This week, the Olivier Award winning British musical OPERATION MINCEMEAT announced plans to transfer to the Golden Theatre on Broadway.While Mickey-Jo is hugely excited for the show's ongoing success, this news raises concerns and prompts reflection on some of the producing decisions that brought it here.Check out today's episode for all of the announced Broadway's details, a history of the show's journey from Off-West End venues to Broadway and an explanation of its fanbase alienating controver...
Oct 02, 2024•38 min
Sir Andrew Lloyd-Webber recently gave an interview to The Times in which he, for the first time, teased a few details about his upcoming new musical.This is to be his first new work since the ill fated CINDERELLA, which he also discussed along with some planned transfers...Check out the news recap for everything we know so far...•00:00 | introduction03:12 | politics / other projects12:16 | his new musical19:36 | the theatre climate• About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre critic...
Oct 01, 2024•28 min
Ahead of the West End return of GHOST the musical in a one night only concert production on 1st November, Mickey-Jo sat down with leading lady Lucie Jones to discuss her return to the show and the role of Molly.They also talked about some of Lucie's previous stage performances including AMERICAN PSYCHO, two separate stints in LES MISÉRABLES and the recent workshop presentation of 13 GOING ON 30.Plus, find out which amdram roles she played back in the day and which Disney film she'd love to see o...
Sep 27, 2024•18 min
We recently learned who will be joining six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald in the upcoming revival of the musical GYPSY at the Majestic Theatre on Broadway.McDonald will be joined by Danny Burstein (Fiddler on the Roof, Moulin Rouge, Follies, Cabaret) as Herbie, Joy Woods (The Notebook, Six, Little Shop of Horrors) as Louise, and Jordan Tyson (The Notebook) as June.Further casting includes Lesli Margherita (Matilda, Dames at Sea, Zorro) as Tessie Tura, Lili Thomas (Chicago, Dear Evan Hans...
Sep 25, 2024•26 min
With some news having recently emerged about the London transfer of SHUCKED, Mickey-Jo is recapping all of the anticipated, announced and rumoured Broadway transfers to the West End.With shows including Beetlejuice, Stereophonic, The Great Gatsby and The Notebook, there is much we already know about when to expect these shows as well as some unreported information he's able to share.Check out the full episode for news on a bunch of upcoming UK based productions and make sure you're subscribed ah...
Sep 23, 2024•28 min
Ahead of further UK Tour dates, the iconic ROCKY HORROR SHOW recently returned to London with a brief run at the Dominion Theatre in the West End.This production starred Jason Donovan as Dr Frank n Furter alongside a hugely exciting new cast including Connor Carson, Lauren Chia and more.Check out this full video review for my thoughts on the cult show, this ongoing touring production and the latest cast.•00:00 | introduction07:00 | plot / history13:21 | this production19:16 | the performances• g...
Sep 21, 2024•28 min
Last night Mickey-Jo headed to Nottingham Playhouse to see the brand new, non-replica production of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical, DEAR EVAN HANSEN.This new production of the show which originally starred Ben Platt and was subsequently adapted for film, has returned to UK stages after a successful West End run at the Noel Coward Theatre starring Sam Tutty. Ryan Kopel (Newsies) stars in the new production.Check out this full review for a comprehensive guide to all of the creative cha...
Sep 18, 2024•44 min
After a few years of being a theatre critic on social media, the question Mickey-Jo is most frequently asked is "how can I be a theatre critic"?In today's episode, Mickey-Jo is sharing some of his thoughts about the worst habits of critics, that newcomers should avoid.Check it out and share your own thoughts in the comments! The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: https://skl.sh/mickeyjotheatre08241• get in person / live stream tickets to see MickeyJoThea...
Sep 16, 2024•35 min
Last week it was announced that the West End production of MRS DOUBTFIRE THE MUSICAL would close in April 2025.With the show continuing to sell well at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, the real reason for the closure has to so with its producer and the next shows to open at the theatre.Check out today's theatre news recap to find out more...• About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His ...
Sep 16, 2024•21 min
Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo was invited to review one of his most anticipated new musicals of the year: WHY AM I SO SINGLE?.The show, which has opened at the Garrick Theatre in the West End, has been written by Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, whose first collaboration SIX: THE MUSICAL has gone from Edinburgh Fringe hit to global sensation.Check out this full new review for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the narrative, the material, the creative choices, the performances, and more... •00:...
