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