Sam Ryder

Broadcast date for National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals

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The BBC has confirmed the recording of their annual National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 28 March at 7.45pm.

Hosted by Jason Manford, the ever popular celebration of the best of musical theatre was filmed in front of a live audience at the AO Arena in Manchester on Monday 26 January.

Highlights include an exclusive performance of ‘Gethsemane’ from Jesus Christ Superstar by Sam Ryder, making his debut as Jesus and Alexandra Burke as music legend Chaka Khan in I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical.

The line-up also includes a preview of the new production of Miss Saigon, as well as songs from Wicked, The Lion King, Oliver! and Paddington The Musical. There’s also an exclusive Disney medley performed by West End stars Lucie Jones, Mae Ann Jorolan and Trevor Dion Nicholas.

The event will also feature specially choreographed collaborations with local National Lottery-funded performing groups: Stockton-on-Tees men’s choir Infant Hercules with Jason Manford and the cast of The Choir of Man as well as a preview of La Voix’s performance as Miss Hannigan in the upcoming touring production of Annie performing alongside Manchester’s Wild Things Performing Arts.

Host Jason Manford said: “This event is all made possible because of National Lottery players whose support has raised over £1.4BN for theatre related projects in the UK, which keeps theatre alive and accessible. The 2026 line-up is phenomenal, some of the biggest shows in the world are coming together for one night only, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it.”

National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals | Winners and good causes | The National Lottery

The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals

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The January Blues-Busting Big Night of Musicals from the National Lottery was back with a bang at the AO Arena in Manchester last night.

In what’s become a staple in the theatre calendar for the region, this year’s show was another feel-good ode to the world of Musical Theatre and the fantastic causes supported by the Lottery.

 

Again hosted by the host with the most Jason Manford the event has become a must-do for both theatre lovers and the biggest and best show – both in the West End and on tour.

And this year was no different with some really exciting exclusives for both the audience in the arena – and later the TV viewers, for when it’s broadcast later in the Spring on BBC & IPlayer.

 

The evening was kicked off in spectacular style by The Lion King with a goosebump-inducing performance of the iconic Circle of Life – complete with the stunning puppets the show is famous for. This is a number that never, ever gets old and it was followed by the joyous He Lives in You from the show.

It was the first of a number big company numbers of that delivered the wow factor to the event – putting the ‘Big’ in Big Night of Musicals. Other brilliant moments included The American Dream from the current tour of Miss Saigon and I Wanna Be a Producer from the West End’s The Producers – which was a genuine treat.

 

Other wonderful performances included As Long as He Needs Me from Oliver! By Ava Brennan, Pretty Little Dead Things from Paddington’s ‘baddie’ Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and the cast of Sunny Afternoo n brought a bit of 60s rock n roll to the night.

Disney legend Alan Menken was celebrated in a gorgeous medley of some of his biggest 90s hits accompanied by incredibly talented young dancers from Lowry’s Centre for Advanced Training in dance.

 

As ever the event showcased the work of programmes funded by the National Lottery. Oldham’s Wild Things Performing Arts joined ‘Miss Hannigan’ La Voix and the young cast of Annie for a rousing rendition of Hard Knock Life. And the tour of Choir of Man performed alongside a real life men’s choir Infant Hercules Choir  (and Jason Manford) in a truly moving version of You’re The Voice.

 VTs highlighted the brilliant shows hitting the UK this year including the world tour of Operation Mincemeat – which launches at the Lowry next month, the new musical by Pippa Cleary and Rob Madge Bank of Dave, also launching at the Lowry and many more.

 

Arguably the most exciting moment of the evening was the world exclusive of Sam Ryder performing Gethsemene from the forthcoming new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. If there were any nerves they didn’t show and it was a moment no one in the room will ever forget!

The evening closed on a high note with a moving performance of For Good from Wicked by the West End’s current Elphaba and Glinda, Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen followed by a medley from Alexandra Burke and the cast of the Chaka Khan musical I’m Every Woman that got everyone on their feet.

 

Big Night of Musicals is absolute must-watch for musical fans when it airs and a welcome reminder of the amazing work and theatre programmes that the National Lottery supports.