Alexandra Burke to play Chaka Khan in 'I'm Every Woman: The Musical' in the West End

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*I’m Every Woman: The Musical* brings to life the untold story of Chaka Khan, the global music legend who redefined the sound of pop, soul, jazz, and funk.

Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt to star in concert staging of 'The Last Five Years'

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Rachel Zegler returns to the London Palladium for a third time following her solo concert and lead role in Jamie Lloyd's production of *Evita* in summer 2025.

'Starlight Express' to take part in BBC Children in Need 2025

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*Starlight Express* is joining this year’s fundraising effort by making a donation to *BBC Children in Need*.

Matthew Rhys to return to London stage in 'Playing Burton' at The Old Vic

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Matthew Rhys will star in Mark Jenkins's show at the London venue on 16 November, in a production directed by Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (*Kiss Me, Kate*).

What to expect from the performers of 'Every Brilliant Thing'

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Five incredible performers — Jonny Donahoe, Lenny Henry, Ambika Mod, Sue Perkins, and Minnie Driver — are taking on solo show *Every Brilliant Thing* during its three-month run at @sohoplace.

Full cast revealed for 'When We Are Married' at the Donmar Warehouse

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*When We Are Married* follows three couples, who meet to celebrate their joint silver wedding anniversaries. But the joyous mood is upended by an unexpected and embarrassing revelation.

Beverley Knight to return to 'Sylvia' in Royal Albert Hall run 

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*Sylvia* had its world premiere production at The Old Vic in 2023 and tells the untold story of the rebellious middle child of Emmeline Pankhurst.

Bush Theatre announces further shows as part of 2026 season

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*Sweetmeats* and *Heart Wall* will run in the Bush Theatre's main space, the Holloway Theatre, in 2026. The announced productions are the last to be programmed by outgoing Artistic Director Lynette Linton.

'My Neighbour Totoro' tickets now available through August 2026

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The six-time Olivier Award-winning show was adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (*Oppenheimer*) from Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 animated film of the same name.

Chris Pine to make London stage debut in Simon Stone's new version of 'Ivanov'

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*Ivanov* follows the story of Nikolai, who is filled with existential ennui. He seems to be the man who has it all, but in reality, the debts are piling up and his wife is suffering from a mysterious set of illnesses.

Jonathan Bailey returns to the stage in Nicholas Hytner's production of Shakespeare's history play [*Richard II*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/14375-richard-ii), which chronicles the downfall of a charismatic king, famed for his poor political decisions.

Bailey, who is best known for his star turns in *Bridgerton* and the new *Wicked* film, is joined by Michael Simkins (*The Crown, Silent Witness*), Royce Pierreson, Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun, Olivia Popica, Amanda Root, Phoenix Di Sebastiani, and Clive Wood among others.

Bailey won an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Jamie in *Company* and played Edgar to Ian McKellen’s *King Lear* at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2017. His most recent stage role was in *Cock* at the Ambassadors Theatre in 2022.

Check out these first-look photos of Bailey and the rest of the cast in rehearsals.

Book [*Richard II* tickets](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/14375-richard-ii) on LondonTheatre.co.uk

![Full Richard II Cast 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/5iLb6OrJejdfo0cGaJkhLm/743ec3b655daa107e98b367b59fcccf3/Full_Richard_II_Cast_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Full cast of *Richard II*

![Jonathan Bailey 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2ZGqjRi0peFLsiza2hzFS3/d0a8e85a4ddb77792432a86b89185123/Jonathan_Bailey_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Jonathan Bailey

![Olivia Popica, Michael Simkins 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/7q6Qnoen46OjEY0imf3cJm/b802b1c1d3430628d09c5cb67e06833f/Olivia_Popica__Michael_Simkins_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Olivia Popica and Michael Simkins

![Jonathan Bailey 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/4T97RhflmtQxyxjxJZIoIT/fc99488fbdd8b7ec6b859d5359450947/Jonathan_Bailey_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Jonathan Bailey

