Posts with the label theatre
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 October 2025
Matthew Harvey’s New Musical Unbound Releases Haunting Live Album for London Theatre Fans
Composer and writer Matthew Harvey has announced the release of a live cast recording of his spellbinding new musical Unbound, captured during its concert staging at London’s Hoxton Hall. The album will be released on Halloween, adding a touch of musical magic to the spooky season.
Featuring a powerhouse West End cast including Courtney Stapleton, Lauren Byrne, Evelyn Hoskins, and Jodie Jacobs, Unbound tells the story of Iris, a home-schooled teenager whose high school prank accidentally unleashes an ancient witch. With a darkly comic edge and a thrilling pop-rock score, the show has already earned a cult following among London theatre fans.
Originally commissioned by British Youth Music Theatre, Unbound first premiered at Birmingham Hippodrome before its London concert production. The live album, produced with Spiritland Productions, captures the raw energy and excitement of that performance.
Harvey shared:
“Revisiting this concert through the recording feels incredibly special, the music, the story, the cast, it’s all pure magic.”
With its mix of humour, heart, and haunting melodies, Unbound continues to prove why new British musicals are thriving in London’s vibrant theatre scene.
Priscilla Queen of the Desert Musical Returns with Kevin Clifton and Adèle Anderson in Dazzling London Theatre Revival
A sparkling new cast has been revealed for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert- The Musical, promising sequins, heart, and disco anthems galore. Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing) stars as Tick/Mitzi, alongside Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda), Nick Hayes, and Peter Duncan in this joyous celebration of self-expression and friendship.
Directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ian Talbot OBE, with choreography by Olivier winner Matt Cole, the production features over 100 eye-catching costumes designed by Strictly favourite Vicky Gill. Expect dazzling feathers, glitter, and glamour in every scene.
Based on the Oscar-winning 1994 film, Priscilla follows three friends on a road trip across Australia in a battered bus, discovering love, acceptance, and the courage to be themselves along the way. With its iconic soundtrack featuring "It’s Raining Men", "I Will Survive" and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", it’s a feel-good party wrapped in heart and humour.
Kevin Clifton shared,
“This show is pure joy from start to finish, it’s bold, unapologetic, and full of love.”
A celebration of identity, friendship, and the power of being unapologetically you, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is set to dazzle audiences across the country.
photo credit: Matt Crockett
Nicola Coughlan Leads National Theatre’s New Production of The Playboy of the Western World
The National Theatre has revealed the full cast for its upcoming production of The Playboy of the Western World, directed by Caitríona McLaughlin, Artistic Director of Ireland’s National Theatre. This new staging of J.M. Synge’s iconic play promises a fresh, dynamic take on a timeless tale of youth, identity, and rebellion.
The star-studded cast includes Nicola Coughlan (Bridgerton), Éanna Hardwicke, Siobhán McSweeney, Declan Conlon, Lorcan Cranitch, Megan Cusack, and Marty Rea, with a talented ensemble completing the lineup.
Set in a small rural pub, the story follows Pegeen Mike, whose world is turned upside down when Christy Mahon arrives claiming to have killed his father. Rather than facing condemnation, he becomes an unlikely local hero... until reality begins to unravel.
This new production combines McLaughlin’s bold direction with design by Katie Davenport and a haunting original score by Anna Mullarkey, creating an atmosphere that’s both rich in tradition and thrillingly modern.
With wit, darkness, and a touch of romance, The Playboy of the Western World captures the wild spirit of Ireland’s west coast while speaking to universal questions of truth and self-discovery.
photo credit: Josh Shinner
Wednesday, 15 October 2025
The Greatest Showman Musical Announces Star-Studded Cast for Spectacular UK Stage Premiere
The stage is set for one of the most anticipated musical theatre premieres in recent memory, The Greatest Showman is officially coming to the UK stage. The spectacular new adaptation of the 2017 hit film will debut at the Bristol Hippodrome, bringing the story of P.T. Barnum to life with all the energy, heart, and magic that made the movie a global phenomenon.
