LATEST NEWS – 19th October 2026

• Longest-running shows in theatre history – several current West End musicals have climbed the rankings according to newly released figures from the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre. Among the most notable changes, The Lion King has moved into fourth place after overtaking Blood Brothers, while Wicked has risen to seventh place, passing Starlight Express. Matilda The Musical has entered the top ten, and The Book of Mormon has climbed from 16th to 12th place after adding more than 650 performances since the previous ranking in 2025.
• Top 20 longest-running shows in London ever:
  • The Mousetrap – Over 30,642 performances
  • Les Misérables – Over 16,189 performances
  • The Phantom of the Opera – Over 15,897 performances
  • The Woman in Black – 13,232 performances
  • Mamma Mia! – Over 10,865 performances
  • Disney’s The Lion King – Over 10,622 performances
  • Blood Brothers – 10,013 performances
  • Cats – 8,949 performances
  • Wicked – Over 7,720 performances
  • Starlight Express – 7,406 performances
  • No Sex Please, We’re British – 6,761 performances
  • Stomp – 6,512 performances
  • Chicago – 6,187 performances
  • Matilda The Musical – Over 5,555 performances
  • Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story – 5,140 performances
  • The Book of Mormon – Over 4,890 performances
  • We Will Rock You – 4,659 performances
  • Thriller Live – Over 4,657 performances
  • Billy Elliot The Musical – 4,566 performances
  • The Play That Goes Wrong – Over 4,489 performances
• Top 20 longest-running musicals in London ever:
  • Les Misérables – Over 16,189 performances
  • The Phantom of the Opera – Over 15,897 performances
  • Mamma Mia! – Over 10,865 performances
  • Disney’s The Lion King – Over 10,622 performances
  • Blood Brothers – 10,013 performances
  • Cats – 8,949 performances
  • Wicked – Over 7,720 performances
  • Starlight Express – 7,406 performances
  • Chicago – 6,187 performances
  • Matilda The Musical – Over 5,555 performances
  • Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story – 5,140 performances
  • The Book of Mormon – Over 4,890 performances
  • We Will Rock You – 4,659 performances
  • Thriller Live – 4,657 performances
  • Billy Elliot The Musical – 4,566 performances
  • Miss Saigon – 4,264 performances
  • Jersey Boys – 3,787 performances
  • Jesus Christ Superstar – 3,357 performances
  • Me and My Girl – 3,303 performances
  • Evita – 3,176 performances

• Nevermore – The Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe – the musical will play at Charing Cross Theatre from 19 July to 9 October 2027. Written, composed and directed by Jonathan Christenson, artistic director of Catalyst Theatre, the musical play explores the life and imagination of American writer Edgar Allan Poe, drawing on his life and works, including The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher and The Pit and the Pendulum. Originally created by the Canadian company Catalyst in Edmonton, Nevermore has been presented across Canada and internationally. It was staged at the Barbican as part of the London International Festival of Theatre and at New York’s New World Stages Off-Broadway in 2015, where it received three Lucille Lortel Award nominations, including outstanding musical. The creative team includes production designer Bretta Gerecke, choreographer Laura Krewski, sound effects designer Wade Staples, sound designer Andrew Johnson, London casting director Neil Rutherford and orchestrator Matthew Skopyk, who works with Christenson.
• Brixton Calling – written by Alex Urwin and directed by Bronagh Lagan, will return to London at Southwark Playhouse Borough, in the venue’s larger space, from 22 January to 13 March 2027. The production follows a sold-out run in 2025, during which it won three Off-West End Awards, including Best Overall Production, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound and Music Design. It also received a WhatsOnStage Award nomination and nine Fringe Theatre Award nominations. Inspired by Simon Parkes’ memoir Live at the Brixton Academy, the play tells the story of how Parkes bought a derelict cinema in Brixton for £1 in 1983, aged 23, and transformed it into an internationally recognised music venue over the following decade. Max Runham returns as Simon Parkes, alongside Tendai Humphrey Sitima as Johnny Lawes. Both performers play multiple characters and perform live music. Nadine Lee joins them as an on-stage musician, while Sean Green is musical supervisor. The production features music associated with the venue’s history, including songs by The Clash, Blondie, Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, Fela Kuti, Billy Ocean and The Prodigy. Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced four further productions for its 2027 season, the second programmed by artistic director Alan Cumming. The season is produced in association with Sonia Friedman Productions.
