NEWS ROUNDUP: 27 October - 2 November
- James Tradgett
- Nov 2
- 6 min read
We're back, we've survived the spooky season, and made it to the heart of autumn, just so we can bring you a roundup of all the most exciting stagey news from the past week, and there have been some corkers...
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THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Run of sold out concerts to play in London
Moving too fast into London’s west end next spring will be Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler, in a staged concert production of Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years” produced by Lambert Jackson Productions, to celebrate 25 years since the musical first premiered in Chicago back in 2001. The two-hander has since become immensely popular, being staged all over the world, last performed in London four years ago, when it ran at the Garrick Theatre starring Oli Higginson and Molly Lynch.
Telling the story of a couple’s five year relationship, with the pair's respective timelines going in opposite directions, the musical will perform in the musical at the London Palladium from the 24th - 29th of March 2026, directed and conducted by the show’s composer Jason Robert Brown, with Platt and Zegler set to play Jamie and Cathy respectively. Tickets went on presale on the 30th of October, with general sale opening on the 31st, and the run is currently sold out, however keep your eyes on the LW website for returns.
I'M EVERY WOMAN
Full cast announced for Chaka Khan musical
The full cast for the upcoming premiere of “I’m Every Woman”, the Chaka Khan musical, has been revealed. The show had an initial workshop presentation at Mountview in November 2023, and will have its first full staging at the Peacock Theatre at Sadler’s Wells next spring.
Leading the cast will be Alexandra Burke (The Addams Family) as Chaka, Jordan Frazier (Hamilton) as alternate Chaka Khan, Paige Peddie (Oklahoma!) as Taka Boom, Chanice Alexander-Burnett (Les Miserables) as Tammy Michelle/Paulette McWilliams, Charlotte St Croix (Tina) as Milini Khan/Whitney Houston, Maryla Abraham (Coming To England) as Sandra Stevens, Chrissie Bhima (Hello, Dolly!) as Marie, Sophie Earl (Dear Santa) as Joni Mitchell, Duane-Lamonte O’Garro (The Lion King) as Hassan Khan/Luther Vandross, Miles Anthony Daley (Choir of Man) as Richard Holland/Prince, Teddy Wills (Get Up, Stand Up!) as Fred Hampton/Miles Davis/Grand Master Melle Mel, Chris Breistein (School of Rock) as Steve Winwood, and Oliver Jacobson (Come From Away) as Bob Monaco.
Completing the cast will be Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Kayleigh Stephenson, Peter Houston, Earl Gregory, Vanessa Dumatey, Gregory Armand, Harry Robinson, Zinzilé Tshuma, Oskarina O’Sullivan and Tarik Frimpong, who is also resident choreographer. “I’m Every Woman” will run at the Peacock Theatre from the 5th - 26th of March 2026, in a strictly limited run, with tickets now on sale from the Sadler’s Wells website.
THESPIANS
New musical by Mischief Comedy to premiere
Mischief Comedy are back with a new show, but for the first time it will be an all singing, all dancing extravaganza as they are set to premiere their first ever musical. Entitled “Thespians”, the show is set in the 6th century BCE on Greece’s smallest island, following a national prayer competition led by the country’s tyrannical leader, however everything changes when renowned Greek poet Thespis accidentally invents acting.
Written by Mischief’s own Jonathan Sayer, with music by the company’s musical director Ed Zanders, the musical is set to premiere at Colchester’s Mercury Theatre in May 2026, before embarking on a mini UK tour, performing in Bath, Swindon, Guildford, Cheltenham, Cardiff and Manchester. Full casting and creative team will be revealed at a later date, and you can find out more about the show, including tour dates and how to book tickets, via Mischief's website.
