In the wake of multiple troubling allegations made against author Neil Gaiman, an upcoming production of CORALINE has been cancelled.The show, a musical adaptation of the novel, was scheduled to play at multiple co-producing theatres including Leeds Playhouse, HOME Manchester, Birmingham Rep and the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh.Today Mickey-Jo is talking through the news, why exactly this decision was made and his thoughts on cancelling productions based on the work of problematic authors.....
Jan 31, 2025•18 min
As January draws to a close, Mickey-Jo and his stagey fiancé Aeron James are talking through our theatrical resolutions for the coming year. These include theatres they would like to visit, countries they are eager to return to and a handful more theatre themed goals for 2025. Check it out - and don't forget to comment below with your theatre resolutions and goals for 2025. Aeron James: @aeronjamesuk Mickey-Jo: @mickeyjotheatre About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism ...
Jan 26, 2025•56 min
Having recently been invited to attend preview screenings of Disney's MOANA 2 and MUFASA: THE LION KING, Mickey-Jo felt struck by a recent decline in the quality of Disney's cinematic scores. With a discernible link to the world of musical theatre, today he is questioning the circumstances and business decisions which led to these results from songwriters including Lin Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, Encanto), Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical) and Benj Pasek and Justin ...
Jan 23, 2025•20 min
Find out what Mickey-Jo thought about KYOTO, the new play which recently transferred from the RSC to @sohoplace. Welcome to the Kyoto Conference Centre, 11 December 1997. The nations of the world are in deadlock and 11 hours have passed since the UN’s landmark climate conference should have ended. Time is running out and agreement feels a world away. The greatest obstacle: American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman… 00:00 | introduction02:18 | context, objectives04:23 | overview...
Jan 22, 2025•28 min
With so many new Broadway shows opening between now and the end of April, it can be challenging to decide which tickets you want to buy. In an effort to help you plan any upcoming Broadway trips, as well as to keep you updated, today Mickey-Jo is talking through each of those openings including the likes of Operation Mincemeat, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Othello, Redwood, Buena Vista Social Club, and more. Check it out and comment below with your thoughts on all the new spring plays and ...
Jan 20, 2025•38 min
Earlier this week Mickey-Jo had the enormous privilege of attending the opening night performance of OLIVER! which has made a triumphant return to the West End with a new production at the Gielgud Theatre.This staging of the show, produced by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne, was first seen in 2024 at Chichester Festival Theatre and features Simon Lipkin as Fagin with Shanay Holmes as Nancy and Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sykes alongside a hugely talented cast of young perform...
Jan 17, 2025•32 min
This morning, after much anticipation, the West End production of WICKED announced the new cast members who would be joining the show from 25th March 2025.It was revealed that Emma Kingston (Evita, The Band's Visit, Heathers) and Zizi Strallen (Mary Poppins, Cake, Oklahoma!) would play Elphaba and Glinda alongside a new principal roster.Check out today's theatre news recap for Mickey-Jo's thoughts on the exciting cast, as well as one particularly important detail about the show's understudy plan...
Jan 17, 2025•22 min
In huge theatre news this week, it was announced that the proshot recording of SIX: the musical would be released in UK cinemas from April 6th.The show, which was filmed with its original West End cast at the Vaudeville Theatre in Summer 2022, has become a global hit with an enormous fan following.Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, the pop-inspired musical brings the queens - Catherine of Aragon (Jarnéia Richard-Noel), Anne Boleyn (Millie O'Connell), Jane Seymour (Natalie Paris), Anna of Clev...
Jan 14, 2025•17 min
One of this season's new musicals is A WONDERFUL WORLD, which opened last year at Studio 54.The jukebox musical tells the story of Louis Armstrong and his extraordinary career as an iconic jazz musician alongside his complicated personal life, with Tony Award winner James Monroe Iglehart starring.Check out my thoughts about this show, which I was surprised to enjoy as much as I did, in this full video review...•00:00 | introduction01:59 | synopsis / material08:55 | shortcomings11:39 | creative c...
Jan 13, 2025•23 min
After multiple requests, and much consideration, Mickey-Jo is sharing his recommendations for which shows to see in the West End and the rest of the UK in 2025.But with so many new productions opening, Mickey-Jo decided this year he'd let you know how strongly he felt about each of them with a traffic light system indicating his enthusiasm!From plays like My Neighbour Totoro and Stereophonic to musicals including Hercules and Shucked, and with stars such as Brie Larson, Jonathan Bailey, and Paul...
