Thoughts on the latest Disney Theatrical opening and a recent restriction on reviews as well as my take on Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Young Vic.
OHMYGOD HEY!
Welcome back to my weekly collation of the various reviews, opinion pieces and theatre news updates I’ve shared across multiple social media platforms.
An hour hasn’t passed since yesterday morning in which I haven’t discussed The Greatest Showman, the popular Barnum biopic which has finally arrived on stage as a fully fledged musical. The hugely anticipated production opened as one of the UK’s hottest tickets this weekend at the Bristol Hippodrome, where it begins what could very well be a momentous theatrical life. Whether its next step is Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre or London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane remains to be seen, as does the show’s set and curtain call due to privacy stickers placed on the audience’s phone cameras.
On the subject of closely guarded productions, the growing trend of productions ‘not being reviewed’ has come to a head as Scottish critics have hit out at restrictions on the opening of One Day at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh. I became aware of the embargo hours before I began travelling to Scotland to attend the opening night performance myself (teary-eyed, by the end, and grateful for a sensational ‘one day’ trip), and though I think the location-specific outrage re what is essentially an out of town tryout is a little misplaced here (Bristol’s critics are as entitled to feel snubbed over Showman’s lack of reviews), it is interesting that the conversation is finally being had. For some time now, more and more productions have declined to be reviewed in what could either be seen as an anticipation of further, more meaningful life for a show, or a breakdown in the symbiotic relationship between critics and press in which we clamour to review the shows they don’t need us to in exchange for coverage of the productions we don’t want to.
Meanwhile, having bagged enough 5* reviews for a lifetime (and in spite of its comparatively lacklustre recent writeup on tour from The Stage), Operation Mincemeat recently celebrated more than 1 million tickets sold worldwide by offering fans the chance to win one of 5 golden tickets, affording them a lifetime pass to the award-winning fan favourite show. Not bad for a little fringe-show-that-could!
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This Week’s Videos
I saw the 1st preview of THE GREATEST SHOWMAN! Everything you need to know about the stage musical…
As promised, I made it to the Bristol Hippodrome to see the first preview performance of the world premiere of The Greatest Showman, finally on stage as a full musical.
The show stars Oliver Tompsett as PT Barnum and Samantha Barks as Charity Barnum, with a supporting cast including Ben Joyce, Lorna Courtney, Vajèn van den Bosch, Malinda Parris and more.
In lieue of a review, here is what I can tell you about this hugely anticipated show – from the runtime to the cut characters and newly added songs…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
Who was snubbed by the OLIVIER AWARDS? The West End shows and actors who weren’t nominated in 2026…
Recently the nominations were announced for the 2026 Olivier Awards, celebrating the best of the last year of London Theatre.
The most nominated shows this year were Paddington and Into the Woods, with recognition for 1536, Evita, Inter Alia, Punch, Kenrex, Stereophonic, and more.
There were, however, some productions, performances and creatives who were snubbed from this year’s nominations…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
I was at the 2026 WhatsOnStage Awards – red carpet and press room interviews with the year’s winners!
I had the opportunity to attend the 26th annual WhatsOnStage Awards at the London Palladium, an annual celebration of theatre from across the UK as voted for by the theatregoing public.
The year’s nominees included performers, creatives, and more from productions including Evita, Paddington the Musical, Into the Woods, Richard II, Much ado about Nothing, The Importance of Being Earnest, 13 Going on 30 the Musical, and more.
Check out what the red carpet attendees, nominees and winners had to say at this year’s ceremony.
What did I think of MIDNIGHT? Thoughts on how Todrick Hall’s new musical could become a huge hit…
I recently checked out one of London’s most talked about new arrivals, a limited workshop presentation of the new musical Midnight by Todrick Hall.
The musical, written, directed and choreographed by as well as starring Todrick, also featured performers including Rachel Tucker, Marisha Wallace, Jeremy Beloate, Ayana George, Charlotte Jaconelli, and more.
Ahead of the show’s further development, find out more about its story, score, and opportunities to grow, from my perspective…
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
This Week’s Reviews
Broken Glass at Young Vic Theatre, London
★★ Review available YouTube / Instagram / TikTok
We went to the Avenue Q West End launch and more!
Check out another week in our life of seeing theatre almost every day!
This week began with a hugely exciting launch event in Soho, for the West End return of Avenue Q. Afterwards we headed to the theatre to see the first in a week of new productions of plays – including While They Were Waiting at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Manningtree Witches at The Mercury Theatre in Colchester, Our Town at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, and Marie and Rosetta at @sohoplace.
Check out this brand new vlog to find out what a week in our lives looks like!
What’s coming up this week?
I am moments away from sitting in front of a camera to share my thoughts about brewing drama surrounding the UK Tour of Legally Blonde (needlessly enflamed by the British gutter press) – and also hope to find time this week to share my post Academy Awards thoughts on original songs added to movie musicals as well as the slew of recent shows that have declined to be reviewed by critics.
This week’s theatregoing is comparatively brief (I’m looking forward to a rare family holiday) but I will be heading back to the National Theatre to see their latest opening, Summerfolk, as well as celebrating the composer Jack Godfrey in his cabaret debut at The Other Palace Theatre.
Until next week, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey… week! – Mickey-Jo
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