Jonathan Larson concert to play the Lyric Theatre

It has been announced that the life and music of legendary Broadway composer Jonathan Larson will be celebrated in a special one-off concert.

Entitled Seasons of Larson, the concert will play the West End's Lyric Theatre on Monday 25th January 2016.

On the day of the first preview of RENT off-Broadway on 25th January 1996, the musical's composer Jonathan Larson died unexpectedly at the age of 35. Tragically he would never live to see the impact his work would have, not only on the face of musical theatre but also on a generation of young artists and performers. Nor would he get to hold the numerous awards he posthumously received. 

Review: Sam Bailey Live at the Lyric Theatre

Sam Bailey Live
Lyric Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 12th October 2015
★★★★

Since winning The X Factor two years ago, Sam Bailey has enjoyed a varied career. As well as topping the UK singles and album charts, Bailey has toured the UK, released her autobiography and dabbled in presenting. Now the singer has turned her attention to the world of musical theatre. As a self-confessed super fan of blockbuster musicals such as Les Miserables and Wicked, Bailey took to the West End's Lyric Theatre to show her dedicated supporters and casting directors a different side to her talents.

Review: The Gruffalo at the Lyric Theatre

The Gruffalo 

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed on Saturday 4th July 2015

★★★★

As we collected our tickets I noticed the queue down the street and the "sold out" sign on the box office window – what a great idea to get children as young as three interested in theatre. Staged at the West End’s Lyric Theatre (home to Thriller Live), The Gruffalo is performed with a family friendly schedule over the summer. 

Review: Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre

Room on the Broom

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 4th December 2014
★★★

A cat and a witch, a witch and a cat… oh, but what about a dog, a bird and a frog? Plus a Welsh dragon of course! Clamber aboard and prepare to be whisked away on a magical broom for an adventure like nothing you’ve ever seen before!

Review: The Tiger Who Came to Tea at the Lyric Theatre

The Tiger Who Came to Tea 

Lyric Theatre 

Reviewed on Saturday 5th July 2014

Judith Kerr's beloved tale of a very hungry tiger is brought to life in a magical, musical production adapted and directed by David Wood OBE.

Review: Cleo Higgins stars in Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre

Thriller Live

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 26th June 2014

Although Thriller Live has been running in the West End for over five years and been seen globally by almost three million people, before last night I had never seen the show which pays tribute to the life and career of Michael Jackson.

Maureen Lipman joins Caroline Sheen in Rags The Musical

Maureen Lipman has joined the cast of Rags The Musical as the Narrator. 

Lipman is well-known for playing Joyce Grenfell in the biographical show Re: Joyce!, which she co-wrote, and for Beattie a series of award-winning television commercials for British Telecom. Her theatre credits include the National Theatre's production of Oklahoma, Glorious and Trevor Nunn’s production of A Little Night Music. 

She appeared in the films Up The Junction, Educating Rita and played the mother in Polanski's award-winning film The Pianist. She has also made appearances in Doctor Who, Coronation Street, and Holby City. 

Sneak peek at... Godspell in Concert

The producers of Godspell in Concert have released a video giving a sneak peek at the one-night-only theatrical event and introducing the all-star cast. Watch the video below.

Stephen Schwartz's musical is being staged at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May for the first time since it premiered 42 years ago. The one-off charity gala concert performance is in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK.

Casting announced for Rags The Musical

Casting has been announced for Rags The Musical which is receiving a West End concert staging for one night only later this month at the Lyric Theatre. The performance, which takes place on Monday 28th April, is in aid of Centrepoint, the UK's leading charity for homeless young people.

The production will star: Caroline Sheen (Les Misérables/Putting It Together, pictured right) as Rebecca, Graham MacDuff (Spamalot) as Nathan, Matt Zimmerman (voice of Alan Tracy in Thunderbirds) as Avram, Leila Benn Harris (The Phantom of the Opera) as Bella, James Yeoburn (Payback) as Ben, Jenny Logan (Chicago) as Rachel, Tim Rogers (Whistle down the Wind/Aspects of Love) as Saul and Bash Croft (Oliver/Matilda) as David. 

