Fans of musical theatre and contemporary vocal mastery are in for a special treat. Sydnie Christmas, fresh off her acclaimed portrayal of Cruella De Vil in the West End, has joined forces with Ben Forster and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra for a stirring new rendition of “Tell Me It’s Not True” from Blood Brothers.
Released on 21 November 2025 via Westway Music, this collaboration has already made a profound impression on listeners, leaving many with goosebumps and some even moved to tears upon first hearing it.
The duet is featured on Forster’s latest studio album, Musicals Greatest Hits, which sees the West End star reimagining some of theatre’s most iconic songs. Though Forster has wowed audiences in Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and Elf The Musical, this album marks the first time many of his interpretations have been made available on record.
In “Tell Me It’s Not True,” the combination of Christmas’s emotive power and Forster’s seasoned vocals, backed by the sweeping grandeur of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, creates a moment that feels both intimate and cinematic.
The song immediately draws the listener into a powerful emotional plea through the carefully delivered lyrics:
“Tell me it’s not true Say it’s just a story Something on the news Tell me it’s not true Though it’s here before me Say it’s just a dream Say it’s just a scene from an old movie from years ago From an old movie of Marilyn Monroe’s”
The words carry significant weight, echoing themes of heartbreak, suspicion, and the desperate longing for the painful truth to be a mere fabrication. As the song progresses, the narrative unfolds with delicate emotional interplay, reminiscent of classic, deeply moving storytelling.
Musically, the song is beautifully layered. Forster’s arrangements make expert use of the orchestral landscape, building and releasing tension in a way that truly accentuates the emotional depth of the lyrics. The result is a rich, heartfelt performance that elevates a classic theatre number into something that resonates beyond the stage.
Sydnie Christmas: New Horizons
This release arrives during an exciting period for Christmas. Following her breakout success as Cruella De Vil, she has her sights set on another West End dream: stepping into the iconic role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Speaking to the Daily Star, she shared her hopeful mindset:
“A lot of my dream roles probably won’t come back on the West End… But something that I would really love to do is Cabaret, I would just love to try my hand at a Sally Bowles. I am always trying to feed the universe what I want—it’s the power of positive thinking.”
Christmas has also been focused on developing her songwriting skills, working on an album of original songs that promise to showcase a sound fans may find unexpected. “I’ve been writing songs since I was 14,” she explained. “It’s nice to approach songwriting as an adult and see what I have to say. And funny enough, I have a lot to say apparently, so it’s going good. It’s different to what people have heard from me… it’s definitely going to be different.”
Before potentially taking on Sally Bowles, Christmas is set to return to the West End stage in Don Black’s upcoming revue, From The Heart, where she will perform a selection of his celebrated catalogue. She shared with her followers:
“I can’t wait to sink my teeth into Don’s incredible work for his new show, coming to the West End’s Fortune Theatre next month. It’s going to be all systems go for this.”
A Collaboration Worth Listening To
Whether you are a devoted fan of musical theatre, appreciate grand orchestral arrangements, or simply enjoy moving vocal performances, “Tell Me It’s Not True” is a must-listen. Sydnie Christmas and Ben Forster’s seamless chemistry, combined with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra’s sweeping arrangements, transforms a classic duet into a truly unforgettable experience.
The track is available now on YouTube and across all major streaming platforms, alongside the full Musicals Greatest Hits album—a collection that promises to delight music enthusiasts and theatre lovers alike.
