Ovation, Chelmsford (2025)

12/12/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- "UTTERLY BONKERS, UNDENIABLY AWESOME!"

Last night we were kindly invited along to the press night of Sh*tfaced Showtimes festive treat 'A Pissedmas Carol' live at The Leicester Square Theatre until the 4th January.

This is the 4th year we have attended the production and it just keeps getting better and better. This is the perfect place to celebrate Christmas without the children. A Christmas Novella, but knowing it will be filled with fun, frolics and above all else a healthy amount of intoxication.

A Christmas Carol is a staple of of the festive period, but Sh*tfaced Showtime add a level of panache, deliverance and portrayal you wont find on St Martins Lane and we are all the better for it.

This production is brilliantly played, honed to near perfection and can go utterly of the rails when a certain member of the cast takes the stage.

From the off the audience wants a good time and the cast does not let them down. They know precisely how to enthrall the audience with the absurdity of the shows premise and we cannot help but ache from laughter.

Each member of the cast show their talent and the audience are in constant awe. They know previously how to draw every laugh, adapt every im-prov skill to bring pure delight to the audience and we can not help but live every second.

We can not explain to the absurdity and brilliance we have no doubt you will encounter on a night at The Leicester Square Theatre as you witness A Christmas Carol as though you have never seen it before.
Sh*tfaced Showtime continue to be strides ahead of their competitors and are already looking big forward to seeing it next Festive Season.

This is a night out to be remembered, enjoyed and above all gorgotten ... de epwnding if you have drunken more than the unsuspecting actor.

The production is playing at Leicester Square Theatre until early January and is the perfect night out at the theatre.
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12/12/2025

HOT MESS THE NEW MUSICAL CAST RECORDING RELEASE!

Following a whirlwind year that saw Hot Mess ignite audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and light up the stage at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, the full and official cast album for this smash hit is landing on Friday 12th December – get ready to download Hot Mess (A New Musical): Original Cast Recording.

Brimming with the musical’s trademark wit, warmth and dangerously catchy pop bangers, the album with 13 tracks captures all the energy and heart that made Hot Mess the must-see new musical of 2025. After a billion years of bad dates, Earth’s finally found the one... Humanity. Sparks fly. Wheat is harvested. Technology flourishes. But what begins as a passionate love affair between the universe’s most iconic couple quickly descends into a Hot Mess. Now, the ultimate soundtrack is here just in time for Christmas.

With West End powerhouses Danielle Steers and Tobias Turley in their roles as Earth and Humanity, the cast album delivers a front-row sleigh ride through the universe’s most iconic relationship. From star-crossed beginnings to climate-crisis chaos, Hot Mess is from the award-winning duo behind 42 Balloons - Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote - and has been praised for its irresistible score. Now audiences everywhere can bring home the magic; it’s the album for anyone whose love life - much like the climate - gets a little heated around the holidays.

Writers Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote comment, We’re absolutely over the moon to be releasing the Original Cast Recording of Hot Mess. It’s been a joy to work with world-class collaborators Joe Beighton and Sam Featherstone to produce the record and capture the unbelievable vocal performances of Danielle Steers and Tobias Turley.

After the incredible reaction to Hot Mess this year at the Edinburgh Fringe, in Birmingham and London, we can’t wait for more people to discover the love story of Earth and Humanity through this album.

Whether you’re reliving the show or discovering it for the first time, the Hot Mess Cast Album is full of soaring duets, heart-thumping anthems and the emotional punch that has made the show a runaway hit.

12/12/2025

THE WEST END PRODUCTION OF HADESTOWN HAS NEW PERSEPHONE!

Dutch actor and singer Joy Wielkens will join the critically acclaimed West End production of Hadestown as Persephone from 20 January - 8 March, it has been announced.

Wielkens joins the London production having performed the role at the Royal Theatre Carré in Amsterdam earlier this year where the AD hailed “Weilkens blows the audience away with her soulful voice that cuts straight to the Heart.” Other credits in the Netherlands include Beneatha’s Place, Billie!, A Raisin in the Sun, The Mountaintop, and Dear Winnie.

Wielkens takes over the role in London from BRIT Award-winning Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts whose last performance in the production will be on 18 January, as previously announced.

Wielkens joins Desmonda Cathabel as Eurydice, Chris Jarman as Hades, Cedric Neal as Hermes, and Dylan Wood as Orpheus.

Melanie Bright, Allie Daniel and Lauran Rae play the Fates; Femi Akinfolarin, Michelle Andrews, Ollie Bingham, Laura Delany and Sebastian Lim-Seet play the Workers, with Lucinda Buckley, Juan Jackson, Oisín Nolan-Power, Lindo Shinda and Jasmine Triadi as Swings.