Leading the cast is acclaimed West End star Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet, We Will Rock You) as showman P.T. Barnum, alongside Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) as Charity Barnum. Joining them are Lorna Courtney (& Juliet Broadway) as Anne Wheeler, Ben Joyce (Jersey Boys) as Phillip Carlyle, Vajèn van den Bosch as Jenny Lind, and Malinda Parris (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) as Lettie Lutz.
The musical will feature a powerhouse creative team, including Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw, whose dynamic work on The Book of Mormon and Aladdin has dazzled audiences worldwide. The beloved score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) and a new book by Tim Federle promise to bring both familiarity and freshness to this dazzling stage spectacle.
In a statement, Nicholaw shared:
“It’s an absolute joy to finally share our incredible cast with the world — led by the brilliant Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks. Together with a world-class creative team, we are so excited to bring this story to life for the first time on stage.”
The full company features a remarkable ensemble of singers, dancers, and circus performers, including Mia Raggio, Angelica Pearl Scott, Harly Gill, Ellie McArdle, Eleanor Sebastian, Max Bispham, and Joel Tennant Clark Young. Josh St. Clair serves as the P.T. Barnum alternate, with Katie Tonkinson as the standby Anne Wheeler.
Behind the scenes, the creative lineup includes Alex Lacamoire (music supervision and orchestrations), David Korins (scenic design), Gregg Barnes and Sky Switser (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), and Peter Hylenski (sound design), alongside a host of award-winning designers and choreographers ensuring every moment shines.
This world-premiere production of The Greatest Showman is poised to deliver everything audiences love about the original film- breathtaking visuals, heart-stirring music, and an inspiring story of courage and self-belief- now reimagined for the stage.
photo credit: Sebastian Nevols
Here & Now The Steps Musical Tour Review- A Pop-Fuelled Jukebox Ride That Charms
Here and Now: The Steps Musical (Tour)
New Victoria Theatre
Here & Now is a vibrant, glitter-filled night of pop nostalgia that wears its heart- and its sparkly costumes- proudly on its sleeve. Built around the iconic hits of Steps, this jukebox musical takes place in a brightly lit supermarket called Better Best Bargains, where dreams, heartbreak, and friendship collide in equal measure.
At the centre of the story is Caz, played with warmth and power by Rebecca Lock, whose vocals soar through the theatre and whose emotional honesty gives the show its core. When her life takes an unexpected turn, she and her co-workers are forced to re-evaluate their choices and embrace a “Summer of Love” that doesn’t quite go to plan. Alongside her, Blake Patrick Anderson (Robbie), Jacqui Dubois (Vel), Rosie Singha (Neeta) give great performances and their chemistry is lovely to see. River Medway also has some brilliant moments as Jem. Finty Williams is a comic delight as Patricia, the dry, sharp-tongued store boss whose perfectly timed one-liners steal more than one scene, I wish we got a little bit more of her story. The rest of the cast bring great energy and charm, with tight ensemble work that keeps the show lively and fast-moving.
Visually, the production is dazzling. Tom Rogers' supermarket set transforms fluidly, bursting with colour and clever design touches, while Howard Hudson's lighting shifts between campy exuberance and tender intimacy. It’s a feast for the eyes, even if sometimes there’s so much going on that it’s hard to catch every detail. Matt Cole's choreography is slick and punchy, perfectly capturing the upbeat essence of Steps while grounding it in musical-theatre storytelling.
Where the show falters slightly is in pacing and clarity. With so many interwoven storylines and emotional beats, some scenes feel rushed, and the final moments could benefit from a little more breathing room. At times, the sheer spectacle overwhelms the subtler emotional notes, but when it lands, it’s joyous.
Despite its imperfections, Here & Now is a fun, heartfelt celebration of pop, love, and second chances. Rebecca Lock is a standout, Finty Williams adds sparkle and humour, and the ensemble delivers with infectious enthusiasm. It may not reinvent the jukebox-musical format, but it’s packed with enough charm, choreography, and nostalgia to leave audiences smiling and maybe even dancing their way out of the theatre. A glittery supermarket of pop, heart, and pure nostalgia!
