The Sound of Music continues at the Grand Theatre, Leeds until 1 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Nikolai Foster keeps the story moving briskly along while allowing the 20-odd songs sufficient breathing space.
Tag Archives | Rodgers and Hammerstein
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert – Theatre Royal Drury Lane
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ An unforgettable evening celebrating an enormous body of work, still relevant today in its bold subject matter, conveyed in simple, but meaningful and ultimately timeless, melodies and lyrics that go straight to the human heart and soul.
First four stars and extra performance announced for special Rodgers and Hammerstein concert
Six-time Tony Award winner, double Grammy Award winner and Emmy Award winner Audra McDonald, Olivier Award nominees Julian Ovenden and Marisha Wallace and double Tony and Golden Globe nominee and Emmy nominee Patrick Wilson are the first four big names announced for this December’s My Favourite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 8oth Anniversary Concert.
The Sound of Music – Chichester Festival Theatre
The Sound of Music continues at Chichester Festival Theatre until 3 September 2023. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
Music Review: South Pacific – Complete Recording
SOUTH PACIFIC – Masterworks Complete Recording (Jay Records CDJAY2 1470). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Music Review: The King and I
THE KING AND I – 1993 recording (Jay Records CDJAY 1276) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Full cast for West End transfer of award-winning Oklahoma!
Georgina Onuorah and Phillip Olagoke complete the cast for the eagerly anticipated West End transfer of the Young Vic’s Evening Standard award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s much-loved Oklahoma!.
Oklahoma! wins top genre award at the 66th Evening Standard Awards
The Young Vic’s recent sold-out production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved Oklahoma! took home the title of Best Musical at the 66th Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Grace Mouat injury delays Hope Mill’s press night for Cinderella
Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre has been forced to cancel this weekend’s press night night performance of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella after leading lady Grace Mouat suffered an injury.
Dates for West End transfer of Oklahoma!
Daniel Fish’s innovative 2019 Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved Oklahoma! will begin preview performances at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre on 16 February 2023 ahead of an opening night on 28 February 2023. Presented by Eva Price, Sonia Friedman Productions and Michael Harrison in association with the Young Vic, the Bard SummerScape production of […]
South Pacific – Sadler’s Wells Theatre and Touring
South Pacific continues at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London until 28 August 2022 before touring until 19 November 2022. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ For many, a big-budget musical revival must do more to justify its existence than any other type of theatrical production. New writing is chronically under-supported, and although showbusiness […]
Hope Mill’s Ella finds her Prince in Jacob Fowler
Jacob Fowler will play the Prince to Grace Mouat’s Ella in the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre. Known for winning the BBC talent search show Little Mix: The Search, Fowler’s musical theatre credits include playing JD in Heathers The Musical at The Other […]
West End stars to join Birmingham Symphony Orchestra for Rodgers and Hammerstein concert
The timeless music of Rodgers and Hammerstein will be celebrated in a special concert performance at the Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden on 12 June 2022. Rodgers & Hammerstein: Some Enchanted Evening will feature the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra conducted by Martin Yates, accompanying West End stars Gina Beck (South Pacific, Show Boat), Alice […]
Oklahoma! – Young Vic Theatre
Oklahoma! continues at the Young Vic Theatre, London until 25 June 2022. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ It says something about the unconventionality of Bard Summerscape’s ground-breaking production of Oklahoma! that it is as memorably unsettling on a second viewing as it was the first time around. Back in 2019, witnessing Daniel Fish and […]
Complete cast announced for Oklahoma! at the Young Vic
The Young Vic has announced the complete cast for the UK premiere of Oklahoma!, Daniel Fish’s striking, Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical. Transferring direct from an acclaimed run on Broadway and a US tour, the production runs from 26 April to 25 June 2022 (press night is 5 May). Arthur Darvill […]
Principal cast for Chichester Festival Theatre’s South Pacific UK and Ireland tour
A number of original cast members will return when Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific embarks on a UK and Ireland tour this summer. Julian Ovenden (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel) will reprise his performance as Emile de Becque opposite the previously announced Gina Beck (Matilda, Show Boat) returning […]
Tony Award-winning Broadway production of Oklahoma! to transfer to Young Vic
Daniel Fish’s innovative 2019 Tony Award-winning revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s much-loved Oklahoma! will transfer to the Young Vic next year. Announced as part of the prestigious London venue’s spring 2022 season, the winner of the Tony Award for Best Revival will arrive in the UK direct from its acclaimed Broadway run and successful US […]
Chichester’s hit South Pacific to tour UK and Ireland in 2022
Chichester Festival Theatre’s crowd-pleasing production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific will embark on a UK and Ireland tour next summer. Gina Beck (Matilda, Show Boat) and Julian Ovenden (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel) will reprise their performances in the starring roles of Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque when the touring production […]
A Grand Night For Singing – Edinburgh International Festival
A Grand Night For Singing continues at the Edinburgh Academy Junior School until 13 August 2021. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ It’s Rodgers and Hammerstein, alright, but not as we ordinarily know it (this new staging is conceived by Kim Criswell with Wayne Marshall as music director). This show has the feeling of […]
