Matthew Brind News

There have been many theatre productions made available during the pandemic lockdown in the UK, while stages have been quiet and venues closed. We take a look at some of the highlights you may have missed online over the past few months.

Adam Blanshay Productions are launching the initiative Newfound Hope Songs, uniting some of theatreland's musical theatre performers and commissioning them to write and collaborate on new songs that move us, uplift us, inspire us, and entertain.

Twenty years after its Parisian debut, and after receiving international acclaim in 23 countries worldwide, the French musical Notre-Dame de Paris is set to be performed at London Coliseum.

It is difficult to overestimate how popular Notre Dame de Paris is in France, leaving audiences in raptures for twenty years. However, the critics were not kind when it was last performed in London back in 2000. Poor translation of the lyrics and a prerecorded backing track seemed to be the main issues. Despite this, the show has been performed all over the world and this new run at the Coliseum will mark its 20th anniversary, this time with a new translation and a live string section.Unfortunately, this is not enough to save a show that often feels dated and self-absorbed.

Get a first look at the cast of Notre Dame de Paris in the photos below!

Nicolas Talar for Enzo Products Ltd and Adam Blanshay Productions have announced the full casting for Notre Dame de Paris. Twenty years after its Parisian debut, and after receiving international acclaim in 23 countries worldwide, the French musical is set to be performed at London Coliseum. The original French production in London will be performed with English surtitles and a live orchestra from Wednesday 23 Sunday 27 January 2019, with a national press night on Wednesday 23 January 2019 at 7pm. The London run will culminate with the 5,000th performance of the worldwide hit show.

In 2018, Richard Cocciante and Luc Plamondon's Notre Dame de Paris celebrated its 20th anniversary. The show (billed as 'Un Spectacle musical'), based on the novel by Victor Hugo, began life at the Palais des Congres de Paris and has since toured extensively - including several different translations - as well as frequently going 'home' on various occasions for limited runs. It was last seen in London in 2000, and it returns in a couple of weeks for a short stay at the Coliseum; this time the show will be performed in the original French, with English surtitles, rather than using the previous English translation.

Some of the biggest stars on the West End have rerecorded Jacques Brel's "If We Only Have Love" in aid of Childline as the service celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Award winning star of TV and theatre, Catherine Tate (Assassins, The Catherine Tate Show, The Vote, Doctor Who) and Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin, Here Lies Love), who takes lead role in Disney's Aladdin this summer, will lead the cast in the new musical comedy Miss Atomic Bomb, alongside musical theatre starsFlorence Andrews (A Little Night Music, Annie Get Your Gun), Simon Lipkin (The Lorax, Assassins, Rock of Ages, Avenue Q) and Daniel Boys (Any Dream Will Do, Avenue Q, Spamalot) as it explodes into the UK for its World Premiere at the St James Theatre, Victoria, in Spring 2016. The production will be running from 7 March for a strictly limited five week season, with press night on 14 March 2016.

Emilie Fleming will join the previously announced David Thaxton, Caroline Sheen and Neil McDermott to head the cast of the new British musical, ONLY THE BRAVE, premiering at the Wales Millennium Centre from 28 March to 2 April.  Based on the real lives of men and women caught up in the D-Day landings, this new production will be directed by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of London's Soho Theatre.  It will be Wales Millennium Centre's first production of a full-scale, original musical. BroadwayWorld gives you a first look below!

Emilie Fleming will join the previously announced David Thaxton, Caroline Sheen and Neil McDermott to head the cast of the new British musical, ONLY THE BRAVE, premiering at the Wales Millennium Centre from 28 March to 2 April. Based on the real lives of men and women caught up in the D-Day landings, this new production will be directed by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of London's Soho Theatre. It will be Wales Milliennium Centre's first production of a full-scale, original musical.

This Easter, Wales Millennium Centre will premiere its first full-scale, original musical, ONLY THE BRAVE, produced with Soho Theatre, Daniel Sparrow Productions and Birdsong Productions. Based on the real lives of men and women caught up in the D-Day landings, this new production will star David Thaxton, Caroline Sheen and Neil McDermott, directed by Steve Marmion, Artistic Director of London's Soho Theatre.

Award winning star of TV and theatre, Catherine Tate (Assassins, The Catherine Tate Show, The Vote, Doctor Who) and Dean John-Wilson (Aladdin, Here Lies Love), who takes lead role in Disney's Aladdin this summer, will lead the cast in the new musical comedy Miss Atomic Bomb, alongside musical theatre stars Florence Andrews (A Little Night Music, Annie Get Your Gun), Simon Lipkin (The Lorax, Assassins, Rock of Ages, Avenue Q) and Daniel Boys (Any Dream Will Do, Avenue Q, Spamalot) as it explodes into the UK for its World Premiere at the St James Theatre, Victoria, in Spring 2016. The production will be running from 7 March for a strictly limited five week season, with press night on 14 March 2016.

On Monday 11th May 2015, SimG Records, the leading independent British label devoted to new musical theatre writers and artists, is to release this exciting new 'songs of' album from the lyricist Lesley Ross.

Due to investment money from China being tied up in international banking red tape, there was a delay to the opening of THE GOLDEN VOICE, a new British musical by singer-songwriter Nick Fogarty. The musical was originally planned to preview from Wednesday 12 June, and open on 19 June, but will now open at the Arts Theatre tonight, 26 July, previewing from 17 July. The limited season is still due to end on Saturday 31 August.

Due to investment money from China being tied up in international banking red tape, there has been a delay to the opening of THE GOLDEN VOICE, a new British musical by singer-songwriter Nick Fogarty. The musical was originally planned to preview from tonight, Wednesday 12 June, and open on 19 June, but will now open at the Arts Theatre on Friday 26 July, previewing from 17 July. The limited season is still due to end on Saturday 31 August.