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.

Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins To Star In Carousel

Concerts, News, West End
Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins to star in Carousel

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical Carousel is to be produced at the English National Opera starring Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins as Billy Bigelow and Julie Jordan. The production will be presented for 41 performances only from 7 April 2017 to 13 May 2017 at the London Coliseum. Following the success of Sweeney Todd and Sunset Boulevard, this new semi-staged production will be directed by Lonny Price. The production will feature the award-winning ENO 40 piece orchestra and chorus. Fifteen years after getting caught up in an armed robbery and taking his own life, the charming carousel barker Billy Bigelow gets a chance to return to earth and make amends. Discovering that his daughter Louise has grown into a lonely, troubled teenager, haunted by her father’s legacy, Billy vows to restore pride to his family. Carousel features a sumptuous score by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Peter Pan At The National Theatre, London

Features, Gallery, West End
Peter Pan at the National Theatre

All children, except one, grow up….. We hope that you enjoy these great First Look production photos of Peter Pan by Steve Tanner. Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan and it’s back in a wonderous new production brought to the stage by a collaboration between the National Theatre and The Bristol Old Vic Theatre. Peter Pan is now playing at the National Theatre for a strictly limited run. Director Sally Cookson’s marvellously inventive production was a sell-out at the Bristol Old Vic. This production also marks the first time that J M Barrie’s original vision of double casting Mrs Darling and Captain Hook with Anna Francolini taking on both roles in this production. The cast also includes Saikat Ahamed, Suzanne Ahmet, Marc Antolin, Lois Chimimba, Laura Cubitt, Phoebe Fildes, Felix Hayes, Paul Hilton, John Leader, Amaka Okafor, John Pfumojena, Jessica Temple, Dan Wheeler and Madeleine Worrall. Children please note … Read more

FIRST LOOK: Dreamgirls at The Savoy Theatre

Features, Gallery, West End
Book now for Dreamgirls starring Amber Riley

We are pleased to bring you these great first-look production photos by Brinkhoff of Casey Nicholaw’s production of Dreamgirls which is now in previews at the Savoy Theatre, London. Dreamgirls stars Amber Riley (Glee) as ‘Effie White’ and is joined in Dreamgirls by Liisi LaFontaine as Deena Jones and Ibinabo Jack as Lorrell Robinson making up the soulful singing trio ‘The Dreams’. Joe Aaron Reid plays Curtis Taylor Jr, Adam J. Bernard plays Jimmy Early, Tyrone Huntley plays C.C. White, Nicholas Bailey plays Marty and Lily Frazer plays Michelle Morris with Ruth Brown and Karen Mav alternating the role of Effie White at performances when Amber Riley is not scheduled to perform. Dreamgirls is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier and Tony Award®-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set Design by Tim Hatley, Costume Design by Gregg Barnes, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound … Read more

REVIEW: Hamilton The Revolution (Book) ✭✭✭✭✭

Book, Hamilton The Musical, Reviews
Hamilton The Revolution Book

Hamilton The Revolution Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter Grand Central Publishing and Melcher Media288 Pages Hardcover Order a copy of Hamilton The Revolution from Amazon As a musical theatre fan, my collection has always included a number of wonderful books about musicals, containing production photographs and all sorts of behind the scenes information on the production in question. Les Miserables, Phantom, Tommy, Aspects, Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia! amongst others, each beautifully put together and treasured. None though compares to the magnificent companion book for Hamilton which has become my new favourite. In terms of sheer presentation, Hamilton The Revolution takes the crown for presentation, quality, content and value for money (UK£20.40 on Amazon). Gorgeously bound as befits any book from the period in which the show is set, with rough-hewn pages, it is an absolute must for any Hamilton fan or anyone looking to get the low-down on this musical … Read more

Flashdance UK Tour

News, Touring
Book tickets for Flashdance the musical UK Tour

The Flashdance UK Tour has just been announced by producers for 2017 and tickets are now on sale. Flashdance – The Musical is the inspiring story of Alex, and 18-year-old welder by day and “flashdancer” by night. Alex dreams of training at the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy so that she can become a professional dancer. A romance complicates her ambitions, can Alex harness it to drive her dreams. This classic 80’s musical features the songs Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the title song Flashdance – What A Feeling that all features in the iconic film. Flashdance – The Musical is based on the Paramount Pictures film with a screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszerhaus and story by Tom Hedley. Flashdance will star Joanne Clifton as Alex and Ben Adams as Nick until 9 December 2017. Casting for the tour is to be announced.  The Flashdance … Read more

The Boys In The Band Transfers To Vaudeville Theatre in February 2017

News, West End
The Boys In The Band

Following a critically acclaimed tour, it has been announced by producers Tom O’Connell and James Seabright that Mart Crowley’s The Boys In The Band will transfer to London’s Vaudeville Theatre for a strictly limited two-week season from 7 February – 18 February 2017. Having sold out its five-week run at the Park Theatre and played to packed houses on it’s brief UK tour, the play’s original cast will move with the production to the West End. The production stars Olivier Award winner Mark Gatiss as ‘Harold’ alongside his husband Ian Hallard as ‘Michael’ – this will represent the first time in West End history that a male married couple will appear on stage together. They will be joined onstage by Daniel Boys, Jack Derges, James Holmes, John Hopkins, Ben Mansfield and Nathan Nolan. Mark Gatiss and Ian Hallard said, “We’ve had an amazing time bringing this great play to a … Read more

New Trailer Released For Live Action Beauty And The Beast

Events, News
Live action Beauty And The Beast starring Emma Watson

We are pleased to bring you this great new trailer for the live-action movie version of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Whilst not officially theatre, the new film features some of the best musical theatre talent from the West End and Broadway. Directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Gods And Monsters) and with a stellar cast that includes Emma Watson, Luke Evans, Dan Stevens, Kevin Klein, Josh Gad and the voices of Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci, Disney’s Beauty And The Beast looks set to be the musical film release of 2017. This trailer is already melting servers all over the world with over 127 million people already having viewed it. Let us know your thoughts.