Carousel – Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park
Carousel continues at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park until 25 September 2021. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Rodgers and Hammerstein never sidestepped a gritty issue and their 1945 piece about domestic abuse is no exception – and could hardly, given how cases have risen during lockdowns, be more topical. Yes, […]
South Pacific – Chichester Festival Theatre
South Pacific continues at the Chichester Festival Theatre until 5 September 2021. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Forgive me if I get emotional but South Pacific was the show that gave birth to a lifelong passion for musical theatre 68 years ago when, as an 11-year-old, I was taken to Drury […]
The Theatre Channel – Rodgers and Hammerstein special
The Theatre Channel – Rodgers and Hammerstein special Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The Theatre Channel in collaboration with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre celebrates the work of Rodgers & Hammerstein in its seventh episode. This episode which is released ahead of the venue’s unique take on the classic Carousel is a […]
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Carousel – full cast and creatives
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has confirmed full casting for the venue’s upcoming revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Carousel. As previously announced Carly Bawden (Romantics Anonymous, Shakespeare’s Globe/Bristol Old Vic, Ghost Quartet, Boulevard Theatre) and Declan Bennett (Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air, Once, Phoenix Theatre) will star as tragic lovers Julie Jordan […]
Gina Beck and Alex Young to share starring role in Chichester’s South Pacific
Alex Young will take over as Nellie Forbush part way through the Chichester Festival Theatre’s eagerly-anticipated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific when original leading lady Gina Beck leaves to await the birth of her second child. The special job share arrangement will mean Beck will rehearse and open in the role as […]
Chichester Festival Theatre announces full cast for South Pacific
Full casting has been confirmed for the Chichester Festival Theatre’s eagerly-anticipated production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific. As previously announced artistic director Daniel Evans will direct a cast headed by Gina Beck (Matilda, Show Boat) as Nellie Forbush, Julian Ovenden (Merrily We Roll Along, Grand Hotel) as Emile de Becque, Joanna Ampil (Avenue […]
CD Review: R&H Goes Pop – Various Artists
R&H GOES POP – Various Artists (Downloads) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Funnily enough, I had just read some comments on a musical theatre group on Facebook about this album when I got the email asking me to review it. The comments were certainly not complimentary, so I approached the album […]
South Pacific set to be Chichester Festival Theatre’s reopening production
The Chichester Festival Theatre will reopen its doors this summer with the venue’s new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific. Originally planned as the centrepiece of the 2020 season, the production will now make its eagerly-awaited debut at the Festival Theatre from 5 July until 13 July 2021. Announcing the new dates, executive […]
South Pacific stars to join Chichester Festival Theatre outdoor bank holiday event
Lead cast members from the postponed Chichester Festival Theatre production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic South Pacific will be among the star-studded line-up for the venue’s August Bank Holiday outdoor event. Gina Beck, Rob Houchen and Julian Ovenden will join Gabrielle Brooks, Giles Terera and CFT artistic director Daniel Evans for a musical theatre flavoured […]
Hope Mill Theatre streams free online Rodgers and Hammerstein concert
With the UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella at Hope Mill Theatre on hold the team at the award-winning Manchester venue are streaming a free online concert celebrating the work of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Available until 3 May 2020 and hosted by Hope Mill’s founders William […]
Piece by Piece Podcast – Carousel
Carousel is the third free talkshow Piece by Piece podcast from the Pint of Wine stable taking an in-depth look at classic musicals. It follows its Rodgers and Hammerstein stablemate Oklahoma! and Guys and Dolls. Coming two years after Oklahoma! the show was never going to match the popularity of that first collaboration which ran […]
Iconic musical Carousel is discussed in latest Piece By Piece theatre podcast
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Carousel is the subject of the latest musical theatre podcast hosted by award-winning musical director Joe Bunker. Produced by Pint of Wine theatre, the third offering in the Piece By Piece series of free musical theatre-themed talk shows is a two part, two-hour episode featuring guests, director Jo Davies (Carousel, Opera […]
West End stars will feature in Hope Mill Theatre’s online concert of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music
Hope Mill Theatre is staging an online concert featuring West End stars, celebrating the much-loved music from legendary songwriting duo Rodgers and Hammerstein, on 26 April 2020 at 7pm. Like many theatres across the country, Hope Mill Theatre has been closed since 17 March due to Covid-19. The venue ceased all productions and made the […]
Hope Mill Theatre to present UK theatrical premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella
The UK theatrical premiere of the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella will be the first musical produced by A Factory of Creativity, the new charity formed to take over the running of Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre. Due to play the popular Ancoats’ venue from 9 May to 6 June 2020 before heading for […]
Oklahoma! – Chichester Festival Theatre
Oklahoma! continues at the Festival Theatre, Chichester until 7 September 2019. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Chichester’s reputation in its choice of musicals has been extremely high with the audience being treated to brand new shows or forgotten treasures unearthed. Therefore many people may have been disappointed when it was announced that the […]
‘Arguably the best production the show has ever had’: The King and I – cinema release
The Lincoln Center production of The King and I, seen this year at the London Palladium, is to be streamed to cinemas on 29 November 2018. If you missed it in the theatre, catch it while you can, as it’s arguably the best production the show has ever had. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ […]
