New cast members joining Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club as booking is extended

The multi award-winning and critically acclaimed production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB in London’s West End will welcome Richard Katz (Love and Other Acts of Violence) to the cast as ‘Herr Schultz’ from 27 June 2022. 

Also joining the company will be Gabriela Benedetti (who was in the original Prologue Company for the show) and Adam Taylor. Fra Fee as ‘The Emcee’ and Amy Lennox as ‘Sally Bowles’ have extended their runs in the show until 1 October 2022. 

Continuing in the show are Omar Baroud as ‘Cliff Bradshaw’, Vivien Parry as ‘Fraulein Schneider’, Stewart Clarke as ‘Ernst Ludwig’ and Anna-Jane Casey as ‘Fraulein Kost’. The cast is completed by Josh Andrews, Emily Benjamin, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Emma Louise Jones, Ela Lisondra, Theo Maddix, Chris O’Mara, Daniel Perry, Andre Refig, Christopher Tendai, Bethany Terry, Lillie-Pearl Wildman and Sophie Maria Wojna.

 The Prologue Company is Rachel Benson, Laura Braid, Asmara Cammock, Julian Capolei, Celine Fortenbacher, Reuben Greeph, Samantha Ho, Andrew Linnie, Carys McQueen, Hicaro Nicolai, Kate Robson-Stuart and Sally Swanson. 

The show has also extended its run and  is currently booking until 19th November 2022.

Full company announced for Crazy For You starring Charlie Stemp at Chichester

A 30th-anniversary revival of George and Ira Gershwin's Crazy For You will be staged from 11th July-4th September in Chichester. 

Charlie Stemp (Mary Poppins) will star in the show as Bobby Child – returning to the venue after appearing in Half a Sixpence with  Carly Anderson as Polly Baker  They will be joined by Marc Akinfolarin (Moose), Lila Anderson (Vera), Merryl Ansah (Irene Roth), Simon Anthony
(Sam), Craig Bartley (Mingo), Jason Battersby (Junior), Evonnee Bentley-Holder (Sheila), Imogen Bowtell (Elaine), Kyle Cox (Wyatt), Mathew Craig (Lank Hawkins) Bethan Downing (swing), Jacqui Dubois (Patricia Fodor), Nicholas Duncan (Jimmy),Tom Edden (Bela Zangler), Nathan Elwick (Custus), Don Gallagher (Everett Baker),Adrian Grove (Eugene Fodor), Laura Hills (Mitzi), Ryan Jupp (swing), Matthew
Malthouse (Pete), Nell Martin (swing/dance captain), Joshua Nkemdilim (Billy), Kate Parr
(Patsy), Sadie-Jean Shirley (Tess), Gay Soper (Lottie Child), Bradley Trevethan (swing),Ella Valentine (Margie) and Tara Yasmin (Louise).

Susan Stroman (Young Frankenstein) directs and choreographs the show having previously choreographed the original production in 1992  which won the Tony Award for Best Musical and earned her first Tony for Best Choreography. It transferred to the West End in 1993 with a cast including Ruthie Henshall and Chris Langham.

The entertaining musical is packed with glorious Gershwin melodies (including Someone to Watch Over Me, Embraceable You, I Got Rhythm and They Can’t Take That Away from Me), with stunning tap dance routines guaranteed to set the spirits soaring. The witty book and dialogue are written by Ken Ludwig, who also wrote this season’s Murder on the Orient Express and is the author of the Tony Award-winning Lend Me a Tenor.

It will have set design by Beowulf Borritt, costumes by William Ivey Long, lighting by Ken Billington, musical direction by Alan Williams, new orchestrations by Doug Besterman and Mark Cumberland (based on those by William David Brohn, with sound by Kai Harada.

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Felicia Boswell to play Faye Treadwell in The Drifter´s Girl

Michael Harrison and David Ian have announced today that the acclaimed Broadway star FELICIA BOSWELL will join London’s new smash hit musical, The Drifters Girl.

