Theatre News

West End stars align for MMD charity gala show, 14 Oct

A plethora of musical theatre stars will join forces for a gala concert at the Novello Theatre on 14 October 2012 to mark the 20th anniversary of Mercury Musical Developments.

Among those performing in the show are Janie Dee, Sally Ann Triplett, Haydn Gwynne, Jenna Russell, Kerry Ellis, David Bedella and Paul Kaye.

The evening is billed as “a celebration of British shows past, present and future” and will include songs from shows by MMD members including Willy Russell (Our Day Out), Douglas Hodge (Meantime), Stiles & Drewe (Soapdish), Charles Hart (French Without Tears), Tim Minchin (Matilda) and Howard Goodall (The Challenge), among others.

Mercury Musical Developments is a charity dedicated to the development and presentation of new musical theatre. It started in 1992 when founding members studied with Stephen Sondheim at Oxford when he was The Cameron Mackintosh Professor of Contemporary Theatre.

It is currently supporting shows including Stiles and Drewe’s Soho Cinders (don’t miss our Outing on 7 August!) and Out There by Elliot Davis, as well as Sidney Brown Memorial Award Winner Emerald. This year’s Sidney Brown Award (for Most Promising New Work) will be announced at the event.

– Rosie Bannister