NEWS UPDATE – 27th January 2025

• Starlight Express – has gained a new “Control” and he comes from a theatrical family. The new production of the hit musical, continues to run at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. It follows a group of trains who come to life and hold a major competition. Buzz Fletcher, the son of composer, musician, and writer Tom Fletcher and actress and presenter Giovanna Fletcher, has joined the show as “Control,” one of the child performers who oversees the races. Buzz also has a famous aunt, Tom’s younger sister Carrie Hope Fletcher, currently doing the rounds as Calamity Jane.
• White Rose: The Musical – will open at London’s Marylebone Theatre on 27 February and will run until 13 April 2025. With book and lyrics by Brian Belding and music by Natalie Brice, the production will be directed by Will Nunziata, while the cast will be led by Collette Guitart and Tobias Turley. Further company members and full creative team will be revealed in due course, the piece is inspired by the true story of a collective of university students in Munich, who secretly met to write, print, and distribute leaflets opposing Hitler and the Nazi party. They were later known as the White Rose resistance. Produced by Samsational Entertainment and JLWN Productions LLC, with Thomas Hopkins Productions serving as executive producer and general manager, White Rose: The Musical premiered Off-Broadway last year.
• Titanique – Layton Williams has extended his run in the new West End musical at the Criterion Theatre until 6 June 2025. Combining the music of Céline Dion with the blockbuster film Titanic, the West End premiere officially opened at the Criterion Theatre a fortnight ago. It premiered off-Broadway in June 2022 and won several awards. In London, the cast stars Darren Bennett as Victor Garber/Luigi, Lauren Drew as Céline, Jordan Luke Gage as Cal, Daytime Emmy nominee Stephen Guarino (Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here, Titanique in New York) as Ruth, Rob Houchen as Jack, Kat Ronney as Rose, Charlotte Wakefield as Molly Brown and Williams as the Iceberg. Completing the company are Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Adrianne Langley (Sixties Girls), Madison Swan (The Book of Mormon), Rodney Vubya (The Book of Mormon) and Kristina Walz (Titanique in New York).
• Hadestown – the Broadway stars of the musical will reunite for a limited season in the West End early next month – and the full cast joining them has been revealed.Their performances will begin on 11 February 2025, after the current cast end their contracts and will play through to 9 March 2025. André de Shields (Hermes), Eva Noblezada (Eurydice), Reeve Carney (Orpheus), Amber Gray (Persephone) and Patrick Page (Hades) – will return to the production. All five appeared during the piece’s sold-out engagement at the National Theatre in 2018, before moving with the show to New York the following year. Bella Brown, Madeline Charlemagne and Allie Daniel will play the Fates (Charlemagne will return to the role after previously playing Eurydice). The workers are Lauren Azania, Tiago Dhondt Bamberger, Waylon Jacobs and Christopher Short, with the swings Lucinda Buckley, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Winny Herbert, Ryesha Higgs and Miriam Nyarko. With music, lyrics and book by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell, the award-winning show has direction by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin. It returned to UK shores last year. The creative team includes David Neumann (choreography), Rachel Hauck (scenic design), Michael Krass (costume design), Bradley King (lighting design), Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements), Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy), Maria Crocker (UK associate sirector), and Tarek Merchant (musical director).
• Disney’s Hercules – opening at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 5^th June 2025 is based on Disney’s 1997 animated classic which follows the titular Greek hero as he battles to claim his birthright and strength, while pitted against the villainous Hades. It features music by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast), lyrics by David Zippel (Mulan), and a new book by Robert Horn (Shucked) and Kwame Kwei-Armah (The Visitor). Numbers in the show include “Go the Distance”, “Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say (I’m In Love)”. The production is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (Disney’s Aladdin), who also helmed the European premiere in Hamburg, with Tanisha Scott as co-choreographer. Grammy nominee Luke Brady is set to take on the title role in the London production. Starring as the Muses will be Candace Furbert (as Thalia), Sharlene Hector (as Clio), Brianna Ogunbawo (as Melpomene), Malinda Parris (as Calliope), and Robyn Rose-Li (as Terpsichore), with Kamilla Fernandes (as Standby Muse). The principal cast also includes Mae Ann Jorolan (making her West End debut as Meg, after originating the role in Hamburg), Trevor Dion Nicholas (as Phil), Stephen Carlile (as Hades), Craig Gallivan (as Bob) and Lee Zarrett (as Charles).
