So who were the musical theatre winners at one of the best loved events in the theatre awards calendar, the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards? Step forward the much loved West End production of Come From Away, Most Promising Newcomer Sam Tutty for his Dear Evan Hansen debut and Best Director Jamie Lloyd who was recognised for three of his shows, including Evita at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

It was a glamorous night at the London Coliseum as the 2019 Evening Standard Theatre Awards were revealed with Jamie Lloyd’s reinvention of Evita at the Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park being named Best Musical and Anne-Marie Duff coming out on top in the Best Musical Performance category for her portrayal of the title role in Sweet Charity at the Donmar Warehouse.

There’s a new Miss Hedge in town from 17 November 2019 when actress, singer and radio presenter Preeya Kalidas joins the West End cast of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, plus we are thrilled to see that Roy Haylock, best known as his drag alter ego Bianca Del Rio, will reprise the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle from 9 December.

Have you heard the heavenly casting for the London run of Sister Act The Musical when it plays at the Eventim Apollo from 29 July to 30 August 2020? For the first time on stage Whoopi Goldberg will reprise the part of Deloris Van Cartier and Jennifer Saunders has been cast as Mother Superior. It’s going to be fabulous baby.

Following its success at the Open Air Theatre, Jamie Lloyd’s fresh interpretation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita will transfer to London’s Barbican Theatre for just eight weeks in the summer of 2020.

The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced further casting for Matthew White’s revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend as the company begin rehearsals.

It’s never too late to fall in love with Sandy Wilson’s classic British musical and the Menier Chocolate Factory obviously feels the same, having just announced the first major London revival of The Boy Friend in ten years, running over Christmas at the theatre from 22 November 2019 until 7 March 2020.

If you are a fan of Sister Act, then producers Jamie Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg have answered your prayers with the announcement that a reworked version starring Brenda Edwards will open at Curve Leicester on 21 April 2020 ahead of further regional dates and a London season. Hallelujah!

Did you hear about who was named the 13th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY) and who took home the 12th annual Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize? Look no further than LAMDA’s Stuart Thompson and composer Theo Jamieson. Not forgetting, runners-up Bird College’s Paige Fenlon and RADA’s Jamie Bogyo.

From soap sets to stilettos, TV and stage actor Bill Ward will take on the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle in Dan Gillespie Sells and Tom MacRae’s Everybody's Talking About Jamie at London’s Apollo Theatre from 1 July 2019 for a limited season.

Following the sell-out success of their debut production, There’s Nothin’ Like a Dame, Lambert Jackson has announced West End Women – A Celebration of Women in Musicals. Rachel John, Lauren Samuels and Celinde Schoenmaker come together for one night only to perform some of the most famous musical theatre hits from across the decades at Cadogan Hall on 2 February. It’s a trio of talent you won’t want to miss…