NEWS UPDATE – 30th March 2026

P Hayward 30th March 2026

• Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical – a major UK and Ireland tour will open at Curve in Leicester on 29th March 2027 following on from the show’s succesful West End run, The musical tells the behind-the-scenes story of how Bob Geldof steered Live Aid, the global music event staged on 13 July 1985, to success – with concerts in London and Philadelphia broadcast to an estimated audience of 1.5 billion people worldwide. Just For One Day opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in May 2025 following a North American run at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto and an earlier premiere at the Old Vic in early 2024, where it became the venue’s fastest-selling musical. The production continues to support the work of The Band Aid Charitable Trust, with £1.5 million raised to date. The tour will continue from Leicester calling on Apr 19 2027, Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre; Apr 26 2027, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre, May 03 2027, Opera House, Manchester, May 17 2027, Oxford New Theatre; May 24 2027, Edinburgh Playhouse; May 31 2027, Theatre Royal Plymouth; Jun 07 2027, Sunderland Empire Theatre; Jun 21 2027, Birmingham Alexandra Theatre; Jul 06 2027, Hull New Theatre; Jul 13 2027, Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House; Jul 19 2027, Nottingham Theatre Royal; Jul 27 2027, Glasgow King’s Theatre; Aug 03 2027, Liverpool Empire Theatre; Sep 28 2027, Southampton Mayflower Theatre. The musical is written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard, with musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Matthew Brind, choreography by Ebony Molina and casting by Stuart Burt. The show was originally presented at the Old Vic theatre in January 2024 and was subsequently produced in the West End. The tour is produced by Jamie Wilson Productions in association with Curve.
• High School Musical – the upcoming production from Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions with Lowry will be the first UK non-replica production of Disney’s musical since the film’s original release 20 years ago. Tobias Turley will star as Troy, with Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as Ryan. Joining them is Jason Donovan, whill play the role of Coach Bolton through until 18 September. Featuring a book by David Simpatico and music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle, High School Musical will be co-directed by Hope Mill founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton. Choreography will be by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, sound design by Matt Peploe, video design by George Reeve, lighting design by Rory Beaton, costume design by Sophia Pardon, musical supervision by Katy Richardson, musical direction by Audra Cramer, casting by Pearson Casting, and production management by Ammonite Studios. Chris Harper Productions is responsible for general management. The production will run at the Lowry in Salford from 21 August to a newly extended date of 19 September 2026, with the venue’s Lyric Theatre reconfigured for the production to create an immersive basketball court setting that includes on-stage seating and an extended playing area. It is set to feature songs from the original movie, including “Breaking Free”, “We’re All In This Together”, “Get’cha Head in the Game” and “Stick to the Status Quo”.
• Waitress – Carrie Hope Fletcher will be spending more time at the Waitress diner! Fletcher is scheduled to appear in Wimbledon, Brighton, Bradford, Woking, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Cardiff and Southend. Her new stops now include Oxford, Stoke-on-Trent, Blackpool, Leicester, Belfast, Bristol, Nottingham, and Llandudno. In Sunderland, Lucia will be playing Jenna. Marvin will be appearing until 21 June.
• Cats – casting has been announced for the open-air production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Set to star will be Fin Adams (Alonzo), Carla Bertran (Electra / co-dance captain), Elliot Broadfoot (Bustopher Jones), Grace Burrows (offstage swing), Matthew Caputo (Skimbleshanks), Josie Chambers-Sims (Syllabub (Jemima)), Briana Craig (Rumpleteazer), Katie Dunsden (Bombalurina), Joshua-Samuel Freeman (Tumblebrutus (Bill Bailey)), Regan Garcia (Pouncival (Carbuckety)), and Aaron Jenkins (Offstage Swing). Also in the cast are Hannah Joseph (Victoria), Taziva-Faye Katsande (Tantomile), Melanie La Barrie (Old Deuteronomy), Diante Lodge (Macavity / Admetus), Owen McHugh (George), Danny Nattrass (Mungojerrie), Millie O’Connell (Demeter), Andrew Parfitt (Coricopat), Charlotte Riby (Jennyanydots (Gumbie Cat)), Nathan Rigg (offstage swing), Lucie-Mae Sumner (Jellylorum (Griddlebone)), Jaydon Vijn (Rum Tum Tugger), Jack Wilcox (Munkustrap), Gary Wilmot (Gus), Rachael Wooding (Grizabella), Jet Yau (Mr Mistoffelees / Quaxo), Taela Yeomans-Brown (offstage swing / co-dance captain) and Patricia Zhou (Cassandra). The musical is composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on T S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The creative team includes Lucy Adams as associate lighting designer, Josh Baker as resident director and choreographer, and Tim Blazdell as associate set designer. Casting is by Will Burton, with makeup design and supervision by Guy Common, and Ollie Durrant serves as associate sound designer. Sami Fendall is responsible for set, costume and wigs design, with Adam Fisher as sound designer and Jessica Hung Han Yun as lighting designer. Ingrid Mackinnon is intimacy director, Kev McCurdy is fight director, and Fiona McDougal is voice coach. The production is directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, with Ebony Molina as associate choreographer. Georgia Nosal is associate wigs and hair designer and supervisor, Geraint Owen is musical director, and Alex Parker is musical supervisor. The show will run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre from 25 July to 12 September and then it will embark on a UK tour setting out from Plymouth on 6^th October 2026 and continuing until 29^th June 2027, with more dates to be added.