• The Red Shoes –Matthew Bourne’s Olivier Award-winning production, based on the film of the same name, will return for a new London season at Sadler’s Wells this winter. It was initially staged in 2016 and now returns for a second run. Following its run at Sadler’s Wells in London from 2 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the show will embark on a UK tour. The show, featuring the iconic music of Bernard Herrmann, is orchestrated by Terry Davies and played by the New Adventures Orchestra, with designs by Lez Brotherston, lighting by Paule Constable, sound by Paul Groothuis and projection design from Duncan McLean.
• Chicago – has announced new casting for its tour. From 3 March in Southend, the show will be led by TV favourite Janette Manrara as Roxie, joined by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, alongside Joshua Lloyd as Amos Hart and Jordan Lee Davies as Mary Sunshine. Casting for Billy Flynn and Mama Morton to be announced soon. The cast is completed by Bethany Adamson, Victoria Anderson, Josh Crowther, Joe Dale, Jessica Keable, Robin Kent, Annabelle Laing, Jacob McLay Reid, Jonathan Milton, George Olney, Oliver Ramsdale, Elly Shaw, Lucy Anne Stacey, Matthew Sweet and Ria Tanaka. The tour resumed in Cheltenham, where it has broken the house record and now moves on to Sheffield Lyceum (28 January to 1 February), Edinburgh Playhouse (4 to 8 February), Liverpool Empire (10 to 15 February), Oxford New Theatre (24 February to 1 March), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (3 to 8 March), Bord Gais Energy Theatre Dublin (11 to 15 March), Grand Opera House Belfast (17 to 22 March), Bournemouth Pavilion (31 March to 5 April), Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (7 to 12 April), Birmingham Alexandra (14 to 19 April), Hall for Cornwall Truro (21 to 26 April), Venue Cymru Llandudno (29 April to 3 May), Wales Millennium Centre Cardiff (5 to 10 May), Marlowe Canterbury (12 to 17 May), Bristol Hippodrome (19 to 24 May), New Wimbledon Theatre (9 to 14 June), Curve, Leicester (16 to 21 June), Wolverhampton Grand (23 to 28 June), Hull New Theatre (30 June to 5 July), Congress Theatre Eastbourne (7 to 12 July), Norwich Theatre Royal (14 to 19 July), Blackpool Winter Gardens (21 to 26 July), New Victoria Woking (28 July to 2 August), Sunderland Empire (4 to 9 August), the Hawth Crawley (11 to 16 August), King’s Theatre Glasgow (18 to 23 August) and The Lowry in Salford (25 to 30 August).
• Tina – The Tina Turner Musical – has announced casting for its first UK and Ireland tour, running alongside its West End production. Chronicling the life and career of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer and featuring such beloved hits as “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”, “Proud Mary”, “The Best” and many more, the jukebox musical is directed by Phyllida Lloyd with a book by Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins. Set to star will be Elle Ma-Kinga N’Zuzi and Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, who will share the iconic role of Tina Turner, alongside David King-Yombo as Ike Turner. Martin Allanson will play Record Producer Phil Spector, with William Beckerleg as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach, Rushand Chambers as Tina’s father Richard Bullock, Claude East as Tina’s grandmother Gran Georgeanna (GG), Isaac Elder as Tina’s manager Roger Davies, Georgia Gillam as Tina’s sister Alline Bullock, Letitia Hector as Tina’s mother Zelma Bullock, Kyle Richardson as Tina’s first love Raymond Hill, and Gemma Sutton as Ike and Tina’s manager Rhonda Graam. Ensemble members are Viquichele Cross as Lorraine, Charlotte Elisabeth-Yorke as Toni, Kane Matthews as Tina’s son Craig, Daniel N’Guessan-Lopez as Tina’s son Ronnie and Richard Taylor Woods as Martyn Ware. The Ikettes are played by D’Mia Lindsay-Walker, Alana Robinson and Sedona Sky and swings are Loren Anderson, Ella Howlett, Eleanor Morrison-Halliday, Max Mulrenan, Tom Self and Toby Shellard. Children’s casting includes Chloe Angiama, Chizaram Ochuba-Okafor and Ava Wallace-Corbett as Young Anna Mae Bullock, and Shaniyah Abrahams, Lily Bunn and Mariah Martinez as Young Alline/Young Craig. The tour will be opening at Curve, Leicester, where it plays from Thursday 6 March to Saturday 22 March 2025. After that, it will visit Sunderland, Bristol, Belfast, Dublin, Birmingham, Plymouth, Nottingham, Liverpool, Southend, Sheffield, Glasgow, Southampton, Canterbury, Edinburgh, Manchester (where it will play an extended winter season into 2026), Norwich, Milton Keynes, Cardiff, Newcastle and Leeds. The production also features choreography by Anthony van Laast, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson, musical supervision by Nicholas Skilbeck, lighting by Bruno Poet, sound by Nevin Steinberg, projection design by Jeff Sugg, orchestrations by Ethan Popp, wigs, hair and makeup design by Campbell Young Associates, casting by Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher and fight direction by Kate Waters. Meanwhile the show continues in the West End, where it is now the longest-running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre.
• Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical – will embark on a UK tour this spring. Based on the cult 1999 film by Roger Kumble, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe and Selmar Blair, the stage show is created by Jordan Ross, Lindsey Rosin and Kumble. Inspired by the French novel, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the piece revolves around step-siblings and privileged Manhattan high school students Sebastian Valmont and Kathryn Merteuil, who engage in a cruel bet to seduce the headmaster’s virtuous daughter, Annette Hargrove. The cast includes Abbie Budden as Annette Hargrove, Will Callan as Sebastian Valmont, Nic Myers as Kathryn Merteuil, Lucy Carter as Cecile Caldwell/Marci Greenbaum, Luke Conner Hall as Blaine Tuttle, Joe Simmons as Greg McConnell, Gabriella Williams as Mrs Bunny Caldwell/Dr Greenbaum, and Kevin Yates as Ronald Clifford. Olivia Brookes, Ben Fenwick, Sophie Hutchinson, and Onuri Smith complete the ensemble. It features a wealth of ’90s pop hits from artists such as Christina Aguilera (“Genie in a Bottle”), Britney Spears (“Sometimes”), Boyz II Men (“I’ll Make Love to You”), TLC (“No Scrubs”), Natalie Imbruglia (“Torn”), The Verve (“Bittersweet Symphony”), *NSYNC (“Bye Bye Bye”), Ace of Base (“‘I Saw the Sign”), and R.E.M. (“Losing My Religion”), among others.The production will open at Windsor Theatre Royal 13th February and then move on to York Grand Opera House from 18 to 22 February, New Wimbledon Theatre from 25 February to 1 March, Chelmsford Theatre from 4 to 8 March, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre from 11 to 15 March, Northampton Royal and Derngate from 18 to 22 March, and Manchester Opera House from 25 to 29 March. In April, the tour visits Dublin Gaiety Theatre from 1 to 5, Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre from 8 to 12, and Oxford New Theatre from 15 to 19, Theatre Royal Bath from 23 to 26 April, and Malvern Theatres from 29 April to 3 May. In May, the tour will visit Leeds Grand Theatre from 6 to 10, Hull New Theatre from 13 to 17, Darlington Hippodrome Theatre from 20 to 24, and Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre from 27 to 31. The tour concludes in June with performances at Birmingham Hippodrome from 3 to 7, Princess Theatre Torquay from 10 to 14, and Theatre Royal Brighton from 24 to 28. The show is directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, choreographed by Gary Lloyd, who is also associate director, with set and costume design by Polly Sullivan, lighting design by Nick Richings and sound design by Chris Whybrow. The musical supervisor is Jeremy Wootton and musical director is Will Joy. The associate choreographer is Emma Hunter, intimacy co-ordinator is Rebecca Reaney and fight director is Bret Yount.

