IN THE WINGS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This is your backstage pass to the latest announcements, press releases, entertainment news, and exclusive features. Dive into behind-the-scenes stories, performer highlights, and venue spotlights—this is where the magic of our shared creative journey unfolds.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Found panto characters stand by a beanstalk with a cow behind and the words "Jack and the Beanstalk"

HACKNEY EMPIRE ANNOUNCE FULL CAST FOR THIS YEAR’S PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Olivier Award-winner and “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe returns to direct and star as ‘Dame Trot’.

A grid warm lit images of a musical theatre show with actor musicians

PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF THE PIANIST

Production images by Anthony Leary-White are today released for the world premiere of The Pianist, a new musical stage adaptation of Wladyslaw Szpilman’s internationally acclaimed memoir, the inspiration behind Roman Polanski’s Academy Award-winning film.

THE WATERMILL THEATRE’S 2026 FESTIVE SEASON - PINOCCHIO LEADS A LINE-UP OF CHRISTMAS EVENTS, DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT

From a Christmas Fair filled with independent makers and festive treats, to live music, creative workshops, dining experiences and two nights of stand-up comedy, the Watermill’s festive programme offers something for audiences of all ages throughout November and December.

A middle aged white man in his underwear, a fez and chicken feet standing in a stage set of a dressing room

THE HILARIOUS SMASH-HIT WEST END PLAY THE LAST LAUGH ARRIVES AT THE FLORAL PAVILION, NEW BRIGHTON 6-10 OCTOBER

Fresh from hit runs in the West End and New York, The Last Laugh brings three of Britain’s best-loved comedy legends back to life, with Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle as ‘Eric Morecambe’, Damian Williams as ‘Tommy Cooper’ and Simon Cartwright as ‘Bob Monkhouse’. Written and directed by ITV’s This Morning host, and Wheel of Fortune presenter Paul Hendy, the critically acclaimed comedy imagines the three icons sharing one very unusual dressing room.

A group of primary age children hold certificates up with big smiles on a theatre stage

POLKA THEATRE EXPANDS SCHOOLS PROGRAMME TO REACH THOUSANDS MORE CHILDREN ACROSS LONDON AND SURREY

The expansion will enable thousands more children across London and Surrey to experience live theatre and take part in Creative Learning programmes, developing literacy, communication, confidence and creativity.

Four men with instruments in vintage clothes on a purple background

BARN THEATRE’S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET TO EMBARK ON MAJOR UK TOUR IN 2027

The hit musical featuring Darren Day will visit 23 venues across the UK from January – July 2027 following its London season

A grid of show promo images and titles in all sorts of styles and colours

BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY ANNOUNCES FURTHER DETAILS OF 2027 SPRING SEASON

Including 2026 Olivier Award best new play Punch, Original theatre’s new comedy The Other Side Of Murder, and new drama from Dash Arts The Reckoning

A series of actors headshots with logos for Peter Pan and Antarctica over them

POLKA THEATRE ANNOUNCES CASTING FOR THIS YEAR’S FESTIVE SHOWS PETER PAN AND ANTARCTICA

Polka’s Y C Chan Theatre will transform into Neverland from Saturday 14 November 2026 – Sunday 24 January 2027 with Polka Theatre’s big festive production of Peter Pan and From Friday 27 November 2026 - Sunday 17 January 2027, Polka’s Adventure Theatre will become a magical wind-whipped world of snow in Antarctica.

A purple poster with a spotted hanky tied to a stick and headshots of two drag queens

RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK FAVOURITES VICTORIA SCONE AND RIVER MEDWAY TO STAR IN KING’S HEAD THEATRE’S DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

The production will once again be written and directed by Andrew Pollard, who returns to King’s Head Theatre for a third year following Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, and was the winner of ‘Best Writer’ at the 2026 UK Pantomime Awards.

