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UK / West End Theatre Newsroom

The latest news on live theatre in UK / West End from Broadway shows on tour to regional theatre.

Review: NOW, I SEE, Stratford East
by Olivia Woods - May 17, 2024


In this second installment of Lanre Malaolu’s trilogy (following SAMSKARA, The Yard Theatre), Now, I  See shines a light on how the physical body holds grief and the ways in which this manifests in the lives of black British men. As two brothers reunite at their late sibling’s celebration of remembrance, they are forced to rebuild connection after their long-standing estrangement and own up to the redemption they seek.

Review: AVITAL ASH: WORKSHOPS HER SUICIDE NOTE, Soho Theatre
by Kat Mokrynski - May 17, 2024


The story of Avital Ash: Workshops Her Suicide Note begins with some context for the audience. Ash’s mother committed suicide when Ash was only an infant and her father remarried, never telling his daughter that her mother was not actually her birth mother.

Guest Blog: Actor and Theatre Maker Jesse Meadows on PRINCESS SMARTYPANTS
by Guest Author - May 17, 2024


The wonderful story of Princess Smartypants was written by Babette Cole in 1986. Judith Dimant at Wayward Productions gifted it to us to create in 2020, and after the delays of the pandemic, we have had the absolute joy of finally bringing it to life this year!

VIDEO: First Look at behind the scenes of THE CURIOUS RAT at the Little Angel Studio
by West End Video - May 17, 2024


The Curious Rat tells the story of Lucien, a lonely city rat who watches the pigeons from his home under Waterloo Bridge and wishes he could join them in the sky. One day he spots the most amazing pigeon and takes his first brave steps to follow her into the lights of the big city… 

Ugly Duck Presents @DISTURBANCE This June
by A.A. Cristi - May 16, 2024


Ugly Duck presents @Disturbance, a performance festival at Bermondsey's leading live art queer venue, showcasing innovative and diverse artistic expressions.

Photos: Dame Judi Dench Visits the Watermill For a Fundraising Event
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2024


Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre welcomed Dame Judi Dench on Friday 10 May for exclusive, one-off fundraising event - Shakespeare: Judi Dench in conversation with Brendan O’Hea​​​​​​​. Check out photos here!

Review: FOOL'S MOON, Soho Theatre
by Kat Mokrynski - May 16, 2024


Fool’s Moon is “an anarchic, genre-bending cabaret night where the mischievous come out and play. Expect extravagant costumes, elaborate props and multiple left feet that may alleviate, if only momentarily, your existential crisis.” The cabaret, hosted by Paulina Lenoir as Puella Eterna, has a different theme each night, making for a unique show.

Video: Meet the New West End Cast of TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2024


From Tuesday 25 June 2024 Karis Anderson, who is currently starring as Tina Turner, will share the title role with new cast member Zoe Birkett. Joining them is Rolan Bell as Ike Turner! Meet the cast in an all new video here!

WICKED in London Launches Free On-Demand Anti-bullying Workshop For Schools
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2024


WICKED ACTIVE LEARNING, the acclaimed cultural and social education programme for the London stage production of Wicked, will launch a new, free, on-demand Anti-Bullying Workshop.

FIGARO: AN ORIGINAL MUSICAL Will Have its World Premiere at the London Palladium in 2025
by Stephi Wild - May 16, 2024


From a Tony Award® and GRAMMY Award winning producing team, Ashley Jana and Will Nunziata’s Figaro: An Original Musical will receive its world premiere at the London Palladium with two fully staged concert performances on Monday 3 February & Tuesday 4 February 2025.

Review: FAWLTY TOWERS THE PLAY, Apollo Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - May 16, 2024


For a sitcom that only lasted for 12 episodes, Fawlty Towers left an indelible mark on British comedy. Discourteous hotel owner Basil Fawlty and his shrewish wife Sybil became legends, along with long-suffering chambermaid Polly and hapless waiter Manuel. Previously staged in Australia, this nostalgic and tightly choreographed play is adapted by the series’ original co-writer John Cleese.

CATS Shortlist Announced
by Natalie O'Donoghue - May 16, 2024


Love Letter to the Big Yin from the People of Scotland among shows in line for prestigious awards.