• 9 to 5 – the Dolly Parton musical will feature in the 2027 season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre running from 1 to 29 May and directed by Cora Bissett. The Main House programme will open with a production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends, running from 12 March to 3 April. Directed by Owen Horsley and designed by Ryan Dawson Laight. The Studio will stage the world premiere of Love Songs for Monsters by Hannah Lavery from 28 May to 19 June. Directed by Amber Sinclair-Case, the play reimagines Bertolt Brecht’s Baal through the story of poet Ayla and her relationship with Baal. It will feature songs written by Hannah Lavery in collaboration with musician Callum Easter. Also receiving its world premiere in the Studio will be Jack Vettriano Can’t Paint! by Eden McIntyre, running from 16 July to 7 August. The playwright’s first professional stage play examines the life and work of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, whose paintings sold in large numbers as prints and reproductions while his work was rejected by sections of the critical and art establishments. The previously announced stage adaptation of Supernova will run in the Main House from 24 July to 21 August. Cumming and Ewan McGregor will star in the production, adapted by Harry Macqueen from his 2020 film. The run is already sold out. Further productions for the 2027 season will be announced fairly soon.
• Honk! – the musical by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe will run from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, at The Barn Theatre in Cirencester Directed by Ryan McBryde, the show will feature Timi Akinyosade as Ugly, alongside Molly Cheesley, Claire-Marie Hall, Maz McGinlay, Nikki Biddington, Silas Wyatt-Barke, Daniel Robinson and Joseph Claus. The musical won the Olivier Award for Best Musical and has been staged more than 8,000 times worldwide. Four places are also available in the production’s young company for local performers playing Ducklings and Froglets.
• Pride – the musical which opens at London’s Bridge Theatre on 12 November 2026 has announced casting. The cast will include Samuel Barnett as Jonathan, Matthew Durkan as Mike, Gillian Elisa as Gwen, Daniel Forrester as Carl, Dan Hand as Bromley, Robin Hayward as Martin, Chris Jenkins as Gethin, Ryan Kopel as Mark, Darren Lawrence as Cliff, Kirsty Malpass as Hefina, Madeleine Morgan as Debbie, Catherine Morris as Mrs Bromley, Grant Neal as Mr Bromley, Sarah Pugh as Siân, Caroline Sheen as Maureen, Carl Spencer joining as Reggie, Mared Williams as Margaret, Courtney Stapleton as Steph and Matthew Woodyatt as Dai.The swings are Joe Boyle, Billy Cullum, Ben Heathcote, Michael Larcombe, Sorelle Marsh, Shannon Quarini and Samantha Thomas, with Thomas as dance captain and Larcombe as assistant dance captain. Based on the true story depicted in the 2014 film Pride, the musical is developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, who also directed the film, with a book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford, who wrote the screenplay.
• Mog the Forgetful Cat – a new stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s will open at Rose Theatre in Kingston from 11 to 21 February before visiting theatres across the UK. Written and adapted by Miranda Larson, with music by Eamonn O’Dwyer and directed by Rose Theatre artistic director Christopher Haydon, the production will feature puppetry and music. The tour will visit Chesterfield, Derby, Stockton-on-Tees, Grimsby, Winchester, Newport, Eastbourne, Bristol, Southend, York, Sheffield, Bishop’s Stortford, Belfast, Radlett, Poole, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Dorking, Swindon, Truro, Guildford, Jersey and with a return to London at Unicorn Theatre. Nicoll Entertainment is also behind the stage adaptation of Kerr’s The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which received an Olivier Award nomination. The company has previously collaborated with Rose Theatre and Unicorn Theatre on productions of The Lion Inside and The Koala Who Could.
