Sparkle Of The Stage

​ Photo Credit: Provided by production.  My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) will return to the West End for a limited final run this autumn. Written and performed by Rob Madge and directed by Luke Sheppard, the show will play one last hurrah at Apollo Theatre.  When Rob was twelve, they attempted a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. As Rob donned wigs and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their Dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry. Grandma had a nice time, though.  My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is the joyous autobiographical story of West End Musical Theatre star and social-media sensation Rob Madge, as they set out to recreate that parade - and this time, nobody, no, nobody is gonna rain on it. The show first premiered at the Turbine Theatre in 2021, be...

​ Hamilton has revealed new casting for its West End production.  Joining the company from 15 June will be Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Alexander Hamilton, with Georgina Onuorah returning as Angelica Schuyler, Akmed Junior Khemalai as George Washington, Ashley J. Daniels as Marquis De Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Bellinfantie as Hercules Mulligan/James Madison and Shak Mancel James as John Laurens/Philip Hamilton.  Continuing in the show are Yeukayi Ushe, now playing the role of Aaron Burr, Bente Mulan as Eliza Hamilton, Jasmine Jia Yung Shen as Peggy Schuyler/Maria Reynolds and Daniel Boys as King George III.  As previously revealed, Leslie Odom Jr will return to the role of Aaron Burr from 3 July - 5 September 2026, excluding Monday 27, Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 July. The role at these performances will be played by Yeukayi Ushe.  Also continuing in the production will be Yuki Abe, Turrell Barrett-Wallace, Joshua Clemetson, Roxanne Couch, Manaia Glassey-Oh...

​ Full casting has been announced for the UK premiere of Something Rotten!, which will open in Manchester this summer.  As previously announced, the production is set to star Jason Manford as Nick Bottom, Richard Fleeshman as William Shakespeare and Marisha Wallace as Bea. Joining them will be Cory English as Nostradamus, Cassius Hackforth as Nigel Bottom, Carla Dixon-Hernandez as Portia, Gareth Davies as Shylock, Chad Saint Louis as Troubadour, Paul Ryan as Brother Jeremiah and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure as Lady C with Andrew Davison, Dylan Collymore, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor, Richard James-Neale and Paul Kemble as Troupe.  The cast is completed by Stephanie Costi, Robert Donnelly, Zac Frieze, Samuel How, Bailey Johnson, Jessica Keable, Rhys Lambert, Sara Morley, Indiya Payne, Hannah Petley and Rina Punwani.  Something Rotten! is a mash-up of Elizabethan drama and showbiz parody combined, following brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they plan to try and out-write Renaissance...

​ Photo Credit: Headshot and artwork provided by production.  Further casting has been announced for the UK revival of Disney’s High School Musical.  KayCee Stroh, best known for playing Martha in the High School Musical films, will star as Ms Darbus in the new UK production of High School Musical later this year.  She joins previously announced Jason Donovan as Coach Bolton, Tobias Turley as Troy, Leonor Correia as Gabriella, Caitlin Tipping as Sharpay and Luke Bayer as Ryan, with further casting to be announced.  Based on the iconic film which inspired a generation, Disney’s High School Musical will receive its first non-replica production at Lowry, Salford 20 years on from the movie’s release.  Speaking about the role, Stroh said “ Revisiting the world of High School Musical in this new chapter feels like a genuine full-circle moment for me. From originating Martha Cox to now stepping into the equally iconic role of Ms. Darbus, it’s both an honour and a joy t...

​ Photo Credit: Headshots of new cast provided by production.  Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has revealed its new London cast.  Joining the company from 11 May will be Saranna Parlone as Mollie Ralston, Ben Riddle as Giles Ralston, Stefan Chanyaem as Christopher Wren, Joanne Henry as Mrs Boyle, James Staddon as Major Metcalf, Anna Rawlings as Miss Casewell, Dugald Bruce-Lockhart as Mr Paravicini and Ben Galvin as Detective Sgt Trotter. Completing the cast are Nancy Doubledee, Bella Farr, Barnaby Jago, Richard Parnwell and Clive Marlowe.  The Mousetrap first opened in 1952 at St Martin’s Theatre and serves as the longest running play in theatre history with the production now booking into its 75th year.  Set in Monkswell Manor, the story follows seven strangers snowed in at a remote guesthouse, as a police sergeant arrives with a revelation a murderer is among them. The London production is directed by Denise Silvey and produced by Brian Fenty, and is currently book...

