Casting update – West End, regional and touring theatre, plus London concerts too

Sometimes there are so many exciting press releases arriving in the Musical Theatre Review email inbox, that it’s hard to keep up, so we asked our news editor Angela Thomas if she could round up all the very latest casting news related to West End, regional and touring productions (and even a few London concerts too). Read her comprehensive report below…

Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre, London 

The multi-award-winning West End production of Back to the Future: The Musical will welcome a number of new cast members from 16 August 2023 Current stars Cory English as Doctor Emmett Brown, Ben Joyce as Marty McFly, Oliver Nicholas as George McFly and Sophie Naglik as Jennifer Parker will be joined by Sarah Goggin as Lorraine Baines, Jay Perry as Goldie Wilson, Jordan Pearson as Biff Tannen, Lee Ormsby as Strickland, Rhodri Watkins as Dave McFly, Patricia Wilkins as Linda McFly, Elliott Evans as alternate Marty McFly and Stephen Leask as alternate Doctor Emmett Brown.

Newcomers to the ensemble Ella Beaumont, Alexander Day, Reece Darlington-Delaire, Helen Gulston, Matthew Ives, Connor Lewis, Louis Quinn, Grace Swaby-Moore and Alexandra Wright, will join Sia Dauda, Dylan Gordon-Jones, Adam Margilewski, Bryan Mottram, Laura Mullowney, Anna Murray, Georgia Tapp and Tavio Wright.

Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, the brainchild of producer Colin Ingram and the creators of the much-loved time-travelling film series, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the West End production is currently booking until 11 February 2024. Featuring a book by Gale and new music and lyrics by the film’s composer Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, the stage musical also includes songs from the film. John Rando directs.

The Bodyguard on tour

Multi-platinum Australian recording artist Emily Williams will step into the role of Rachel Marron when the current touring production of hit musical The Bodyguard arrives at the Liverpool Empire in September.

From 12 September, the Australian Idol runner-up and former member of girl group Young Divas who made her theatrical debut as Rachel in the 2017 Australian production of the popular musical, will join current principals Ayden as Frank Farmer, Emily-Mae as Nicki Marron, John Macaulay as Bill Devaney, Graham Elwell as Tony, James Groom as Sy Spector, Marios Nicolaides as Stalker and Phil Atkinson as Ray Court. Ryo Appadu, Kaylen Luke, Manasseh Mapira and Sam Stephens will share the role of Fletcher.

The cast is completed by Alexandros Beshonges, Kayne Gordon, Jack Hardwick, James Lee Harris, Kalisha Johnson, Samantha Mbolekwa, Liam Morris, Abbie Quinnen, Charlotte Scally, Yiota Theo and Marco Venturini.

Produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian, the production will play the Liverpool Empire from 12-16 September before visiting Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (19-23 September), Belfast’s Grand Opera House (25-30 September), Eden Court in Inverness (3-7 October), Sheffield Lyceum (10-14 October), the Congress Theatre in Eastbourne (16-21 October), Woking’s New Victoria Theatre (23-28 October), the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton (30 October-4 November), Blackpool Winter Gardens (6-11 November), Hall For Truro in Cornwall (14-18 November), Oxford’s New Theatre (27 November-2 December) and The Alexandra in Birmingham (4-30 December). The tour will also visit Glasgow Theatre Royal from 3- 6 January 2024.

Based on Laurence Kasdan’s blockbuster Whitney Houston/Kevin Costner movie, The Bodyguard musical received its world premiere in November 2012. Directed by Thea Sharrock, with a book by Oscar-winning writer Alex Dinelaris (Birdman), the original production featured Tony Award-winner Heather Headley in the extended role of Rachel Marron and Lloyd Owen as her bodyguard, Frank Farmer.

The Book Thief at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Curve Leicester

The full cast has been unveiled for the stage musical adaptation of Markus Zusak’s much-loved novel The Book Thief at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre and Leicester’s Curve Theatre this autumn. Obioma Ugoala (Frozen the Musical, Hamilton) will star as Narrator alongside Mina Anwar (The Sarah Jane Adventures, The Worst Witch) as Rosa Hubermann, with Jack Lord (West Side Story, War Horse) returning as Hans Hubermann and Daniel Krikler (Jersey Boys, The Secret Life of Bees) returning to the role of Max Vandenburg.

Joining them are Storytellers Matthew Caputo ( Hamilton) as Referee, Katy Clayton (The Band) as Liesel’s Mother, Oonagh Cox (Matilda: The Musical) as Nurse, Mark Dugdale (Les Misérables) as Alex Steiner, Michał Horowicz (The Band’s Visit ) as Max’s Mother, Thomas-Lee Kidd (Beauty and the Beast) as Mayor Hermann, Anu Ogunmefun (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Swing, Simon Oskarsson (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) as Swing, Corinna Powlesland (Grease) as Social Worker, Purvi Parmar ( The Jungle Book) as Barbara Steiner, Wendy Somerville (Billy Elliot) as Ilsa Hermann, Edwin Ray (Chicago) as Walter Kugler, Lee V G (Only Fools and Horses: The Musical) as Gravedigger and Russell Wilcox (The Producers) as Wolfgang Edel.

Liesel Meminger will be played by Tilly-Raye Bayer (Frozen The Musical), Mollie Casserley (The Sound of Music) and Eirini Louskou (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and Rudy Steiner will be played by Thommy Bailey Vine (Matilda: The Musical), Preston Cropp (professional debut) and Oliver Gordon (Newsies).

Featuring a libretto by award-winning author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper) and Timothy Allen McDonald (adaptor of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka and James and the Giant Peach), and music and lyrics by Elyssa Samsel and Kate Anderson (Olaf’s Frozen Adventure), the musical will play the Belgrade Theatre from 11-16 September before playing the Curve Theatre from 28 September until 14 October. The Coventry and Leicester runs will follow the musical’s well-received Bolton Octagon world premiere run in 2022. The production is directed by the Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham.

Billy Carter and Carl Mullaney in rehearsals for La Cage aux Folles at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Picture: Johan Persson

La Cage aux Folles at Regent’s Park’s Open Air Theatre, London

Carl Mullaney and Billy Carter will star as Albin and Georges in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s much-anticipated production of La Cage aux Folles. Mullaney (Chicago, Adelphi Theatre/Cambridge Theatre/international tour, Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre/Barbican/international tour) and Carter (A Moon For The Misbegotten, Broadway, I Can’t Sing!, London Palladium) will be joined by Ben Culleton (Pump Up the Volume, Turbine Theatre, Grease, Dominion Theatre) as Jean-Michel, Julie Jupp (Groundhog Day, The Old Vic, Honk!, Watermill Theatre) as Marie Dindon, Shakeel Kimotho (Cats, international tour, Queeroes, MTFest, Turbine Theatre) as Jacob, Debbie Kurup (The Cher Show, UK tour, Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse) as Jacqueline, John Owen-Jones (The Great British Bake Off Musical, Noël Coward Theatre, Sweeney Todd, Coliseum/Royal Festival Hall) as Edward Dindon and 2022 Urdang Academy graduate Sophie Pourret (42nd Street, Théâtre du Châtelet) as Anne.