![Royce Pierreson 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/4Tvl83M0ow29MlJ8FDPU6c/e767887466902fcb368f8d747b8985e7/Royce_Pierreson_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Royce Pierreson

![Jordan Kouamé 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/rdW2MpHndqsOJb7OIKFBn/d8ceb6af8413c6c2904867bfa76d2d91/Jordan_Kouame__1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Jordan Kouamé

![Nicholas Hytner, Jonathan Bailey 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1US6QQSHv9Dzp3cizKl2e1/85ec5216788e9b3f3776866812f55aaf/Nicholas_Hytner__Jonathan_Bailey_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Nicholas Hytner and Jonathan Bailey

![Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun, Badria Timimi 1200 LT richard ii](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/4260cFuE5nRdDqIHMUFIeb/4af82fccf61478684e85277b39dbcfb5/Christopher_Osikanlu_Colquhoun__Badria_Timimi_1200_LT_richard_ii.jpg)

Christopher Osikanlu Colquhoun and Badria Timimi

Book [*Richard II* tickets](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/14375-richard-ii) on LondonTheatre.co.uk

*Photos courtesy of production*

First look: Jonathan Bailey in rehearsals for 'Richard II' 

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Richard II - LON [14375]

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Richard II

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Richard II - LON [14375] The Bridge Theatre

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Throughout history, numerous critically acclaimed actors have played the title role in *Richard II*. Notably, John Gieguld first played the role in 1929 at the Old Vic Theatre, and he reprised the role again in 1937 and 1953. His performance helped bring *Richard II* back into the theatre world after the show’s popularity decreased in the early twentieth century. Other actors who have played the role of the infamous king include Maurice Evans, Paul Scofield, Ian McKellen, Fiona Shaw, and David Tennant. Now, Critic Choice Award-winning actor Jonathan Bailey joins the long list of legendary actors who have played the role. 

*Richard II* in London also boasts an award-winning creative team at its helm, including Olivier-winning lighting designer Bruno Poet (*Frankenstein*), Tony and Olivier-winning designer Bob Crowley (*Mary Poppins, An American in Paris*), Tony and Olivier-winning director Nicholas Hytner (*The History Boys, Carousel*), and Emmy-winning casting director Robert Sterne (*The Crown, Game of Thrones*). 

## What to watch for

- There have been a variety of film adaptations of *Richard II*, including the 2003 television movie, *Richard II*, starring Mark Rylance. 
- The first episode of the  BBC television series *The Hollow Crown* was called *Richard II*; it was based on Shakespeare’s play and starred Ben Whishaw. 
- In 1995, Fiona Shaw played the role of *Richard II* in the play at the National Theatre. Having a woman in the role caused quite a stir, as some loved it while others were wholly against it. 
- It is hard to pinpoint precisely when *Richard II* was written, but on 29 August 1597, the bookseller Andrew Wise entered the play into the Register of the Stationers Company. 


Richard II - LON - Rush

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I unlocked £29.50 Rush tickets for Richard II on @TodayTixUK! https://www.todaytix.com/london/shows/14375?share=unlock

Richard II - LON - TodayTix

Shakespeare’s *Richard II*, telling the tale of the fall of King Richard II’s reign, comes to London starring Jonathan Bailey (*Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers*). 


Olivier-winning actor Jonathan Bailey (*Fellow Travelers, Bridgerton*) returns to the London stage in an exciting revival of Shakespeare's *Richard II*. Book *Richard II* tickets on London Theatre. 

Shakespeare's tale about leadership, identity, and the cost of ambition follows the infamous and charismatic King Richard II, as he battles his cousin Henry Bolingbroke for power when his reign becomes shaky. There's only so much his subjects will take as King Richard's dishonesty and poor political decisions harm the country he's supposed to be leading. 

Based on the life of King Richard II, who ruled England from 1377 to 1399, *Richard II* is the first in a tetralogy of historical plays, followed by *Henry IV, Part 1, Henry IV, Part 2*, and *Henry V*.

