LATEST NEWS – 27th July 2026

PH: 20th July 2026

• Burlesque the Musical – has descended into chaos amid claims of unpaid royalties, postponed openings and arduous working conditions. The scheduled West End opening set for Saturday 12 September 2026 at the Arts at Marble Arch has been cancelled. It is expected that an update on the show’s London West End opening will be announced shortly with a new venue and dates in 2027 anticipated. Meanwhile, the opening of the UK tour on 25^th July 2026 at Woking Theatre had been cancelled at the last moment with the tours opening now delayed by at least 2 weeks and the Woking date rescheduled for 3^rd November. Todrick Hall the show’s original choreographer and director is in dispute with the show’s producers over royalties for his musical contributions. The production left him sleep-deprived, anxiety-ridden…traumatised and stressed.
• You and It – casting has been confirmed for the London premiere of the Korean musical set in a near-future world where humans and AI coexist. Olivier Award nominee Frances Mayli McCann takes on the role of Mina, with Zachary Pang as Gyujin. Lucy Park is the understudy. This English-language version premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It will run from 20 August to 26 September at King’s Head Theatre. The musical was originally written by Seoeun Oh and Q Lee, with Lee as original lyric writer and composer. This production has lyrics by Ricky Allan and dramaturgy and additional lyrics by Yojiro Ichikawa. It is directed by Esther Jun, with Ichikawa as associate director. The musical director/musical supervisor is Amy Hsu, with set design by Bob Sterrett and Lu Herbert, costume design by Herbert, lighting design by Jonathan Chan, sound design by Adrienne Quartly, production management by Ben Dackerman and casting by Ben Armstrong. Eunggyu Lee is executive creative producer, Minje Lee is art director and Gangwan Boo is artwork designer, with Minkyoung Park as AI tech director and Aro Cho as planning and production producer. The production is supported by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Arts Management Service.
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time – the new UK tour opens at Birmingham Rep on 5 September before touring the UK through calling at Woking, Brighton, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Leicester, York, Liverpool, Wimbledon, Chichester, Bath, Edinburgh, Cheltenham, Leeds, Sunderland, Cambridge, Richmond, Northampton, Manchester, Glasgow, Chester, Aberdeen, Shrewsbury, Sheffield, Bradford, Cardiff, Aylesbury, Southampton, Malvern and Darlington, concluding on 28 May 2027. Joining the previously announced Charlie Brooks and Joe McFadden is Alex Keenan who will portray the role of Chris alongside alternate Imi Price. The company also includes Bridgette Amofah as Siobhan, Alex Murdoch as Mrs Alexander, Posh Woman and Voice One, Matthew Bulgo as Roger (Mr Shears), Duty Sergeant, Voice Two, Mr Wise, Man Behind Counter and Drunk One, Jerone Marsh Reid as Mr Thompson, Man with Socks, London Policeman and Voice Three, Carla Garratt as Punk Girl, No 40, Voice Five and Information, Tom Clegg as Rev Peters, Uncle Terry, Voice Four, Station Policeman and Station Guard, Robert Penny as Voice Seven, and Sera Mustafa as Mrs Gascoyne, Woman on Train, Shopkeeper, Police Officer One and Voice Six. All also perform as ensemble members. This production marks the first time the central character has been portrayed by female performers, offering a new interpretation of Simon Stephens’ stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel. The character pronouns have also been switched for the run. Directed by Ned Bennett, the production features set and costume design by Eleanor Bull, lighting design by Laura Howard, composition and sound design by Giles Thomas, video design by Hayley Egan, movement direction by Jenni Jackson, costume supervision by Izzy Pellow, props supervision by Eve Hall, casting by Abby Galvin and associate direction by Anastasia Osei-Kuffour.
• Little Shop of Horrors – a new production of the musical will be the first time Exeter Northcott Theatre will have produced a full-scale musical for more than 20 years. The new production will run at the venue from 1 to 17 October 2026. Following its Exeter run, the production will play at Lighthouse Poole from 20 to 24 October 2026 and at the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry from 27 to 31 October 2026. Set to star will be Scott McClure as Seymour, Leigh Quinn as Audrey and Dashaun Vegas as Audrey II, with more names and creative team to be revealed. The Alan Menken and Howard Ashman musical will be directed by the theatre’s creative director and joint chief executive Martin Berry and is co-produced with Lighthouse Poole and the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. The musical will feature a professional cast alongside a community ensemble, offering local performers the chance to take part in a mainstage production.
• I’ll Be Seeing You – Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced full casting for the world premiere of the play which will run from 22 September to 11 October in the venue’s studio. Penned by Martin Sherman, the new play follows a young writer attempting to create a play about entertainer Liberace, whom he believes concealed his true self behind performance and glamour. It will be directed by Alan Cumming as part of his first season as artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre. The cast will include Simon Russell Beale and Fra Fee in the lead roles.They will be joined by Adam Kashmiry, Anne Lacey, Ali Watt, Greg Powrie and playwright Sherman, making his stage acting debut.The creative team will include designer Tim Hatley, lighting designer Grant Anderson, choreographer Stuart Wilson and historical content consultant Jonathan Warren.