• Trainspotting The Musical – the world premiere will take place at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket on Wednesday 15 July 2026. The production is presented by Phil McIntyre Live and is written by Irvine Welsh, based on his novel. It is directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, with music and lyrics by Welsh and Stephen McGuinness. The score includes tracks associated with the original film alongside new material written for the stage. The musical follows the characters of Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy and Kelly, following their story depicted in the 1996 film which became the highest-grossing UK film of that year and went on to receive a BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay and was later ranked in the British Film Institute list of the 100 greatest British films of the 20th century. In the musical Renton will be played by Robbie Scott, who will be making his West End debut. Further casting is to be announced.
• World’s Greatest Lover – a new musical has postponed its London premiere at The Other Palace. The show was due to run from 12 April to 7 June 2026, following runs in New York and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025. Further announcements are expected.

NEWS UPDATE – 23rd March 2026

P Hayward 23rd March 2026

• Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo – are returning to the UK for a significant tour hosted by Dance Consortium. Over its 51+ year journey the company has grown into a crowd-pleasing, globe-spanning phenomenon, having performed in over 43 countries and 667 cities for enthusiastic crowds of all sizes, as well as connecting with small groups through engagement programs that focus on elements of their performance: The personas! The technique! The wigs! The world’s foremost gender-skewering comic ballet company now exists in a world that is catching up with their once highly-subversive viewpoint, allowing their style of ballet to be viewed simply as…sheer entertainment. The dance company was founded in 1974 in the wake of the Stonewall Uprising, with the first performances held on the makeshift stage of the West Side Discussion Group’s loft space in downtown New York City. The tour will open at London’s Peacock Theatre on 5^th May 2026 before moving on to Cardiff, May 12; Wolverhampton, May 15; Southampton, May 19; Newcastle, May 26; Bradford, May 29; Milton Keynes, June 2; Norwich Theatre Royal, June 5; Canterbury, June 9; Blackpool, June 12; Edinburgh, June 16; Aberdeen, June 19 and finally, Buxton, June 23.
• Grease – will be embarking on a new tour, with an initial set of dates now confirmed. Nikolai Foster continues as director of the teen musical, along with choreographer Arlene Phillips. The tour will open on Apr 23 2027 at Theatre Royal Plymouth before May 17 2027 Wolverhampton Grand Theatre; May 24 2027 Stoke-on-Trent Regent Theatre; Jul 19 2027 Oxford New Theatre; Jul 26 2027 Liverpool Empire Theatre; Sep 20 2027 Edinburgh Playhouse; Oct 04 2027 Sunderland Empire Theatre; Oct 12 2027 Nottingham Theatre Royal; Oct 18 2027 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre with more dates to be added.
• Love Never Dies – a concert version of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Glenn Slater, Ben Elton, and Frederick Forsyth’s Love Never Dies will play The London Palladium this autumn for two performances on 16 and 17 October 2026. It is produced by Darren Bell alongside Cuffe & Taylor for Live Nation and will star Jamie Muscato as the Phantom and Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine. The concert forms part of the 40th anniversary celebrations for The Phantom of the Opera, which continues to run in the West End at His Majesty’s Theatre and coincides with Lloyd Webber’s birthday.
