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

POLKA THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTS TO TAKE PART IN ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ‘CATAPULT’

Polka Theatre’s Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Helen Matravers, Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Lynette Shanbury, and the whole team are pleased to announce the artists chosen for the theatre’s Artist Development programme, Catapult.

BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY 2026 SPRING/SUMMER FAMILY SHOWS INCLUDING THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW, THE GRUFFULO, AND THE DETECTIVE DOG

Artistic Director Corey Campbell, Interim CEO Emma Flatley, and the whole team at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry are delighted to reveal details of their forthcoming spring and summer family shows.

CLIVE ROWE TO DIRECT AND STAR IN THE 2026 HACKNEY PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK - SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER – THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER

CEO Chris Sudworth and the whole team at Hackney Empire , is pleased to announce that “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe will return to the Hackney Empire stage for Jack and the Beanstalk in 2026, with performances from Saturday 21 November – Thursday 31 December 2026. Join happy-go-lucky Jack on an epic adventure after he sells his family’s beloved cow for a handful of magic beans, setting off a chain of events that leads high into the clouds. As Jack climbs up th

YENTL - THE AWARD-WINNING AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION ANNOUNCES FINAL CASTING FOR INTERNATIONAL LONDON PREMIERE

After a series of triumphant, award-winning, sold-out Australian seasons — including a five-star run at the Sydney Opera House — Yentl, Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s bold and acclaimed new adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s story today announces its final casting for its international premiere at Marylebone Theatre from 6 March 2026 for a strictly limited run until 12 April with a press night on 11 March.

REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR WHO LET THE GODS OUT RUNNING IN POLKA’S Y C CHAN THEATRE FROM SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY UNTIL SUNDAY 22 MARCH 2026

Polka Theatre’s Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Helen Matravers , Executive Director and Joint Chief Executive Lynette Shanbury , and the whole team are pleased to share rehearsal images for Who Let The Gods Out – a hilarious brand-new stage musical based on the first adventure in the brilliant ‘Who Let The Gods Out’ series, with book and lyrics by the series’ bestselling author Maz Evans. The show will run in Polka’s Adventure Theatre from Saturday 4 October un

FIRST LOOK! PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR 'BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOL' STARRING DAVID HUNTER, LAUREN WARD AND HANNAH CORNEAU - PLAYING NOW AT SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE BOROUGH UNTIL SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY

Producers today release new production images from Beautiful Little Fool, the brand new musical which opened at Southwark Playhouse Borough last week and holds its national press night this Thursday 22 January.

SIR TREVOR NUNN RETURNS TO THE ARTS THEATRE CAMBRIDGE – THE STAGE THAT LAUNCHED HIS CAREER OVER SIX DECADES AGO – TO DIRECT NOËL COWARD’S EASY VIRTUE

Co-Chief Executives Rachel Tackley and Victoria Beechey, and the whole team at The Arts Theatre Cambridge are thrilled to announce casting for their first in-house production, since their reopening after Phase One of their transformational redevelopment project.

FINAL GUEST STARS ALEX NEWELL, JOEL MONTAGUE AND CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER, PLUS FURTHER TRACK LIST INFORMATION ANNOUNCED FOR LOVE LIFE: WEST END UNITES AGAINST CANCER

The One For The Boys team are delighted to announce the final cast members joining their star-studded concert in London, alongside additional information on the setlists for the night.

WORLD PREMIERE OF VICTORIA: A QUEEN UNBOUND ANNOUNCED OPENING AT THE WATERMILL

Fresh from being named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2026, the Watermill Theatre is delighted to announce the world premiere of Victoria: A Queen Unbound, a new play by Daisy Goodwin, creator of ITV’s Victoria. The production will run from Friday 27 March to Saturday 9 May, with a national press night on Tuesday 31 March at 7pm.

SIX THE MUSICAL - NEW QUEENS ASCEND THE THRONE! AS SIX CONTINUES TO REIGN SUPREME AT THE VAUDEVILLE

The producers of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's award-winning global smash hit SIX are delighted to reveal the new Queens who will take up their crowns in the West End from Tuesday 24 February, as the home-grown musical sensation continues its run at the Vaudeville Theatre, now booking until January 2027.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TOUR OF THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY RETURNS THIS JANUARY AND CONTINUES THROUGH 2026 FOLLOWING SOLD-OUT 2025 DATES

Following rave reviews and sold-out performances across the UK in 2025, the critically acclaimed first-ever UK and international tour of THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY returns this month, continuing into 2026 ahead of a planned West End transfer.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE TOUR OF WEST END AND INTERNATIONAL SMASH HIT MUSICAL THE CHOIR OF MAN – OPENING AT THE NEW THEATRE WIMBLEDON SATURDAY 14 MARCH

The producers of the Olivier Award-nominated international smash hit musical THE CHOIR OF MAN today announce full casting for the show’s first ever UK & Ireland Tour, opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 14 March 2026. Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award-nominated worldwide smash hit will take The Jungle to audiences across the country and Ireland with tickets on sale now for dates through to December 2026.

