Blog / Opening Nights

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.

11 Mar
2019

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of the delicious WAITRESS at the Adelphi Theatre. Perry was there on the Red Carpet – rubbing shoulders with Carrie Hope Fletcher and Cuba Gooding Jr – plus post-show there was a chance to chat to cast members Peter Hannah and Shaun Prendergast. And did we mention Perry squeezed in meeting awesome Waitress composer Sara Bareilles too? It’s amazing what a little baking can do.

21 Feb
2019

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of Tony Award-winning Canadian musical Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre. Perry was there at the after-party to catch up with several members of the cast including Rachel Tucker and Jenna Boyd, plus he also caught up with original stranded passenger Kevin Tuerff, and Janice Goudie – one of the islanders who expressed such love and compassion to the 7,000 people diverted to their hometown during the wake of 9/11. Welcome to the Rock…

19 Feb
2019

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of Dolly Parton’s 9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL at the Savoy Theatre, continuing in the West End to 31 August 2019. Perry was there at the after-party to catch up with several members of the cast including Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Brian Conley and Bonnie Langford. Watch out for Brian describing Perry as one of the best theatre vloggers around & some expert video-bombing fromOlivier Award winner Michael Jibson!

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...

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…

20 Dec
2018

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE at the Playhouse Theatre, continuing in the West End to 9 February 2019 following sell-out seasons at Chichester and Hampstead. Perry was there at the after-party to catch up with several members of the cast including Sharon D Clarke (who “blew the roof off the Playhouse”), Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Alastair Brookshaw, Me’sha Bryan and Lauren Ward. It turned out to be quite an emotional night!

11 Dec
2018

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Stage Door Joe attending the opening night of JUST SO at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester, a festive treat that brings an incredibly successful first year at the venue to a colourful close. What a night Joe had seeing Stiles and Drewe’s creation brought to life by such a talented actor-muso cast. Catch up with all his animal adventures below…

StageFaves’ Perry O’Bree attended the West End charity gala opening of The Band at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, a special night raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Perry was there on the Red Carpet to chat to all the talented cast – one confessed to being a big fan of Perry – as well as Take That’s Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams too! Are you ready to see them ‘Shine’?

16 Nov
2018

What originally started as a concept album, then a community project, has over the passing of many years, found itself a record-breaking New York production, currently playing at the National Theatre ahead of a Broadway run! HADESTOWN is taking the musical theatre world by storm and if these reviews are anything to go by, it's got a long life ahead of it!

08 Nov
2018

Critics have been left "literally breathless" by Proud Haddock's revival of rarely seen Canadian musical two-hander BILLY BISHOP GOES TO WAR, which pays tribute to the Commonwealth's contributions to England's World War One effort, and in particular the Canadian ace pilot of the title. We've rounded up highlights from the avalanche rave reviews...

19 Oct
2018

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End opening of COMPANY at the Gielgud Theatre, probably the most eagerly-anticipated musical theatre opening of 2018. Perry was there on the Red Carpet and at the after-party to grab selfies (with Patti LuPone, no less) and chat to stars of Marianne Elliott’s gender-bending production, including those important guys: Ben Lewis, Richard Fleeshman, Matthew Seadon-Young, Jonathan Bailey, Alex Gaumond & Gavin Spokes. We’ll drink to that!

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree attending the West End gala opening of Heathers The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, transferring from The Other Palace. Watch our awesome vlogger delving into the Heathers candy store as he catches with all the stars of the cast at the after-show party including Carrie Hope Fletcher (who thinks he’s the best!) & grabs a #StageFaves selfie with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. How very…

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree at the European premiere of UNEXPECTED JOY, headlining this year's From Page to Stage festival of new musicals at London's Southwark Playhouse. Did Perry feel the family love in this tale of tolerance and three generations of female singers? Did he bond with young star Kelly Sweeney, who plays granddaughter Tamara?

13 Jul
2018

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Holly Mallett boarding The Barn Theatre bus for a trip to Cirencester and Michael Strassen's brand-new production of Jim Carwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. Which cast members did she grab for selfies? And, most critically, what did Holly's mum think of the show?!

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree at the world premiere of wacky American musical It Happened in Key West at London's Charing Cross Theatre. How much love is there for this life-and-death romantic comedy? What did stars Alyssa Martyn and Wade McCollum profess? (And spot #stagey blogger Charlotte O'Growney with Perry at the interval!)

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O’Bree at the West End premiere of CHESS, starring Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Cedric Neal, Tim Howar, Cassidy Janson and Philip Browne at the London Coliseum (on 1 May 2018). Did Perry thank Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus and Tim Rice for the music at the after party?

Our #FirstNightTakeover series continues with Perry O'Bree at the West End premiere of STRICTLY BALLROOM, starring Jonny Labey, Zizi Strallen and Will Young at the Piccadilly Theatre (on 24 April 2018). Did you spot Baz Luhrmann in the house? And who'd Perry rhumba with at the after-party?

18 Apr
2018

Last night, TINA - THE MUSICAL officially opened on London's West End and if these reviews are anything to go by, it's..."Simply The Best!" We've put together a round-up of the top reviews from this new musical charting the astonishing life of the legend Tina Turner, battended by the woman herself!

Theatre worth travelling for indeed - and now you have an extra fortnight to make your travel plans. Dominic Shaw's actor-musician interpretation of THE SECRET GARDEN is now booking at Cirencester's new Barn Theatre until 28 April 2018. Watch this brilliant video of audiences' reactions to this stunning venue and production - see if you can spot our own Perry O'Bree!

29 Mar
2018

Mods and would-be mods were fighting over ALL OR NOTHING's vintage 1960s scooter at last night's West End gala for the Small Faces musical as it transferred for an extended West End season at the Ambassadors Theatre. How many chart-topping legends can you spot? Be sure to check out our extensive photo gallery!