A vintage style poster image featuring various performers of colour on a black background

KURUPT FM TO HEADLINE HACKNEY EMPIRE’S FIRST EVER EMPIRE NIGHTS

Curated and hosted by acclaimed comedian Jamali Maddix, Empire Nights is a new live series reimagining Hackney Empire’s rich variety history for today, bringing together some of the most exciting names in comedy, music and culture. From West to East, the legends of the UK Garage scene, Kurupt FM, will then bring the inaugural night to a close.

A grid of production imageds featuring actors dressed in vintage Russian clothing in various poses

FIRST LOOK PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF HOLY FOOL AT PARK THEATRE

Mark Douet images of the new play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers

The disembodied head of a caucasian woman with brown hair on a flat red background

2026 EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARDS BEST SHOW NOMINEE LARA RICOTE LEADS PARK THEATRE’S SEPTEMBER SEASON OF ACCLAIMED EDINBURGH FRINGE COMEDY TRANSFERS

A month of acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe comedy transfers, bringing Lara Ricote, Em Humble, Lou Wall and Olga Koch direct from Edinburgh to Park90

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Full cast announced for Hackney Empire’s Jack and the Beanstalk.

Continuing the legacy of Hackney Empire’s legendary pantomimes, Jack and the Beanstalk, is led by Olivier Award-winner and “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe, who returns to direct and star as ‘Dame Trot’.

Running from Saturday 21 November – Thursday 31 December 2026, this year’s pantomime will form part of an especially significant festive season for Hackney Empire as the theatre celebrates its 125th anniversary. There will also be many more surprises, celebrations and unforgettable moments throughout the shows run that will be announced in due course.

Production images are today released for the world premiere of The Pianist, a new musical stage adaptation of Wladyslaw Szpilman’s internationally acclaimed memoir, the inspiration behind Roman Polanski’s Academy Award-winning film.

The newly released images offer a first look at the fully-staged production with the company, led by Daniel Krikler as Wladyslaw Szpilman, alongside Rosalind Ford as ‘Mother’; Oliver Grant as ‘Hosenfeld’; TJ Holmes as ‘Father’; Mischa Jardine as ‘Janina’; Elżbieta Kalicka as ‘Regina’; Nitai Levi as ‘Henryk’; Melania Maggiore as ‘Halina’; Max Roll as ‘Gimpel/Majorek’; with ensemble members Oliver Magor and Erin Rowlatt.

Following its first performances at Mayflower Studios, Southampton, The Pianist will run at Park Theatre, London, from 15 October to 28 November 2026.

Photos by Anthony Leary-White

The Watermill Theatre is getting ready to celebrate the festive season with a packed programme of events, experiences and entertainment, with the return of its smash-hit musical Pinocchio taking centre stage from 25 November to 3 January.

From a Christmas Fair filled with independent makers and festive treats, to live music, creative workshops, dining experiences and two nights of stand-up comedy, the Watermill’s festive programme offers something for audiences of all ages throughout November and December.

The Floral Pavilion is thrilled to announce that the smash-hit West End comedy The Last Laugh, arrives to the New Brighton venue next month, playing 6 – 10 October, as part of its autumn programme.

Fresh from hit runs in the West End and New York, The Last Laugh brings three of Britain’s best-loved comedy legends back to life, with Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle as ‘Eric Morecambe’, Damian Williams as ‘Tommy Cooper’ and Simon Cartwright as ‘Bob Monkhouse’. Written and directed by ITV’s This Morning host, and Wheel of Fortune presenter Paul Hendy, the critically acclaimed comedy imagines the three icons sharing one very unusual dressing room. Warm, sharply observed and packed with nostalgia, the show arrives in New Brighton following its acclaimed international success.

Polka Theatre’s schools programme will expand for the 2026/27 academic year, enabling thousands more children across London and Surrey to experience live theatre and take part in Creative Learning programmes, developing literacy, communication, confidence and creativity.

