Jeevan Braich saved the day last night by returning to Starlight Express, West End. He resumed performances last night as the lead role of Rusty. This is due to Gavin Adams recently sustaining a shoulder injury in the show.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, Starlight Express is about a childrens train set that comes to life. The production released this statement announcing Jeevan Braich rejoining the show:
“Jeevan returns to the role in place of Gavin Adams, who is taking some time off from the show due to a recent shoulder injury. To allow Gavin the time he needs, the production is delighted to welcome Jeevan back to Starlight Express and looks forward to Gavin’s return once he has fully recovered.”
Jeevan Braich made his debut in this production. In fact, he won the What’s On Stage Award for Best Professional Debut Performance for this.
He is joining the already complete cast which includes Sophie Naglik as Pearl, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball, Asher Forth as Electra and Georgia Pemberton as Dinah. Also in the cast is Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy and Jaydon Vijn as Hydra. The remaining cast are Jamie Addison, Jessie Angell, Ollie Augustin, Evan Taylor Benyacar, Charles Butcher, Cletus Chan, Tamara Verhoven Clyde, Jamie Cruttenden, Kelly Downing, Isaac Edwards, Maddy Erzan-Essien, Sam Gallacher, Lucy Glover, Scott Hayward, Dante Hutchinson, Iwan James, Lewis Kidd, Hannah Kiss and Nicole Louise-Lewis. Lastly there’s Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Jessica Niles, Temi Olawole, Harrison Peterkin, RED, Ashley Rowe, Nicky Wong Rush, Charlie Russell, Gary Sheridan, Lara Vina Uzcatia and Amber Weston.
The musical is based on a novel about a man who lives in the Paris Opera House. He is a musical genius who falls in love with his musical protegee Christine Daee. He will do anything to make her the star that she is.
Staying on to lead the cast of The Phantom of the Opera are Dean Chisnall as The Phantom and Lily Kerhoas as Christine Daaé. Joining them as new cast members are Adam Rhys-Charles as Raoul and Bradyn Debysingh as Ubaldo Piangi who is making his West End debut in this production.
Also remaining in this new cast of The Phantom of the Opera are Joanna Ampil as Carlotta Giudicelli and Adam Linstead as Monsieur André. As well as Martin Ball as Monsieur Firmin, Helen Hobson as Madame Giry and Millie Lyon as Meg Giry. Colleen Rose Curran plays the role of Christine Daee at certain performances.
Other new additions to the cast include Michael Baxter, Polly Clarke, Ashley Gilmour and Matt Hayden. Also, Verity Marlow, Inguna Morozova, Skye November, Taylor Pardell and Rachel Spurrell.
Completing the new cast of The Phantom of the Opera are George Arvidson, Embla Bishop, David Burilin, and Leonard Cook. With Hywel Dowsell, Connor Ewing, Florence Fowler, James Gant, Emily George, Melanie Gowie, Molly Hall, Eilish Harmon-Beglan and Will Hawksworth. Lastly, Nicholas Hepher, Mandy Kwan, Tim Morgan, Johnny Randall, Zoë Soleil Vallée, Jasmine Wallis and Victoria Ward.
Here’s a handy list of London Musicals that are based on books. This can be a handy resource if you’re an educator wanting to tie in watching musicals with literature. Or perhaps you’re just like me: Equal parts book worm and musical lover!
This is the first of 2 London musicals currently running on the West End that are based on a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald was an American writer, mostly known for his depictions of the Jazz Age. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a short story that Fitzgerald released in 1922. It tells the story of a man who ages backwards.
The musical adaptation takes this story and sets it in a Cornish Fishing Village. It has an original score and the cast is made up of actor musicians who play their instruments live on stage. The production is much loved here in London. So much so in fact, that it won 3 Olivier Awards this year.