• The Haunting of Hill House – a new stage adaptation will receive its world premiere on a UK tour which will open at Salisbury Playhouse on 11 September, before visiting Richmond Theatre from 6 to 10 October. The production will then continue to Theatr Clwyd, Theatre Royal Brighton, Palace Theatre Manchester, Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, where the run concludes on 14 November. Based on Shirley Jackson’s novel (turned into a successful Netflix series), the production is adapted by Olivier and BAFTA Award-winner Stef Smith and directed by Martin Constantine. The show is produced by Wiltshire Creative in association with Theatr Clwyd and is presented by Mark Puddle with Alexander “Sandy” Marshall and Patrick Myles. Constantine will direct Jasper Britton (Dr. Montague), Jemma Churchill(Mrs Montague), Sian Howard (Mrs Dudley), Sophie Lenglinger (Theo), Robin Morrissey (Luke), and Clancy Ryan (Eleanor), with Darryl Oakley and Eleanor Hague as understudies. The creative team includes designer Ti Green, lighting designer Chris Davey, sound designer Johnny Edwards, composer Harry Blake, video designer Duncan McLean, illusion designer Will Houstoun, movement director Georgina Lamb, associate director Bobbie-Jean Henning, and general manager James Quaife for Luminous Entertainment Group.
• Shamilton! – the improvised hip hop musical comedy from Baby Wants Candy, is heading for London where it will run at the Other Palace from 8 to 20 September 2026. Created in Los Angeles in 2016, the show has previously enjoyed sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Inspired by Hamilton, each performance sees the cast create a brand-new musical based on a historical figure or celebrity suggested by the audience, with all songs, choreography and dialogue improvised live. The company includes Adam Payne, Allen Lucas, Anna Bortnik, Chris Grace, Daniel Tepper, Lily Ludwig and Will Naameh, with Adrien Pellerin as musical director. The producer is Al Samuels.
• The Mousetrap – the 75th anniversary celebrations for Agatha Christie’s play will kick off with a major tour of the UK and Ireland from September. The production, which opened in 1952 and holds the Guinness World Record for the longest theatrical run, continues its West End engagement at St Martin’s Theatre where it shows no sign of slowing down. It has been confirmed that Nicholas Bailey (EastEnders) and Susan Penhaligon (A Fine Romance) will star as Major Metcalf and Mrs Boyle respectively for the tour. The tour will run into 2027 and more casting and creative team news will follow. Meanwhile special anniversary plans for the 75th anniversary in London will be announced soon.
• NERO – a new musical by Steven Sater (book and lyrics) and Duncan Sheik (music) – the duo behind the multi-award-winning Spring Awakening – will run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 2 November to 5 December 2026. Stage and screen star Andrew Barth Feldman will make his London stage debut in the title role. He is best known for his Broadway performance in Dear Evan Hansen and for starring opposite Jennifer Lawrence in the film No Hard Feelings.The new musical follows the young Nero before he became one of history’s most infamous rulers, exploring his ambitions as an artist and performer before his rise to power. It is directed by Lindsay Posner and the creative team includes choreographer James Cousins, musical supervisor and vocal arranger Phil Bateman, musical director Ben McQuigg, designer Georgia Lowe, lighting designer Robbie Butler, sound designer Tony Gayle, casting director Harry Blumenau, associate choreographer Georges Hanns, costume supervisor Maybelle Laye and props supervisor Eve. The production is produced by SeenSee Company and Park Myung Sung, with general management by Lambert Jackson.
• The King’s Speech – will play the Barn Theatre from 9 October to 7 November 2026 before commencing a 2027 UK tour at Oxford Playhouse on 13 January 2027. The tour will continue at Belgrade Theatre, Coventry (week commencing 18 January), Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham (25 January), Theatr Clwyd (1 February), Darlington Hippodrome (8 February), Grand Theatre, Blackpool (15 February), Theatre Royal Bath (22 February), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (1 March), His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (8 March), Nottingham Playhouse (15 March), Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne (29 March), Curve, Leicester (5 April), Churchill Theatre, Bromley (12 April), Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (19 April), Palace Theatre, Southend (26 April), Salisbury Playhouse (3 May), New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (10 May), Theatre Royal Winchester (17 May), Royal and Derngate, Northampton (24 May), Sands Centre, Carlisle (31 May), Cambridge Arts Theatre (7 June), Theatre Royal Windsor (14 June) and Liverpool Playhouse (21 June). Adapted by David Seidler from his Academy Award-winning screenplay, The King’s Speech follows the future King George VI as he seeks the help of Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue to overcome his stammer in the lead-up to a pivotal wartime radio broadcast. The production is directed by Loveday Ingram, full casting and creative team are to be announced.