Following its critically acclaimed, extended run at the Barn Theatre and as its London season gets underway at The Arts at Marble Arch: powered by TodayTix, Built by Barn and Steve Spiegel for TRW Production today announce that Million Dollar Quartet , directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, with book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, will embark on a major UK tour in 2027, led by stage and screen favourite, Darren Day as Sam Phillips, the visionary producer who created the sound of rock ’n’ roll.

The hit musical will visit 23 venues across the UK from January – July 2027 following its London season.

Polka Theatre are pleased to announce casting for their two festive shows Peter Pan and Antarctica, alongside a variety of events and workshops, running from mid-November 2026.

The cast of Peter Pan is Celeste Denyer as ‘Pan’, rODIUM and Beats & Elements’ Conrad Murray as ‘Hook’, Aziza Brown as ‘Tink’, Khai Shaw as ‘Smee’ & The Lost Boys, Alex Hackett AKA ABH as The Lost Boys, and Nadine Rose Johnson as ‘Wendy’.

The creative team for Peter Pan includes Adapter, Composer and Director / Performer Conrad Murray, Director Ria Parry (Who Let the Gods Out, Polka Theatre), Set and Costume Designer Liam Bunster, Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi and Choreographer and Fight Director Stephan Boyce.

The snowy world of Antarctica is brought to life by the talented cast of Grace Venus, Joe Boylan, and Judy Barrington-Smuts.

Antarctica is Written and Devised by Little Bulb, Directed by Alexander Scott with Set and Costume Design from Verity Sadler.

Initial cast and creative team announced for this year’s King's Head pantomime, Dick Whittington and His Cat, running from 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027; alongside its strictly grown-up counterpart, Dick Whittington: Adults Only, from 26 November 2026 – 2 January 2027.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK favourites Victoria Scone and River Medway will star in both productions, with Victoria returning to the theatre as ‘Dragpus’, following her appearance as ‘Dame Trott’ in last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, and River making her King’s Head Theatre debut as ‘Queen Rat’.

The production will once again be written and directed by Andrew Pollard, who returns for a third year following Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, and was the winner of ‘Best Writer’ at the 2026 UK Pantomime Awards.

Kurupt FM will headline the first ever Empire Nights, taking place on Thursday 22 October 2026, as part of the Hackney Empire's landmark 125th anniversary programme.

Curated and hosted by comedian Jamali Maddix, Empire Nights is a new live series reimagining the iconic East London venue’s rich variety history for today, bringing together some of the most exciting names in comedy, music and culture for one-night-only events created especially for the theatre.

From West to East, the legends of the UK Garage scene, Kurupt FM, will bring the inaugural night to a close. The bill also brings together comedian and actor Guz Khan, creator and star of Man Like Mobeen; comedian, actor and writer Michelle de Swarte, creator and star of BBC comedy-drama Spent; rising stand-up Kyrah Gray; acclaimed Grime MC Manga Saint Hilare; and DJ Lex Blondin, founder of Church of Sound and co-founder of Total Refreshment Centre.

FIRST LOOK: Production images released for the world premiere of Holy Fool, a gripping new play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers inspired by the extraordinary true story of legendary Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich and his battle to preserve his artistic voice under Stalin’s brutal regime.

Directed by Kate Fahy, the production is now playing at Park Theatre, London, until Saturday 10 October 2026, starring Jenna Augen, Fergus O’Donnell, Benjamin O’Mahony and Phoebe Pryce.

Park Theatre announce a month of acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe comedy transfers, bringing Lara Ricote, Em Humble, Lou Wall and Olga Koch direct from Edinburgh to Park90 this September.

Leading the season is 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Lara Ricote, whose latest show Inkling runs at Park Theatre from 3 – 26 September. The show has just been shortlisted for Best Show at the 2026 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, following its earlier nomination for Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Also transferring directly from Edinburgh are:
Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes
Lou Wall: Where Are All The Tall Grandmas?
and
Olga Koch: Fat Tom Cruise

The producers of the Olivier Award-nominated international smash hit musical THE CHOIR OF MAN are delighted to announce that the show will return to London this Christmas, opening at Arts at Marble Arch, powered by TodayTix, on Thursday 10 December 2026, playing until Sunday 14 February 2027.

