Emma Hatton, Carolyn Maitland & Soophia Foroughi are bringing the heart of the West End to Piccadilly in a concert of warmth, wit & stunning vocals West End Voices presents In Another Light – Live at Zédel on 4 Jan at 5pm & 7.30pm. Jordan Paul Clarke is at the piano

We wish all our contributors and readers a very Happy New Year – one in which, we hope, the theatre industry continues to thrive and we get the chance to see lots of new musical theatre!

Jon M Chu’s thrillifying film Wicked: For Good will be released on digital platforms in the UK on 2 Jan, so why not check out MTR editor Lisa Martland’s three-episode chat about the movie with Andrew Tomlins on the West End Frame Show? musicaltheatrereview.com/streaming-da...

My last tip of the hat in 2025, this one for @musicaltheatrer.bsky.social, goes to @bruiserni.bsky.social's joyful staging with Rob Gathercole and Will Arundell of Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair's Murder for Two. A deserved nod, too, to @niopera.bsky.social's Follies.

Three-time Oscar nominee & Tony, Emmy & Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, recently seen in Wicked: For Good, has received the MBE for services to music & drama in the New Year honours list musicaltheatrereview.com/wicked-star-...

Musical Theatre Review’s brilliantly talented team of expert critics name the shows that made the biggest impression on them during 2025 – from West End to London Fringe, from regional productions to tours, from cabaret to student production & more… musicaltheatrereview.com/musical-thea...

We would like to wish all our brilliant contributors, and of course all our awesome followers, a very Merry Christmas and all best wishes for 2026. Thank you for your company. Please join us for another packed schedule of new musical theatre next year!

‘This sassy, poignant, funny & beautifully staged new version of Pinocchio is the best children’s show I’ve seen this year’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe musicaltheatrereview.com/pinocchio-sh...

‘If you’re looking for a riotously fun night out beyond the usual bawdy pantos & Christmas-themed cabarets, this production is perfect’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Pippin at Upstairs at the Gatehouse @ianbowkett.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/pippin-upsta...

‘Cole Escola’s writing is tight, quick-witted & consistently funny with plenty of surprises along the way that take the level of hilarity up another notch’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Oh, Mary! at London’s Trafalgar Theatre musicaltheatrereview.com/oh-mary-traf...

Musical Theatre Review’s awesome official photographer Roy Tan has taken these beautiful new images of Top Hat, currently running at the @southbankcentre.bsky.social until 17 Jan before continuing its tour. The cast includes Phillip Attmore, Amara Okereke, Sally Ann Triplett & Clive Carter

‘Full of undeniable charm, pure love for musical theatre & a brilliant cast, this show deserves to be on your Christmas list’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for It’s A Wonderful Knife – Christmas Dundee at the @oldjointstock.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/its-a-wonder...

‘It’s far more fulfilling than any musical that fictionalises her predecessor out of all recognition’ ★★★★ @shittheatre.bsky.social: EVITA TOO at Purcell Room, @southbankcentre.bsky.social @greatscott.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/sht-theatre-...

‘‘Bold, atmospheric & anchored by a virtuoso central performance, KENREX is a darkly compelling triumph’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for KENREX at @theotherpalace.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/kenrex-the-o...

‘Blue Moon isn’t a comfortable watch, but it’s a highly rewarding one’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Blue Moon, on general release @sonyclassics.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/movie-review...

‘Two & a half hours long without an interval & every moment, funny & sad, slick & sharp, bitchy & heartbreaking, to be treasured’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Merrily We Roll Along, filmed at the Hudson Theatre, New York in June 2024 @sonyclassics.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/movie-review...

‘As an a cappella musical, it has just enough originality to become a great & popular work with a life far beyond this Christmas season’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Dracapella at the @parktheatrelondon.bsky.social @greatscott.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/dracapella-p...

‘A cabaret show with enough seasonal spirit & soaring show tunes to fill you to the brim’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Sleigh Miserables at the @oldjointstock.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/sleigh-miser...

This fall, New York offered musical theatre enthusiasts a diverse line-up, spanning from revivals of cult musicals to Broadway spectacles & intimate cabaret Patrick Honoré reports on all of these projects plus a pre-Broadway run in Washington, D.C. musicaltheatrereview.com/on-broadway-...

‘Fein has shown us what a gorgeous show this is with no need for high-tech bells nor gimmicky whistles, but with just the right amount of good old-fashioned theatrical magic’ ★★★★★ for Into the Woods at @bridgetheatre.bsky.social @ianbowkett.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/into-the-woo...

Full casting has been announced for All Is But Fantasy at The RSC from Jan-21 Feb. The show brings together Shakespearean material & live music across two parts Juliette Crosbie, Daniel Krikler, Renée Lamb, Georgina Onuorah, Timmika Ramsay & Whitney White (writer & director)

Jamie Wilson Productions & Nederlander Studios have announced that the musical stage adaptation based on the cult film Coyote Ugly will make its world premiere in the West End in 2027 Creative team incs: Gina Wendkos, Diane Warren, Vikki Stone & Jerry Mitchell

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard will join the UK tour of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical as Mr. D from 21 Jan @thedannybeard.bsky.social @percyonstage.bsky.social

Raw Material will tour Wallace: A Musical around Scotland from 23 Sep-3 Oct Written by Rob Drummond, the show has music & lyrics by Dave Hook & is directed by Orla O’Loughlin @rawmaterialarts.bsky.social

Full casting has been announced for the West End transfer of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 29 Jan-18 Apr Cast includes: Craig Armstrong, Jenna Boyd, Daniel Crossley, Nell Martin & Peter Polycarpou who join Noah Mullins, Jenna Russell & Mark Addy