Hadestown is currently booking until 27 September 2026 at London’s Lyric Theatre.

Casting for performances from 10 March will be announced soon.

11/12/2025

WE HAVE MADE IT TO THE LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE!!

This evening we have been invited along to the press event for A P!ssedmas Carol at The Leicester Square Theatre by Sh!tfaced Showtime! This is our 4th year and we look forward to it all year long!

Stumbling and slurring their way back to Leicester Square Theatre for a triumphantly tipsy sixth year, the boozed-up boffins at Sh!t-faced Showtime® cordially invite you to witness Dickens’ classic tale of miserly old Scrooge visited by three spirits to learn the true meaning of Christmas. With the aid of performance-enhancing (or, more appropriately, debilitating) intoxication, of course!

Join us this Christmas for a sozzled Scrooge, boozed-up Bob Cratchit or tipsy Tiny Tim, and charge your glasses as a genuinely inebriated actor treats you to a festive knees-up like no other!

Bar! Rum! Glug!

The Parkstone runs at the venue until the 4th January, stay tuned for our review coming out tomorrow via our social media pages!

https://www.leicestersquaretheatre.com/show/sht-faced-showtime-a-pissedmas-carol/
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11/12/2025

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE A FIRST LOOK PRODUCTION SHOT!

Check out the first look production shots of Sheridan Smith and Romesh Ranganathan in Alan Ayckbourn’s psychological comedy Woman in Mind , which plays a strictly limited West End run at the Duke of York’s Theatre until 28 February.

Sheridan Smith plays Susan, alongside Romesh Ranganathan as Bill, who makes his West End stage debut in the role. Completing the cast are Louise Brealey as Muriel, Tim McMullan as Gerald, Sule Rimi as Andy, Chris Jenks as Tony, Safia Oakley-Green as Lucy, Taylor Uttley as Rick, Katie Buchholz and Michael Woolfitt.

Following its West End run, WOMAN IN MIND will play at the Sunderland Empire from 4 - 7 March and Theatre Royal, Glasgow from 10 - 14 March.

When Susan sustains a bump to the head, her world splits in two—one mundane, one imagined—and the lines begin to blur. Ayckbourn’s groundbreaking play is a hilarious and gripping exploration of identity, family, and mental escape.

Directed by Michael Longhurst, this spellbinding revival explores one woman’s fractured reality with heart and humour. When Susan sustains a bump to the head, her world splits in two—one mundane, one imagined—and the lines begin to blur. Ayckbourn’s groundbreaking play is a gripping exploration of identity, family, and mental escape.

WOMAN IN MIND has set and costume design by Soutra Gilmour, lighting by Lee Curran, sound by Paul Arditti, and casting by Jim Carnahan CSA and Liz Fraser CSA.

📷 Marc Brenner

11/12/2025

Full casting has been announced for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 29 January-18 April.

Joining the already announced Mark Addy as Harold Fry, Jenna Russell as Maureen Fry and Noah Mullins as The Balladeer will be Craig Armstrong as Rich/Ensemble, Jenna Boyd as Sister Philomena/Farmer’s Wife/Rita/Ensemble, Daniel Crossley as Silver Haired Gentleman/Napier/Ensemble, Nell Martin as Young Maureen/Deliveroo/Ensemble, Nicole Nyarambi as Garage Girl/Ensemble, Peter Polycarpou as RPurcell-Brown as Kate/ Betsy/Kind Customer/Ensemble, Ashley Samuels as Wilf/Jim/Ensemble, Maggie Service as Queenie Hennessey/Fairy Assistant/Gorilla/Ensemble, Madeleine Worrall as Martina/Ensemble, and Timo Tatzber as Dog/Young Harold/Ensemble/Puppet Captain), with Gemma Atkins (Swing), Olivia Foster -Browne (Swing), Ediz Mahmut (Swing), and Edwin Ray (Swing, Trainer Man and Dance Captain).

Funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a joyous new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her multi-million selling novel, with “a ravishing score” (The Times) by the chart-topping indie musician, Passenger (Let Her Go) and directed by Katy Rudd.

Rachel Joyce said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled that this joyful show has found a home in the West End. I never imagined, when I first wrote the book, that it would become a musical one day, and never in my wildest dreams did I think it might find a home in one of my favourite theatres – the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which I have known and loved since I was a child. Passenger’s music and lyrics are perfect for this story of hope, as is Katy Rudd’s magical direction.”