NEWS UPDATE – 20th January 2025

• Fiddler On The Roof – The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production will open at London’s Barbican Theatre for an eight-week season from 24 May to 19 July, followed by a UK and Ireland tour, it’s first in over 12 years Directed by Jordan Fein and featuring choreography by Julia Cheng and design by Tom Scutt, the production explores life in the village of Anatevka in 1905, where Tevye, a Jewish milkman, grapples with changing traditions as his daughters challenge his beliefs. The musical features songs including “If I Were A Rich Man”, “Tradition”, “Matchmaker”, and “Sunrise, Sunset.” The Barbican season continues the venue’s partnership with Trafalgar Theatre Productions, following previous summer musicals such as Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate. The UK and Ireland tour will begin on 24 July at the Bromley Churchill Theatre, running until 26 July, before visiting the Leeds Grand Theatre from 28 July to 2 August, and the Belfast Grand Opera House from 4 to 9 August. It will then move to the Norwich Theatre from 11 to 16 August, Nottingham Concert Hall from 18 to 23 August, and the Bristol Hippodrome from 25 to 30 August. September dates include Edinburgh Festival Theatre from 8 to 13 September, High Wycombe Swan Theatre from 15 to 20 September, Liverpool Empire from 22 to 27 September, and Southend Cliffs Pavilion from 29 September to 4 October. The production will stop at the Dublin Bord Gáis Theatre from 6 to 18 October, before heading to Manchester Palace Theatre from 20 October to 1 November, Eastbourne Congress Theatre from 3 to 8 November, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre from 10 to 15 November, Cardiff New Theatre from 17 to 22 November, and Sunderland Empire from 24 to 29 November.
• Kinky Boots – the brand-new revival of the hit musical has set out on a new UK wide tour. Dancer, Johannes Radebe is making his musical theatre debut as Lola, with Dan Partridge as Charlie Price and Courtney Bowman as Lauren, in the Made at Curve production. Newtion Matthews will play Lola at certain performances (Radebe is not scheduled to appear in Brighton and Oxford) while playing Simon Senior for all others. Also in the cast are Kara Lily Hayworth as Nicola, Joe Caffrey (Billy Elliot) as Don, Kathryn Barnes (Guys and Dolls) as Pat, Lucy Williamson (Fame) as Trish, Jonathan Dryden Taylor (Fiddler on the Roof) as Mr Price, Scott Paige as George and Liam Doyle (Heathers the Musical) as Harry. They’re joined by Kofi Dennis (Hamlet), Ru Fisher (Something Rotten! Live in Concert), Ben Middleton (Grease), Ashley-Jordon Packer (A Chorus Line), Cerys Burton (The Odyssey), Cole Dunn (The Wizard of Oz), Kaya Farrugia (There’s No Place Like Home), Jordan Isaac (Evita), Deena Kapadia (Grease), Tori McDougall (Billy Elliot) and Liam McEvoy (Legally Blonde). Directed by Nikolai Foster, the new production runs at Leicester Curve until 25 January 2025, before heading to New Victoria Theatre, Woking (28 January to 1 February), Manchester Palace Theatre (4 to 8 February), Glasgow Kings Theatre (11 to 15 February), Edinburgh Playhouse (18 to 22 February), Truro Hall for Cornwall (25 February to 1 March), Norwich Theatre Royal (4 to 8 March), Milton Keynes Theatre (11 to 15 March), Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (18 to 22 March), Brighton Theatre Royal (25 to 29 March), Birmingham Hippodrome (15 to 19 April), Plymouth Theatre Royal (22 to 26 April), Stockton Globe (29 April to 3 May), Newcastle Theatre Royal (6 to 10 May), Bristol Hippodrome (13 to 17 May), Leeds Grand Theatre (20 to 24 May), Southampton Mayflower Theatre (27 to 31 May), Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (3 to 7 June), Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (10 to 14 June), Belfast Grand Opera House (17 to 21 June), Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (24 to 28 June), Nottingham Theatre Royal (1 to 5 July), Liverpool Empire (8 to 12 July), Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin (15 to 19 July), and Oxford New Theatre (22 to 26 July).
• Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical –is set to transfer to the West End following its successful run at the Old Vic. Opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 15^th May 2025, the production, which became the fastest-selling musical in the Old Vic’s history, tells the story of the iconic 1985 concerts that united audiences worldwide in support of famine relief. It features music by artists such as Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Madonna, and is written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard. Performances will begin on 15 May 2025 at the Shaftesbury Theatre, with a special gala performance planned for 13 July, marking 40 years since the original Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia. Craige Els will reprise his role as Bob Geldof. Joining him will be Kelly Agbowu, Julie Atherton, Jason Battersby, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor, Eloise Davies, James Hameed, Fayth Ifil, Melissa Jacques, Hope Kenna, AJ Lewis, Freddie Love, Tim Mahendran, Rhianne-Louise McCaulsky, Jack Michael Stacey, Emily Ooi, Ashley Samuels, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Jake Small, Tamara Tare and George Ure, with Kerry Enright, Evan Fox Harrison, Esme Laudat, Eddie Mann, Jaye Marshall, Lukin Simmonds and Dyd Wynford. It sees Sheppard return to the Shaftesbury Theatre following his award-winning production of & Juliet. The creative team includes musical supervision, arrangements, and orchestration by Matthew Brind, choreography by Ebony Molina, set design by Soutra Gilmour, costume design by Fay Fullerton, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Gareth Owen, video and animation by Andrzej Goulding, and casting by Stuart Burt. Just For One Day is produced by Jamie Wilson Productions, Kevin McCollum, Sonia Friedman Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Kenny Wax Ltd, the Ambassador Theatre Group, Mirvish Productions, Nederlander Theatres, No Guarantees, Burnt Umber Productions, Stephen C Byrd, Willette and Manny Klausner, and the Old Vic by permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust.
• Diane Langton – has died aged 77. Diane’s long stage career began in 1968 with an appearance in Hair. She has performed in the West End in notable productions such as A Chorus Line, Pippin, I’m Getting My Act Together, A Little Night Music, Chicago, and Mary Poppins. In 1982, she appeared in the Royal Variety Performance, performing a number from Show Boat. In 1987, she created the role of Angel in Kander & Ebb’s The Rink at the Forum Theatre in Manchester, a role she reprised in the 1988 West End transfer. She returned to The Rink in 2004 at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, this time playing the role of Angel’s mother, Anna. In 2010, she joined the London cast of Billy Elliot as Grandma. Diane is known for playing Marlena “Nana” McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2007 to 2009 and from 2012 onwards. Her other notable TV roles include Kathy in The Rag Trade, Ruby Rowan in Heartbeat, and Bev Williams in EastEnders. She appeared in Only Fools and Horses as June Snell, a former girlfriend of Del Boy.
• Linda Nolan – has died aged 65, following 20-years with cancer. Linda gained fame as a member of the girl group The Nolans, along with her sisters Anne, Denise, Maureen, Bernie, and Coleen. After leaving The Nolans in December 1983, Linda Nolan pursued a career in theatre. She had an eight-season residency as Maggie May on Blackpool’s Central Pier from 1986 to 1993, performing over 1,000 shows. She also performed as Rosie O’Grady on Blackpool’s South Pier for two seasons from 1994 to 1995. In addition to her residencies, Linda Nolan’s musical theatre credits include roles in productions such as Rumpy Pumpy, Menopause the Musical, Blood Brothers and Cell Block H: The Musical.
• Wild Rose – casting has been announced for the world première of Wild Rose, a brand-new musical written by Nicole Taylor and directed by John Tiffany. The production, which is based on Taylor’s critically acclaimed 2018 film of the same name, will open at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on 14 March 2025, with previews beginning on 6 March. The musical will run until 5 April. Joining the previously announced leads, Dawn Sievewright and Blythe Duff, are Andy Clark as Alan Boyne and a range of other roles, Amber Sylvia Edwards as Eileen, Liz Ewing as Agnes and Mary, Peter Hannah in multiple roles including Sam and Mark Hagen, and Hannah Jarrett-Scott as Kathy and Amanda. Janet Kumah, Louise McCarthy, Emma Mullen, Julia Murray, Mia Musakambeva, Star Penders, and Ashley J Russell complete the ensemble. The roles of Wynonna and Lyle will be played alternately by Lily Ferguson, Jessie-Lou Harvey, and Ayla Sherriff, and by Alfie Campbell, Calum Middleton, and Leo Stephen, respectively. Wild Rose has choreography by Steven Hoggett and Vicki Manderson, set design by Chloe Lamford, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Jessica Hung Han Yun, and sound design by Tony Gayle. Music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements are by Sarah Travis and Davey Anderson, with video design by Lewis den Hertog. Casting is by Charlotte Sutton and Kahleen Crawford. The executive producers are Faye Ward of Fable Pictures and Nia Janis of Playful Productions.