LATEST NEWS – 20th July 2026

PH: 20th July 2026

• Cinderella: A Fairytale – Bristol Old Vic has announced the full cast for their upcoming festive production which runs from 27 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. Set to star is Joëlle Brabban as Ella, she will be joined by Joseph Langdon as the bird-watching Prince. Dionne Draper will play the Queen, Cathy Walker will play the Stepmother, while Guy Hughes will play Ella’s Stepbrother and Daisy Ann Fletcher will play her Stepsister. The production written by Sally Cookson and Adam Peck will be directed by Lisa Gregan and will use live music by composer Alex Heane who is also the on-stage musical director, while the company also features set, costume and puppet designer and puppet director Rachael Canning, movement director Chi-San Howard, lighting designer Mike Gunning, sound designer Elena Peña, casting director Ruby Gilmour and associate director Robert Furey.
• Sylvia – is set for a limited UK tour opening on Sep 24 2026 at Leicester Curve and then calling at Birmingham Hippodrome from Oct 6, Edinburgh Festival Theatre from Oct 12, Salford The Lowry from Oct 19, Norwich Theatre Playhouse from Oct 28, Canterbury Marlowe Theatre from Nov 02, and concluding at London’s Royal Albert Hall from Nov 13 2026. This venue holds significance for the Suffragette movement, having hosted over 20 rallies for the cause and becoming the site of historic speeches, before the suffragettes were banned from the Hall between 1913 and 1918. The production celebrates the life and activism of Sylvia Pankhurst, the daughter of Emmeline, focusing on her work for working women and men across the globe, a period which led to conflict within her own family. It features music by Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, fusing hip hop, funk, and soul, and is choreographed and directed by Kate Prince of ZooNation. Beverley Knight will reprise her Olivier Award-winning role as Emmeline Pankhurst. She will be joined by Naomi Katiyo who will play Sylvia Pankhurst, taking over the role from the previously attached Sharon Rose, who has withdrawn from the production.and returning from the 2023 world premiere Old Vic production will be Kelly Agbowu (Mrs Flora ‘The General’ Drummond/Betty Savoy), Claudia-Rose Carlier (swing), Jaye Marshall (swing), Kirstie Skivington (Adela Pankhurst) and Ellena Vincent (Christabel Pankhurst). The rest of the cast includes Lauren Azania (swing), Zion Battles (swing), Ebony Clarke (Emily Davison/Daisy Parsons), Eloise Davies (Annie Kenney/Norah Smyth), Solomon Davy (Prime Minister Asquith/Richard Pankhurst), Collette Guitart (Clementine Churchill/Jennie Scurr), Leah Hill (Edith Garrud/Mollie Bird), Nathan Louis-Fernand (swing), Tachia Newall (Keir Hardie/Lord Cromer), Uzuazo O’David (Harry Pankhurst), Castell Parker (Winston Churchill/George Lansbury), Cleve September (Lloyd George/Lord Curzon), Kenedy Small (Jennie Churchill/Edna Payne/Sophia Singh) and Ivano Turco (Silvio Corio/Sir Almroth Wright). A 14-track album from the musical, titled Sylvia – The Essentials, produced by Grammy award-winning Martin Terefe and released by ZooNation Records,
• The Hollow – a new stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s story is being brought to the stage by producers Fiery Angel and director Lucy Bailey, the team behind previous Christie productions of And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, and Death on the Nile. It again 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.Two-time Olivier Award nominee Peter Polycarpou will play the legendary Belgian detective. This new version is by Tamsin Oglesby and will tour the UK and Ireland, opening at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury, on 9 October before visiting 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). Into the new year the show will visit Birmingham Alexandra (12 to 16 January), Milton Keynes Theatre (19 to 23 January), Nottingham Theatre Royal (26 to 30 January), Theatre Royal Brighton (2 to 6 February), Edinburgh Festival Theatre (9 to 13 February), His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen (23 to 27 February), Cheltenham Everyman Theatre (2 to 6 March), Malvern Theatre (16 to 20 March), Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre (23 to 27 March), Bath Theatre Royal (30 March to 3 April), Theatre Royal Plymouth (13 to 17 April), Lowry (20 to 24 April), Leeds Playhouse (27 April to 1 May), Norwich Theatre Royal (4 to 8 May), Gaiety Theatre, Dublin (11 to 15 May), York Grand Opera House (18 to 22 May) and Glasgow Theatre Royal (25 to 29 May).

LATEST NEWS – 13th July 2026

PH: 13th July 2026

• Oh Zeus! – Kings of comedy Le Navet Bete – along with Olivier Award-nominated comedy Writer and Director John Nicholson (The Time Machine: A Comedy, Peepolykus), have announced their latest show will come to Mayflower Studios from 9 – 13 February in 2027. When the stability of Olympus is threatened by the marriage of Zeus’ daughter Hebe to a mere mortal, the King of the Gods hatches a plan to derail the wedding. Three actors play nearly 40 characters in this mythical farce through Ancient Greece, the Underworld and back. Expect sensational physical comedy, outrageous jokes, fast paced chaos, and more togas than you can smash a plate at – perfect for lovers of Fawlty Towers, Bottom and The Play That Goes Wrong. Behind the chaos, lies a costume rail worthy of Olympus itself: the cast of three race through 39 costumes and a staggering 84 costume changes – 63 of which are lightning-fast quick changes – as they hurtle between gods, mortals and monsters at breakneck speed. Le Navet Bete is comprised of Al Dunn, Nick Bunt and Matt Freeman. Since 2008, Le Navet Bete has been touring internationally with their unique and chaotic style of physical comedy and have earned the reputation as one of the UK’s leading midscale theatre companies. Based in Exeter, Devon and supported by Arts Council England, the Exeter Northcott Theatre and the Exeter Phoenix they have been on a continuous mission to create and tour hilarious, physical and totally accessible comedy theatre using creative and engaging storytelling for absolutely everyone.

