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Omid Djalili to perform in early 2020 season at the Soho Theatre

The Soho Theatre has announced the complete list of shows that will be staged as part of the theatre's early 2020 season. The season includes Omid Djalili returning to a one-man comedy and Alexis Gregory's latest play, previously listed in LondonTheatre.co.uk's top 10 openings of January 2020.Shows at Soho TheatreAs part of London International Mime Festival, physical comedian Trygve Wakenshaw will perform the world premiere of Only Bones V1.4 in an ode to Thomas Monckton's Only Bones. Having...

& Juliet extends booking period at the Shaftesbury Theatre to October 2020

After & Juliet's West End premiere in November of last year, the musical will run for an extended booking period at the Shaftesbury Theatre to October 2020. Featuring a soundtrack of contemporary pop hits written by Max Martin over recent decades, & Juliet sees the story of the titular character as known from Shakespeare's tragedy undergo a journey of self-discovery. & Juliet extends booking period& Juliet will now play at the Shaftesbury Theatre for an extended booking period to...

The latest Cats film: Is it the cat's whiskers or just a moggy?

Cats are famously said to have nine lives; but has the eponymous musical just used one of them up on the critically lambasted film version that opened just before Christmas? The original musical, of course, became the longest-running musical in the history of the West End until then during its original run at the then-named New London Theatre (now renamed the Gillian Lynne, in honour of the show's late choreographer, who passed away just over a week after attending the theatre's renaming...

First look: Production images of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre released

Production images have been released for the reopening of Les Miserables at the Sondheim Theatre, which officially reopened on 16th January 2020.In a five-star review for LondonTheatre.co.uk, Mark Shenton said: "There's a welcome sense of continuity from past to present, but it is also given a fresh 21st century inventiveness."The cast of Les Miserables stars Jon Robyns as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden as Javert, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Fantine, Shan Ako as Eponine, Lily Kerhoas as Cosette, Ian...

5 Questions from Over the Pond: Girl from the North Country's Rachel John & Jeannette Bayerdelle

Conor McPherson's Girl from the North Country has enjoyed quite a storied history on the London stage. Not only does this gentle and yet devastating musical incorporate some of the greatest hits of one Bob Dylan into its narrative, it also transports the audience to a bygone era; to 1934 Duluth, Minnesota (Dylan's hometown) in the midst of the Great Depression to be exact. And it all began at the Old Vic in July 2017 under the direction of McPherson himself.The critical response to this...

Full casting announced for West End premiere of Pretty Woman: The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre

Ahead of the West End premiere of Pretty Woman: The Musical next month at the Piccadilly Theatre, the show's full cast has been named. They will join the previously announced Aimie Atkinson as Vivian Ward and Danny Mac as Edward Lewis in the stage adaptation of the classic 1990s romcom.Lead cast of Pretty Woman: The MusicalThe role of Kit De Luca will be played by Rachael Wooding, who returns to the West End after playing the roles of Meat and Scaramouche in We Will Rock You. In 2016, Wooding...

Full cast to join Kevin Clifton in The Wedding Singer announced

With performances of The Wedding Singer beginning later this month at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, the show's full cast has been announced. They will join Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton, who will star as Robbie Hart in the musical, running for a five-week limited engagement.The Wedding Singer castRhiannon Chesterman will play the role of Julia, whose West End credits include Mrs Henderson Presents at the Noel Coward Theatre. She's worked with Kevin Clifton before,...

Friday Briefing: Reflecting on Jerry Herman, welcoming a new year of theatre and the role of critics

A new year, let alone a new decade, is always an opportunity to undertake some personal housecleaning, as we bid farewell to the past (that we are now powerless to change anyway) and invite new opportunities into our lives. In the past, these have involved plenty of new year resolutions - but mine, this year, is simply to let more positivity into my life. For someone who lives my life to the frequent accompaniment of show tunes, few composers speak with more positivity and uplift than Jerry...

Mark Shenton picks his top 10 plays of 2019

As 2019 dwindles away from us and the decade draws to a close, our resident critic Mark Shenton has been rounding up his theatrical highlights of the year. Last week, he gave us a run-down of his ten best musicals to open in London this year. Now, he gives us his pick of the plays with his ten favourites of the last twelve months. Goldilocks and the Three Bears10. Goldilocks and the Three BearsThe now annual return of the panto to the London Palladium is now one of my favourite events of the...