As someone who'll openly admit that they spend more time than is normal sat in a theatre, when I found out that The National Lottery's Big Night of Musicals was coming to the 12,000-seater AO Arena in Manchester, I knew there was absolutely no way I could miss it. The casts of thirteen of the UK's biggest musicals all under one roof, along with some special surprises, all hosted by the city's own Jason Manford - how could I say no?
After being warmed up with a 12,000-people strong rendition of Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, the show began with everyone on their feet for a performance of 'We Will Rock You' from the cast of We Will Rock You. Brenda Edwards, who'll be reprising her role as The Killer Queen when the show opens in London later this year, led the cast, who all looked like they had came straight from an alternative punk universe.
There were plenty of standing ovations during the evening too, as Pussycat Dolls star Melody Thornton blew the arena away with a stunning rendition of 'I Will Always Love You' from The Bodyguard. Fresh from her win at The Masked Singer Australia, Melody lit up the arena - quite literally -as thousands of phone lights filled the room with stars as she nailed the big chorus.
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Also receiving a standing ovation was Nathania Ong, who plays Eponine in London's West End production of Les Misérables. The young actress had the arena in the palm of her hands as she sang the musical's heart-breaking anthem 'On My Own' - the emotions too much for her as she finished the final note to rapturous applause.
Another star of the night was Michael Ball, who gave an exclusive performance of 'Love Changes Everything' from Aspects Of Love, which is making a return to the West End this year. He also played a crucial role in a very special surprise during the evening - which you'll have to wait until the Spring to watch, but it definitely was a very heart-warming moment.
Disney's Newsies tapped their way through huge number 'King of New York', as Manchester's own Bronté Barbé played an energetic Katherine Plumber, surrounded by newsboys who were delighted to make the front page for their strikes. The musical is based on a true story which made the headlines in 1899 when workers all over the Big Apple went on strike for fairer pay and conditions.
Meanwhile, the cast of the UK tour of Six The Musical - who will be coming to the Manchester Opera House in July 2023 - turned the arena into a German nightclub rave with a rendition of 'Haus of Holbein'. A couple of hours earlier, on our entrance, all audience members were given a pair of neon green sunglasses to wear during the number, and the end result was truly a sight to behold.
And a slightly surreal moment came when the newly announced cast of the upcoming tour of Shrek The Musical, which will be heading to the Manchester Opera House from August 2023, gave an energetic performance of 'I'm a Believer'. Antony Lawrence (Shrek), Joanne Clifton (Princess Fiona) and Brandon Lee Sears (Donkey) gave us a taste of what audiences can expect, and I was left feeling overjoyed by the surreal-ness of just having seen one of my favourite childhood movies come to life on stage.
The Big Night of Musicals came to a close with the cast of Mamma Mia performing the title track of the show, followed by Mazz Murray (Donna), Jo Napthine (Rosie), and Kate Graham (Tanya) appearing in their iconic jumpsuits to play the show out with Dancing Queen. The revellers at the AO Arena were up on their feet for a singalong to end all singalongs, before a thick sea of blue and white confetti brought the curtain down on a brilliant night of musical theatre.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be available to watch in the Spring on BBC One with a special 90-minute programme, as well as on BBC Radio 2.
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