The cast is completed by Jak Allen-Anderson (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, UK tour) as Hanna, Craig Armstrong (Carousel, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre) as Cagelle, Tom Bales (White Christmas, UK tour, The Boyfriend, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Cagelle, Taylor Bradshaw (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Southwark Playhouse, Spring Awakening, Almeida) as Cagelle, Daniele Coombe (Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Palace Theatre, The Sound of Music, London Palladium) as Mme Renaud, Jordan Lee Davies (The Book of Mormon, UK and international tour, Am Dram: A Musical Comedy, Leicester Curve) as Chantal, Nicole Deon (Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Sheffield Crucible) as Ensemble, Lewis Easter (Wicked, West End, Wonderland, UK tour) as Cagelle/Swing/Dance Captain, Harvey Ebbage (Dreamgirls, UK/Ireland tour, The Unknown Soldier, Above The Stag) as Cagelle, Emma Johnson (My Fair Lady, London Coliseum/UK tour, Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace Theatre) as Ensemble/Swing, George Lynham (Kinky Boots, New Wolsey Theatre/Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, Made in Dagenham, Factory Playhouse) as Cagelle, JP McCue (The Wizard of Oz, New Vic, Stoke, 365, National Theatre of Scotland) as Cagelle, Rishard-Kyro Nelson (Dirty Dancing, UK and Ireland tour/Dominion Theatre, Thriller Live, West End/international tour) as Cagelle/Swing, Alexandra Waite-Roberts (Into the Woods, Theatre Royal Bath, Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as Ensemble and Hemi Yeroham (Jews. In Their Own Words, Royal Court, Cradle Will Rock, Arcola Theatre) as Francis.

Directed by the venue’s artistic director Timothy Sheader, the final production of the season will play the Open Air Theatre from 29 July until 16 September.

Based on the 1973 play by Jean Poiret, La Cage aux Folles features a book by Harvey Fierstein and music and lyrics by Jerry Herman. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1983 and went on to win six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.

Calendar Girls on tour

Bill Kenwright Ltd has revealed the cast for the company’s new touring production of hit musical comedy The Calendar Girls The Musical. Due to launch at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 30 August, the production will feature five actresses who have previously starred as Mrs Johnstone in Will Russell’s Blood Brothers – Maureen Nolan, Lyn Paul, Amy Robins, Paula Tappenden and Marti Webb. They will be joined by Tanya Franks and Honeysuckle Weeks.

Best known for her role as Rainie Cross in EastEnders, and a British Comedy Award-nominee for the BBC3 comedy series Pullin’, Franks will play Annie Clarke alongside former pop star Nolan (Footloose, UK tour, Stardust, UK tour) as Ruth, Paul (Taboo, Venue Theatre, Footloose, UK tour/Playhouse Theatre) as Jessie, Robbins (Coronation Street, Emmerdale) as Chris Harper, Tappenden (Black Coffee, UK tour, The Exorcist, UK tour) as Marie, musical theatre favourite Webb (Tell Me On a Sunday, Evita, Cats) as Celia and Foyle’s War co-star Weeks (Pygmalion, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Best Man, Playhouse Theatre) as Cora.

Created by Gary Barlow and his childhood friend, Tim Firth, the writer of the original award-winning stage and film productions of The Calendar Girls, the award-winning musical version of the inspirational story of the Rylstone Women’s Institute members’ headline grabbing fundraiser premiered at the Leeds Grand in 2015. The new production is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle.

Following the Windsor run from 30 August until 16 September, the tour will visit Sheffield, Cheltenham, Birmingham, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Peterborough, Wimbledon, Leeds, Stoke-on-Trent, Darlington and Hull. The tour will continue into 2024 with further venues and casting to be announced at a later date.

Elena Skye as Twiggy. Picture: Brian Aris

Close Up – The Twiggy Musical at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London

The Menier Chocolate Factory has confirmed Elena Skye will play Twiggy in the world premiere production of Ben Elton’s new musical Close Up – The Twiggy Musical. One of the stars of Elton’s We Will Rock You at the London Coliseum and on the UK tour, Skye (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre) will take centre stage in the musical which traces the story of a skinny Neasden teenager called Lesley Hornby who became the ‘face of the 1960s’, went on to become a much-loved stage and screen star, recording artist and was made a Dame for her contributions to fashion, the arts and charity in Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Honours in 2019.

Written and directed by Elton, Close Up – The Twiggy Musical will debut at the London venue from 18 September until 18 November 2023.

Diana: The Musical in Concert at the Eventim Apollo, London

Kerry Ellis and Maiya Quansah-Breed will play two ages of Princess Diana in a concert presentation of the headline-hitting Diana: The Musical in London this December. West End and Broadway star Ellis (Wicked, West End/Broadway, Anything Goes, Barbican) will play the older version of Diana who narrates the musical, as she looks back to her 19-year-old self, played by Quansah-Breed (Six: The Musical, Arts Theatre, Rent, Hope Mill Theatre). Denise Welch (Calendar Girls, UK tour, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Royal Exchange Theatre) will guest star as The Queen.

Featuring a book and lyrics by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro and music and lyrics by fellow Tony Award winner David Bryan (the team behind hit musical Memphis), the concert performance at the Eventim Apollo on 4 December will mark the first time the musical has been seen live on a UK stage.

Presented by Lambert Jackson and Cuffe & Taylor, the production will be directed by RSC associate artist and associate director of Cheek By Jowl Owen Horsley (Linck & Mulhahn, Hampstead Theatre, War of the Roses, RSC) .

ELF at the Dominion Theatre, London

A number of returning cast members will take to the stage of London’s Dominion theatre when festive family favourite ELF: The Musical returns for the second consecutive Christmas season. Rebecca Lock (School of Rock, UK tour, Mary Poppins, Prince Edward Theatre) will reprise her performance as Emily Hobbs alongside Georgina Castle (Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre, 9 to 5: The Musical, Savoy Theatre/UK and Ireland tour) as Jovie, Kim Ismay (Wicked, West End, Mamma Mia! West End) as Debs, Nicholas Pound (Les Misérables, UK tour, Evita, UK tour) as Santa and Dermot Canavan (Hairspray, London Coliseum, Fiddler on the Roof, Menier Chocolate Factory and West End) as Store Manager.

Further casting including the new actors who will play Buddy and Walter Hobbs will be announced at a later date. After a seven-year absence from the West End, ELF made a triumphant return last Christmas with a sold-out eight-week season. This year’s strictly limited season will run from 15 November 2023 until 6 January 2024. Produced by Temple Live Entertainment, the production will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley.

Based on the instant Christmas classic film which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, the feel-good family favourite features a book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, with songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie on tour

Kevin Clifton [pictured], Giovanna Fletcher and Sam Bailey will join the UK and Ireland tour of the critically acclaimed and crowd-pleasing British musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2024. Former Strictly professional turned musical theatre performer Clifton (Strictly Ballroom, UK tour, Singin’ in the Rain, Sadler’s Wells/UK tour) will take on the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle from 25 March until 15 July 2024, with 2020 I’m A Celebrity winner Fletcher (Wish You Were Dead, UK tour, 2:22 A Ghost Story, West End) stepping into the role of Miss Hedge from 8 January until 23 March 2024 and 2013 X Factor winner Sam Bailey (Chicago, West End, Fat Friends, UK tour) taking over as Miss Hedge from 25 March until 15 July 2024.