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The Lady Boys Of Bangkok bring their dazzling “Full Moon” Tour to Central London.

One of the UK’s most colourful and long-running cabaret spectaculars arrives in Shepherd’s Bush Green this summer, staged inside the company’s glamorous Sabai Pavilion – a custom-built, heated pink cabaret tent with table seating, plush carpeting and well-stocked bars. The show promises a dazzling night of music, comedy and high-energy performance inspired by Thailand’s vibrant cabaret traditions, featuring nine ladyboy performers, four male dancers and a drag host.

Derry Girls' Kathy Kiera Clarke will star as ‘Cara’ in Heartsink, a new bittersweet medical comedy written by former GP Farine Clarke and directed by Sean Turner, premiering at Riverside Studios 21 April - 10 May 2026.

What happens when a doctor becomes the patient…? Heartsink is a sharp, humane comedy that tackles ostensibly unfunny subject matter with wit and compassion.

Polka Theatre presents the premiere of The Rapping Princess opening this May plus accessible production of Tortoise And The Hare.

The Rapping Princess – Follow Princess Shiloh on a musical journey based on Hannah Lee and Allen Fatimaharan’s inspirational children’s book in Polka’s Adventure Theatre, 16 May – Sunday 21 June.

Tortoise And The Hare – a toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud retelling on the children’s classic story where every show includes creative captions, integrated BSL and audio description in Polka’s Y C Chan Theatre, 2 – 31 May.

Production shots released for Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl - now playing at the @marylebonetheatre

The international premiere of the award-winning, sold-out Australian production is now open in London and has released a selection of production shots by @manuelharlanphotography.

Full casting announced for Arthur Miller’s
The Price at the Marylebone Theatre, 17 April – 7 June 2026.

Double Olivier Award-winner Henry Goodman (Yes, Prime Minister, Fiddler On The Roof, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) stars as Gregory Solomon and is joined by Faye Castelow (Leopoldstadt, After the Dance, The Witch of Edmonton) as Esther Franz, Elliot Cowan (A Little Life, Da Vinci’s Demons, Peaky Blinders) as Victor Franz and John Hopkins (Dr Strangelove, The 39 Steps, Poldark, Midsomer Murders) as Walter Franz.

Brainiac Live tours the UK this spring.

After winning the 2025 Olivier Award for Best Family Show, the science sensation Brainiac Live will tour the UK this year following its recent festive run at Birmingham Town Hall, and prior to a West End season, with details to be confirmed.

More mischievous than ever before, the UK’s original and favourite family science show explodes on stage and takes audiences on a breathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful. Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re far too scared (and definitely not allowed) to do at home.

World premiere of Dark Of The Moon to run at Charing Cross Theatre 18 May – 8 August 2026.

Originally written by Howard Richardson and William Berney while students at the University of Iowa in the early 1940s, the play Dark of the Moon is loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad Barbara Allen. The story has recently re-entered the cultural conversation through references in the Stranger Things stage play The First Shadow and the final season of the hit Netflix series.

Full casting and creative team to be announced in due course.

Huge congratulations to ANRPR clients @polkatheatre for not one, but TWO Olivier nominations today.

The Boy With Wings adapted by Arvind Ethan David from the book by Lenny Henry, and The Firework-Maker’s Daughter adapted by Jude Christian from the book by Philip Pullman were both nominated in the Best Family Show category in the @olivierawards announcement earlier - meaning they hold half of the nominations in this field.

Wishing huge congratulations and luck to all nominees - see you all in April!

Italia Conti marks Women’s History Month and its 115th Anniversary by celebrating a legacy of female leadership

Since its founding in 1911, Italia Conti has been led by an extraordinary succession of women that have shaped its values, culture and enduring impact on the performing arts sector.

Italia Conti, Ruth Conti, Eve Sheward, Anne Sheward, Sam Newton and current CEO Hayley Newton-Jarvis together represent an entirely uninterrupted lineage of female leadership spanning 115 years. This legacy is not only rare within the arts sector, but central to the institution’s identity and longevity.

Family favourite Stick Man returns to London for 15th annual festive season alongside first season in Sheffield.

Based on the well-loved book by renowned author Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, perennial festive favourite Stick Man will simultaneously play in two UK cities this winter season.

