LATEST NEWS – 28th April 2025

By PHayward Monday 28th April 2025

• Mrs Doubtfire – following the comedy musical’s closing night in the West End news comes that it will embark on its first-ever UK and Ireland tour. The musical will open at Birmingham Hippodrome on 13^th August 2026 where it will run until 19^th September, before moving on to Newcastle Theatre Royal (23 Sept to 11 Oct), Plymouth Theatre Royal (20 Oct to 8 Nov), Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House (10 Nov to 29 Nov), Glasgow Kings Theatre (12 Jan 2027 to 31 Jan), Mayflower Theatre (2 Feb to 28 Feb 2027). First seen on Broadway, Mrs Doubtfire is based on the film that starred Robin Williams, and follows a divorced man who tries desperately to see his children, resulting in the creation of a Scottish nanny. Gabriel Vick will reprise the role of Daniel Hillard following his acclaimed performances in the West End. Mrs Doubtfire has original music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell (Something Rotten!). Direction is by Tony winner Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!), choreography by Lorin Latarro (Waitress), and music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Ethan Popp (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical). Scenic design is by David Korins (Hamilton), costume design by Catherine Zuber (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), lighting design by Philip S Rosenberg (Pretty Woman The Musical), sound design by Brian Ronan (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), hair design by David Brian Brown (Frozen), casting by Stuart Burt (Cabaret) and children’s casting by Verity Naughton. It is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson and is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical.
• Fiddler on the Roof – the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production will open at London’s Barbican Theatre this summer. 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. It will open at the Barbican for an eight-week season from 24 May to 19 July 2025. It recently won the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, with two further prizes for set and sound design. Reprising their Olivier-nominated principal roles for the summer season will be Adam Dannheisser (as Tevye), Lara Pulver (as Golde), and Beverley Klein (as Yente). Joining them will be Natasha Jules Bernard as Tzeitel, Georgia Bruce as Hodel, Hannah Bristow as Chava, Ashleigh Schuman as Shprintze and Georgia Dixon as Bielke. Completing the company are Matthew Woodyatt, who is the alternate Tevye as well as playing Mordcha / Innkeeper, Dan Wolff as Motel, Daniel Krikler as Perchik, and Gregor Milne as Fyedka. Michael S Siegel takes on the role of Lazar Wolf, with Mark Faith as the Rabbi and Toby Turpin as Mendel. Gareth Davies will play Avram, with Ed Bruggemeyer as Nachum, Sue Appleby as Shandel, Susannah van den Berg as Rifka, and Carys McQueen as Mirila. Olivier Award nominee Raphael Papo will once more bring to life the iconic role of The Fiddler, with Karl Wilson as the Constable. Rounding out the cast are Simon Anthony as Sasha, Jack Osmond as Russian #1, and Alex Pinder as Russian #2. Dylan Saffer joins as a male swing, with offstage swings Chris Draper and Maya Kristal Tenenbaum.
• King of Pangea – casting has been revealed for the world premiere of The King’s Head production. The new musical has book, music, and lyrics by Martin Storrow and is directed by Richard Israel. It celebrates the power of hope and is based on Storrow’s own experience. The musical follows protagonist Sam Crow as he faces the loss of his hopeful mother and escapes to the imaginary island of his childhood. With help from a wise-cracking prophet, a swaggering ship captain, and a star-gazing poetess, Sam sets off on a journey to claim his sovereignty. Jerry Mitchell, the three-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer, is stepping into the role of producer for the first time for the show. Mitchell has recently directed and choreographed The Devil Wears Prada in London and Becoming Nancy in Birmingham at the Rep, with other credits including Kinky Boots and On Your Feet!. He first encountered King of Pangea when he became the writing mentor for the project during the Barn on Fire new musical writers’ residency program in Fire Island Pines, NY. The cast includes Dan Burton as Arthur Crow/Captain, Mark Curry as Elijah, Sophia Ragavelas as Celia Crow, Emily Tang as Amy/Maya and Alfie Blackwell will be making his professional debut as Sam Crow. The cast is completed by Daniel Lee as Young Sam, Tayt Joshua Silvester-Stoller as Young Sam, Grace Chapman as Cover and Haydn Cox as Cover. The production will run from 7 June to 6 July 2025 at the King’s Head Theatre. Mitchell joins lead producers Nicole LaFountaine of Straighten Your Crown Productions, Jaime Bartolett, and Luke Katler.
• Bluey’s Big Play – will return for another UK tour later this year, opening on 25 October at Wycombe Swan. The Olivier Award-nominated live stage show features puppets that bring to life Bluey, Bingo, Mum, and Dad from the hit children’s television series. It features an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm and new music by Bluey composer Joff Bush. Dave McCormack and Melanie Zanetti will lend their original voices to the parents in the Heeler family. Further casting is to be announced. Bluey’s Big Play is produced by Andrew Kay and Cuffe and Taylor with Windmill Theatre Co for BBC Studios. The tour will continue with visits to Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Torquay, Ipswich, Stoke, Southampton, Nottingham, Birmingham, Oxford, York, Sunderland, Leicester, Southend, Canterbury, Belfast, Cardiff, Sheffield, Salford, Llandudno, Edinburgh, Liverpool. In addition the tour will have a festive season at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall from 18 December 2025 to 11 January 2026.