They will join the previously announced Ivano Turco (Get Up! Stand Up!, Lyric Theatre, Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre) as the irrepressible Jamie New. Rebecca McKinnis (Dear Evan Hansen, Noël Coward Theatre, We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre) and Shobna Gulati (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, UK tour, Mamma Mia! international tour) will reprise their acclaimed West End performances as Margaret New and Ray respectively. The production will also feature former touring ensemble member Talia Palamathanan (Matilda: The Musical, Cambridge Theatre, Soho Dreams workshop, The Lowry) who will step into the role of Pritti.

The launch cast will feature John Partridge as Hugo/Loco Chanelle from 7 September-11 November 2023 and 8 January-23 March 2024 and Hayley Tamaddon as Miss Hedge from 7 September to 26 November 2023.

Completing the cast for the 2023-24 UK Tour are: KY Kelly (Anthony Gyde) (Laika Virgin), Garry Lee (Sandra Bollock), David McNair (Tray Sophisticay), Akshay St Clair (Dad), Jordan Ricketts (Dean), Liv Ashman (Vicki), Rhiannon Bacchus (Fatimah), Geoff Berrisford (Sayid), Jessica Daugirda (Bex), Finton Flynn (Young Loco Chanelle/Jamie New cover), Annabelle Laing (Becca), Luca Moscardini (Levi), Joshian Omana (Cy), Thomas Walton (Mickey), Takayiah Bailey (Swing) and Georgina Hagen (Understudy Margaret/Ray/Miss Hedge).

Following on from its record-breaking three-year West End residency, a sold-out UK and Ireland tour, and the award-winning film, the second tour will launch at The Lowry in Salford Quays, one of the venues visited by the first tour, from 7-17 September. The tour will then visit Sunderland, Nottingham, Bromley, Birmingham, Cardiff, Brighton, Leeds, Blackpool, Llandudno, Oxford, Southampton, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Woking, London, Bristol, Plymouth, Sheffield, Liverpool, Eastbourne, Portsmouth, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Northampton, Bradford, Milton Keynes, Hull and Leicester.

Described as a ‘coming-of-age story with a twist’, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie was written by singer songwriter Dan Gillespie Sells, the lead vocalist of rock band The Feeling, and stage and screen writer Tom MacRae. An instant hit with audiences and critics, the musical premiered in Sheffield in 2017 before transferring to London’s West End in November 2017. The show’s first UK tour launched in February 2020.

The Sheffield Theatres Production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is produced on tour by Nica Burns, Ian Osborne, and Teresa and Craig Beech.

Evita in Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

Full casting and an extra performance have been confirmed for the eagerly anticipated concert presentation of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this summer. As previously announced Disney star Auli’i Cravalho (Moana, The Little Mermaid Live) will make her West End stage debut as Eva Peron opposite Matt Rawle as Ché, the role he previously played in the 2006 West End revival.

They will be joined by Jeremy Secomb (Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera) as Juan Peron, the role he previously played on the 2017 UK and European tour, with Nathan Amzi (Heathers the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar) as Magaldi and Emily Lane (Disney’s Frozen the Musical, The Sound of Music) as The Mistress. The cast is completed by Lloyd Davies, Robin Kent, Emily Langham, Jasmine Leung, Amonik Melaco, Joseph Poulton, Agnes Pure and Sophie Sass.

Presented by Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and arranged with the permission of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group, the three performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 31 July and 1 August will be directed by Olivier Award-winner Bill Deamer (Follies, Top Hat).

The first time Evita has been seen in the West End since 2017, the special concert presentation will feature the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Ben Ferguson who will also serve as musical director for the concerts.

Flowers For Mrs Harris at the Riverside Studios, London

The full cast has been confirmed for the London premiere of the critically acclaimed musical Flowers For Mrs Harris at Riverside Studios this autumn.

As previously announced Olivier Award-winner Jenna Russell (The Bridges of Madison County, Menier Chocolate Factory, Grey Gardens, Southwark Playhouse) as Ada Harris in the new production which will be directed by Bronagh Lagan (Cruise, West End, Little Women, Hope Mill Theatre).

Russell will be joined by Hal Fowler (London Road, National Theatre) as Albert Harris/Marquis de Chassagne, Olivier Award-nominee Kelly Price (What’s New Pussycat?, Birmingham REP) as Lady Dant/Madame Colbert, Annie Wensak (Half a Sixpence, West End/Chichester Festival Theatre) as Violet/French Char Lady, Charlotte Kennedy (My Fair Lady, London Coliseum/UK and Ireland tour) as Pamela/Natasha, Nathanael Campbell (Come From Away, West End/Abbey Theatre, Dublin) as Bob/Andre, David McKechnie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Sheffield Theatres/National Theatre) as Major/Monsieur Armand and Pippa Winslow (Bonnie & Clyde, West End) as Countess/Sybill Sullivan.

The cast will be completed by Issy Khogali (professional debut), Richard Morse (School of Rock, West End/UK and Ireland tour), Off-West End Award-nominee Harry Singh (ANIMAL, Park Theatre/Hope Mill Theatre) and Abigail Williams (Elegies of Angels, Punks & Raging Queens, Charing Cross Theatre). Casting is by Jane Deitch.

Featuring music and lyrics Richard Taylor (The Go-Between, Tom’s Midnight Garden) and a book Rachel Wagstaff (Birdsong, Moonshadow), the stage adaptation of American writer Paul Gallico’s 1958 novel Mrs. ‘Arris Goes To Paris which received its well-received world premiere at the Sheffield Crucible in 2016, will play a limited nine-week season at Riverside Studios from 30 September until 26 November.

Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

Disney Theatrical Productions’ crowd-pleasing West End production of Frozen will welcome a new Anna and Kristoff to the stage of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 27 September. Laura Dawkes will make her professional stage debut as Anna with Jammy Kasongo (Grand Hotel, Southwark Playhouse, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Aldwych Theatre) stepping into the role of Kristoff.

They will join Samantha Barks (Les Misérables, Queen’s Theatre, Pretty Woman, Chicago and New York) as Snow Queen Elsa, Craig Gallivan (School of Rock, New London Theatre, Billy Elliot, Victoria Palace Theatre) as Olaf, Oliver Ormson (Back to the Future The Musical, Manchester Opera House, High Fidelity, Turbine Theatre) as Hans, Richard Frame (The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre, Promises, Promises, Sheffield Theatres) as the Duke of Weselton, with Mikayla Jade (Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, The Old Guard) and Ashley Birchall (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Oklahoma! Kilworth House) alternating the role of Sven.

Continuing in the ensemble will be: Rhianne Alleyne ,Marianne Bardgett, Rebecca Botterill, Laura Emmitt, Jemal Felix, Jordan Fox ,Molly Francis, Matt Gillett, Dominic Adam Griffin, Jordan Livesey ,Isabella Glanznig Santos, Ben Irish (Pabbie), Justin-Lee Jones, Aoife Kenny, Harriet Samuels, Jacqui Sanchez (Queen Iduna), Jak Skelly (Oaken/Bishop), Caitlin Tipping, Anna Woodside and Rodney Vubya. They will be joined by Oliver Brenin, Ashley J Daniels (King Agnarr), Lizzy-Rose Esin-Kelly (Bulda), George Hinson, Jonathan Milton and Ed Wade.