From Devon’s quiet lanes to the windswept streets of Berwick-upon-Tweed, his journey becomes a pilgrimage of love, redemption, and second chances. Strangers turn into companions, kindness appears in unexpected places, and the road reveals more than Harold ever imagined. Back home, his wife Maureen begins her own journey, one that might bring them together again.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is a moving celebration of the human spirit and a reminder it’s never too late to start again.

10/12/2025

WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE A FIRST LOOK PRODUCTION SHOT!

Check out the London Theatre Company's first look production shots of Into The Woods, which plays at the Bridge Theatre until the 30th May.

Taking to the stage are Valda Aviks as Grandmother/Giant, Geoffrey Aymer as Cinderella’s Father, Katie Brayben as the Baker’s Wife, Bella Brown as Rapunzel, Chumisa Dornford-May as Cinderella, Kate Fleetwood as the Witch, Jo Foster as Jack, Michael Gould as the Narrator/Mysterious Man, Jennifer Hepburn as Cinderella’s Stepmother, Hana Ichijo as Lucinda, Julie Jupp as Jack’s Mother, Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson as Florinda, Gracie McGonigal as Little Red Ridinghood, Hughie O’Donnell as the Steward, Jamie Parker as the Baker, Oliver Savile as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf and Rhys Whitfield as Rapunzel’s Prince.

Completing the cast are Standbys Taite-Elliot Drew, Jacob Fowler, Sophie Linder-Lee and Chloe Saracco.

Why would you go into the woods?

To sell the cow
To visit mother
To see the king
To lift the spell

In Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s dazzling musical, the Baker, the Baker’s Wife, the Witch, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella and Rapunzel take us beyond happy ever after to discover what really matters.

Directed by Jordan Fein with set and costume designed by Tom Scutt. Into The Woods is presented by London Theatre Company in association with Jamie Wilson Productions.

📸 Johan Persson

10/12/2025

COYOTE UGLY THE MUSICAL IS HEADING TO LONDON!

Jamie Wilson Productions (JWP) alongside Nederlander Studios will bring a musical stage adaptation of the cult hit film Coyote Ugly to the West End in 2027, based on the iconic New York Coyote Ugly Saloon bar, with the original multi award winning team behind the music, lyrics and script.

The film, Coyote Ugly, was released in the year 2000 and became an instant cult smash hit, making over 113 million dollars at the worldwide Box Office. It was directed by David McNally and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman. The film was based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s 1997 GQ article, The Muse of the Coyote Ugly Saloon, about her experiences as a bartender at the renowned bar.

Diane Warren, the multi award winning original songwriter, will bring the iconic tracks she wrote for the film to the musical; ‘Can’t Fight The Moonlight’, ‘Please Remember’, ‘The Right Kind of Wrong’ and ‘But I Do Love You’, as well as writing original new songs for the production.

The original film screenwriter, Gina Wendkos, will be writing the book alongside Olivier Award winning writer Vikki Stone, with musical theatre impresario Jerry Mitchell directing and choreographing.

Diane Warren said: “For over 20 years I've been saying someone needs to do a Coyote Ugly musical. I’m so excited it is finally happening and that I will be a part of it! Both the movie and the soundtrack are guilty pleasure classics and now a fun guilty pleasure musical just when we need it most!”

Jamie Wilson, on behalf of the Producers said: “We are incredibly proud to collaborate with such an exceptional, award-winning creative team to bring a new musical stage adaptation of this cult-classic to the West End in 2027.

“We are thrilled that the production will feature not only Diane Warren's iconic tracks from the original film, but also an unparalleled slate of brand-new songs written exclusively by Diane for the stage.

“We’re inviting audiences to join the coyotes for a wild theatrical experience, where the music will capture all the heart and heat of the original story whilst igniting it anew for the next generation.”

📸 Jen Rosenstein

10/12/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - "STUNNING!"

Last night we were kindly invited along to the press night of the off-broadway smash-hit production of Daniel's Husband by Michael McKeevar at The Marylebone Theatre. Speechless doesn't come often, but this production delivered it.

What feels like a simple premise of navigating a relationship, friends, family and the trials that can arise in any life, could be perceived as nothing earth shattering. But, Michael McKeever’s writing shows the complexity of life and how the big moments are made up by the smaller ones and that each plays a part and can be just as important as the next.

The production mixes reality and stage craft to bring you not only what you might see on the surface but also what is happening deeper beneath. As though the audience gets a glimpse of the beating heart that brought these characters together. It is mesmerising, painful, beautiful and above all honest.