Jan 11, 2025•30 min
The hit off-Broadway musical TITANIQUE, from Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, has arrived in London this week with an official opening at the Criterion Theatre in the West End.The show, which parodies the popular 1997 James Cameron film Titanic, features the songs of the iconic Celine Dione as it wittily retells the story of Jack, Rose, and the fateful iceberg.Check out this full video review for my thoughts on why the show's material works as well as it does, what has been th...
Jan 10, 2025•28 min
Today it was announced that STEREOPHONIC, the hugely acclaimed Broadway play, would transfer to the West End and embark on a US Tour later this year.The play, written by David Adjmi and directed by Daniel Aukin, had an acclaimed off-Broadway run and is now playing at the Golden Theatre, where it was nominated for a record number of Tony Awards, winning multiple including the 2024 Tony Award for Best New Play.Check out today's news recap for a little more insight into why this play is so celebrat...
Jan 08, 2025•14 min
Earlier this week, Mickey-Jo finally caught THE TEMPEST at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in the West End.This William Shakespeare play is produced in a new production by director Jamie Lloyd and stars Sigourney Weaver as Prospero, with Mason Alexander Park, Forbess Mason, Mathew Horne, and more.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of this show, and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments!•00:00 | introduction02:53 | synopsis08:08 | my verdict11:40 | creative choi...
Jan 07, 2025•30 min
After some recent stories of inexcusable behaviour at and beyond stage doors, Mickey-Jo is taking the opportunity to remind theatre fans about how to navigate these post show interactions.As well as talking through some recent examples, Mickey-Jo is recapping some stage door etiquette and speculating how the trends towards an unsafe post show environment may affect this part of the theatregoing experience in the future.Check out Mickey-Jo's thoughts on this prevailing issue and share your own in...
Jan 06, 2025•29 min
As we start a brand new year of theatregoing, Mickey-Jo is reflecting on the shows he saw around the world in 2024.In the second of two roundups, Mickey-Jo is sharing brief recaps of his favourite shows from the last year, including plays and musicals from the West End, Broadway, and beyond.Check out the shows Mickey-Jo enjoyed the most and comment below with your own thoughts!•00:00 | introduction02:25 | 15 - Les Misérables04:13 | 14 - Cats: the Jellicle Ball06:07 | 13 - The Hills of California...
Jan 05, 2025•35 min
At the start of 2025, Mickey-Jo is reflecting on the last year as a theatre critic and social media content creator.With trips to New York, Canada, Paris, Germany, and Edinburgh, exciting interview opportunities, and the first 4 performances of his debut live show, MickeyJoTheatre: LIVE! it was an overwhelming year.As Mickey-Jo talks through each of the last 12 months, he is sharing some of his favourite memories, highlights of his biggest opportunities and some unseen/unheard footage.•00:00 | i...
Jan 03, 2025•34 min
As we start a brand new year of theategoing, Mickey-Jo is reflecting on the shows he saw around the world in 2024.In the first of two roundups coming this week, Mickey-Jo is sharing his biggest theatrical disappointments of the last year from the West End, Broadway and beyond.Check out the shows Mickey-Jo liked the least and comment below with your own thoughts!•00:00 | introduction02:37 | The Who's Tommy04:13 | Rehab: the Musical05:44 | 101 Dalmatians07:21 | Made in Dagenham09:09 | Closer to He...
Jan 02, 2025•35 min
As soon as it was announced that the musical NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, written by Dave Malloy would be receiving its UK premiere at the Donmar Warehouse in London, Mickey-Jo was hugely excited to book tickets.After catching the show a little after its opening night, Mickey-Jo is sharing all of his thoughts about the cast, material, and creative choices in this full review.•The musical, inspired by a section of Tolstoy’s War and Peace, follows Natasha Rostova, who falls for a c...
Dec 30, 2024•29 min
This year Mickey-Jo headed back to New York City on 4 different occasions to see as many shows as possible!During these visits he caught more than 37 Broadway shows (as well as concerts, and off-broadway shows) and just like Mickey-Jo did last year, he's ranking them from worst to best!From Sunset Boulevard to Suffs, from Tommy to Tammy Faye - check out which shows Mickey-Jo loved and which he found to be disappointing...Stay tuned to find out his favourite and most disappointing Broadway shows ...
Dec 30, 2024•43 min
One of this month's hottest tickets in London is a new production of the Tennessee Williams play CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at the Almeida Theatre.This new staging of the classic American play, directed by Rebecca Frecknall (Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, A Streetcar Named Desire) stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as Maggie and Kingsley Ben-Adir as Brick.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo thought of the new production, and whether we might see it transfer to the West End...•00:00 | introductio...