​ Photo Credit: Felicity McCabe  A new revival of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus is set to be staged in 2027.  Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the production will star Michael Sheen as Antonio Salieri and Callum Scott Howells as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Set in Vienna in 1820, the play follows Salieri as he recounts his relationship with Mozart, whose exceptional talent he believes to be gifted. As admiration turns to jealousy, Salieri becomes consumed by a plan to undermine the composer he both admires and resents.  The show is produced by Second Half Productions and Welsh National Opera and will open at New Theatre Cardiff, running from 9 - 27 March 2027 before transferring to the Noël Coward Theatre for a 16-week West End run from 17 April - 7 August.  The creative team for Amadeus will include set design by Bunny Christie and costume design by Lez Brotherston with casting by Sam Jones.  Further casting is to be announced.  Herrin said: "I'm delighted to be wor...

Something Rotten has announced further casting for its UK premiere in Manchester this summer.  Marisha Wallace will star as the musical’s leading lady, Bea, having performed in the Broadway production of Something Rotten a decade ago before moving to the UK.  Wallace will join previously announced Jason Manford as Nick Bottom and Richard Fleeshman as William Shakespeare.  Something Rotten! is a mash-up of Elizabethan drama and showbiz satire combined, following brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they attempt to out-write Renaissance Will Shakespeare by inventing an entirely new theatrical take: the musical! The new UK production will be directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson and written by John O’Farrell with music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Something Rotten will run at Manchester Opera House from 16 June - 19 July 2026. Full casting to be announced.  Tickets are on sale now with more info at somethingrottenthemusical.com 

​ Curve, Leicester has announced a revival of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as its Christmas production for 2026.  The Made at Curve production will run in Leicester from 21 November 2026 - 9 January 2027 and will be directed by Nikolai Foster.  The musical follows the story of Charlie Bucket and the other four children who visit Willy Wonka’s factory and is based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl. The new production will be adapted for the stage by David Grieg and will feature set design by Leslie Travers with music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.  Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has long been a favourite novel for so many of us – possibly the first book to fire our imaginations and introduce us to the beauty of a world filled with pure imagination. “Christmas is always such a magical time at Curve and with this scrumdiddlyumptious musical, it promises to be...

Photo Credit: Provided by Barn Theatre Cirencester  The Barn Theatre in Cirencester has announced that Darren Day will star as Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet this summer.  Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle with a book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, the production will run at The Barn Theatre from Monday 15 June to 22 August 2026.  Set on 4 December 1956, the show follows real life events of the night Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley came together by chance for an impromptu jam session at Sun Records in Memphis.  As egos collide and ambitions start to arise, the production brings a classically defined soundtrack, including ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, ‘Fever’, ‘Walk The Line’ ‘Hound Dog’ and many more.  Barn Theatre’s CEO and Artistic Director Iwan Lewis said: “I genuinely couldn’t think of more perfect casting. Sam Phillips is an iconic figure who played such a pivotal role in shaping the music industry, and to have this role played by D...

​ Photo Credit: Pamela Raith  Heathers The Musical has announced it will visit more venues on its 2026 and 2027 UK Tour. The production will open at Theatre Royal Windsor on 26 August 2026 and will visit already announced Leeds, Nottingham, Darlington, Poole, Peterborough and Blackpool.  Announced today, the tour will also visit Coventry, Leicester, Sheffield, Cheltenham, Dublin, Oxford, Liverpool, York, Birmingham, Glasgow and Torquay. Heathers is written by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe and is based on the 1989 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The musical first premiered in LA in 2013 before transferring to New York’s New World Stages in 2014. It has also had three successful West End runs and several tours of the UK and Ireland.  The show is directed by Andy Fickman, with an additional creative team including choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson and musical supervision by Jeremy Wootton ...

