Prepare to be razzle dazzled as a huge night of musical theatre entertainment returns to the BBC on Saturday night. The National Lottery's Big Night of Musicals is becoming something of an annual fixture, and will allow viewers to see some of the very finest performers in some of the biggest shows currently booking in UK theatres.
The show was recorded at Manchester's AO Arena earlier this week, with Manchester's own Jason Manford hosting the show alongside Beverley Knight. Expect a host of guest stars popping up along the way, including Nicole Scherzinger and Craig Revel-Horwood during the night's entertainment.
But naturally, it's the music that's the star of this show - with some incredible live performances of some of the biggest theatre hits of recent times.
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The event aims to shine a light on the magic of musical theatre and the difference it makes to communities. The National Lottery has awarded more than £517m to arts projects across the country, with £46m going towards theatre related projects.
Here, we've put together a list of all the musical performances that you will see on Saturday night's show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7.50pm. We've also taken a look at where you can currently book to see the full shows whether that be in the West End or out on tour across the UK.
Disney’s Aladdin
Based on the timeless Disney movie, Aladdin the musical follows the adventurous Aladdin as he embarks on a journey to win the heart of Princess Jasmine and defeat the wicked Jafar. With the help of his genie from a magic lamp, Aladdin navigates the streets of Agrabah and discovers that there's more to life than just material wealth.
In the Big Night of Musicals, viewers will see Genie star Yeukayi Ushe belt out one of the show's biggest numbers.
Song performed: Friend Like Me
Where you can see it: Disney's Aladdin is currently on a UK and Ireland tour after an acclaimed run on the West End. It's currently playing at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth until February 11. It then heads out across the UK and Ireland across the rest of 2024 including Liverpool, Birmingham, Dublin and Manchester.
Is it coming to Manchester? Yes, theatre fans don't have long to wait to catch this one as it's heading to Manchester's Palace Theatre for an extended run from Wednesday, May 22 through to Sunday, July 7 this summer. Tickets are available now from ATG here.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Baz Luhrmann's hit movie following the love story between showgirl Satine and writer Christian has transferred to the stage with ease - and is one of the hottest tickets on the West End right now. Dom Simpson takes on the role made famous by Ewan MacGregor in the film, while Tanisha Spring is Satine, the role played by Nicole Kidman on screen.
Song performed: Your Song
Where you can see it: Mouline Rouge! The Musical is currently playing on the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre. It is currently booking through to June 8, 2024.
Is it touring? No news on a tour just yet, but we live in hope.
The Phantom of the Opera
Widely considered one of the most spectacular musical productions of modern history, Andrew Lloyd Webber's show continues to delight audiences across the world. The haunting love story features some of the biggest hit songs in theatre, including Music of the Night, All I Ask of You and the title belter.
That's the song viewers will hear in all its glory on Saturday night, with Lily Kerhoas as Christine and Jon Robyns as the Phantom.
Song performed: Phantom of the Opera
Where you can see it: The blockbuster show is currently playing on the West End at His Majesty's Theatre. Tickets are available across 2024.
Is it touring? No news on a tour at the moment, although producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh has teased that this is the show he'd love to see coming back to Manchester again in future, so watch this space.
A Chorus Line
Known as the "musical masterpiece" following the fortunes of seventeen performers as they try out in a gruelling final audition for a Broadway show. It's got real razzle dazzle, as viewers will get to see on the BBC show on Saturday night.
The cast of the show will sing and dance together to One.
Song performed: One
Where you can see it: A Chorus Line is heading out on a major UK tour from June to October 2024, starting in Leicester and taking in the likes of Birmingham, Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Is it coming to Manchester? Yes, you can catch A Chorus Line at The Lowry theatre in Salford from July 23 to July 27. Tickets are available here.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
This feelgood show follows 16-year-old Jamie as they overcome prejudice, beat the bullies and step out of the darkness into the spotlight.
Ivana Turco has taken on the title role in the new tour of the show, and performs at Big Night of Musicals as Jamie.
Songs performed: The Wall In My Head/ And You Don’t Even Know It
Where you can see it: The show is currently out on tour across the UK, and has been at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre this week. It then heads to Woking, Bristol, Liverpool, Glasgow and Milton Keynes with tickets available to book through to Autumn 2024.
Is it coming to Manchester? Sadly, here in Manchester you've already missed your chance to see the show on this tour. It played to rave reviews at Salford's Lowry Theatre in September 2023.
