2026

Jason Manford hosts a joyful celebration of musical theatre, with show-stopping performances and special guests from across the West End and the UK’s leading touring productions.

In a world first, Sam Ryder delivers an incredible performance of Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) from Jesus Christ Superstar ahead of his debut in the show this summer.

Other television exclusives see a medley from Alexandra Burke and the cast of I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical, and a special film takes the audience on a visit to see everyone’s favourite bear ahead of a performance of Pretty Little Dead Things from Paddington: The Musical.

Also taking to the stage are the new Cameron Mackintosh production of Miss Saigon, classic comedy musical The Producers and fan favourite Disney’s The Lion King.

Emotive ballads from Oliver! and Wicked and the music of the Kinks in Sunny Afternoon continue the line-up.

Back for a fifth year and filmed in front of an audience of 12,000 at Manchester’s AO Arena, the show brings together some of the biggest and most exciting productions currently on stage alongside exclusive previews of shows opening this year and unique one-off collaborations created especially for the night.

There is a special celebration of composer Alan Menken, who wrote many iconic Disney soundtracks, some of which are performed by West End stars Lucie Jones, Mae Ann Jorolan and Trevor Dion Nicholas.

Other specially created performances include Stockton-on-Tees men’s choir Infant Hercules, who join Jason Manford and the cast of the Choir of Man, and a performance from the new touring production of Annie, featuring Strictly favourite La Voix alongside Manchester’s Wild Things Performing Arts.

Short films showcase new musicals opening and touring around the UK, and include a behind-the-scenes tease of the upcoming Bank of Dave: The Musical.