LATEST NEWS – 21st April 2025

By PHayward Monday 21st April 2025

• & Juliet! – the UK tour has announced a cast change. Due to personal circumstances, Jack Danson will no longer be appearing in the UK tour of & Juliet, the part is being taken over by Ben Jackson Walker, who’ll be playing Romeo for the remainder of the UK tour reprising the role he played on Broadway. The show, directed by Luke Sheppard, offers a twist on the classic love story, asking what might have happened if Juliet hadn’t chosen the tragic ending over Romeo. It is set to a pop-infused soundtrack featuring iconic hits penned by Max Martin, such as Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and Katy Perry’s “Roar”. The Wanted band member and 2015 Strictly Come Dancing winner Jay McGuiness continues in the role of Shakespeare. The remaining touring cast is led by Gerardine Sacdalan as Juliet, Lara Denning as Anne, Sandra Marvin as Angelique, Lee Latchford-Evans as Lance, Kyle Cox as Francois and Jordan Broatch as May, Harriet Caplan-Dean as Eleanor, Alexander Kranz as Lennox, Andilé Mabhena as Augustine / dance team, Liam Morris as Richard, Psalms-Nissi Myers-Reid as Lucy/Alternate Juliet, Michael Nelson as Henry, Toni Paise as Violet, Katie Ramshaw as Nell / Lady C, Rosie Singha as Judith, Aaron Shales as Gregory / dance team, Nia Stephen as Imogen and Samuel Wilson-Freeman as Fletcher / resident director and dance captain. The show will stop at Birmingham Hippodrome (21 April to 3 May), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (5 to 10 May), Stoke Regent (12 tto 17 May), Sheffield Lyceum (20 to 31 May), Newcastle Theatre Royal (2 to 7 June), Truro Hall for Cornwall (10 to 14 June) and Cardiff Millenium Centre (16 to 28 June).
• Here We Are – Stephen Sondheim’s final musical was first seen in New York in 2024, and it’s heading to the National’s Lyttelton Theatre from 25 April to 28 June. Inspired by two films – The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Exterminating Angel – by Luis Buñuel, it follows a group of guests who find themselves unable to leave a dinner party. The cast includes Tracie Bennett and Denis O’Hare (Tartuffe), who took part in the world premiere. They’ll also be joined by an all-star cast including (deep breath) Rory Kinnear, Chumisa Dornford-May, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Fleeshman, Harry Hadden-Paton, Cameron Johnson, Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton and Paulo Szot.
• The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – Rachel Joyce’s novel has been adapted for the stage with tunes by Passenger! And will premiere at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester from 5 May to 14 June. When Harold Fry, a grey and lonely man, receives a letter from an old friend, he decides to walk from South Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed to post his reply. Starring are Mark Addy as Harold with Jenna Russell as his wife, Maureen, and WhatsOnStage Award winner Jack Wolfe as The Balladeer.
• Shucked – the new musical comedy will receive its UK premiere this summer, when it plays at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 10 May to 14 June. Set in a rural community isolated from the world by a wall of economy-driving corn stalks, Shucked follows what happens when the crop begins to fail and a young woman leaves behind Cob County to try and find someone who can save her town.
• Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical – hit romcom and India’s longest-running blockbuster movie Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, also known as DDLJ, has been adapted into a new musical Come Fall in Love – directed by Aditya Chopra, with book and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, music by Vishal Dadlani and Sheykhar Ravjiani and choreography by Rob Ashford. Expect major production values, Bollywood mashed up with musical theatre – and with a recently revealed cast headed up by Ashley Day (American In Paris, 42^nd Street) and Jenna Pandya. It will have its world premiere at Opera House, Manchester from 29 May to 21 June.
• Disney’s Hercules – eventually gets its UK premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 6 June. Productions have been seen in New Jersey and Hamburg, and Luke Brady will “Go the Distance” and play the titular Greek hero during its much-anticipated run.