Wicked is a staple when it comes to London musicals and has been running at The Apollo Victoria for almost 19 years. Many people don’t realise however, that this popular musical is based on a book series written by Gregory Maguire. Maguire has written many adult fantasy and children’s literature books, with the first Wicked book being published in 1995.
Wicked tells the untold story of the witches of Oz. It tells us how exactly the wicked witch became wicked. It has also been adapted into a movie starring Cynthia Erivo and Arianna Grande. The music is written by Stephan Schwartz who actually had to convince Maguire to release the theatrical rights to him.
Matilda is perhaps the show that most people will know already is based on a book as it is one of the most popular London musicals. The book was published in 1988 and has been loved by generations of children since its publication. The book was already adapted into a film in 1996 starring Danny DeVito as well as various other media.
Matilda the Musical was written by comedian Tim Minchin and debuted on the West End in 2011. It tells the story from the book of Matilda, a gifted girl with neglectful parents. Her powers and intelligence help her cope at school and home to help her reclaim her life.
Most people know this show as one of the many London musicals that are based on films. However, what people don’t know is that the book came first! The book is written by Lauren Weisberger and was published in 2003.
The story is about a naive aspiring journalist who gets a job as a personal assistant to the editor of a high fashion magazine. The book became a very popular Chick Lit book and gained traction after people discovered the author has actually worked as a personal assistant to Anna Wintour, the editor of Vogue.
The West End adaptation features celebrity Vanessa Williams as Miranda Priestly, the “devil” editor of the magazine. It also has music written by legend Elton John.
This classic musical is based on the novel Oliver Twist written by Charles Dickens. It was originally published in monthly installments with the full book released in 1838. Oliver Twist is a classic piece of literature which tells the story of an orphan boy in Victorian England who escapes a work house and falls in with a bunch of pickpockets to survive the East End.
Lionel Bart’s musical adaptation of the Dickens tale opened in the West End for the first time in 1960 making it one of the oldest London musicals based on a book. The musical was famously adapated on screen in 1968 and won 6 academy awards including best picture! It features songs which are now classics just as Food Glorious Food and As Long As He Needs Me.
Originally published in French in 1910, The Phantom Of The Opera is the 2nd longest running musical currently on the West End. Gaston Leroux was a renowned journalist turned author. He was particularly well known for writing mysteries however the Gothic Romance, The Phantom of The Opera is his most famous work. Leroux was inspired both by the Paris Opera house and the ghosts believed to inhabit the opera house at the time. It tells the story of “The Phantom”, a man who lives in the opera house. He is a musical genius and falls in love with his protegee Christine Daae.
The novel was adapted into a musical in 1986 by Andrew Llyod Webber. Webber has written many hit London musicals including Evita and Sunset Boulevard. The musical has beautiful, sweeping songs in an operatic style and sells out nearly every night
Cabaret – Goodbye To Berlin by Christopher Isherwood
Cabaret is based on the novel “Goodbye Berlin” written by Anglo-American Christopher Isherwood. He was inspired by his own 3 year stay there. He enjoyed cabaret clubs and witnessed the extreme political climate that led to the establishment of the Nazi party. Following the enabling act Isherwood fled to England and shortly after, cabaret clubs were shut down and many of his friends – some of who, the characters are based on – also fled or were sent to concentration camps.
It was first adapted into a play called “I Am A Camera” before that was, in turn, adapted into a musical. The writers of Chicago, Kander and Ebb wrote the music for this powerful musical adaptation with Joe Masteroff writing the book.
It is a wonder they managed to get this novel adapted into a musical. The novel is made up of 5 volumes and is in fact 1,462 pages long! Hugo was already an established author following his novel “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and it was highly anticipated when it was released in 1862. He was inspired by events he witnessed on the streets of Paris and living through the French Revolution.
