After acclaim last year at Manchester's mighty Hope Mill Theatre, RAGS The Musical has transferred to the Park Theatre for a limited season. It's a Broadway musical with a long, chequered history and is premiering here in a newly reworked version with a lot of input from Broadway legend Stephen Schwartz.
Post-show video and photos: Jason Manford on why Kander & Ebb’s Curtains is made for the West End
Curtains, the murder mystery musical comedy by Chicago and Cabaret creators Kander & Ebb, had its Broadway premiere in 2007 in a production starring Frasier's David Hyde Pierce. Why has it taken so long for it to at last receive its West End premiere? And why is it so very perfect for the West End?
David Walliams on getting the RSC’s ‘stamp of approval’ with The Boy in the Dress musical
During rehearsals for The Boy in the Dress, I spoke to David Walliams about his inspiration for the original story, his burgeoning career as a children’s writer and how he feels having his work adapted by the RSC.
Sinatra: Raw post-show video and photos: What makes Frank Sinatra such an enduring icon?
Despite singing the songs of Sinatra since he was a teenager, Richard Shelton was turned down multiple times for a part in concert show The Rat Pack. When he was invited to audition for Rat Pack Confidential, he went in angry and impatient... and finally got his man.
Q&A video and photos: How does the musical of Cabaret differ from the film?
I've seen Rufus Norris' multi-award-winning revival of Kander & Ebb's Broadway musical classic Cabaret twice before in the West End, when it first opened in 2006 and when it returned in 2010. It now kicks off a brand-new tour and it's more powerful than ever.
Queen of the Mist Q&A video and photos: Why should we have more Michael John LaChiusa in the UK?
Michael John LaChiusa was on his way back to the States by the time I chaired my post-show Q&A at the West End (and UK) premiere of his musical Queen Of The Mist - but I wonder if his ears were burning badly en route?
The View Upstairs video and photos: What happened in New Orleans on 24 June 1973? Why should we remember?
I had just enough time to wipe away my tears - I was sobbing - at the end of The View Upstairs before jumping up after the curtain call to announce this post-show Q&A at Soho Theatre.
Q&A photos and video: What would the late Michel Legrand think of this chamber version of his musical Amour?
I'm in love with love... or more precisely with Amour, as in the lushly romantic Michel Legrand musical fantasy now receiving its UK professional premiere at Charing Cross Theatre.
The Ministry of Biscuits Q&A video and photos: Sharing biscuits and a love of G&S with Philip Reeve and co
Charming, delectable, delicious. And those are just the custard creams... It's not often I get offered biscuits at the post-show Q&As I chair, but at a show called The Ministry of Biscuits, it would have seemed remiss not to.
The Showstoppers Q&A video and photos: ‘Just give us something with heart’ say the musical improv masters
I've been following the insanely talented improv geniuses of The Showstoppers for most of their eleven years. How do they do it? I still can't really fathom it, but I was pleased to gain a few more insights - and a new well of admiration - after chairing a post-show Q&A with them this week.