The National Lottery has announced the return of its Big Night of Musicals concert for 2025, which is celebrating 30 years of National Lottery support for the theatre and performing arts.
The huge live show will take place at the AO Arena in Manchester on 27 January 2025.
Hosting duties will once again go to TV and stage star Jason Manford, returning to host the show for a fourth time.
The initial line-up of musical theatre acts has also been announced. Shows performing at Big Night of Musicals include touring productions Calamity Jane starring Carrie Hope Fletcher, Dear Evan Hansen, Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell The Musical, and Here & Now – The Steps Musical.
West End shows performing in Manchester include Mean Girls The Musical, which is now playing at the Savoy Theatre in London; and Disney’s Hercules, which premieres at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this summer.
More shows and performers are to be announced soon.
Last year’s show was broadcast on BBC One (Watch the 2024 Big Night of Musicals on BBC iPlayer here), and featured performances from shows including Guys and Dolls, Hadestown, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Hamilton, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Mrs Doubtfire The Musical.
There’s no current news on a TV broadcast for the 2025 show, but check back here for details.
The National Lottery has helped support more than 20,000 theatre-related projects over the last 30 years, providing over £1.3 billion of financial support.
Host Jason Manford said in a statement: “It’s an honour to be back hosting The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals for the fourth time! It’s always a pleasure to host in Manchester to give a northern audience the chance to see some spectacular performances and appearances from the stars of the West End – and this year’s line-up is stronger than ever. Once again, one of the best aspects of the show is that tickets are free as a thank you to National Lottery players who help ensure the performing arts industry thrives by playing each wee
12,000 free tickets to the show will be on a first-come, first-served basis – from 10am tomorrow, Thursday 12 December. National Lottery players can book up to four free tickets, plus a £2 booking fee applies per ticket and proof of purchase of a National Lottery product is required. Book tickets here.
Also coming up at the AO Arena in Manchester is the touring production of Les Miserables The Arena Spectacular, which plays the AO Arena from 26 to 29 December 2024.
Other big variety shows coming up that feature West End musicals is the Royal Variety Performance 2024, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall last month, and will broadcast on ITV this Sunday, 15 December.
Book the shows! Check out booking details for all shows featured on Big Night of Musicals 2025
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