Angela Thomas rounds up all the latest news in regional and touring theatre in the UK and Ireland.
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The Sound of Music – Grand Theatre, Leeds
The Sound of Music continues at the Grand Theatre, Leeds until 1 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Nikolai Foster keeps the story moving briskly along while allowing the 20-odd songs sufficient breathing space.
Jesus Christ Superstar – London Palladium
Jesus Christ Superstar continues at the London Palladium until 5 September 2026, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Anything Goes – Kilworth House Theatre
Anything Goes continues at Kilworth House Theatre, Leicestershire until 2 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Anything Goes is frivolous, fun and guaranteed fabulously joyful entertainment.
Royal Academy of Music – Chess
Chess at Susie Sainsbury Theatre, London was performed by students from the Royal Academy of Music. Rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ There are no weak links in this fine cast.
Interview: The Summer Knows – Melissa Errico at Ronnie Scott’s
Melissa Errico will make her Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club debut on Sunday 12 July at 12pm with The Summer Knows, a celebration of the music of legendary composer Michel Legrand.
Five Questions With: Bradley Gibson
Broadway’s Bradley Gibson is leading the company of Disney Theatrical Group’s hit UK premiere production of Disney’s Hercules as the popular musical completes its run at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Arthur – Polka Theatre
Arthur continues at the Polka Theatre, London until 9 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ At its heart Arthur is a quest story, obviously. It’s also a warm exploration of friendship, support and determination featuring five accomplished actors.
Summer Holiday the Musical – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Summer Holiday the Musical was reviewed at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield where it continues until 18 July 2026. The production then transfers the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from 29 July to 8 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★
Rapunzel – Half Moon Theatre and Touring
Rapunzel was reviewed at the Half Moon Theatre, London. The tour continues until 30 August 2026. Star rating: 3.5 stars This feisty, feminist show for young children from Wrongsemble, written and directed by Elvi Piper, is Rapunzel as you’ve never seen it before.
Evangeline – The Glitch
Evangeline was reviewed at The Glitch, London. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ The musical would feel much stronger with some editorial judgement that could focus the storytelling and performance more solidly.
Brassed Off – Leeds Playhouse
Brassed Off continues at the Quarry Theatre, Leeds Playhouse until 11 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Pretty much like the film from which this production is adapted, Brassed Off emotionally leaves no prisoners.
Liberace & Liza: A Tribute – Harold Pinter Theatre
Liberace & Liza: A Tribute continues at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It oozes an ineffable charm through its mixture of comedy, great music and an uncanny portrayal of two celebrity giants.
Operation Mincemeat – Fortune Theatre
Operation Mincemeat continues at the Fortune Theatre, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A crowd-pleaser that never dumbs down.
Pride – Dorfman, National Theatre
Pride continues at the Dorfman, National Theatre, London until 12 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ To celebrate their story so vividly and joyously is a privilege. Forty years on, it’s as inspiring and as beautiful as ever.
Sinatra The Musical – Aldwych Theatre
Sinatra The Musical continues at the Aldwych Theatre, London until 10 April 2027. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ At the end of Sinatra The Musical, significant figures reflecting on the legendary singer’s life include his mother, Dolly, who turns to the audience and says: “Half of you wouldn’t have been conceived if it wasn’t […]
Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Curve Leicester and Touring
Priscilla Queen of the Desert was reviewed at Curve Leicester where it continues until 27 June 2026. The tour continues until 18 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A feel-good musical with plenty of mileage left in the tank.
Hot Mess – The Other Palace, London
Hot Mess continues at The Other Palace, London until 6 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Hot Mess at least affirms that we can have a damn good time facing up to the consequences of our actions.
The Karate Kid The Musical – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
The Karate Kid The Musical was reviewed at Milton Keynes Theatre where it continues until 20 June 2026. The UK tour continues until 1 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ It is a show full of promise but not quite delivering a balanced production overall.
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape – Little Angel Theatre and Touring
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape was reviewed at the Little Angel Theatre, London where it continues until 19 July 2026. The tour continues until 1 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A bright, charming and entertaining adaptation for children aged five and over.
Thespians: Greece the Musical (But Not That One) – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford and Touring
Thespians: Greece the Musical (But Not That One) was reviewed at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford. The tour continues until 18 July 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Allegra – Richmond Theatre and Touring
Allegra was reviewed at the Richmond Theatre, London. The tour continues until 8 August 2026. Rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Maureen Lipman’s is an extraordinary performance.
Royal Academy of Music – Little Women
Little Women at Susie Sainsbury Theatre, London was performed by students from the Royal Academy of Music. Rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ I’m sure we shall see more of these musical theatre actors in training very soon.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Watermill Theatre, Bagnor
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang continues at the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor until 13 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Watermill has continued to set benchmarks for regional theatre and Paul Hart’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is no exception.
How to Make a Mess – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
How to Make a Mess continues at Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London until 28 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Honestly, the world of new musical theatre needs more of this chaotic spirit.
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2026 – Sondheim Theatre
Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year 2026 at the Sondheim Theatre, London. Another triumphant event that both celebrated the genius of Stephen Sondheim and showcased emerging talent of an exceptionally high standard.
Schmigadoon! is named Best Musical at the Tony Awards 2026 and Ragtime is Best Revival
It was a very democratic night at the 79th Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with Schmigadoon! (Best Musical), Ragtime (Best Revival of a Musical) and The Lost Boys each winning four awards.
