‘Let's Defy Gravity together’: Meet the Leeds show director bringing West End bangers to the dancefloor

Don't be concerned about being shushed or asked to sit back down in your seat either—in fact, belting out the lyrics to some of musical theatre’s most beloved anthems is encouraged, according to Musical Theatre Raves' Show Director and Leeds local, TJ Wright.

As he explains: "I’ve always been obsessed with three things: musicals, making people happy and being in a room where the energy is absolutely feral in the best possible way."

One of the creative forces behind the viral touring sensation, TJ has spent the last few years proving that theatre fans don't actually want to stay quiet, admitting that "the best thing about Musical Theatre is realising that theatre fans already know every lyric, every harmony, and in most cases, the choreography.

“So, why were we listening to these songs, sat down politely in rows?"

Born from TJ’s time working in the LGBTQ+ nightclub scene, the eureka moment came "the first time we dropped a big, unexpected musical theatre anthem in a club setting," leaving the entire room singing in unison to the ‘banger.’

"The thing is," TJ believes, "Musicals already are anthems. Most people just don't get to experience them enough outside of a theatre or Spotify. They just needed a dancefloor instead of a dress circle."

That realisation has turned Musical Theatre Raves into a touring powerhouse, proving that the distance between the West End and the warehouse rave scene is much shorter than people think.

For TJ, it’s about making the experience accessible. "Theatre is expensive and can sometimes be unattainable," he says. "We want to bring the theatre to a city near you, with a price point that's affordable for all."

A method to the musical madness

Don't be fooled by the glitter and the spontaneous sing-alongs; there is a genuine science to the setlist.

TJ treats an MTR night with the same precision as any top-tier club circuit set, focusing on BPM, keys, and the specific ‘vibe’ of the crowd.

"You can’t just play a bunch of musicals and hope for the best," TJ explains. "It’s actually a DJ set like any other 'Club Night'. We build waves of the biggest hits, movie musicals, Disney classics, and crowd-choreography tracks. We even look at who has dressed up and as what to determine where the energy needs to go next."

The night is punctuated by interactive moments, lip-sync battles, and those signature pop-up performances.

For TJ, the return to The Warehouse on June 13 is special. "Leeds is my hometown, and it never disappoints.

“The crowd here commits. They bring their 'main character energy', and they don’t stand at the back analysing - they’re honestly so into it."

The choice of venue is deliberate. The state-of-the-art lighting, CO2 blasters, and confetti cannons at The Warehouse provide a stark contrast to the traditional theatre experience.

"That contrast is what makes it magic," TJ says. "It’s stagey chaos in a full-throttle rave setting, and Leeds does it louder than anyone!"

If you’re on the fence, TJ has one track that sums up the entire experience: ‘Defying Gravity’ from Wicked.

"When that final riff hits and the lights go bright flashing green... that’s the moment people get it. There are people up poles; it’s magical, beautiful, and feral at the same time,” TJ promises.

“It’s more than just a song—it’s a relatable banger."

As the tour scales up with bigger production and potentially even a European stop, TJ’s mission remains the same: providing a massive, inclusive community for a new generation of theatre lovers.

His message to his Yorkshire family is simple: “Don’t just come. Commit. Dress up. Bring your theatrical friends. Learn the harmonies. And we'll see you in the room where it happens.”

Musical Theatre Raves arrives at The Warehouse in Leeds on June 13 from 9pm to 2:30am. Tickets are available through Eventbrite or the official Musical Theatre Raves website, starting at £8.77.