Frozen is currently due to bring Elsa’s world to audiences at the newly refurbished Theatre Royal Drury Lane until 7 January 2024. With music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and book by Jennifer Lee, the production is directed by Michael Grandage.

Grease at the Dominion Theatre, London

Australian stage and screen favourites Jason Donovan and Peter Andre will return to the hit West End production of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s Grease at the Dominion Theatre for another summer season. Donovan will reprise his performance as Teen Angel at certain performances from 14 August until 28 October. Andre, who made his West End debut as Vince Fontaine in the production last year, will return as Vince Fontaine and will also take on the role of Teen Angel at selected performances from 14 August until 19 October.

The full cast for the production is led by returning 2022 cast members Dan Partridge as Danny, Olivia Moore as Sandy and Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo. Soloman Davy plays Kenickie, Callum Henderson plays Roger and Katie Brace plays Jan. Returning cast members from 2022 Jake Reynolds and Ellie Kingdon play Doody and Marty respectively, George Michaelides plays Sonny, Olivia Foster-Browne plays Frenchy, Jayd’n Tyrone plays Eugene, Chloe Saunders plays Patty Simcox, Katie Dunsden plays Cha Cha, Liam McHugh plays Johnny Casino, Darren Bennett plays Vince Fontaine and Teen Angel at certain performances and Rachel Stanley plays Miss Lynch.

The cast also includes Michael Anderson, Alicia Belgrade, Kirsty Ingram, Jordan Isaac, D’Mia Lindsay-Walker, Carly Miles, Luke Redmore, Samuel Routley, Darcey Simmons, Sario Solomon, Joshua Steel and Allana Taylor.

Directed by Leicester Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips, the hit new production which was seen by over 500,000 people in the West End last year runs until 28 October.

The encore season of the first new production of Grease in the West End for 29 years, will be dedicated to the memory of Olivia Newton-John who sadly passed away in August last year.

Greatest Days on tour

Jennifer Ellison and Olivia Hallett will join the cast of the UK and Ireland touring production of The Official Take That Musical Greatest Days. A musical theatre favourite for her performances in hit productions of Chicago, Calendar Girls, Singin’ in the Rain and Legally Blonde, Ellison who first found fame in the Channel soap Brookside will join the cast as Rachel from 21 August at the Kings Theatre in Glasgow.

Hallett (KIN – A New Musical, The Factory Playhouse, Anything Goes, The Other Palace) will play Young Rachel from 24 July when the tour reaches the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham.

Ellison and Hallett will join current cast members Taylor Alman (The Legend of White Bear Lake), Holly Ashton (Footloose), Hannah Brown ( Hansel & Gretel), Kalifa Burton (Matilda), Benjamin Cameron (Grease) Jamie Corner (The Band), Archie Durrant (Matilda), Regan Gascoigne (winner of Dancing on Ice 2022), Kitty Harris (Gangsta Granny), Bayley Hart (Heathers), Keith Henderson (Shrek the Musical), Karen Holmes (Grease), Christopher D Hunt (Waitress), Evangeline Jarvis-Jones (The Sound of Music), Rachel Marwood (The Possibility of Colour), Mari McGinlay (Hairspray), Jamie-Rose Monk (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Mary Moore (Grease), Alexanda O’Reilly (Mamma Mia!), Charlotte Anne Steen (Bat Out of Hell) and Alan Stocks (Calendar Girls).

Produced by Adam Kenwright for Kindred Partners, the extensive tour has been timed to coincide with the summer release of the official movie version of the hit musical and celebrating the 30th anniversary of Take That’s first UK number one ‘Pray’.

Written by Tim Firth (Kinky Boots, Our House), Gary Barlow’s writing partner in his critically acclaimed foray into musical theatre, The Girls, the musical which was originally entitled The Band, traces the lives of five 16-year-old girls united in their love for a 1990s boyband who are reunited 25 years later as 40-something women trying to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.

Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre, London

Owain Arthur (One Man, Two Guvnors, West End/international tour, The History Boys, National Theatre) stepped into the role of Nathan Detroit in Nicholas Hytner’s critically acclaimed immersive production of the classic musical Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre on 17 July, replacing current star Daniel Mays (The Red Lion, National Theatre, Fisherman’s Friends) who returns to the role on 16 October.

Currently booking up to 24 February 2024, Hytner’s first musical to be presented at the South London venue began performances at the Bridge in March. Arthur joins Marisha Wallace (Hairspray, London Coliseum, Oklahoma! Young Vic) as Miss Adelaide, Andrew Richardson (professional theatre debut) as Sky Masterson, Celinde Schoenmaker (Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre) as Sarah Brown, and Cedric Neal (Back to the Future The Musical, Adelphi Theatre, Motown The Musical, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Nicely Nicely Johnson.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at the Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham

Casting has been confirmed for the Old Joint Stock Theatre’s new production of long running Off-Broadway musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Due to play a limited run at the Birmingham venue from 2-12 August, the production will feature Sophie Kandola (Fame, Erasmus Theatre, Stardust, Phizzical Productions), Aidan Cutler (Back to the Future: The Musical, Adelphi Theatre/Manchester Opera House, Showtune, Union Theatre), Urdang Theatre graduate Ollie Thomas-Smith (theatre while training – Nine the Musical, Flashdance) and London College of Musical Theatre graduate Megan Carole (theatre while training – Anything Goes, Anne’s Song).

Featuring music by Jimmy Roberts, a book by Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro and orchestrations by Doug Katsaros, the production will be directed by Karl Steele, with musical direction by Nick Allen.

I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Wilton’s Music Hall, London

Producer James Seabright has confirmed the cast for composer Alexander S Bermange’s I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical as the award-winning musical returns to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer before playing a limited season in London.

Due to open at Edinburgh’s iconic Gilded Ballroom at The Museum on 3 August, the production will feature Jennifer Caldwell (Six: The Musical, UK, Ireland and Korea tour, American Idiot, UK and Ireland tour), Sev Keoshgerian (The Rocky Horror Show, European tour, Little Women, Park Theatre), Rhidian Marc (Wicked, Apollo Victoria, Pippin, Southwark Playhouse/Hope Mill Theatre) and Julie Yammanee (Bonnie & Clyde, The Garrick Theatre, Carousel, Kilworth House).

Directed and choreographed by Matthew Parker, the production which includes three new songs, will play the Gilded Ballroom up to 27 August before heading for London to play Wilton’s Music Hall from 29 August until 9 September.

Aphiwe Nyezi will play Simba in The Lion King tour. Picture: Disney

The Lion King on tour

The crowd-pleasing touring production of Disney’s The Lion King will welcome a new Simba, Scar and Zazu in September.

From 5 September, South African actor Aphiwe Nyezi will step out of the London company and into the role of Simba while the tour’s current Scar cover Dubliner Brian Gilligan will take on the role full-time, with Australia’s Andre Jewson as Zazu, the character he previously played on the international and Australian tours.

They will join existing principal cast members Thandazile Soni as Rafiki, Jean-Luc Guizonne as Mufasa, Janique Charles as Nala (until 16 September), Nokwanda Khuzwayo as Nala (from 28 September), Alan McHale as Timon, and Carl Sanderson as Pumbaa.

