The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals returned to the AO Arena in Manchester on Monday, 27 January, with a star-studded evening celebrating the transformative power of musical theatre. Hosted by comedian Jason Manford, the event featured dazzling performances from West End favourites and touring productions, alongside appearances by well-known faces from the world of entertainment.
The event, attended by celebrities including Billy Porter, Kimberley Walsh, Faye Tozer, Dean McCullough, and Ore Oduba, showcased the impact of National Lottery funding, which has supported over 20,000 theatre-related projects across the UK in the past three decades.
Performances on the night included standout moments from some of the biggest musicals. Marisha Wallace, introduced by her Cabaret co-star Billy Porter, delivered a show-stopping rendition of “Maybe This Time,” earning rapturous applause. Disney’s Hercules, set to debut in the West End this summer, offered a sneak peek with vibrant performances of “Zero to Hero” and “Go the Distance.”
The legendary Michael Ball made a surprise appearance, performing “The Impossible Dream” alongside Our Dementia Choir, a group founded by actress and presenter Vicky McClure MBE. McClure revealed to the choir that they would be performing live on stage with Ball, creating a heartfelt and memorable moment.
Other highlights included Layton Williams and the cast of Titanique, who performed a medley of songs, including “I’m Alive,” “Taking Chances,” and “My Heart Will Go On.” Carrie Hope Fletcher treated audiences to a medley of songs from Calamity Jane, while Georgina Castle dazzled with her rendition of “World Burn” from Mean Girls. Performances from Chicago, Dear Evan Hansen, and Mary Poppins added to the magical atmosphere, with the latter closing their segment with a lively rendition of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.”
The evening concluded in spectacular fashion with the cast of Bat Out of Hell The Musical performing a medley of hits, including “Dead Ringer for Love” and “Anything for Love.”
Jason Manford, who returned to host the event, emphasised the importance of National Lottery funding in supporting theatre and performing arts across the UK. The funding, amounting to £1.3 billion over 30 years, has played a key role in restoring theatres and enabling numerous creative projects.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals, which celebrates these contributions, will air on BBC One, BBC Radio 2, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sounds later this spring, offering audiences across the country a chance to experience the magic of the evening.
For more information on the show and its performances, visit the National Lottery website. Imagery from the event is available online.