• Lovestuck – written by the two creators of My Dad Wrote a Porno, while music is by triple-platinum singer-songwriter Bryn Christopher with Martin Batchelar. This new production will have its World Premiere at Stratford East from 6 June to 12 July. Lovestuck follows 30-somethings Lucy and Peter, beginning with Lucy stuck upside-down in Peter’s bathroom window at the end of their first date. The musical explores themes of online dating, social media, and self-doubt. Appearing will be Bridgette Amofah (as Cassandra/Miseraie), Marcus Ayton (as Reece), Jessica Boshier (as Lucy), Johan Munir (as David), and Shane O’Riordan (as Peter), joined by ensemble members Ambra Caserotti, Callum Connolly, and Holly Liburd.
• King of Pangea – Martin Storrow’s new musical is set to premiere at the King’s Head Theatre in north London from 7 June to 6 July. It is a folk musical love letter to the worlds we create for ourselves to escape from the realities we’d rather not face after intense loss. It’s based on Storrow’s own experiences, so expect something stirring and moving. Having been in development in the US for several years, we’re excited to see what lands on our shores.
• The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs – Iman Qureshi’s musical comedy follows a lesbian choir striving for a place on the Pride mainstage – and the cast features a host of famous faces .Starring will be Fanta Barrie as Ellie, Olivier Award-winner Liz Carr as Fi, Zak Ghazi-Torbati as The Men, Leah Harvey as Lori, and Georgie Henley as Ana. Joining them are Mariah Louca as Bridget, Serena Manteghi as Dina, and Shuna Snow as Connie. It had a sold out run at Soho Theatre earlier but is now set to return this time at Kiln Theatre from 13 June to 12 July.
• Indigo – a new musical featuring music and lyrics by Scott Evan Davis and a book by Kait Kerrigan, it will premiere at Curve’s Studio Theatre in Leicester from 26 June to 19 July. It celebrates the bonds that unite a family by telling the story of three generations of women navigating their need to reach one another and explores themes of living with Alzheimer’s, autism, and synaesthesia.
• Sing Street: A New Musical – the 2020 lockdown cut short the dreams of Sing Street on Broadway but led to Dónal Finn, Adam Bregman starring in a Boston staging in 2022. Now, the show, which follows a 16-year-old Dubliner trying to form a band in the 1980s, will have its UK premiere, and we can’t wait for casting news. This new version of the show will feature hits from the film as well as original additions and it will play Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 8 July to 23 August.
• Nessie – a new musical with book, music, and lyrics by Shonagh Murray, will take the audience into the fantastical tale of a monster whenit premieres at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 9 July to 16 August
• Friends the Musical Parody – features a book and lyrics by Bob and Tobly McSmith, with music by Asaf Gleizner. The US musical has its UK premiere at Cirencester’s Barn Theatre from 14 July to 23 August before setting out on a nationwide tour which will call at Nottingham Theatre Royal (15 to 20 September 2025), Sunderland Empire (22 to 27 September 2025), York Grand Opera House (29 September to 4 October 2025), Cheltenham Everyman Theatre (6 to 11 October 2025), Wolverhampton Grand (13 to 18 October 2025), Dublin Bord Gais Theatre (20 to 25 October 2025), Cardiff New Theatre (27 October to 1 November 2025), Chester Storyhouse (17 to 22 November 2025), Malvern Theatre (24 to 29 November 2025), and Southampton Mayflower Theatre (5 to 10 January 2026), with further dates to be announced.
• Maiden Voyage – the story of the first all-women racing crew of Maiden! The new musical by Mindi Dickstein and Carmel Dean has yet to announce casting, but its set to premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 19 July to 23 August.
• Club NVRLND – an immersive musical for the “Peter Pan generation” It follows Wendy, who is about to get married, but with one night in NVRLND, where she is reunited with Peter, everything changes. Featuring 2000s hits from the likes of Britney Spears, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, the musical will receive its world premiere at Assembly Checkpoint, Edinburgh from 30 July to 24 August.
• Anne Boleyn the Musical – this new musical is not a Six spin-off. It has a book by Rebecca Knight and music by Sam Gevers and it will bring musical fever to Hever (where Boleyn used to live) in a custom-built venue. It is directed by Roxana Silbert and will premiere at Hever Castle from 2 to 30 August.