The story follows many characters during this tumultuous time in Paris however, the main through line follows Valjean, a man imprisoned and later on the run for stealing a loaf of bread. Over 100 years later French composers Claude Michel Schoenberg and Alain Boubill adapted the novel to an entirely sung through musical. Following its French premiere in 1980, it was later translated into English in 1985. It has played in the West End ever since and is currently the longest running show out of all the London musicals.
Clueless is another one of the current London musicals that is well known for being based on a film. What many people don’t realise however, is that the iconic movie was based on Jane Austen’s “Emma”. Written in 1816, this is the oldest book that has inspired a musical currently playing on the West End.
In the classic romance novel, Emma fancies herself a matchmaker and constantly begins to meddle in people’s love lives. Similarly, Cher in Clueless takes on this story line and the same character traits as a wealthy girl in an American highschool in the 90’s.
From our list of London Musicals based on books today, Hamilton is the only one based on non-fiction! Lin Manuel Miranda took inspiration from Ron Chernow’s biography on Alexander Hamilton. Chernow is a Pulitzer prize winning writer and biographer. Alexander Hamilton is the biography of the lesser known American founding father.
The musical adaptation received global acclaim and recognition. It transferred to the West End in 2017 and has been a hit ever since. Miranda uses rap, RnB and soul music styles in this musical that is almost entirely sung through. He is quoted to say he tells “the story of America then through the voices of America now”.
F. Scott Fitzgerald has already been mentioned once. This means the author has inspired not one but two London musicals currently playing in the West End.
True to Fitzgerald’s style, this novel is set in America in the roaring 20’s. It offers an insight into the mysterious and glamorous Jay Gatsby who throws parties to die for. The novel is often studied in schools due to it’s themes and symbolism throughout the book. It was also an award winning film produced by Baz Luhrmann in 2013.
The musical adaptation originated on Broadway and opened in London earlier this year.
Here’s the first look of Hercules on the West End! Today is the last preview performance of this new musical which is taking the West End by storm.
It is based on the 1997 animated classic, Hercules. Hercules is a hero from greek mythology and it tells his story to go from ‘Zero to Hero‘. It features songs from the original film with music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by David Zippel who also wrote the songs for Beauty and the Beast and Mulan respectively.
Firsly, here’s a little more about the cast before we get to the first look of Hercules in the West End:
Leading the show as the title is Luke Brady (The Prince of Egypt). Starring alongside him as Meg is Mae Ann Jorolan (Hamilton, Germany) who is making her West End debut following originating the role in Germany.
The iconic and vocal powerhouses of the muses are played by Candace Furbert (The Book of Mormon), Sharlene Hector (Dreamgirls), Brianna Ogunbawo (The Lion King), Malinda Parris (Matilda), and Robyn Rose-Li (Hairspray), and lastly, Kamilla Fernandes (Grease) as Standby Muse.
Trevor Dion Nicholas plays Phil with Stephen Carlile as Hades, Craig Gallivan as Bob and Lee Zarrett as Charles. For more information on the full cast, click here.
The hype for this show ahead of the First Look of Hercules is huge! General excitement for this beloved animation becoming a musical as well as performances on Britain’s Got Talent has lead to completely sold out previews! The opening night is tonight and the show’s currently booking until 28th March 2026 at The Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Without further ado, here are the first look of Hercules images on the West End:
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has extended their run until 11th October 2025. The musical is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel and won 3 Olivier Awards this year. In fact, it even won the highly coveted award for Best New Musical.
The musical adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is set in a Cornish Fishing village. An ensemble of Actor-Musicians who play their instruments live on stage tells the story. The story is about Benjamin Button, who is born an old man and ages in reverse. The adaptation is by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark.
Regarding the extension of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, writer Compton said:
“Bringing Benjamin Button to the West End has been a dream come true. We could never have imagined such an incredible response to the show. On behalf of the entire Button family, I want to express our enormous gratitude to every audience member who has come to see us and the many that have come back again and brought friends and loved ones with them. This amazing year in the West End is just the first chapter of the show’s life, and as I hope we’ve demonstrated in our journey from a small-scale fringe show to an Olivier Award-winning West End musical, anything’s possible.”
