NEWS ROUNDUP: 16 - 22 June
- James Tradgett
- Jun 22
- 6 min read
Time once again to look back at the week that's just passed us by, to remind ourselves of what exciting stagey news has befallen us.
LES MISERABLES
Cast announced for the 40th anniversary performances
It has been revealed by Delfont Mackintosh and the Sondheim Theatre that, to celebrate the 40th birthday of the London production of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s epic musical “Les Miserables”, a special legacy cast will return for a limited eight week run. Returning to the cast will be Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Katie Hall as Fantine, Jac Yarrow as Marius, Shan Ako as Éponine, Jordan Shaw as Enjolras, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette, Adam Gillen as Thénardier and Marina Prior as Madame Thénardier.
Regular performer Ian McIntosh will also perform as Valjean for certain performances. This special cast will perform between the 8th of September and the 1st of November at the Sondheim Theatre, with the new full time cast, featuring the returning McIntosh and Sam Oladeinde as Valjean and Javert respectively, performing either side of this run; tickets for all performances can be purchased from the Delfont Mackintosh website.
FRIENDS: A MUSICAL PARODY
Full cast announced for UK premiere
Following the announcement of a UK premiere of the hit off-broadway parody musical, the full cast has now been revealed for this first British production. The cast will comprise Enzo Benvenuti (The Devil May Care) as Ross, Alicia Belgarde (Grease) as Monica, Daniel Parkinson (Jersey Boys) as Chandler, Eva Hope (Footloose) as Rachel, Ronnie Burden (Tony and Tina’s Wedding) as Joey, Amelia Atherton (Waitress) as Phoebe, and Edward Leigh (We Will Rock You) as Gunther, Tom Selleck and Paolo.
Completing the cast are Lottie Lester and Meg Darcy as female covers, and Jared Thompson and Harry Mallaghan as male covers. The production will be directed by Michael Gyngell (The Full Monty), and full tour dates can be found on the production’s website, with tickets now on sale.
SAVING MOZART
Full cast announced for UK premiere
Following the announcement of its run at the Other Palace, the full cast has now been revealed for the UK premiere production of the Charli Eglinton musical "Saving Mozart", with the line being led by Jack Chambers (Stiletto) who is set to play Mozart, with Aimee Atkinson (SIX) as Nannerl, Erin Caldwell (Heathers) as Constanze, Jordan Luke Gage (Titanique) as Salieri, and Douglas Hansell (North by Northwest) as Leopold. The cast will be completed by Sveva Bartolini, Harriette Benazir-White, Corey Mitchell and Alfie Simmons.
"Saving Mozart", directed by Markus Olzinger (The Woman in White), will have its premiere at the Other Palace on the 28th of July, and will run for a limited five weeks, closing on the 30th of August. The show was first released as a concept album in 2022, with the full staged musical premiering in Gmunden, Austria, earlier this year. More info about the production, as well as how to book tickets, can be foun on the Other Palace website.
THE WEIR
Full cast announced for west end transfer
The full cast for the upcoming west end revival production of Conor McPherson’s play “The Weir” has been revealed, previously announced Brendan Gleeson (The Walworth Farce) being joined by Owen McDonnell (Bad Sisters) as Brendan, Seán McGinley (The Brightening Air) as Jim, Kate Phillips (Wolf Hall) as Valerie, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Say Nothing) as Finbar.
The Weir first performed at London’s Royal Court Theatre in 1997, winning the Olivier for best new play, and later transferring to the Walter Kerr Theatre on broadway in 1999. This new production will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from the 11th of September until the 6th of December, with tickets now on sale from the ATG website, including £30 tickets for under 30s and blue light holders.
BARNUM
New UK tour announced
The circus is well and truly in style, as the Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble musical “Barnum” is set to tour the UK, with lead casting already announced. Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead (Wicked, Legally Blonde) will take on the title role of P. T. Barnum, with further casting and full creative team to be revealed at a later date.
Before Pasek & Paul wrote “The Greatest Showman”, Barnum was the foremost adaptation of the controversial circus leader’s life and times, first premiering 45 years ago on broadway, and last touring the UK in 2014. This tour will set off from Windsor, before playing Manchester, York, Brighton, Cardiff, Aylesbury and Birmingham, with further dates to be announced.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Final extension and closure announced
The west end production of the Olivier-winning Darren Clark and Jethro Compton musical “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has announced its final extension, and is set to close on the 11th of October. The show has been a beloved west end property since it opened in autumn of 2024, and its closing will come exactly a year, almost to the date, since it began performances.
It had its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse back in May 2019, with a subsequent run in 2023 with an expanded cast. The musical has since become a fan favourite, and won three Olivier awards including best new musical. It will play its final performance at the Ambassador’s Theatre on the 11th of October this year, and tickets for all performances up until then can be purchased on the ATG website. Time and tide wait for no-one, and everything has its time in the end, but the memories will endure.
MISS SAIGON
Full cast for UK and Ireland tour announced
The heat is on, and it’s time to meet the full cast for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Claude-Michelle Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s epic musical “Miss Saigon”. Leading the line will be Julianne Pundan (pro debut) as Kim, with Seann Miley Moore (RENT) returning to the role of The Engineer. Joining them are Jack Kane (Shortcut) as Chris, Dom Hartley-Harris (Bonnie & Clyde) as John, Emily Langham (Hello, Dolly!) as Ellen, Mikko Juan (Go! The Musical) as Thuy, and Ace (pro debut) as Gigi. Also featured will be Bea Ward (School of Rock) as Alternate Kim, and Aaron Teoh (But I’m a Cheerleader) as alternate for The Engineer.
Completing the cast are Jamil Abbasi, Aaron Aisoni, Daniel J Brian, Ann-Marie Craine, Ben Fenwick, Aaron Gonzales, Owen Johnston, Evita Khrime, Caleb Lagayan, Rayhan Lee, James Mateo-Salt, Shania Montevalde, Ryan Ocampo, Julius Sahr, Tonny Shim, Anh Koha Trần, Yiling Yang, Aimee Yue and Carmen Zhu. The tour will begin at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, before heading out around the UK and Ireland, with new additional dates also revealed today. You can find the full details on the official website for the production, and tickets are now on sale for all dates up to and including Nottingham.
BE MORE CHILL
Full cast revealed for Old Joint Stock production
They’re all invited to the party, meet the cast of the upcoming Old Joint Stock Theatre production of the Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz musical “Be More Chill”. They will be led by Tom Dickerson (Dear Evan Hansen) as Jeremy, alongside Maya Jade Frank (Next To Normal, LA) as Chloe, Jessica Lim (Shrek) as Jenna, Tommy Fouweather (I Am Harvey Milk) as Squip, Shannon Bourne (Becoming Nancy) as Christine, and Steven Rostance (The Play That Goes Wrong) as Mr Heere.
Also featured are emerging artists Jack Carr as Michael, John OG as Rich, Harry Chamberlain as Jake and Ailsa Erskine as Brooke, all making their professional debuts. This makes up a cast of 10, making this the largest cast ever for a production at the Old Joint Stock. Be More Chill will run from the 6th - 31st of August, with tickets now on sale from the venue's website.
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