Sep 13, 2024•38 min
As I celebrate my 29th Birthday, I feel it's a great time to update you about a lot of stuff going on right now in my professional and personal life!With news about my upcoming live show (with newly announced guests Jodie Jacobs, Evelyn Hoskins and Jack Godfrey), a new range of merchandise available online, our next trip to New York, and more - there's plenty for me to let you know about! get tickets to see MickeyJoTheatre LIVE on 22nd September:https://phoenixartsclub.com/book/?instanceid=22540...
Sep 13, 2024•19 min
It was recently announced that the popular musical adaptation of the 1989 film HEATHERS would return to New York, after having enjoyed huge success in the UK.With scarce details yet released, fans are curious about whether this will be a Broadway or Off-Broadway production, as well as which version of the show it will be.Check out today's new video for my thoughts about this production's potential success and don't forget to comment with your own thoughts about Heathers and its imminent homecomi...
Sep 03, 2024•20 min
In breaking Broadway news, it was announced earlier today that the stage musical adaptation of THE NOTEBOOK, currently playing at the Schoenfeld Theatre, would close later this year.The musical, which opened in March, features a score by Ingrid Michaelson and tells the story of Allie and Noah and a love that spanned generations. It received mixed to negative reviews upon opening and its 3 Tony award nominations did not include Best Musical or Best Original Score.Check out today's new news recap ...
Aug 30, 2024•24 min
Mickey-Jo recently had the chance to sit in on a very exciting rehearsal as West End and Broadway star Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come From Away, The Last Ship) gets ready to embark on a brand new concert tour: "I'm Home".Between songs, Mickey-Jo sat down with Rachel to ask her about the meaning behind this concert, her new album with Westway music, recent stage appearances in John & Jen and Sunset Boulevard and even her time on the TV casting series "I'd Do Anything" over a decade ago.Check out...
Aug 29, 2024•13 min
The multi award-winning musical and cultural phenomenon HAMILTON has been so successful in the UK that a tour has launched alongside the ongoing West End production.Mickey-Jo has seen the tour twice in the last year and has finally sat down to tell you all about how it compares to the London production of the show.In this review, Mickey-Jo shares his thoughts about why the show (with book, music and lyrics by Lin Manuel Miranda) is so celebrated and what he thought about it on tour...•00:00 | in...
Aug 27, 2024•29 min
Mickey-Jo is taking a deep-dive into the world of musical theatre revivals today as he talks through some of the most groundbreaking productions in the West End and on Broadway.From gender-swapped Sondheim to circus-set Schwartz, Mickey-Jo is looking at the shows that made the most significant changes to the original material.Check it out and comment down below with the boldest and most groundbreaking revivals you've seen!•00:00 | introduction03:26 | Oklahoma!07:32 | Chicago11:19 | Pippin15:54 |...
Aug 26, 2024•42 min
This year Mickey-Jo headed back to Edinburgh for the 2024 Festival Fringe and saw more than 60 different plays and musicals.In this episode Mickey-Jo is ranking every piece of theatre he saw and letting you know about his favourite and least favourite shows with 60 second reviews!From Gwyneth Paltrow to Dylan Mulvaney, find out which werethe best and worst shows at this year's Fringe!•00:00 | introduction02:01 | 2* shows10:42 | 3* shows31:38 | 4* shows56:17 | 5* shows• • About Mickey-Jo: As one ...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 9 min
One of the most talked about shows in New York right now is the Off-Broadway revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS at the Perelman Performing Arts Centre.This production situates the show among the ballroom culture of the LGBTQ+ community and reconceives it as a more literal Jellicle Ball.Check out this new review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of this concept as an unashamed fan of the show...•00:00 | introduction02:40 | background08:18 | this production15:47 | shortcomings25:45 |...
Aug 18, 2024•38 min
West End audiences have, in recent months, enjoyed a wealth of Musicals staged in concert, but are there too many of these productions for the industry to sustain?While they provide the chance to see less frequently produced shows performed by all-star casts, an inconsistency in quality and necessity has left some audience members cold.Check out today's new video for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this, as well as which upcoming concerts he is looking forward to and which he's baffled by...• About Mick...
Aug 16, 2024•31 min
When Shrek the Musical returned to London this summer it was met with a negative critical response.In today's new review roundup video Mickey-Jo is reading through some of the reviews to find out what the reasons were as well as sharing his own thoughts after seeing the tour last year.Check it out and comment below with all of your Shrek thoughts!•00:00 | introduction 05:58 | The Times09:31 | WhatsOnStage13:19 | The Telegraph18:53 | The Stage19:43 | London Theatre22:22 | TimeOut24:14 | The Guard...
