Is THRILLER LIVE doomed to close in the West End?
Thriller Live – the Michael Jackson tribute show, opened in London’s West End in January 2009, six months before the unexpected death of the King Of Pop. In March 2019, shortly after Thriller Live opened, Michael Jackson announced his last ever concert tour in the UK but three weeks before the show’s were due to […]
Most inspirational women in UK theatre today
It’s International Women’s Day and so we want to celebrate who we consider to be some of the most inspirational women in UK theatre right now. At just twenty six years old, Carrie Hope Fletcheris one of the most influential young theatre performers, YouTubers and Authors around. At the age of nine she made her […]
Should a ‘puppet’ have been used to portray an ‘autistic child’ in ALL IN A ROW?
I am a big supporter of Autism charities, campaigning for there to be more ‘Relaxed Performances’ of theatre shows, so that people of all abilities can experience the magic of theatre. So when I heard about #puppetgate online, I was immediately intrigued. A huge backlash circulated on social media toward the play All In A […]
A Princess Called Isabelle #RareDiseaseDay
1 in 20 of us will live with a rare disease at some point in our lives. However, there is no cure for the majority of rare diseases and many go undiagnosed. Rare Disease Day (which is today) helps to improve knowledge amongst the general public of rare diseases, while encouraging researchers and decision makers […]
Love Island’s Amber Davies hits back at online hater for suggesting she is “not a real West End performer”
Last week, 9 To 5 the Musical performer Rhiane Drummond tweeted about how she was the Understudy to Love Island’s Amber Davies and the first person of colour to perform this role. She said “for two performances on Thursday 21st Feb I played the role of Judy Bernly in the Original West End Cast of 9 […]
Should all Theatre be colour blind?
BAME groups have always been under-represented in theatre. Statistically, 76% of ethnic makeup in casts from Broadway and non-profit theatres are Caucasian (AAPAC, 2015/16). When the producers of the West End transfer of the award-winning musical Hamilton announced that ‘colour-blind casting’ would be implemented, it prompted the question, should all theatre be colour-blind in order […]
Don’t be a ‘Stage Door Barry’
Musical Theatre performer, Courtney Bowman, made her West End debut as Fatimah/1st cover Pritti in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre in 2017, after the show transferred to from Sheffield Crucible Theatre. Everybody’s Talking About Jamie tells the story of Jamie New, who we meet on his 16th birthday. Bored with school and life […]
Carrie Hope Fletcher says “I Say No” to being singled out on HEATHERS cast recording
The first song “I Say No” from the highly anticipated West End cast recording of Heathers the Musical has been released today (with the rest of the album expected on 1 March 2019). But one of the stars of the show, Carrie Hope Fletcher, has hit back after her name was singled out and put […]
Should understudies have their performances reviewed?
Understudy; (noun) a person who learns another’s role in order to be able to act at short notice in their absence.’ I’m a big fan of championing understudies in theatre. If I happen to see a show when an understudy is performing, I will always try to write some kind of review online about it, […]
Disaster strikes at performance of COMPANY
At the start of this week, leading lady Rosalie Craig, who is playing the gender reversed role of Bobbie in the West End production of Company was unwell and unable to perform. Her understudy, Jenwaa Saayeng, stepped in and saved the day by taking her place. But sometimes when one person gets sick, it can […]