NEWS UPDATE –14th January 2025

• Marie and Rosetta – The Rose Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, and English Touring Theatre have announced the UK premiere of George Brant’s Marie and Rosetta. The production tells the story of gospel and blues singer Rosetta Tharpe and her protégé, Marie Knight, and features a play with music that celebrates Tharpe’s legacy as a key figure in the development of rock ’n’ roll. Monique Touko will direct the production, which runs at the Rose Theatre from 2 to 24 May 2025, before transferring to Chichester Festival Theatre from 25 June to 26 July 2025. Beverley Knight will play Rosetta Tharpe, marking her professional play debut. The full cast and creative team are yet to be announced.
• Elaine Paige – BBC Radio 2 will celebrate Elaine Paige’s 60-year career in showbusiness with a special concert at The London Palladium. Hosted by Zoe Ball, the event will take place on Friday 25 April 2025, and feature performances by musical theatre stars, special guests, and the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Richard Balcombe. The concert will then be broadcast on Radio 2 on Sunday, 4 May. The evening will include appearances by West End and Broadway performers Samantha Barks, Mazz Murray, Julian Ovenden, Charlie Stemp, and Summer Strallen. They will perform some of Paige’s most iconic standards, including numbers she recorded during her career. The event follows Paige’s recent Christmas specials on Radio 2 and highlights her contributions to musical theatre as both a performer and presenter.
• Oliver! – the hit revival, from Chichester’s Festival Theatre, devised by Cameron Mackintosh, with direction and choreography by Matthew Bourne, and co-direction by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy has extended it’s run at London’s Gielgud Theatre. The musical is now booking to Sunday 29 March 2026.
• Titanique – Producers Eva Price and Michael Harrison have revealed an extension for the musical at London’s Criterion Theatre until Sunday 8 June 2025. Combining the music of Céline Dion with the blockbuster film Titanic it stars Darren Bennett as Victor Garber/Luigi, Lauren Drew as Céline, Jordan Luke Gage as Cal, Daytime Emmy nominee Stephen Guarino (Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here, Titanique in New York) as Ruth, WhatsOnStage Award nominee Rob Houchen as Jack, Kat Ronney as Rose, Charlotte Wakefield as Molly Brown and Layton Williams as the Iceberg. Completing the company are Freddie King (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Adrianne Langley (Sixties Girls), Madison Swan (The Book of Mormon), Rodney Vubya (The Book of Mormon) and Kristina Walz (Titanique in New York).
• The Parent Agency – casting is complete for the new musical adaptation of David Baddiel’s best-selling book. The production, which is set to premiere at Storyhouse Chester next month where it will run from Saturday 15 February until Sunday 2 March 2025, before setting out on a national tour ahead of a London run. The new musical has a book and lyrics by Baddiel and music and additional lyrics by Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie). It is directed by Tim Jackson (Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)). Produced by John Berry and Anthony Lilley of Scenario Two and Suzie Henderson and Helen Redcliffe of Storyhouse, The Parent Agency follows 11-year-old Barry Bennett, who wishes for new parents after growing tired of his own. Barry’s wish transports him to an alternate universe, “Youngdon” in the “United Kid-dom,” where children can select their ideal parents with the help of the Parent Agency. The cast will be led by Max Bispham (Mrs Doubtfire), Osian Salter (The Osmonds), Eli Sowden-Mehta (Wonka) and Louis Wilkins (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), sharing the role of Barry, alongside Rebecca McKinnis (Dear Evan Hansen) as Susan and Rakesh Boury (Matilda) as Geoff. Completing the company are Kazmin Borrer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Elliot Broadfoot (Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!), Natasha Cayabyab (Shrek the Musical), Dylan Collymore (Shrek the Musical), Sarah McFarlane (Six), Joshian Angelo Omaña (Why Am I So Single?), Alan Vicary (Girl from the North Country), Ralph Birthwell (Life of Pi), Althea Burey (The Gruffalo), Elliot Copeland (Becoming Nancy), Jessica Daugirda (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Sophia Lewis (Around the World in 80 Days) and Robbie Scott (Sunshine on Leith). The creative team also includes choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, costume designer Sarah Mercadé, lighting designer Zoe Spurr, assistant director Francesca Hsieh. music Supervisor Nick Finlow, music director Ellen Campbell, sound designer Paul Gatehouse, associate sound designer Richard Jones, and wig, hair and make-up designer Craig Forrest-Thomas.