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also stars award-winning actor John Dagleish as the title role. This is as well as Olivier Award-nominated Clare Foster, who plays Elowen Keene. The remaining cast is Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Katy Ellis, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Ann Marcuson, Jack Quarton, Benedict Salter, Elliot Mackenzie, Emily Panes and Nuwan Hugh Perera.
The Weir Cast has been announced in full this morning. They are joining the previously announced, multi award-winning movie star, Brendan Gleeson. Gleeson is the latest celebrity to step foot on the West End. This production is also Gleeson’s West End debut!
The Weir will open on 12th September and run until 6th December at The Harold Pinter Theatre. It will open in Dublin before transferring to the West End for a limited run.
Joining Gleeson in The Weir Cast are Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve) as Brendan, Seán McGinley (Braveheart) as Jim, Kate Phillips (Wolf Hall) as Valerie and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (All My Sons) as Finbar.
The play is written by Conor McPherson and is set in a pub in Ireland where 4 locals regularly meet. When a mysterious woman enters the pub, they tell stories to impress her. Little do they know that she has a profoundly personal story of her own, the sharing of which will leave them all shaken. The focus of this play is all about story telling and it really is a gripping, well written play. In fact, this play won the Olivier Award in 1999 for The Best New Play.
Regarding The Weir Cast, playwright and director for the show Conor McPherson said the following:
“I couldn’t be happier to be working with this brilliant cast. It’s always exciting embarking on a new production but to revisit The Weir in the company of these particularly accomplished artists feels like a singular privilege and I look forward to sharing this story with audiences in Dublin and London very soon.”
Cameron Mackintosh Productions have announced the Les Miserables New Cast. They also have given us updates of special guests that will perform for a limited run to celebrate the production’s 40th anniversary in the West End.
Ian McIntosh will lead the Les Miserables New Cast as Jean Valjean, with Sam Oladeinde as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine. Adam Gillen will play Thénardier alongside Claire Machin as Madame Thénardier, Thiago Phillip Felizardo as Marius, Amena El-Kindy as Éponine, Joe Griffiths-Brown as Enjolras and Izzi Levine as Cosette. They will begin performances on 7th July 2025 and take a break whilst the theatre welcomes their anniversary performers.
Completing the ensemble are Hollie Aires, Aidan Banyard, Nicholas Carter, Ella May Carter, Matthew Dale, Irfan Damani, Lila Falce-Bass, Sophie-May Feek, Jessica Johns-Parsons, Seán Keany, Chris Kiely, Sam Kipling, Mia Lamb, Sarah Lark, Ollie Llewelyn-Williams, Matthew McConnell, Aaron-Jade Morgan, Adam Pearce, William Pennington, Jordan Simon Pollard, Lewis Renninson, Danielle Rose, Georgia Tapp, Noah Thallon, Imaan Victoria, and Danny Whelan.
The 40 Anniversary Limited Run Cast
From 8th September to 1st November, the Les Miserables New Cast will pause performances to make from for the birthday cast, made up of some of the most renowned performers who have previously performed in the show.
Killian Donnelly will play Jean Valjean and at certain performances Ian McIntosh will perform this role. Also cast is Bradley Jaden as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine and Jac Yarrow as Marius. Shan Ako will appear as Éponine, Jordan Shaw as Enjolras and Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette. Lastly, starring in the anniversary cast is Adam Gillen as Thénardier and Marina Prior as Madame Thénardier.
The previously mentioned Les Miserables new cast ensemble will remain the same for this anniversary limited run. Most of the leading new cast will resume their roles following the limited anniversary run.
Love musical theatre songs? Us too! That’s why we’ve compiled our list of some of the most unforgettable musical numbers! Also, they are all from shows that are currently playing on the West End.