• The Picture of Dorian Gray – A New Musical is set for an upcoming UK tour which will run from October 2026 through to April 2027 and call at Darlington Hippodrome, Halifax, Hunstanton, Weymouth, Gravesend, Lowestoft, Kettering, Runcorn, Blackpool, Swansea, Stockport, Newcastle, Wakefield, Aberdeen, Pert, Arbroath and New Brighton. The show, penned by Mark J Middlemiss, will star Christopher Twyford in the title role of Dorian Gray, with Charlotte Castle as Sibyl Vane. Kevin Kennedy will appear as Mr Issacs, joining a cast that also includes Kingsley Judd as Lord Henry Wotton, a character inspired by Oscar Wilde, and George McKinley as artist Basil Hallward. Also cast are Keegan Featherstone, who takes on the role of Jim Vane, while Louise Grayson, who previously featured on the show’s original concept album, will play Lady Agatha. The ensemble will comprise Marie McNaugher, Sam Kingsley, Charley Robbie, Meg Luscombe and Alistair Fitton.
• Moonlight – The Philip Lynott Enigma – Mazz Murray will star in a new musical about Thin Lizzy frontman Philip Lynott which will receive its London premiere at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on 29 March. It is the same venue where the band’s Live and Dangerous album was recorded 50 years ago. It has a book and music by John Merrigan and Danielle Merrigan, and is directed by Jason Figgis, telling the story of Lynott’s formative years. Murray will play Philomena Lynott, alongside actor and singer Peter M Smith as Philip Lynott, with Padraic O’Loingsigh as Brendan Behan, Riley Clark as Oscar Wilde, Luke Hayden as The Landlord, John Newcombe as The Journalist, with original founding member, Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell making a special guest appearance. After playing in London, Moonlight will visit Glasgow (20 May), Newcastle (21 May), Dartford (22 May), Birmingham (23 May), and Dublin (11 and 12 June). Murray is only scheduled to appear in London. The show is produced by Fatdan Productions.
• Cats – will be visiting even more theatres on tour this year. The show will open in London for a summer season, before embarking on its UK major tour. Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on T S Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. It premiered in London’s West End in 1981 and on Broadway in 1982, becoming one of the longest-running shows in both cities. Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, the tour is produced by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals. It opens on Jul 25 2026 at London Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre and then will move on Oct 06 2026 to Theatre Royal Plymouth and then Oct 20 2026 Hull New Theatre; Oct 27 2026 Birmingham Hippodrome; Nov 10 2026 Manchester Palace Theatre; Nov 24 2026 Bristol Hippodrome; Dec 01 2026 Llandudno Venue Cymru (formerly – North Wales Theatre); Dec 08 2026 Theatre Royal Glasgow; Jan 06 2027 Nottingham Theatre Royal; Jan 19 2027 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre; Jan 26 2027 Sunderland Empire Theatre; Feb 09 2027 Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre; Feb 16 2027 Norwich Theatre Royal; Mar 02 2027 Belfast Grand Opera House; Mar 23 2027 Oxford New Theatre; Mar 30 2027 Southampton Mayflower Theatre; Apr 20 2027 Edinburgh Playhouse; Apr 27 2027 Bradford Alhambra Theatre; May 05 2027 Liverpool Empire Theatre; May 18 2027 Woking New Victoria Theatre; May 25 2027 Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre; Jun 01 2027 Milton Keynes Theatre and concluding on Jun 08 2027 at Newcastle upon Tyne Theatre Royal.

NEWS UPDATE – 16th March 2026

P Hayward 16th March 2026

• Mayflower Theatre – is celebrating significant progress on its new rehearsal studio development, a major investment that strengthens its commitment to create inspiring experiences, accessibility and sustainability. The multi-million-pound development is across three floors and provides a dedicated studio for young performers as well as the purpose-built double-height rehearsal studio, along with two fully accessible dressing rooms and a combined reception and stage door, creating a high-quality environment for both professional touring companies and Mayflower’s extensive Participation and Education programmes, which have welcomed more than 200,000 young people over the past decade, providing opportunities to perform, build confidence and engage with the arts. The scale of the project is reflected in the materials used during construction, including 20 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 100 tonnes of structural steel, 42,000 bricks, 30 windows and 68 doors. Designed to high-performing environmental standards, the building plays a key role in Mayflower’s drive towards Net Zero. The new rehearsal studio provides the kind of high-quality, accessible space that matches Mayflower’s ambition and reputation. It ensures that young people, performers with disabilities and touring productions all have facilities that meet modern expectations, while supporting our long-term vision for creative growth and sustainability. Delivering a project of this scale within a live, Grade II listed historic theatre environment is a significant achievement. The investment future-proofs Mayflower Theatre as it nears its 100th anniversary, whilst remaining one of the UK’s leading regional theatres, welcoming more than 500,000 visitors each year and contributing over £59 million to the local economy.