Stick Man is returning to London's Bloomsbury Theatre from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, and premiering at Sheffield’s Montgomery Theatre from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.

This much-loved adaptation from Freckle Productions, the team behind Zog, Zog and the Flying Doctors and The Baddies, features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves, receiving rave reviews year after year.

Barn Theatre in Cirencester, are delighted to announce the final two additions to the 2026 Built by Barn season, with Million Dollar Quartet and a Built By Barn revival of The King’s Speech.

Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, Million Dollar Quartet by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, which was first staged at the Barn Theatre in 2022, returns for an extended run this summer from Monday 15 June – Saturday 22 August.

Written by David Seidler, The King’s Speech will play at the Barn Theatre between Friday 9 October – Saturday 7 November

Newbury’s Watermill Theatre announce their first Dementia Friendly performance will be for the summer musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, on Thursday 16 July at 2.30pm.

Dementia Friendly performances create a relaxed, supportive environment for people living with dementia and those who support them. This is achieved through numerous means, including pre-show information to help prepare for a visit, and Dementia Friendly staff available for support before, during and after the show. During the performance, low-level lighting is used, and there are quiet spaces and a chill-out area which patrons are free to use. The performance is a relaxed and inclusive environment, where movement, noise, and different expressions of enjoyment are welcomed.

This Dementia Friendly performance forms another part of the Watermill’s extensive range of Access performances throughout the year.

Woolwich Works launches Big Bill’s Comedy Night – a new monthly home for grassroots stand-up hosted by rising star Bilal Rashid.

The night offers a raw, high-energy alternative to larger touring comedy showcases, creating space for risk-taking, sharp writing and up-close crowd interaction in the intimate Beanfeast space.

The first show on Friday 20 March features Junior Booker, Helen K, Olly Miller and Rob Moriarty

Next shows: 7 April, and 22 May, line ups tbc.

Rehearsal shots have been released for Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s Yentl – opening this week at Marylebone Theatre.

Featuring cast members Amy Hack, Ashley Margolis, Claire Morrissey, Genevieve Kingsford, Kandice Joy and Michali Dantes,

📷 @mark__snr

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience will tour across the UK in 2026, following sell-out seasons across the UK and internationally.

Audiences can enjoy a quintessentially British experience as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up two hours of theatre, chaos and a 70s-style three-course meal in the most infamous hotel restaurant in British comedy history.

The tour begins in Manchester in February.

First Look! Production shots released for
Noël Coward’s Easy Virtue starring Alice Orr-Ewing, Michael Praed, and Greta Scacchi, and directed by Sir Trevor Nunn.

Written in 1924, Easy Virtue introduces us to Colonel and Mrs Whittaker, shocked and scandalised as they learn that their son, John, has, without any consultation, got married in the South of France. Even worse, he is soon to arrive at their country estate with his new bride, an American divorcée, Larita. She proves to be glamorous, witty, sophisticated and very much a modern woman ... everything that Mrs Whittaker is not. Larita’s cosmopolitan lifestyle causes tensions to rise and, in the process, hidden truths are revealed.

Now playing at The Arts Theatre, Cambridge, until 7 March

📷 Richard Hubert Smith

Smalltown Boy - Industry Presentation of Exciting New Wave Musical in London this Spring. Featuring an All-Star Cast of West End Talent, including Aimee Atkinson, Grace Mouat and Jo Foster

Smalltown Boy is a new jukebox musical set to the iconic sounds of the 1980s New Wave era, exploring love, rebellion, and the search for belonging. Set in New York’s East Village in the summer of 1983, the show follows a teenage runaway who flees suburbia and is swept into the city’s underground New Wave scene - just as the AIDS crisis emerges and the world around him begins to close in.

The invite-only industry presentation @sohoplace in London on Friday 13 March marks the next step toward a full commercial production, and features some of the West End’s best up-and-coming performers.

New promo images released for pop rock musical World’s Greatest Lover, featuring X Factor Winners Matt Terry & Dalton Harris, Union J’s Jaymi Hensley, 17:28’s Joaquin Pedro Valdes, and Leonardo Vieira And Alex Hayden.

World’s Greatest Lover brings together the most iconic romantics in history in a witty, irreverent and unexpectedly heartfelt exploration of love, desire and identity, asking what it truly means to be the greatest lover of all time.
With explosive choreography and a sensational pop-powered score, Romeo, Casanova, Cyrano de Bergerac and the Marquis de Sade collide in a wildly entertaining, no-holds-barred battle to uncover the truth about love.

