Magic Radio West End Christmas

The audience at the London Palladium was filled with festive spirit for Magic Radio’s West End Christmas and its superstar line-up of stage icons. This was an afternoon of pure joy, with a stream of Christmas classics mixed with stagey favourites.

The incredible line-up for the afternoon included our hosts Lucie Jones (Waitress, Wicked, Les Misérables) and David Hunter (Waitress, The Time Traveller’s Wife, Kinky Boots), whose chemistry and quick-witted jokes smoothly carried the show from start to finish.

Also taking to the stage were Zoe Birkett (TINA The Musical, The Bodyguard, Moulin Rouge) and Carrie Hope Fletcher (Cinderella, Les Misérables, Heathers). This star-studded line-up was rounded off with Michael Ball (Les Misérables, Hairspray, Aspects of Love) and Alfie Boe (Les Misérables, Finding Neverland, Carousel). Does it get more West End royalty than this?

Our hosts kicked off proceedings by reprising their Waitress roles with a performance of ‘Bad Idea’. Seeing David Hunter and Lucie Jones perform together is always a dream. Their clear friendship and chemistry shine through every time and set the fun tone for the afternoon perfectly.

Given the nature of this event, the audience were treated to their favourite performers singing iconic musical theatre songs they might otherwise never get the chance to hear. Carrie Hope Fletcher and David Hunter gave us their best Jasmine and Aladdin with a magical rendition of ‘A Whole New World’. Michael Ball and Alfie Boe also surprised everyone by turning Hamilton’s ‘You’ll Be Back’ into a very fun duet, which had the audience singing and clapping along.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas concert without a few festive numbers. Some personal favourites included Zoe Birkett’s ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and the moment Carrie, David, Lucie, and Zoe joined forces to deliver one of the most upbeat and joyful renditions of ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ I have ever seen.

Our stage stars were accompanied by a seven-piece band, led by Jon Ranger on piano, whose music filled the Palladium beautifully.

With so many Les Misérables alumni on stage, this group would have been remiss not to perform a song from the iconic show. David Hunter even noted that, of the four performers Alfie, Carrie, Lucie, and Michael, three were on the cast recording he had used to brush up on the lyrics.

The six stars then joined forces to deliver one of the most joyous and roof-raising performances of ‘One Day More’ I have ever seen, which brought the audience to their feet and was met with roaring applause. With energy levels already sky-high, Zoe Birkett finished off the show with ‘Proud Mary’ from TINA The Musical. Accompanied by her backup singers and dancers David, Lucie, and Carrie, this was the perfect way to end the afternoon.