London Theatre News

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...

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...

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...

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...

Mark Shenton picks his 10 best musicals of 2019

As we enter that weird phase of the holiday period between Christmas and the New Year (what day is it again?) we reflect on the year gone by, and the great theatre we've witnessed in the capital over the last twelve months. Before he gives us his rundown of the plays of the year, here are our critic Mark Shenton's top ten musicals of 2019. The Boy Friend Photo credit: Manuel Harlan10. The Boy FriendA late entry for 2019, the Menier Chocolate Factory's Christmas musical revival of the 1953...

All Questions Answered: The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera of one of the West End's longest-running musicals, and has welcomed millions of audience members since it opened in London in 1986.With its huge orchestral numbers, bombastic lead character and production values of the highest calibre, The Phantom of the Opera is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of theatre; the textbook definition of a 'musical'.But what is it about? Who wrote the show? Is it actually an opera? And who is currently playing the...

Matt Lucas to step in as last-minute Thénardier replacement in Les Miserables

Less than a week after Les Miserables returned to the West End at the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre, Matt Lucas will step in for a limited run to replace Gerard Carey as Thénardier. Carey was told by doctors on the morning of the first performance to rest his vocal cords to avoid long-term damage, with Lucas now taking over the role for six weeks. Matt Lucas to play ThenardierMatt Lucas recently played the role of Thénardier in this year's Les Miserables: All-Star Staged Concert at the...