NEWS ROUNDUP: 28 July - 3 August
- James Tradgett
- Aug 4
- 6 min read
It's that time of year when we enter the much anticipated Edinburgh Fringe, with the majority of August, and its conversation, taken up by the world's biggest arts festival, so let's have a look back at what has been happening in the world of theatre in the meantime.
THE PRODUCERS
Full cast announced for west end revival
Look out London, here they come! The full cast for the west end transfer of Mel Brooks’ musical “The Producers” has been revealed, reprising their roles from Menier Chocolate Factory will be 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, Joanna Woodward as Ulla, Alex Lodge as Storm Trooper, and Kelsie-Rae Marshall as Hold-Me-Touch-Me.
The cast is completed by Megan Armstrong, Olly Christopher, Gabrielle Cocca, Nolan Edwards, Michael Franks, Matt Gillett, Esme Kennedy, Sinead Kenny, Josh Kiernan, Kate Parr, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Pierce Rogan, Hollie Jane Stephens, Jermaine Woods and Ryan Pidgen (standby Max). The Producers will open at the Garrick Theatre on the 30th of August, with an initial run until the 21st of February, and tickets are oon sale from the Nimax website.
THE HUNGER GAMES ON STAGE
Initial casting announced for world premiere
She volunteers as tribute! The upcoming immersive production of “The Hunger Games” has found its Katniss Everdeen, and she will be played by Mia Carragher (The Gathering). Joining her will be Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, and Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy. It is the first ever stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ iconic novel series, adapted to the stage by Conor McPherson (Girl From The North Country), and will be directed by Matthew Dunster (Shirley Valentine).
The Hunger Games will be the first production to perform at the brand new Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, opening on the 20th of October, and tickets are now on sale. More info about the production, as well as how to book tickets, can be found on the official production website.
MATILDA: THE MUSICAL
Full cast announced for UK tour
They’re a little bit naughty, and they’re heading out on tour! Here is your cast for the upcoming UK & Ireland Tour of Tim Minchin’s musical “Matilda”, based on the beloved Roald Dahl children’s book of the same name. Leading the line will be Richard Hurst (The Lion King) as Miss Trunchbull, Tessa Kadler (Les Miserables) as Miss Honey, Adam Stafford (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Mr Wormwood and Rebecca Thornhill (Girl from the North Country) as Mrs Wormwood. Sharing the title role of Matilda will be Madison Davis, Mollie Hutton, Olivia Ironmonger and Sanna Kurihara.
Completing the adult cast are Scotty Armstrong, Sam Holden, Portia Jefferies, Caiomhe Judd, Brooke Kelly, Ryan Lay, Cassandra Lee, Samuel Leon, Jordan Maisuria-Wake, Nicole Manumbre, Lizzie Nance, Esther Niles, Jordan Ricketts, Josh Singleton, Bradley Trevethan, Ella Tweed, Ben Tyler and Karen Walker.
The young company is completed by Rudy Bragg, Jacob Connor-Ashton, Charlie Cox, Sylvie Grace, Rose Jammeh, Dottie Jones, Takunda Khumalo, Sana Lennon, Oisin-Luca Pegg, Millie-May Mankowska, Tate Masuku, Leo Maurice, Carter-J Murphy, Jaxon James Nolan, Cole Nicholson, Pixie Pettigrew, Brodie Robson, Haiden Sihapanya and Felix Schmitt. Matilda will kick off performances at Leicester Curve on the 6th of October before touring throughout 2026 and into 2027. Full details, including dates, venues and ticket sales, can be found on the production's official website.
EUREKA DAY
Initial casting revealed for UK regional premiere
It has been revealed that, following the announcement of a UK regional premiere of Jonathan Spector’s play “Eureka Day”, which recently won the Tony award for best revival of a play on broadway, Jenna Russell (Hello, Dolly!) is set to star as Suzanne, with further casting for the show to be revealed at a later date; further information, and ticket sales, can be found on the Nottingham Playhouse website.