• Caroline: A New Musical – casting has been announced for the new stage musical inspired by the story of pirate radio station Radio Caroline, which will tour East Anglia in 2026. Claire Lee Shenfield will star as Caroline, while the cast of actor-musicians also includes Nicola Bryan as Betty, Gareth Cooper as the Postmaster General, Jake Halsey-Jones as Robbie, Joey Hickman as Declan, Rhiannon Hopkins as Kitty, James Lawrence as Steven, Jerome Lincoln as the Private Secretary, Perry Meadowcroft as Dave the Fish and Eloise Richardson as Mary. Written by Vikki Stone and directed by Douglas Rintoul and Alex Thorpe, the production follows Caroline, a young woman whose life changes when her boyfriend takes a job with Radio Caroline, the offshore station that broadcast pop and rock music from a ship off the Essex coast during the 1960s. The musical features a cast of actor-musicians and includes songs from the period. The creative team includes sound designer Helen Atkinson, set and costume designer Stella Backman, dramaturg Titilola Dawudu, voice coach Charmaine Hoare, fight and intimacy director Haruka Kuroda, lighting designer Callum Macdonald, musical director Paul Schofield and choreographer Sundeep Saini. The show is produced by the East Anglian Touring Consortium, a partnership between Eastern Angles, HighTide, Landmark Theatres, Mercury Theatre Colchester, New Wolsey Theatre, Norwich Theatre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Supported by Arts Council England, the consortium aims to create original work that supports local talent and reaches audiences across the region. It will open at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich on 17 April 2026 before visiting Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch (6 to 16 May), New Theatre Peterborough (19 to 23 May), Mercury Theatre Colchester (3 to 13 June) and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds (16 to 20 June).
• Ride the Cyclone – will return to Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 19 June to 22 August 2026 where it received its UK premiere last year. The 90-minute musical premiered in British Columbia in 2008 before making its American debut at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theater in 2015 before opening Off-Broadwayin 2016. Written by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, the show follows six teenagers who are killed in a rollercoaster accident. Trapped in limbo, they are offered a chance to return to life – if they can convince an enigmatic figure that they are the one most deserving of a second chance. The production is directed and choreographed by Lizzi Gee with musical direction and supervision by Ben McQuigg, set and costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight, lighting design by Tim Deiling, video design by Nina Dunn for PixelLux, sound design by Tom Marshall, illusion design by Richard Pinner, casting by Harry Blumenau and associate direction by Eva Sampton. Production management is by Toby P Darvill for Production Solutions Group, with general management by Jack Maple Productions.
• The Hollow – a stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s novel will tour the UK and Ireland opening at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, on 9 October before touring nationwide into 2027. The tour will visit Hall for Cornwall, Truro (20 to 24 October), Richmond Theatre (27 to 31 October), Grand Opera House, Belfast (3 to 7 November), Newcastle Theatre Royal (10 to 14 November), New Theatre Cardiff (17 to 21 November), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (24 to 28 November), with further dates to be confirmed. The production is brought to the stage by producers Fiery Angel and director Lucy Bailey, the team behind tours of And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile. This new version is by Tamsin Oglesby. It follows Hercule Poirot, who is drawn into an unsettling case while attempting to take a break at a country estate where a glamorous circle of guests gathers. The Hollow is produced by Fiery Angel in association with Agatha Christie Limited and the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. It is designed by Joanna Parker, with lighting designed by Chris Davey and casting by Ginny Schiller. Casting will be announced at a later date.
• Theatre in the UK 2026 – More people are attending theatre in the UK than at any point on record, according to a new report published by the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre. The report shows that more than 37 million visits were made to theatres across the country in 2025, with the West End accounting for 17.64 million attendances, almost three million more than Broadway. The report finds that theatre attendance reflects the full occupational range of the UK population and that demand for live performance remains high across commercial and subsidised venues. Despite this level of demand, the report concludes that the financial position of many theatres is under increasing pressure. The report states that 36 per cent of theatres expect to run an operating deficit this year, rising to 51 per cent among subsidised organisations. Only 36 per cent of respondents anticipate an increase in turnover, down from 60 per cent the previous year, while 91 per cent expect overall costs to rise. Alongside performance, theatres continue to deliver education, training and community programmes, and act as employers and cultural hubs in towns and cities across the UK. The report highlights the role theatres play in developing creative talent, supporting local economies and contributing to activity on high streets. It also notes that for every £1 spent on a theatre ticket, an additional £1.40 is generated in surrounding businesses.