Felicia will play Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of The Drifters, who, alongside her husband, fought for three decades to turn Atlantic Records' hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon.She l plays Faye Treadwell, with Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as the iconic group. Beverley Knight continues in the role of Faye through to Saturday 2 July, with Felicia beginning performances on Tuesday 5 July.

Felicia is a multi award-winning star, including an Emmy Award winner and Grammy Award nominee for Jesus Christ Superstar Live. Her Broadway credits include Motown The Musical, Shuffle Along and Memphis, the latter of which saw her win her second Helen Hayes Award.

Brenda Edwards to play Mama Morton in tour of Chicago the Musical

Brenda Edwards will re-join the cast of  the tour of Chicago the Musical from next week, appearing as Mama Morton at Sunderland Empire (2 to 4 June), Cardiff New Theatre (20 to 25 June), Winter Gardens Blackpool (28 June to 2 July), Sheffield Lyceum Theatre (5 to 9 July), Norwich Theatre Royal (11 to 16 July) and New Theatre Oxford (18 to 23 July).

Earlier this week it was revealed that Gemma Collins who was due to play he role had withdrawn from  the tour with a knee injury

Lee Mead will appear as Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart and B E Wong as Mary Sunshine.

The cast is completed by Ishmail Aaron, Michelle Andrews, Gabby Antrobus, Delycia Belgrave, Joel Benjamin, Tanisha-Mae Brown, Daniel Clift, Callum Fitzgerald, Emily Goodenough, Billie Hardy, Aaron Jenkins, Liam Marcellino, Theo Reece, Hollie Jane Stephens and Harrison Wilde.

Cast for the recording of Heathers the Musical

The cast has been announced for the recording of Heathers the Musical  project with Steam Motion and Sound.

The cast for the filmed production are Ailsa Davidson (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (Jason "J.D" Dean), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (Heather Duke), Teleri Hughes (Heather McNamara), Vicki Lee Taylor (Ms. Fleming/Veronica's Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (Kurt's Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brady (Ram's Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica's Dad), Benjamin Karran (Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison Halliday (Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (New Wave Party Girl) and May Tether (Drama Club Drama Queen)

Performances at The Other Palace were not on sale from 3 - 19 May to allow for filming to take place ahead of a future release. They  resumed on Friday 20 May and will run through to 4 September 2022.

Full cast for Sister Act London run announced

As rehearsals begin the full company for Sister Act in London has been revealed with Beverley Knight (Deloris Van Cartier), Jennifer Saunders (Mother Superior), Clive Rowe (Eddie Souther), Lizzie Bea (Sister Mary Robert), Keala Settle (Sister Mary Patrick) and Lesley Joseph (Mary Lazarus). Sandra Marvin is set to lead the tour as Deloris Van Cartier.

The cast also includes Jeremy Secomb (Curtis Jackson), Graham McDuff (Monsignor O'Hara), Tricia Deighton (Sister Mary Theresa), Lori Haley Fox (Sister Mary Martin of Tours), Tom Hopcroft (Joey), Bradley Judge (TJ), Tanya Edwards (Tina), Catherine Millsom (Nun/Ensemble), Anne Smith (Nun/Ensemble), Emma Ralston (Nun/Ensemble), Jermaine Woods (Ensemble), Michael Ward (Swing and Dance Captain) and Caroline Bateson (Swing).

Joining them are Damian Buhagiar (Pablo), Gabrielle Davina Smith (Michelle), Castell Parker (Clemont), Tanisha Butterfield (Nun/Ensemble), Jamie Jonathan and Marina Tavolieri (off-stage swings).

Maisie Smith joins Kevin Clifton in tour of Strictly Ballroom

Strictly Come Dancing finalist and  former EastEnder, Maisie Smith, will make her musical theatre debut later this year, as she co-stars in the 2022/23 UK tour of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom  in the lead female role of Fran, alongside the previously announced , Kevin Clifton, her former Strictly dance partner who she waltzed her way to victory with in the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Children In Need Special.


