Theatre News

Don’t burst this bubble! Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked: For Good, © Giles Keyte, Universal Studios Film adaptations of stage favourites have triumphed at the Golden Globes, as nominations have been revealed. Wicked: For Good, the second part of Jon M Chu’s screen adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, was released in November. You can read our review here. Based on the hit novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory M

The thriller hits UK stages next year! Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner, © Seamus Ryan The full cast has been confirmed for the world premiere stage production of Single White Female, which begins rehearsals this week ahead of a UK and Ireland tour from January 2026. The production is adapted from the 1992 Columbia Pictures film and the novel by John Lutz. Kym Marsh (Abigail’s Party) and Lisa Faulkner (Missing You) will lead the tour as Hedy and Allie. Faulkner returns to the stag

Great Scott! The West End company of Back to the Future the Musical, © Matt Crockett Back to the Future The Musical will close in the West End ahead of its first ever UK tour, opening in Bristol in October 2026. The production is based on the 1985 Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film Back to the Future, which starred Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. Written by Bob Gale, the stage adaptation features new music and lyrics by Emmy a

We’ve gone through to spot a load of them! Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande, © Universal Wicked: For Good is based on a much shorter second act of the Wicked stage musical, and as a result that means there has to be a heck of a lot more stuff added in to make sure that it functions on its own terms. With that in mind, we’ve run down some of the biggest changes that have taken place between Wicked on stage and Wicked on screen. This article has spoilers, so please, don’t scro

Live events attendees won’t see soaring prices on the secondary market An empty auditorium, photo by Ann H / Pexels The government is expected to move ahead with plans to ban the resale of tickets to live events for profit, in a move aimed at tackling touts and resale platforms that offer tickets at significantly above face value. According to widespread reports this morning, ministers are understood to be preparing an announcement that would set a legal limit on resale price

Robert Icke directs Shakespeare’s tragedy Noah Jupe and Sadie Sink, © Helen Murray Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe will lead a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the West End. Sink will make her West End debut, saying today that she had always dreamed of working in London and described the production as an “exciting challenge”. Jupe, who makes his stage debut, said theatre had always intrigued him and that the project was “an opportunity you simply cannot turn down”

The production continues to spook audiences across the nation Gary Lucy, Shvorne Marks, Natalie Casey and James Bye, headshots supplied by the production The full company for the 2026 UK tour of 2:22 – A Ghost Story has been revealed. James Bye will play Sam, with Natalie Casey as Lauren, Gary Lucy as Ben and Shvorne Marks as Jenny. Marks, who is currently appearing as Lauren on the ongoing tour, takes on a new role when the production returns next year. The tour, directed by

The hit play returns to the London stage Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff Maggie Siff will join Hugh Bonneville in the West End production of Shadowlands, William Nicholson’s play about the relationship between C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman. Based on real events, Shadowlands was originally written as a television drama by Nicholson, who later adapted it for the stage. The play won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play before transferring to Broadway, where it received a Tony

Mirren and McKellen were amongst those launching the Shakespeare Curriculum today Helen Mirren speaking at the event, This morning, the RSC and the Foyle Foundation launched the RSC Shakespeare Curriculum. A new and innovative endeavour allows teachers and students to access an online portal and see Shakespeare through an actor in a rehearsal room lens. It has been years in the making and is supported by key actors including Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren, and Adjoa Andoh. At tod

The hit show is back! The cast of Hercules, © Disney, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have added a final further stop to the ongoing UK tour of Inside No 9. The stage version of their award-winning television comedy played a successful season in London’s West End earlier this year, being described as “great, all-encompassing fun.“ Pemberton and Shearsmith will star in the show’s tour, which blends original material with familiar characters from the series. Similar to the

A new West End Muse! The cast of Hercules, © Disney, Disney Theatrical Group has announced that Hercules will extend its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane as it issues a casting update. The production features music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, and a new book by Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with co-choreography by Tanisha Scott, Hercules is based on the 1997 Walt Disney Studios animated film directed by John Musker a

The world premiere stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film begins performances next month Julian Ovenden and Miyuki Miyagi, provided uncredited by the production Complete casting has now been revealed for the upcoming world premiere play High Noon, adapted from the four-time Academy Award-winning 1952 film of the same name. Written by Oscar winner Eric Roth (Forrest Gump) and based on the original screenplay by Carl Foreman, the piece marks Roth’s debut work for the stage.

The odds are in her favour! Julian Ovenden and Miyuki Miyagi, provided uncredited by the production Welcome to our latest edition of “Getting To Know You”, citizens of Panem! We’ve dedicated this installment to a fresh face, making her professional stage debut in the coveted role of Katniss Everdeen in the world premiere production of The Hunger Games: Liverpool-born Mia Carragher. Find out all about the path that has led her to District 12 – including performing at the House

It follows an already released concept album Julian Ovenden and Miyuki Miyagi, provided uncredited by the production Exclusive: Additional names have joined the semi-staged world premiere concert of Jo – The Little Women Musical. Based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, the new musical reimagines Little Women through the eyes of Jo March – a fiercely creative young writer whose grief and ambition shape one of literature’s most enduring coming-of-age stories. The concert wi

But the show must go on! The Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, the current home of Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical, is set to undergo refurbishment works from February 2026 until early 2027. During this time, the venue will remain open, performing to two levels (instead of three) until completion. Chief executive Eleanor Lang said: “We are delighted to be continuing our work to ensure the Shaftesbury Theatre remains a beautiful theatre in the West End; a wonde

and getting in touch with her villainous side On Friday night for Halloween, there were no tricks at the West End production of Disney’s Hercules, just one big treat… The audience in attendance – many of whom came dressed as their favourite Disney villain – got to experience a never-before-seen third act of the show, featuring special guest star Susan Egan. You can watch that performance here. Officially inducted as a Disney Legend in 2024, Egan is perhaps best known for voic

Dancing through life… and into the ballroom! It’s almost Musicals Week on Strictly Come Dancing! Now, Strictly and musicals go hand in hand, not only because of the glitz and the glamour, the sets, the costumes, and the wigs, hair, and make-up! Over recent years, we’ve seen an increase in stage performers competing (WhatsOnStage Award winner Layton Williams got to the final a couple of years back, and Amber Davies is currently dancing with the same pro), and even Strictly pro

First look revealed- Marmalade Sandwiches at the ready ! The first images of Paddington and the team bringing him to the stage, have been revealed. The performers playing Paddington are James Hameed (Paddington off-stage performer and remote puppeteer) and Arti Shah (Paddington on-stage performer). Abbie Purvis and Ali Sarebani are the alternate Paddington on-stage performers. The team responsible for the bear includes Tahra Zafar (Paddington bear designer), Audrey Brisson (B

Who’ll be puttin’ on the ritz in Liverpool? Exclusive: Further casting has been announced for Hope Mill Theatre’s production of Young Frankenstein when it transfers to Liverpool Playhouse for a five-week Christmas season run. The production, currently running at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester with Ore Oduba in the lead role, continues there until 30 November. Adapted by Mel Brooks from his 1974 film, Young Frankenstein follows Frederick Frankenstein as he inherits his family

Long may it reign over UK and Ireland tour venues! New tour stops have been announced for the UK and international tour of Six. The award-winning show reimagines the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives as pop stars, blending historical heartbreak with modern empowerment in an 80-minute musical experience. It was released in cinemas earlier this year, with the original West End cast starring. The touring cast, detailed here, are backed by the show’s all-female band, the Ladies in