Through the centuries, the classic play has been staged numerous times worldwide. John Gielgud's portrayal of Richard II at the Old Vic Theatre in 1929 is considered one of the most notable performances of the role. Since then, the role of Richard II has been played by many exceptional actors, including Maurice Evans, Mark Rylance, and Ian McKellen, as well as Fiona Shaw at the National Theatre in 1995.

This revival at the Bridge Theatre has an exceptional creative team, including Tony and Olivier-winning director Nicholas Hytner (*The History Boys, Carousel*), Tony and Olivier-winning designer Bob Crowley (*Mary Poppins, An American in Paris*), and Olivier-winning lighting designer Bruno Poet (*Frankenstein*). 


Richard II - LON - London Theatre

Shakespeare’s *Richard II* returns to the stage starring Olivier Award-winning actor Jonathan Bailey (*Fellow Travelers, Bridgerton*). 


Shakespeare’s subtle, ambiguous and powerful play revolves round two startlingly modern figures: Richard, an autocrat who believes he is divinely sanctioned, and Henry Bolingbroke, a hard-headed pragmatist who has genuine authority.

Born in Oxfordshire in 1988, Jonathan Bailey is an Olivier Award-winning actor, best known for starring in *Company* and in the television series *Bridgerton*. Bailey returned to the West End in 2022 to appear in [*Cock*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23844-cock) at the Ambassadors Theatre, alongside [Taron Egerton](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/taron-egerton) and [Phil Daniels](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/phil-daniels). 

As a young child, Bailey was interested in performing, thanks to seeing *Oliver!* at the age of five. At seven years old, he was scouted to play Child Scrooge/Tiny Tim in *A Christmas Carol* at the [Barbican](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/barbican) for the [Royal Shakespeare Company](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/royal-shakespeare-company), and two years later played Gavroche in [*Les Miserables*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/300-les-miserables) at the [Palace Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/palace-theatre). As a teenager, he returned to the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing Prince Arthur in a production of *King John*. Clearly, his child acting career set him up in good stead for what was to come. 

After finishing his A Levels, Bailey was cast in many regional productions, including *Beautiful Thing*, *Pretend You Have Big Buildings* and *The Mother Ship*. He eventually made his West End debut in *Girl With a Pearl Earring* at the [Theatre Royal Haymarket](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/theatre-royal-haymarket) in 2008. Read a review for *Girl With a Pearl Earring* starring Jonathan Bailey here. 

In 2011, Bailey was cast as Duffield in *South Downs* at the Chichester Festival Theatre, which later transferred to the [Harold Pinter Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre) the following year. The Terrence Rattigan play was presented as a double bill with *The Browning Version*, and you can [read a *South Downs* review here.](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/south-downs-browning-version-double-bill) A year later, Bailey starred in the world premiere of *American Psycho* at the [Almeida Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/almeida-theatre) alongside [Lucie Jones](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/lucie-jones). 

More recently, Bailey has become a West End leading man, starring in [*The Last Five Years*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23117-the-last-five-years) at The Other Palace alongside [Samantha Barks](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/samantha-barks), as well as *Certain Young Men* at the National Theatre and *The York Realist* at the Donmar Warehouse. His Olivier Award-winning performance came in 2018, cast as Jamie in a gender-swapped revival of [*Company*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/8093-company), winning the award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

On television, Bailey is best known for playing Viscount Anthony Bridgerton in the Netflix series *Bridgerton*. He has also been in shows such as *W1A*, *Crashing*, *Chewing Gum* and *Me and Mrs. Jones*. 

Bailey returned to the West End in 2022, starring in a revival of Mike Bartlett’s [*Cock*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23844-cock) at the [Ambassadors Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/ambassadors-theatre). 

Jonathan Bailey - LON

Born in Oxfordshire in 1988, Jonathan Bailey is an Olivier Award-winning actor, best known for starring in Company and in the television series Bridgerton.