World's Greatest Lover plays The Other Palace, 12 April – 7 June 2026

Theatre Royal Windsor, one of the only unsubsidised producing theatres to operate all year round in Britain, today announces the star casting for Noël Coward’s witty romantic comedy The Marquise. The show gets a vibrant 1930s twist in this new production originating at Theatre Royal Windsor, from Wednesday 27 May – Saturday 6 June 2026, with a national press night on Monday 1 June, before touring to Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bath, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre Guildford and The Arts Theatre Cambridge.

The all-star cast features BAFTA Award-winning Juliet Aubrey as ‘The Marquise Eloise de Kestournel’, Simon Shepherd as ‘Raoul de Vriaac’, Tristan Gemmill as ‘Esteban el Duco Santaguano’, George Kemp as ‘Jaques Rijar’, Eva O’Hara as ‘Adrienne’. They are joined by Martin Carroll as ‘Father Clement’, Barnaby Tobias as ‘Miguel’, Lee Peck as ‘Hubert / Understudy Jaques and Miguel’, and Holly Smith as ‘Alice / Understudy Marquise’, James Smalley as ‘Understudy Hubert and Father Clement’, and Amy Utting as ‘Understudy Alice and Adrienne’.

Riverside Studios announces details of the first special events as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The programme includes Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Lenny Henry, Gyles Brandreth, and Goodness Gracious Me stars Nina Wadia, Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE and Kulvinder Ghir.

Tickets are now on priority sale to Riverside passholders. General sale will begin at 10am on Tuesday, 24 February via Riverside Studios website.

Cast announced for Poor, taking place at Belgrade Theatre from 1 May, after a run at the Gate Theatre Dublin.

Aisling O’Mara will play ‘Katriona’, and she is joined by Hilda Fay and Aidan Kelly. Sue Collins, John Cronin, Shauna Harris and Ben Morris will be the ensemble with Hollie Lawlor and Pippa Owens alternating in the role of ‘Younger Katriona’

Based on Katriona O’Sullivan’s best-selling memoir, Poor charts her extraordinary journey as she emerges from her childhood in Coventry and Birmingham marked by poverty, addiction and homelessness. Joining director Róisín McBrinn and writer Katriona O’Sullivan, Poor has been adapted by Sonya Kelly.

On sale now via Belgrade Theatre's website

FIRST LOOK! REHEARSAL IMAGES RELEASED FOR 2026-27 QUEENS OF SIX THE MUSICAL

AS SIX CONTINUES TO REIGN SUPREME AT THE VAUDEVILLE

SMASH-HIT WEST END SHOW NOW BOOKING UNTIL JANUARY 2027

The new Queens will take up their crowns in the West End from Tuesday 24 February, as the home-grown musical sensation continues its run at the Vaudeville Theatre, now booking until January 2027.

Adrianne Langley will play ‘Catherine of Aragon’, while Marisha Morgan joins the Queendom as ‘Anne Boleyn’. Jessica Aubrey as ‘Jane Seymour’, with Freya Karlettis as ‘Anna of Cleves’, Leesa Tulley as ‘Katherine Howard’, and Nia Stephen will make her West End debut as ‘Catherine Parr’.

They are joined by Tegan Bannister as Alternate ‘Aragon/Cleves’, Mary Elliott as Alternate ‘Boleyn/Howard’, and Ashlyn Weekes as Alternate ‘Seymour/Parr’. The company is completed by Super Swings Laura Baxter, Gabs Boumford and Imogen Rose Hart.

#sixthemusical #six #westend #vaudevilletheatre #rehearsalpictures #london #londontheatre

PRODUCTION IMAGES RELEASED FOR SPANISH ORANGES STARRING ACCLAIMED JAMES BOND ACTRESS MARYAM D’ABO RUNNING AT THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE

Counterminers, M&M Ents, and The Playground Theatre, are proud to share production photos from the world premiere of Spanish Oranges, the debut play by Alba Arikha, Samuel Beckett’s goddaughter, with direction from Myriam Cyr to take place at The Playground Theatre in West London next year. Spanish Oranges runs at The Playground Theatre from Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March.

#spanishoranges #playgroundtheatre #maryamdabo #playgroundtheatre #debutplay #london #theatreinlondon #londontheatre

HALF A MILLENNIUM APART: WEST END'S ANNE BOLEYN MEETS HER 1583 LIKENESS

On the eve of the opening of a major new exhibition, the actress who currently portrays Anne Boleyn in the West End stepped into the ill-fated Queen’s childhood home of Hever Castle, to come face-to-face with one of her earliest surviving images.