• Hot Mess – a new musical by Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote (the duo behind the musical 42 Balloons) is being developed by Birmingham Hippodrome and will open at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will provide a reimagined relationship between Earth and Humanity as a romcom.
• 13 Going on 30 the Musical – is based on the 2004 film, this musical comedy follows Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who magically wakes up as an adult and navigates her new life as a fashion magazine editor. Lucie Jones returns to star after her workshop performance, while Heathers’ Andy Fickman directs, It premieres at Manchester Opera House from 21 September to 12 October.
• Coven – a new musical about the Pendle Witch Trials, will have its world premiere at Kiln Theatre from 31 October to 13 December. Music and lyrics are by Grammy Award-winning Daisy Chute and Rebecca Brewer, and direction by Miranda Cromwell.
• Disney’s Freaky Friday – the fun-filled body-swap musical comedy will have its professional UK premiere in HOME Manchester over the festive period where it will play from 27 November to 31 December. With music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal, If/Then), the stage version was first seen in 2016 before being adapted into a Disney Channel movie two years later.
• No Such Thing as Wolves – a new musical from the writers of Horrible Histories is top of Birmingham Hippodrome’s festive wish list. Their new musical theatre department have developed this Christmas offering that is suitable for all the family. It will play at the Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio in Birmingham from 6 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
• Tina – The Tina Turner Musical – the longest-running show ever at the Aldwych Theatre will welcome recording artist and presenter Fleur East in the title role this summer and it will mark the performing artist and presenter’s theatrical debut. She’ll share the role with current star Karis Anderson. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Pulitzer Prize-winner Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins, the musical 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. The show is currently booking until 10 January 2026.
• Grease – Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre will co-produce a new staging of the musical as the opening production of Pitlochry’s 2025 summer season. It will open at Blackpool Grand Theatre from 4 to 14 June. It will then transfer to Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where it plays from 18 June until 27 September. It is directed by Sam Hardie, Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s associate director, the production will feature a company of actor-musicians including Celeste Collier as Teen Angel, Tyler Collins as Kenickie, Chris Coxon as Eugene, Stephanie Cremona as Cha Cha, Caitlin Forbes as Patty, April Nerissa Hudson as Frenchy, Leah Jamieson as Jan, Blythe Jandoo as Sandy, Jerome Lincoln as Roger, David Rankine as Doody, Oraine Johnson as Sonny, Keith Macpherson as Vince Fontaine, Alyson Orr as Miss Lynch, Alexander Service as Danny, and Fiona Wood as Rizzo. Eden Barrie and Louis Newman will appear as Marty and Jonny Casino respectively, Musical direction is by Richard Reeday, with set design by Nick Trueman, costume design by Julie Carlin, sound design by Andy Graham, and lighting design by Rory Beaton. Choreography is by Kally Lloyd-Jones, with fight direction by Robin Hellier. The production is managed by Nick Trueman and Dino Melia, with Katy Nicolson as stage manager, Ruby Noble as deputy stage manager (Book), Anna Diamond as deputy stage manager (Floor), and Rebecca Gorman as assistant stage manager (Floor). Sound number one is Toby McFarlane.
• This Is My Family – Tim Firth’s award-winning piece which was originally staged at Sheffield Theatres in 2013 will open at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 23 May where it will run until 12 July 2025. Directed by Vicky Featherstone, it tells the story of a so-called dream family holiday that goes somewhat awry. Set to star will be Nancy Allsop (Nicky), Victoria Elliott (Sian), Michael Jibson (Steve), Luke Lambert (Matt), Gay Soper (May), and Gemma Whelan (Yvonne). Caroline Humphris will be music supervisor, with set design by Chloe Lamford, lighting design by Lee Curran, and sound design by Dominic Bilkey. Ethan Cheek is responsible for costume design and associate set design, while Natalie Pound will take on music direction. Casting is by Amy Ball CDG, and Vaila Anderson joins as associate director.