Dec 30, 2024•29 min
The long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical WICKED has now released in cinemas.The 2024 feature film, which is the first in a two part series, has been directed by Jon M Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, pop star Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.After weeks of celebrating and analysing the ...
Dec 21, 2024•30 min
One of the last show's Mickey-Jo saw this year was a British regional theatre's revival of the musical LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS... which used British regional accents!The show, created by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, is currently running at the Sheffield Crucible and stars Colin Ryan and Georgina Onuorah as Seymour and Audrey, with Sam Buttery as the iconic Audrey II.Check out this full review to find out what Mickey-Jo made of this production's bold departures and creative choices...•00:00 | in...
Dec 20, 2024•30 min
In breaking theatre news, it has just been announced that the original Broadway stars of HADESTOWN will join the West End production of the Tony Award winning musical at the Lyric Theatre in London from 11th February for a strictly limited 4 week run!These principal performers, previously seen at the show's pre-Broadway run at the National Theatre are Reeve Carney (Orpheus), Eva Noblezada (Eurydice), Amber Gray (Persephone), Patrick Page (Hades), and André de Shields (Hermes).To find out everyth...
Dec 18, 2024•23 min
The National Theatre recently announced that one of their upcoming shows in 2025 would be the European premiere of the Stephen Sondheim and David Ives musical HERE WE ARE.The show, which premiered at The Shed off-Broadway in 2023 is based on the films of Luis Buñuel, features a book by David Ives and is directed by Joe Mantello.The world premiere production starred Bobby Cannavale, Rachel Bay Jones, Amber Gray, David Hyde Pierce, Micaela Diamond, Jeremy Shamos, Tracie Bennett, Steven Pasquale, a...
Dec 17, 2024•20 min
Mickey-Jo recently travelled to Paris to see two musical theatre productions including a new staging of the classic musical comedy HELLO, DOLLY! at the Theatre du Lido.This production, directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear, stars Caroline O'Connor as the meddling matchmaker Dolly Levi.Check out Mickey-Jo's full review for his thoughts about this production and how it compares to the West End revival from earlier this year.•00:00 | introduction02:24 | context / material09:12 | this productio...
Dec 17, 2024•26 min
Mickey-Jo recently travelled to Paris, France to see the West End's longest running musical LES MISÉRABLES at the Théatre du Châtelet.The musical has had a new French language translation, which is one of the aspects, along with its new direction and performances, that Mickey-Jo will be discussing in today's full review...•00:00 | introduction03:48 | history / context06:32 | new translation18:36 | new production31:15 | the performances• About Mickey-Jo: As one of the leading voices in theatre cr...
Dec 14, 2024•42 min
It was confirmed yesterday that a revival of EVITA will be heading to the London Palladium in the West End in Summer 2025.The musical, written by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice, will be directed by Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Boulevard, Romeo & Juliet) and produced by Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals.What hasn't been confirmed is who will be starring as Eva Peron, so in today's news recap Mickey-Jo is sharing the rumoured names that he has been hearing...•00:00 | introduction02:03 | what we ...
Dec 12, 2024•20 min
The long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical WICKED has now released in cinemas.The 2024 feature film, which is the first in a two part series, has been directed by Jon M Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, pop star Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.In this new episode, as a longtime fan of the...
Dec 10, 2024•40 min
The long-awaited film adaptation of the long-running, hugely popular stage musical WICKED has now released in cinemas.The 2024 feature film, which is the first in a two part series, has been directed by Jon M Chu and stars Cynthia Erivo (The Color Purple) as Elphaba, pop star Ariana Grande (13 the Musical) as Glinda, and Jonathan Bailey (Company) as Fiyero. The supporting cast also includes Marissa Bode, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum.In this new episode Mickey-Jo is analysing so...
Dec 10, 2024•31 min
The Broadway musical SWEPT AWAY, which recently opened at the Longacre Theatre, has sadly announced it will conclude its run early on December 15th.The show, which features the music of the Avett Brothers, stars John Gallagher Jr and depicts a shipwreck and its challenging aftermath.In today's episode Mickey-Jo is sharing his thoughts on why this show is closing early.•00:00 | introduction 05:28 | the concept for the show12:59 | the marketing / producing20:27 | the critical reception27:46 | the ...
Dec 10, 2024•36 min