​ Photo Credit: Mark Senior  The Play That Goes Wrong has revealed its 13th West End cast. Mischief’s smash hit comedy, which has extended its run for a 13th time at The Duchess Theatre will welcome new cast this summer. Joining the production from 2 June are Ruby Ablett as Annie, Matthew Spencer as Chris, Raphael Bushay as Robert, Luke Wilson as Jonathan, Lucinda Turner as Sandra, Alex Bird as Dennis, Joshua Lendon as Max and Keiron Michael as Trevor. They will be joined by understudies Paige Round, Harry Al-Adwani, Tom Quinn, Will Bishop and Phoenix Edwards. (Winston the dog returns to play Winston the dog; If Winston is found).  The Play That Goes Wrong is currently playing at The Duchess Theatre until its newly extended date 3 October 2027.  More info and tickets at www.mischiefcomedy.com 

​ Photo credit: Production  Regent’s Park Open Air theatre has announced it will extend its run for its anticipated revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS.  Directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Artistic Director Drew McOnie, the show which was scheduled to run at the venue from 25 July - 12 September will now run for an extra week until 19 September 2026 due to demand.  CATS which has a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, includes songs such as ‘Macavity’, ‘Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat’ and ‘Memory’. The musical is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.  Full casting for the London run of CATS was recently announced and includes Rachael Wooding as Grizabella, alongside Gary Wilmot as Gus the Theatre Cat and Melanie La Barrie as Old Deuteronomy. They will be joined by Fin  Adams (Alonzo), Carla Bertran (Electra/co-dance captain), Eliot Broadfoot (Bustopher Jones), Grace Burrows (offstage swing), Matthew Caputo (Skimbleshank...

​ Photo Credit: Dark Of The Moon Musical Witzend Productions and Charing Cross Theatre Productions has announced full casting for its world premiere of new musical Dark of the Moon, based on the classic 1941 play by Howard D Richardson and William Berney.  Joining already  announced Glenn Adamson as John, The Witch Boy and Lauren Jones as Barbara Allen will be Sue Appleby as Gemma Allen, Josie Benson as Conjur Woman, Jordan Broatch as Devin, Martin Callaghan as Preacher Haggler, Sophia Duncan as Ella Bergen, David-Michael Johnson as Mr. Wharton, Thomas-Lee Kid as Thomas Allen, Al Knott as Raven, Kiah Lindsay as Grace/Katie, Gemma Maclean as Patricia Bergen, Wills Mercado as Floyd Allen, Samuel Murray as Marvin Hudgens, Gary Turner as Conjur Man and Appolilly Szwarc as Arwen. Completing the company are onstage swings Will Foggin, Vieve Hamilton and Nick Wyschna.  Directed by Georgie Rankcom, the musical has a book by Jonathan Prince and music and lyrics by Lindy Robbins, D...

​ The Olivier Awards 2026 winners have been revealed.  The ceremony which took place yesterday evening (12 April), has announced a full list of winners, including the heavily tipped Paddington: The Musical coming away with 7 awards out of an initial 11 nominations. These included wins for ‘Best New Musical’, ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ and ‘Best Costume Design’ to name but a few.  Also receiving big wins were “Punch”, “Kenrex”, “Into The Woods”, Evita and “All My Sons” which all came away with two wins each.  This year’s ceremony saw live performances from Paddington The Musical, The West End cast of Phantom of the Opera, Evita (Rachel Zegler and Dame Elaine Paige), Into The Woods, Shucked, The Producers, The West End company of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry The Musical and Wicked which closed the ceremony with a performance of ‘For Good’  The full list of this year’s winners are as follows: Best New Musical: WINNER - Paddington The Musical at Savoy Theatre (mu...