• Mayflower – have announced their new Transport Bursary Scheme in partnership with Xelabus. The new bursary scheme will help fulfil the belief that every person has the right to attend the theatre and experience the joy and opportunity this can bring. The bursary will support schools as well as community groups funding their transport to both Mayflower venues in Southampton. In 2023, UK Theatre’s Theatre for Every Child campaign was introduced to amplify national voice about the importance of theatre visits for schools and the new bursary scheme is just one way in which Mayflower supports this national campaign. Mayflower recognises that many schools’ finances act as a blocker to children attending live theatre and already have schemes in place to help those most disadvantaged schools including subsidised ticket schemes for schools above the national average Free School Meals percentage, free schools theatre concerts with Welsh National Opera and a partnership with Theatre Works offering free tickets to most disadvantaged schools. Outside of ticketing initiatives, the other major pressure on schools is the cost of transportation to theatre which is a national issue. Whilst schools may be able to afford the discounted ticket prices, they cannot afford the transportation costs to get to the venue. Many of the costs of theatre trips are also cascaded through to parents and result in many disadvantaged children not able to partake, which results in schools deciding not to commit. A recent report from the Sutton Trust states that since last year “reports of cuts to trips and outings have more than doubled, now standing at 50%, up from 21% – a proportion that is even higher in schools with the most disadvantaged intakes, at 68%, compared to 44% in the least deprived schools” The bursary will be a 100% subsidy of the transport cost. The bursary will be awarded on an application basis.

NEWS UPDATE – 9th January 2025

• Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Jason Donovan will return to Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre this spring, where he will reprise his role as Pharaoh. Playing from 13 – 18 May 2025, these dates mark the only opportunity to see Jason on the 2025 UK tour. Jason returns to this sensational production having recently starred in two triumphant seasons of the new London Palladium production in the summers of 2019 and 2021. Jason was last seen at the Mayflower Theatre as The Evil Ringmaster in the 2022 pantomime season Goldilocks and the Three Bears and was first seen at this venue 35 years ago on his first major concert tour.
• Southampton’s Mayflower venues (Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios) are celebrating a record-breaking run of festive shows. Over 100,000 people came to see English National Ballet’s Nutcracker, Elf the Musical, A Very Hungry Christmas Caterpillar, Jack and the Beanstalk and The Wind in The Willows across both venues. Mayflower Theatre alone had over 72,000 people attending Jack and the Beanstalk making it the highest attended pantomime, for the length of run, in over 20 years, surpassing last year’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Mayflower Studios enjoyed five sold out performances of The Wind in The Willows. The Wind in The Willows was Mayflower Studio’s fourth Christmas Youth Production providing high-quality opportunities for local young talent and featured over 50 young people in the show.
• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button – the new British musical has extended its run at the West End’s Ambassadors Theatre in London to 19 April 2025. Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic short story and the hit movie starring Brad Pitt, the acclaimed West End musical has a book and lyrics by Jethro Compton, and music and lyrics by Darren Clark. Olivier Award winner John Dagleish (Sunny Afternoon, Sylvia, A Christmas Carol) stars as Benjamin Button, with Olivier Award nominee Clare Foster (Travesties, Merrily We Roll Along, Best of Enemies) as Elowen Keene. The multi-talented cast of actors and musicians also features Katy Ellis, Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Elliot Mackenzie, Ann Marcuson, Jack Quarton, and Benedict Salter. The show transferred into the West End after a sold-out run at Southwark Playhouse in 2023. The creative team on the show includes Jethro Compton as director and designer, with Mark Aspinall and Darren Clark handling co-music supervision, orchestration, and arrangements. Choreography is by Chi-San Howard, costumes and associate stage design by Anna Kelsey, sound by Luke Swaffield, lighting by Zoe Spurr, musical direction by Mark Aspinall, and casting by Ginny Schiller.