Skindred to Embark on Autumn 2024 UK Headline Tour
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2024


Welsh ragga metal legends Skindred have announced a UK headline tour for autumn 2024. Tickets are on sale now (May 15th), apart from shows in Leicester and Oxford which will be available from 5pm on Friday 17th May. Skindred played their largest headline show to date at Wembley Arena in 2024, while they have also continued to prove the hunger for the band internationally.

Photos: Inside Opening Night of PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS at the Trafalgar Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2024


All new photos have been released from the opening night of People, Places & Things at the Trafalgar Theatre and post-show party at Sophie's Soho. Check out the photos here!

Review: A SONG OF SONGS, Park Theatre
by Louise Penn - May 15, 2024


A Song of Songs has been placed within a traditional Middle Eastern beat by Ofra Daniel, writer, composer, director, and lead actor as Tirzah, unfulfilled wife. Whether through the stamps and flowing skirts of flamenco or thumping percussive beats, the physicality of the piece takes centre stage. What may be missing is an emotional connection.

Review: WITHNAIL AND I, Birmingham Rep
by Debbie Gilpin - May 15, 2024


“What we need is harmony, fresh air, stuff like that.” Almost 40 years after it first graced the big screen, cult classic film Withnail and I has been adapted for the stage – and it is currently in the middle of a limited engagement at the Birmingham Rep.

Review: PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS, Trafalgar Theatre
by Aliya Al-Hassan - May 15, 2024


It’s nearly a decade since Denise Gough set the stage alight in Duncan MacMillan’s starkly raw study of addiction. She now reprises her Olivier and Critics' Circle Theatre Award-winning role as Emma for this harrowing and completely absorbing new production of People, Places & Things. 

Review: L'OLIMPIADE, Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House
by Gary Naylor - May 14, 2024


Irish National Opera bring a touring production to London in what might prove to be a show for the purists

Review: BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, Hampstead Theatre
by Franco Milazzo - May 14, 2024


Walter Washington is stuck. Stuck in his recently deceased wife’s wheelchair. Stuck in “a rent-controlled palace ruled by a grieving despot king” that he can ill afford. Stuck waiting for City Hall to pay him what he considers his due after a thirty year-long cop career ended in a shooting incident. That’s a whole lot of stuck.

Judi Dench Criticizes Use of Trigger Warnings in the Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2024


Judi Dench is the latest performer to speak out on the topic of the usage of trigger warnings in the theater. Dench expressed her understanding for the reason why they are used, before going on to criticize people who need them.

Allan Stewart and Alex Bourne Join the West End Cast of THE WIZARD OF OZ
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2024


Allan Stewart (Stones in His Pockets, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; STV Hello, Good Evening, Welcome) and Alex Bourne (Annie, West End, UK Tour, Toronto; Hairspray, UK Tour) will reprise their touring roles as The Wizard when The Wizard of Oz concludes its major UK and Ireland tour this summer. 

J. Smith-Cameron and Mark Rylance Will Lead JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK, Directed by Matthew Warchus
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2024


Tony award-nominee J. Smith-Cameron will star as Juno Boyle opposite Mark Rylance as ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle in a new production of Seán O’Casey's Juno and the Paycock, directed by Tony and Olivier award-winner Matthew Warchus.

Dr Ranj Singh Joins UK Tour of & JULIET
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2024


Dr Ranj Singh will make his musical theatre debut playing the role of Lance in the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of & JULIET. The tour opens at Manchester Opera House on 8 July 2024.   

Review: THE DEEP BLUE SEA, Theatre Royal Bath
by Cheryl Markosky - May 14, 2024


Tamsin Greig is a marvel as Hester Collyer in Lindsay Posner's new revival of Terence Rattigan's 1950s classic, The Deep Blue Sea, at Theatre Royal Bath's intimate, 126-seater Ustinov Studio.

Photos: FIrst Look at Mark Strong and Lesley Manville in OEDIPUS
by Stephi Wild - May 13, 2024


All new behind the scenes photos have been released of Mark Strong and Lesley Manville during the cast photoshoot for Oedipus.


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