Phil Willmott

Lionel Bart - Photo by Allan Warren - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Celebrating Oliver’s Lionel Bart on the Anniversary of his Birth

By Phil Willmott Saturday, August 1 2020, 20:35

Lionel Bart - Photo by Allan Warren - Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Lionel Bart, writer of classic musical OLIVER! and a central figure in the West End of the 1960s, was born on this date, 1 August, in 1930.

Having directed revivals of two of his shows FINGS AIN'T WOT THEY USED T'BE and BLITZ, I'm a big fan of his earthy, witty lyrics and irresistibly catchy tunes.

27 Jul

News

Enjoy West End Stars Singing the Most Uplifting Show Tune of Recent Years

By Phil Willmott Monday, July 27 2020, 16:15

Welsh of the West End Welsh West End performer Steffan Rhys Hughes has reassembled his group of fellow performers from Wales for a follow up their recent version of Rent's "SEASON OF LOVE", which you can watch here:

27 Jul

News

Gorgeous Footage of Two Broadway Legends!

By Phil Willmott Monday, July 27 2020, 16:01

Gypsy Rose Lee Show - Ethel Merman Thank you to reader James Horne, who brought this to my attention.

The AJ Hunsucker facebook page is always full of fascinating footage from past and present American Theatre. This clip features Ethel Merman and Gypsy Rose Lee discussing the Broadway production of GYPSY on The Gypsy Rose Lee Show in 1967.

Open Air Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar 2020

27 Jul

News

Mixed News for Those Booking for Jesus Christ Superstar

By Phil Willmott Monday, July 27 2020, 15:04

Open Air Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar 2020 Full casting has been revealed for the upcoming concert production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, which will be trimmed to a 90-minute running time and involve socially distanced audiences and cast members.