• The Sound of Music – Opera North has announced that soprano Katie Bird will take on the role of Maria in the new production of the musical at Leeds Grand Theatre from 9 July to 1 August 2026. The production will be performed by the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North and directed by Nikolai Foster. Alongside Bird, Katherine Broderick will play Mother Abbess. She is currently touring with Opera North as Marcellina in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. Broderick won the 2007 Kathleen Ferrier Award. Members of the Chorus of Opera North will also take on named roles in the production. Kamil Bień will play Rolf Gruber, Amy Freston will appear as Baroness Elsa Schraeder and Nicholas Butterfield will play Max Detweiler. Molly Barker-Knowles will play Sister Berthe, Hannah Mason will appear as Sister Margaretta and Gillene Butterfield will play Sister Sophia. Dean Robinson will appear as Franz, Claire Pascoe as Frau Schmidt, Ivan Sharpe as Herr Zeller and Tim Ochala-Greenough as Admiral von Schreiber. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s iconic score will be performed by the Orchestra of Opera North.
• Jane Eyre – a musical by John Caird and Paul Gordon based on the seminal novel by Charlotte Brontë, will receive its UK premiere 30 years on from its first bow in Toronto. The production will run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 28 August to 24 October 2026. The production will be co-directed by John Caird and Megan McGinnis. Caird previously adapted and co-directed the original production of Les Misérables in the West End and on Broadway, and most recently directed the award-winning stage adaptation of Spirited Away at the London Coliseum. McGinnis has appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Little Women and Beetlejuice. The musical, and Brontë’s original tale, follows Jane’s journey from orphan to adulthood. Her life becomes tied to Thornfield Hall and its owner, Edward Rochester, where she encounters secrets, danger and betrayal. For the 30th anniversary year of the show and its London opening, Adam Blanshay Productions is partnering with the original Canadian producers David Mirvish and Hannah Mirvish.
• The Karate Kid – The Musical – has announced the cast for the upcoming UK tour. Set to star will be Adrian Pang, who will lead the company as Mr Miyagi, with Gino Ochello as Daniel LaRusso, Abigail Amin as Ali Mills, Joe Simmons as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver as Freddie Fernandez. The ensemble includes Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh. The stage musical adapts the 1984 film starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, which became a global hit and led to multiple sequels, a remake, and the Netflix series Cobra Kai. The Musical received its world premiere in St Louis in 2022.This new production is written by Robert Mark Kamen, who penned the original 1984 film, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini. It is directed by Amon Miyamoto with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid. The creative team also includes scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervision and arrangements by Andrew Resnick, and wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman. It is produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, Kenny Wax and John Gore. The tour opens on 28^th April 2026 at New Wimbledon Theatre and then moves on to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff.

LATEST NEWS – 9th MARCH 2026

P Hayward – 9th March 2026

• Top Hat – a casting update for the ongoing UK tour of Kenny Wax and Jonathan Church Theatre Productions of the stage version of the 1935 Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers film features Irving Berlin standards including “Cheek to Cheek”, “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”, “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” From 13 March, Nicole-Lily Baisden will be stepping into the role of Dale Tremont, taking over from Amara Okereke in the show. She will be joining Phillip Attmore as Jerry Travers, with Emma Williams as Madge Hardwick, James Hume as Horace Hardwick, James Clyde as Bates and Alex Gibson-Giorgio as Alberto Beddini.
• High School Musical – the first UK non-replica production of Disney’s musical to be produced by Hope Mill Theatre and Chris Harper Productions with Lowry, it will mark two decades since the film’s original release. Featuring a book by David Simpatico and music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle, High School Musical will be co-directed by Hope Mill founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton. Set to star are Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as Ryan. The piece will have choreography by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, sound design by Matt Peploe, video design by George Reeve, lighting design by Rory Beaton, costume design by Sophia Pardon, musical supervision by Katy Richardson, musical direction by Audra Cramer, casting by Pearson Casting, and production management by Ammonite Studios. Chris Harper Productions is responsible for general management. The production will run at the Lowry in Salford from 21 August to 13 September 2026, with the venue’s Lyric Theatre reconfigured for the production to create an immersive basketball court setting that includes on-stage seating and an extended playing area.