Due to popular demand the producers of Ride the Cyclone The Musical have announced an additional performance at @swkplay.bsky.social on 6 Jan

Joy Wielkens from the Amsterdam company of Hadestown will reprise the role of Persephone, joining the West End company at the Lyric Theatre from 20 Jan until 8 Mar

Full casting has been announced for the forthcoming UK & Ireland tour of Barnum, opening at @theatrewindsor.bsky.social on 3 Feb Monique Young, Penny Ashmore, Dominique Planter, Fergus Rattigan & more join previously announced Lee Mead in the titular role

New casting has been announced for the award-winning Cabaret at London’s Kit Kat Club Matt Willis & Katie Hall join the company as The Emcee & Sally Bowles, respectively, from 26 Jan

Once on This Island will return to London for a semi-staged concert performance on 8 Feb at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Cast incs: Tony Award-winning Alex Newell, Dujonna Gift, Melanie La Barrie, Cedric Neal, Jamael Westman, Casey Al-Shaqsy & Ako Mitchell @lwtheatres.bsky.social

Musical Con, the world’s biggest theatre fan convention, will return to London on 17 & 18 October for its fifth anniversary at ExCeL London. Special guests, programming announcements & anniversary surprises will be revealed in due course

Full casting has been announced for the world tour of Operation Mincemeat, which begins on 16 Feb Christian Andrews, Seán Carey, Charlotte Hanna-Williams, Holly Sumpton & Jamie-Rose Monk, with Katy Ellis, Georgina Hagen, Jordan Pearson & Morgan Phillips @mincemeatlive.bsky.social

West End Calling has announced the release of its debut EP, West End Calling: Volume 1, showcasing emerging talent & featuring Grace Mouat. The EP is available on all streaming platforms

Due to overwhelming demand, Paddington The Musical has announced a new extension at London’s Savoy Theatre, booking until 14 Feb 2027

‘This excellent laugh-a-minute production is suitable for all the family from age five & up’ ★★★★★ for HMS Pinafore at the London Coliseum musicaltheatrereview.com/hms-pinafore...

‘A refreshing retelling of a classic fairytale… the perfect family-friendly festive fodder’ ★★★★★ for Jack & the Beanstalk at @dundeerep.bsky.social @craigglenday.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/jack-and-the...

‘A passionately funny & polished production that is sure to send the uninitiated out in search of the picture’ ★★★★★ for Young Frankenstein at @liveveryplay.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/young-franke...

‘It shows that pouring love & imagination into a much-performed classic fairytale still has the power to produce something magical’ ★★★★ for Cinderella at the Rose Theatre, Kingston @greatscott.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/cinderella-r...

Full casting has been announced for All Is But Fantasy at The RSC from Jan-21 Feb. The show brings together Shakespearean material & live music across two parts Juliette Crosbie, Daniel Krikler, Renée Lamb, Georgina Onuorah, Timmika Ramsay & Whitney White (writer & director)

A revival of Cole Porter’s High Society will run at London’s Barbican Theatre from 19 May-11 Jul before touring the UK. Starring Helen George & Felicity Kendal, further casting to be announced

MTFestUK returns to @theotherpalace.bsky.social which will showcase six musicals Shining in Misery (27-28 Jan), Legendary (30 Jan-1 Feb), Tristan (3-5 Feb), That Witch (6-8 Feb), The Guild (10-12 Feb) & Glimmer (13-15 Feb)

Details have been announced for the Olivier Awards 50th anniversary ceremony which will take place at the @royalalberthall.bsky.social on 12 Apr Further news is expected to follow on 14 Jan

Producers of the original production of Billy Elliot the Musical have announced a nationwide search for young performers to play Billy, Michael & Debbie in an upcoming run, with Jessica Ronane at the helm. Details of dates & location will be confirmed soon

‘Unmissable for newcomers & a warm rewatch for devotees, this is an embracing hug of a night out & an elegant alternative to panto as the yuletide celebrations begin’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for The Sound of Music at @curveleicester.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/the-sound-of...

‘Annabelle Aquinoto raises her performance to a new, stronger level… She has a delightful innocence that perfectly fits the characterisation’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for The Little Mermaid at the @watermilltheatre.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/the-little-m...

‘Not since Matilda has there been such a creatively successful, heartfelt, imaginative, joyful & magical take on a children’s classic. If it’s not a hit, I will eat my explorer’s hat’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Paddington The Musical at London’s Savoy Theatre musicaltheatrereview.com/paddington-t...

‘As Eliza, Simbi Akande perfectly conveys the butterfly coming out of its chrysalis & Nadim Naaman is a flawless Henry Higgins, a multi-dimensional character who we see, like Eliza, transform throughout’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for My Fair Lady at The Mill At Sonning musicaltheatrereview.com/my-fair-lady...

‘A super enjoyable show, full of clever ideas, great comedy & a lot of heart’ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Lovers Actually at The Other Palace Studio @theotherpalace.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/lovers-actua...

‘From the moment the curtain rises on a bank-of-amplifiers set & the boys as the Ravens in their pre-Kinks days, I loved everything about this production’ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ for Sunny Afternoon at @newwimbtheatre.bsky.social & Touring musicaltheatrereview.com/sunny-aftern...

‘This innovative dance is entertaining & compelling. It’s fascinating to watch how the elements of drama, the themes of fear & guilt, combine with the different styles of ballet, contemporary & jazz.’ ★★★★★ Ballet Black: Shadows at @sadlerswells.bsky.social musicaltheatrereview.com/ballet-black...