The London season follows THE CHOIR OF MAN’s first ever UK & Ireland Tour, which is currently taking The Jungle to audiences across the country and Ireland. The tour continues through the autumn, culminating at Edinburgh Festival Theatre in December, immediately ahead of the show’s return to the capital.

THE CHOIR OF MAN’s West End journey began at the Arts Theatre in October 2021. Across more than 1,000 performances, the show welcomed over 280,000 audience members and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, before concluding its most recent West End run in January 2026.

Families are invited to discover a season of stories, laughter and adventure this autumn as Woolwich Works unveils a vibrant programme of theatre, circus, comedy and live entertainment, with an action-packed programme for October half-term at its heart.

Running throughout October and into November, the programme brings together acclaimed children's theatre, interactive performances, family comedy and spectacular circus, reinforcing Woolwich Works' growing reputation as one of south east London's leading destinations for high-quality family entertainment.

ANRPR is looking for an energetic, creative and highly organised Publicity Manager to join our growing team.

Full-time, permanent
Salary: Competitive
Flexible / hybrid working, with regular Central London attendance required

Full job spec on our website, link in bio.

Application with a CV and cover letter by 6pm on Wednesday 9 September.

Rehearsal images are today released for the world premiere of The Pianist, a new musical stage adaptation of Wladyslaw Szpilman’s internationally acclaimed memoir, the inspiration behind Roman Polanski’s Academy Award-winning film.

The newly released images offer a first look inside rehearsals with the company, led by Daniel Krikler as Wladyslaw Szpilman, alongside Rosalind Ford as ‘Mother’; Oliver Grant as ‘Hosenfeld’; TJ Holmes as ‘Father’; Mischa Jardine as ‘Janina’; Elżbieta Kalicka as ‘Regina’; Nitai Levi as ‘Henryk’; Melania Maggiore as ‘Halina’; Max Roll as ‘Gimpel/Majorek’; with ensemble members Oliver Magor and Erin Rowlatt.

Written and directed by Thom Southerland (Titanic the Musical), The Pianist will run at Park Theatre, London, from 15 October to 28 November 2026, with a national press night on Thursday 22 October. Before its London opening, the production will play a limited run at Mayflower Studios, Southampton, from 9 to 12 September 2026.

Fantasia Orchestra unveils bold 2026/27 Smith Square Hall season as it celebrates ten years of musical collaboration.

Running from November 2026 until June 2027, the season brings together an outstanding roster of internationally acclaimed artists, including Dame Evelyn Glennie, Guy Johnston, Dame Sheila Hancock, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason and Elena Urioste.

The announcement follows a landmark summer for Fantasia Orchestra. In August, the orchestra returned to the BBC Proms for two performances at London's Royal Albert Hall, appearing alongside the BBC Singers in a Relaxed Prom before performing a Late Night Prom with Dame Evelyn Glennie. Earlier this year, Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director Tom Fetherstonhaugh was also selected as one of the BBC Proms' ten exceptional artists aged 30 and under, recognising a new generation of musicians helping to shape the future of classical music.

Casting announced for new adaptation of Woyzeck's 'Franz and Marie' debuting at Charing Cross Theatre next month.

Brenock O’Connor as Woyzeck and Jade Oswald as Marie are joined by Steve Simmonds; Paula James; Richard Emerson Gould; Matthew Heywood; Max Alexander-Taylor; Mark Meadows; Eve Polycarpou; Elaine Hua Jones; Antony Lam, Anna-Marie Piazza; Emily Panes; with Tom Aubrey, making his professional stage debut, completing the ensemble.

