QUEEN OF THE WEST END: Kerry Ellis Lights up the Vaudeville

When the work week is just revving up, Monday nights can feel like a dreary prospect. However, the brilliant folks at Westway Music have decided to inject a jolt of musical magic into that otherwise mundane slot. Their Monday-night Westway Sessions series has already carved out a niche for itself in London’s bustling theatre scene, promising intimate evenings with some of the West End’s most dazzling talents. On 21 April, it’s Ellis’s turn in the spotlight at the Vaudeville Theatre, and we can only guess how many show-tunes starved fans will be clamouring for a seat.

For context, these concerts have been a platform for the theatre industry’s biggest voices and personalities. It’s a chance for performers to reflect on their careers, share behind-the-scenes tales, and treat audiences to fresh takes on beloved numbers. With Ellis at the helm this time, and a show named QUEEN OF THE WEST END, it’s safe to assume we’ll be treated to regal vocals and stories fit for a theatrical monarchy.

An Icon at Work

If you’re even vaguely familiar with London theatre, you’ve likely encountered Kerry Ellis’ name alongside words like “legendary” or “iconic.” She has spent years carving out a space as a leading lady in some of the most demanding roles. She famously became the first British Elphaba in the West End production of WICKED, later reprising the role on Broadway—quite the feat for a performer known and loved on this side of the pond. Before that, she originated the role of Meat in WE WILL ROCK YOU, belting out Queen anthems in a manner so electrifying that even die-hard Freddie Mercury fans gave her a nod of approval.

Not content with simply rocking out, Ellis has also tackled timeless classics, from CATS (as Grizabella) to OLIVER! (as Nancy) and MY FAIR LADY (as Eliza Doolittle). Her versatility has always been her superpower: she can seamlessly segue from the rough-and-tumble streets of Dickensian London to the cosmic weirdness of a rock musical in a single season. And let’s not forget her more recent stints, including ANYTHING GOES at the Barbican and a run in the UK and Ireland tour of 101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL. In short, her performance CV reads like a highlight reel of British musical theatre. So, if you’re looking for reasons to see her in this upcoming one-night extravaganza, you’ve already got plenty.

A Set List Fit for Royalty

Of course, no concert is complete without a memorable playlist, and here, Ellis isn’t holding back. We’ve been given a sneak peek at some numbers she’ll be performing, and it’s an absolute treasure trove for show-tune aficionados. Among the promised delights:

• Kings and Queens, presumably referencing her newest solo recording of the same name, which has garnered attention for its passionate, theatrical flair.
• A medley combining On The Street Where You Live and I Could Have Danced All Night—two timeless gems from MY FAIR LADY that Ellis has embodied on stage. Hearing them side by side is bound to be goosebump-inducing, especially if you recall her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle.
• Crowd-pleasers like Tomorrow from ANNIE (though typically sung by a child, let’s not underestimate Ellis’s ability to make it her own) and I Dreamed a Dream from LES MISÉRABLES—a role she’s also tackled as Fantine.
• A Queen medley, reminding us of her rock credentials from WE WILL ROCK YOU and that unstoppable voice.
• Defying Gravity from WICKED, the spine-tingling anthem that perhaps first catapulted her to widespread stardom.
• A GREATEST SHOWMAN medley, because who doesn’t adore a bit of modern musical spectacle?
• And, intriguingly, The Way We Were, a bittersweet classic famously associated with Barbra Streisand—proving that Ellis’s repertoire stretches well beyond the West End.

To call this line-up varied would be an understatement. It’s like a curated journey through the musicals that shaped her, with a few heartfelt tributes to the legends who came before.

A Storied Career

While Ellis’s set list is certainly impressive, the real heart of the evening might lie in the stories she’s poised to share. The concert is named after her book, QUEEN OF THE WEST END, in which she opens up about her life in show business. From her first professional steps to the pinnacle of her career, the book offers a candid glimpse into her artistic evolution—triumphs, setbacks, and the simple joys of stepping onstage night after night.

What many fans might not know is that Ellis originated some roles before they became the stuff of West End lore—take Meat in WE WILL ROCK YOU, for instance. Or consider her time as Reno Sweeney in ANYTHING GOES, which saw her wield the brassy comedic role with a confidence that belied her prior association with more dramatic arcs. It’s precisely this chameleonic ability to slip into any character that has made her a darling of casting directors and audiences alike.

A Personal Passion for Performance

One angle that might surprise or enlighten readers is just how dedicated Ellis is to mentoring the next generation of performers. While her star power is undeniable, she’s often spoken about the importance of nurturing young talent. In interviews, she’s shared that part of the joy in doing concerts like QUEEN OF THE WEST END is the opportunity to inspire budding actors, singers, and dancers to chase their own West End dreams.

Beyond that, Ellis has been known to champion live theatre wherever she goes. During the enforced closures of venues in recent years, she was vocal about the need to keep the arts alive, whether through streamed performances or socially distanced shows. That passion has earned her admiration not just among theatre buffs but also among families for whom a night at the musical is a rare treat.

So, why does this one-night-only engagement matter in a season packed with star-studded revivals and high-concept new musicals? Because an evening with Kerry Ellis is more than a concert—it’s a full-on celebration of the West End’s beating heart. She’s walked the boards in roles both comedic and tragic, belting out anthems that have left entire auditoriums in awe. She’s soared as Elphaba, sashayed as Reno, and rocked out as Meat, all while maintaining a steadfast devotion to the craft of live performance.

At the Vaudeville Theatre on 21 April, we’ll glimpse the sum of her experiences: the comedic timing honed from Oliver!nights, the emotional heft gleaned from Les Mis, and the pop-rock edge sharpened by WE WILL ROCK YOU. It’s an evening that promises to be as reflective as it is rousing, bridging the gap between the gilded world of the West End and the eager audience who have always championed her.

And that’s perhaps the best note to end on—Ellis has built her career on forging connections, one performance at a time. Whether you’re a dyed-in-the-wool theatre devotee or a casual fan discovering her for the first time, QUEEN OF THE WEST END stands to be a night of show-stopping vocals and honest storytelling. Expect to laugh, reminisce, and maybe even tear up a bit as she reveals how each song has shaped her life and career. In a city that never lacks for musicals, it’s rare to find something this personal, this uplifting, and this glittering with theatrical royalty. If you’ve got the chance to go, don’t even think of missing it. After all, how often do you get to witness a queen reclaim her throne—just for one enchanting evening?