The beautifully crafted performances are framed by the well appointed stage where all the elements bring together what appears to be a perfect life on the surface until their world is turned upside down in an instant.

Without wanting to give away any spoilers, this piece combines genres with exquisite ease and will no doubt become impossible to get a ticket, so grab them now whilst you can.

Joel Harper-Jackson as Daniel & Luke Fetherston as Mitchell are incredible, their chemistry pitched perfectly, their portrayals brutally honest in their near perfection. David Bedella as Barry brings the much needed lighter touch, with beautifully orchestrated comedic moments. But, at the same time strength & security, which is much needed by the characters around him.

Liza Sadovy as Lydia is wonderful as a character you can't help but dislike she plays it perfectly. Raiko Gohara as Trip brings a well balanced youthful naivety mixed with wonderful hope.

This is a powerful & poignant piece and definitely well worth a visit to Marylebone Theatre, where the piece plays until the 10th January.

📸 Craig Fuller

10/12/2025

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB have announced new casting from the 26th January, with Katie Hall (Les Miserables, West End/UK tour/Arena world tour) joining the company as Sally Bowles, and actor, presenter and Brit Award winner Matt Willis joining as Emcee.

They join Baker Mukasa as Clifford Bradshaw, Ruthie Henshall as Fraulein Schneider, Robert Hands as Herr Schultz, Lucas Koch as Ernst Ludwig and Jessica Kirtonas Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, with Joe Atkinson, Xavion Campbell-Brown, Olivia-Rose Deer, Anya Ferdinand, Danny Fogarty, Adrian Grove, Ela Lisondra, Hícaro Nicolai, Andy Rees, Alexandra Regan, Manu Sarswat, Tom Scanlon, Eva-Rose Tanaka, Marina Tavolieri and Lucy Young.

Katie Hall and Matt Willis’ final performance will be the 23rd May 2026.

CABARET will also be welcoming new members into their Prologue Company from the 9th February, with Isobel Bates, Jonathan Charles, Shanelle Clemenson, Zara Liu, Brian James O’Sullivan and Shiho Yokohama joining the cast.

They join existing company members Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Andrew Linnie, Dak Mashava and Jack William Parry who are continuing with the Prologue Company.

Matt Willis is not scheduled to perform on 18 March at 2pm and 7.30pm, 26 March at 7.30pm, 27 March at 7.30pm and 28 March at 2pm and 7.30pm.

At these performances, the role of Emcee will be played by Joe Atkinson.

CABARET is currently booking until 26 September 2026. The production has surpassed its 1,500thperformance, making it the longest running production of Cabaret in West End history.

📸 Jay Brooks

09/12/2025

WE HAVE MADE IT TO THE MARYLEBONE THEATRE!

This evening we have been kindly invited along to the press night for the off-broadway smash-hit production of Daniel's Husband by Michael McKeevar at The Marylebone Theatre.

Daniel and Mitchell live a meticulously curated life; they have successful careers, a beautifully appointed home, devoted friends, and a profound love for one another. But an unexpected crisis jeopardises their boundlessly bright future, shaking the foundation of their relationship and testing the strength of their devotion. Making its UK debut, Daniel’s Husband is an unflinching look at the nature of commitment and the complexities of our intricately layered beliefs.

An unflinching look at the nature of love. Daniel’s Husband asks us among other things to consider where our strongest convictions live: in our hearts or in our minds.

The production is playing at the venue until the 10th January 2026. Stay tuned for our review coming out tomorrow via our social media pages.

09/12/2025

THE CITY SOUND RADIO PANTOMIME IS BACK FOR A 3RD YEAR!

This is the biggest Radio Panto in Essex! On the last Sunday before Christmas Day live on Ovation from 1pm only on City Sound Radio, we bring together some of the best performers from across Essex's Community Arts to perform a Pantomime live on the radio.

This year is the Fairy Godmother of all Pantomimes Cinderella, with live music, live Sound effects and best of all...live performances from our studios in the heart of Chelmsford!

This year will Cinderella make it to the ball and finally meet her Prince Charming, or maybe she'll fall in love with Buttons her most loyal of friends, or perhaps her ugly Step Sisters will ruin her all her best laid plans. Maybe the Fairy Godmother will have something to say.

Stay tuned for full casting on our social media pages over the next week & make sure you tune in live on Ovation only on City Sound Radio on the 21st December from 1pm for a festive treat for the whole family to enjoy!

💻Listen live at www.citysound.radio
📱On app
🔊Tell your smart speaker to ‘play city sound radio’

Contact the studio
WhatsApp 07568 771825
Email [email protected]

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