High Society – Barbican Theatre and Touring
High Society was reviewed at the Barbican Theatre, London where it continues until 11 July 2026. The tour continues until 14 November 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This production is performed with enough pure unbridled, exuberant joy, to ensure that a swellegant, elegant time is had by all.
Shantify – Underbelly Boulevard Soho
Shantify continues at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho, London until 14 June 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The musical talent, camaraderie and showmanship of this company, holding stunning six-part harmonies throughout the majority of the 90-minute runtime, is undoubtedly at the core of Shantify’s brilliance.
Public – The Musical – Curve Leicester
Public – The Musical continues at Curve Leicester until 13 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Funny, moving and unexpectedly uplifting, it’s clear why Public has already attracted such enthusiastic support.
Five Questions With: Ethan Popp
As music supervisor, arranger, and orchestrator, Ethan Popp has taken an all-encompassing role on the Broadway production of The Lost Boys, overseeing every aspect of the show’s sonic identity.
Giffords Circus: Waterfield – Chiswick House and Gardens and Touring
Giffords Circus: Waterfield was reviewed at Chiswick House and Gardens, London. The tour continues until 27 September 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Richly layered, beautifully realised and completely enchanting.
Redcliffe – A New Musical – Southwark Playhouse
Redcliffe A New Musical continues at the Southwark Playhouse, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Redcliffe is an important piece not only because it offers a beautiful portrayal of queer love in the past, but because of the way it speaks to the present.
Once – Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Once continues at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 27 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A gentle, lyrical show heralding a great season ahead in Pitlochry.
Beetlejuice the Musical – Prince Edward Theatre
Beetlejuice the Musical continues at the Prince Edward Theatre, London until 17 April 2027. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ How lucky we are to have a new escape in the West End so overflowing with hilarity, magic and imagination.
The Rocky Horror Show – Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury and Touring
Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show was reviewed at the Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, where it continues until 30 May 2026. The tour continues until 1 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This new take on a trail-blazing show welcomes audiences back with a blast and encourages a fresh peek.
Dark of the Moon: A New Musical – Charing Cross Theatre
Dark of the Moon continues at the Charing Cross Theatre, London until 8 August 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ We’re left with a story of love across the divide that feels decidedly more generic than its cast deserves it to be.
10 Things I Hate About Me – Birmingham Repertory and Touring
10 Things I Hate About Me was reviewed at Birmingham Repertory. The tour continues until 1 July. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s full to the brim with energy, honesty, laughter and hope.
The Rapping Princess – Polka Theatre
The Rapping Princess continues at the Polka Theatre, London until 21 June 2026. Star rating: 3.5 stars It’s an energetic 50-minute piece, well enough judged for its target audience.
Caroline – A New Musical – New Theatre, Peterborough and Touring
Caroline – A New Musical was reviewed at the New Theatre, Peterborough. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Thanks to its excellent performers and irresistible soundtrack, Caroline still proves itself a lively and entertaining voyage.
Bank of Dave – Curve Leicester
Bank of Dave continues at Curve Leicester until 30 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s been a while since we’ve seen a new British musical with this much potential, bursting with heart, humour and humanity.
The Harder They Come – Stratford East
The Harder They Come continues at Stratford East, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Judging by the audience reaction and the compelling performances, this production is headed for another successful run.
Five Questions With: Phoebe Panaretos
Leading lady PHOEBE PANARETOS will be originating the role of Nancy Sinatra in the West End premiere of Sinatra The Musical – the new musical based on the life and career of Frank Sinatra, previewing from London’s Aldwych Theatre on 3 June 2026, with a press night on 24 June 2026. Tina Sinatra, Frank and Nancy […]
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In – Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and Touring
Stand & Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In was reviewed at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh. The production is touring until 10 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The story of the occupation of the Lee Jeans factory in Greenock is uplifting and unexpectedly moving.
End of the Rainbow – Soho Theatre Walthamstow
End of the Rainbow continues at Soho Theatre Walthamstow until 21 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This is the role that Jinkx Monsoon was born to play.
CritiCal: The first app built specifically for theatre critics launches on Apple platforms
Musical Theatre Review critic Scott Matthewman has created CritiCal, the first app designed from the ground up for professional theatre critics, available on iPhone, iPad and Mac. Built by Scott and software developer Strange Magic, CritiCal replaces the patchwork of calendars, spreadsheets and note-taking apps that critics have long relied on with a single, purpose-built […]
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
Black Diamonds and the Blue Brazil continues at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh until 23 May 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Dawn Steele gives an outstanding performance as Sally, a girl returning home to Fife following her father’s death, in Gary McNair’s new stage adaptation of Ron Ferguson’s beloved book.
Music Review: Broadway Maybe – Henry Patterson
Broadway Maybe – Henry Patterson (Lando Productions). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This really is a superb album that should appeal to anyone entranced by musical theatre culture.
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals – Apollo Theatre
The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals continues at the Apollo Theatre, London until 30 May 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The future of musical theatre is here: it is silly, it is hilarious, and it knows how to use the internet.
The Last Man – Southwark Playhouse Elephant
The Last Man continues at Southwark Playhouse Elephant, London until 13 June 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ In a few years’ time this brilliant and original piece of musical theatre surely will have as dedicated a UK following as it does in Korea.