Even if you haven’t seen this musical you’re probably already familiar with this song. Imagine seeing this is real life? Phoenomonal! The Circle Of Life is the opening number of this popular Disney musical. This beautiful song written by Elton John, welcomes the arrival of lion cub Simba. It sets the warmth of welcoming a new day and new life. This opening number immerses you with the use of puppetry which comes down the aisles of the theatre. The song already has an emotional attachment for many people, that combined with the power of life singing and full orchestra makes this an easy addition to our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs which you can currently catch in the West End.
Overall, this musical is slept on! This movie musical is based on the beloved 90’s film. With original musical theatre songs written by KT Tunstall, the music echoes genres of the 90’s. This particular song, Reasonable Doubt echoes both a grungy, angsty teenager and also NSYNC, boyband vibes. The song is the second number in the second act. It is sung by Josh, Cher’s ex-step brother who doesn’t like the guy she’s decided to start seeing. It is so cleverly written and has the audience chuckling along at the familiar sound and cheesey dance number.
Wait For Me (Reprise) comes as the penultimate number in the show. The original time this song is sung is in the show’s first act, where Orpheus decides to follow Eurydice into the underworld. The reprsie of this song seems to hit harder. Perhaps it’s because we have already heard the main theme once already and it is built on from there. Or, it could also be as the stakes are much higher as the doomed lovers try to leave the underworld. Either way, the song is fuller with more voices and harmonies added making this a goosebump inducing song.
I had never heard of this Celine Dion song until I watched Titanique on TV at the Big Night At The Musicals. Taking Chances is the first big company number in the musical. Titanique is a retelling of the film Titanic from the point of view of Celine Dion. Naturally, the musical features all of Celine Dion’s music. This song elevates the original song as the music swells and pack a full punch of the company singing all together. It is another goosebump worthy song, therefore giving it a solid spot on our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs today.
This song simply had to make our list of unforgettable musical theatre songs. The song is in the first act by Elder McKinley who is the lead Mormon missionary in Uganda. In this song, McKinley is teaching his fellow Mormon missionaries how to deal with upsetting, “inappropriate” or even traumatising things. It’s easy! You simply have to supress the emotions and “Turn It Off”. Not only is this song hilarious in it’s lyrics due to being written by the creator of South Park, it is also a showstopper! Once he has all the Mormons on side, they break out in to a full on dance number with what might be one of the West End‘s fastest quick changes. Turn It Off is a super fun song and has the audiences side splitting with laughter.
This song is a female belty, emotional ballad. Unlike the majority of our musical theatre songs however, this one takes place in Act 2 of Hamilton. Burn is a fiery song by Eliza. It is sung when she is betrayed and humiliated by the titular character. Lin Manuel Miranda is the song writing force behind this song. Hamilton is the show that really put him on the song writing map before Disney picked him up to write the score for Moana and Encanto which we all know and love. Going through a break up? Maybe they cheated? Then listen to this song full blast and scream along if you know the words!
Not only does this song make the list of the most unforgettable Musical Theatre Songs but it is also Wicked‘s opening number. This beautiful score by Stephen Schwartz uses a full orchestration and discordant harmonies and chords to hit the audience with sound from the opening number. This song becomes a recurring theme throughout the musical.
No One Mourns The Wicked is another full ensemble number with Glinda the good witch taking a beautiful lead soprano line. It sets the world that we are in and gives you the necessary information to follow the whole story. Wicked is the untold story of the Witches of Oz, AKA, the original villain origin story. The lyrics, punchy chords and full vocal power from the ensemble tells you that they are united in celebrating the Wicked Witch’s death. However, the chords, clashing harmonies and dramatic drums gives you the feeling that something isn’t quite right.