Thảo Therese Nguyễn, who currently plays Anne Boleyn in the hit West End musical Six, had a sneak peak of the newly re-dated Hever ‘Rose’ portrait at Hever Castle, ahead of the exhibition’s opening on Wednesday 11 February. Painted in 1583, the Hever 'Rose' portrait is one of the very few likenesses to depict Anne’s hands, and a ground-breaking new exhibition argues it was probably painted this way to disprove the idea she was a witch, and to prove she had five digits.

The portrait features in Hever Castle's Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn, a landmark exhibition bringing together over 30 likenesses and depictions of Anne from the 16th century to the present day.

Two women separated by 500 years yet bound by one of history’s most powerful stories.

#anneboleyn #sixthemusical #hevercastle #westend

BOYBAND AND X FACTOR WINNERS UNITE FOR LONDON PREMIERE OF POP ROCK MUSICAL WORLD’S GREATEST LOVER AT THE OTHER PALACE

DIRECT FROM NEW YORK DEBUT AND AWARD-WINNING EDINBURGH FRINGE RUN

STARRING X FACTOR WINNERS MATT TERRY & DALTON HARRIS WITH UNION J’S JAYMI HENSLEY, 17:28’S JOAQUIN PEDRO VALDES, WITH LEONARDO VIEIRA AND ALEX HAYDEN

Following its New York debut and an acclaimed, award-winning run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025, the electrifying pop-rock musical World’s Greatest Lover transfers to London this spring. The production opens at The Other Palace on Sunday 12 April 2026, playing until Sunday 7 June 2026.

Tickets go on sale today, 10 February, as the full London cast is announced, led by X Factor winners Matt Terry and Dalton Harris, alongside Union J star Jaymi Hensley and West End favourites Joaquin Pedro Valdes, Leonardo Vieira and Alex Hayden.

#worldsgreatestlover #newmusical #mattterry #daltonharris #london #londontheatre #theotherpalace

PARK THEATRE ANNOUNCES WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 4

A WILD WEST IMMERSIVE TAKEOVER FOR 2026

WITH RETURNING CELEBRITY GUEST SHERIFFS INCLUDING GILLIAN ANDERSON, EMMA THOMPSON, ADRIAN DUNBAR, JIM BROADBENT, SANDI TOKSVIG, SANJEEV BHASKAR AND HUGH BONNEVILLE – WITH MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Artistic Director Jez Bond, Executive Director Catherine McKinney, and the whole team at Park Theatre today announce further details of Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 4, the next instalment of its hugely popular fundraising comedy spectacular, which returns from 11 May – 27 June 2026 with the most ambitious version yet.

Set in the lawless Wild West town of Graveside, Whodunnit [Unrehearsed] 4 will see Park Theatre transformed into a fully immersive world – taking over the entire building for the first time, from the street outside to the bars, foyers and both auditoria.

At every performance, a different celebrity will take on the central role of Sheriff – completely unrehearsed! Armed only with an earpiece feeding them lines moments before they speak, each guest must attempt to solve the murder, survive the mayhem and keep the show on track, while the audience watches events spiral in gloriously unpredictable ways. And yes, Sir Ian McKellen returns to lend his voice to the chaos.

#parktheatre #whodunnitunrehearsed #whodunnitunrehearsed4 #london #londontheatre #westend

UNEQUAL PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS HEARTSINK - A NEW BITTERSWEET MEDICAL COMEDY WRITTEN BY A FORMER GP, DIRECTED BY SEAN TURNER AT RIVERSIDE STUDIOS

What happens when a doctor becomes the patient…?

Unequal Productions presents Heartsink, a new bittersweet comedy written by former GP Farine Clarke, and directed by Sean Turner (Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse for England, The Play That Goes Wrong), which will play at Riverside Studios from 21 April – 10 May, with a press night on Friday 24 April.

“After years in practice seeing through a doctors’ eyes, I find myself on a crash-course as the patient, The view isn’t quite so attractive from this side, you’d be surprised to know.”

For GP Jeffrey Longford, a cancer diagnosis turns his faith in the medical fraternity inside out. Crossing the divide from confident clinician to frightened patient, challenges his professional certainties at every turn — from the way individuals are labelled by their conditions, to the ethical fault-lines surrounding assisted dying.

#heartsink #riversidestudios #unequalproductions #newwriting #london #londontheatre

STAR CASTING AND FULL COMPANY ANNOUNCED FOR THE LONG-AWAITED MAJOR UK REVIVAL OF LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS DIRECTED AND CHOREOGRAPHED BY TONY AND OLIVIER AWARD – NOMINATED CARRIE-ANNE INGROUILLE

MAISIE SMITH TO STAR AS AUDREY AT MANCHESTER’S HOPE MILL THEATRE – FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2026 – SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2026

JESSIE ELLAND TO STAR AS AUDREY AT LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE FROM THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER 2026 – SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 2027

Thomas Hopkins Productions, SAMS Entertainment and Haffner Wright Theatricals, in association with Hope Mill Theatre, today announce casting for a major new revival of Little Shop of Horrors. This thrilling production is set to become one of the most electrifying musical events in the UK, standing proudly alongside today’s biggest blockbuster revivals.

