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Marking its eleventh year on stage, Movies to Musicals brings together West End names and young talent to provide audiences with a stellar performance of classic and modern musicals.
Returning to a sold-out Theatre Royal after its spectacular tenth-anniversary performance at the SEC Armadillo, this production proves that a more intimate and historic venue doesn’t mean a lesser performance.
The star-studded bill features seasoned West End performers Alex James-Hatton and Lizzie Bea, performing a variety of solos, each with a nod to the triumphs of their own careers.
They are joined by Stevie Doc, famed for winning Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream, it’s particularly poignant to see Stevie sharing the stage with young talent—still very much considered a Scottish rising star herself.
The Glasgow Philharmonia company is joined by young people from Project Theatre in Falkirk, ensuring the stage is bursting with energy.
Featuring Joey Bethell’s dynamic choreography, classics from Annie and Oliver! are brought to life alongside lesser-known Smash and Beetlejuice with dazzling, well-timed lighting adding an extra layer of pizazz.
Despite the odd technical hitch, the show takes the audience on an emotional journey, from heartfelt solos to lively chorus numbers, culminating in a sequin-drenched Finale from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which had audiences on their feet, dancing and singing along.
Movies to Musicals is bursting at the seams with enthusiasm and sparkle: it is evident that community and a love for performing lies at the heart of this project, led by Ross Gunning.
Striving to ensure that the young people of Scotland have these inspiring opportunities – especially in a political climate where arts funding remains continuously at risk – is crucial for nurturing the next generation of performers, preserving cultural heritage, and ensuring that the arts remain accessible to all.
Reviewed on Sunday 2nd March 2025
Photo credit: Bryan Robertson Photography
