Gypsy continues in repertory at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 30 September 2023. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ In the age of talent shows packing our television schedules, Gypsy serves as a study of the domineering stage mother, fulfilling their own thwarted dreams through their children. This show may have debuted in 1959, […]
Tag Archives | Ben Stock
Half term dates for new family musical Jungle Rumble
New family musical Jungle Rumble will bring its inspirational ‘save the Earth’ message to audiences at the Fortune Theatre in London’s Covent Garden this half term. Marking the West End debut of drama school Perform, the musical which was written and composed by Perform co-founder Will Barnett will run from 14-20 February. Mirroring the jungle […]
Star line-up for CheerUp Charlie Gala
A host of musical theatre favourites will join inspirational young anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Kristensen at The Actors’ Church in Covent Garden for his fundraising event, #CheerUp Charlie – The Show on 31 October 2021. Produced by Mark Robert Petty, the gala performance will feature: Lewis Asquith, Lizzie Bea, Nikki Bentley, Daniel Boys, Kieran Brown, Robin […]
October 31 date for #CheerUp Charlie – The Show charity event
Inspirational young anti-bullying campaigner Charlie Kristensen will return to The Actors’ Church in Covent Garden with his celebrity-filled fundraising event, #CheerUpCharlie – The Show on 31 October 2021. Announcing the concert which will raise funds for the charities Acting For Others and The National Deaf Children’s Society, Charlie said: “It is an honour to have […]
Five Questions With: Ben Stock
For the latest instalment in Musical Theatre Review’s Five Questions With… series, the spotlight falls on director, musical director, actor, cabaret performer and Ugly Sister BEN STOCK. Ben has appeared in musicals and plays in the West End, on tour and in many regional theatres. Favourite roles include Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, […]
CD Review: The Andrew Fisher Songbook – Various Artists
THE ANDREW FISHER SONGBOOK – Various Artists (SimG Records – SimGR-CD040) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is the latest release from the label SimG Records which is dedicated to supporting emerging artists and musical theatre writers and the company is to be lauded for such. The Andrew Fisher Songbook contains songs from […]
Daniel Boys leads West End stars on cast recording of new Nativity-themed musical Gabriel
West End star Daniel Boys takes on the title role in the world premiere recording of Gabriel, a new two act Christmas musical from composer Andrew Fisher (Girl in a Crisis, Billy Bow). Due for release on 14 December 2020 by SimG Records, the studio cast recording features Boys (Falsettos, Spamalot) alongside Lauren Samuels (Bend […]
Anderson and Petty announce virtual concert A Christmas Wish in aid of Acting For Others
Songwriters Anderson and Petty have announced A Christmas Wish, a virtual concert with West End stars from Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Six: The Musical, Wicked and more, available to stream at select times from 17-20 December 2020. The concert is hosted by Ben Stock and Hilary O’Neil and is in aid of theatrical charity Acting For Others who provide emotional and financial support to […]
New Novello-inspired show to close London Song Festival
This year’s London Song Festival will close with a specially commissioned show featuring West End stars and the music of Ivor Novello and Noël Coward. Set on the empty stage of Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 5 September 1939 when all theatres were closed due to the outbreak of the Second World War, Ghost Lights […]
CD Review: Ben Stock Sings Noel Coward
BEN STOCK SINGS NOEL COWARD – Ben Stock (SimG Records – SimGR-CD036) Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Well, this came as a bit of a surprise. I haven’t heard anything to do with Noel Coward since I was involved in a couple of productions of Noel & Gertie back in the […]
Elton John: It’s A Little Bit Funny – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Elton John: It’s A Little Bit Funny continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse Theatre, London until 1 March 2020. It then transfers to the Radlett Theatre on 3 March and Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre from 21-26 April. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ God bless tribute acts. It’s no easy gig doing justice to […]
Me and My Girl – Frinton Summer Theatre, Frinton-on-Sea
Me and My Girl continues at Frinton Summer Theatre, Frinton-on-Sea until 18 August 2019. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The classic British musical Me and My Girl is being performed this summer in a Big Top tent overlooking the beautiful British seaside at Frinton-on-Sea in Essex. This location is particularly apt for such […]
A Spoonful of Sherman – Greenwich Theatre and Touring
A Spoonful of Sherman continues at the Greenwich Theatre, London until 30 March 2018, and then tours until 3 June 2018. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ A musical about musicals could very easily be self-conscious and awkward and it’s certainly a high risk idea. In the hands of the Sherman family, […]
‘Suddenly there was quite a buzz’: Robbie Sherman chats about the success of A Spoonful of Sherman
With his hit celebration of one of the most successful and creative dynasties in musicals, A Spoonful of Sherman delighting audiences across the country, Musical Theatre Review’s Susan Elkin caught up with ROBBIE SHERMAN to talk about his illustrious family business. As the son and nephew of the famous Sherman Brothers, Robert B and Richard M, the team […]
A Spoonful of Sherman to tour in 2018
A Spoonful of Sherman, the celebration of the work of Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, will begin a tour of the UK in February. Directed by Stewart Nicholls, who previously directed the cabaret version of the show in London in August, Robert J. Sherman’s tribute to his illustrious father and uncle will take […]
Ben Stock – The Land of Make Believe – Live at Zédel
Ben Stock – The Land of Make Believe at Live at Zédel, London. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ With the cosy, but lavish surrounds of Live at Zédel being perfect for Ben Stock’s style of intimate performance, he wasted little time in making sure his small, but appreciative audience knew exactly […]
Ben Stock brings new show to Live at Zédel
West End theatre actor Ben Stock returns to London cabaret venue Live at Zédel this week with his new show Land of Make Believe. Aimed at chasing the ‘January Blues’ away, Stock’s new offering will feature the music of some of musical theatre’s best-loved writers including Stiles and Drewe, Jerry Herman, Noel Coward, Stephen Sondheim and […]
Life story of Gracie Fields on stage at the Oldham Coliseum
Our Gracie, a new music hall style play that pays tribute to Gracie Fields is currently being premiered at the Oldham Coliseum. The story of the straight-talking Lancashire lass who conquered the world and whose morale boosting war-time work led to Hitler labelling her an ‘enemy of the Third Reich’, has been written by Coliseum […]
CD Reviews – Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, Ben Stock, On the 20th Century, Jeanne the Musical
NICK WAKEHAM casts an eye over some of the latest CD releases. GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS – Original Studio Cast Recording (SimG Records – SimGR-CD025) I love it! I love it! I love it! This is a brand new musical from the pens of Stiles and Drewe and everything, from the cast to the design on the […]
Interview – actor and MD Ben Stock presents his one-man show at the Crazy Coqs
West End and UK theatre actor BEN STOCK presents his new show And There Was Music, a celebration of the songs and music that have influenced his career and life to date, this week at London’s Crazy Coqs (26 to 28 May). His debut solo album with SimG Records, also entitled And There Was None, is released on 1 June. From […]
