged concerts announced for new musical 42 Balloons
Jack Godfrey’s new musical 42 Balloons will be showcased in the West End next month with three staged concerts at the Vaudeville Theatre. Presented by award-winning producers Andy and Wendy Barnes from Global Musicals and Alchenation’s Kevin McCollum, the three performances at the London home to hit show Six will take place on 14, 21 and 28 November 2022.
Inspired by the true story of an American couple, a lawn chair and 42 weather balloons, Godfrey’s sung-through musical has been in development with Global Musicals’ sister company for three years. After featuring on Perfect Pitch’s Rise:Up YouTube channel in 2001, the musical has benefited from a number of music and choreography workshops. The staged concert performances mark the latest stage in the musical’s development and will offer audiences the first chance to see the full show.
Ellie Coote will direct the concerts and will also serve as dramaturg. The cast will include Jordan Broatch, Madeline Charlemagne, Eloise Davies, Evelyn Hoskins, Melissa Jacques, Lemuel Knights, Garry Lee, Charlie McCullagh, Laura Dawn Pyatt, Travis Ross, Dillon Scott-Lewis, and Amelia Walker.
London premiere for Second World War-inspired Glory Ride
Featuring music, lyrics and a book by daughter and father team Victoria and Todd Buchholz, new musical Glory Ride – at London’s The Other Palace venue from 14-16 November 2022 – features the Tuscany-set tale of an Italian Tour de France winner, an accountant and a Cardinal who pulled off a remarkable child rescue operation in the Second World War.
James Darch will lead the cast as Gino Bartali, with Daisy Wood-Davis as Adriana, Ricardo Afonso as Dalla Costa, Neil McDermott as Major Mario Carita and Matt Blaker as Nico. They will be joined by Tim Rogers as Graziani, Adrianna Bertola as Giulio, Pippa Winslow as Rosetta, Mark Turnbull as Torello, Marcus Harman as Felix, Tom Mussell as Fantali, Alex James Ellison as Cosmo, Yuki Sutton as Lorenzo, with Olivia Brooke and Leeroy Boone completing the ensemble. Shaun Kerrison directs.
2023 UK tour for new musical Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist
New British rap and RnB-flavoured musical Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist will embark on a UK tour from March 2023. The debut tour of the musical which puts the spotlight on Marie Antoinette and the events that led to the French Revolution will open at the MAST Mayflower Studios in Southampton on 18 March 2023.
Originally commissioned by the Turbine Theatre’s Paul Taylor-Mills during his first tenure as artistic director at The Other Palace and previously known as Killer Queen, the musical was one of the shows showcased at MTFestUK2021. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Drew McOnie, Cake: The Marie Antoinette Playlist has a book by playwright and screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm with music and lyrics by Tasha Taylor-Johnson and music by Jack McManus.
LIVE AT LOLA’S – A Musical Chat Show with stars of the West End
New Frame Productions and Wild Mountain Productions will follow up their successful Monday Night at the Apollo and West End Acoustic shows, with the launch of a new live concert series – Live at Lola’s – opening with a festive theatrical celebration on 8 December 2022 at Lola’s Underground Casino at The Hippodrome.
Greg Barnett will host the intimate evenings of music and theatrical chat. On 8 December, the inaugural line-up of guest performers will include Christine Allado, Hadley Fraser, Isaac Hesketh and Carly Mercedes Dyer. The Live at Lola’s performance will be followed by Overtures, the musical theatre singalong event.
Jeremy Jordan’s band Age of Madness will perform alongside The Lonesome Frets and Sammie Jay
Jeremy Jordan and his band Age of Madness are delighted to announce that George Maguire and Rachael Wooding with their band The Lonesome Frets and singer-songwriter Sammie Jay will be joining them at their debut UK shows HERE at Outernet on 13 November 2022, presented by Fourth Wall Live.
Jeremy Jordan said: “I am beyond excited to bring my band to London and we’re thrilled to be adding George and Rachael’s band, The Lonesome Frets and Sammi Jay to the line-up for this great night. George and I shared the stage for Bonnie and Clyde in Concert at the start of this year, so it’s fantastic to be reunited through our mutual passion for our bands and music, he and Rachael will blow you away!”
