London Theatre News

West End actors and creatives win at 2021 Critics' Choice Awards

The 2021 Critics' Choice Awards took place on 7 March, and it's fair to say that the West End was represented in its winners. Five West End performers took home awards, including a screenplay win for Cinderella writer Emerald Fennell.Josh O'Connor won the Best Actor in a Drama Series category for his performance as Prince Charles in The Crown. O'Connor was due to play Romeo in the National Theatre's production of Romeo and Juliet, but has now been filmed for an Easter Sunday release. Hannah...

‘Living Newspaper’ to return for virtual performances at Royal Court

First announced in September 2020, the Royal Court's latest project is Living Newspaper, with creatives using different mediums to explore current affairs. After the latest lockdown, Living Newspaper will return later this month, with four more episodes confirmed.Each edition of Living Newspaper includes performances dedicated to local and global perspectives. There's also elements traditional to newspapers, including cartoons, weather reporting, an agony aunt, horoscopes and a dating...

‘The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical’ in development

The Time Traveller's Wife will be adapted into a new musical to premiere later this year, it has been announced. Based on Audrey Niffenegger's 2003 novel that was subsequently adapted for film, the original musical will feature music by Dave Stewart and Joss Stone.The Time Traveller's Wife follows the love story of Henry and Clare, whose love will always remain strong. But, when Henry's genetic clock resets periodically, he's thrust into a different time period, doing all he can to return to...

Shane Richie to return to ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’ in May 2021

Following Nica Burns teasing the reopening of Everybody's Talking About Jamie on Radio 2 earlier this week, a reopening date has been posted. Everybody's Talking About Jamie will return to the Apollo Theatre from 20 May, with Shane Richie reprising the role of Hugo/Loco Chanelle.Richie was due to star in the musical from January, however Everybody's Talking About Jamie was forced to shut its doors once again following new Coronavirus guidelines.In a tweet from Daily Mail entertainment reporter...

‘Live in London’ concert series to stream from March

After the Live in London concert series at the Hippodrome Casino was cut short due to the pandemic, the dozen concerts that did take place will now be available to stream. Filmed in London, each concert will be streamed three times from 26 March - 18 April.The series include a variety of West End stars, as well as leading musicians and comedians in their respective fields. Highlights include: Aaron Sidwell, joined by the cast of American Idiot: The Musical, seen at the Arts Theatre in 2015. Dear...

‘A Killer Party’ musical to receive British premiere as on-demand series

UPDATE: A Killer Party will now be available to watch from 18 October - 28 November.Following the American premiere of A Killer Party, created in direct responses to the forced closure of theatres, the murder-mystery musical will now receive its British premiere. A Killer Party will be released as a series of nine episodes.A Killer Party follows Varthur McArthur, a West End actor and artistic director working with his cast. He's trying to host a successful read-through for his newest murder...

'Letters Live’ virtual series to stream online this March

After a hiatus of streaming West End and Broadway productions, the YouTube channel The Shows Must Go On will return next week, it has been announced. The channel will resume with a trio of Letters Live performances, including a show dedicated to International Women's Day which will stream on 8 March.Letters Live sees a variety of performers take to a stage, reading letters from across the centuries and encouraging audiences to think about the power of literary connection. Since its first event...

Donmar Warehouse to present ‘Assembly’, created by local community

Following the in-person performances of Blindness at the Donmar Warehouse, the off-West End theatre returns with a new production. Titled Assembly, the production is from the Donmar Local Company, created by those who live and work in London, available to stream on 20 March.Inspired by present day situations, Assembly asks how humans can utilise nature and natural resources for a better future. Not everything has to work perfectly, but trial and error is better than nothing as it encourages...

Nica Burns on BBC Radio 2: “I will be opening my six theatres at 50% capacity”

Ahead of the 2021 Budget which will be giving over £400m to theatres, Nica Burns spoke on BBC Radio 2 about the future of opening shows at theatres nationwide. This expands on an interview last week, giving more detail as to which shows will open first.On The Jeremy Vine Show, Burns said that she's "desperate to open up and welcome people back and get all the jobs back for our lovely actors... At least now, we have a roadmap but a lot of the theatres can't open... some of the big shows are too...

The best leading ladies in the West End

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the power of womanhood in all its glory. From empowering performances to inspiring music, or the incredible female characters portrayed on stage, women in the theatre continue to make strides. Many theatre actresses are given the title of "West End leading lady", as a testamaent to the ways they command a stage. So, to champion the incredible performances that women have given over the years, here's some of the best leading ladies of all time in...