Jonathan Bailey - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

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Ages 5+. Under 12s are not allowed in the standing area. Under 16s in the standing or seated areas must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged 5-11 must watch from a seat with an adult. Children under 5 will not be admitted.

Guys & Dolls - LON [25504]

Guys & Dolls

The Bridge Theatre is a state-of-the-art theatre venue located in London's vibrant Southwark district, near the iconic Tower Bridge. It was opened in 2017, and has quickly established itself as a hub for innovative and engaging productions, attracting high-profile directors, writers and actors from around the world. The venue boasts a contemporary design with sleek interiors and comfortable seating. It offers a rotating repertory program, featuring a variety of performances from new productions to classic plays and musicals. The Bridge Theatre is especially renowned for its immersive staging, which allows for a unique, close-up theatre experience. High-tech acoustics and lighting further contribute to the world-class performances that audiences have come to expect at this venue.\n\n**Getting to the Bridge Theatre**\nIt's easily accessible by public transport. The nearest tube station is London Bridge, which is just a short walk away. Numerous bus routes also stop nearby. For those driving, there's a Q-Park car park in Butlers Wharf, which offers discounted parking rates for theatre goers when booked in advance. The area is well served by cycle lanes, and Santander Cycles docking stations can be found nearby. The theatre encourages green travel and recommends walking or cycling where possible.

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Bridge Theatre

Bridge Theatre - TodayTix

Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr spearhead the Bridge Theatre. Having worked together at the [National Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/national-theatre) for over a decade as artistic and executive directors, Hytner and Starr formed the London Theatre Company as part of their efforts to open the largest Off-West End commercial theatre. The 900-seater auditorium is very adaptable and allows shows to be presented in end-on, thrust and promenade formats. 

Production aside, the theatre was praised for its abundance of ladies toilets and its on-site kitchen which, among other things, provides treats freshly baked on site during the interval. 

In 2017, the theatre's inaugural season included a new Richard Bean play *Young Marx*, starring [Rory Kinnear](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/rory-kinnear) and Oliver Chris, *Julius Caesar* starring Ben [Whishaw](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/ben-whishaw) and David Calder, and a new play by Nina Raine about the life of JS Bach starring [Simon Russell Beale](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/simon-russell-beale).

Notable plays at the Bridge Theatre include *The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,* as well as *My Name is Lucy Barton* and *Straight Line Crazy* — the latter two both transferring to New York.

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Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr founded the London Theatre Company, spearheading the adaptable 900-seater Bridge Theatre, known for its facilities and notable productions.

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The Bridge Theatre is a modern theatre venue in London, known for its immersive productions, and is accessible by numerous transport options.

Jonathan Bailey stars as the disastrous and politically incompetent King Richard II in Nicholas Hytner's Bridge Theatre production. Performances begin on 10 February.

Company [8093]