New additions to the multi-national cast will also include Aleasha Grace, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Phumelele Jili, Joshua Lloyd, Abon Saliljan, Keorapetse Sebokolodi and Karlene Wray.

Presented by the Walt Disney Company UK, the touring production of the landmark show which re-launched at Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre late last year is currently playing the Birmingham Hippodrome (until 16 September). The production will then return to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from 28 September-11 November where it completes its UK and Ireland tour.

The Little Big Things at @sohoplace, London

The producers of The Little Big Things, the new British musical based on the Henry Fraser’s Sunday Times bestselling memoir, have confirmed the full cast. As previously announced Ed Larkin (Delicate, Extraordinary Bodies, Our Generation, National Theatre/Chichester Festival Theatre) will make his West End debut as Man Henry Fraser alongside Jonny Amies (From Here to Eternity, Charing Cross Theatre, Hairspray, London Coliseum) as Boy Henry Fraser, Linzi Hateley (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium, Mamma Mia! Novello Theatre/Prince of Wales Theatre) as Fran Fraser and Alasdair Harvey (Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre, We Will Rock You, Dominion Theatre) as Andrew Fraser.

They will be joined by Jordan Benjamin (Hairspray, London Coliseum) as Dom, Rebecca Bowden (Neighbourhood Voices, Young Vic) as Surgeon, Jamie Chatterton (The Osmonds: A New Musical, UK tour) as Tom, Tom Oliver (Jersey Boys, Trafalgar Theatre) as Marco, Malinda Parris (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Dr Graham, Cleve September (Bonnie & Clyde, Garrick Theatre/Arts Theatre) as Will and Amy Trigg (Medea, @sohoplace) as Agnes with Stephen John Davis, Elena Pitsiaeli, George Salmon, Amy West and Joseph Wolff.

Inspired by the inspirational true story of Henry Fraser, an avid sportsman whose life changed forever when a diving accident at the age of 17 left him a tetraplegic, The Little Big Things features music by Nick Butcher (Loved Before ), lyrics by Butcher and Tom Ling (Techies: The Musical), and a book by Joe White (Blackout Songs  – Olivier Award nominated).

Presented by Michael Harrison and Nica Burns, the production which will be directed by Luke Sheppard (an Olivier Award-winner and Tony Award nominee for & Juliet) will debut at new London theatre @sohoplace from 2 September until 25 November 2023.

LIZZIE at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester and on tour

Six stars Lauren Drew, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Shekinah McFarlane will feature in Hope Mill Theatre’s new production of punk rock musical LIZZIE. A 2023 WhatsOnStage Award-winner for her supporting performance in the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Legally Blonde, Drew (Six, UK tour, Heathers – The Musical, Theatre Royal Haymarket/The Other Palace) will take on the title role alongside Quansah-Breed (Six, Arts Theatre, Rent, Hope Mill Theatre) as Lizzie’s neighbour Alice, and McFarlane (Six, West End/UK tour, Parade, Hope Mill Theatre) as Lizzie’s older sister Emma. They will be joined by Mairi Barclay (Pippin, Southwark Playhouse, Mother Goose, UK tour) as the maid Bridget.

Directed and choreographed by Hope Mill Theatre co-founder William Whelton, the production will premiere at the Manchester venue from 1-30 September before embarking on a national tour.

Inspired by the story of notorious alleged 19th century axe-murderer Lizzie Borden, the musical features music by Steven Cheslik-DeMeyer and Alan Stevens Hewitt with lyrics by Cheslik-DeMeyer and Tim Maner, a book by Maner, additional music by Maner, and additional lyrics orchestration by Hewitt. The Hope Mill Theatre production will be the first UK-created production and first UK tour.

The Lord of the Rings at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury

The Watermill Theatre has confirmed the full cast for its new immersive production of the musical inspired by JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of The Rings trilogy. Featuring an ensemble cast and large-scale puppets, the production will be staged across the Watermill auditorium and gardens.

Due to play the popular Newbury venue from 25 July until 15 October, the production’s cast includes Folarin Akinmade (Perfect Show for Rachel, The Barbican) as Gimli, Matthew Bugg (Zorro the Musical, Charing Cross Theatre) as Gollum, Reece Causton (Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man, UK tour) as Ensemble, Kelly Coughlin (Avenue 5 – HBO/Sky) as Ensemble, Geraint Downing (A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic Theatre) as Merry, Peter Dukes (Brief Encounter, Empire, Haymarket) as Boromir, Amelia Gabriel (Ride, VAULT Festival) as Pippin, Tom Giles (Miss Littlewood, Royal Shakespeare Company) as Elrond/Saruman, Charlotte Grayson (Whistle Down the Wind, Watermill Theatre) as Rosie, Nuwan Hugh Perera (Life of Pi , Wyndham’s Theatre, West End) as Sam, Bridget Lappin (The Rhinegold, English National Opera) as Ensemble/Dance Captain, Georgia Louise (Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre) as Galadriel, Elliot Mackenzie (Whistle Down the Wind, Watermill Theatre) as Ensemble, Peter Marinker (Judge Dredd, Love, Actually, Labyrinth) as Gandalf, Louis Maskell (The Grinning Man, Bristol Old Vic/Trafalgar Studios/West End) as Frodo, Aoife O’Dea (Innocence, Royal Opera House) as Arwen, John O’Mahony (Fisherman’s Friends the Musical, UK tour) as Bilbo, Yazdan Qafouri (The Band, Theatre Royal Haymarket) as Legolas’, Sioned Saunders (Amélie – Criterion Theatre/Watermill Theatre) as Ensemble/onstage musical director and Aaron Sidwell (EastEnders, BBC, Wicked – UK tour) as Aragorn.

The production will be directed by the Watermill’s artistic director Paul Hart with design by Simon Kenny.

Love Never Dies In Concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London

Broadway’s first African-American Phantom Norm Lewis will return to the role to star in a special concert presentation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies this summer. An Emmy, Grammy, Tony and SAG Award-nominee and one of Broadway’s biggest stars, Lewis (Company, Dream Girls) will play the character he first played in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway in 2014 opposite Celinde Schoenmaker (Guys & Dolls, Les Misérables) as Christine, the character she first played in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera in 2015.

Presented by Fourth Wall Live and the London Musical Theatre Orchestra and directed by Shaun Kerrison (My Fair Lady, A Christmas Carol), the two performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 21 and 22 August will also feature the 27-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra.

A loose adaptation of The Phantom of Manhattan, Frederick Forsyth’s sequel to Gaston Leroux’s original 1910 novel The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies features music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Lloyd Webber, Ben Elton, Forsyth and Slater.

L-R Estella Evans, Selena Karir, Sophia Goodman and Arabella Stanton will play the title role in Matilda The Musical. Picture: Ellie Kurttz 

Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre, London

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s West End production of Matilda The Musical will welcome three new Matildas in September alongside a new Miss Trunchbull and Miss Honey.

From 12 September Estella Evans, Selena Karir and Arabella Stanton will join Sophia Goodman in the title role with Kieran Hill joining the company to play Miss Trunchbull and Lydia White stepping into the role of Miss Honey.

Now in its twelfth year in the West End and continuing to play to packed houses at the Cambridge Theatre, the newcomers will join Rakesh Boury and Amy Ellen Richardson (Mr and Mrs Wormwood).