This raw, soul-rattling Indie Folk score was originally commissioned by award-winning Korean musical theatre company Acom and created by Chris Broderick and Rob Shepherd, key members of cult Medway band The Singing Loins. Their adaptation of Woyzeck was staged at the LG Arts Center in Seoul in 2014 and has now been reimagined as Franz & Marie for its 2026 production at Charing Cross Theatre.

Franz & Marie is directed by Michael Oakley, with choreography by Ben Wright.

Woolwich Works will stage its first-ever beer festival on 19 September, leading an eclectic autumn programme of food and drink, cabaret, contemporary circus, poetry, theatre, heritage and live entertainment.

Taking over Woolwich Works for a full day, the Big Beer Fest will bring together 24 beers on tap from the venue’s own festival bar alongside six local guest breweries, hand-picked street food traders, live music, guided craft beer tastings and a Big Beer Quiz. The wider autumn season runs from September into November, ranging from risqué cabaret and new circus work to spoken word, performance and world-class Ethiopian acrobatics.

Full casting announced for London transfer of Million Dollar Quartet.

Built by Barn and Steve Spiegel for TRW Production are thrilled to announce full casting for the Barn Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Million Dollar Quartet, which transfers to London this autumn for a strictly limited season at The Arts at Marble Arch: powered: by TodayTix from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 December 2026.

Darren Day returns as Sam Phillips, alongside Jenay Naima (MJ The Musical at Prince Edward Theatre, Silence! The Musical at Turbine Theatre, The Bodyguard Musical at Theatre by the Sea) as Dyanne, Geraint Downing (A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic, The Lord of the Rings at the Watermill Theatre) as Brother Jay, Josh Haberfield (Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story with Awesome Music Ltd, Aladdin at the Lighthouse Poole, Beauty and the Beast with Paul Holman Associates Ltd) as W.S. “Fluke” Holland, Connor Payne (Ruth The Musical at Wilton’s Music Hall, Assassins and A Man of No Importance) will reprise the role of Elvis Presley, Christopher Erasmus (Winghaven Park, Beauty and the Beast) will play Johnny Cash, Joe Bence (Death Comes to Pemberley UK Tour, The Farm at Mercury Theatre, Colchester) returns as Jerry Lee Lewis and Joey Bradick (Humbug at Waterloo Vaults, The Cavern Club UK Tour) will play Carl Perkins.

The full London company will reprise their roles from the Barn Theatre run.

New West End production images have been released for Brainiac Live's final weeks at the Garrick Theatre before continuing its UK tour.

Brainiac Live runs at the Garrick Theatre until 30 August, and will then continue its UK tour visiting Grand Opera House York (Sunday 13 September), Eastbourne Theatres (Tuesday 27 October), Chelmsford Theatre (Wednesday 28 October), Lighthouse - Arts and Entertainment | Poole (Thursday 29 October), The Anvil Basingstoke (Friday 30 October), St George’s Theatre Bradford (Saturday 31 October) and New Theatre Peterborough (Sunday 1 November).

Images by Danny Kaan.

Polka Theatre celebrate the 20th anniversary of Freefalling, its fully funded, referral-only drama programme for children and young people in Merton who are facing challenges at home or school.

Since its launch in 2006, Freefalling has used theatre as a tool for personal development, offering young people a safe and supportive space in which to build confidence, develop communication and social skills, and explore self-expression. Weekly 90-minute sessions run through the Spring and Summer terms, culminating in a week-long residency and a performance on one of Polka’s own stages.

The programme now runs in two strands: Freefalling Foundation, for ages 9–11, and Freefalling Young Company, for ages 11–16, allowing older participants to continue with the programme. Both groups share the same aims, with the depth and challenge of the work increasing as young people move through the programme.

First look at the Olivier Award-winning and much-loved Jeeves Takes Charge, as it returns to London for a strictly limited season at Charing Cross Theatre and The Players Bar from Thursday 13 August – Wednesday 16 September 2026 before transferring to Mayflower Studios, Southampton from Tuesday 29 September – Saturday 3 October, ahead of a UK tour in 2027.