• Don Black’s From The Heart – will return to London this autumn, playing a limited run at the Garrick Theatre from 8 to 18 October 2026. The new musical revue, which sold out during its 2025 season, has been expanded for its return, combining freshly written material with songs from across Black’s extensive catalogue. The show is directed by Nick Winston, with musical direction by Joe Church and arrangements by Nick Barstow. Returning to the production are Olivier Award winner Clive Rowe and stage and screen performer Caroline O’Connor, joined this year by Olivier Award nominee Michael D. Xavier. Further casting is to be announced.Created by the multi-award-winning lyricist, From The Heart takes inspiration from the New York cabaret scene and charts Black’s long career through songs, stories and collaborations. Across more than five decades, Black has written lyrics for stage, film and television, with credits including Aspects of Love, Tell Me on a Sunday, The Italian Job and five James Bond themes, including “Diamonds Are Forever”, “The Man With the Golden Gun” and “The World Is Not Enough”. He also won a Tony Award in 2025 for Sunset Boulevard, when Jamie Lloyd’s much-loved production made its way to New York.The evening opens with a selection of new songs, featuring music by collaborators including Gary Barlow, Natasha Bedingfield, David Arnold, Debbie Wiseman and Mike Batt, before a surprise guest appears at each performance. The show concludes with a medley of Black’s best-known work, including “Born Free”, “Ben”, “Love Changes Everything”, “With One Look”, “To Sir With Love” and “As If We Never Said Goodbye”.
• Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical – has added extra dates to its 2027 tour which opens at Curve in Leicester next March, following the show’s run in the West End. New dates follow on from the musical visiting Mayflower Theatre in Southampton opening at Belfast Grand Opera House on 5^th October 2027 and then calling at Southend-on-Sea Cliffs Pavilion, Oct 12; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Oct 19; Sheffield Theatres, Nov 02 and Newcastle upon Tyne Theatre Royal from Nov 09 2027. The production continues to support the work of The Band Aid Charitable Trust, with £1.5 million raised to date.
• Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage – has announced lead casting for its tour, commencing summer 2026. Set to star will be Joel Benjamin as Johnny Castle, while Frances “Baby” Houseman will be played by Charlie Varlet making her theatre tour debut. Penny Johnson will be played by Ellie Fergusson. The production will once again be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks. It will open at Milton Keynes Theatre (25 to 29 August 2026), before visiting Liverpool Empire (1 to 5 September), Blackpool Winter Gardens (8 to 19 September), Sunderland Empire (22 to 26 September), Manchester Palace Theatre (29 September to 3 October), New Theatre Oxford (6 to 10 October), King’s Theatre, Glasgow (13 to 17 October), Wales Millennium Centre (20 to 24 October), Edinburgh Playhouse (27 to 31 October), Hull New Theatre (10 to 14 November), Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (24 to 28 November), Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (6 to 9 January 2027), Norwich Theatre Royal (12 to 16 January), The Alexandra, Birmingham (19 to 23 January), Bradford Alhambra Theatre (26 to 31 January), His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (2 to 6 February), Newcastle Theatre Royal (9 to 13 February), Hall for Cornwall, Truro (16 to 20 February), Opera House, Cork (23 February to 20 March), Millennium Forum, Derry (23 to 27 March), Grand Opera House, Belfast (30 March to 10 April), New Theatre, Wimbledon (13 to 17 April), Orchard Theatre, Dartford (26 April to 1 May), Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton (4 to 8 May), Bournemouth Pavilion (11 to 15 May), Grand Theatre and Opera House, Leeds (18 to 22 May), Congress Theatre, Eastbourne (25 to 29 May), and Curve Theatre, Leicester (1 to 5 June). The previously announced run at the new Capital Theatre in west London will be opening later this year, while a “reimagined” production has its eyes set on Broadway.