ROYAL COURT THEATRE
New season announced, including broadway transfer
The Royal Court Theatre have announced their new 70th anniversary season, part of which is to include the UK stage debut of Kimberly Belflower’s Drama Desk winning and Tony nominated play “John Proctor Is The Villain”. First workshopping in 2018, the play had its world premiere in Washington D.C. in 2022, and after a second regional tryout, it transferred to broadway earlier this year, starring Sadie Sink, Fina Strazza and Gabriel Ebert. Telling the story of a modern day group of high school students studying Arthur Miller’s classic play “The Crucible”, John Proctor Is The Villain is a revisionist take on the work, reimagining the events through the eyes of the young pupils, and relating it to relatable, often uncomfortable real world issues.
The season will also include the Gary Oldman fronted production of Samuel Beckett play “Krapp’s Last Tape”, in a transfer of the York Theatre Royal production from earlier this year. Directed by Oldman, who also acts in the production, the play will run from the 8th - 30th of May 2026, whilst "John Proctor is the Villain" will run from the 20th of March until the 25th of April 2026. Tickets for all shows are open now for supporters of the venue, and will go on general sale on the 4th of November. Other shows included in the new season are Tilda Swinton-led one woman show "Man To Man", new Luke Norris play "Guess How Much I Love You?", and Rajiv Joseph's play "Archduke" which currently runs off-broadway. Tickets go on general sale from the 4th of November, and you can find more information on the Royal Court website.
BALLAD LINES
Full cast announced for new folk musical
The cast for the upcoming London premiere of the Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo musical “Ballad Lines” has been revealed, leading the cast will be Frances McNamee (Big Fish) as Sarah, Rebecca Trehearn (Show Boat) as Betty, and Kirsty Findlay (Beautiful) as Cait. They are joined by Sydney Sainté (The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner) as Alix, Ally Kennard (The Creakers) as Jamie/Thomas/Ronan, Yna Tresvalles (Six) as Jean, Gracie Lai (Jersey Boys) as Morna/Ancestor, and Siân Louise Dowdalls (Diana: The Musical) as Shona/Ancestor.
The musical was first commissioned by the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2014, and received its world premiere in 2023 at the Macrobert Arts under the working title “Mother’s Sons"; a 12-track album of music from the show was released in September. The show runs at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from the 23rd of January to the 21st of March 2026, with more information, including how to book tickets, available from the production's website.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
Festive run announced for Liverpool Playhouse
It looks like Seymour and Audrey II are sticking around a little longer, as the Hope Mill Theatre staging of the cult Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical "Little Shop of Horrors" is set to transfer to the Liverpool Playhouse for a winter run next year. The production will first run at Hope Mill from the 25th of September until the 29th of November 2026 (tickets), before making the hop over to Merseyside, in a second Hope Mill production in as many years to perform outside of its home city of Manchester.
Already announced to direct and choreograph is Tony nominated "Six" choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, joining her on the creative team are set/costume designer Morgan Large, musical supervisor and arranger Paul Schofield, lighting designer Rory Beaton, sound designer Kelsh Buckman-Drage, and casting director Rob Kelly, with further creatives and casting to be revealed at a later date. Following its run in Manchester, the show will run in Liverpool from the 3rd of December 2026 until the 9th of January 2027, with tickets on sale from the Liverpool Playhouse website.
PADDINGTON
Details of team behind titular bear finally revealed
Well slap me with a marmalade sandwich and call me Aunt Lucy! The producers at "Paddington: The Musical" have finally revealed the team bringing the titular bear to life, with Paddington’s voice being provided by James Hameed (Be More Chill) and his on-stage portrayal being done by Arti Shah (Star Wars: Andor). Additionally the further team tasked with bringing him to life are Tahra Zafar (Paddington bear designer), Audrey Brisson (Bear physicality associate director), Phill Woodfine (remote puppetry coach), and Annabelle Davis (Paddington bear casting director).
With music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher (The Creakers) and a book by Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn), Paddington made his west end bow on the 1st of November at the Savoy Theatre, where he will remain until at least the 25th of October 2026. Full cast and creatives can be found via the production website and social pages, and further information, including how to book tickets, can be purchased via the ATG website.
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