Fame sequel 'Fame Forever' to receive premiere at the Lyric Theatre

Fame Forever, the official sequel to the smash hit musical Fame, will receive its professional world premiere in a fully staged production at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End for one night only on Monday 8th September 2014 ahead of an anticipated 2015 / 2016 UK tour.

Conceived and developed by David De Silva (producer of the Academy Award winning film Fame, consulting producer on the popular TV series, and the driving force behind Fame the Musical) with music by Steve Margoshes, (composer of the original musical, and book and lyrics by Ben H Winters), Fame Forever picks up the story of the characters 20 years on. 

Marti Webb to reunite with David Essex at Godspell's West End return

Marti Webb (pictured right), who recently returned to the West End in Tell Me on a Sunday, will reunite with David Essex and other original cast members of the rock musical Godspell at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May. 

Stephen Schwartz's musical is being staged in the West End for the first time since it premiered at the Wyndhams Theatre 42 years ago in a one-off charity gala concert performance in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation® UK.

Rags The Musical to receive concert staging at the Lyric Theatre

It has been announced that Rags The Musical by Joseph Stein, Charles Strouse and Stephen Schwartz will receive a one-night-only concert staging on Monday 28th April at the West End's Lyric Theatre. All proceeds from the performance will go to Centrepoint - the UK's leading charity for homeless young people.

After receiving bad reviews, Rags only ran on Broadway for four performances and eighteen previews, but the show has developed a cult following. Rags received a Tony Award Nomination for Best Musical.

Interview: Ashleigh Gray

Ashleigh Gray has one of the most incredibly powerful voices in musical theatre. She is currently preparing to star as Stephanie for one night only alongside Reece Shearsmith, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy in the West End premiere of Cool Rider (aka Grease 2) at the Lyric Theatre.

Ashleigh is best known for her long association with the West End production of Wicked. She originally joined the show in 2007 as part of the ensemble whilst understudying Elphaba. She then took over as Standby Elphaba in June 2008 and stayed with the show until March 2010. Ashleigh briefly returned to Wicked as emergency cover in October 2010 and in February 2011. Recently Ashleigh returned to Wicked once again as Standby Elphaba between October and December 2013 proving popular with the hit musical’s loyal fan base.

The performer’s UK Touring credits include: Martha in The Secret Garden, Lorraine in I Dreamed A Dream – The Susan Boyle Musical, Kim in Taboo and Miss Lynch in Grease. She has also starred as Emily in Myths and Hymns at the Finborough Theatre and as Miranda in Betwixt at Trafalgar Studios. Just a few of her concert appearances include: Momentous Musicals, Susan Boyle in Concert, Lee Mead at The Pheasantry and West End Men.

Recently I spoke to Ashleigh about why she’s so excited to be starring in Cool Rider, what it’s like to take on one of the most iconic and sought after roles in musical theatre and which three songs she would take with her to a desert island…

Cool Rider has such a cult following. How much did you know about it prior to auditioning?

When I was growing up I was a huge fan of the first Grease and then I just loved the sequel, so when I found out they were doing it in the West End I thought ‘How do I get tickets for this?’ but then obviously the casting started and I was even more excited to be a part of it!

Ashleigh Gray, Aaron Sidwell, Hannah Levane and Niall Sheehy join cast of Cool Rider

Further casting has been announced for Cool Ruder (aka Grease 2) which will play two performances only on Monday 27th January 2014 at the West End’s Lyric Theatre. 

Joining the previously announced Reece Shearsmith as biology teacher Mr Stuart are Ashleigh Gray as Stephanie, Aaron Sidwell as Michael, Hannah Levane as Paulette and Niall Sheehy as Johnny.