Company

Company [8093] Product Media

<a href="/show/company">Company</a>, first premiered on Broadway in 1970, was always a bold, brilliant musical: a series of brief vignettes (by George Furth) and dazzling songs (by Stephen Sondheim) about the challenges of dating and marriage and the fears of being trapped. The songs and scenes flow in and out of each other in an impressionistic haze as a man, about to celebrate his 35th birthday, confronts his deep-rooted fears about long-term relationships and the loneliness of being on his own.But in the show's third major West End outing, he is now she - Bobby has become Bobbie - and it is a perennially single woman who is wrestling with these issues.&nbsp; And by making this sly change, director Marianne Elliott and her thrilling star <a href="/actor-profile/rosalie-craig">Rosalie Craig</a> have given a deeply familiar and now nearly half a century old show a seemingly radical make-over that thrusts it into the here and now, yet with hardly any lyric changes required. (One of the few noticeable ones: instead of singing "my service will explain", it becomes "I'll text you to explain").Other character genders have changed, too: Amy, the anxious, jittery bride who is one of Bobby/Bobbie's best friends and desperately tries to cancel things on her wedding day, has become Jamie, running away from Paul.These switches are seamless to those of us who know the show intimately, yet it's also striking how newly modern and unfamiliar it makes it all seem, too. It's like seeing an old friend again after a long absence who has lost a ton of weight:&nbsp; they're still recognisably the same person, but yet also a different person from which layers have been taken away. We watch the show through fresh eyes - and ears. Yet the triumph is still Sondheim and Furth's, as well as the brilliance of their original director Hal Prince, to distil an emotional anorexic's palpable anxieties into a show that dares to tell its story so impressionistically yet tangibly, without the anchor of a plot beyond a surprise birthday party that bookends the show - and which our avoidant hero(ine) fails to show up for.<a href="/actor-profile/rosalie-craig">Rosalie Craig</a>, radiant in a ravishing red party dress, may be playing a tentative, emotionally disconnected character, but she pulls off the astonishing feat of making us connect with her. The character may be defined by her absence from her own life, but Craig brings a pulsing presence to her, one that fully explains the draw she has on her variously coupled friends Joanne and Larry, Harry and Sarah, David and Jenny, and Paul and Jamie, and how they wish she would allow her emotional armour to be taken off (and replaced with amour instead).Craig also brings an absolutely ferocious attack but also gorgeous musicality to such songs as "Marry Me a Little" and "Being Alive" that respectively end each act, as she comes to realise that she desperately craves making new choices.She is surrounded by a luxuriously cast group of supporting actors that includes the West End return of Broadway superstar <a href="/actor-profile/patti-lupone">Patti LuPone</a> as the brittle, pugnacious Joanne, who (following in the seemingly inimitable footsteps of the late, great Elaine Stritch) turns "The Ladies Who Lunch" into her own extraordinary anthem of defiance and resilience. LuPone has always been a great actor with a wild, unpredictable vocal attack; but the absolute revelation here is the clarity of her diction, which has frequently previously been less than sure.Also utterly thrilling: Jonathan Bailey's Jamie who spits out the fast and furious "Getting Married Today" at astonishing speed; Gavin Spokes, Richard Henders and Ben Lewis as the trio of husbands whose yearning "Sorry-Grateful" is the epitome of the show's themes of the contradictory impulses of marriage; and the brilliantly surprising (and eye-poppingly buff) Richard Fleeshman as the airline steward Andy that Bobbie dates.&nbsp;Elliott's production is also given a striking modern sheen in regular collaborator designer Bunny Christie's lightbox-framed moving boxes in which the action is set, with New York apartment bedrooms, balconies and street terrace exteriors summoned in an instant. A small, tight band under expert musical supervisor Joel Fram is visible throughout on a platform above the stage.There have been other wonderful productions of <a href="/show/company">Company</a>, including an indelible Donmar Warehouse revival in 1995 by Sam Mendes that starred Adrian Lester as Bobby, but this version is both a departure into new territory and a stunning reaffirmation of its brilliance.<hr /><a href="/show/company">Company</a>&nbsp;is at the Gielgud Theatre until 30th March 2019.<a href="/show/company">Company&nbsp;tickets</a> are available now.&nbsp;<div class="block block-block contextual-links-region " id="block-block-9"><div class="block-inner clearfix"><div class="block-title"><h2>WHAT THE OTHER CRITICS SAID</h2></div></div></div>"Company was the first musical I saw on Broadway and has always had a special place in my affections. It is gratifying to see it not just being revived but also intelligently reimagined." Michael Billington, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/oct/17/company-review-sex-switch-sondheim-gielgud-theatre-london" target="_blank">The Guardian</a>&nbsp;(four stars)"Elliott's production brilliantly underscores the existential nature of Sondheim's lyrics and George Furth's book. On Bunny Christie's striking set, Bobbie's adventures unfold in a series of glowing frames drifting through the inky dark." Andrzej Lukowski, <a href="https://www.timeout.com/london/theatre/company-review" target="_blank">Time Out</a>&nbsp;(five stars)"This is a take on Company that savours Sondheim's subtleties. In short, it's glorious." Henry Hitchings, <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/theatre/company-review-theatre-marianne-elliott-sondheim-a3964531.html">Evening Standard</a> (five stars)"Elliott's production is fabulous - gorgeously sung, zippily performed and really, properly funny. I can't remember ever laughing more at a musical, in fact." Alice Jones, <a href="https://inews.co.uk/culture/company-gielgud-theatre-london-review-patti-lupone/">iNews</a> (five stars)&nbsp;