LATEST NEWS – 14th April 2025

By PHayward Monday 14th April 2025

• Buddy – the original ‘jukebox’ musical – has enjoyed phenomenal success, playing a record-breaking 4,900 performances over 614 weeks on tour in the UK and Ireland, as well as 5,822 performances over 728 weeks in London’s West End. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story sets out on a new UK wide tour from Birmingham Hippodrome on 27^th August 2025 and then calls at Basildon, Malvern, Dunstable, Crewe, Salford, Billingham, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Tunbridge Wells, Saffron Walden, Swindon, Yeovil, Exeter, Hull, Lichfield, New Brighton and Southampton where it commences at Mayflower Theatre for its 12^th visit on 21^st May 2026 for its currently scheduled final date.
• Speedo Mick the Musical – Paul Duckworth will star at Liverpool’s Royal Court this spring.The production opens on 30 May and is set to run until 5 July, with text by John Fay, music by Boff Whalley, direction by Conrad Nelson and design by Ellie Light. The musical follows the life of Michael Cullen, a Liverpool man who became known for raising over £1 million for charity by walking in his swimming trunks. After facing personal struggles that left him homeless and estranged from his family, Cullen turned his life around through a series of fundraising challenges. He ran marathons, swam the Channel, and eventually became known for his long charity walks wearing only his Everton trunks. Cullen was awarded Liverpool’s Citizen of Honour in 2024. Joining Duckworth in the cast are Jessica Dyas, Maddie Hansen, Iris Laverne, Polly Lister, Ewan Ling, Oliver Mawdsley, Timothy Roberts, Steve Simmonds, Declan Wilson and Lenny Wood.
• Maiden Voyage – a new musical by Mindi Dickstein and Carmel Dean, has announced its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant on 26 July, with previews from 19 July, and playing to 23 August. Produced by Mark Cortale, Dale Franzen, Jonathan Murray and Harvey Reese in association with Shared Experience, it tells the story of Tracy Edwards and the first all-women racing crew of Maiden who made history competing in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1989/90. The musical will be directed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson and feature orchestrations by Michael Starobin.
• Pitlochry Festival Theatre – announced this year’s ensemble which will feature in the Auditorium productions of Grease (18 June to 27 September), which is being co-produced with Blackpool Grand Theatre, Elizabeth Newman’s new adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic tale The Great Gatsby (27 June to 25 September), produced with Derby Theatre, Patrick Barlow’s slapstick comedy The 39 Steps (11 July to 26 September), and the revival of the theatre’s much-loved production of Sunshine on Leith (25 July to 27 September). Members of the ensemble will also feature in the Studio productions of the première of Milly Sweeney’s debut play Water Colour (9 to 17 May), co-produced with Byre Theatre and Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland, the return of Nan Shepherd: Naked and Unashamed (30 May to 14 June) co-produced with Firebrand Theatre Company, as well as the premières of Kolbrún Björt Sigfúsdóttir’s new play This Is A Gift (24 June to 11 September), Shonagh Murray’s new Scottish musical Nessie (9 July to 16 August), co-produced with Capital Theatres, and finally John Binnie and Alyson Orr’s new musical play A Toast Fae The Lassies (29 August to 24 September). The 21-strong ensemble will feature Adam Buksh (The Great Replacement), Chris Coxon (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Celeste Collier (Rishi Sunak’s Doing A Musical), Tyler Collins (Sunshine on Leith), Susan Coyle (The Race to 1984), Stephanie Cremona (Cinderella), Caitlin Forbes (The Stamping Ground), Molly Geddes (Lockerbie), and April Nerissa Hudson (Good for A Girl). The ensemble will also feature Leah Jamieson (Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of)), Blythe Jandoo (Gypsy), Oraine Johnson (The Jungle Book), Jerome Lincoln (Standing at the Sky’s Edge), Ryan J Mackay (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Keith Macpherson (A Streetcar Named Desire), Alyson Orr (Sunshine on Leith), David Rankine (The Fair Maid of the West), Alexander Service (Heathers the Musical), Fiona Wood (Peter Pan and Wendy), and newcomers Eden Barrie and Louis Newman.
• Pop Off, Michelangelo! – is set for a five-week run at Underbelly Boulevard Soho, following a successful spell at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and concert performances at the Other Palace. The production opens on 23 May, with previews from 17 May, and runs until 22 June. Dylan MarcAurele’s musical comedy follows Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci as they compete to create the most legendary religious masterpiece. It received a Popcorn Award Special Mention at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is directed by Joe McNeice. Starring will be Max Eade and Aidan MacColl, reprising their roles as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, respectively. Joining them are Kurran Dhand (Salai), Aoife Haakenson (Mother), Sev Keoshgerian (Italian Chef), Michael Marouli (Pope) and Laura Sillett (Savonarola). The production features choreography by Sundeep Saini, musical supervision and orchestrations by Aron Sood, costume design by Emily Bestow, video design by PJ McEvoy, lighting design by Adam King, sound design by Ed Lewis, and casting by Sarah-Jane Price. Assistant choreographer is Conn McGirr, dramaturg is Roser Oser. It is produced by Blair Russell Productions, with general management by Paul Virides Productions and production management by James Anderton.