The Stage Awards return
The Stage Awards recognise excellence in British theatre and will celebrate achievements in the theatre industry from December 2021 to November 2022. Performing arts organisations are encouraged to put themselves forward for consideration. Submissions must be completed online and the deadline for submissions is 18 November 2022 at 12pm.
The Stage Awards celebrate nine categories: Theatre of the Year, Fringe Theatre of the Year, Producer of the Year, Theatre Building of the Year, Innovation Award, International Award sponsored by Concord Theatricals, Digital Project of the Year, Community Project of the Year and Unsung Hero.
Subscribers to The Stage are invited to make their own submissions for the awards, which will then be considered by The Stage’s judging panel. A series of industry experts will also be consulted, and judges will be able to submit their own suggestions, before a final decision is taken by The Stage Awards’ judging panel.
Any arts organisation that is a subscriber to The Stage can put itself, or another organisation, forward for consideration free of charge online. Self-submission in all categories except Unsung Hero is encouraged. The shortlist of nominees will be announced on 15 December, with winners announced at an invite-only awards ceremony on 30 January 2022.
The Wiz at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester. Picture: Pamela Raith Photography
Black British Theatre Awards – Winners announced
Hope Mill Theatre’s revival of The Wiz was among the winners at the Black British Theatre Awards (BBTAs). Now in their fourth year, the awards which recognise some of the finest work by black performers and creatives in UK theatre, were handed out at the Lyttelton Theatre at the National Theatre presented by Danny Sapani, with opening remarks from the NT’s deputy artistic director Clint Dyer.
The winners included:
BEST PRODUCER AWARD: Ameena Hamid, The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre
BEST MUSICAL DIRECTOR AWARD: Sean Green, Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Lyric Theatre
BEST CHOREOGRAPHER OR MOVEMENT DIRECTOR AWARD: Leah Hill, The Wiz, Hope Mill Theatre
BOOK AND LYRICS RECOGNITION AWARD: Lux Knightley
BEST MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD Michael Duke, Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Lyric Theatre
BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD: Courtney Stapleton, Beauty and the Beast the Musical, UK and Ireland tour
BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD: Jordan Shaw, Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTOR IN A MUSICAL AWARD: Nicolle Smartt, Domitius, Conway Hall
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL AWARD: Amara Okereke, My Fair Lady, London Coliseum
BEST PRODUCTION MUSICAL AWARD: Domitius, Conway Hall
LGBTQIA+ CHAMPION AWARD: Nicole Raquel Dennis
BEST UNDERSTUDY/SWING IN A THEATRE PRODUCTION AWARD: Mitchell Zhangazha, Dear Evan Hansen, Noël Coward Theatre
Cast for Rose Theatre’s A Christmas Carol
Penny Layden will play Ebenezer Scrooge in Olivier Award-winning writer Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s new adaptation of A Christmas Carol at the Rose Theatre in Kingston upon Thames this festive season.
Layden will appear alongside Killian Macardle as Bob Cratchit/Marley/Fezziwig, Natasha Magigi as Mrs Cratchit/Pawnbroker, Elexi Walker as Dickens and Lizzie Winkler as Elizabeth/Ghost of Christmas Present.
The cast will also feature 40 members of the Rose Youth Theatre who will perform in two alternate casts. The Rose Youth Theatre company includes: Viola Johnson, Lily Rowell (Maud), Jemima Leason, Luke Groarke (Jojo), Alex Forster, Amelie Abbott (Robin), Jacob Towey, Tom Hardman (Fred), Isobel Whurr, Chloe Nichols (Ghost of Christmas Past), Scarlett Coburn, Ellie Searle (Young Ebbie), Benjamin Haxton, Elliot Shepherd (Young Edmund), Cathra Plant, Isla Griffiths (Young Fan), Holly Schofield, Penny Bennet (Apprentice Scrooge/Ricky), Darcey Abel, Jasmine Procter-Tarabanov (Allie/Martha Cratchit), Amelia Forster, Silvia Shea (Eddie/Ernie Cratchit), Isabella Quijano, Alice Young (Spike/Vic Cratchit), Jack Fernie, Skylar Muwonge (Caroline), Sally Page, Summer Toibayeva (Micky), Audrey Johnston, Sam Step (Alex/Stevie), Louie McKillop, Max Middleton (Billy), Florence Datta, Tait Walsingham (Jack), Ted Cullen, Nico Ozag (Frankie/August), Jasmine Duman, Atticus Wright (Kit) and Ren Walsingham (Bobby).