• Dark of the Moon – a new musical, will receive its world premiere in London at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday 18 May to Saturday 8 August 2026 Based on Howard D Richardson and William Berney’s classic 1941 play, the piece will be directed by Georgie Rankcom. Loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad “Barbara Allen,” Dark of the Moon follows the clash of two polarised worlds – one a charming rural town and the other the mystical, smoky mountains inhabited by witches and warlocks, as a human girl and witch-boy fall in love. The musical features a book by Emmy Award nominee Jonathan Prince and music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning songwriters Lindy Robbins, Dave Bassett, and Steve Robson. The show is produced by WitzEnd Productions LLC (Michael Jackowitz and Jeffrey Grove), and Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited and is presented by special arrangement with the Richardson/Yale Property Trust, Elliot S Blair, administrator.
• Bank of Dave – the new musical is based on the real-life story of self-made Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick. Written by WhatsOnStage Award winner Rob Madge, with music by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical), and lyrics by the duo, it is based on the real-life story of self-made Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick. The new musical is set to be directed by Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster and will have its world premiere at the Lowry from 2 to 16 May 2026 before moving to Curve from 20 to 30 May 2026. The first of the cast revealed are Hayley Tamaddon, who will play Nicky, with Lucca Chadwick-Patel as Hugh, Claire Moore as Maureen and Lauryn Redding as Alex. The musical is produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve and Lowry. Katie Lander is the consultant for Finestripe Productions.
• The Barn Theatre in Cirencester – has revealed its full Built by Barn season for 2026. The year will see productions of Men Behaving Badly, Honk!, Double Double and Yes, Prime Minister. Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux’s hit musical Million Dollar Quartet will return. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the show was first staged at the Barn Theatre in 2022 features the music of Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, the show is set in a 1950s recording studio and follows the four iconic music makers as their lives collide. It will play from 15 June to 22 August. In the autumn, David Seidler’s The King’s Speech will be revived and will play at the Barn Theatre from 9 October to 7 November.
• Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story on Stage – will return to London opening at the new Capital Theatre from 16 October 2026, with a gala performance scheduled for 6 November. Produced by Karl Sydow in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, the stage version is written by Eleanor Bergstein, who also wrote the original film screenplay. The show features the characters and dialogue from the 1987 film as it follows Baby’s visit to Kellerman’s resort, where she meets dance instructor Johnny Castle. The production has been reconceived for the 676-seat venue by director Federico Bellone, who also designed the set. Choreography is by Chiara Vecchi, with musical supervision by Richard John. The show will feature a live band and a company of more than 40, performing songs from the film’s soundtrack including “Hungry Eyes”, “Hey Baby”, “Do You Love Me?” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”. A UK and Ireland tour of the production is also scheduled to run from August 2026 to May 2027.
• I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical – has had to cancel its planned London opening as the Peacock Theatre has been closed for essential building works. Operator Sadler’s Wells said it had been informed by its landlord, the London School of Economics, that the theatre must close in order for the works to be carried out. The nature or extent of the works has not been disclosed. The musical will now play Hackney Empire for a week from 20 to 25 March and then later resume its tour.

LATEST NEWS – 2nd MARCH 2026

P Hayward – 2nd March 2026

• Mrs Doubtfire – the musical has confirmed more dates for its first-ever UK and Ireland tour. First seen on Broadway, The musical adaptation 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. It has original music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell (Something Rotten!). It is produced by Kevin McCollum and Jamie Wilson and is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical. The tour opens at Birmingham Hippodrome, where it runs from 13 August to 19 September 2026, before moving to Newcastle Theatre Royal from 23 September to 11 October, Plymouth Theatre Royal from 20 October to 7 November, and Leeds Grand Theatre from 10 to 29 November 2026. It then heads to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for a festive season from 2 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Into 2027, it goes to Glasgow King’s Theatre from 12 to 31 January and Southampton Mayflower Theatre from 2 to 28 February. The production continues at Liverpool Empire from 2 to 21 March, Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre from 23 March to 11 April, Nottingham Theatre Royal from 27 April to 16 May (on sale soon), Sheffield Lyceum from 18 May to 6 June (on sale soon), Milton Keynes Theatre from 8 to 27 June, Aberdeen His Majesty’s Theatre from 30 June to 18 July and finally Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre from 27 July to 15 August 2027, further dates will follow.
• The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – a new musical will have its world premiere at HOME in Manchester, running from Friday 27 November 2026 until Saturday 2 January 2027. The musical is written by Richard Hough and Alexander S Bermange, with direction by Kirk Jameson and production by James Seabright. Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, later popularised through Disney’s Fantasia, the musical is set in a Scandinavian town facing collapse. The story follows a sorcerer and his apprentice as they attempt to work together to prevent disaster. The piece was first released in a digital format in 2021 and has since been developed further for the stage. This new version features additional material and will be performed by a cast of ten.
