Douglas Mayo

Douglas Mayo has had a life long love affair with musical theatre. He has authored several books on publicity and marketing for amateur theatre groups. He is in the process of developing a musical based on his original story concept.

FIRST LOOK: Death Takes A Holiday – More And More

News, Video, West End
Book tickets for Death Takes A Holiday at Charing Cross Theatre

We are pleased to bring you this great first look video of Zoë Doano and Chris Peluso singing More And More from the musical Death Takes A Holiday which runs at Charing Cross Theatre from 18 January – 4 March 2017. In Northern Italy, shortly after World War One, Death disguises himself as a handsome young prince to try to understand why life is so precious and death so feared. But when he unexpectedly falls in love with a newly engaged young woman, this mysterious stranger discovers that love may, in fact be stronger than death. Death Takes A Holiday was nominated for 11 Drama Desk Awards when it premièred Off-Broadway in 2011. Death Takes A Holiday has a lush, romantic score by multi-Tony Award-winner Maury Yeston (Titanic, Nine) and a book by multi-Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan and Peter Stone. It is based on the 1928 Italian play of the … Read more

Top 5 Epic Musical Theatre Performances of 2016

Broadway, Features, News, West End
Tickets for Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard are available through Britishtheatre.com

Musical theatre has been well served in 2016 on both sides of the Atlantic with revivals of amazing musicals and the unveiling of some new works which are fast becoming favourites. Looking back through my browser history and playlists I’d like to put forward this list of epic musical theatre performances by some of the world’s great musical theatre performers and the cast of one particular musical which blew my mind this year. This list is by no means definitive and certainly bears the hallmark of my own taste, so I’d invite you to add your own thoughts below. Share and through sharing make the world aware of the depth of talent out there entertaining us. TOP 5 EPIC MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCES IN 2016 Number 1 GLENN CLOSE – SUNSET BOULEVARD AT THE ENO She came and she conquered with an almighty performance that would have taxed the greatest of … Read more

Oliver Reed -Wild Thing Returns To Kings Head By Popular Demand

News, Off West End
Oliver Reed - Wild Thing at the King's Head Theatre

Oliver Reed: Wild Thing, a play by Mike Davis and Rob Crouch returns to the Kings Head Theatre from 10 – 28 January 2017. This one-man homage to renowned actor Oliver Reed returns following runs at the Edinburgh Festival, a UK Tour and a critically acclaimed London run. Join legendary hell-raiser Oliver Reed as he shares his incredible life story whilst knocking back a drink or four. Reed’s was a life well lived, hear about the success of Oliver!, boozy adventures with Keith Moon, his boyhood excitement of learning he was a descendant of Peter The Great and those disastrous chat show appearances. Reed is portrayed by Rob Crouch. Writer and performer Crouch appeared as the notorious hellraiser in BBC’s Rack Pack, other recent TV includes Lovesick, Wasted and Galavant. Theatre acting credits include Gonzo in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Pa Ubu in Ubu Disco, and Burke in … Read more

Casting Announced For Ugly Lies The Bone At The National

News, West End
Ugly Lies The Bone at the National Theatre

Full casting has been announced for US playwright Lindsey Ferrentino’s Ugly Lies The Bone which opens at the Lyttelton Theatre at the National theatre in February 2017. ‘Beauty is but skin deep, ugly lies the bone; beauty dies and fades away, but ugly holds its own.’ After three tours in Afghanistan and months in a severe burns unit, Jess (Kate Fleetwood) finally returns to Florida. In a small town on the Space Coast, as the final shuttle is about the launch, Jess must confront her scars, and a home that may have changed even more than her. Experimenting with pioneering virtual reality therapy, she builds a breathtaking new world where she can escape her pain. There, she begins to restore her relationships, her life and, slowly, herself. Kate Fleetwood (King Lear and London Road (film) at the National), Ralf Little (BBC’s The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a … Read more

Dick Whittington Comes To The London Palladium In December 2017

News, West End
Book now for Dick Whittington at the London Palladium

Following the success of QDOS Entertainment’s production of Cinderella at the London Palladium this year, QDOS have announced they will return to the Palladium in 20917 for a festive presentation of the family favourite pantomime Dick Whittington. QDOS Entertainment has established itself as one of the largest entertainment companies in Europe. Over the past 36 years it has staged 649 pantomimes, with over 1.6 million people seeing one of its pantomimes this year alone. The companies current production of Cinderella starring Paul O’Grady, Julian Clary, Lee Mead, Paul Zerdin, Count Arthur Strong, Amanda Holden and Natasha J Barnes (and Nigel Havers) has enjoyed critical acclaim and full houses this year. On the return of pantomime to the Palladium Qdos Entertainment Chairman Nick Thomas said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the exceptional response that our production of Cinderella has received – the show has now broken the Box Office record for the … Read more

Top 100 Greatest Musicals Results: 50 – 41

Features, Video
Top 100 Musicals of All Time Poll Results

We’re now half-way through this vast array of fantastic musicals. For everyone who took part in this poll, we have to say you’ve got great taste. This next set of musicals are a mixture of timeless classics and modern pop scores. It’s been interesting for us to look at just how quickly some of these more modern scores have entrenched themselves as favourites amongst musical lovers. Let us know your thoughts. Leave your comments below. 50. Seven Brides For Seven Brothers Written as a motion picture musical, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers burst onto the big screen in 1954. Based on Stephen Vincent Benét’s The Sobbin’ Women, which was based on the ancient Roman legend The Rape Of The Sabine Women, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers had music by Saul Chaplin and Gene de Paul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Directed by Stanley Donen, the film featured the choreography of … Read more