• Ceilidh – the musical forms part of Alan Cumming’s first season as artistic director during Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s 75th anniversary year will embark on a UK tour later this year. The immersive musical is set around a traditional Scottish social gathering, with a caller and folk band at the centre of the action. As the evening unfolds, the musical follows a family story focused on relationships, inheritance and the significance of the event itself. The production will feature a cast of Scottish performers. The tour will open at Shoreditch Town Hall in London from 22 October to 13 November. After that it will visit High Wycombe Old Town Hall (17 to 22 November), Eastbourne Winter Garden (24 to 28 November), Fareham Live (30 November to 5 December), Guildford G Live (29 December to 2 January 2027) and Bradford Live Ballroom (2 to 7 March 2027). It is written by Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie, who also work under the name Noisemaker, and is directed and choreographed by Sam Pinkleton. Pinkleton’s recent credits include the award-winning comedy Oh, Mary!, which continues in the West End, and the Broadway production of The Rocky Horror Show.
• Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody – the Off-Broadway show is inspired by the hockey drama series and will receive its UK premiere this summer at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it will play at Underbelly George Square, before heading to London and a run at Underbelly Boulevard Soho from 7 October to 1 November. The show is written by Dylan Marcaurele, whose previous credits include Pop Off, Michelangelo!, and follows Shane Hollander, a golden boy of the ice hockey world, as his story shifts “from power centre to power bottom.” Set to star are Zheng Xi Yong and Joseph Dann, who will play Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively. They are joined by Andrew Berlin as Ilya’s Dad, Sylvie Stenson as Shane’s Mom and May Tether as Main Susan. The creative team includes choreographers Brooke Engen and Tiffany Engen, set designer Sully Ross, costume designer Brendan McCann, lighting designer Devin Cameron, sound designer Germán Martinez, casting director Harry Blumenau, associate director Max Reynolds, associate lighting designer Jack Goodwin, costume supervisor Beth Qualter Buncall, props supervisor Anna Hunt, intimacy coordinator Jess Hrabowsky and production manager James Anderton.
• Bliss – full casting has been revealed for the new musical which will run at the Pleasance Courtyard from 5 to 31 August 2026 this summer as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. Billed as the biggest new musical staged at the Festival, the musical is presented by Susan Edelstein Productions, ATG Productions and Gavin Kalin Productions. It is directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller and features a book, music and lyrics by Emma Lively and Tyler Beattie. Leading the show as the Minisculia princesses are Miriam Nyarko as Princess Faye, Matilda Shapland as Princess Holly and Alexandra Emmerson-Kirby as Princess Carmella. Also in the cast are Akshara Gunda (The Lunchbox Musical) will play the role of the youngest sister Princess Piper, while Only Fools and Horses and House of the Dragon star Tom Bennett will play Glimmermore. May Tindall (Moulin Rouge!) joins as a swing, along with them are Cameron Johnson as King, Kara Lane as Taffeta and Jordan Calloway as Prince Devin. Ollie Augustin, Archie Durrant and Will Twiste will share the role of Jester, Alicia Belgarde as Perfect Princess and dance captain, alongside Maya De Faria, Ronalee Galhena, Millie Gubby, Ella McLaughlin and Ella Valentine as Perfect Princesses. The creative team includes choreographer Josh Prince, set designer Jason Ardizzone-West, costume designer Paloma Young, lighting designer Jai Morjaria, sound designer Tony Gayle, music supervisor Nick Finlow, music director Georgia Rawlins, orchestrators Emma Lively, Tyler Beattie and Steve Sidwell, dramaturg Pippa Evans and casting director Heather Basten.