Review - Stephen Sondheim's Company is 'stunning' at the Gielgud Theatre

The Gielgud Theatre is an iconic heritage venue located in the heart of London's bustling West End. Showcasing a wide array of performances ranging from dramatic plays, to musicals, to stand-up comedy, the theatre has been a magical place of storytelling since its doors first opened in the late 1800s. Upon entering the theatre, patrons are greeted by a stunning interior complete with opulent gold leaf detailing, royal red plush seating and ornate carved plaster. The plush Royal Circle boasts excellent sightlines, while the intimate, yet spacious Dress Circle and Stalls ensure every audience member feels close to the action. With a seating capacity of 986 spread across three levels, the theatre boasts an intimate atmosphere making every show a unique experience. 

**How to get to the venue:** Located at Shaftesbury Avenue, one of the easiest methods of reaching is by Tube. The closest station is Piccadilly Circus on the Bakerloo and Piccadilly lines. There are also many bus routes which stop close to the theatre making it easily accessible from all parts of the city. For those driving, a nearby Q-Park Theatreland car parking facility is available, though the theatre encourages use of public transport due to high congestion in the area.

Gielgud Theatre - LON

Gielgud Theatre

The Gielgud Theatre is an iconic, intimate London theatre, featuring lavish interiors, located in West End accessible by Tube, bus or car.

Ages 7+. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to an adult ticketholder (18+). Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted.

Les Misérables - LON [300]

Les Misérables

Les Misérables [300] - LON Product Media

Another fantastic chapter in West End history has been gloriously (re)written, with not one but two spectacular reinventions -&nbsp;first of a theatre itself, in which the Queen's on Shaftesbury Avenue has been reincarnated as the <a href="/theatres/sondheim-theatre">Sondheim Theatre</a> and completely refurbished by its owner Cameron Mackintosh to restore it from a threadbare functionality to which it had previously been brought back 61 years ago from wartime bomb damage to a glowing and welcoming new warmth. Meanwhile, its current tenant -&nbsp;already the West End's longest-running musical -&nbsp;has itself been entirely overhauled, with Mackintosh taking the opportunity of its temporary 20-week closure for the theatre's refurbishment to replace the original landmark RSC production with a touring version that was first created for a UK tour as part of the show's 25th-anniversary celebrations in 2010. It was briefly seen in London that year at the Barbican - the show's original London home - running contemporaneously with the West End edition, and is even now on a new European and UK tour, currently playing in Zurich before it returns to continue across the regions in March. The first thing to say about it is that it still owes a lot to the original Trevor Nunn and John Caird production -&nbsp;the famous revolve of John Napier's original design may have gone, for instance, but now the actors merely mime the identical movement (originally the work of Kate Flatt, with musical staging now credited to Geoffrey Garratt, long an associate on the original production) as they advance across the stage in the ever-rousing Act One finale of "One Day More" as the iconic red flag is waved above them. Fans of the original will check off numerous such instances, including the indelible image of a dead Enjolras lying across the back of a cart. Crucially, too, the original costume designs of Andreane Neofitou are also retained, so visually there are plenty of references to the original production. There are also several cast veterans of the previous incarnation, including principals Bradley Jaden who was Javert in the final cast of the original and reprises that role now; Jon Robyns, previously Marius and Enjolras, who now graduates to the role of Jean Valjean; and <a href="/actor-profile/carrie-hope-fletcher">Carrie Hope Fletcher</a>, previously Eponine and now playing Fantine (and all three in spectacular voice); amongst others in the ensemble who also include fellow West End returnees Ciaran Bowling, Sarah Lark and Luke McCall. The show remains an ensemble effort, as it was when it was first created by Nunn and Caird. That establishes a welcome sense of continuity from past to present versions, but it is also given a fresh 21st-century inventiveness with Matt Kinley's sets being complemented by stunning painterly projections, inspired by Victor Hugo's own paintings, that have been niftily realised by Fifty-Nine Productions and Finn Ross, all of which are lavishly lit by Paule Constable. Mick Potter's sound is also thrilling, wrapping the theatre is swathes of sumptuous melody, richly played by the pit orchestra under the direction of Steve Moss. As both a producer and theatre owner, Cameron Mackintosh has always been about attention to detail; the reopening of this theatre and show gives him an opportunity to prove his meticulous care in both. But I also love fresh new details, whether it be the reintroduction of rear dress circle boxes that are newly named in honour of Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, or new cast members like West End regular Josefina Gabrielle, who - cast entirely against her usual sophisticated type as Madame Thenardier -&nbsp;is virtually unrecognisable and truly hilarious. The show remains a thrilling triumph. Here's to the next 35 years, as it looks set to become <a href="/show/the-mousetrap">The Mousetrap</a> of musical theatre; but unlike that murder mystery, there's hardly any mystery to why it's such an enduring success.<a href="/show/les-miserables">Les Miserables</a>&nbsp;is at the <a href="/theatres/sondheim-theatre">Sondheim Theatre</a>.<a href="/show/les-miserables">Les Miserables&nbsp;tickets</a> are available now.