Aug 13, 2024•29 min
This weekend's D23 convention celebrations brought exciting news about three major Disney stage musicals and in between two weeks at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Mickey-Jo is letting you know what was revealed and what else we know about these projects.As well as confirmation that HERCULES would arrive in the West End in 2025, it was announced that Frozen, currently playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London had been captured for a proshot recording that would be released in 2025 on Disney+...
Aug 10, 2024•18 min
The past few days have brought news about major new shows from director Jamie Lloyd on either side of the Atlantic.Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter will star in a new production of WAITING FOR GODOT on Broadway in 2025, while Sigourney Weaver, Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell will appear in Shakespeare plays THE TEMPEST and MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the West End.With the director's theatrical exposure at an all time high due to his recent productions of SUNSET BOULEVARD ...
Aug 02, 2024•26 min
Today Mickey-Jo was going to bring you his review of YOUR LIE IN APRIL, a new musical based on the manga of the same name that opened earlier this month in the West End.While he's still sharing his thoughts on the show, they are in a new context after the announcement that the production will conclude its run earlier than planned, closing on August 11th.Check out this news / review episode to find out his thoughts about why this show is closing early and why he loved it!•00:00 | introduction02:5...
Jul 30, 2024•22 min
After years of hearing great things about the Australian musical Fangirls, Mickey-Jo finally got the chance to see it in London, at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.The show, which features music, lyrics and book written by Yve Blake, follows a group of teenage girls who are devoted fans of a fictional boyband named Heartbreak Nation and their lead singer, Harry.Check our the brand new review to find out whether the show lived up to Mickey-Jo's expectations!• 00:00 | introduction 02:15 | history / ...
Jul 30, 2024•30 min
In breaking Broadway news, new star casting has been announced for the lead roles of The Emcee and Sally Bowles in the current revival of the musical CABARET at the Kit Kat Club, which opened earlier this year at the August Wilson Theatre in New York, starring Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin.The pair, who were both nominated for Tony Awards for their performances in the show, will be replaced by Queen frontman and American Idol alumnus Adam Lambert and Auli'i Cravalho, best known as the voice of...
Jul 24, 2024•22 min
This morning brings the breaking news that the 2001 film A KNIGHT'S TALE is being brought to the stage as a musical!In April 2025 a musical version of the movie, which starred Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany, will premiere at the Manchester Opera House in the UK - potentially ahead of a West End run.Check out today's news breakdown to find out why Mickey-Jo is so excited about this and everything we can figure out from the press release!• About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre cr...
Jul 23, 2024•22 min
Ahead of this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a few of you have been asking if Mickey-Jo would share some recommendations of which shows to see.So, after a few weeks of deliberation, Mickey-Jo has put together a list of some of the cabaret performances, musicals and plays which immediately caught his attention.Check it out, comment your own recommendations down below and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss out on Mickey-Jo's upcoming Edinburgh Fringe content!•00:00 | introduction03:01 ...
Jul 22, 2024•28 min
Mickey-Jo recently had the privilege of attending the press night for one of the West End's biggest shows of the summer, the brand new revival of HELLO, DOLLY!The new production at the London Palladium stars Dame Imelda Staunton (Gypsy, Sweeney Todd) as Dolly Levi alongside a sublime cast including Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Harry Hepple, and more.Check out this new review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of this revival...•00:00 | introduction02:24 | history / synopsis06:22 | one problem...11...
Jul 19, 2024•31 min
The multi Tony Award nominated SLAVE PLAY by Jeremy O'Harris has recently opened at the Noël Coward Theatre in London.The play, which stars Olivia Washington, Kit Harrington, Fisayo Akinade and more, covers hard hitting themes of racial and sexual power dynamics.Check out this new review to find out more about the play and how Mickey-Jo responded to its shocking content... •00:00 - introduction02:56 - synopsis13:38 - writing20:29 - creative choices24:21 - performances• About Mickey-Jo: As one of...
Jul 17, 2024•32 min
Mickey-Jo recently had the chance to interview the stars of the brand new proshot recording of BONNIE & CLYDE the Musical, Jeremy Jordan and Frances Mayli McCann. Hours after they'd watched the professional recording of the show (which they starred in together in a staged concert in London in 2022), Mickey-Jo asked them how they reacted to watching their performances back, what their favourite moment was that they hadn't been able to see before and how they felt about proshots... Check out t...
Jul 15, 2024•21 min