LATEST NEWS – 6th July 2026

PH: 6th July 2026

• Hairspray – the musical will be back on tour across the UK and Ireland next year! This will mark the second outing for the production directed by Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson. The musical is based on the 1988 film by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, and book by Mark O’Donnell and Thomas Meehan. Neil Hurst will reprise the role of Edna Turnblad for the new tour and the production will feature choreography by Drew McOnie, set and costume design by Takis, lighting design by Philip Gladwell, sound design by Ben Harrison, musical supervision and arrangements by Ben Atkinson, musical direction by Richard Atkinson, projection design by George Reeve, and casting by Grindrod Burton. The associate director is Juliet Gough and the associate choreographer is Shaquille Brush. It will open at Manchester Palace Theatre (2 July to 19 July 2027), before heading to Glasgow Kings Theatre (20 to 25 July), Edinburgh Playhouse (27 July to 1 August), Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre (3 to 7 August), Dublin Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (9 to 14 August), Belfast Grand Opera House (16 to 21 August), Southend Cliffs Pavilion (24 to 29 August), New Wimbledon Theatre (31 August to 4 September), Liverpool Empire (13 to 18 September), Bradford Alhambra Theatre (20 to 25 September), Sunderland Empire (27 September to 2 October), Milton Keynes Theatre (4 to 9 October), Malvern Theatres (11 to 16 October), Birmingham Hippodrome (25 to 30 October), York Grand Opera House (1 to 6 November), Leicester Curve (8 to 13 November), Brighton Theatre Royal (15 to 20 November), Woking Theatre (22 to 27 November) and Bristol Hippodrome (10 to 15 January 2028).
• Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas – will have a festive stint at Alexandra Palace Theatre where it will begin previews on 24 November 2026 and play until 17 January 2027. The Humphrey Ker and David Reed comedy premiered at Birmingham Rep last year and features songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The story is set in Victorian London, where in the West End, a series of performers die mid-scene, and Scotland Yard rules out foul play until Sherlock Holmes discovers a link to “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. Holmes races against time to save French Hens, find Gold Rings, and rescue Mother Goose, facing mortal danger along the way. With the help of Dr Watson and detective Athena Faversham, Holmes aims to solve the mystery. The production is directed by Phillip Breen.
• By Royal Appointment – will return for a new tour, and will star Jane Asher as The Queen and Samantha Womack as her Dresser. The play explores the relationship between the monarch and her close confidante and their collaboration in shaping the public image of the late Queen. They will be joined by David Robb as The Designer and Matthew Cottle as The Milliner. The play by Daisy Goodwin, the creator of the ITV series Victoria, is directed by Anthony Banks and has design by Jonathan Fensom. it will open on 21 September at Cambridge Arts Theatre, where it will run until 3 October. After that, it will visit Nottingham Theatre Royal (5 to 10 October), Chelmsford Theatre (19 to 24 October), and York Theatre Royal (9 to 14 November). Into 2027, it will play at Chichester Festival Theatre (18 to 23 January), Edinburgh Kings Theatre (25 to 30 January) and Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (2 to 6 February).
