Miscast – Whitley Bay Playhouse Review

A night of talent that deserved a full house

On Monday evening, I attended Miscast at Whitley Bay Playhouse – an evening where West End performers and students from the Northern School of Musical Theatre took to the stage to perform songs from roles they wouldn’t usually be cast in.

The performance was in aid of two local charities, and what an uplifting, heartfelt night it was.

The show opened with a number from The Rocky Horror Picture Show, performed by the Northern School of Musical Theatre. The choreography and vocals were excellent – bursting with energy and confidence. Sadly, there was no programme available, so I can’t name the individual performers, but they lit up the stage.

We had two brilliant hosts guiding us through the evening, introducing each act as they performed songs from across the musical theatre world. I recognised most of the numbers, though I couldn’t always place which musical they were from – a good excuse to fire up Spotify and relive the night!

The line-up was an impressive one, featuring:
Manon Taris, Adam Strong, Stefanie Jones, Michael D Xavier, Wendy Ferguson, Nathan Elwick, Sally Forster, Kris Manuel, Lyndsey Gardiner, and Sarah Marie Maxwell.

Every single performer was outstanding in their own right. I was genuinely surprised that the theatre wasn’t packed to the rafters – yes, it was a Monday night, but this was top-tier talent you might not get the chance to see together again.

Everyone will have their own standout moment, but for me, Adam Strong’s performance of Defying Gravity gave me goosebumps. Stefanie Jones and Sally Forster also delivered stunning vocals and stage presence.

The Northern School of Musical Theatre students were equally impressive – showcasing star quality, confidence, and real promise for the future.

The evening supported two very special charities:

The Chloe & Liam Together Forever Trust, set up in memory of Chloe Rutherford (17) and Liam Curry (19), who tragically lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. The trust helps young people achieve their dreams in sport and performance.
The Sunday for Sammy Trust, which provides financial assistance and grants for up-and-coming performers in the North East.

It wouldn’t be fair to give this event a star rating – it was a night for charity, heart, and community spirit.

The sound and lighting were spot on, and everyone involved deserves huge credit. My only suggestion? Next time, have a few donation buckets in the foyer so the generosity can keep flowing!

Whitley Bay, some of you clearly slept on this one. Don’t miss out next time – when talent like this arrives on your doorstep, it deserves a full house.

MISCAST: MUSICAL THEATRE (but not as we know it) – PLAYHOUSE Whitely Bay