Review - Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre

Read our review of Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre on London Theatre.

Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre Review | London Theatre

‘A THRILLING INSPIRATION’ The Guardian

The Sondheim Theatre, formerly known as Queen's Theatre, is a historic venue in London's bustling West End. Opened in 1907 and designed by famed architect W.G.R Sprague, the theatre is a testament to Edwardian Baroque architecture. Its luxurious red and gold interior hosts nearly 1100 attendees, offering a top-notch viewing experience regardless of seating location. The theatre is renowned for its legendary performance of 'Les Misérables', which ran for a record-breaking 35 years. In 2019, the theatre underwent substantial refurbishment and was reborn as the Sondheim Theatre, with advanced technologies enhancing its historic charm. Visitors can anticipate a memorable performance complemented by the theatre's state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. **Getting to the Sondheim Theatre:** Situated at 51 Shaftesbury Ave, the theatre is easily accessible by various modes of transport. Piccadilly Circus station on the London Underground is a mere 3 minute walk, while Leicester Square station is an 8 minute walk. Numerous bus services stop nearby, such as numbers 14, 19, and 38. For those who prefer driving, the nearest Q-Park is in Wardour Street, with a concession rate available for theatre-goers.

Sondheim Theatre - LON

Sondheim Theatre

The Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End is an Edwardian Baroque building known for a record-breaking 'Les Misérables' run. Accessible by tube, bus, or car.

Pre Visit Requirements (ATG)

COCK [23844] - LON

COCK

COCK [23844] - LON Product Media

The title of Mike Bartlett’s play is clearly meant to provoke. News articles add asterisks or use euphemisms. Email marketing campaigns censor the name for fear of ending up in spam folders. It’s a little naughty. What does *COCK* really mean?

When the play premiered at the Royal Court in 2009 starring Andrew Scott and Ben Whishaw as the central couple torn apart by a new (female) lover, the title was seemingly a nod to cockfighting. When the play later premiered off Broadway in New York in 2012 (a production this critic saw) the set resembled a cockfighting ring of sorts, where audience members sat in stadium seats to observe the feuding. 