• Stoker Wilde – a new glam-rock musical concert will open the autumn 2026 season in the world’s oldest surviving grand music hall, Wilton’s Music Hall. has announced its upcoming season, which includes theatre, music, opera, comedy, cabaret and festive entertainment. The world premiere of the musical, presented by Jerry Goehring and Andrew House, uncovers the extraordinary rivalry and connection between literary icons Bram Stoker and Oscar Wilde. It will run from 27 to 31 October, the piece by Eric Rosen features music by Rodney Bush and is directed by Séimí Campbell. The season also includes Tom Dugan’s one-person play Wiesenthal, which explores the life of Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter Simon Wiesenthal that runs from 1 to 5 September. Also acclaimed illusionist David Alnwick will use Victorian magic to tell Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story The Signalman, on 3 September.The Waterperry Opera Festival in association with Charles Court Opera, presents Donizetti’s classic romantic comedy The Elixir of Love (8 to 19 September), sung in a new Engl ish translation. Visiting work also includes Simon Reade’s stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful, from 21 to 23 September, and Tim Key: Loganberry from 28 September to 3 October. Additional comedy features Avalon presenting Phil Ellis’ Bath Mat (10 October), before Shoddy Theatre and Skedaddle Theatre in association with York Theatre Royal present Mr Bean physical comedy show A Brief Case of Crazy (12 to 14 October). Arthur Hull will make his London debut with his show FLOP! The Best Songs from the Worst Musicals, playing from 24 to 26 September. The season continues with The Duke’s Theatre Company presenting Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet (15 to 17 October), a bold new staging featuring original music by Rob Millett. Further into October, the Players’ Theatre celebrates its 90th anniversary with its 90th Birthday Music Hall Gala (21 October), while Sally Homer and John MacKay present Pea Green Boat by Stewart Lee (22 October). Barb Jungr then leads a company of performers in Soho Songs presented by Cahoots Theatre Company (23 and 24 October). November opens with Highfield Productions presenting Liza Pulman and Joe Stilgoe in Hooray for Hollywood (3 to 7 November), followed by The Salts presenting Songs of the Sea, an evening of folk songs and sea shanties, on 9 November and City of London Sinfonia presents These Memories May Be True on 10 November. The Bradford Opera Festival presents The Marriage of Figaro (23 to 25 November), Mozart’s comic masterpiece performed with a brand-new Yorkshire dialect libretto by Ian McMillan. The season concludes with Arthur Pita’s Olivier Award-nominated The Little Match Girl (3 December 2026 to 2 January 2027), presented by Ballo Arthur Pita. Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless tale, the production combines dance, song and Frank Moon’s evocative live music.
• The Duke of York’s Theatre – is to be renamed the Tom Stoppard Theatre, ATG Entertainment has announced, in tribute to the playwright who died in November 2025 aged 88. The St Martin’s Lane venue has a long association with Stoppard’s work. Rock ‘n’ Roll ran there from 2006 to 2007, and Arcadia played the house in 2009 – the same production whose Old Vic revival currently occupies the theatre. The theatre, which opened in 1892 as the Trafalgar Square Theatre before being renamed in 1895 to honour the future King George V, has changed its name only once in its 130-year history. It seats 640 across stalls, royal circle and upper circle, and is managed by ATG as part of their West End portfolio. The venue’s exterior will be altered over the coming months, while interior signage will be modified in the coming weeks.

