The eight shows competing in West End Eurovision 2020 have been revealed
Each year, West End behemoths go head to head to compete in a thespian-infused Eurovision. It’s full of glitter, joy and stagey stars. Today, the line-up has been announced and it’s as glitzy as one could wish for.
The shows taking part in this year’s competition are Come From Away, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Les Miserables, Mamma Mia!, Mary Poppins, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Prince Of Egypt, and Wicked.
The West End company in Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre 2020. Credit Craig Sugden
The cast of Everybody's Talking About Jamie. Photo by Matt Crockett.
Ashley Gilmour as Enjolras, Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean and Harry Apps as Marius in Les Mis. Photo by Michael Le Poer Trench.
The Company of Mary Poppins. Photo by Johan Persson.
The Phantom Of The Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre
Each show will perform an original Eurovision Song Contest entry of their choice. That’s right. They have 85 years and all of Europe’s entries to choose from. The winner will be chosen by text votes from the theatre audience and a panel of celebrity judges.
So far, Tom Allen (Bake Off Extra Slice) and Adam Garcia (Tap Dogs) have been announced as judges with more being announced closer to the date.
This year’s contest marks the variety show’s 10th anniversary and with new kids in town, Mary Poppins and The Prince Of Egypt, it’s anyone’s competition.
The show takes place at the Adelphi Theatre on Sunda 19 April at 7.15pm. To get tickets, click here.
Tickets for The Pillowman now on sale
On Friday, it was announced that Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Steve Pemberton will star in the upcoming production of the iconic and acclaimed play The Pillowman. The production brings together Oscar and Olivier Award-winning writer Martin McDonagh and director Matthew Dunster once again. The pair’s last West End production was the audience and critical favourite Hangmen, making this upcoming staging even more exciting.
Related Article: Aaron Taylor-Johnson to star in The Pillowman
Today, tickets to the run which opens in July have gone on sale so get yours while you can.
The winners of the WhatsOnStage Awards announced
Last night, London theatre’s A-list was out in full for the 20th annual WhatsOnStage Awards. The ceremony took place at the Prince Of Wales Theatre and was hosted by Jodie Prenger and Tom Read Wilson.
Leading the pack with the most wins – a whopping six from a grand total of 13 nominations – was &Juliet which included a win for Miriam-Teak Lee who took home the Best Actress In A Musical award.
However, it was Come From Away who took home the most coveted award of the night – Best New Musical – along with all the other awards it was nominated for which included the Best Supporting Actress In A Musical award which went to Rachel Tucker.
Other winners included Andrew Scott for Best Actor In A Play, Claire Foy for Best Actress In A Play, Sophie Thompson for Best Supporting Actress In A Play, Sam Tutty and Jack Loxton for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor In A Musical respectively for their roles in Dear Evan Hansen, and Six which won the inaugural BBC2 Radio Audience Award for Best Musical. Jamie Lloyd, Hammed Animashaun, Life Of Pi, Mary Poppins, The Colour Purple, and Falsettos all saw wins also.
The Equity Award for Services to Theatre was presented to ERA 50:50 – Equal Representation for Actresses. Maureen Beattie, President of Equity, presented the award to Denis Gough.
Congratulations to all that won! You can see them in the gallery below.
Charlie Stemp and Zizi Strallen with the Mary Poppins Best Musical Revival Award. Photo credit Dan Wooller
Sam Tutty and Jack Loxton - winners of Best Actor In A Musical and Best Supporting Actor In A Musical respectively. Photo credit Dan Wooller
Andrew Scott and Sophie Thompson - winners of Best Actor In A Play and Best Supporting Actress In A Play respectively. Photo credit Dan Wooller
Miriam-Teak Lee - Best Actress In A Musical. Photo credit Dan Wooller
Jamie Lloyd. Photo credit Dan Wooller
Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather to be screened in cinemas across the UK
Missing a production is always a kick in the teeth – especially when it’s earned mass critical acclaim. So it’s always music to our ears when a second opportunity arises thanks to cinema screenings.
Today it has been announced that a recording of Jacqueline Wilson’s Hetty Feather will be available for your viewing pleasure from 15 April.
Filmed live at Nuffield Southampton Theatres, and produced by BroadwayHD, the premiere streaming service for live theatre, the full cast includes Matt Costain (Jem/Matron Bottomly), Sarah Goddard (Peg/Ida), Mark Kane (Gideon), Isaac Stanmore (Saul), Phoebe Thomas (Hetty Feather) and Nikki Warwick (Madame Adeline). Having premièred at Rose Theatre in Kingston the production enjoyed a sell-out run at the Vaudeville Theatre in 2014, followed by a run at Duke of York’s Theatre and UK tour in 2015.
