Calling all musical fans! A brand new radio station – Magic at the Musicals – is launching on Thursday 21 November and you don’t want to miss it.
Celebrating the best musicals from both stage and screen, the playlist will include everything from Wicked‘s Defying Gravity and Cats’ Memory to hits from The Greatest Showman and Singin’ In The Rain.
The list of exciting line-ups includes West End legend Ruthie Henshall (Chicago, Cats), Olivier Award-winning Jonathan Bailey (TV: Broadchurch, Doctor Who, W1A; Stage: Company), Louise Dearman (Wicked) and some special shows from Luke Evans (Film: Beauty And The Beast, Clash Of The Titans; Stage: Rent, Miss Saigon) and Alfie Boe (Les Misérables).
And we’re very excited to say that our very own Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, will be hosting his own weekly update on the world of the West End at 3pm every Sunday.
If you’ve ever been interested in the stories behind those working in the theatre industry, Magic at the Musicals has got you covered with a season of programming to celebrate the creativity, diversity and opportunity in modern British theatre. Along with providing an insight into the journeys of various individuals, the program also shines a light on both the diversity of talent and the many opportunities the industry offers – both on stage and off – to people from all backgrounds.
In addition, the station will also broadcast the Olivier Awards live in full, cover West End Live – produced by Westminster City Council and Official London Theatre – in Trafalgar Square as well as its very own event, Magic at the Musicals Live from the Royal Albert Hall in May 2020.
Eager to know more? Check out the schedule below before tuning in on 21 November on DAB+ in London, East and South of England. It is also available nationwide online, via listen apps and smart speakers.
Magic at the Musicals Programming Schedule
Backstage: Weekdays at 11am introduced by Alice Arnold where we hear from a star of the stage.
Matinee: Weekday ‘Matinee’ performance starts at 2pm. Two song from one of the ‘Golden Oldie’ Musicals introduced by Tom Chambers.
Curtain Up: Weekday at 7pm – a daily hour special brought to you by various West End performers choosing their favourite songs from the Musicals.
Curtain Call: Weekdays at 10.30pm, when each night we’ll play the finale number from a show. That big showstopper that brings the curtain down and the audience to their feet.
Stage Door: Saturdays at 2pm we go behind the Stage Door with Ruthie Henshall as she lets us into the world of theatre behind the scenes.
Limelight: Saturdays at 6pm we’ll be in the ‘Limelight’ at 6pm on Saturdays with our hour specials, starting with Luke Evans, Ball and Boe and Patricia Kelly (wife of Gene).
Green Room: Sundays at 3pm – the ‘Green Room’ with Julian Bird the Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre, updating us on everything we need to know in the world of theatre.
Take Your Seats Please! Sunday nights at 6pm, ‘take your seats please’ for more great names from the world of theatre talking us through the Soundtrack to one of their favourite musicals. Our first shows will be from theatre legends John Owen Jones and Louise Dearman.