​ Photo Credit: Beetlejuice West End “It’s showtime!” Beetlejuice The Musical has announced full casting for its West End premiere at Prince Edward Theatre. Joining the previously announced David Fynn as Beetlejuice are Hannah Nordberg as Lydia, David Hunter as Adam Maitland, Chelsea Halfpenny as Barbara Maitland, Aimie Atkinson as Delia Schlimmer (excluding 3 August to 2 November), Alasdair Harvey as Charles Deetz, Chasity Crisp who will make her West End debut as Maxine Dean / Juno, with Otho played by Richard Frame, Maxie Dean by Irvine Iqbal, Girl Scout by Rachel Macdougall and Miss Argentina by Vanessa Aurora Sierra. Alternate Beetlejuice will be Tom Xander.  Completing the company are Jemma Alexander, Samuel Bangs, Natasha Cayabyab, Chris Draper, Harley Emmitt, Catherine McCormick, Robbie McMillan, Kieran Mellish, Elliott Parry, Jacob Smith, Adam Taylor, Tyler Timmins and Issie Wilman.  Based on Tim Burton’s iconic cult classic, the musical follows Lydia Deetz, a gothic ...

​ Photo Credit: Watermill Theatre  Watermill Theatre has announced casting for its revival of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this May.  The production, which will run at the venue from May 26 - 13 September will be led by Christian Edwards as Caractacus Potts and Lydia Louise who will make  her professional debut in the role of Truly Scrumptious. Grandpa Potts will be played by Mark Curry with Susannah van den Berg as the Childcatcher.  Also joining the company are Samuel Morgan-Grahame as Baron Bomburst, Mairi Ikegami as Baroness Bomburst and Sam Pay as Boris/Lord Scrumptious; in the role of Goran and onstage musical director will be Alexander Zane with Reuben Greeph as the Toymaker and onstage deputy musical director and Theo Diedrick as Coggins. Appearing in the ensemble are Tasha Chu (dance captain), Sameer Dhanjee, Georgie Hales, Javai James, Maya Khatri Chhetri and Josh Rosewood.  The role of Jeremy Potts will be shared by Francis Adams, Bodhi Allnut, Elijah Bail...

​ Photo Credit: Thespians UK Tour  Full casting has been announced for the world premiere of Mischief’s new comedy musical Thespians: Greece The Musical (but not that one).  Written by Jonathan Sayer, the show has music and lyrics by Ed Zanders, and is presented by HOME Manchester, JPT Productions and Mercury Theatre Colchester by arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd. Set in 534 BC, the musical follows a group of bards on a small Greek island attempting to avoid defeat in a high-stakes prayer competition, discovering acting in the process.  The cast will include Allie Dart as Rhapsodes and dance captain, Claire-Marie Hall as Poly, James Spence as Thespis, Luke Latchman as Atlas, Marc Pickering as Adonis, Matt Cavendish as Bard, Mia Jerome as Melampus and Rhys Taylor as The Tyrant, with Ashley Tucker, Josh Patel-Foster and Curtis Patrick.  The creative team includes direction from Robyn Grant with design by Jasmine Swan, choreography by Melody Sinclair-Marsh, light...

​ Photo Credit: Wicked London Casting has been announced for the 20th anniversary cast of Wicked at West End’s Apollo Victoria Theatre.  The production in its anniversary year will continue to be led by Emma Kingston, alongside Zizi Strallen as Elphaba. They will be joined by Jordan Litz, who will be arriving from the United States to make his West End debut as Fiyero. Litz has previously taken on the role for both the US tour and Broadway.  Joining the principle cast from 19 May 2026 is Olivier Award nominee Claire Machin, with Yara Fabricante who will make her West End debut as Nessarose. Continuing in their roles are Michael Matus as The Wizard, David McKechnie as Doctor Dillamond and Ross Carpenter as Boq. Alternate Elphaba will be Laura Emmitt with Lydia Gerrard as Standby Glinda.  The company is completed by Leo Abad, Iroy Abesamis, Elizabeth Armstrong, Steph Asamoah, Meg Astin, Rebecca Bowden, Shaun Chambers, Erin Gisele Chapman, Lauren Chia, Charles Croysdill, Ora...