Maisie first wowed Strictly fans with her dancing in 2019 in the Children In Need TV special with Kevin Clifton. After winning the hearts of the public, the following year she danced her way into the BBC One Strictly Come Dancing final.  Earlier this year, Maisie joined the cast of the Strictly Live Arena Tour. She will now add another jewel to her Strictly crown, as she makes the move into musical theatre in Strictly Ballroom The Musical.

Maisie Smith said: “Dancing in Strictly has been a huge part of my life, and been so much fun. I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to continue that journey in Strictly Ballroom The Musical. Not only do I get to make my musical theatre debut with my former partner in crime, Kevin Clifton, but I get to work with Craig Revel Horwood and Jason Gilkison again too - I can't wait."

Kevin Clifton said: “I’m beyond excited to be performing with Maisie again – she’s amazing! And I’ll finally be fulfilling my lifelong ambition to play Scott Hastings in Strictly Ballroom The Musical.  When I was 10 years old I first watched the movie that would become my favourite film of all time. This is my dream role. I can’t wait to don the golden jacket and waltz all over the UK with Maisie in what’s set to be an incredible show!”

Craig Revel Horwood said: "I’m delighted that the super talented Maisie Smith is joining Kevin Clifton on the Strictly Ballroom UK tour. I can’t wait to see them dance together again. Expect some sexy moves, sizzling costumes and a simply sensational evening! I know that they’ll both be FAB-U-LOUS!"

 
 

Gemma Collins withdraws from tour of Chicago the Musical

Diva Gemma Collins has withdrawn from the ongoing Chicago tour, it has been confirmed.

She was initially set to appear from 29th May, but the tour's producers have issued a statement saying: "Gemma Collins' management have informed the producers of Chicago she will no longer be appearing in the UK tour of the show due to a knee injury. The producers of Chicago wish Gemma all the best for the future."

 

New cast members announced for Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.

From 29th June 2022 new cast members will be joining Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre with Aisha Jawando with new cast member Elesha Paul Moses sharing  the role of Tina and Caleb Roberts joining to play Ike.

Also cast are Paula Kay as Tina's mother Zelma, Charis Alexandra as Tina's sister Alline Bullock, George Jennings as Tina's Manager Roger Davies and Irene Myrtle Forrester as Tina's Grandmother, while previous ensemble member Kelly Hampson will play Ike and Tina's manager Rhonda Graam and Gregory Haney will play Tina's father Richard Bullock.

Cordell Mosteller joins as Tina's first love Raymond Hill, ensemble member Chris Grahamson will  play Record Producer Phil Spector and Lyricist Terry Britten and Joseph Richardson continues as record company Marketing Manager Erwin Bach.

Ensemble cast will be Megan Armstrong and Vanessa Dumatey, Thomas Sutcliffe who plays Carpenter, Turrell Barrett-Wallace who plays Tina's son Ronnie and Joey James plays Tina's son Craig, the Ikettes are played by Karis Anderson, Marie Finlayson and Natorii Illidge and swings are Lauren Allan, Richard Appiah-Sarpong, Joshua Da Costa, Miles Anthony Daley, Livvy Evans, Imogen Rose Hart, Jaz Robinson, Brad Veitch, Saran Webb and Samuel J Weir. Final adult and children's casting will be announced at a later date.

 

New Come From Away Cast Members from June

Come From Away welcomes new and returning cast members to the Phoenix Theatre from June 2022.

Kirsty Malpass has returned to the London Come From Away family in the role of Bonnie and others, Olivier Award-nominated Robert Hands returns to the role of Nick/Doug and others, Lejaun Sheppard will play Bob and others, with Sarah Morrison (returning to the production having performed in Come From Away in Australia) and Lucy Park also joining the cast.

They are welcomed by the current London cast who are extending their time with the show beyond June: Jenna Boyd (Beulah and others), James Doherty (Claude and others), Mark Dugdale (Kevin T/Garth and others), Gemma Knight Jones (Hannah and others), Alice Fearn (Beverley/Annette and others), Kate Graham (Diane and others), Jonathan Andrew Hume (Kevin J/Ali and others), Harry Morrison (Oz and others), and Emma Salvo (Janice and others) with Chiara Baronti, Ricardo Castro, Stuart Hickey, Alexander McMorran, Jennifer Tierney and Matthew Whennell-Clark.