EastEnders legend and Strictly Come Dancing Finalist Maisie Smith will take to the stage in her first leading musical theatre role, starring as the iconic Audrey for the Manchester run at Hope Mill Theatre (Friday 25 September to Sunday 29 November, with a national press night on Wednesday 7 October). The production then heads into its spectacular festive season at the Liverpool Playhouse, where Jessie Elland will take over the role from Thursday 3 December to Saturday 9 January 2027, with a press night on Thursday 10 December. Joining them in both venues is beloved Brookside legend Michael Starke (Hollyoaks, Brookside, Sister Act, Hairspray), who will star as Mr Mushnik.

They will be joined by an outstanding West End cast, including Jed Berry as Seymour, Marcus Ayton as the voice of the monstrous Audrey II, and Benjamin Yates as the sinister and unforgettable Orin Scrivello, the Dentist.

Completing the iconic trio of streetwise narrators are Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid as Crystal, Gabrielle Davina Smith as Ronnette, and Rio Maye as Chiffon.

#littleshopofhorrors #uktour #regionaltheatre #maisiesmith #jessieelland #thomashopkinsproductions

HENRY GOODMAN IN THE PRICE BY ARTHUR MILLER

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN MUNBY | MARYLEBONE THEATRE @thepriceldn

What is the price of the choices we make?

Arthur Miller’s searing family drama The Price comes to the Marylebone Theatre in a powerful new production starring double Olivier Award winning Henry Goodman (Yes, Prime Minister, Fiddler On The Roof, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui) as ‘Gregory Solomon’. The production plays from Friday 17 April 2026 until Sunday 7 June 2026, with a national press night on Thursday 23 April.

On the eve of selling their late father’s possessions, two estranged brothers meet in a cluttered New York attic for the first time in years. What begins as a simple transaction becomes a fierce emotional reckoning, as decades of resentment, sacrifice and buried truth erupt into the open.

By turns darkly funny and devastatingly human, The Price is one of Arthur Miller’s most intimate and explosive dramas — a gripping portrait of family where memory, regret and emotional inheritance collide.

#theprice #arthurmiller #henrygoodman #marylebonetheatre #wildyakproductions #theatre #londontheatre

REHEARSAL IMAGES AND NEW GRAPHICS RELEASED FOR SPANISH ORANGES AT THE PLAYGROUND THEATRE

STARRING ACCLAIMED JAMES BOND ACTRESS MARYAM D’ABO

Counterminers, M&M Ents, and The Playground Theatre, are proud to announce the world premiere of Spanish Oranges, the debut play by Alba Arikha, Samuel Beckett’s goddaughter, with direction from Myriam Cyr to take place at The Playground Theatre in West London next year. Spanish Oranges will run at The Playground Theatre from Wednesday 11 February – Saturday 7 March, with a press performance on Monday 16 February.

Two artists. One marriage.

Fiona is a novelist on the brink of fame with a new book that blurs the line between fiction and confession. Ivo, once a celebrated actor, has been cancelled—and he suspects Fiona’s success may be built on the bones of his downfall.

Set over a single turbulent morning, this razor-sharp play examines the shifting power dynamics between love and ambition, truth and narrative, art and the people it consumes.

#spanishoranges #playgroundtheatre #counterminers #maryamdabo #jamesbond @spanishorangesplay @counterminers

The whole gang is here!
We had to mark the rare occasion of the whole ANRPR team together for the fantastic @one4theboys concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane today.

A great lineup for a fantastic cause 🙌

#onefortheboys #lovelive #westendunitesagainstcancer #saysomething

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK AND IRELAND TOUR OF ZOG

TRAVELLING ACROSS THE UK AND IRELAND THROUGHOUT SPRING/SUMMER 2026 AND ENDING WITH AN AUGUST RESIDENCY AT LONDON’S CADOGAN HALL

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s much-loved story Zog flies back onto the stage for a major UK and Ireland tour this year, followed by a special summer season at London’s Cadogan Hall from 2 – 23 August 2026.