LATEST NEWS – 1st JULY 2026

PH: 1st July 2026

The Other Side of Murder – the new comedy thriller from Torben Betts – writer of smash-hit plays Murder at Midnight and Murder in the Dark will be touring to Mayflower Studios in Southampton where it will play from Monday 16 – Saturday 21 November 2026. The producers Original Theatre in association with Theatr Clwyd have announced that the cast will be led by Rufus Hound (One Man, Two Guvnors, Wind in the Willows, The Mesmerist) who will star as TV medium Darius Divine alongside Susie Blake (Victoria Wood, Coronation Street and Torben Betts’ Murder in the Dark and Murder at Midnight) as Miriam, Aisha Jawando (Hamilton the Musical, Tina: The Musical) as Laura, Beth Lilly (The Play That Goes Wrong, Grantchester) as Jen, and Andy McLeod (Murder at Midnight, Cosmic) as Jason/understudy Darius. Completing the cast are Sarah Lawn, Maddy Banks and Oliver Byng. The creative team includes Director Philip Franks, Writer Torben Betts, Designer Colin Falconer, Lighting Designer Jason Taylor, Sound Designer and Composer Max Pappenheim, Illusion Designer John Bulleid, Casting Director Emma Sylvester and Associate Director Joshua Miles. The Production Manager is Brian Watson, the Costume Supervisor is Chrissy Maddison and the Props Supervisor is Katie Balmforth.