REVIEW: LMTO’s A Christmas Carol at Lyceum Theatre

“I’m just not feeling very Christmas-y yet...” (Harriet Langdown, 5 minutes before curtain up)

“MY HEART IS SO FULL. I CANNOT WAIT FOR CHRISTMAS NOW!” (Harriet Langdown, 1 minute after curtain down)

LMTO has done it again. 

This production of A Christmas Carol is a staged concert format, so if you’re looking for elaborate set pieces and fancy costumes, you’re in the wrong place - but if you’re searching for beautiful music played by a stunning orchestra, the best of the West End singing a dramatic score and the most enthusiastic and passionate conductor on the face of planet Earth, you’re in for a winner. LMTO reprise their smash-hit production in the same theatre where they made their debut in 2016, and what a treat it is. 

London Musical Theatre Orchestra's A Christmas Carol at Lyceum Theatre on 11th and 18th December

London Musical Theatre Orchestra brings back their  production of the spectacular concert version of A Christmas Carol, which returns by overwhelming popular demand to the Lyceum Theatre in London after a five-star sell-out performance last year, with two performances of the festive favourite at 7.30pm on 11th and 18th December. Tickets are on sale now.

The cast includes Olivier Award nominee Sophie-Louise Dann (Lend Me A Tenor / Made In Dagenham / Bend It Like Beckham The Musical / The Girls) as Mrs Fezziwig, Glenn Carter (Jersey Boys / Jesus Christ Superstar) as Marley, Nicholas Colicos (Kiss Me Kate / Mamma Mia! / The Producers) as Mr Fezziwig, Rebecca Lock (Mary Poppins / Mamma Mia!) as Mrs Cratchit and new-comer Cameron Potts as Fred Anderson / Young Scrooge.

Alongside these cast members, multi award-winning stage and screen actor Robert Lindsay (Citizen Smith / My Family / Wimbledon / Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) returns to the role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Robert will be joined by Lucie Jones (2017 UK Eurovision entrant / Les Misérables / We Will Rock You) as Emily / the Ghost of Christmas Future, Hugh Maynard (The Lion King / Miss Saigon) as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Gemma Sutton (Gypsy / The Go-Between) as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Olivier-nominee Michael Xavier (Prince of Broadway / Into The Woods / Sunset Boulevard) as Bob Cratchit. 

REVIEW: Mack and Mabel at the Hackney Empire with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra

After a truly sensational concert production of Candide at London’s Cadogan Hall, I had exceptionally high expectations for LMTO’s version of Mack and Mabel. Starring David Badella, Natasha J Barnes and Tiffany Graves, this production was the most entertaining, witty and emotionally-rousing night at the theatre I’ve had this year. 

LMTO’s founder, Freddie Tapner radiates passion and enthusiasm for his art and it is felt throughout the auditorium. Even whilst conducting his orchestra with his back is turned to the audience, we can still see and feel the love of his music. I have pondered for hours about what makes LMTO so special and I think it must just be that this ship is captained by a modern-day musical genius in Tapner. The spectacle of the LMTO on stage in all their glory is a wonderful thing to see so clearly and I can’t imagine I’ll ever tire of it.