Now, we find ourselves in Merle Hensel’s futuristic spinning design of a set in director Marianne Elliott’s more modern take on Bartlett’s work about sexuality, gender expression, and identity. Conversations around those topics have evolved since 2009 and 2014, and a program note outlines a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms, many of which were not in common usage a decade ago.

However, while Bartlett has updated bits of the play since its premiere and the topic is incredibly timely especially as the spectrum of sexuality and gender continues to gladly become more accepted, there is something about the play that depends on the labels it's trying to oppose. 

Even the costumes and nominal letters outline the gendered nature of it all. The characters are M ([Taron Egerton](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/taron-egerton)), W (Jade Anouka), and F (Phil Daniels). M, the man, is dressed in a blue button-up, while W, the woman, is dressed in a red jumpsuit. The only named character, John ([Jonathan Bailey](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/jonathan-bailey)), the one in the centre deciding whether he wants a man or a woman, wears a dull grey t-shirt.

Some of the dialogue relies on tired stereotypes around gay men and hackneyed ideas around heterosexual partnerships. After all, there is no one way to make a family, so conversations between W and John centering biological children and family holidays seem outdated. 

Where the story really hits its stride is in discussions of desire, where the binary floats away and the laws of attraction are what govern the scenario. Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster’s choreography creates beautiful interludes between scenes, capturing the characters’ angst and lust in fluid movements. When John talks about why he loves W, the conversation becomes more about what makes people compatible and less about a battle of the sexes. 

Bailey is an undeniable star and oozes charisma as John; it’s easy to see why anyone would be attracted to his energy and electricity. He really shines alongside the equally captivating Jade Anouka as W, particularly in the pair's first encounter. Alongside Taron Egerton as M, the chemistry falls a little flatter, which is appropriate for a flailing relationship but at times, it’s hard to see where the love is there. Egerton earns lots of laughs with his performance, but the balance is off in the more sincere scenes. 

Unfortunately, this *COCK* isn’t as titillating as its title seems to suggest. There are glimpses of pure passion and electricity, but there are also some overdone and tired tropes. However, watching *COCK* illustrates how far we’ve come in society’s road to acceptance — and how far we still have to go. 

[*COCK* is running through 4 June at the Ambassadors Theatre. Book *COCK* tickets on London Theatre.](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23844-cock)

*Photo credit: Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton (Photo by Brinkhoff/Mogenburg)*

'COCK' review — Jonathan Bailey and Taron Egerton star in Mike Bartlett’s topical yet dated play

The fact is that some of us like women and some like men and that’s fine that’s good in fact that’s good, a good thing, but it seems to me that you’ve become confused.

The Ambassadors Theatre, located in London's vibrant West End, is a cultural hub of activity and creativity. It's known for staging a wide range of performances, from classic Shakespearean plays to cutting-edge new works from emerging playwrights. The building has a rich history, having first opened its doors in 1913. Over the years, it's borne witness to countless breathtaking performances, and was the original home of the infamous play, 'The Mousetrap'. It's famous for its intimate set-up, with 444 seats spread across two levels, with each seat providing an excellent view of the stage. From the ornate architecture both inside and out to the welcoming anticipation in the auditorium as the curtain is about to rise, the Ambassadors Theatre offers a truly unique theatre-going experience.

**How to get to the Ambassadors Theatre:**
The Ambassadors Theatre is easily accessible via public transport. The nearest underground station is Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line. Leicester Square station is also close, with access to the Northern and Piccadilly line. This area is also well-served by multiple bus routes that stop nearby, making it easy to reach from across the city. If you are driving, the nearest car park is at Chinatown or Trafalgar Square. Remember, the theatre is located within the London Congestion Charge zone.

**Additional Information**

Venue opens 1hr 30min before showtime.
Please arrive with plenty of time, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable point, which may be the interval.

Ambassadors Theatre - LON

Ambassadors Theatre

The Ambassadors Theatre in London's West End, dating from 1913, is known for its diverse performances and intimate seating arrangement.

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