• Nanny McPhee – the new musical adaptation of the Nanny McPhee films and the Nurse Matilda character created by Christianna Brand and Edward Ardizzone will have its world premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in London, with performances beginning on 6 November 2027. Written by Emma Thompson alongside Gary Clark, who will compose the music. The story follows Nanny McPhee as she arrives at the home of the Brown family, where she encounters unruly children, a desperate father, an uncontrollable donkey and a baby. Using her unusual methods and magic, she attempts to restore order to the household. The stage production will be directed by Katy Rudd, whose credits include Ballet Shoes and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Set and costume design is by Rob Howell, with musical staging and choreography by Ellen Kane. With orchestrations by Simon Hale, music supervision by Nigel Lilley, and music arrangements by Hale and Lilley. Lighting design is by Howard Hudson, sound design by Ian Dickinson for Autograph, illusions by Chris Fisher, puppetry by Samuel Wyer and projections by Andrzej Goulding. Casting is by Natalie Gallacher for Pippa Aillon and Natalie Gallacher Casting. Playful Productions will provide general management.

LATEST NEWS – 12th October 2026

• Dance for Parkinson’s – from January 2027, Mayflower Southampton will become English National Ballet’s sixth hub partner for its flagship programme, bringing weekly dance classes for people living with Parkinson’s. Ahead of the weekly programme in Southampton, English National Ballet will run a series of community workshops across the city in collaboration with Parkinson’s UK. Five taster sessions will take place at Mayflower Studios from 4 November – 2 December. This new partnership deepens the relationship between English National Ballet, Mayflower Southampton and the city of Southampton, that spans more than eight decades. The Company (originally London Festival Ballet and then from 1989 when it was renamed English National Ballet) first performed at Mayflower (then the Gaumont Theatre) in 1953 and has returned regularly ever since. In 2024, the relationship reached a new milestone with the world premiere of English National Ballet’s new Nutcracker choreographed by Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin and Olivier Award-Winner Arielle Smith. Mayflower Southampton joins with Royal Albert Hall in London, DanceEast in Ipswich, Liverpool Hope University, Oxford MuMo Creative and affiliated hub partner National Dance Company Wales in Cardiff.
• Florian Zeller’s The Truth – will return to the West End next summer for a 12-week run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. The show will see Stephen Mangan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Sarah Hadland and Janie Dee reunite for the run which will begin performances on 29 July 2027 and run until 16 October, ahead of a UK tour which will visit Theatre Royal Brighton from 18 to 23 October, the Lowry in Salford from 26 to 30 October 2027, the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham from 2 to 6 November and Theatre Royal Glasgow from 9 to 13 November. Directed by Lindsay Posner and translated by Christopher Hampton, Mangan will play Michel, alongside O’Hanlon as Paul, Hadland as Alice and Dee as Laurence. The production features set and costume design by Lizzie Clachan, lighting design by Richard Howell and sound design by Adam Cork. The production is produced by Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska for Melting Pot, in association with Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment, Gavin Kalin Productions, Fiery Dragons and Keren Misgav.
• The Lord of the Rings – a new production of the musical will premiere in Istanbul in October 2027 before touring across the world. The new stage production will open at Zorlu Performing Arts Center on 8 October 2027. The musical, seen both in the West End and in an award-winning revival at the Watermill Theatre, features a score by Academy Award winner A R Rahman, Finnish folk group Värttinä and Tony Award winner Christopher Nightingale, with a book and lyrics by Shaun McKenna and Matthew Warchus. Directed by Bruce Guthrie, head of film and theatre at the National Centre for Performing Arts, Mumbai, the production will feature scenic, video and puppetry design by Tony and Olivier Award winner Andrzej Goulding (Life of Pi). Following its Istanbul premiere, The Lord of the Rings will visit Bucharest, Prague, Warsaw, Thessaloniki, Tallinn, Athens, Sofia, Zagreb and Dubai, with further venues and dates to be announced. The production will be cast and rehearsed in the UK, with auditions taking place in early 2027. It is produced by Kevin Wallace and William Bennett for KW Productions, George Isaak for People Entertainment Group, and Middle-earth Enterprises, LLC. Peter Huntley and Callum Runciman are executive producers and general managers for Smart Entertainment.
• Bristol Old Vic – has announced its 2027 season. A 40th anniversary revival of Winsome Pinnock’s Leave Taking runs from 23 September to 16 October and is directed by Nancy Medina. Pinnock’s play became the first play by a Black British woman to be produced by the National Theatre in 1994. Disco Dracula, a co-production between Bristol Old Vic and Disco Dracula Productions, runs from 27 May to 19 June. The new musical has music by Charlie O’Connor and book and lyrics by Alena Henke and O’Connor, and is directed by Robyn Grant. The story follows John and Mina, a couple whose attempt at a normal night out leads them to a disco vampire lair, where Dracula and his Brides are holding auditions for eternity. As the couple encounter the Lord of Darkness, their relationship is put to the test. The production features an original disco score and audience participation. From 22 April to 15 May, Rikki Henry directs Uncle Vanya in a co-production with Stratford East. The production uses David Lan’s English version of Chekhov’s play. Visiting work includes Dog Man: The Musical, based on Dav Pilkey’s book series, from 24 to 27 June, while Hijinx’s Housemates, in association with Sherman Theatre, runs from 30 June to 3 July, Being Mr Wickham, starring Adrian Lukis, runs from 22 to 23 June. Other visiting productions already on sale include The Signalman (19 to 21 January), Food of Love (28 January), Austentatious (29 to 30 January) and Bristol School of Acting’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along(12 to 17 July). In the Studio, Until I Find You runs from 6 to 17 April. Created by Ad Infinitum and Mexico’s El Ingenio del Caldero, while New Perspectives and Royal and Derngate’s Let The Whale Die follows from 18 to 22 May. Further 2027 shows will be announced in November.
• One Day – will open in the West End next month following a preview run at Edinburgh’s Lyceum Theatre. It will run at the Garrick Theatre from 17 November through March 2027. The new stage adaptation is based on David Nicholls’ 2009 novel adapted by David Greig, about the long-term and fractious relationship between Emma and Dexter, it has music and lyrics by Abner and Amanda Ramirez of Johnnyswim, with additional material by Jeremy Sams. Olivier Award nominee Jamie Muscato will play Dexter, while Sharon Rose will play Emma. Joining them are Dan Buckley as Ian, Dougie Carter as Callum, Anna-Jane Casey as Alison Mayhew, Ross Dawes as Mr Godalming, Christopher Dickins as Stephen Mayhew, Vanessa Fisher in the ensemble, Kelly Hampson as Sylvie, Jennifer Louise Jones as Miffy, Romona Lewis-Malley as Tilly, Rosalía Morales as understudy, Ewan Murphy in the ensemble and Tom Mussell as an understudy. Jasmine and Sonia are played by Bonnie Harper, Esmae Kevany, Hannah McIntyre and Ava-Rae Timewell. Directed by Max Webster, the creative team also includes choreographer Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, musical supervisor, musical director and co-arranger Nigel Lilley, set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Bruno Poet, sound designer Simon Baker, video designer Lewis den Hertog, wigs, hair and make-up designer Carole Hancock, orchestrator and co-arranger Simon Hale, casting director Stuart Burt, intimacy director Ingrid Mackinnon, voice coach Barbara Houseman and production manager Chris Hay. Children’s casting is by Keston and Keston, with orchestral management by Andy Barnwell and Rich Weeden for BW Musicians Ltd.
• In Pieces – has extended its initial world premiere run at London’s The Other Palace next year after the initial announced performances sold out. The show, by Joey Contreras, is directed by Martha Geelan. The creative team comprises Sam Wilson Freeman as choreographer, Brian Russell Carey as music supervisor, and Harry Blumenau as casting director. The piece is produced by Andrew Patino and Jacob Stuckelman of Regular People and Rebecca Gwyther of RJG Productions.Described as a love story about the people you don’t end up with, In Pieces follows the romantic journeys of six characters across three chapters of their lives. The musical will now run from 6 February to 21 March 2027.
• Jesus Christ Superstar – has announced its final Herod for its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane which ends on 9 January 2027, before embarking on a major UK tour from February 2027. Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner Glenn Close will play the role of Herod from 4 to 9 January. The performer famously played Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard, and her memorable screen roles include Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction, Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons, Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians, and Patty Hewes in Damages.
• Porridge – a new stage adaptation of Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais’ tv series will embark on a UK tour in 2027. It will be adapted and directed by Samuel Freeman, and feature a cast of three, yet to be announced. The tour is presented by Joshua Beaumont and Matthew Emeny for The Production Garden and will visit The Rondo Theatre, Bath (9 to 11 September), Salisbury Playhouse (13 to 18 September), Medina Theatre, Isle of Wight (21 September), The Lighthouse, Poole (24 to 25 September), Lichfield Garrick (28 September to 1 October), New Theatre, Peterborough (2 October), Harrogate Theatre (4 to 5 October), Lancaster Grand Theatre (6 to 7 October), Lowther Pavilion, Lytham Saint Annes (8 October), Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple (9 October), The Riverfront, Newport (14 October), The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury (15 October), Ffwrnes Theatre, Llanelli (16 October), Regent Theatre, Ipswich (18 October), Marina Theatre, Lowestoft (20 October), Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere (22 to 23 October), The Montgomery Theatre, Sheffield (25 to 27 October), Buxton Opera House (28 to 30 October), Floral Pavilion, New Brighton (1 to 4 November), Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury (5 to 6 November) and BEAM, Hertford (12 November).
• Fourteen Again – a musical featuring songs by Victoria Wood and penned by Tom MacRae will begin previews on 21 November, ahead of an opening night on 2 December at the Menier Chocolate Factory, where it will run until 27 February 2027. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the production began at the Victoria Wood Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere earlier this year. NeilMorrissey will play Duncan, with Ria Jones as Lou and Sally Ann Triplett as Peggy. The musical was commissioned by producer Charlotte Scott and designer Roger Glossop to mark the renaming of the Old Laundry Theatre as the Victoria Wood Theatre, on the tenth anniversary of Wood’s death. The venue was opened by Wood, who served as a trustee and performed there on several occasions. She also directed Talent, which was co-produced with the Menier, while her television film Housewife 49 was adapted for the stage at the venue in 2013. The cast also includes understudies Jayne Ashley and Matt Gillett. The creative team comprises musical supervisor, arranger and co-orchestrator Nigel Lilley, choreographer Sammy Murray, set designer Roger Glossop, costume designer Caroline Hughes, lighting designer Jason Taylor, sound designer Sam Glossop, video designer Leo Flint, musical director and co-orchestrator Archie McMorran, assistant director and choreographer Matt Gillett, associate set designer Caroline Dalton and associate sound designer Harry Greatorex.

LATEST NEWS – 5th October 2026

• São Paulo Dance Company – following its triumphant 2024 UK and Ireland debut, the company will embark on a second Dance Consortium tour in 2027. The company brings a new programme, Brazilian Perspectives, a triple bill of work by three female choreographers, Leilane Teles and Lili de Grammont, both giving UK and Ireland premieres, and Cassi Abranches, whose Agora went down a storm with audiences in 2024. The colourful and flirtatious Agora, opens the evening. Next will be dancer and choreographer Leilane Teles’ Umbó, made for São Paulo Dance Company in 2023. In a ritual of inspiration and desire, Teles takes the rhythmic textures of Afro-Brazilian traditions and blends them with evocative vocals from singer/songwriter Tiganá Santana and singer Virginia Rodrigues to create something uniquely her own. The final piece will be EST.AÇÃO (Station), Lili de Grammont’s second work for the company. Dance Consortium is a group of 23 large-scale venues based across the UK and Ireland set up in 2000 to engage audiences with the best contemporary dance from across the world. The tour will open on 5th February 2027 at BIRMINGHAM Hippodrome, before moving on to Eden Court INVERNESS, EDINBURGH King’s Theatre, ABERDEEN His Majesty’s Theatre, SALFORD Lowry, LONDON Sadler’s Wells Theatre, NEWCASTLE Theatre Royal, NORWICH Theatre Royal, BRADFORD Alhambra Theatre, CANTERBURY The Marlow Theatre, SOUTHAMPTON Mayflower Theatre and PLYMOUTH Theatre Royal.
• Side by Side by Sondheim – will be revived at Upstairs at the Gatehouse from 10 December 2026 until 17 January 2027. The musical revue, which premiered in the West End in 1976, features numbers from the likes of West Side Story, Gypsy, Company, Follies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and A Little Night Music. The 50th anniversary production will be helmed by Amanda Noar, alongside associate director and dramaturg Isaac Bernier-Doyle, and musical director Harry Style. The creative team also includes set designer Ruby Boswell-Green, lighting designer Simon Jackson and costume designer Hannah Danson. Produced by Annlouise Butt by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe), the cast will comprise a quartet of “all-singing, all-dancing, all piano-playing performers” and will be announced shortly.
• In Pieces – will have its fully staged world premiere at The Other Palace where it will run from 6 to 14 February 2027. The show, by Joey Contreras, was first seen in the UK in a concert run at the same venue earlier this year. Described as a love story about the people you don’t end up with, In Pieces follows the romantic journeys of six characters across three chapters of their lives. Martha Geelan is returning to direct. The creative team also comprises Sam Wilson Freeman as choreographer, Brian Russell Carey as music supervisor, and Harry Blumenau as casting director. The piece is produced by Andrew Patino and Jacob Stuckelman of Regular People and Rebecca Gwyther of RJG Productions. The production marks the next stage for the musical, following multiple sold-out performances, including appearances at New York City’s Joe’s Pub, as well as a digital live-capture and a deluxe highlights album released by Broadway Records.
• Gianni Schicchi (or Where There’s A Will) – will be a key element when OperaUpClose take up residency at London’s 2027 Park200 season from 14 April to 8 May. The 65-minute production, rewritten by Hannah Kumari and re-orchestrated by Vahan Salorian, transforms Puccini’s classic opera into a comic murder mystery. Directed by PJ Harris, the piece is designed by Anna Yates, and is co-produced with Mayflower Southampton where it premiered in March this year.
• Dinnerladies – a new stage adaptation of Victoria Wood’s sitcom is the first piece of Wood’s work to be commissioned by the Victoria Wood estate. It will be presented in association with Phil McIntyre Live and Sustainable Entertainment, having been adapted for the stage by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, featuring a storyline inspired by episodes from the original TV sitcom, and directed by Sean Foley. Les Dennis will star as Stan, while Sue Cleaver plays Jean and Karen Henthorn plays Dolly. Amy Drake will perform as Bren. Joining them are Gemma Dobson as Twinkle and Faye Weerasinghe as Anite, with Jimmy Fairhurst as Tony, Josie Brightwell as Petula, Rachel Marwood as Jane and Rachel Pickup as Philippa. Completing the ensemble is Sarah Dearlove, Alex Frost, Matthew Gordon, Angela Heenan and Tyne Pearson. The original comedy aired between 1998 and 2000, consisting of 16 episodes in total. Winning a British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy in 2000, the sitcom was set in the canteen of fictional Manchester factory HWD Components, and followed the lives, friendships and workplace tribulations of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day. The stage adaptation will debut at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley (22 and 23 January 2027), before heading to Manchester, Llandudno, Bath, York, Birmingham, Stockton, Milton Keynes, Eastbourne, Blackpool, Cardiff, Hull, Nottingham, Wimbledon, Ipswich, Torquay, Truro, Bournemouth, Northampton, Stoke, Guildford, Canterbury, Leeds, Wolverhampton, Liverpool, Reading, Sheffield, and culminating in Southend (3 to 7 August 2027).
• Cats – the new touring production which opens this week at Theatre Royal, Plymouth has announced the performers who will play Grizabella – Louise Dearman, Alice Fearn and Rachael Wooding will share the role of Grizabella. Wooding played the role during the show’s Regent’s Park run. The production, presented by Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, follows the record-breaking run of the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre revival, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie. Dearman is scheduled to appear in Plymouth, Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich, and Edinburgh. Fearn will play Grizabella in Llandudno, Glasgow, Nottingham, Canterbury, Sunderland, Aberdeen, Belfast, Dublin, Oxford, Southampton, Bradford, Liverpool, Woking, Cardiff, Milton Keynes, and Newcastle. Wooding reprises the role in Hull and Manchester.
• Little Dancer – following concert presentations at Theatre Royal Drury Lane last year, the new musical is set to receive its fully staged West End premiere in 2027 at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 15 February until 27 March 2027. Based on the story of the young ballerina who posed for Edgar Degas’ sculpture, the piece is written by the Olivier and Tony Award-winning team of Lynn Ahrens (book and lyrics) and Stephen Flaherty (music), whose previous works include the likes of Ragtime, Anastasia, and Once on This Island. Five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman (Crazy for You) will once again direct and choreograph the musical, having helmed the concert production last year, and returning cast members include Emmy Award winner and Olivier Award nominee Tiler Peck (Tiny Pretty Things) as Young Marie van Goethem, Julian Ovenden as Edgar Degas, Laura Pitt-Pulford as Adult Marie, and Josefina Gabrielle as Martine. The creative team also includes set designer Beowulf Boritt, lighting designer Ken Billington, costume designer William Ivey Long, sound designer Kai Harada and casting director Jill Green. Orchestrations are by Doug Besterman and Larry Hochman, while music supervision and dance arrangements are provided by Sam Davis. The show is produced by Anita Waxman, alongside Jana Shea, Patricia R Klausner, Sharon A Carr, Iwan Lewis (UK executive producer), Emily Blavatnik, and Danny Cohen, with general management by Short Street Productions Ltd.
• Dirty Dancing – will return to the West End early next year at the Prince Edward Theatre from 19 January 2027 for a limited season, until 24 April. Dirty Dancing received its West End premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in 2006, where it ran for five years. It has since gone on to tour the world and returned to the West End in 2013, playing at the Piccadilly Theatre. It then returned again to the Phoenix Theatre in 2016, and had runs at the Dominion Theatre in 2022 and 2023. Michael O’Reilly returns as Johnny Castle. He will lead the company alongside Pippa Jackson as Baby Houseman and Emily Layden-Fritz as Penny Johnson. Produced by Karl Sydow, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, the stage production is written by Eleanor Bergstein, screenwriter of the 1987 film. The creative team features director and set designer Federico Bellone, choreographer Austin Wilks, music supervisor Richard John, lighting designer Valerio Tiberi, sound designer Chris Whybrow, associate director Juliet Gough, costume designer Jennifer Irwin, casting director Harry Blumenau, and production manager Pete Kramer. The associate producer is Russ Spencer, the co-producer is Ivan Mactaggart with general management by New Road Theatricals.
• The Radium Girls – a new musical, will receive its world premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough where it will run from 20 March to 8 May 2027. Inspired by the real-life experiences of women on the factory frontlines in the 1920s, it follows ambitious teenager Olive and her friends as they land jobs painting glowing watch dials at New Jersey’s United States Radium Corporation. The show has music and book by Amanda D’Archangelis, and lyrics and book by Sami Horneff and Lisa Mongillo. It is described as a “horror-laced” musical comedy. Marissa Jaret Winokur, best known perhaps as Broadway’s original Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray, will direct. Chadd McMillan serves as associate director and Jonathan Bauerfeld is the orchestrator, whilst Rebecca Reaney choreographs the show. The team is completed by casting director Harry Blumenau, executive producer RJG Productions and general manager HFH Productions. The show is produced by High Octave Productions and supported by co-producers Stubbs and Saul Productions.
• Grease – the new tour will feature Debbie McGee in the cast in the role of Miss Lynch in the musical. McGee, who trained at the Royal Ballet School and rose to fame as the assistant of popular magician Paul Daniels in the 1980s. She became one of the first female magician members of The Magic Circle. Nikolai Foster once again directs the teen musical, penned by Jim Jacobs and Warrey Casey, alongside Arlene Phillips who once again choreographs the production. The creative team also includes designer Colin Richmond, orchestrator and musical supervisor Sarah Travis, lighting designer Ben Cracknell, sound designers Tom Marshall and Richard Brooker and casting director David Grindrod.
• Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard – will form the first part of The Octagon Theatre in Bolton’s 60th anniversary season. The theatre was conceived by five students and their drama lecturer Robin Pemberton-Billing. The Octagon opened to the public in November 1967 as a producing theatre with a fully flexible performance space. Artistic director Lotte Wakeham directs a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical which will be performed by a company of actor-musicians. The production is a co-production between the Octagon Theatre Bolton, Royal and Derngate Northampton and York Theatre Royal, and runs from 2 April to 1 May 2027