★★★★
Reviewed on Tuesday 14th October 2025 by Olivia
Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
UK Premiere of Daniel’s Husband Brings Award-Winning Off-Broadway Play to London Theatre
The acclaimed cast includes three-time Olivier Award winner David Bedella (& Juliet), Luke Fetherston (Big Mood), Raiko Gohara (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Joel Harper-Jackson (Cock), and Olivier winner Liza Sadovy (Cabaret). Together, they will bring to life McKeever’s powerful examination of relationships, choices, and the human heart.
At its core, Daniel’s Husband follows Daniel and Mitchell, a couple whose seemingly perfect life is shattered by an unexpected crisis. As their love is tested, the play delves into the meaning of commitment, the fragility of security, and what it truly means to be a family.
Originally debuting in the US to critical acclaim, Daniel’s Husband has won multiple awards and captivated audiences with its honesty and emotional impact.
Plastered Productions shared that they chose the play as their inaugural London production to “inspire reflection on love, morality, and connection.”
A moving addition to the London theatre landscape, Daniel’s Husband invites audiences to confront both the beauty and complexity of love.
Tuesday, 14 October 2025
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS returns in a brand-new outdoor production at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
One of the world’s most beloved musicals, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, is making a spectacular return in Summer 2026 at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie.
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this reimagined outdoor production will run from 25 July to 12 September 2026, before touring across the UK through 2027.
McOnie, a former cast member himself, said:
“CATS was transformative for me, directing this new version feels like coming full circle.”
Producer Michael Harrison added:
“This dazzling revival will breathe new life into a legendary musical for a new generation.”
Tickets go on sale 28 October at openairtheatre.com. Casting to be announced.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time returns for a bold new UK tour in 2026
The award-winning stage adaptation of Mark Haddon’s bestselling novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, returns in 2026 with a brand-new UK tour.
Opening at the Birmingham Rep in September before visiting major theatres nationwide, the production is directed by Ned Bennett and adapted by Simon Stephens, whose original National Theatre version won seven Olivier Awards and five Tonys.
This fresh staging, co-produced by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep, reimagines the story for a new generation. It follows Christopher Boone, a brilliant but misunderstood teenager who investigates a mystery that unravels deeper family secrets.
Playwright Simon Stephens said:
“Christopher’s courage and determination are timeless. I’m thrilled to see his story return to the stage.”
Tour venues include Woking, Leicester, Nottingham, Liverpool, Bath, and more.
Monday, 13 October 2025
Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana Returns with Full Cast for Vibrant UK Tour
The magic of Christmas is set to return with Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana, as Norwich Theatre and Valid Productions announce the full cast for the acclaimed production. Directed and choreographed by the legendary Carlos Acosta CBE, this vibrant Cuban reimagining of the festive classic is preparing to enchant audiences once again.
Featuring the world-class dancers of Acosta Danza, the cast includes Amisaday Naara, Daniela Urgelles, Adria Diaz, and many more celebrated Cuban performers. The production also welcomes a group of talented guest artists and junior dancers from the Acosta Dance Centre, ensuring a dazzling showcase of energy and artistry.
This Nutcracker takes audiences on a journey where ballet meets the rhythm of Havana, with a newly commissioned Cuban arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s iconic score by composer Pepe Gavilondo. With colourful visuals, Nina Dunn’s spectacular projection design, and Angelo Alberto’s vibrant costumes, it’s a feast for the senses and a true celebration of Cuban culture.
Carlos Acosta said:
“Watching my dancers blend classical ballet with Cuban folk and contemporary dance has been a dream come true. This show embodies the joy and warmth of Cuba at Christmas.”
Produced by Norwich Theatre and Valid Productions, Nutcracker in Havana is set to be one of the most exciting theatre events of the season. The ballet embarks on its second UK tour from Fri 31 Oct 2025 opening at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre for three performances.
Read more London theatre stories and dance features here.
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