Hadestown
Audiences will get to see a big exclusive during the show - a first look at brand new musical Hadestown ahead of its West End premiere in February. The musical has been a big hit on Broadway, and takes audiences on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.
Donal Finn and Melanie La Barrie lead the ensemble cast performing on stage at the AO Arena show.
Song performed: Wait For Me
Where you can see it: Hadestown premieres from February 10 at The Lyric Theatre in London. Tickets are available to book now for dates through to August 4, 2024.
Is it touring? Not yet.
Hamilton
The blockbuster musical Hamilton tells the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of the America we know today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway - the story of America then, as told by America now.
During the Big Night of Musicals performance, we'll see Daniel Boys in action playing the comedic character of King George.
Song performed: You’ll Be Back
Where you can see it: Hamilton continues to be one of the hottest tickets on the West End, playing at London's Victoria Palace Theatre. Tickets are currently booking through to September 2024. But for those outside of the capital, the show has begun its first ever tour which started in Manchester and heads for a full UK and Ireland string of dates booking through to 2025.
Is it coming to Manchester? It's already here! Although you need to be quick, performances are only on at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until Saturday, February 24 before it then heads out on a mammoth tour.
Wizard of Oz
One of the most spine-tingling moments of the show comes with the performance of a musicals classic -The Wizard of Oz's Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Aviva Tulley plays the iconic role of Dorothy in the new touring production based on the famed movie.
Song performed: Somewhere over the Rainbow
Where you can see it: Fresh from its West End run last year, The Wizard of Oz started its UK and Ireland tour this week in Hull. It heads out across the UK and Ireland through 2024 including to Dublin, Sheffield, Birmingham, Llandudno, Norwich, Cardiff and Sunderland.
Is it coming to Manchester? Yes, we are getting it here in Manchester for a two week run from April 24 to May 5 when we also get a bit of exclusive with Jason Manford reprising his role as the Lion. Tickets are available here.
Mrs Doubtfire
The iconic 1990s musical starring Robin Williams has become a major new musical following the fortunes of the rejected dad who transforms into the redoubtable "Mrs Doubtfire" to nanny his own kids. Audiences will get to see the transformation of actor Gabriel Vick into Mrs Doubtfire live on stage with the performance of the musical's hit Make Me A Woman.
Song performed: Make Me a Woman
Where you can see it: Mrs Doubtfire is playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London with tickets available throughout 2024.
Is it touring? Not yet, but Manchester did get this one first - the UK premiere of this production was held at the Opera House back in September 2022. We loved it at the time, so we hope it does return again soon.
Les Miserables
There was barely a dry eye in the house with this extraordinary performance of Les Miserables' anthemic Bring Him Home. Alfie Boe was joined by Jean Valjeans past and present in Les Mis productions Milan van Waardenburg, Peter Joback, and Killian Donnelly to belt out the utter tear-jerker.
Song performed: Bring Him Home
Where you can see it: Les Miserables is playing at the Sondheim Theatre in the West End across 2024 up to September 28.
Is it touring? Yes, there's something rather spectacular being planned for the end of the year with a new arena spectacular version of the show heading out on a worldwide tour. It heads to Manchester's AO Arena from December 26 - 29 2024 with tickets available here.
Guys & Dolls
One of the musical classics, Guys & Dolls follows Nathan Detroit, a Manhattan gambler who needs to find a new location for his gambling games, but, with his pal Sky Masterson, ends up placing a bet to fall in love.
In the Big Night of Musicals we'll see TV star Daniel Mays in action as Nathan Detroit alongside Cedric Neal with the Guys & Dolls West End cast.
Song performed: Sit Down You’re Rocking the Boat
Where you can see it: This new version of Guys & Dolls is playing at The Bridge Theatre in London. The show is booking through to August 2024.
Is it touring? No
GREASE
The cult movie has become one of the most popular stage musicals in modern theatre continuing to delight fans with the love story of Sandy and Danny. The cast of the current production bring an all-singing and dancing finale to the AO Arena show with some of the biggest hits from the show.
Songs performed: Grease Medley
Where you can see it: Grease is heading out on a UK and Ireland tour across 2024. Shows are now booking from May through to October 2024 at venues including Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and Oxford.
Is it coming to Manchester? Yes, Grease heads to Manchester's Palace Theatre for the final week of the tour from October 8 - 12. Tickets are available now.
The National Lottery's Big Night of Musicals will air at 7:50pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 27th January, as well as on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on 28th January.