Running from 2 December 2022 until 2 January 2023, the Rose Original Production will be directed by Rose Theatre regular Rosie Jones and features music by multi-award-winning composer and lyricist Eamonn O’Dwyer and lyrics by O’Dwyer and Lloyd Malcolm.
The Lost Spells, a new musical for families touring nationally in 2023
Adapted from a book that was ‘written to be read aloud’, The Lost Spells is a creative response to the climate crisis summoning back what is often lost, inspiring audiences to care for the natural world and reminding them of the names of flora and fauna that are fading from our awareness.With music played live on-stage by actor-musicians, the show is a riot of colour and a new Alice in Wonderland, celebrating the magic, power and wonder of nature that could be just outside your window. The book is a kindred spirit to the international bestseller and multi-award-winning The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris.
Presented by Goblin Theatre, Watford Palace Theatre, Polka Theatre and Theatre by The Lake, The Lost Spells has music and lyrics by Mary Erskine and Will Dollard, a book by Matt Borgatti and is directed by Charlotte Westenra. The national tour, running from 28 March to 4 June 2023, opens in Watford (28 March to 8 April 2023).
Isobel McArthur and MJ McCarthy have adapted Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped, presented by the National Theatre of Scotland. Picture: James Chapelard
National Theatre of Scotland’s Kidnapped – A riotous retelling of a classic, touring the UK
Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novella is touring Scotland and Northern England in a riotous new retelling in 2023. This swashbuckling new production from the National Theatre of Scotland, adapted by Isobel McArthur with Michael John McCarthy, premieres at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock in March 2023 before touring to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Perth and Newcastle.
Kidnapped is a colourful new take on Stevenson’s historical adventure story about David Balfour who leaves home for the first time and must grow up fast to solve a family mystery and take revenge on an evil assailant. This vibrant production is a coming-of-age rom com for today, which celebrates the poetry, humour and heart of Stevenson’s writing. Co-created by Isobel McArthur and Michael John McCarthy, writer and musical supervisor of the Olivier Award-winning Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), Kidnapped is packed full of 20th century pop music and 18th century romance performed by a dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians.
The music – performed live – is arranged by Michael John McCarthy and will include well-loved songs including denim-clad Americana, late 90s love songs, art rock, protest anthems, 80s synth-pop, Gaelic folk song and more.
Dundee Rep confirms cast for new Cinderella musical
Casting has been confirmed for Dundee Rep’s new musical adaptation of the Cinderella story this festive season. Presented by Dundee Rep Ensemble, the production will star as Hannah Visocchi as Ella alongside veteran Dundee Rep Ensemble member Annie Louise Ross as her stepmother Lenore.
Leah Byrne and Adam Greene will take on the roles of Ella’s evil stepsister, Florence and evil stepbrother Laurence with John Macaulay cast as Apollo King and Jatinder Singh Randhawa as his son Liam King. The Ensemble’s Emily Winter will play Ella’s mother, Cora, while Sebastian Lim Seet and Karen Young together take on the roles of Ella’s boots, Rightie and Leftie. The cast is completed by musician and swing Stephanie Cremona.
Written by Lynda Radley with music composed by Michael John McCarthy Cinderella will run from 26 November until 31 December. The family-friendly production is directed by Jemima Levick.
The Mill At Sonning’s festive return of Top Hat
Final casting news has been revealed for the eagerly anticipated return of The Mill At Sonning’s critically acclaimed version of the classic 1935 film musical Top Hat from 16 November to 30 December 2022. As previously announced the encore run will feature Jonny Labey stepping into the role of dance king Jerry Travers opposite the original production’s Billie-Kay who will reprise her performance as socialite Dale Tremont.
