Notes from New York, thoughts on the week’s theatrical headlines, and reviews of Off West End musicals including American Psycho.
OHMYGOD HEY!
When last I penned one of these updates I was sat on a plane about to make an unexpectedly seamless transatlantic return flight following a once-in-a-decade New York snowstorm. That was the end of my 11th Broadway trip in 3 years, which, if a little lighter on shows this time around (though we did, in spite of the weather, manage 4), was filled with friends, food, and some firsts including a visit to BroadwayCon and a snow angel. Inexplicably, both were new to me.
Once safely, and surprisingly back in the UK, I began a week of satisfyingly cohesive theatre trips, with three new musicals across consecutive evenings at Off West End venues – four throughout the week if you also include the return of American Psycho to the Almeida. Outside the theatre, it’s been a week of news – of more casting announcements than I’ve had the capacity to comment on, and of some surprising headlines, including the return of the much talked about Burlesque (but not as you know it…).
Welcome back to my weekly collation of the various reviews, opinion pieces and theatre news updates I’ve shared across multiple social media platforms.
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This Week’s Videos
Will THE TRAITORS work on stage? My thoughts on the global TV phenomenon coming to the stage in 2027…
Earlier this week it was announced that The Traitors, the global television phenomenon, was being developed for a London stage launch in 2027.
While, at this time, it remains unclear exactly what this production will be – a live version of the game, or a narrative play based on it, we can certainly expect that it will prove to be popular.
Ahead of further details being announced, I’m taking this opportunity to speculate about what the show might look like, and whether it has the chance to be successful…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
BURLESQUE the Musical 3.0? What’s going on with the musical’s new West End run and UK tour?
In surprising news, it was announced earlier today that the popular (and controversial) stage musical adaptation of Burlesque would return to London later this year following a cancelled Japanese run.
The show, which ran last year at the Savoy Theatre and sparked an equity investigation, will run concurrently at a new West End venue in Marble Arch and on tour around the UK, with creatives to be announced – indicating that a 3rd director (following predecessors Nick Winston and Todrick Hall) will be attached to envision a new production of the evolving show.
Check out this theatre news recap to find out how Burlesque got here, why this decision is a bold one, and who I believe will be the show’s next director…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
This Week’s Reviews
Cabaret at UMusic Hotel Teatro Albéniz, Madrid
★★★★ Review available on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Cable Street at Marylebone Theatre, London
★★★ Review available on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Beautiful Little Fool at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London
★★ Review available on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
Ballad Lines at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London
★★★★ Review available on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
American Psycho at Almeida Theatre, London
★★★ Review available on YouTube / Spotify / Apple Podcasts
We went to NYC for Broadway Con!
Welcome back to Broadway! For one of our first major trips of the year, my stagey fiancé @AeronJames and I headed back to New York City.
On the invitation of @andthatsshow-biz , I attended Broadway Con and spoke on a panel about the changing face of theatre criticism in 2026. I also had the chance to attend a press launch event for a new Off-Broadway musical, Bigfoot.
Of course, we also caught some shows, including trips to review Bug at the Friedman Theatre and Ulysses at the Public, plus return visits to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages and Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre.
Our trip also coincided with a once-in-a-decade snowstorm that seemed certain to alter our plans, so stay tuned until the end of the vlog to find out what happened!
What’s coming up this week?
If last week’s theatregoing offered an obvious, cohesive theme – this one evades that spectacularly as I look forward to a return visit to Shakespeare inspired new work at the RSC, a Mozart-scored step on my tentative, ongoing journey into the world of Opera at the London Coliseum, and a more anticipated than ever before mounting of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia at the Old Vic. With a genius name attached to each, perhaps there is, actually, a theme after all.
Stay tuned for a vlog chronicling my return to London, the rest of the reviews from last month’s visits to New York and Madrid, and perhaps even some coverage of the headlines emerging from a certain renamed American regional arts centre, as well as my overdue thoughts on what to see this year in the UK.
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
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