Jamie Griffiths, Author at Matinee Musicals

Michael Harrison Gives Kids a Front Row First

Michael Harrison Gives Kids a Front Row First 10-03-25 More than 5,000 schoolchildren from across the North East will have the opportunity to be the first in the world to see a brand new musical thanks to an exciting new collaboration between Wallsend-born theatre producer Michael Harrison and Newcastle Theatre Royal. Michael, widely considered as one of the industry’s leading theatre producers with credits including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor […]

April 5, 2025 40 62

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General

Stephenson Ardern-Sodje Returns to The Lion King

Stephenson Ardern-Sodje Returns to The Lion King 20-03-25 Stephenson Ardern-Sodje will return as the King of Pride Rock in Disney’s The Lion King as he takes over the role of Simba in the London production from 6 May through until 28 September 2025 having previously performed the role on the UK & Ireland tour. Hope Maine, who also previously played Simba, will then take over until 25th January 2026. Stephenson […]

April 5, 2025 118 69 2

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Latest

Wicked Soars onto 4K & Blu-ray

Wicked Soars onto 4K & Blu-ray 10-03-25 The movie adaptation of hit musical Wicked is available now on 4K UHD, Blu-ray™ and DVD, giving fans the chance to experience the magic of the spellbinding Wicked with a dazzling bonus Sing-Along version, a 40-minute journey through Oz that celebrates the film’s transformative on-screen magic, deleted & extended scenes and so much more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5omDWGdDmJ8 Wicked , one of the most beloved and […]

March 10, 2025 52 120 3

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Cast News

Cast News: The Lightning Thief

Cast News: The Lightning Thief 10-03-25 Morgan Gregory (Back To The Future), who has already made waves as understudy Percy Jackson since the musical opened in London, now stars in the title role with The Times describing him as having a “rich vocal versatility and lightning-flash dynamism,” in the lead role. He is joined by fellow returning cast members Paisley Billings (SIX) as Sally Jackson/Medusa, with Philip Catchpole (The Book […]

March 10, 2025 118 33

General

Review: Glorious

Review: Glorious Hope Mill Theatre 06-03-25 by Jamie Griffiths Glorious isn’t a musical — far from it! In fact, heaven forbid anyone attempts a cast recording. But what it is, is a celebration of music, passion, and a woman who sang like no one was listening (even though, unfortunately for them, they were). This show contains the essence of joyous musical theatre and it's a heartfelt triumph. Directed with a […]

March 6, 2025 82

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Cast News

National Casting Search Begins For The Greatest Showman

National Casting Search Begins For The Greatest Showman 05-03-25 Disney Theatrical Group have announced that the new stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman, based on the 2017 smash-hit film, will première at ATG Entertainment’s Bristol Hippodrome in Spring 2026. A casting search is underway across the UK and Ireland for this brand-new production, discovering the stage talent who will play the roles originated by the stars of the film. Open […]

March 5, 2025 62 3 3

Cast News

Cast News: Hamlet Hail To The Thief

Cast News: Hamlet Hail To The Thief 25-02-25 Full cast and creative team are today announced for the upcoming world premiere of Hamlet Hail to the Thief opening at Aviva Studios, home of Factory International, Manchester (27 April – 18 May 2025) before transferring to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon (4 June - 28 June 2025). Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, and celebrated directors, Steven Hoggett and Christine Jones […]

March 1, 2025 71

Latest

Irish Affair Returns This Summer

Irish Affair Returns This Summer 22-02-25 Irish Affair, the brand new musical by west end composer Stuart Brayson (From Here To Eternity) is set to return this summer. This incredibly moving and melodic true Irish story set in 1957 will take place on the main stage at the National Opera House in Wexford on June 27. 2025. Last year in 2024 Irish Affair received its workshop premiere at the National […]

February 22, 2025 71

General

PP Arnold Releases New Retrospective

PP Arnold Releases Soul Survivor – A Life In Song 21-02-25 The term "well-established" might be appropriate for some artists but it barely begins to cover the career of the phenomenal P.P. Arnold, whose records and performances are now in their seventh decade. Her consistently excellent music covers multiple genres, her high-profile admirers and collaborators are plentiful, and yet Soul Survivor - A Life In Song is the first collection […]

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