Adapted by James Duke, Edward Duke and Hugh Wooldridge, and starring West End, Chichester and RSC favourite Sam Harrison, this dazzling one-man adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s beloved Jeeves and Wooster stories sees Harrison play all twenty-two characters, including the indefatigable Jeeves, the much-loved Bertie Wooster, Florence Craye, Gussie Fink-Nottle, Bingo Little, Uncle Willoughby and Aunt Dahlia, in a bravura tour-de-force performance.

The Floral Pavilion has unveiled a packed autumn and winter season, bringing some of the biggest names in touring theatre, comedy, music and family entertainment to New Brighton. Leading the line-up are the smash-hit West End comedy The Last Laugh; Agatha Christie’s legendary thriller The Mousetrap, arriving as part of its landmark 75th anniversary tour; and the Floral’s much-loved Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.

At the heart of New Brighton, the 814-seat Floral Pavilion is one of the Wirral’s leading live entertainment venues, welcoming a wide-ranging programme of national touring theatre, comedy, music, dance, family entertainment and its hugely popular annual pantomime. The autumn and winter months ahead reflect that breadth, with major touring productions sitting alongside household names, one-night shows and family favourites.

First-look rehearsal images for the world premiere of Holy Fool, a gripping new play by Rosalind Adler and Lea Sellers inspired by the extraordinary true story of legendary Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich and his battle to preserve his artistic voice under Stalin’s brutal regime.

Directed by Kate Fahy, the production runs at Park Theatre, London, from Thursday 27 August to Saturday 10 October 2026.

Starring Benjamin O’Mahony, Jenna Augen, Phoebe Pryce and Fergus O’Donnell.

Alongside Holy Fool, the award-winning Carducci Quartet will present Shostakovich in Seven Parts, a 45-minute journey through the extraordinary world of Shostakovich’s string quartets, bringing together seven contrasting moments from across the composer’s fifteen quartets.

The Barn Theatre production of Million Dollar Quartet will transfer to London this autumn for a strictly limited season. The critically acclaimed production, currently playing a summer season in Cirencester, will play at The Arts at Marble Arch: powered by TodayTix from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 December 2026.

Stage and screen favourite Darren Day will reprise the role of ‘Sam Phillips’, the visionary producer who discovered the sound of rock ’n’ roll, with full casting for the London season to be announced shortly.

Watermill Theatre are delighted to announce the cast and creative team of the world premiere stage adaptation of Reverend Richard Coles’ bestselling mystery novel Murder Before Evensong, playing from Friday 25 September – Saturday 14 November.

The cast for Murder Before Evensong will feature Ian Hallard, Ajani Cabey, Caroline Gruber, David Hounslow, Kate Russell-Smith, Jaz Singh Deol, Julie Teal, Alex Wilson.

Murder Before Evensong has been adapted for stage by Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna – who were behind the multi-award winning 2023 production of The Lord of the Rings.

The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, are delighted to announce the full cast and creative team for Yes, Prime Minister playing between Friday 28 August – Saturday 3 October.

Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey are back in the prequel to the Barn Theatre’s 2023 show I’m Sorry, Prime Minister, which has recently had a West End residency before going on tour across the UK.

The cast will include Clive Hayward as ‘Sir Humphrey’, playing ‘Sir Jim Hacker’ will be Jay Villiers, William Owen will play ‘Bernard Wooley’, Ruth Gibson will play ‘Claire Sutton’, playing both ‘Gordon The American Ambassador’ and ‘Cameraman’ will be Maurey Richards and playing both ‘Jeremy Burnham’ and ‘Simon Chester’ will be Mark Stratton.

Yes, Prime Minister will have an all-female creative team made up of director Charlotte Westenra with set and costume design from Anna Kelsey, lighting design from Jodie Underwood and sound design from Elizabeth Purnell.

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