Blog / Off-West End

Check here for the latest musical news with links to all your #StageFaves performers, shows and theatres. Also look out for our regular #GetSocial features and contributions from our syndicate media partners including MyTheatreMates.com and the Musical Theatre Appreciation Society.

14 Mar
2019

One of a few big Broadway transfers to have hit the West End in recent months, WAITRESS is the irresistible musical from Sara Bareilles and the all-female creative team behind the original production. The show was a hit across the pond and judging by these reviews, it's going to be a success here too...

An unexpected hit when it originally opened on Broadway, COME FROM AWAY has flown the coop, finally landing in London's West End. Needless to say, this heartwarming new musical about the triumph of humanity in the face of tremendous evil stole the hearts of UK audiences as much as across the Atlantic. Nominated for a series of the biggest honours at this year's Olivier Awards, fans and critics alike would no doubt love to see it scoop some accolades. See what the critics are saying about it here...

27 Feb
2019

Who's who in the much-anticipated London debut of the Gershwins' and George S Kaufman's 1927 musical STRIKE UP THE BAND? Catch up on casting, sneak-peek rehearsal shots and our new competition for the show, running 6 to 31 March 2019 at Upstairs at the Gatehouse.

21 Feb
2019

Fans of Six, the concert-style hit musical featuring the six wives of Henry VIII as a girl group, are to get the chance to be Queen for a night at the show’s first Sing Along show in the West End on 6 June 2019. Are you willing to lose your head?

11 Feb
2019

From tattoos to celebrity lookalikes, Love Island to treading the boards, Brian Conley chatted to Lorraine Kelly about all sorts when he popped by the studio to promote 9 TO 5! Watch the full interview here, the head straight off to get your tickets because it's surely going to be a sell-out!

06 Feb
2019

Do biscuits inspire your creativity? Custard creams, Hob Knobs or pink wafers? Before he became a world-famous novelist (think Mortal Engines), Philip Reeve shared a spark of inspiration over a cup of tea in Brighton with Brian Mitchell. Terri Paddock talked to them about their collaboration 20 years on as The Ministry of Biscuits is revived...

31 Jan
2019

How many types of improv laughs are there? How do the pros ‘listen, accept and commit’ in an improvised musical? In our last of our three-part SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical interview series, co-founder DylanEmery shares his faves and secrets after 11 years leading the way. (Have you entered our competition yet?)

31 Jan
2019

How many types of improv laughs are there? How do the pros ‘listen, accept and commit’ in an improvised musical? In our last of our three-part SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical interview series, co-founder DylanEmery shares his faves and secrets after 11 years leading the way. (Have you entered our competition yet?)

29 Jan
2019

In the first of our three-part SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical interview series, co-founder Dylan Emery told us about he and Adam Meggido brought The Showstoppers to life, with influences from the likes of Ken Campbell and Alan Marriott. What happened next? We talk to Dylan about some highlights since from Edinburgh Fringe to the Olivier Awards... (Have you entered our competition yet?)

29 Jan
2019

In the first of our three-part SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical interview series, co-founder Dylan Emery told us about he and Adam Meggido brought The Showstoppers to life, with influences from the likes of Ken Campbell and Alan Marriott. What happened next? We talk to Dylan about some highlights since from Edinburgh Fringe to the Olivier Awards... (Have you entered our competition yet?)

27 Jan
2019

How did the late British maverick theatremaker Ken Campbell, leading Canadian improv teacher Alan Marriott and the four Elizabethan humours contribute to the birth of SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical? In the first of a three-part series, founder Dylan Emery recalls the rollercoaster ride that he and Adam Meggido went on when setting up the troupe more than 11 years ago... (Have you entered our competition yet?)

27 Jan
2019

How did the late British maverick theatremaker Ken Campbell, leading Canadian improv teacher Alan Marriott and the four Elizabethan humours contribute to the birth of SHOWSTOPPER! The Improvised Musical? In the first of a three-part series, founder Dylan Emery recalls the rollercoaster ride that he and Adam Meggido went on when setting up the troupe more than 11 years ago... (Have you entered our competition yet?)

25 Jan
2019

A hidden gem in the Andrew Lloyd Webber canon, ASPECTS OF LOVE has returned to the London stage after a successful run at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, and Jonathan O'Boyle's production is certainly making its mark! We've rounded up the reviews, the Offies nominations - and the stunning, brand-new trailer...

23 Jan
2019

StageFaves vlogger Perry O'Bree was on hand to help Faves founder Terri Paddock capture the brilliance of Bernadette Robinson at the West End post-show Q&A at the transfer of tour-de-force one-woman show SONGS FOR NOBODIES. Watch the full Q&A, and Perry's take on it, here...

Heaven forfend: what if eating biscuits were a crime?! Certainly, all of us in #StageFaves HQ would be in jail already. Join Faves founder for hilarious, 1940s-style musical style THE MINISTRY OF BISCUITS at London's Barons Court Theatre on Thursday 31 January 2019 and you'll also be able to quiz co-writer (and Mortal Engines novelist) Philip Reeve and the company.

23 Jan
2019

If it was possible to love Lin-Manuel Miranda even more than we already do (we thought we were on full-love but now we're not sure) this video might be the thing that does it! In this video, the actor and writer of both HAMILTON and IN THE HEIGHTS teaches us all about Broadway slang...

20 Jan
2019

Bernadette Robinson is currently wowing the West End in the brilliant transfer of SONGS FOR NOBODIES, in which she breathes new life into five legendary performers - Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas - and five ordinary women whose lives were changed by their brushes with them. We asked her four questions about each leading lady and learnt some lesser-known facts about the stars...

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the London opening of ASPECTS OF LOVE at Southwark Playhouse. Dressed appropriately (you’ll see what we mean), Perry is wowed by the beautiful setting for Jonathan O'Boyle’s acclaimed chamber revival, the gorgeous score and the stunning performances. Plus he gets to chat with several of the cast including Jerome Pradon, Madalena Alberto, Felix Mosse, Kelly Price and Eleanor Walsh. Does love change everything? Read on and find out…

08 Jan
2019

As one of the most financially successful productions in the history of the West End, it's not surprising that LES MISERABLES doesn't want to take a break, so while its current home at the Queens Theatre undergoes a refurb, it will transfer to a new West End home at the Gielgud for four months from the end of July...

04 Jan
2019

Just a few days until SONGS FOR NOBODIES returns, transferring to the West End for a strictly limited season. Why did critics go crazy for Bernadette Robinson in this one-woman spectacular last year at Wilton's Music Hall? We've rounded up the rave reviews - time to get booking! (And don't miss our competition or Terri Paddock's post-show Q&A!)