Matinee Musicals Archives - Matinee Musicals

Hairspray the Musical to embark on a major national tour

03-07-26 You can't stop the beat... The producers of Hairspray have announced that the feel-good musical will return for a major UK and Ireland tour in 2027, opening at Manchester's Palace Theatre before visiting theatres across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Neil Hurst will reprise the role of Edna Turnblad, while Brenda Edwards returns to co-direct the production alongside Paul Kerryson. Olivier Award-winning choreographer Drew McOnie also returns to the […]

July 3, 2026

Cast News

First Look: Divina De Campo joins Ride the Cyclone as record-breaking musical returns to London

02-07-26 One of the UK's most celebrated drag performers is joining the cast of one of musical theatre's fastest-growing cult hits. Following its record-breaking, sold-out UK premiere in 2025, Ride the Cyclone returns to Southwark Playhouse Elephant this month, with Divina De Campo taking on the role of The Amazing Karnak. The musical, which runs to 22 August, became the venue's fastest-selling production when it premiered last year, before breaking […]

July 2, 2026

General

Disney releases live-action Moana soundtrack ahead of cinema debut next Friday

Updated 04-07-26 With days to go until Disney's live-action Moana sails into cinemas, the film's original soundtrack has been released. Available now on all major streaming platforms - and playlisted on Matinee Musicals - the album reunites the creative team behind the beloved 2016 animated classic, with original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foaʻi and Mark Mancina. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_dOXTpwV5s&list=RDD_dOXTpwV5s&start_radio=1 Alongside familiar favourites including How Far I'll Go, You're Welcome, We Know […]

June 29, 2026

Latest

New Alan Turing musical releases first music featuring Broadway and West End stars

Updated 29-06-26 We're always excited to discover new musical theatre writing at Matinee Musicals, and a brand-new concept EP inspired by the life of Alan Turing has certainly caught our attention. TURING, a new musical by Timothy L. Michuda and Ben Ward, is set to release a six-track concept EP over the coming months, with the first single, Amongst the Stars, now available now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm8tRzVyuEg&list=RDQm8tRzVyuEg&start_radio=1 The musical tells the story […]

June 29, 2026

Cast News

Roger Bart returns as Doc Brown in Back to the Future The Musical

09-06-26 The first casting has been announced for the inaugural UK and Ireland tour of Back to the Future The Musical. Tony Award-winning stage and screen star Roger Bart will return to the role of Doc Brown, having originated the character in Manchester before going on to perform the role in the West End, on Broadway and in Sydney. He will be joined by Australian performer Axel Duffy, who will […]

June 9, 2026

Latest

Review: The Bodyguard

08-06-2026 at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford by Stuart Clarkson It’s been on the stage since 2012 but this was the first time I’d seen the musical adaptation of the 1992 film The Bodyguard - a blockbuster success that spawned several hit singles for Whitney Houston including I Have Nothing, Run To You, I’m Every Woman, Queen of the Night and of course I Will Always Love You. These all feature […]

June 8, 2026

Reviews

Review: Mrs Dalloway

18-04-26 Storyhouse, Chester by Jamie Griffiths Virginia Woolf's Mrs Dalloway has a reputation for being one of the great novels of the twentieth century. It also has a reputation for being rather intimidating. Built from streams of consciousness, memories and internal monologues, it is not an obvious choice for adaptation. Yet Storyhouse's remarkable new production somehow manages to capture the essence of Woolf's masterpiece while creating something that feels entirely […]

June 3, 2026

Latest

Nick Jonas and Paul Rudd headline soundtrack for new musical comedy Power Ballad

29-05-26 Could Power Ballad be this year's surprise musical movie hit? The upcoming musical comedy has already been generating significant buzz following acclaimed festival screenings in Dublin and at SXSW, with early reviews helping it achieve an impressive 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Now audiences can get their first proper taste of the film's music as the official soundtrack arrives ahead of the movie's UK and Ireland release on 29 […]

May 29, 2026

Latest

Johannes Radebe lands Strictly presenting role as Kinky Boots star celebrates major BBC move

20-05-26 There can be few performers in British entertainment quite as beloved as Johannes Radebe. Already a household name thanks to his time on Strictly Come Dancing, the South African dancer has won audiences over with his warmth, charisma and infectious enthusiasm. Now, while dazzling theatre audiences nightly as Lola in Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum, Johannes has landed another major career milestone. It was announced yesterday that Radebe […]

May 20, 2026