First staged in 2020, Freckle Productions’ adaptation of Zog has become a family favourite, delighting young audiences with its mix of live music, puppetry, and laugh-out-loud storytelling. With joyful songs by Joe Stilgoe, puppets designed by Little Angel Theatre, and direction by Ryan McBryde that brings Donaldson and Scheffler’s world vividly to life, Zog is a theatrical treat for all ages.

ZOG will be brought to life by an incredibly talented cast, with Samuel John Taylor as ‘Zog’, Jess Lobo as ‘Pearl’, Lotti Brogan as ‘Madam Dragon’ and ‘Governess’, Hugh Cotton as ‘Cedric’ and ‘Gadabout’, Lee Beka Harper as ‘Nell’ and Swing, and Daniel Noah as Swing.

#zog #zoguktour #freckleproductions #juliadonaldson #childrenstheatre #uktour #londontheatre #theatre

ITALIA CONTI ANNOUNCES 115TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS FOR 2026 WITH LAUNCH OF NOËL COWARD SCHOLARSHIP

ONE OF THE UK’S LONGEST-ESTABLISHED PERFORMING ARTS INSTITUTIONS MARKS ITS MILESTONE YEAR BY INVESTING IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF STAGE AND SCREEN TALENT

Italia Conti, one of the UK’s leading and longest-established performing arts institutions, has announced that it will mark its 115th anniversary in 2026 with the launch of the inaugural Noël Coward Scholarship, alongside new charitable funding designed to widen access to professional training in acting, musical theatre and dance.

Founded in 1911 by actress and teacher Italia Emily Stella Conti, the school began as a small stage school in central London and has since grown into an internationally respected training institution.

As part of its anniversary year, Italia Conti is placing a major focus on widening access to professional training through bursaries, scholarships and charitable funding partnerships. Central to this is the launch of the Noël Coward Scholarship, established in honour of the celebrated playwright and former Italia Conti student. The scholarship supports selected students by covering fees across Acting, Musical Theatre and Dance.

#italiaconti #dramaschool #london #londontheatre #training #university #scholarship

BELGRADE THEATRE COVENTRY 2026 SPRING/SUMMER FAMILY SHOWS

INCLUDING THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW, THE GRUFFULO, AND THE DETECTIVE DOG

Artistic Director Corey Campbell, Interim CEO Emma Flatley, and the whole team at the Belgrade Theatre Coventry are delighted to reveal details of their forthcoming spring and summer family shows.

#belgradetheatre #coventry #familytheatre #anrpr #midlands #regionaltheatre

CLIVE ROWE TO DIRECT AND STAR IN THE 2026 HACKNEY PANTOMIME JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER – THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER

CEO Chris Sudworth and the whole team at Hackney Empire, is pleased to announce that “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe will return to the Hackney Empire stage for Jack and the Beanstalk in 2026, with performances from Saturday 21 November – Thursday 31 December 2026.

Join happy-go-lucky Jack on an epic adventure after he sells his family’s beloved cow for a handful of magic beans, setting off a chain of events that leads high into the clouds. As Jack climbs up the beanstalk, he discovers an enchanted land, a powerful giant and a host of surprises, but can he outsmart the giant and save the day?

Directed by and starring Olivier Award-winner Clive Rowe, this joyful tale brings together all the best bits of a Hackney Empire pantomime: giant laughs, toe-tapping songs, dazzling dance numbers, extravagant costumes and plenty of chances for everyone to join in the fun.

#hackneyempire #hackneyempirepanto #cliverowe #jackandthebeanstalk #hackney #pantomime #london #theatre #londontheatre

YENTL - THE AWARD-WINNING AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTION ANNOUNCES FINAL CASTING FOR INTERNATIONAL LONDON PREMIERE

After a series of triumphant, award-winning, sold-out Australian seasons — including a five-star run at the Sydney Opera House — Yentl, Kadimah Yiddish Theatre’s bold and acclaimed new adaptation of Isaac Bashevis Singer’s story today announces its final casting for its international premiere at Marylebone Theatre from 6 March 2026 for a strictly limited run until 12 April.

Ashley Margolis will play ‘Avigdor’, with Claire Morrissey joining the company as understudy ‘The Figure’, and Michali Dantes as understudy ‘Avigdor’. They join previously announced cast members Amy Hack as ‘Yentl’, Genevieve Kingsford as ‘Hodes’, and Evelyn Krape as ‘The Figure’, with Kandice Joy as understudy ‘Yentl/Hodes’.

#yentl #yentllondon #marylebonetheatre #london #londontheatre #kadimahtheatre #casting

UTOPIA THEATRE AND SHEFFIELD THEATRES’ WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTION OF CROWN OF BLOOD

BELGRADE THEATRE, COVENTRY WEDNESDAY 11 - SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY

Utopia Theatre and Sheffield Theatres’ world premiere production of Crown of Blood will come to Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 February as part of its UK tour. Crown of Blood is a Yoruba adaptation of Macbeth, the first of its kind to ever be seen on UK stages.

