London Theatre News

Friday Briefing: Popstars in musicals and a trip to the opera

Popstars and musicalsIt's a well-documented fact that, where Broadway and movie musicals once provided the world with pop hits in the 30s and 40s, the rise of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s created its own momentum. Musical theatre eventually spun off in its own direction distinct, and eventually distant, from the pop world with occasional exceptions, like when Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns" became a chart hit for Judy Collins in the mid-70s, or Andrew Lloyd Webber seized the opportunity to...

New cast for Tina the Musical’s third year at the Aldwych Theatre

Aisha Jawando will continue in the titular role in Tina the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre, as a new cast will join the production from 17th March. They'll star in the West End musical as the show enters its third year in London, with performances to January 2021. Tina Turner and Ike Turner on stage Aisha Jawando will continue in the role of Tina Turner, after originating the role of Alline Bullock in the show's original West End cast. Previously, Jawando has starred in The Lion King, The Book...

Extended booking period for Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre

After celebrating its first birthday in the West End earlier this month, Come From Away will play an extended booking period at the Phoenix Theatre. The musical will now welcome more islanders to 'The Rock', with performances scheduled to October 2020.Come From Away extends its West End run Come From Away received its West End premiere at the Phoenix Theatre in February 2019, starring Rachel Tucker, Clive Carter and David Shannon. The musical will now run for an extended booking period in...

Danny Mac, Aimie Atkinson and Pretty Woman cast talk bringing the film to life on stage

Olivier Awards 2020: Mark Shenton predicts the nominations

We've already had the Evening Standard Theatre Awards and the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards that honour individual productions, performances, and creatives across the last year, while this Sunday sees the presentation of the public-nominated (and voted) WhatsOnStage Awards. Each have their own quirky individuality in terms of rules as well as choices, with both the Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage Awards regularly celebrating celebrity over achievement (the former often recognising friends of...

Rosalie Craig, Josie Rourke, Hadley Fraser and Vanessa Williams talk City of Angels in the West End

Lizzie Bea: ‘It's important I'm a good role model for people coming to see Hairspray’

Be More Chill extends at The Other Palace to June 2020

Having opened at The Other Palace last week, Be More Chill will now play an extended booking period at the London venue. Be More Chill will now run at The Other Palace to June 2020, making it the longest-running musical in the theatre's history.The Other Palace stays chill The London transfer of Be More Chill began performances at The Other Palace on 12th February, with an official opening night on 25th February.With an initial booking period to 3rd May 2020, Be More Chill will now run at The...

Anne-Marie Duff to star in world premiere of The House of Shades at the Almeida

Anne-Marie Duff will return to the Almeida Theatre to star in the world premiere of Beth Steel's The House of Shades. Blanche McIntyre will direct Steel's family drama set in working-class Britain, opening in May.Set over five decades of the lives of the Webster family, The House of Shades pinpoints the changes that have taken place in working-class Britain. As a family looks towards a hopeful future, they're also haunted by their pasts, where knives held by family members can cut the...

Giles Terera to star in Sammy Davis Jr. musical Sammy at Lyric Hammersmith

Dates and a venue have been confirmed for the much-anticipated Sammy Davis Jr. musical Sammy, which will star Olivier Award-winning actor Giles Terera as the legendary entertainer.With a book, music and lyrics by Academy and Grammy Award winner Leslie Bricusse - who is known for writing the likes of "Feeling Good", "Goldfinger" and "Pure Imagination", Sammy will tell the story of the life and career of Davis Jr., the American entertainer known for his hits such as "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and...