• I’m Sorry, Prime Minister – written and directed by Jonathan Lynn and co-directed by Michael Gyngell, will tour the UK following its current West End run. The play marks the conclusion of the long-running political satire created by Lynn and Antony Jay, revisiting former Prime Minister Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby as they navigate retirement. The cast includes Clive Francis, who is reprising the role of Sir Humphrey Appleby, alongside Simon Rouse in the role of Ex-Prime Minister Jim Hacker. Princess Donnough also plays the role of Sophie, which she is currently performing in the West End, with further casting for the tour to be announced. The tour opens at the Arts Theatre Cambridge (Tuesday 19 May to Saturday 23 May), followed by Richmond Theatre (Tuesday 26 May to Saturday 30 May) and Theatre Royal Bath (Tuesday 2 June to Saturday 6 June). It then visits New Victoria Theatre (Tuesday 9 June to Saturday 13 June), Marlowe Theatre (Tuesday 16 June to Saturday 20 June), and Everyman Theatre Cheltenham (Tuesday 23 June to Saturday 27 June), before continuing to Milton Keynes Theatre(Tuesday 30 June to Saturday 4 July) and Grand Opera House York (Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July). The run continues at Theatre Royal Brighton (Tuesday 14 July to Saturday 18 July), Palace Theatre Southend (Tuesday 21 July to Saturday 25 July), and concludes at Malvern Theatres (Tuesday 27 July to Saturday 1 August).
• Dog Man: The Musical – the initail tour dates for the European debut of the musical havee been confirmed, with the show following up its opening at Leicester Curve (16 to 19 July), and then Crewe Lyceum (21 to 23 July), with a run at the Southbank Centre from 30 July to 16 August 2026. It will then play Southend Palace (18 to 20 August), Hertford Beam (24 to 26 August), Wolverhampton Grand (28 to 29 August), Eastbourne Devonshire Park (4 to 5 September), Darlington Hippodrome (11 to 13 September), Torquay Princess Theatre (26 to 27 September), Halifax Victoria (3 to 4 October), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (16 to 17 October), Fareham Live (23 to 25 October) and Wycombe Swan (26 to 28 October). Further dates for 2027 are to be announced. The musical features a book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila, with music by Brad Alexander, and direction and choreography by Jen Wineman. Pilkey’s series, first published in 2016, has sold more than 70 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 48 languages. The stage version first opened at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in 2019 before returning in 2023 to New World Stages.
• Disenchanted! – a new musical comedy will receive its professional UK premiere at Lichfield Garrick from 24 April to 2 May 2026 before heading to Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The musical seeks to debunk the myth of the “damsel-in-distress” and be done with the familiar fairytale trope of insecure princesses. Showing a new side to Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hua Mulan, the Princess (Who Kissed the Frog), the Little Mermaid, Pocahontas, Rapunzel, Belle, and Princess Badroulbadour, the piece is written by Dennis T Giacino and Fiely Matias. It has previously enjoyed a successful Off-Broadway run the UK opening is set to star are Ashley New as Mulan and Pocahontas, Eliza Bowden as Belle, Little Mermaid and Rapunzel, Jewelle Hutchinson as Princess Who Kissed A Frog, Lois Glenister as Snow White, Roshaan Saulnier as Sleeping Beauty and Princess Badroulbadour and Rosie Napper as Cinderella. It will be directed by Daniel Buckroyd, while the creative team also includes musical director Jennifer Deacon Say, choreographer Kayleigh Dettmer, designer Sara Perks, lighting designer Barry Smith, sound designer Kieran Powell, and producers Gemma East for Lichfield Garrick and Josh Beaumont for The Production Garden.
• Death Note: The Musical – the world premiere of a new production of will open at the Barbican Theatre this summer running from 30 July until 12 September 2026.The production will feature a revised script and new songs alongside the original score. following concert performances in London, this staging marks the work’s first fully staged London run. Based on the bestselling manga series Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the musical features music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Jack Murphy, and a book by Ivan Menchell, with additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly. The story follows Light Yagami, a high school student who discovers a notebook with the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it. Disillusioned with the justice system, Light begins using the notebook to kill criminals and comes to be known as Kira. The creative team for the new production includes director Stephen Whitson, choreographer Fabian Aloise, designer Jon Bausor and orchestrator and arranger Jason Howland. Casting is to be announced. It is produced in London by HoriPro, Trafalgar Theatre Productions and Pinnacle Productions, in association with the Barbican.