This song’s a banger and also, it’s five minutes long and still leaves you wanting more. This song is a good ol’ cockney knees up. Consider Yourself comes halfway through Act 1 of Oliver! When Oliver meets pick pocket Dodger. Dodger welcomes Oliver into the found family of young vagrants who commit petty crimes in order to survive in the Victorian East End. This is one of the musical theatre songs on our list today which includes a dance number. The current production of Oliver! is choreographed by Matthew Bourne and saw them recieve an Olivier Award Nomination for best choreography. In our opinion, this song will always live in the shadow of Nancy’s belter As Long As He needs me and here at LSBO we want to give this song the recognition it deserves.
Honestly, just thinking about this musical theatre song, gives me goosebumps! Maybe This Time is a female, solo belty ballad written in this iconic Kander and Ebb Musical. This song is sometimes in the shadow of the title song of the show, Cabaret. Cabaret is already a powerful story. It is set in a Cabaret Club in the twilight age of Jazz, set amongst the Nazis rise to power.
Maybe This Time is sung in the first act of the show by lead character Sally Bowles. She is singing after discovering that she is pregnant and doesn’t know who the father is. She is reflecting on her possible choices in life and is famously, a song of hope and desperation. It is a song about hope for a better future which echoes her personal feelings and the feelings against a political and historical backdrop which as an audience member, we know is ill-fated. This adds to the turmoil and desperation of this powerful, knock-your-socks-off song making it truly one of the most memorable musical theatre songs.
This is one of the best musical theatre songs of all time in my opinion. However, it will forever live in the shadow of the shows song I Dreamed A Dream, made popular by Susan Boyle in Britain’s Got Talent. One Day More comes at the end of the first act. It is the turning point of the show where all of the characters are making decisions that will change their lives. It is centered around them starting the French Revolution and see’s most of the characters before joining the barricades. The song is a punchy full ensemble number. With all of the characters lyrics overlapping and harmonising beautifully. It build until the full company is singing in dramatic and operatic harmony. This song never fails to impress no matter how many times you hear it.
The New Evita production starring Rachel Zegler is due to start performances tonight! As the production is currently in it’s final dress rehearsals, social media has gone mad with speculation of what we can expect from the latest of Jamie Lloyds Production.
Evita is a musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber about Argentina’s beloved first lady, Eva Peron. First performed in 1978, this revival promises to be innovative. Recent videos of the new Evita production shared online from people passing the theatre has the internet talking!
Videos have surfaced online of Zegler stepping out onto the balcony of The London Palladium. She is followed by cameras and singing the iconic song Don’t Cry For Me Argentina to the street below. It is unclear whether or not this is a publicity stunt for the new Evita Production or part of the show. It would be on brand for revolutionary director Jamie Lloyd. He broke boundaries when he had video cameras live-streaming the actors outside the theatre onto the stage. The initial video has 3.4 million views on TikTok and has had mixed responses from theatre fans.
A new video of the same sequence was seen yesterday showing swing Kirsty Anne Shaw (Wicked, Tina), suggesting it will be part of this highly anticipated new Evita Production.
The New Evita Production will start public performances tonight with Rachel Zegler as the leading lady. You can see the full cast list here. Other than the viral TikToks from passersby of the theatre all we have are the rehearsal images released a few weeks back to give us an insight into this exciting revival.
This year’s West End Live Schedule has just been released! The annual event celebrating the best of West End Theatre is taking place once again on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June at the historic Trafalgar Square. What’s more, the entire event is free! Theatre lovers just need to turn up and admittance is made on a first-come, first-served basis.
The highly anticipated West End Live Schedule is extra special this year as it is the event’s 20th Birthday! As such, it includes performances from shows that previously performed at West End Live. This includes numbers from We Will Rock You and Dreamgirls to name a few.
The host for Saturday’s West End Live are Hannah Lowther (Six) and Divina De Campo (RuPaul’s Drag Race). Zoe Birkett (Tina) and Oliver Tompsett (Wicked) will host on Sunday.
The full list of acts performing at West End Live 2025 are:
