NEWS ROUNDUP: 24 February - 2 March 2025

As we enter a new week, it's time again to look back at the big news in the world of theatre from the past 7 days.

CHOIR OF MAN - Full cast announced

The cast of Choir of Man (photo supplied by production)

The full cast for the west end return of Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay‘s “The Choir of Man” has been revealed. Returning to the cast are Rob Godfrey as Beast, Ifan Gwilym-Jones as Maestro, George Knapper as Handyman and Bradley Walwyn as Hardman, with David Shute and Tom Carter-Miles both returning as swings.

Joining the team in the jungle will be Jason Brock (Thriller Live) as Romantic, Benji Lord (Dreamboats and Petticoats: Bringing on Back The Good Times!) as Joker, David Booth (The Threepenny Opera) as Pub Bore, Paul McArthur (Tracks) as Poet, and Oliver Jacobson (Come From Away) as Barman, with Alex Mallalieu (As You Like It) and Toby Francis (High Fidelity) as swings.

After closing in December 2024, the show will reopen on the 12th of March, with an initial run until the 31st of August.

WORLD PREMIERE - Military Wives Musical

Artwork for Military Wives the Musical

It has been announced that Debbie Isitt’s new musical “Military Wives” will receive its world premiere at York Theatre Royal, in association with Everyman Theatre Cheltenham and Buxton Opera House. The show will have preview performances starting on the 10th of September, with official opening night on the 16th of September, and will run until the 27th of September.

The show will be based on the real life “Military Wives Choir”, and the subsequent film they inspired from 2019. This new musical will also be directed by the show’s writer Isitt, who also worked on the film Nativity! Further details, including casting and creatives, will be announced at a later date.

BRIDGE THEATRE - New season

Official artwork for A Midsummer Night's Dream and Into The Woods

Two major revivals have been announced by the Bridge Theatre for its 2025 season, with the return of Nicholas Hytner’s immersive staging of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” opening on the 31st of May following the closure of currently running “Richard II”. This staging is a return of the 2019 production, and will feature 400 standing audience members being fully immersed in the show, and will run until the 23rd of August.

Initial casting has also been announced, including JJ Feild (Ring Round the Moon) as Oberon/Theseus, Susannah Fielding (Merchant of Venice) as Titania/Hippolyta, Emmanuel Akwafo (As You Like It) as Bottom, and David Moorst (To Kill a Mockingbird) reprising his role as Puck/Philostrate.

Following this will be a major new staging of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical “Into The Woods”, which will run from the 2nd of December and play through to the 18th of April 2026 in a limited 20-week run. It will be directed by Jordan Fein, and designed by Tony winner Tom Schutt, marking a reunion between the two since they worked on Fiddler on the Roof together at Regent’s Park.

THE HUNGER GAMES - World Premiere

Official artwork for The Hunger Games On Stage

The official premiere date for the new staged production of Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” has been announced, opening in October 2025 at the new Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. This new adaptation is penned by playwright Conor McPherson (Girl from the North Country), and will be directed by Matthew Dunster (The Pillowman). Further details, including full casting and creative team, will be revealed at a later date.

THE PRODUCERS - West end transfer

Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin in The Producers (credit: Manuel Harlan)

It has been announced that the Menier Chocolate Factory production of Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” will transfer to the west end this autumn, following a critically acclaimed, sold out run. The show will play at the Garrick Theatre from the 30th of August, with an initial run until the 21st of February 2026. Priority booking will open on the 3rd of March, with general sale available from the 5th of March, including 18,304 tickets available for £25, the number itself a subtle nod to the show, referencing chicken feathers plucked by Franz Liebkind.

The show has also revealed initial casting, with Andy Nyman as Max Bialystock, Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom, Trevor Ashley as Roger de Bris, Raj Ghatak as Carmen Ghia, Harry Morrison as Franz Liebkind and Joanna Woodward as Ulla, all reprising their roles from the Menier production.