Nolan Edwards, Sean Lopeman, Ruairidh McDonald, Kane Oliver Parry, Deborah Tracey, Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Ronan Burns, Ella Caldwell, Stan Doughty, Karina Hind, Roan Pronk, Gabrielle Davina Smith and Lauren Varnham will join the existing adult cast which includes Thea Bunting, Aaron Jenkins and Sam Lathwood.

The other young performers who will join the London company to play the roles of Bruce, Lavender, Nigel and the rest of the pupils at Crunchem Hall are: Sidhant Anand, Charlie Cox, Jack Dennis, Megan Donovan, Rosy Drury, Jake Durant, Phoebe Easom, Jaydon Eastman, Benjamin El Refaie, Jax Fenner, Max Garlick, Lilia Guinoubi, Gina Harris-Sullivan, Coco-Lili Hodder, Elliott Marsden, Sophia McAlister, Charlotte Mellington, Kanon Narumi, Toryn O’Callaghan, Zarian Marcel Obatarhe, Kristiano Ricardo, Harriet Rogers, Azalea-Belle Sharp, Archie Smith and Joshua Wahab.

Written by playwright Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical is directed and developed by Matthew Warchus. The show is now booking through to 15 December 2024.

Next to Normal at the Donmar Warehouse, London

The Donmar Warehouse’s artistic director Michael Longhurst and executive director Henry Finch have unveiled the full cast for the UK premiere of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Next to Normal this summer. As previously announced the production, which will be directed by Longhurst will star Grammy Award nominee Caissie Levy (pictured, Caroline, Or Change, Studio 54, Frozen, St James Theatre) as the central character Diana Goodman and Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Victoria Palace, Bonnie & Clyde, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Dr Madden and Dr Fine. They will be joined by Jack Ofrecio (From Here to Eternity, Charing Cross Theatre, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare’s Globe), Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Jamie Parker (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Southwark Playhouse Elephant, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre/Lyric Theater, Broadway), Jack Wolfe (The Magician’s Elephant, RSC, Pinocchio, National Theatre) and Olivier Award winner and BAFTA nominee Eleanor Worthington-Cox (Matilda: The Musical, Cambridge Theatre, Bugsy Malone, Lyric Hammersmith).

Featuring music by Tom Kitt (High Fidelity, If/Then) and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey (If/Then, The Last Ship – libretto co-writer with John Logan), the powerful rock musical will begin preview performances at the Donmar from 12 August ahead of an opening night on 22 August. The season will run until 7 October.

The intimate exploration of family and loss won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and won three Tony Awards including Best Original Score and Best Performance For A Leading Actress Award for Alice Ripley. The musical debuted Off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score and opened on Broadway in 2009. Angela Thomas

The Odyssey – The Underworld at the National Theatre, London

The National Theatre has announced the full professional cast for The Underworld, the final section of its ambitious multi-location production of The Odyssey: Amy Booth-Steel (Blue Jean) as Calypso, Tarinn Callender (Hamilton) as Telemachus, Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Dune) as Odysseus, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Hex) as Poseidon, Emma Prendergast (EastEnders) as Athena and Zubin Varla (Tammy Faye) as Hades.

They are being joined by 50 London participants and 40 participants in preparation for the fifth and final instalment in the project which will play out on the Olivier stage at the National Theatre from 26-28 August.

Made in collaboration with hundreds of community members and professional artists from across the country, the landmark project re-imagines the adventures of Odysseus for the contemporary audience. Told in five episodes staged across the country, with the first four episodes created and performed by local artists and communities, the production marks the fifth anniversary of Public Acts, the NT’s nationwide programme to create ‘extraordinary acts of theatre and community’.

Directed by Emily Lim and written by Chris Bush, the dramaturg on the first four episodes, The Underworld features music by Jim Fortune. The full-scale musical production will be performed by  total of 140 people including six professional actors, six live musicians and three cameo performance groups from across the UK.

The Olivier performances will feature community artists from all four previous episodes, along with members recruited through Public Acts founding community partners, founding theatre partner Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, and Trybe House Theatre in London who are working with Public Acts for the first time this year.

The Odyssey opened in March with The Lotus Eaters at Restoke in Stoke-on-Trent, which was written by Gabriella Gay in co-creation with the community and produced by Restoke. Episode two, The Cyclops was written by Tajinder Singh Hayer, directed by Madeline O’Reilly, and staged at Cast in Doncaster. Written by Florence Espeut-Nickless and directed by Jesse Jones, episode three The Four Winds played Trowbridge Town Hall with the fourth episode The Island of the Sun written by Lindsay Rodden and directed by Annie Rigby playing The Fire Station (for Sunderland Culture in partnership with Sunderland Empire) in Sunderland.

Oklahoma! at the Wyndham’s Theatre

Actor/musician Sam Palladio has stepped into the role of Curly McLain in the West End transfer of the Young Vic’s Evening Standard award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!

Best known for his appearance in hit US series Nashville, Palladio (Dreamboats and Petticoats, Playhouse Theatre/Savoy Theatre, Can’t Smile Without You, UK tour)  joined the cast following the departure of the production’s original Curly, Olivier Award-winner Arthur Darvill (Sweet Charity, Donmar Warehouse, Once, West End/Broadway).

Palladio joins the production alongside Lizzie Wofford (The Phantom of the Opera, His Majesty’s Theatre, The Three Little Pigs, Dorking Halls) who has taken over the role of Gertie Cummings from the original Gertie, Rebekah Hinds (The Little Prince – Concert, Savoy Theatre, Billy Liar, Royal Exchange).

Palladio and Wofford join James Patrick Davis (winner of the Theatre World Award for breakthrough performance in Oklahoma! on Broadway) as Will Parker, Stavros Demetraki (Peter Pan, Birmingham Rep, The Vote, Donmar Warehouse) as Ali Hakim, Greg Hicks (Coriolanus, Old Vic, King Lear, RSC) as Andrew Carnes, David King-Yombo (The Visit, National Theatre, Lifeline, Charing Cross Theatre) as Mike, Anoushka Lucas (Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, After Life, National Theatre) as Laurey Williams, Marie-Astrid Mence (The Suit, House of Dreams, Ballet Black) as Lead Dancer, Paige Peddie (Dreamgirls – The Musical and The Lion King UK tours) as Ado Annie, Sally Ann Triplett (Billy Elliot, Curve Theatre, Anything Goes, National Theatre/Theatre Royal Drury Lane) as Aunt Eller, and Evening Standard Award-winner Patrick Vaill (Oklahoma!, Broadway, Cabaret, Roundabout Theatre company US tour) as Jud Fry.

The cast is completed by Andrew Berlin, Arthur Boan, Shani Cantor, Anna-Maria de Freitas, George Maddison, Brianna Ogunbawo, Finlay Paul and Helen K Wint.

Presented by Eva Price, Sonia Friedman Productions and Michael Harrison in association with the Young Vic, Daniel Fish’s innovative 2019 Tony Award-winning revival opened at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre in February and is due to end its run on 2 September.

The most awarded show of 2022 and 2023, the production won the 2023 Olivier Award and WhatsOnStage Award for Best Musical Revival and collected the Critics’ Circle and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. Arthur Darvill won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and Patrick Vaill won the Evening Standard Award for Best Musical Performance.

