A one-night-only, free stadium event celebrating stage musicals organised by The National Lottery is to be shown on TV in January.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals is a free stadium concert taking place in Manchester at the AO Arena on 24 January 2022,hosted by comedian and actor Jason Manford.
And the show will get a TV broadcast, with a 90 minute BBC One show calledThe Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery, to be shown on Saturday 29 January 2022 at 7pm.
The musicals spectacular will feature performances from Britain’s major musicals, and highlight the importance of musicals and theatre to communities and cultural life in the UK. Shows participating include Frozen the Musical, Dear Evan Hansen, Disney’s The Lion King, Back to the Future, The Wiz and School of Rock,Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, & Juliet, Waitress and Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, The Drifters Girl, Bat out of Hell, Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast.
The National Lottery has supported more than 2,000 theatres during the Covid pandemic as part of their £228 million grant to the arts. Tickets are being allocated on a first-come-first-served basis and are free apart from a £2 booking fee and proof of purchase of a National Lottery product.
As well as on BBC One, performances from the event will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 30 January from 1pm to 3pm, and available live and for 30 days on BBC Sounds.
Jason Manford said in a statement that, “It’s fantastic to see such a positive response after the first ticket release. It’s been a very difficult 20 months for the theatre industry and I hope that as many National Lottery players as possible will be able to join this National Lottery musical spectacular. The event promises to be a brilliant show full of celebration, featuring some of the best musicals on right now.”
Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment at the BBC said: “We are delighted to bring a great night of contemporary musicals that the entire family can enjoy into viewers homes, showcasing the world class talent that British theatre is known for.”
Helen Thomas, Head of BBC Radio 2, said: “Following Radio 2’s award-winning Musicals: The Greatest Show which was also broadcast on BBC One in February 2021, I’m thrilled to be delighting our musical-loving listeners once again with this fantastic new show – just what we need to lift our spirits during a cold January!”
The Big Night of Musicals by The National Lottery is produced by TBI Media for the BBC, commissioned by the BBC’s Kate Phillips, Director of Entertainment, with Executive Producers for TBI Media are Anna Meadows and Phil Critchlow and the Event Executive Producer is Andrew Wyke. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.
The Big Night of Musicals, BBC1, Saturday 29 January 2022 at 7pm