Returning cast members also include Brendan Cull as Bates and Paul Kemble as Horace, with Julia Nagle as Madge and Andy Rees as Beddini. The ensemble will feature Hannah Amin, Joe Boyle, George Deller, Nathan Elwick, Gabriela Gregorian, Leah Harris, Reece Kerridge and Greta McKinnon. Award-winning director Jonathan O’Boyle’s new production of Top Hat was the final production of 2021 at the distinctive Thameside venue.
Full cast for Royal Exchange’s Betty! A Sort Of Musical
Full casting has been confirmed for the upcoming premiere of Betty! A Sort Of Musical at the Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Written by and starring BAFTA-nominated actor and writer Maxine Peake and award-winning writer, composer and performer Seiriol Davies, the celebration of the life of the first female Speaker of the House, Betty Boothroyd, is directed by Sarah Frankcom who returns to the Exchange for the first time since stepping down as artistic director in 2019.
Peake and Davies will be joined by Royal Exchange returnees Carla Henry, Lena Kaur and Joan Kempson alongside Eva Scott who makes her Royal Exchange Theatre debut in the production. Runs from 3 December 2022 until 14 January 2023.
Bristol Old Vic’s production of The Nutcracker
Bristol Old Vic has confirmed the cast for the venue’s highly anticipated new adaptation of the Christmas classic The Nutcracker. Written by the theatre’s Tony Award-winning artistic director Tom Morris (War Horse) as part of his final season at the venue, and composer/lyricist Gwyneth Herbert, the new musical adaptation of the story that inspired the much-loved ballet will be staged by Lee Lyford with design by Tom Rogers.
Running from 24 November 2022 until 7 January 2023, the production will feature Bristol Old Vic regulars Tristan Sturrock, Patrycja Kujawska, Guy Hughes and Harry Bird. They will be joined by Denzel Baidoo, Mae Munuo and Kirris Rivieré who will make their Bristol Old Vic debuts in the production.
The venue will also host the new uplifting circus-theatre musical Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror from 11 March to 1 April 2023. Presented by Extraordinary Bodies (a collaboration between Diverse City and Cirque Bijou) along with Bristol Old Vic and Theatre Royal, Plymouth, the production which is set in Germany in the 1930s has been written by Hattie Naylor and Jamie Beddard. Performed by a highly skilled company of disabled and non-disabled actors, circus performers, dancers and musicians, the musical features an original score by award-winning composer Charles Hazlewood and design by Ti Green
Roger Bart and Ben Joyce in the West End production of Back to the Future the Musical. Picture: Sean Ebsworth Barnes
Roger Bart to swap West End for Broadway with NY debut of Back To The Future The Musical
The Broadway production of the multi -award-winning Back To The Future The Musical will drive into the Winter Garden Theatre in New York next summer with Tony Award-winning Broadway actor Roger Bart at the wheel. Currently starring in the crowd-pleasing West End production, Bart will reprise his performance as Dr Emmett Brown alongside the musical’s original George McFly, WhatsOnStage Award-winner Hugh Coles. With performances due to begin on Broadway on 30 June 2023 ahead of an official opening night on 3 August 2023, further casting news and the date of Bart’s final performance at the Adelphi Theatre will be announced at a later date.
Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, the brainchild of producer Colin Ingram and the creators of the much-loved time-travelling film series, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the West End production is now booking up to 23 July 2023.
Footballers’ Wives the Musical studio cast recording
Celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its premiere on ITV in 2002 and ahead of a planned stage musical production, Big Broad Productions is releasing an 18-track studio cast recording of Footballers’ Wives The Musical.
The cast includes Alice Fearn, Simon Bailey, Emma Hatton, Liam Doyle, Chelsea Halfpenny, Ashley Samuels, Ivano Turco, Julie Legrand and Ben Richards. The ensemble are Nikki Davison, Soophia Foroughi, Adam Hepworth, Tom Hier, Kat Kleve, Emma Lindars, Nadim Naaman and Joe Thompson-Oubari. The show has a book by Maureen Chadwick, co-creator of the original TV series, and music and lyrics by Kath Gotts. The tracks have been arranged and produced by Joe and Nikki Davison, Auburn Jam Music. Footballers’ Wives The Musical will be released on 25 November 2022 and will be available to stream from all major distributors.
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.