West End stars join BBC Proms concert celebrating Alan Menken’s Disney scores
A star-studded line-up of West End performers will come together at the Royal Albert Hall for a BBC Proms concert dedicated to the music of Alan Menken. Featuring classic songs from beloved Disney films, the event highlights Menken’s enduring impact on musical theatre and film.
Enchanted: Alan Menken’s Music for Disney takes place on Monday 31 August at 7pm, with performances by West End talents including Sam Oladeinde, Marisha Wallace, and Lucie Jones. The concert will be accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and the National Youth Music Theatre, conducted by Sarah Hicks and stage directed by Rupert Hands.
The programme showcases songs from Menken’s iconic scores for films such as Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Pocahontas, Hercules, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tangled, as well as Enchanted and Newsies. Among the pieces featured are “Be Our Guest,” “Part of Your World,” “Friend Like Me,” “Colors of the Wind,” and “A Whole New World.”
Other performers joining the line-up include Stewart Clarke, Ben Forster, and Celinde Schoenmaker, rounding out a diverse and accomplished cast. The event promises to bring Menken’s celebrated compositions to life with the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall as its backdrop.
The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds, with a televised airing on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer scheduled for Saturday 5 September at 5.30pm. Tickets for in-person attendance are priced at £8 and will be available from 9.30am on the day of the concert via the BBC Proms and Royal Albert Hall websites.
This celebration of Alan Menken’s work arrives amid ongoing interest in his uniquely rich contributions to both stage and screen musicals. The collaboration with the National Youth Music Theatre also highlights a commitment to nurturing young talent alongside established stars.
Enchanted: Alan Menken’s Music for Disney illustrates how the musical scores that have shaped generations continue to resonate widely, with the Proms offering a rare occasion to experience these songs within a prestigious orchestral setting.