• Get Down Tonight – a new musical based on the early life of Harry Wayne Casey, founder of KC and the Sunshine Band, will run in London for eight weeks at the Charing Cross Theatre from 19 September to 15 November 2025. The production, developed with Casey, features music and lyrics by Casey and a book by J. F. Lawton. It will be directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens. The musical includes more than 20 songs from the KC and the Sunshine Band catalogue, including “Give It Up”, “That’s The Way (I Like It)” and “Get Down Tonight.” The musical was previously staged under the title Who Do Ya Love? at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It has been reworked into a 90-minute format without an interval. The story is set in 1970s Miami and follows four friends during the early years of Casey’s career. The production is presented by ATG Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Casey, CTK Enterprises and LPO. KC and the Sunshine Band sold over 100 million records worldwide. The band achieved five number-one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, four UK Top 10 singles, and a Grammy Award as part of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Lawton’s previous credits include Pretty Woman, Under Siege and Blankman. Stevens has choreographed and directed for stage and screen, including work on Bombay Dreams, Spamalot, and the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• The Performance Festival 2025 – at the V&A South Kensington will run over ten days in April and explore the theme of “Illusion.” Through a programme of live performances, talks, tours, screenings and workshops, the festival examines transformation, disguise, the surreal and the spectacular across a series of free and ticketed events. Each year the festival coincides with Shakespeare’s birthday on 23 April, animating the gallery spaces with performers, musicians, dancers and designers. Leading practitioners from across the performing arts will join this year’s celebrations. This year’s programme includes the premiere of māyā by dance artist and choreographer Vidya Patel, performances by AterBalletto, and a screening of Ballet Boyz’s The Principles of Classical Dance. Object sessions led by curators will offer visitors a chance to view designs from The Crown and costumes worn by Lily Savage. The team behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will present an interactive session on stage magic, and Japanese company Mochinosha and the Wishes will perform Shadow Kingdom, a shadow puppetry piece in the V&A’s Raphael Gallery. Free screenings from the National Video Archive of Performance will run throughout the festival, including Nick Payne’s Constellations starring Rafe Spall and Sally Hawkins (Duke of York’s Theatre, 2013), Art (Old Vic, 2017), Barnum (Menier Chocolate Factory, 2017), The Wiz (Hope Mill Theatre, 2021), The Chairs (Almeida Theatre, 2022), Waiting for Godot (West End, 2024) with Lucian Msamati and Ben Whishaw, and Red Riding Hood (Greenwich Theatre, 2015).
• Girl from the North Country – will return to London’s Old Vic where it will run from 24 June to 23 August 2025. It’s where the show, written and directed by Conor McPherson, received its world premiere in 2017, before it went on to win Tony and Olivier Awards. The piece sees a company of 23 actors and musicians performing music by Bob Dylan. The set and costume design are by Rae Smith, while Simon Hale serves as orchestrator, arranger and musical supervisor, with additional arrangements by Hale and McPherson. Lighting is by Mark Henderson, sound by Simon Baker, and movement direction by Lucy Hind. The musical director is Alan Berry, casting is by Jessica Ronane CDG, and Corey McMahon is associate director.
• By Royal Appointment – the world première has been announced at Theatre Royal Bath, running from 5 to 14 June, before embarking on a tour to the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham, Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, Malvern Festival Theatre, Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, Richmond Theatre in London, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford and the Lowry in Salford. The new play by Daisy Goodwin, the creator of the ITV series Victoria, the piece is directed by Dominic Dromgoole. It will star Anne Reid (A Woman of No Importance) as Queen Elizabeth II and Caroline Quentin (Jack Absolute Flies Again) as her dresser, exploring the relationship between the monarch and her close confidante and their collaboration in shaping the public image of the late Queen. James Dreyfus will take on the role of The Milliner and James Wilby, The Designer.
• Pantomime Awards 2025 – the winners were announced on Sunday (13^th April 2025) at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. The ceremony was hosted by the UK Pantomime Association in partnership with Trafalgar Entertainment and ATG Entertainment. The full list of winners is as follows:

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY – Ebony Clarke: Cinderella, Royal & Derngate, Northampton (Evolution Productions)

BEST LIGHTING – Andy Webb: Sleeping Beauty, Festival Theatre, Malvern (UK Productions)

CARMEN SILVERA AWARD FOR BEST MAGICAL BEING – Danielle Jam: Jack and the Beanstalk, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BARBARA WINDSOR AWARD FOR BEST PRINCIPAL LEAD – Mia Overfield: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fairfield Halls, Croydon (UK Productions)

BEST SCRIPT – Anthony Spargo: Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre, London (In-House)

BEST SECONDARY LEAD – Mia Welsh: Dick Whittington, Theatre Royal Windsor (In- House)

BEST VILLAIN – Zoe West: Rapunzel, Everyman Theatre, Liverpool (In-House)

BEST COMIC – Steve Royle: Cinderella, Blackpool Grand Theatre (UK Productions)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN – Katie Lias: Sleeping Beauty, Salisbury Playhouse (Wiltshire Creative)

CHRISTOPHER BIGGINS AWARD FOR BEST DAME – Antony Stuart-Hicks: The New Adventures of Peter Pan, Mercury Theatre, Colchester (In-House)

BEST DIRECTION – Chris Jordan: Snow White, Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (Eastbourne Theatres in association with Jordan Productions)

BEST ENSEMBLE – Nikki Schofield, Alanna Panditaratne, James Everest, Ariel Nyandoro, Jacob Stebbings: Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre, Halifax (Imagine Theatre)

BEST CONTRIBUTION TO MUSIC – Tayo Akinbode: Mother Goose, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, Theatr Clwyd, Mold (In-House)

BEST SET DESIGN – Becky Minto: Mother Goose, Perth Theatre (In-House)

BEST SISTERS – Harry Howle and Steven Roberts: Cinderella, Cambridge Arts Theatre (In-House)

BEST SOUND – Kate Harvey: Jack and the Beanstalk, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford (Imagine Theatre)

BEST SUPPORTING ARTIST – Marc Pickering: Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions)

BEST NEWCOMER TO PANTOMIME – Owain Wyn Evans: Cinderella, New Theatre, Cardiff (Crossroads Pantomimes)

BEST NEWCOMER TO INDUSTRY – Emma Robertson: Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST PANTOMIME (UNDER 500 SEATS) – Dick Whittington and his Cat, Greenwich Theatre (In-House)

BEST PANTOMIME (500 – 900 SEATS) – Snow White, Loughborough Town Hall (Little Wolf Entertainment)

BEST PANTOMIME (OVER 900 SEATS) – Snow White, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (Evolution Productions)

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN PANTOMIME – Elaine C Smith

ACHIEVEMENT IN INCLUSIVE PRACTICE – He’s Behind You!

ACHIEVEMENT IN INNOVATION – Oxford Playhouse

NIGEL ELLACOTT SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR PANTOMIME HISTORY, TRADITION AND HERITAGE – Brick Lane Music Hall

The ceremony also featured performances from Anita Harris, Basil Brush with Kevin Cruise, and Britain’s Got Talent ventriloquist Jamie Leahey. An In Memoriam segment paid tribute to members of the pantomime community who have passed away over the past year.