• Waitress – casting has been confirmed for the new UK tour of the Sara Bareilles musical. The show has enjoyed runs worldwide, including on Broadway, the West End, and on previous tours. Carrie Hope Fletcher will take on the lead role of Jenna for a limited run when the musical travels across the UK next year, joined by Evelyn Hoskins, reprising her role as Dawn, with Sandra Marvin also returning as Becky. Les Dennis will join the tour as Joe. Joining them will be Dan Partridge, taking on the role of Dr Pomatter, alongside Mark Anderson as Ogie, Mark Wilshire as Earl and Dan O’Brien as Cal. The company is completed by Will Arundell, Yochabel Asante, Alice Croft, Jamie Doncaster, Daniel George-Wright, Will Hardy, Bayley Hart, Olivia Lallo, Emma Lucia, David Mairs-McKenzie and Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez. Fletcher is scheduled to appear in Wimbledon, Brighton, Bradford, Woking, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester, Wolverhampton, Cardiff and Southend. Marvin will be appearing until 21 June. Further Jenna and Becky casting is to be revealed.
• The Full Monty – will set out on a new UK tour in 2027.Produced by Cheltenham Everyman Theatre and Buxton Opera House in association with Mark Goucher and David Pugh, the tour will mark 30 years of the hit film. This production will be directed by Michael Gyngell, with choreography and intimacy direction by Ian West, set and costume design by Jasmine Swann, lighting design by Andrew Exeter, and sound design by Chris Whybrow. The casting director is Marc Frankum. The tour will open in Sheffield on 15 January 2027 before visiting Cardiff, Nottingham, Aylesbury, Woking, Bradford, Brighton, Southampton, Hull, Buxton, Manchester, Belfast, Truro, Southend, Cheltenham, Dartford, Wimbledon, Norwich, Glasgow, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leicester and York.
• Paranormal Activity – will set out on its first tour later this year. The stage production is based on the film series first written and directed by Oren Peli and produced by Blumhouse and Solana Films. The story follows James and Lou, who move from Chicago to London in an attempt to leave their past behind, only to find that they remain affected by unexplained events. Before it opened in the West End, Paranormal Activity toured North America. It made its UK debut in Leeds before transferring to London’s Ambassadors Theatre until 25 April, then it will take a hiatus before returning from 8 August to 3 October. The tour will kick off at Richmond Theatre on 5 September, before visiting Milton Keynes Theatre (15 to 19 September 2026), Glasgow’s Theatre Royal (22 to 26 September 2026), York’s Grand Opera House (29 September to 3 October 2026), Woking’s New Victoria Theatre (6 October to 10 October 2026), Cheltenham’s Everyman Theatre (13 to 17 October 2026), and Canterbury’s Marlowe Theatre (20 to 24 October 2026). It will spend Halloween at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre (27 to 31 October 2026), going on to visit Norwich’s Theatre Royal (10 to 14 November 2026), the Lowry in Salford (17 to 21 November 2026), Brighton’s Theatre Royal (24 to 28 November 2026), Bath’s Theatre Royal (1 to 5 December 2026), and return to Leeds Playhouse for a frighteningly festive season (9 to 24 December 2026). In 2027, Paranormal Activity will play at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre (6 to 9 January 2027), Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre (12 to 16 January 2027), Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff (19 to 23 January 2027), Belfast’s Grand Opera House (26 to 30 January 2027), Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre (2 to 6 February 2027), Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre (9 to 13 February 2027), Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre (16 to 20 February 2027), Nottingham’s Theatre Royal (23 to 27 February 2027), Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre (2 to 6 March 2027), Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury (16 to 20 March 2027), Cambridge Arts Theatre (23 to 27 March 2027), Plymouth’s Theatre Royal (30 March to 3 April 2027), Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre (6 to 10 April 2027), Newcastle’s Theatre Royal (13 to 17 April 2027), Hull’s New Theatre (20 to 24 April 2027), Liverpool’s Empire Theatre (27 April to 1 May 2027), Eden Court in Inverness (4 to 8 May 2027), Northampton’s Derngate Theatre (11 to 15 May 2027), Dublin’s Bord Gáis Theatre (18 to 22 May 2027) and Cork’s Everyman Theatre (25 to 29 May 2027). The creative team includes Fly Davis as set and costume designer, Chris Fisher providing illusions, Anna Watson as lighting designer, Gareth Fry as sound designer, Luke Halls as video designer, and casting director Ginny Schiller. Full casting is to be announced. Paranormal Activity is produced by Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska for Melting Pot in association with Gavin Kalin, Ken Davenport, Jenny King, Patrick Gracey, Jonathan and Rae Corr and Leeds Playhouse.