The best way to relive a musical you saw and loved is with an official cast recording. And if it’s with the cast you’ve just seen it can be even more magical. Sadly cast recordings are expensive to produce for shows that have limited runs and long-running shows will seldom make new ones. However with another announcement of a new cast recording fans have been clamoring for. I’ve rounded up some of the most exciting cast recordings from the West End in the last year.

Next to Normal

Next To Normal was only in the West end for 3 months yet has had a huge lasting effect on audiences and the industry. The pro-shot was recently released on PBS in America and has sparked a huge wave of love for this production. Subsequently it was announced that the official West End cast recording will be out May 30th 2025. It will star Caissie Levy in the lead role of Diane, Jack Wolfe as Gabe, Jamie Parker as Dan, Eleanor Worthington-cox as Natalie, Trevor Dion Nicholas as Dr and Jack as Henry

Next to Normal was first played in Broadway back in 2009 led By Alice Ripley and had a remastered cast recording put out last year. However due to the changes to the script, staging and casting a cast recording was very much in demand. As the new cast had a very different take on the characters and therefore the songs. For example Aaron Tveit played Gabe as a vengeful spirit intent on causing havoc in his families lives. Whereas Jack Wolfe’s take was more of a lost golden boy who just wanted his families love and acknowledgment. This greatly influenced how many of the songs sounded and now more people will be able to enjoy this new take.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Following their well-deserved Olivier Win for Best New Musical, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button got a full cast recording. The album recorded live at the Ambassadors Theatre. Darren Clark said they wanted to have a live recording there “surrounded by old storm lanterns and weathered harbourside timbers, with everyone playing and singing together”. Therefore they could capture the feeling that making music together brings. This seems to be a common sentiment regarding live albums as it’s the closest you can come to to preserving the energy of a live show.

The recording features all original West End cast members starring John Dagleish as Benjamin Button and Clare Foster as ELowen Keene.

Just For One Day

Another hugely anticipated release is the Just For One Day cast recording set to release on the 11 July 2025. The Live Aid musical recently transferred to the West End following a successful run at the Old Vic. Before the West End run started they hosted a special press event at Wembley Stadium. Jo Whiley then revealed the original cast recording is on it’s way. This jukevox musical features songs from David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Elton John and Queen to name a few. This is exciting news as the msucial remixed and created fun medleys which made even old classics feel new and different.

The original cast includes Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, James Hameed, Naomi Katiyo, Hope Kenna, Emily Ooi, Rhys Wilkinson, Jason Battersby, Cassiopeia Berkeley-Agyepong, Olly Dobson, Kerry Enright, Jo Foster, Collette Guitart, Eddie Mann, AJ Lewis, Rachel Moran, Jack Shalloo etc.

Hadestown

A recent drop was the Hadestown Cast recording featuring Live From London on Dec 6th 2024. This was announced back in August 2024 when Donal Finn and Grace Hodgett-Young had their final show. Turns out the final show was what was recorded for this Live Album. Hadestown has already had a few cast albums which is quite rare for a successful show. But with the nature of the show and how each iteration there are tweaks to the lyrics and nuances it makes sense to have each stage memorialized.

The West Cast production was also hugely praised for encouraging actors to use their own accents in the role. With the particularly striking Trinidadian Hermes played expertly by Melanie La Barrie who won a Whatsonstage award for the role. This direction means every cast change and swing performance changes the show in ways you cant expect. This adds to the re-watchability of Hadestown as fans go see them “sing it again.” Fans were disappointed when it was announced to only be a highlights album. Notable numbers missed were Flowers, Our Lady of the Underground and Doubt Comes In. Hopefully given the whole show was recorded there is a chance for a extended version in the future! In the meantime book your tickets here to watch the amazing new 2025 cast in action.

Starlight Express

A final honorable mention of a newish cast recording is the starlight express cast album that dropped November 8th 2024. This Andrew Lloyd Webber classic is about a child’s train set that comes to life. They then competes to see who can become the fastest engine in the world. The show is infamously performed on roller skates in the Wembley Troubadour theatre. The cast album also featured Hydrogen, the new track added to this revival. Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement: “Starlight Express’ return to London has been an absolute joy for me. I knew immediately that we needed a cast album to capture this brilliant show.”

Book now on theatrebookings to see these shows in person before reliving the magic with their official cast recording!

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