NEWS ROUNDUP: 5 - 11 May
- James Tradgett
- May 12
- 5 min read
Another quiet week, but that doesn't mean there hasn't been plenty to keep us engaged on the news front, here are this week's top picks for the biggest stagey stories.
STEREOPHONIC
New promo photos of the cast released
In the leadup to its London premiere in a couple of weeks, the producers of David Adjmi's play "Stereophonic" have released the first images of the cast in full costume, in the show's first major new promotional pictures. The principal cast comprises original broadway members Andrew R. Butler as Charlie, Eli Gelb as Grover and Chris Stack as Simon, alongside Zachary Hart as Reg, Lucy Karczewski as Diana, Jack Riddiford as Peter, and Nia Towle as Holly.
Stereophonic begins performances at the Duke of York's Theatre on the 24th of May, after having originally premiered at Playwrights Horizons off-broadway before transferring to the John Golden Theatre on broadway, where it ran from the 2nd of April 2024 until the 12th of January 2025. It became the most nominated play in Tony Awards history, and with 5 awards, including best play, was the most successful production of the season. More info, including how to book, can be found on the Stereophonic website.
EVERY BRILLIANT THING
West End premier announced for one-person play
It has been announced that hugely popular one-person play “Every Brilliant Thing” will open in the west end this summer, with an all-star lineup set to appear. The first four weeks will feature Lenny Henry (Comedy of Errors), appearing in all shows during the first week, before splitting the following three weeks with the show’s co-creator and original performer Jonny Donahoe.
The second month will feature both Ambika Mod (White Rabbit, Red Rabbit) and Sue Perkins (west end debut), splitting the performances between them during the latter half of the run. “Every Brilliant Thing” will run at @sohoplace from the 1st of August until the 27th of September, with tickets now on sale from the Nimax website.
OTHELLO
Major west end revival announced starring David Harewood
A major revival of Shakespeare’s thrilling tragedy “Othello” is set to open in the west end this autumn, starring David Harewood (Best of Enemies) in the title role, a part he originally played in 1997 at the National Theatre, becoming the first black man to play Othello. Joining him will be Toby Jones (Uncle Vanya) as Iago, and Caitlin FitzGerald (The Crucible) as Desdemona.
Tom Morris will direct this modern staging, which will be the first in a series of contemporary Shakespeare stagings to be played over the next five years in the west end. Othello will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from the 23rd of October, running until the 17th of January 2026 in a strictly limited run. Further details, including full casting, will be revealed at a later date, and tickets can now be purchased from the Theatre Royal Haymarket website.
13 GOING ON 30
Jennifer Garner to join the creative team
It has been announced that Jennifer Garner, original cast member from the 2004 film, is set to join the team for the world premiere production of the "13 Going On 30" stage musical as a producer. Garner played opposite Mark Ruffalo in the much loved '00s classic movie, and now returns into the fold after 21 years, along with both of the original screenwriters Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa who have written the book for the musical, alongside music and lyric writers Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary.
13 Going On 30 will premiere at the Manchester Opera House on the 21st of September, and run for three weeks until the 12th of October, with tickets for all performances now on sale from the ATG website.
OPERATION MINCEMEAT
New cast announced for third year in London
Producers for the west end production of SpitLip's "Operation Mincemeat" have revealed who will be joining the cast at the Fortune Theatre, following the departure of outgoing principals Christian Andrew, Sean Carey and Holly Sumpton, and understudies Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Jonty Peach. Joining the cast will be Roshani Abbey (Hamilton) as Jean Leslie & others, Danny Becker (If/Then) as Hester Leggatt & others, Peter McGovern (The History Boys) as Charles Cholmondeley & others, and Alex Young (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) as Ewen Montagu & others. Jason Kajdi also joins the company as an understudy for Hester.
Completing the principal lineup is Chloe Hart, who remains as Johnny Bevan & others, whilst Madeleine Jackson-Smith will cover the roles of Jean and Ewen. Also remaining are Geri Allen as alternate Bevan, and George Jennings as cover Charles. Operation Mincemeat currently runs at the Fortune Theatre in London, book tickets now from the Operation Mincemeat website.
THE BODYGUARD
Cast announced for new international touring production
The principal casting has been revealed for the upcoming international tour of "The Bodyguard", with international musical theatre artist Sidonie Smith (Tarzan) set to star as Rachel Marron, a role she originally played in a production in Stuttgart, Germany to huge critical acclaim, alongside Adam Garcia (42nd Street) as Frank Farmer. They will be joined by Sasha Monique (Hairspray) as , and Matt Milburn (The House On Cold Hill) as Sy Spector. Mireia Mambo (A Chorus Line) also joins the cast as alternate Rachel Marron; further casting will be announced at a later date.
The Bodyguard, based on the 1992 film of the same name, first premiered in the west end in 2012, and this is the fourth time the show has toured the UK, having previously toured in 2015, 2018 and 2023. The tour currently has 33 stops scheduled, including in Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Llandudno, and several dates in Germany. More information, including full tour dates and ticket sales, can be found on The Bodyguard website.
I'M EVERY WOMAN
Musical based on the life of Chaka Khan set to premiere
A new musical, telling the story of iconic singer Chaka Khan, is set to premiere in March 2026 at London's Peacock Theatre. "I'm Every Woman", brought to us by the team behind Thriller Live, will take us through Khan's time with the Black Panther Party, to her early career with Rufus, and her iconic solo career, and will feature many of her biggest hit songs, including "Ain't nobody", "Eye to eye" and "I feel for you". The musical will run at the Peacock Theatre from the 5th to the 28th of March 2026, with tickets going on sale on the 19th of May. You can find more information about the show on the official website.
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