What's On

Live on screen at BMEC this spectacular, sell-out 25th Anniversary Gala Performance of the global stage sensation also features appearances by the original cast including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga. This acclaimed production was described as “the most thrilling, soaring and emotionally stirring musical with magnificent performances” by the Daily Telegraph and “the greatest musical of all time” by the Daily Mail.

Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.

Join us in celebrating the filmmakers that have come together to deliver us a feast for the senses that not only demonstrates their comedic prowess but their exceptional storytelling. Challenge your perceptions on life, death and morality as we embrace the absurd and showcase a line-up of both acclaimed filmmakers and rising stars alike from across this fine land and the world. Our theme this year celebrates ‘to endings, to beginnings …’ of life in all of its facets, two inescapable paradigms that cannot exist without each other. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of cinema or an aficionado of comedy in OTF’s 2024 line up there is truly something for everyone.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera is a worldwide entertainment phenomenon. It has been staged in 145 cities across 27 countries and its box office sales eclipse Avatar, Titanic and Star Wars. To celebrate its 25th Anniversary year, Cameron Mackintosh presented The Phantom Of The Opera in a fully-staged, lavish production set in the sumptuous Victorian splendour of the Royal Albert Hall. Phantom Of The Opera At The Albert Hall stars Ramin Karimloo as 'The Phantom' and Sierra Boggess as 'Christine'. They are joined by a supporting cast and orchestra of over 200, plus some very special guest appearances.

Featuring a 40-piece orchestra and international stars of the stage and screen, this special anniversary concert was filmed at London’s newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the same venue that premiered the original West End productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I. Featuring a star-studded cast including Joanna Ampil, Michael Ball, Maria Friedman, Daniel Dae Kim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Audra McDonald, Rita Moreno, Julian Ovenden, Lucy St. Louis, Aaron Tveit, Marisha Wallace and Patrick Wilson, the landmark event was accompanied by the 40-piece Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Orchestra, conducted by Simon Lee.

This is Offenbach’s last and greatest work is a fantastical opera, starring French tenor Benjamin Bernheim in the title role of the tormented poet. Joining Bernheim is American soprano Erin Morley as Olympia, South African soprano Pretty Yende as Antonia, and French mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine as Giulietta to complete Hoffmann’s trio of lovers. Marco Armiliato conducts Bartlett Sher’s evocative production, which also features American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Four Villains and Russian mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in her company debut as Nicklausse. It’s an intoxicating mix of emotion and dazzling music, including the famous, fiendishly difficult Doll Song.   

Screened at BMEC, Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including Forever Young, All Along The Watchtower, Hurricane, and Like A Rolling Stone. It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travellers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” Broadway production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.

Love Never Dies continues the story of The Phantom of the Opera. Featuring one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest musical scores performed by a 21 piece orchestra, a stunning cast of 36 including Ben Lewis and Anna O'Byrne, over 300 incredible costumes and a magnificent set illuminated by over 5000 dazzling light bulbs.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar returns to its roots with this sensational performance filmed in the UK during the Live Arena Tour. An incredible cast including Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Melanie Chisholm as Mary Magdalene, Chris Moyles as King Herod and Ben Forster as Jesus Christ, perform hit songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane, Heaven on Their Minds, Everything’s Alright, King Herod’s Song and Superstar in an exciting and contemporary interpretation.

Based on the Academy Award nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical has won the hearts of millions since it opened in London’s West End in 2005. Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. The original creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, is joined by music legend Elton John (music) to produce a funny, uplifting and spectacular theatrical experience that will stay with you forever.