REVIEW: A Christmas Carol, Lyceum Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

London Musical Theatre Orchestra A Christmas Carol Lyceum Theatre

A Christmas Carol London Musical Theatre Orchestra Lyceum Theatre, 11th December 2017 5 Stars Book Tickets Seeing this sprawling, grand, majestic musical entertainment again in the once splendid surroundings of Bertie Crewe’s opulently spacious rococo interior (behind Beazley’s proudly neo-classical facade), with the full resources of the LMTO massed on stage, complete with a chorus and a line up of superb soloists, all in evening dress, flanked by a brace of sparkling Christmas trees, and beneath the trademark red banners of this specialist orchestra, in this melodramatic, sentimental story of vice and redemption, it is easy to think that there is rather more of nineteenth century French grande-opera about it than the conventional trappings and concerns of Broadway showbiz.  Hearing Alan Menken’s stunning score, given lush and vivid life in Michael Starobin’s gorgeous orchestrations, it is easy to imagine oneself back in the world of Meyerbeer, Gounod and Berlioz, where … Read more

LGBT Musical Facing East Gets Charity Staging

Harriet Thorpe narrates Facing East in Concert at London's Lyric Theatre

New musical Facing East will be presented in concert at the Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue in a concert version in aid of Pride In London and Stonewall. The event will be hosted by the Wicked and Ab Fab regular Harriet Thorpe, and will feature Rebecca Lock, Alasdair Harvey, Peter DiCesare and Michael Vinsen Based on Carol Lynn Pearson’s stirring play, Facing East is a new and intimate musical by David Rigano and Mark-Eugene Garcia. The musical follows an upstanding American Mormon couple who unexpectedly meet their gay son’s partner whilst dealing with his death. When they’re forced to face a reality long ignored, they must balance their beliefs with their emotions and make peace with this stranger in order to make peace with their loss. Now making its UK premiere for one night only at the Lyric Theatre, this is one of the first opportunities to hear the soaring new score … Read more

Mamma Mia! Turns 16

Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre

On Monday 6th April 2015, Mamma Mia! celebrates its 16th birthday in London and to celebrate producers have released this new show montage. The show has proven to be a global smash hit having been seen by more that 54 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages grossing more that $2 billion at the box office. Mamma Mia! originally opened at the Prince Edwards Theatre before transferring to the Prince Of Wales Theatre and now to the Novello Theatre. Mamma Mia! in London has now been seen by over 10% of the UK population and has celebrated 6500 performances. Mamma Mia! in London stars Dianne Pilkington as Donna Sheridan, with Kim Ismay as Tanya and Rebecca Lock as Rosie, Richard Trinder as Sam, Alasdair Harvey as Harry, Charles Daish as Bill, Alice Stokoe as Sophie Sheridan and Lloyd Green as Sky. Also in the cast are Rosanna Bates … Read more