• Blood Brothers – Bill Kenwright Ltd has announced casting for the Spring 2025 tour. Vivienne Carlyle is set to reprise the role of Mrs Johnstone, having played the character in the show’s West End production. Sean Jones and Joe Sleight will play Mickey and Eddie, Gemma Brodrick will play Linda, while the company will feature Sarah Jane Buckley (as Mrs Lyons), Seán Keany (as Narrator), Tim Churchill (as Mr Lyons), Chloe Pole (as Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Alex Harland (as Policeman), Graeme Kinniburgh (as Postman/Bus Conductor), Jess Smith (as Brenda), James Ledsham (as Sammy), Cameron Patmore (as Perkins) and Dominic Gore (as Neighbour). The creative team is led by director Bob Tomson and resident director Tim Churchill, and includes musical supervisor Matt Malone, sound designer Dan Samson, set and costume designer Andy Walmsley and lighting designer Nick Richings. The UK tour will open in Derby from 14 January, before visiting Wolverhampton, Aylesbury, Truro, Windsor, Wimbledon, Liverpool, Peterborough, York and Fareham.
• Bat Out of Hell – a brand-new production has set out on a UK tour from Edinburgh Playhouse where it plays until 11^th January. The cast features Glenn Adamson as Strat and Katie Tonkinson as Raven. Along with original cast members Rob Fowler (as Falco) and Sharon Sexton (as Sloane), alongside Georgia Bradshaw (as Zahara), Ryan Carter (as Jagwire), Carla Bertran (as Tink), Luke Street (as Ledoux) and Carly Burns (as Valkyrie). Completing the company are Leo Abad, Peter Camilleri, Joshua Dever, Reece Duncan, Georgia Holland, Georgia Iudica-Davies, Natalie Pilkington, Harriet Richardson-Cockerline, Sophie Rose-Emery, Catherine Saunders, Ethan Tanner, Craig Watson, James Wilkinson-Jones and Beth Woodcock. (At certain performances the role of Strat will be played by Street, the role of Falco by Dever, the role of Sloane by Woodcock and the role of Ledoux by Duncan.) Bat Out of Hell has book, music and lyrics by Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestrations by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod, UK tour casting by Anne Vosser and general management by Julian Stoneman and Jack Maple for MPSI Ltd. The 2025 tour schedule follows Edinburgh with Portsmouth Kings Theatre (13 to 18 January), Liverpool Empire Theatre (20 to 25 January), Bromley Churchill Theatre (27 January to 1 February), Cardiff New Theatre (3 to 8 February), Birmingham The Alexandra (10 to 22 February), Manchester Palace (25 February to 8 March), Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre (10 to 15 March), Peterborough New Theatre (17 to 22 March), Cheltenham Everyman (31 March to 5 April), Glasgow King’s Theatre (7 to 19 April), Leeds Grand Theatre (21 to 26 April), Woking New Victoria Theatre (5 to 10 May), Plymouth Theatre Royal (12 to 17 May), London Peacock Theatre (21 May to 7 June), Leicester Curve (9 to 14 June), Milton Keynes Theatre (16 to 28 June), Wycombe Swan (21 to 26 July), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (4 to 9 August), Sunderland Empire (18 to 23 August), Dartford Orchard Theatre (25 to 30 August), Bristol Hippodrome (1 to 13 September), and Northampton Royal and Derngate (15 to 20 September).
• The World’s Greatest Stage Musicals – CinemaLive have announced that five recorded stage musicals are heading to the silver screen this spring and will be featured in over 500 cinemas across the UK and Ireland in HD and with state-of-the-art sound. On 2 and 4 February 2025: Les Misérables: The Staged Concert (2019) – Recorded at the Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End, the all-star cast includes Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Matt Lucas. And then on 2 and 4 March: Jesus Christ Superstar: Live Arena Tour (2012) – Filmed at The O2 Arena in London, the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical is performed by Ben Forster, Tim Minchin, Melanie C, Chris Moyles and a huge ensemble cast. Followed on 13 and 16 March with: A Night With Janis Joplin: The Musical (2024) – Recently captured at the Peacock Theatre in the West End, the piece features Joplin’s and her musical idol’s greatest hits from “Piece of My Heart” to “Summertime”, and is led by Tony Award nominee Mary Bridget Davies. And then on 30 March and 2 April: Billy Elliot: The Musical Live (2014) – Recorded at London’s Victoria Palace Theatre, Lee Hall and Elton John’s stage adaptation of the beloved 2000 film is directed by Stephen Daldry and choreographed by Peter Darling. Finally on 1 and 4 May: Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical (2022) – Filmed at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the production sees Broadway favourite Jeremy Jordan reprise the role of Clyde Barrow alongside West End original cast member Frances Mayli McCann to tell the story of America’s infamous outlaws.