LATEST NEWS – 10th April 2025

By PHayward Thursday 10th April 2025

• The Pantomime Adventures Of Peter Pan – the Christmas show at Mayflower Theatre in Southampton will run from 13 December 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026. The cast will be led by Alexandra Burke, last seen at Mayflower Theatre starring as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, this year she will play Captain Hook and no doubt will bring her incredible musical theatre and recording performances to the role. Also joining the cast is Dr Ranj, who recently garnered incredible reviews as Lance in the musical & Juliet, which played to an almost sold-out Mayflower Theatre last November. As is traditional, humour will have an important part of this year’s panto and this will be guaranteed as Max Fulham, the popular comedian and ventriloquist on both TV and theatre, who has become a social media sensation where he has amassed over 2 million likes on TikTok, will be taking on the role of Smee, guaranteeing that it won’t all be plain sailing for Captain Hook.
• Singin’ in the Rain – will be The Royal Exchange Theatre’s big Christmas show. The revival of Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed’s musical will be directed by Raz Shaw, who previously helmed The Producers at the venue, the production will run from 29 November 2025 to 18 January 2026.
• Scouts! The Musical – the upcoming Gigglemug Theatre production has unveiled casting for its upcoming tour. The actor-musician-led comedy, penned by Sam Cochrane and David Fallon, is using the tour to mark its final run. Since 2019, Gigglemug has been working closely with the Scouts, a charity that teaches life skills to 57 million Scouts and Guides worldwide. The production will tour to the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham from 3 to 7 June, before visiting the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester from 10 to 15 June, Upstairs at the Gatehouse, London from 18 to 22 June, and completing its run at the Egg Theatre, Bath from 26 to 29 June. The cast will be led by Eleanor Fransch (You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown) as Eliza and Burhan Kathawala (Sleeping Beauty) as Joe. Returning to the production are Kemi Clarke (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, The Gruffalo) as Scout Leader Dylan, Katie Pritchard (A Jaffa Cake Musical) as Rosie, Emily Kitchingham as Charlotte, and Rob Gathercole (Faking Bad) as Luke/Linus Lionheart. Heather Gourdie completes the cast as Narrator/Swing. Directed by Cochrane and with musical direction by Gathercole, further creative team members are to be confirmed. Gigglemug will also return to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with A Jaffa Cake Musical.
• We Aren’t Kids Anymore – casting has been released for the concert world premiere of the new musicall, written by composer and songwriter Drew Gasparini. It explores the experience of growing up through five perspectives across age, gender, and generation. Originally inspired by his own life, the story will be followed by a second act featuring Gasparini in concert, performing a selection of songs from his career, alongside special guests. The show builds on the success of a workshop held in June 2024, which followed the release of Gasparini’s concept album of the same name. The writer is known for his work on Smash and musicals including The Karate Kid and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Melanie La Barrie will star alongside Aimie Atkinson, Dylan Mulvaney, and Jenna Lee-James as wll as Nigel Harman and Cassius Hackforth. Three special guests have also been revealed, with Jeevan Braich appearing in the second act, alongside Andrew Kober (Beetlejuice, School of Rock) and Tony Bayliss (We Will Rock You, Tommy). In addition, a nationwide competition inviting aspiring performers to submit self-tapes saw over 1000 submissions. Winners Katie Leach and Sally Forster will share the stage and have the opportunity to step into the spotlight during the two performances. Leach will take to the Savoy Theatre stage during the matinee performance, while Forster will debut during the evening show. The creative team includes original concept by Richard Fitch, director Jake Smith, movement Chris Cuming, musical supervisor/director Lauren Hopkinson (who also provides orchestrations and arrangements alongside Gasparini), set and costume designer Mona Camille, lighting designer Zoe Spurr, sound designer Paul Gatehouse, associate director Kirsty Tallent, associate musical supervisor Will Parker, associate choreographer Tarik Frimpong and assistant musical director Caitlin Morgan. Casting is by Sarah-Jane Price. The We Aren’t Kids Anymore concert plays on Monday 28 April 2025 at the Savoy Theatre in London, with tickets on sale below.
• Fiddler on the Roof – the upcoming UK and Ireland tour has added an additional stop for the festive season. The tour begins atthe Bromley Churchill Theatre (24 to 26 July), Leeds Grand Theatre (28 July to 2 August), Belfast Grand Opera House (4 to 9 August), Norwich Theatre (11 to 16 August), Nottingham Concert Hall (18 to 23 August), Bristol Hippodrome (25 to 30 August), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (8 to 13 September), High Wycombe Swan Theatre (15 to 20 September), Liverpool Empire (22 to 27 September), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (29 September to 4 October). Dublin Bord Gáis Theatre (6 to 18 October), Manchester Palace Theatre (20 October to 1 November), Eastbourne Congress Theatre (3 to 8 November), Canterbury Marlowe Theatre (10 to 15 November), Cardiff New Theatre (17 to 22 November), and Sunderland Empire (24 to 29 November). It has now been confirmed that the musical will play the Alexandra in Birmingham, running from 9 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. Directed by Jordan Fein and featuring choreography by Julia Cheng and design by Tom Scutt, the production was first seen at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre last summer.