Godspell returns to the West End for one night only next year

It has been announced that Stephen Schwartz's musical 'Godspell' will receive a West End concert staging next year. The show will be performed at the Lyric Theatre on Monday 19th May 2014 in aid of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Godspell was last seen in the West End in 1972 when it ran at the Wyndham’s Theatre starring David Essex and Marti Webb. The show recently enjoyed a successful run on Broadway and is currently touring the US. It was recently announced that Grease 2 will also receive a concert staging for one night only at the Lyric Theatre next January.

Review: The Gruffalo at the Lyric Theatre

The Gruffalo 

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed on 23rd November 2013

A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood... Silly predators, don't they know - there's no such thing as a Gruffalo! Or is there...

Originally published in 1999, Julia Donaldson's book has sold over 10.5 million copies worldwide and is a favourite with children and adults of all ages. I'm one of many people who can quote the entire story of a the Gruffalo so, with a five-year-old (who also knows all the words) in tow, I arrived at the Lyric, keen to see how the story would work as live theatre.

Review: Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre

Thriller Live

Lyric Theatre

Reviewed on Thursday 24th October 2013

Thriller Live celebrates the early rise to fame and the musical legacy of Michael Jackson. The theatrical concert provides a through the years insight into Michael's infectious pop, rock and disco hits that inspired the world and this week played its 2,000th West End performance.

Review: Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre

Room on the Broom

Lyric Theatre

Sunday 25th November 2012 (12pm)

"Join a witch and her cat as they fly happily along on their broomstick – until a stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night! With the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog, her belongings are retrieved. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK! – it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?"

Room on the Broom is a lovely little children's show and is perfect for a fun family outing. The show captivates the imagination with a fun storyline, an impressive set and amazing puppets.  I thought children and  theatre could be a potential recipe for disaster but I was proved wrong.

Interview: Olivia Jacobs, director of Room on the Broom at the Lyric Theatre

Olivia Jacobs’ is currently directing Room on the Brook which runs at the Lyric Theatre from 21st November. Olivia is co-founder and joint artistic director of Tall Stories. 

Her directing credits for Tall Stories include The Gruffalo (UK - including West End, USA - including Broadway, Australia - including Sydney Opera House, Hong Kong & Singapore), The Gruffalo’s Child (UK - including West End, Australia - including Sydney Opera House, Hong Kong, Singapore & Dubai), Room on the Broom (UK – including West End, USA, Australia, Hong Kong & Singapore), Mr Benn (UK & Hong Kong, Singapore), How the Giraffe got its Neck (UK & Singapore), Monster Hits (UK & Singapore), Something Else (UK & Poland), Them With Tails and Them with Frozen Tails (UK & Poland), Mum and the Monster (UK), Rumpelstiltskin (UK), The Happy Prince and Other Stories (UK) and Snow White (UK & USA - including Broadway). 

Olivia is currently working on the Lemony Snicket story The Latke Who Couldn’t Stop Screaming which opens at the Roundhouse this Christmas. Olivia was previously Artistic Director of Camden People’s Theatre where she directed The Monkeys Paw and The Necklace. Olivia talks to West End Frame about Room on the Broom, introducing children to theatre and how different audiences all around the world compare.

Are you looking forward to Room on the Broom opening at the Lyric Theatre later this month? 

Yes! The show has been touring in the UK before it’s West End Christmas run, and we’re all really pleased to be heading into town to join in the festivities!

Family show 'Room On The Broom' flies into the West End this Christmas

Family show Room on the Broom flies into the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue from 21st November 2012 until 13th January 2013, bringing a witch, her cat, a dragon, a few friendly animals and much more! 

Join a witch and her cat as they fly happily along on their broomstick – until a Stormy wind blows the witch’s hat, bow and wand away into the night! With the help of a daft dog, a beautiful bird and a friendly frog, her belongings are retrieved. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and – CRACK! – it snaps in two! When a hungry dragon appears, who will save the poor witch? And will there ever be room on the broom for everyone?