Casting and more dates announced for tour of Bugsy Malone

Casting and more tour dates were announced today  for the Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Birmingham Rep and Kenny Wax revival of Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s universally acclaimed, sell-out production of the BUGSY MALONE tour  which will open at Theatre Royal Bath with performances from 2 July 2022, followed by Birmingham Rep from 27 July 2022.  The National Press Night will be on 12 July in Bath.The cast and more dates have been announced for he new tour of Bugby Malone which 

The lead roles will be performed by three young casts of seven in rotation. Bugsy Malone will be played by Shaun Sharma, Gabriel Payne and Amar Blackman, Blousey Brown by Mia Lakha, Delilah Bennett-Cardy and Avive Williams, Fat Sam by Albie Snelson, Isham Sankoh and Charlie Burns, Tallulah by Taziva-Faye Katsande, Jasmine Sakyiama and Fayth Ifil, Fizzy by Aidan Oti, Jamie Northey-Dennis and one performer yet to be announced, Lena/Babyface by Cherry Mitra, Kayla-Mai Alvares and Ava Hope Smith and Dandy Dan by Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Kit Cranston and Desmond Cole.

They are joined by adult ensemble members: Georgia Pemberton, Alisha Capon, Lucy Young, D’Mia Lindsay Walker, Jessica Daugrida, Alicia Ally, Alicia Belgarde, Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Luchia Moss, Kalifa Burton, Rory Fraser, Andile Mabhena, Thomas Walton, Ru Fisher, Mohamed Bangura, Marcus Billany, Luke Mills and Will Lucas.

Westlife`s Mark Feehily, Hadley Fraser and Emma Williams to lead new concert version of The Secet Garden musical

Tony award-winning musical, The Secret Garden, based on the 1911 novel of the same name, returns to the West End for a one-night-only concert celebration at the London Palladium on 28th August..

Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett with book and lyrics by Marsha Norman and music by Lucy Simon, this concert production will be directed by Nick Winston (Bonnie & Clyde, Rock of Ages, Beauty and the Beast) with music direction by Adam Hoskins (Doctor Zhivago, Camelot in Concert, Songs For A New World). With an ensemble cast led by Mark Feehily (Westlife), Hadley Fraser (The Pirate Queen), Maiya Quansah-Breed (Six), Alex Thomas-Smith (&Juliet), Emma Williams (Half a Sixpence), the show also features performances by Darcy Jacobs as Mary, Isaac Lancel-Watkinson as Colin, Michael Riseley as Captain Albert Lennox, Linda John-Pierre as Mrs Medlock, Grace Mouat as Alice, Aleyna Mohanraj as Ayah, Johndeep More as Fakir, Glain Rhys as Rose and Howard Scott Walker as Ben Weatherstaff with narration by Lucy Drever. Students from Trinity Laban Musical Theatre will be joining the cast as the ensemble.

In a lonely manor house on the Yorkshire Moors, Archibald Craven (Hadley Fraser) is stifled by his manipulative brother (Mark Feehily) and yearns for his beautiful, late wife (Emma Williams), all the while becoming more isolated and remote from his crippled son (Isaac Lancel-Watkinson). But their quiet routine is turned upside down when young Mary Lennox (Darcy Jacobs) is sent to live with them following the death of her parents in India. She finds a secret walled garden hidden in the grounds and with the help of a few friends (Alex Thomas-Smith and Maiya Quansah-Breed) releases the magic and adventure locked inside it, changing their lives forever.

Lambert Jackson said: “After two cancelled shows due to the pandemic, we're thrilled to finally be bringing this beautiful concert musical to the London Palladium. The Secret Garden has a special place in many people’s hearts. Be it as a musical, a novel, or a film, the enduring story has a way of staying with you with the timely message to live life to the full.” 