Joe Griffiths-Brown has been cast as Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, London

The West End production of The Phantom of the Opera will welcome a number of new cast members to the stage of His Majesty’s Theatre from 31 July. Lily Kerhoas (Les Misérables: The Staged Concert, Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre) will step into the role of Christine Daaé, with Joe Griffiths-Brown (Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre, Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) taking over as Raoul. David Kristopher-Brown joins the production as Ubaldo Piangi and Maiya Hikasa steps into the role of Meg Giry.

With booking recently extended up to 2 March 2024, the newcomers will join the current principals – Jon Robyns as The Phantom, Kelly Glyptis as Carlotta Giudicelli, Matt Harrop as Monsieur Firmin, Adam Linstead as Monsieur André, and Francesca Ellis as Madame Giry. At certain performances the role of Christine Daaé is played by Paige Blankson.

The cast is completed by Hollie Aires, Frederica Basile, Corina Clark, Micahel Colbourne, Leonard Cook, Colleen Rose Curran, Lily De-La-Haye, Hywel Dowsell, Connor Ewing, Serina Faull, Florence Fowler, James Gant, Melanie Gowie, Eilish Harmon-Beglan, Yukina Hasebe, Samuel Haughton, Thomas Holdsworth, Jacob Hughes, Grace Hume, Tim Morgan, Eve Shanu-Wilson, Tim Southgate, Zoë Soleil Vallée, Jasmine Wallis, Victoria Ward, Ralph Watts, Simon Whitaker and Andrew York.

Produced by Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Group Ltd, The Phantom of the Opera features music by Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart, and additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Based on the classic gothic novel Le Fantôme de l’Opera by Gaston Leroux, the musical boasts a book Stilgoe and Lloyd Webber.

Pretty Woman on tour

Amber Davies will star as Vivian Ward opposite Oliver Savile as Edward Lewis when hit show Pretty Woman: The Musical heads out on its UK and Ireland tour later this year. Currently playing Lorraine Baines in Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End, Davies’ previous roles include Judy in the original West End cast of 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre and on tour and Campbell in Bring It On at London’s Southbank Centre. Savile’s extensive West End credits include Wicked, Falsettos, The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

The principal cast will be completed by 2016 Strictly Come Dancing champion turned musical theatre artist Ore Oduba (The Rocky Horror Show, UK tour, Grease, UK tour) as Happy Man/Mr Thompson and Olivier-nominee Natalie Paris (Six, West End/UK tour/North American tour, Sunday in the Park With George, Menier Chocolate Factory) as Kit De Luca.

They will be joined by Becky Anderson, Rebekah Bryant, Josh Damer-Jennings, Ben Darcy, Andrew Davison, Lila Falce-Bass, Noah Harrison, Sydnie Hocknell, Elly Jay, Rachael Kendall Brown, Michael Kholwadia, Joshua Lear, Stuart Maciver, Victoria Rachael McCabe, Eleanor Morrison-Halliday, LJ Neilson, Annell Odartey, Curtis Patrick and Chomba Taulo.

Launching at the Birmingham Alexandra Theatre on 17 October, the tour will visit Bristol, Glasgow, Woking, Oxford, Stockton, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Hull, Wimbledon, York, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh, Plymouth, Cardiff, Bromley, Leeds, Sunderland, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Stoke, Southampton, Southend, Dartford, Nottingham, Northampton and Sheffield. Further locations will be announced at a later date.

Featuring music by multi-award-winning rock star Bryan Adams and his song writing partner Jim Vallance, the stage musical version of the modern Cinderella story boasts a book co-written by the original film’s director, the late Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton. Thr production is directed and choreographed by double Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell.

Rock Follies at Chichester Festival Theatre

The full company has been unveiled for Chichester Festival Theatre’s highly anticipated new musical based on the ground-breaking TV series Rock Follies. As previously announced Carly Bawden (Carousel, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, My Fair Lady, Sheffield Crucible) will star as Anna alongside Zizi Strallen (The Music Man, CFT, Follies, National Theatre) as Q. The central line-up will be completed by Angela Marie Hurst (Motown the Musical, Shaftesbury Theatre, The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre) as Dee.

The cast also includes Stephenson Adern-Sodje (Once On This Island, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Lion King, UK and Ireland tour), Samuel Barnett (The History Boys, Twelfth Night), Tamsin Carroll (Hex, National Theatre Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Sheffield Crucible/Apollo Theatre) and Fred Haig (Tammy Faye, Almeida Theatre, A Christmas Carol, The Old Vic). The company is completed by Bella Brown, Collette Guitart, Peter Houston, Matthew Malthouse, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Philippa Stefani, Sebastien Torkia and Harriet Watson.

Due to receive its world premiere in the Minerva Theatre from 24 July until 26 August, Rock Follies features a book by Chloë Moss and original songs from the 1970s series by writer Howard Schuman and composer Andy Mackay. The triple BAFTA-winning story of a fictional all-female rock band is being brought to the stage by director Dominic Cooke (Follies).

Rocky Horror Show on tour

Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Joe McFadden will join the 50th anniversary tour of Richard O’Brien’s cult classic the Rocky Horror Show for a limited four week run this summer.

The actor who left the BBC medical dramas Holby City and Casualty behind to claim the Strictly Come Dancing crown in 2017, and whose theatre credits include Torch Song Trilogy at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Rent in the West End and Priscilla Queen of the Desert on tour, will take on the role of The Narrator in Belfast (7-12 August), Southend (14-19 August), Nottingham (21-26 August) and Swindon (28 August-2 September).

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the hit production continues to play to packed houses across the country with an acclaimed cast led by Stephen Webb (Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde) as Frank, Richard Meek (Spamalot, Hairspray!) as Brad, Haley Flaherty (Chicago, Mamma Mia!) as Janet and fan favourite Kristian Lavercombe reprising his performance as Riff Raff, following over 2,000 performances across the world.

After making her professional debut last year as one of the Phantoms, Darcy Finden continues in the role of Columbia with Ben Westhead (The Sound of Music, Oliver!) as Rocky, Suzie McAdams (School of Rock, Kinky Boots) as Magenta and Joe Allen (Little Shop of Horrors, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) as Eddie and Dr Scott.

The Phantoms are Stefania Du Toit (Starlight Express, Singin’ in the Rain), Beth Woodcock (Bat Out of Hell), Reece Budin (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Man of La Mancha) and Fionán O’Carroll in his professional debut. Nathan Shaw (Walk Like a Man) and Tyla Nurden (Funny Girl, Carrie, The Musical) are Swings.

Picture: Hugo Glendinning

Shrek on tour

Rising star Cherece Richards will join the principal cast for the highly anticipated new production of Shrek The Musical hits the road for a major UK and Ireland tour this summer. Richards (Once on This Island, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) will make her debut as the Dragon alongside the previously announced Antony Lawrence (The Lion King, international tour, Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre/RSC) as Shrek opposite former Strictly champion turned musical theatre leading lady, Joanne Clifton (The Rocky Horror Show, UK tour, Flashdance, UK tour) as Princess Fiona with Olivier Award-nominee James Gillan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Sheffield Crucible/Apollo Theatre, Starlight Express, UK tour) as Lord Faquaad and Brandon Lee Sears (Dreamgirls, UK tour, Be More Chill, Shaftesbury Theatre) as Donkey.

