The Magic of the Musicals

The Magic of the Musicals was a UK concert series, produced by Flying Music, that regularly toured the UK in the 1990s and 2000s, initially starring Marti Webb and Mark Rattray with Mitch Sebastian, Paul Robinson, Lucie Florentine and Dawn Spence.

It was recorded for album release and television broadcast at the Bristol Hippodrome on 21 June 1992. The album, on CD and cassette, and VHS video was released on 28 September 1992.

The show first toured in spring 1991, but its popularity led to a further tour in early 1992 and another in the autumn of that year. It was subsequently repeated with different performers and songs, a number of times. Notably a 30 date tour of Canada and North America playing to sold out Arenas. The cast featured Marti Webb, Mark Rattray, Mitch Sebastian, Ian Mackenzie-Stewart, Alison Pollard and Linda Mae Brewer.

Mitch Sebastian was the director / choreographer from 1994 - 1998 creating new formats each season to reflect the current hit shows. Webb performed regularly on all UK and European Tours alongside Robert Meadmore, Wayne Sleep and Dave Willetts. Melanie Stace and Kerry Ellis also replaced Webb for various tours.

By 1991, Webb was established as one of the principal musical theatre performers in the UK. Rattray had won the 1990 series of the television talent show Opportunity Knocks with his performance of "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" from the musical Les Miserables.

Personnel

 * Producer - Pip Williams for Handle Artists
 * Associate Producer - Tom Button
 * Executive Producers - Paul Walden and Derek Nicol for The Flying Record Company
 * Live Recording Engineer - John Wilson
 * Post Production Engineer - Paul Golding
 * Assistant Engineers - Mark Tucker and James Collins
 * Original Stage Directors - Hugh Wooldridge and Richard Sampson
 * Choreographer - Richard Sampson
 * Replacement Director/Choreographer - Mitch Sebastian
 * Marti Webb's Manager - Don Black
 * Mark Rattray's Managers - Lindsey Brown and David Walker for Handle Artists
 * Album Coordination - Paul Walden and Lindsey Downs
 * Album Concept - Paul Walden and Derek Nicol
 * Logo Design - Dewynters
 * Liner Notes - John Martland

Musicians

 * Musical Director / Keyboards / Backing Vocals - Jae Alexander
 * Keyboards - Dominic Barlow
 * Electric and Acoustic Guitars - Graeme Taylor
 * Bass Guitar - Steve Richardson
 * Percussion - Keith Fairburn
 * Trumpets / Flugels - Avelia Moisey and Lance Kelly
 * Alto Sax / Flute / Clarinet - Nick Moss
 * Tenor Sax / Clarinet / Bass Clarinet - Jenny Tilley
 * Oboe / Cor Anglais - Deborah Boyes
 * Trombone / Bass trombone - Steve Wilkes
 * Drums - Sebastian Guard