London Theatre News

The best parks and public spaces to visit in London

Check out our top picks of London parks and public spaces you can visit. There’s nothing quite like a stroll in the great outdoors.

5 of the most delicious songs from the Broadway production of Waitress

Hit Broadway musical Waitress is set to cook up a storm next year when it makes the leap across the pond and gets its West End premiere at the Adelphi Theatre in February, and we're licking our lips just thinking about it.With music by "Love Song" singer Sara Bareilles, the adaptation of the 2007 film of the same name follows Jenna Hunterson, a waitress with a passion for baking, but is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl. A number of twists and turns see Jenna tangled in a...

Everything you need to know about the life of William Shakespeare

Whether you're a theatre aficionado or you're new to the scene, the chances are you've seen plenty of William Shakespeare's plays across London and the West End. Whether it's theatrical titans playing King Lear, or a pair of up-and-comers playing the Bard's star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet, we all have a favourite Shakespearean production. But how much do you know about the man behind the manuscripts? Get up to speed on everything you need to know about Shakespeare's life, including...

Going to the theatre is like 30 minutes of cardio, with theatre audiences feeling synchronising heart beats

A study from University College London, University of Lancaster and Encore Tickets examines the heart rates, brain activity, and other physiological signals of theatregoers during a live performance of Dreamgirls. Findings reveal watching live theatre produces the same heart activity as half an hour of cardio and that the heart rates of audience members synchronise. The research, conducted by neuroscientists from University College London and the University of Lancaster in association with...

Sally Field and Bill Pullman to star in All My Sons at Old Vic

A new production of Arthur Miller's All My Sons is set to run at The Old Vic next spring, and will star renowned actors Sally Field and Bill Pullman.Directed by Jeremy Herrin, the play will be co-produced by the Old Vic and Headlong, and will open at the theatre in spring 2019, with dates and further casting to be announced.Miller's play is set in 1940s America and follows Joe Keller, who was charged with shipping damaged aircraft parts from his factory during the Second World War, and Kate...

New Cast Announced for Matilda the Musical in the West End

A new cast has been announced for Matilda the Musical in the West End. Hayden Tee will take on the role of Miss Trunchbull for the first time on 11 September 2018. Joining him will be Rob Compton and Holly Dale Spencer who will portray Mr and Mrs Wormwood. Child actors Isobel Hubble and Francesca McKeown will join Sarah Munday and Olivia Wells in sharing the title role of Matilda. Gina Beck continues for a second year in the role of Miss Honey. Hayden Tee is an award-winning musical theatre...

The stories behind theatre’s well-known phrases and sayings

Whether you're a newcomer to theatre, or a seasoned stagey pro, there is a certain language to use (or avoid) at the theatre. You know never to wish an actor 'good luck', and you can so much as dare to mutter the M-word in the foyer at your own peril. But why? How did theatre's little language come to be? Here are some of the most used theatre phrases in the West End, and the history behind them. "Break a leg"Though we all know you should never wish an actor "good luck", there are many theories...

Tim Howar to lead new cast of The Phantom of the Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh have announced a new cast for the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, which is heading into its 33rd year in London.From 3rd September to 8th December 2018, actor Tim Howar will take over as The Phantom in the production. Howar was recently seen in the West End playing Freddie Trumper in Tim Rice's musical Chess at the London Coliseum. He is currently the lead singer with Mike and the Mechanics, and has also starred in Rock of Ages and...

Bat Out of Hell extends in the West End into 2019

The West End production of Bat Out of Hell has extended its stay at the Dominion Theatre into 2019, it has been announced.The rock musical, which features many of Meat Loaf's greatest hits, started its run at the Dominion in April 2019 following its world premiere at the London Coliseum in 2017. It has now extended its booking period to 5th January 2019. Tickets are available now.Since its premiere at the Coliseum, the show has toured to Toronto, where it will be returning in the autumn as part...

A guide to West End theatregoing for tourists

Attending a play or musical is a must-do activity in London. There's plenty of West End and Off-West End theatres where you can see a show. But non-Brits who are used to attending shows in their home countries might be in for a bit of a shock when they become theatre patrons in the West End. Here is some historical context behind five major differences. ## West End theatres vary in size Though some West End theatres are quite large (for example, the Apollo Victoria Theatre seats more than 2,300...