NEWS ROUNDUP: 2 - 8 February
- James Tradgett
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Another week, another roundup of what news has been rocking the world of theatre, so here is your latest helping of juicy stagey gossip to go around.
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EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
Musical to tour in celebration of 10th anniversary
Following a world premiere in Sheffield, three year run in the west end, and two sold out UK and Ireland tours, the hit musical “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” is hitting the road once again to celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary. With music by Dan Gillespie, and book/lyrics by Tom MacRae, the musical tells of 16 year old Jamie New, an aspiring drag queen who finds it difficult to fit in at school, and his journey of self discovery, overcoming challenges, and becoming his most authentic self.
Directed by Jonathan Butterell, the tour will open at Leeds Grand Theatre on the 15th of January 2027, before heading to Chester, Sunderland, Sheffield, Manchester, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham, Aylesbury, Oxford, and Woking. Further tour dates, as well as casting, are to be announced at a later date, and you can find out more via the production’s website.
MISS SAIGON
Classic mudical to be revived in the west end
It has been revealed that, following its hugely successful UK tour, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s smash hit musical “Miss Saigon”, based on the Puccini opera "Madama Butterfly", is set to return to the west end next spring. It first premiered in 1989 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and revived in 2014 before touring the UK following its closure. The show currently has a tour ongoing throughout the UK, which continues to run until August of this year, concluding at Manchester's Palace Theatre.
Featuring timeless classics such as “Sun and Moon”, “Last Night Of The World”, “Movie In My Mind” and “The American Dream”, the show will open at the Prince Edward Theatre, the venue where it last ran in the west end, in May 2027, following the closure of "Beetlejuice". Tickets will go on sale in March, and you can sign up for priority tickets, as well as for further updates regarding exact dates and times, via the Delfont Mackintosh website.
JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN
Full cast announced for European premiere of Belflower play
The full cast of the upcoming UK premiere of Kimberly Belflower’s new play “John Proctor is the Villain” has been revealed. Featuring will be Lauryn Ajufo as Nell, Charlie Borg as Lee, Reece Braddock as Mason, Dónal Finn as Carter, Holly Howden Gilchrist as Beth, Clare Hughes as Ivy, Miya James as Raelynn, Molly McFadden as Bailey, and Sadie Soverall as Shelby; three of the cast are making their professional debuts in the production.
First premiering Washington DC in 2022, before opening on Broadway last year in a production led by Sadie Sink, Fina Strazza and Gabriel Ebert, the show will run at London’s Royal Court Theatre from the 20th of March until the 25th of April 2026. The whole run is currently sold out, however you can still apply for the venue's Monday £15 tickets, which go on sale at the beginning of every week at 9am. To find out more about the production, as well as about how £15 Mondays work, head on over to the Royal Court website.
SINATRA
Initial casting revealed for west end transfer
Initial casting has been revealed for the upcoming west end debut of “Sinatra: The Musical”, which had its world premiere at Birmingham Rep in 2023. Leading the line as Frank Sinatra will be Joel Harper-Jackson (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), who will be joined by Ana Villafañe (Damn Yankees!) as Ava Gardner, and Phoebe Panaretos (Silence! The Musical) as Nancy Sinatra. Further casting will be revealed at a later date.
The musical will open at the Aldwych Theatre on the 3rd of June, with press night on the 24th, and is currently booking until the 10th of April 2027. You can find out more about the production, as well as book tickets, through the Nederlander website.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Cast revealed for north west revival of cult classic musical
Casting for the upcoming north west revival of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s musical “Little Shop of Horrors” has been revealed. Taking on the role of Seymour will be Jed Berry (Back to the Future), with Audrey being played by Maisie Smith (The Talented Mr Ripley). Joining them will be Michael Starke (Sister Act) as Mr Mushtik, Benjamin Yates (Jersey Boys) as Orin, and Marcus Ayton (Lovestuck) as the voice of Audrey II. Completing the lineup will be Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid (& Juliet) as Crystal, Gabrielle Davina Smith (Matilda) as Ronnette, and Rio Maye (Grease) as Chiffon, with the ensemble made up of Ella Howlett, Joseph Peacock, Nathen Scott and Kai Cameron Jay. Smith will only perform the role of Audrey in Manchester, taking over the role in Liverpool will be Jessie Elland (101 Dalmatians).
