The hit world premiere production of the new musical based on David Nicholls’ best-selling book One Day will transfer to London’s West End in November.
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Presenters and schedule for West End Live 2026
The presenters and the full schedule have been confirmed for this year’s West End Live as London’s Trafalgar Square prepares to once again be transformed into the ultimate open-air theatre on 20 and 21 June.
Ashcon Rahmani and Rebecca Trehearn to lead 10th anniversary tour of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Ashcon Rahmani and Rebecca Trehearn will play Jamie and Margaret New in the eagerly awaited 10th anniversary tour of the critically acclaimed British musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
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.
Broadway debut for Paddington The Musical
The Olivier Award-winning and record-breaking Paddington The Musical will find a new home on Broadway in 2027.
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.
Special Feature: Don’t miss the ‘riveting’ world premiere of cult Korean rock musical The Last Man
You’ve just a few days left to catch the acclaimed world premiere production of cult Korean one-person rock musical The Last Man, running at Southwark Playhouse Elephant until Saturday 13 June 2026.
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.
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.
Stars to come out for 79th Tony Awards
The 79th Tony Awards at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City on 7 June 2026 will feature special performances from Rachel Zegler and Leslie Odom Jr.
First UK and Ireland tour for multi-award-winner Hadestown
Anaïs Mitchell’s record-breaking Hadestown continues to play a successful third year in London’s West End, the producers have announced plans for the first ever UK and Ireland tour next year.
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.
Cast for European premiere of Kimberly Akimbo
The full cast for the European premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori’s Tony Award-winning musical Kimberly Akimbo has been confirmed.
New Queens for SIX UK and China tour dates
The international touring version of the crowd and critic pleasing musical SIX will welcome a new set of Queens next month.
Second London season for Jesus Christ Superstar
This summer’s eagerly-anticipated London Palladium run of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar will be followed by a limited 12-week engagement at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Launch date for Starlight Express world tour
Following on from the successful London revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s innovative Starlight Express, the first initial dates and venues have been revealed for the musical’s eagerly anticipated first world tour.
18th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year – the finalists
The Stephen Sondheim Society has announced the 12 finalists in the running for the 18th annual Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year (SSSSPOTY).
Mrs Doubtfire tour cast confirmed
The full cast has been confirmed for this summer’s first UK and Ireland tour for the hit West End and Broadway comedy Mrs Doubtfire.
Full cast for final leg of the Les Misérables Arena Spectacular world tour
The full cast has been unveiled for the grand finale of the acclaimed world touring production of Les Misérables – The Arena Spectacular.
West End Live 2026 – first programme details announced
The first details of the 50-plus performances from some of London’s biggest shows lined up for next month’s West End Live have been revealed.
Oh, Mary! creator Cole Escola to make West End debut in show
After delivering a Tony Award-winning performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in the original Broadway production of the hit comedy Oh, Mary!, creator Cole Escola will step into the Olivier Award-winning London production.
Sting to bring his musical The Last Ship into the West End
Rock superstar Sting will sail into the West End in a reimagined production of his highly personal debut musical The Last Ship for a limited season this autumn.
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.
Divina De Campo completes cast of Ride the Cyclone London encore
British drag queen Divina De Campo will play The Amazing Karnak in the summer return of the critically acclaimed UK premiere production of Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell’s Ride the Cyclone The Musical.
Chichester finds its My Fair Lady cast
Casting has been confirmed for Chichester Festival Theatre’s (CFT) first ever production of Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady this summer.
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.
West End debut for Gaten Matarazzo in new production of RENT
Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut in a new production of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical RENT.
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.
New cast joins West End’s Operation Mincemeat
As the award-winning musical Operation Mincemeat enters into its fourth year in the West End, the production has welcomed a number of new cast members to the stage at the Fortune Theatre.
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.