The cast is completed by  Leo Abad, Scotty Armstrong, Imogen Bailey, Jabari Braham, Georgie Buckland, Natasha Cayabyab, Mark Darcy, Jonathan David Dudley, Remi Ferdinand, Sonny Grieveson, Edward Leigh, Bethany Kate, Jessica Lim, Andile Mabhena, Bronte MacMillan, India Thornton. Talia Duff, Gabby Gregorian, Roy Shafford and Jamie Jonathan.

Presented by Mark Goucher, Gavin Kalin and Matthew Gale, the hit fairy tale with the green-tinged twist has been re-imagined for a new audience by a new creative team led by acclaimed director and choreographer Nick Winston alongside former touring Lord Farquaad, Sam Holmes who will co-direct.

Shrek the Musical will open at Plymouth Theatre Royal on 21 July before visiting Manchester, Dublin, Bristol, Southend, Carlisle, Aberdeen, Oxford, Wimbledon, Dartford, Northampton, Bradford, Woking, Eastbourne, Cardiff, York and Blackpool. The national press night will be on 3 August at the Manchester Opera House.

The 2024 dates will begin in Glasgow, with the tour then heading for Edinburgh, Coventry, Belgrade, Sunderland, Liverpool, Southampton, Milton Keynes, Hull, Cheltenham, Nottingham, Norwich, Belfast, Birmingham and Londonderry.

Based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek! and the much-loved Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, Shrek The Musical  the show has book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire and music by Jeanine Tesori.

The Spongebob Musical the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London

The full cast has been confirmed for the London run of The Spongebob Musical this summer. Due to play the Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall from 26 July until 26 August, the production will feature RuPaul’s Drag Race star Divina De Campo as Sheldon J Plankton, alongside pop idol turned musical theatre favourite Gareth Gates and Celebs Go Dating’s Tom Read Wilson who will alternate the role of Squidward.

The cast will be completed by Lewis Cornay as SpongeBob, Irfan Damani as Patrick, Chrissie Bhima as Sandy, Richard J Hunt as Mr Krabs, Sarah Freer as Pearl, Eloise Davies as Mrs Puff, Hannah Lowther as Karen and Rebecca Lisewski as Mayor. They are joined by Sam Beveridge, Jeremiah Olaleye, Eleanor Turiansky, Rhys Batten and Reece Kerridge. Tara Overfield Wilkinson directs with choreography by Fabian Aloise.

Based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, The Spongebob Musical is written by Kyle Jarrow and conceived by Tina Landau. The musical which received its world premiere in Chicago in 2016 before debuting on Broadway in late 2017 features original songs by Yolanda Adams, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Sara Bareilles, Jonathan Coulton, Alex Ebert of Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, The Flaming Lips, Lady A, Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, They Might Be Giants and T.I. Additional songs are by David Bowie, Tom Kenny and Andy Paley, with additional lyrics by Jonathan Coulton and additional music by Tom Kitt.

Karis Anderson (centre) and Okezie Morro in rehearsals for TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. Picture: Manuel Harlan

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, London

Karis Anderson has stepped out of the ensemble and into the title role in the hit West End production of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. Anderson (Motown, UK tour, Whitney – Queen of the Night, tour) shares the role in London with Elesha Paul Moses (Whitney: Queen Of The Night and Tina: What’s Love Got To Do With It, international tours) who continues in the role. They star opposite Okezie Morro (Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, Talawa/National Theatre, To Kill a Mockingbird, Manchester Royal Exchange) who has joined the company to play Ike Turner.

The other new cast members are Mark Anderson as record producer Phil Spector and lyricist Terry Britten, Jonathan Carlton as record company marketing manager Erwin Bach, Earl Gregory as Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Harry Harrington as Tina’s manager Roger Davies, Emma Hatton as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam, Jarius McClanahan as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill and Carole Stennett as Tina’s mother Zelma. Current ensemble member Vanessa Dumatey plays Tina’s sister Alline Bullock with Irene Myrtle Forrester continuing as Tina’s Grandmother.

Lauren Allan plays Toni, with Turrell Barrett-Wallace continuing to play Tina’s son Ronnie, Joey James continuing as Tina’s son Craig and Thomas Sutcliffe who continues to play Carpenter. The Ikettes are played by new cast members Morgan Broome, Amara Campbell and Abiola Efunshile and swings are Richard Appiah-Sarpong, Jenna Bonner, Ana Cardoso, Junior Delius, Livvy Evans, Ewan Grant, Imogen Rose Hart, Llewellyn Jamal, Amy Punter, Ellie Seaton and Samuel J Weir.

The children’s cast includes Shaniyah Abrahams, Seikemi Okotore and Shyanne Ononiwu as Young Anna Mae Bullock, Eden Butcher, Adisa Richards and Ezmai Robinson as Young Alline Bullock and AJ Aboiralor, Ayden Beale and Philip Kamau as Young Craig.

Written by award-winning writer Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, the critic and crowd-pleasing story of the superstar singer received its world premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in 2018 where it has broken all box office records. The music is directed by Phyllida Lloyd with choreographer by Anthony van Last. TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL is dedicated to the memory of Tina Turner, who sadly passed away in May 2023.

Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, London

The hit West End production of Wicked will welcome Steven Pinder back into the role of Doctor Dillamond from 24 October. Pinder (Notes from a Small Island, Funny Money) who first played Doctor Dillamond in London in 2015 and also played the character in the UK and Ireland and international touring productions will take over from the current Doctor Dillamond, Simeon Truby, who will play his final performance in London on 22 October before joining the UK and Ireland tour to play Doctor Dillamond and The Wizard.

Wicked currently stars Alexia Khadime as Elphaba alongside Lucy St Louis as Glinda with Ryan Reid as Fiyero, Sophie-Louise Dann as Madame Morrible, Mark Curry as The Wizard, Caitlin Anderson as Nessarose, Joe Thompson-Oubari as Boq, Simeon Truby as Doctor Dillamond, Amy Webb as Standby Elphaba and Lisa-Anne Wood as Standby for Glinda.

The company also includes Yuki Abe, Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Conor Ashman, Jessica Aubrey, Joshua Clemetson, Fergus Dale, Effie Rae Dyson, Nicola Espallardo, Danny Fogarty, Ross Harmon, Kate Leiper, Nick Len, Jemima Loddy, Joshua Lovell, Paddy Joe Martin, Millie Mayhew, Harry Mills, Daniel Parrott, Aiesha Naomi Pease, Jeanie Ryan, Natalie Spriggs, James Titchener, Micaela Todd, Christine Tucker, Jaydon Vijn and Taela Yeomans-Brown.

Wicked will open its UK and Ireland tour at the Edinburgh Playhouse on 7 December before heading for the Bristol Hippodrome, the Birmingham Hippodrome, Bradford Alhambra Theatre, Southampton Mayflower Theatre, the Liverpool Empire, Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Sunderland Empire, Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre and Manchester Palace Theatre.

Based on Gregory Maguire’s novel which was written while the American author was living in London in 1990 and takes its inspiration from the creations of L Frank Baum brought so vividly to life in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, Wicked has music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Disney’s Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame).

Adapted for the stage by Winnie Holzman, the show features musical staging by Tony award winner Wayne Cilento and the production is directed by double Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.