Joining director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille on the creative team will be set/costume designer Morgan Large (Sister Act), musical supervisor and arranger Paul Schofield (Bat Boy), lighting designer Rory Beaton (For Black Boys…), sound designer Kelsh Buckman Drage (Hamilton), and casting director Rob Kelly (Hadestown). The show will run at Hope Mill Theatre from the 25th of September until the 29th of November, before a festive run at Liverpool Playhouse, opening on the 3rd of December, and running until the 9th of January 2027. Tickets for both venues are on sale now, you can book here for Manchester, and here for Liverpool!
THE JONATHAN LARSON PROJECT
Full cast announced for European premiere of revue
The cast for the upcoming European premiere of “The Jonathan Larson Project”, to open in London this summer, has been revealed. The cast will feature Max Harwood (The Lightning Thief), Marcus Collins (Mrs Doubtfire), Michael Mather (Burlesque), Grace Mouat (Mean Girls) and Imelda Warren-Green (Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder). The revue, which features a host of previously unheard songs from the "RENT" and "Tick, Tick...Boom!" composer’s back catalogue, was conceived by renowned broadway producer Jennifer Ashley Tepper (Be More Chill), and will be directed by John Simpkins (Bloodsong of Love).
The show originally ran at the Orpheum Theatre off-broadway, in a production featuring a cast of Adam Chanler-Berat, Taylor Iman Jones, Lauren Marcus, Andy Mientus and Jason Tam. Commemorating 30 years since Jonathan Larson's untimely passing at the age of 35, the revue will run at Southwark Playhouse Borough from the 9th of July until the 22nd of August, with tickets on sale from the Southwark Playhouse website.
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN
Cast announced for Curve revival of Kander & Ebb musical
The full cast for the upcoming revival of John Kander and Fred Ebb musical "Kiss of the Spider Woman" has been revealed. joining previously announced George Blagden as Valentin and Anna-Jane Casey as Aurora will be Fabian Soto Pacheco (Dear Evan Hansen) as Molina, who joins the cast following the withdrawal of Layton Williams. Also featured are Gabriela Garcia (A Streetcar Named Desire) as Marta, Tori Scott (Freaky Friday) as Molina’s Mother, Jay Rincon (Annie Get Your Gun) as the Warden, and Damian Buhagiar (Sister Act) as the Guard. Completing the cast are ensemble members Jess Buckby, Alex Pinder and Davide Fienauri.
"Kiss of the Spider Woman" is co-produced by Leicester Curve, Bristol Old Vic and Southampton Mayflower, and will be performing at all three venues later this year. It will first run at the Curve's studion from the 3rd to the 25th of April, in Bristol from the 29th of April to the 16th of May, and at Mayflower studios from the 2nd to the 6th of June. Head on over to the Leicester Curve website for more information.
PUNCH
Full cast announced for mini-UK tour of Graham play
Ahead of its return to Nottingham next month, the first of a three-stop mini tour of the UK, the cast for James Graham's newest play "Punch" has been revealed. Featured will be Elan Butler (Cliffs) as Raf / Sam, Matthew Flynn (The Winter's Tale) as David / Tony / Derek, Grace Hodgett-Young (Hadestown) as Clare / Nicola, Jack James Ryan (Sing Street) as Jacob, Laura Tebbutt (Mrs Doubtfire) as Jacob’s mum / Wendy, and Finty Williams (Here & Now) as Joan / Nan. The show, based on the book "Right from Wrong" by Jacob Dunne, originally played at the Nottingham Playhouse, before transferring to the west end, and subsequently to broadway.
"Punch" will return to the Nottingham Playhouse from the 13th of March, and run until the 4th of April, prior to runs at Leeds Playhouse from the 7th to the 11th of April, and Plymouth Theatre Royal from the 14th to the 18th of April. You can find out more, including how to book tickets, and about access performances across all three venues, via the official Punch website.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Familiar face returns to role of Christine Daaé
It has been revealed that Beatrice Penny-Touré (Les Miserables) is set to take on the role of Christine Daaé in the west end production of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe “Phantom of the Opera”, a role she previously covered in her early career. This comes off the back of appearing in "Les Miserables" at the Sondheim Theatre during its 40th anniversary celebration run. She takes over from the departing Lily Kerhoas, who plays her final performance as Christine on the 28th of February.
"Phantom itself is set to celebrate 40 years in the west end this year, having first opened in October 1986 at Her (His) Majesty’s Theatre. Joining a cast fronted by Dean Chisnall as the Phantom, Adam Rhys Charles as Raoul, and Joanna Ampil as Carlotta among others, Penny-Touré begins performances on the 3rd of March for a limited ten week run, departing on the 9th of May. You can find out more about the production, including the full cast, as well as how to book tickets, via the official Phantom of the Opera website.
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