Looking for the perfect gift for a theatre fan (and that may be yourself)? Here are our top tips for the latest to die for DVD Musical releases that every theatre fan MUST HAVE in their collection (We also have a list of the best Musicals on Netflix!):
Miss Saigon
Release date 24 October 2016
Director Laurence Connor
Region 2
Filmed at the Prince Edward Theatre, you can pre-order Miss Saigon on DVD and Blu-Ray. This is the one that every Musical Theatre fan will want in their collections.
Starring Eva Noblezada, Alistair Brammer and Jon Jon Briones
Gypsy
Release date 28 November 2016
Director Jonathan Kent
Region 2
Filmed at the Savoy Theatre and first shown on TV in 2015, the long-awaited Gypsy is available on DVD in time for Christmas. One of the greatest American musicals of all time, the show features the songs Everything’s Coming Up Roses, Let Me Entertain You and Some People.
Starring Imelda Staunton, Lara Pulver and Gemma Sutton
The Sound of Music Live
Released 22 Feb 2016
Directors Coky Giedroyc and Richard Valentine
Region 2
Broadcast by ITV, the production used soundstages to present a fully live production. Kara Tointon, best known for BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing and Eastenders, wowed audiences with her bright vocals and strong acting. Relive the performance, mistakes and all, on the DVD of The Sound of Music Live. A US version (Region 1) is available, featuring Carrie Underwood and Audra McDonald but be aware this will not play on UK DVD players.
Starring Kara Tointon, Julian Ovenden and Alexander Armstrong
Shakespeare Live! From the RSC
Released 30 May 2016.
Directors Gregory Doran and Bridget Caldwell
Region 2
To mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, David Tennent hosted a star-studded celebration of the work of the world’s greatest playwright and storyteller. This Shakespeare Live DVD features the great and the good of British acting royalty along with performances by Alison Moyet, Rufus Wainwright and the Royal Ballet.
Starring Judi Dench, Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren
The Merchant of Venice
Released 2 Sept 2016
Director Jonathan Munby
All Regions
Another treat for fans of The Bard, the DVD of The Merchant of Venice was recorded at the Globe Theatre in 2015. Set in 16th Century Venice, the story follows merchant Antonio who, unable to repay his debt to moneylender Shylock, is forced to pay a forfeit – a pound of his own flesh.
Starring Dominic Mafham and Jonathan Pryce
Measure for Measure
Released 29 July 2016
Director Dominic Dromgoole
All Regions
Yet more delicious Shakespeare from London’s Globe Theatre. The Merchant of Venice on DVD is a tale of promiscuity, intrigue and mistaken identity against a backdrop of Vienna’s brothels. When Claudio falls foul of the law by getting his love, Juliet, pregnant he is sentenced to death for fornicating out of wedlock. It falls to Claudio’s friends to try to save his life.
Starring Joel MacCormack and Kurt Egyiawan
The Railway Children
Release date November 14 2016
Directors Damian Cruden and Ross MacGibbon
Region 2
E Nesbit’s classic tale The Railway Children finally comes to DVD, filmed at the National Railway Museum in York. The story follows Roberta, Phyllis and Peter, three siblings whose life turns upside down when their father is falsely imprisoned. But can the children avert disaster?
Starring Rozzi Nicholson-Lailey and Izaak Cainer
Florence Foster Jenkins
Director Stephen Frears
Region 2
The inspirational true story of society heiress and socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, the DVD features the vocal talents of Meryl Streep as you’ve never heard her before. In Foster Jenkins’ head she was a talented opera singer, but to audiences she was hilariously awful. A celebration of the passion and power of music, and the triumph of human spirit over talent.
Starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant
BEST CDs & Downloads of 2016
Mrs Henderson Presents
Despite a short run in the West End, this delightfully naughty show has charm by the bucket load and features Tracie Bennett, Ian Bartholomew and Emma Williams.
Mrs Henderson Presents is available now on CD from Dress Circle
Funny Girl
Jule Styne & Bob Merrill’s iconic musical features Sheridan Smith as Fanny Brice, who rose from Brooklyn music hall singer to become one of Broadway’s biggest stars
Funny Girl is available now on CD from Dresscircle http://www.dresscircle.com/cd/10870-funny-girl-2016-london-cast-cd-602547936707.html
Idina
The green goddess herself, Idina Menzel’s latest album is perhaps more Pop than pure Musical Theatre, but if you loved her in Wicked and were in awe of her vocal gymnastics in Frozen, you’re gonna love her latest album, Idina. We already have “Perfect Story” playing on loop…
Idina is available on CD and download on Amazon.
If you have any great tips for must-haves for Theatre fans, leave us a message below. And if you’re a fan of Idina Menzel, check out our A-Oz Guide to the Emerald City!
Yes! Those are some great ones! 🙌🏻
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