NEWS ROUNDUP: 20 - 26 October
- James Tradgett
- Oct 26
- 5 min read
The clocks have gone back, and that's our cue to go back...back in time to revisit all of the biggest theatre news of the week (see what I did there?)
-----
INTER ALIA
West End transfer announced, Rosamund Pike to return
Following a massively successful run at the National Theatre, Suzie Miller’s play “Inter Alia” is set to transfer to the west end next spring, with lead performer Rosamund Pike to reprise her lead role. Originally opening in July this year, and running until September, Inter Alia is brought to the stage by the same team behind "Prima Facie", telling the story of London Crown Court judge Jessica Parks, struggling to balance her demanding career with her personal life as a wife and mother.
The play will run at Wyndham’s Theatre from the 10th of July until the 13th of September 2026, in a strictly limited run. Booking opened for DMT members on Monday, with general sale opening on Friday, and tickets can be booked from the Delfont Mackintosh website.
CABLE STREET
Full cast announced for third London return
The full cast for the third London run of Tim Gilvin and Alex Kanefsky‘s critically acclaimed musical “Cable Street” has been revealed. Returning to the cast will be Debbie Chazen (Calendar Girls) as Kathleen, Ethan Pascal Peters (The Showstoppers) as Moishe, Max Alexander-Taylor (Stages) as Sean, Aoife Mac Namara (Grainne Uaile) as Orlaith and Jez Unwin (Amélie) as Yitzhak and Steve. Joining them will be newcomers Izzy-Rose Esin-Kelly as Mairead, Isaac Gryn as Sammy, Barney Wilkinson (Bonnie & Clyde) as Ron, Preeya Kalidas as Edie/Elizabeth and Romona Lewis-Malley as Rosa.
Completing the cast as ensemble are Michali Dantes, Annie Majin and Natalie Elisha Welsh. “Cable Street” will run at the Marylebone Theatre from the 16th of January until the 28th of February, with tickets now on sale from the venue's own website.
FREAKY FRIDAY
Initial cast revealed for Manchester world premiere
The first casting for the upcoming premiere of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s latest collaboration “Freaky Friday” has been revealed. The new stage adaptation of the classic Lindsey Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis is set to run at HOME Manchester over the festive period, presented by Paul Taylor-Mills, and directed by Andy Fickman. Playing the role of Katherine will be Rebecca Lock (Here & Now), while her daughter Ellie is to be played by Jena Pandya (Come Fall In Love).
Also featuring will be Ian Virgo (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Mike, Samantha Ho (Cabaret) as Gretchen, Beth Savill (Hamlet) as Hannah, Jessica Butterworth as Savannah, Ellie Gilbert-Grey as Laurel, Max Mirza (Clueless) as Adam, Morgan Gregory (The Lightning Thief) as Parker, Dylan Gordon-Jones (Back To The Future) as Wells, Waylon Jacobs (Hamilton) as Dr Ehrin, Tori Scott (The Cher Show) as Torrey, Katharine Pearson (Heathers) as Danielle, James Stirling (The Three Musketeers) as Grampa Jo, and Catherine Millsom (Sister Act) as Grandma Helene. Further casting will be revealed at a later date, and tickets can now be purchased from the HOME website.
IVANOV
Chris Pine to make London stage debut at Bridge Theatre
It has been revealed that the star of Star Trek and Into The Woods Chris Pine is set to make his London stage debut next year, in the Anton Chekhov play "Ivanov". Pine was last seen on stage professionally 15 years ago, in a production of "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The creative team will reunite the team behind "The Lady From The Sea", with Lizzie Clachan returning to design, Mel Page designing costumes, Stefan Gregory acting as composer and sound designer, Nick Schlieper taking control of lightning, and casting direction by Jessica Ronane; further casting for this production will be revealed at a later date.
Telling the story of Nikolai Ivanov, a man whose seemingly perfect life is marred by a sense of detachment, with everything from his marriage to his finances fading to dust, "Ivanov" will run at the Bridge Theatre from the 4th of July until the 19th of September 2026, with a press night on the 14th of July. You can find out more about the production, as well as book tickets, through the Bridge Theatre website.
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
London production to release cast album
The original London cast of the Rob Rokicki and Joe Tracz musical “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical” are set to release a full cast album later this year; the show ran at the Other Palace from the 23rd of November 2024 until the 15th of June 2025, in spite of a projected closing date in late August. The cast on the album includes Max Harwood as Percy, Scott Folan as Grover, Jessica Lee as Annabeth, Paisley Billings as Sally, Greg Barnett as Mr Brunner/Poseidon/Hades, Joe Allen as Mr D/Gabe, Samantha Mbolekwa as Clarisse, and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Luke/Ares, with Philip Catchpole, Morgan Gregory, Charlotte O’Rourke and Alex Waxman completing the cast.
A UK touring production is currently running, having opened in Windsor during the summer, and currently set to run into spring 2026, but with further dates to be announced further down the line. The album can be pre-saved today for digital release on the 7th of November, and physical CD release on the 5th of December, which can be done via The Orchard website.
SYLVIA
Musical to return next year with UK tour
It has been announced that the Olivier-winning musical “Sylvia”, with music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, lyrics by Kate Prince, and a book by Prince and Proya Palmer, is set to embark on a limited UK tour ahead of a series of performances at the Royal Albert Hall; Beverley Knight (Sister Act) and Sharon Rose (Hamilton) will reprise their respective roles as Emmeline and Sylvia Pankhurst. The musical had its full world premiere at the Old Vic in early 2023, and was nominated for three Olivier awards, winning for best actress in a supporting role for Knight.
This returning production will begin performances at Leicester Curve in September 2026, before going on to Birmingham, Edinburgh, Salford, Norwich and Marlowe, finishing with five shows in London in November 2026. Ticket sales will open to the general public from the 31st of October, and you can sign up now for London presale for members at the venue's website.
THE KARATE KID
Musical adaptation of classic film to have UK premiere
The musical adaptation of the 1984 Ralph Macchio classic film “The Karate Kid” is set to have its UK premiere next year, opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre in spring 2026 before embarking on a tour, with initial dates having been announced; after its run in Wimbledon, the show will travel to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff.
The musical, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini (We Aren't Kids Anymore), and a book by the film’s original writer Robert Mark Kamen, had its world premiere in St Louis in 2022, and the producers have their sights on the west end and broadway further down the line. Further details, including casting, will be revealed at a later date, and tickets are now on sale for all venues except Leeds and Cardiff from the production's website.
Comments