Crown of Blood is directed by the renowned Artistic Director of Utopia Theatre Mojisola Kareem and written by Oladipo Agboluaje. Crown of Blood was developed with the support of the National Theatre's Generate programme.

The cast will be led by of Nigerian stage and screen superstars Kehinde Bankole as ‘Oyebisi’ and Deyemi Okanlawon as ‘Aderemi’.

#crownofblood #belgrade #belgradecoventry #theatre #coventry

WORLD PREMIERE OF VICTORIA: A QUEEN UNBOUND ANNOUNCED AS THE WATERMILL THEATRE IS NAMED
THEATRE OF THE YEAR AT THE 2026 STAGE AWARDS

VICTORIA: A QUEEN UNBOUND OPENING AT THE WATERMILL

FRIDAY 27 MARCH – SATURDAY 9 MAY

Fresh from being named Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards 2026, the Watermill Theatre is delighted to announce the world premiere of Victoria: A Queen Unbound, a new play by Daisy Goodwin, creator of ITV’s Victoria. The production will run from Friday 27 March to Saturday 9 May.

“Diaries survive while feelings slip away. They are the skeleton on which posterity puts flesh.”

Osborne House 1901. As Victoria faces the final days of her reign, she clings to her diaries, the carefully kept record of a life defined by love, duty and profound loss. Into this certainty comes her younger self, forcing the older Victoria to confront memories she’s chosen to bury and truths she’s chosen to forget.

Victoria and Albert are celebrated as one of history’s great love stories. A devoted marriage with nine children, and then a young widow dedicated to his memory. At least that is the version written down. But does writing something make it true? Looking back at a young queen, this new play tells the story of a woman pregnant for most of her 20s and 30s, gradually surrendering her strength and authority to her husband, and growing increasingly lonely in her crumbling marriage.

A world premiere, from Daisy Goodwin, the creator of the novel and ITV drama, Victoria, this new play offers a fresh perspective on one of history’s greatest monarchs.

#victoria #watermilltheatre #newbury #queenvictoria #uktheatre #regionaltheatre #theatre

SIX THE MUSICAL - NEW QUEENS ASCEND THE THRONE!

AS SIX CONTINUES TO REIGN SUPREME AT THE VAUDEVILLE

SMASH-HIT WEST END SHOW NOW BOOKING UNTIL JANUARY 2027

The producers of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's award-winning global smash hit SIX are delighted to reveal the new Queens who will take up their crowns in the West End from Tuesday 24 February, as the home-grown musical sensation continues its run at the Vaudeville Theatre, now booking until January 2027.

Adrianne Langley will play 'Catherine of Aragon', while Marisha Morgan joins the Queendom as 'Anne Boleyn'. Jessica Aubrey as 'Jane Seymour', with Freya Karlettis as 'Anna of Cleves', Leesa Tulley as 'Katherine Howard', and Nia Stephen will make her West End debut as 'Catherine Parr'.

They are joined by Tegan Bannister as Alternate 'Aragon/Cleves', Mary Elliott as Alternate 'Boleyn/Howard', and Ashlyn Weekes as Alternate 'Seymour/Parr'. The company is completed by Super Swings Laura Baxter, who is continuing from the 2025 cast in which she made her professional and West End debut, Gabs Boumford and Imogen Rose Hart.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TOUR OF THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY RETURNS THIS JANUARY AND CONTINUES THROUGH 2026 FOLLOWING SOLD-OUT 2025 DATES

Following rave reviews and sold-out performances across the UK in 2025, the critically acclaimed first-ever UK and international tour of THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY returns this month, continuing into 2026 ahead of a planned West End transfer.

Producers Jack Maple, Thomas Hopkins, SAMS Entertainment and Carl Moellenberg are delighted to bring the sell-out 2025 tour to further venues in 2026 including York Theatre Royal, and visits Aylesbury, Aberdeen, Guildford, Windsor, Dublin, Poole, Eastbourne, Colchester, Coventry, Wolverhampton, and finishing in Salisbury in May. Further details and booking links here.

Ed McVey (The Crown, Netflix), Maisie Smith (Eastenders, BBC) and Bruce Herbelin-Earle (Free Reign, Netflix) continue in the roles of ‘Tom Ripley’, ‘Marge Sherwood’ and ‘Dickie Greenleaf’ respectively.

#thetalentedmrripley #ripley #uktour #maisiesmith #theatre #touringtheatre

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