Carousel – Imperial Theatre, New York
Carousel continues at the Imperial Theatre, New York. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Despite sentiments that may well discomfort contemporary audiences, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel is indisputably classic musical theatre of the highest order. And this new revival of the 1945 masterwork, directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Justin Peck, […]
Dean John-Wilson and Na-Young Jeon join Palladium’s The King and I
Aladdin star Dean John-Wilson and Miss Saigon’s Na-Young Jeon will play the doomed lovers Lun Tha and Tuptin in the eagerly-awaited The King and I when it arrives at the London Palladium this summer. They will join Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara (Anna) , Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe (The King) and Tony Award-winning Ruthie Ann […]
CD Review – Cockeyed Optimist – Jenn Gambatese
COCKEYED OPTIMIST (Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein) – JENN GAMBATESE (Jay Records – CdJAY1447) To my shame I had never heard of Jenn Gambatese before being sent this CD to review. I now know she played Jane in Disney’s stage musical version of Tarzan on the Great White Way, Glinda on a national tour of […]
Carousel – London Coliseum
Carousel continues at the London Coliseum until 13 May. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ When the Michaels Linnit and Grade collaborated with the ENO and brought Sweeney Todd (starring Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel) to the London Coliseum in 2015, they appeared to have come up with a pretty successful formula: pick […]
Carousel at the ENO – first rehearsal images
Rehearsal images have been released of the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, the third production in the partnership between The GradeLinnit Company and English National Opera (ENO). The cast features Katherine Jenkins (Julie Jordan), Alfie Boe (Billy Bigelow), Nicholas Lyndhurst (Star Keeper), Derek Hagen (Jigger Craigin), Alex Young (Carrie Pipperidge), Brenda Edwards (Nettie Fowler), […]
DVD, CD and Book Reviews – Judy Collins, Drake’s Dream, The King and I/Carousel
JUDY COLLINS – A LOVE LETTER TO STEPHEN SONDHEIM DVD (Wildflower – MVD9662D) I have to admit that I love Judy Collins, always have. In fact, it was her who introduced me to Stephen Sondheim’s music in 1973 with her Top 10 hit version of ‘Send in the Clowns’. It made me want to find out […]
Carousel at the ENO – Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins star
Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins will star for the first time together in the West End as Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel, the third production in the partnership between English National Opera (ENO)and the GradeLinnit Company. Lonny Price will direct the strictly limited run of 41 performances at ENO’s London Coliseum. Beginning on 7 April 2017, with press night on 11 April, the final […]
State Fair – London Musical Theatre Orchestra – Cadogan Hall
State Fair at the Cadogan Hall, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A pre-concert announcement often signals something unfortunate but not in this instance! Conductor Freddie Tapner of the London Musical Theatre Orchestra (making its debut) told us that what we were about to hear was a concert version of the much-loved film State […]
The Sound of Music – New Wimbledon Theatre
The Sound of Music tour continues at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London until 29 October. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Impresario Bill Kenwright was there to cast one last check on his Sound of Music tour which kicked off at Bromley in early 2015 with Danielle Hope as Maria and ends at Wimbledon […]
A tribute to Charmian Carr – The Sound of Music actress who played Liesl
One Singular Sensation – a tribute to Charmian Carr (27 December 1942 to 17 September 2016). It is rare for a performer to be remembered and loved for a single performance, but this is what happened to Charmian Carr who, at the age of 23, was chosen to play Liesl in Robert Wise’s film version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical […]
Allegro – Southwark Playhouse
Allegro continues at the Southwark Playhouse, London until 10 September. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Allegro, written in 1947, falls between Carousel (1945) and South Pacific (1949) in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s prolific output. These two shows were staged at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in succession, but Allegro is only now […]
Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse – video released
The first video has been released from the much-anticipated European premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse this August. Katie Bernstein sings iconic number ‘The Gentleman is a Dope’ from the musical, directed by Thom Southerland and produced by Danielle Tarento. The show, which was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s third collaboration for the stage following Oklahoma! and Carousel, will open […]
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Allegro – details of full casting and creatives
Details of the casting and creatives for the much-anticipated European premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Allegro at the Southwark Playhouse this August have been revealed. The show, which was the legendary writing duo’s third collaboration for the stage following Oklahoma! and Carousel, will open for a six-week season in The Large at Southwark Playhouse from Friday […]
Bernadette Peters – Opera House, Manchester
Bernadette Peters performed in concert at the Opera House, Manchester. Rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ Beloved is a much-used word when it comes to describing our top-ranking musical theatre stars. But in the form of the multi-Tony winning, preternaturally youthful Bernadette Peters, whose career spans five decades and rubs shoulders with some of musical theatre’s […]
Julian Ovenden stars in Rodgers and Hammerstein concert
Stage and screen artist Julian Ovenden will be one of the stars performing with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at a special event to celebrate the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein in September. The Downton Abbey actor who starred in ITV’s Sound of Music Live and has recently released his latest album as a solo singer, […]