Eureka Day first premiered in Berkeley, California in 2018, subsequent running off-broadway and then in London, playing at the Old Vic in autumn of 2022. Following a successful broadway run that opened last year starring Jessica Hecht and Amber Gray, it is now set to perform at the Nottingham Playhouse later this year, in a limited three week run commencing on the 25th of October, and closing on the 15th of November.
MOOMINVALLEY IN NOVEMBER
New musical to premiere in London
A new musical based on Tove Jansson’s beloved series “The Moonins” is set to open off-west end this autumn; with a book, music and lyrics by Swedish writer and composer Hans Jacob Hoeglund, the musical will be an adaptation of Jansson’s final Moomin story called “Moominvalley in November”, telling the tale of six strangers arriving in the titular town, but notice an inexplicable absence of Moomins, so pass the time by sharing stories and bonding with each other.
The new musical will be the first fully staged work of Hoeglund, after an initial version was previously shortlisted for the Mercury Musical Developments BEAM 2025 showcase. It will play Upstairs at the Gatehouse from the 23rd of October until the 16th of November, with tickets now on sale from the venue’s website.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
Further casting revealed for west end transfer
Further casting for the west end transfer of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest” has been revealed, with previously announced Olly Alexander being joined by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (The History Boys) as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis (The Messiah) as Rev Canon Chasuble, Shobna Gulati (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) as Miss Prism, Kitty Hawthorne (Kerry Jackson) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst (Cyrano) as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael (Richard III) as Merriman/Lane, and Stephen Fry (Twelfth Night) as Lady Bracknell.
Following a sold-out, critically acclaimed run at the National Theatre, the Oscar Wilde classic will run at the Noël Coward Theatre from the 18th of September until the 10th of January 2026. The remaining cast will be revealed at a later date, and tickets are now on sale for all performances from the Delfont Mackintosh website.
THE BFG
Lead casting announced for world premiere
Following its initial announcement earlier this year, the upcoming musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel "The BFG", as produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company, has found its lead, with the titular Big Friendly Giant to be played by RSC alumnus John Leader (War Horse), who will be a part of a 17-strong ensemble cast. The musical, which tells the story of Sophie and her chance encounter with the eponymous 24-foot tall amicable man mountain, is set to have its world premiere at the RSC Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon this autumn, followed by a subsequent run at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
The musical is part of the latest RSC season, which included Much Ado About Nothing, Hamlet Hail To The Thief, and the upcoming UK premiere of Pulitzer winning play "Fat Ham" by James Ijames. The BFG will play in Stratford from the 25th of November 2025 until the 31st of January 2026, with the run in Chichester starting on the 16th of March and concluding on the 12th of April 2026. You can book tickets for Stratford here, and for Chichester here.
THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME
Full cast announced for staged concerts
The full cast for the upcoming staged concerts of Alan Menken’s musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” has been revealed, with Ben Joyce (Back To The Future) to star as Quasimodo, alongside Zachary James (Hadestown) as Claude Frollo, Christine Allado (Hamilton) as Esmeralda, Dex Lee (Moulin Rouge) as Captain Phoebus, and Adam Strong (Aladdin) as Clopin. The role of Quasimodo will also be BSL interpreted on stage by dancer and performer Oliver Hewing.
Completing the cast will be ensemble members Lois Mia Chapman, Davide Fienauri, Caleb Lagayan, Emma Lloyd, Anna Marya Smith, Fanja Parent, and Aaron Rahn, as well as a 20-piece choir from the London Voices and a 20-piece orchestra conducted by musical director Alan Williams. The concerts will play at the Prince Edward Theatre on the 17th of August at 3pm and 7:30pm, as well as on the 24th of August at 6pm. There are still tickets left for the final performance on the 24th, which can be purchased through the Delfont Mackintosh website.
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