Irish actor Paul Mescal is one of the biggest success stories of recent years. Born in 1996 in Maynooth, north County Kildare, Mescal initially aspired to be a footballer but discovered acting after an injury. He trained at Dublin’s Lir Academy of Dramatic Art and began his career as a stage actor.

Mescal’s mainstream breakthrough came in 2020 when he was cast as diffident student Connell Waldron in the television adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel *Normal People* opposite Daisy Edgar-Jones....

Learn more about Paul Mescal's career ahead of 'A Streetcar Named Desire'

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The *Normal People* and *Gladiator II* star reprises his role as Stanley Kowalski at the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End for three weeks in February.

Paul Mescal - LON

Find out more about Paul Mescal theatre roles in London.

Paul Mescal - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

It’s been another fantastic, and fantastically varied, year of [London theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/). Multiple inventive revivals put a fresh spin on classic work, from Wilde and Shakespeare to Sophocles, while heartfelt new plays and musicals illuminated our complex world (and our obsession with true crime). 

Here are some of my top picks – and, happily, you still have time to catch a few of these gems.

![The Importance of Being Earnest - LT -...

The best of theatre 2024

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With 2024 drawing to a close, we look back on some of the year's theatrical highlights – from spectacular musicals to thrilling plays.

The Bush Theatre will host a one-night fundraising event with Sir Lenny Henry next year to raise vital funds for the venue. [*An Evening with Sir Lenny Henry*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/43517-an-evening-with-sir-lenny-henry) will take place on 25 January.

Comedian, actor, and writer Lenny Henry, whose playwriting debut *August in England* was produced by The Bush in 2023, will read from his play, as well as take part in a live Q&A with culture writer and podcaster Nancy Durrant.

The...

Bush Theatre to host fundraising event with Lenny Henry 

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The west London venue has nurtured countless writers such as Michaela Coel, James Graham, and Benedict Lombe, but finds itself in a difficult financial position due to rising costs.

It's that time of year! The evenings are dark by 4pm, Christmas trees are up, and the Royal Variety Performance is back on our screens. Presented by Amanda Holden and Alan Carr, the performance will return to ITV1 from 8pm on Sunday 15 December.

Every year, the Royal Variety boasts an impressive and extensive list of West End stars and shows. Casts from *The Lion King, Frozen*, and *Crazy For You* all performed last year, as well as stars such as Hannah Waddingham and Cher.

This year, there...

All the West End shows appearing at the Royal Variety Performance

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The Royal Variety 2024 will feature a number from new Elton John musical *The Devil Wears Prada*, as well as an exclusive medley from Cameron Mackintosh’s *Oliver!* 

Marisha Wallace - LON

Born in North Carolina, USA, Marisha Wallace is a West End rising star who has appeared in many West End and Broadway productions.

Marisha Wallace - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

The full cast has been revealed for Mischief Theatre's new West End show *The Comedy About Spies*. Performances begin at the Noël Coward Theatre from 14 April 2025.

Starring members of the original Mischief company, the show's cast includes Dave Hearn, Chris Leask, Henry Lewis, Charlie Russell, Henry Shields, Greg Tannahill, and Nancy Zamit. They are joined by Adele James, who is making her Mischief debut. 

The new play from the company behind *The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong*,...

Full cast announced for 'The Comedy About Spies'

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Mischief Theatre's other West End shows include *The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong*, and *The Comedy About a Bank Robbery*.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s *Evita* will open at the London Palladium next summer. Performances will begin on 14 June 2025, running until 6 September.

As was announced in October, [director Jamie Lloyd will direct the production](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/andrew-lloyd-webber-reveals-jamie-lloyd-will-direct-evita-in-london-in-2025), with further cast and creative team to be announced.

Lloyd previously directed the musical at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2019 and he is...

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 'Evita' to open at the London Palladium next summer

Andrew Lloyd Webber lyrics

Jamie Lloyd previously directed the musical at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in 2019 and he is currently directing *Sunset Blvd.* on Broadway, starring Nicole Scherzinger.

Bah humbug! If you’re struggling to get in the festive spirit this year and want to see something other than a pantomime, children’s show or [ballet](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/whats-on/ballet), there are plenty of options on London’s stages. From dark plays such as *The Duchess [of Malfi]*, to the political satire *Dr Strangelove*, and Greek musical *Hadestown*, choose from a variety of thrilling West End and Off-West End shows. 

While festive fanatics should head over to [our top 10 list...

Non-festive shows to see this winter

1200 LT 1.Jodie Whittaker (The Duchess). Photo Credit - Marc Brenner

Struggling to get into the festive mood this Christmas? Fear not! Read on for our top non-festive shows to see during the Christmas period.

__UPDATE:__ This article was updated on 10 December with the announcement that Billy Byers will play Alternate Artful Dodger and Odo Rowntree-Bailly (*Love Never Dies*) will be one of the actors playing Oliver Twist. Other actors performing in the roles of Oliver and Dodger for later in the run will be announced in due course.

The complete cast has been set for Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne's revival of *Oliver!*, which opens at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End on 14 December.

New...

Full cast announced for 'Oliver!' in the West End

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The cast of *Oliver!* will include Simon Lipkin as Fagin, Shanay Holmes as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, and Billy Jenkins as the Artful Dodger. 

The Donmar Warehouse’s production of [*Macbeth*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/39455-macbeth), starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo, has broken box office records at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End.

[Director Max Webster](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/director-max-webster-the-importance-of-being-earnest-macbeth-david-tennant-ncuti-gatwa)'s production, which opened at the Harold Pinter on 1 October following a run at the Donmar last year, achieved the...

'Macbeth' starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo breaks box office records

Macbeth - LT - 1200

Max Webster's production achieved the highest ever initial on sale at the Harold Pinter Theatre, reaching over £2,150,000 in just one day.

[*MJ the Musical*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/28638-mj-the-musical) has announced a new performer will take over the role of MJ in the West End production, as the booking period is extended through 13 September 2025.

Jamaal Fields-Green, who has already performed the role on Broadway, on the US national tour, and in the West End, replaces Myles Frost, with performances beginning on 14 January 2025.

Fields-Green said: “I’m deeply humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to perform...

Jamaal Fields-Green to play lead in 'MJ the Musical' in the West End

1200 LT Jamaal Fields-Green as MJ Photo by Matthew Murphy

Jamaal Fields-Green has already performed the role on Broadway and on the US national tour, as well as in the West End earlier this year. He replaces Myles Frost.

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This digital concert is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Live musicians accompany digital avatars of the hit band ABBA in a totally new form of hybrid entertainment. 
Designed by the group themselves, you’ve never seen ABBA– or any concert– quite like this.
Get your tickets to *ABBA Voyage* at their purpose-built venue the ABBA Arena today. 

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's multi-award winning musical will redefine your expectations of theatre.

At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.

Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney's beloved film has been transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music.

An iconic, innovative musical that will still take your breath away. This global hit is the most successful stage show in history. Using vibrant puppetry to bring to life the classic Disney film, Julie Taymor’s production was groundbreaking when it debuted and continues to be unlike anything else on the West End. Let yourself be transported, grab your tickets to *The Lion King* at the Lyceum Theatre today.  

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