Tickets on sale now

Chess, Kinky Boots and Treason LMTO musical concerts announced for Drury Lane this summer

This summer there will be  three  musical concerts at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra With performances of ABBA’s iconic Chess, Cyndi Lauper’s Kinky Boots and the new musical Treason.

Chess Monday 1 August

Chess, with music by ABBA legends Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics by the incomparable Sir Tim Rice, returns to the West End for the first time since 2018.  At the height of the Cold War, two chess masters meet in Bangkok to battle for the world championship, but their greatest contest is for the love of one woman. Telling a story of love and political intrigue, Chess features an incredible score including classics such as 'I Know Him So Well' and 'One Night in Bangkok'.   Leading the cast are Hadley Fraser (City of Angels, Phantom Of The Opera) as Anatoly and Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) as Florence, with further casting to be announced in due course.

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Kinky Boots Monday 8 August

Winner of six TONY awards and the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2016, the hilarious and uplifting musical Kinky Boots returns to the West End for the first time in three years. Kinky Boots is the feel-good musical by Harvey Fierstein and Cyndi Lauper, based on the popular 2005 film of the same name. Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of the fabulous entertainer Lola. Cedric Neal (Back to the Future, Motown) will be playing Lola/Simon, Matt Willis (Waitress, Wicked) will play Charlie and Courtney Bowman (SIX, Legally Blonde) will play the role of Lauren. Further casting will be announced shortly.

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Treason  22 August

Treason is an explosive new British musical about the gunpowder plot, featuring stunning music by Ricky Allan and book and lyrics by Ricky Allan and Kieran Lynn. With the songs ‘Take Things Into Our Own Hands’, ‘The Cold Hard Ground’ and ‘The Day Elizabeth Died’ having already taken Spotify by storm, and the streamed lockdown concert described as “an exceptional musical in the making”, this is a premiere not to be missed. Treason's live stage debut features a star cast including Carrie Hope Fletcher (Cinderella, Heathers), Bradley Jaden (Les Misérables, Wicked) and Simon-Anthony Rhoden (Hamilton, Kinky Boots).

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Hamilton the Musical cast changes next month

HAMILTON, Lin-Manuel Miranda's mega hit Broadway musical, which has won 11 Tony Awards including best musical, will premiere in London in 2017 reopening the Victoria Palace Theatre, with Cameron Mackintosh's Delfont Mackintosh Theatres expected to spend approximately £30 million to refurbish the theatre in preparation.

CAST CHANGE FROM 21ST JUNE 2022: Reuben Joseph will play the title role of Alexander Hamilton with Simon-Anthony Rhoden as Aaron Burr, Allyson Ava-Brown as Angelica Schuyler, Shan Ako as Eliza Hamilton, Roshani Abbey as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds, Trevor Dion Nicholas as George Washington, Waylon Jacobs as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Emile Ruddock as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison, Jake Halsey-Jones as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton and Joel Montague as King George III. At certain performances the role of Alexander Hamilton will be played by Alex Sawyer.

The cast also includes Jade Albertsen, Curtis Angus, Maya Britto, Matthew Caputo, Filippo Coffano, Ashley Daniels, Kelly Downing, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Jordan Frazier, Manaia Glassey-Ohlson, Olivia Kate Holding, Barney Hudson, DeAngelo Jones, Phoebe Liberty Jones, Nicolais-Andre Kerry, Travis Kerry, Ella Kora, Natasha Leaver, Aaron Lee Lambert, Louis Mackrodt, Kerri Norville, Samuel Sarpong-Broni, Lindsey Tierney and Brandon Williams.

Bat Out Of Hell returning to London`s West End next year

Bat Out of Hell will return to the West End next spring for a limited season after ending its UK and Ireland tour in November.

The show will play a limited season at the Peacock Theatre with performances from 17th February to  1st April 2023, while also planning a Las Vegas residency from September 2022. Casting for both is to be revealed.

It is being performed in memory of Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on 19 April 2021, and Meat Loaf, who passed away on 20 January 2022.

 Tickets go on general sale  from 16th May 2022