NEWS ROUNDUP: 12th - 18th October

In a week where we've had MusicalCon, Darren Criss and "Love Never Dies" have performed concerts, and the professionally filmed performance of "Hadestown" finally has released to UK cinema audiences, no shortage of exciting stagey announcements have also been released, so time to once again round up the past 7 days worth of announcements...

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THE POPINJAY CAVALIER

Initial casting revealed for Tarantino debut play

As well as the reveal of its official artwork, the producers for the new play “The Popinjay Cavalier”, written by Oscar winning writer and director Quentin Tarantino, have this week announced that the show is to star BAFTA and Golden Globe winning actor and comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, with the play being directed by Tarantino himself, and co-produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions. Further casting, as well as full creative team, will be revealed at a later date.

Additionally, exact dates and venue for the show have been announced, with the play set to open at the Phoenix Theatre on the 18th of March 2027, with prices starting at £25 and over 16,000 tickets available for under £50 across the run. Tickets are now on sale via the ATG website, the ATG booking line, and in person directly through the venue's box office.

THE THREE MUSKETEERS

RSC production announces its full cast

Told by an Idiot and the Royal Shakespeare Company have revealed who will be joining Ayesha Antoine, Patricia Rodríguez and Sophie Russell in the cast of "The Three Musketeers" at the RSC Theatre, with primary cast being rounded off by Aitor Basauri as The Plot Teller, Simon Oskarsson as D'Artagnan, and Laura Rogers as Milady, with Kimmy Edwards as the Abbess and Landlady, Jasmine Elcock as The Queen, Michael Elcock as Rochefort, Matt Gavan as The King, Nick Haverson as Cardinal Richelieu and Jean Claude, Martin Hyder as Monsieur Treville and Landlord, Natalie Kimmerling as Kitty, David Olaniregun as Buckingham, and Tanvi Virmani as Constance.

The cast is completed by ensemble members Greg Bernstein, Kelise Gordon-Harrison and Theo Reece. "The Three Musketeers", adapted by Told by an Idiot founder Paul Hunter, will open at the RSC Theatre on the 28th of November, and run until the 9th of January 2027, with a press night on the 8th of December. To find out more, as well as book tickets for all performances, head on over to the RSC website, or drop into the theatre in person during their hours of operation.

FOURTEEN AGAIN

Menier Chocolate Factory announce extra casting for new musical

The Menier Chocolate Factory have announced further casting for their upcoming production of Victoria Wood and Tom MacRae’s musical “Fourteen Again”, with Neil Morrissey to join the lineup as Duncan, joining previously announced Ria Jones and Sally Ann Triplett, with further casting to be announced at a later date. Morrissey has worked with Wood in the past, having performed as John/Tony in the original production of “Acorn Antiques”, alongside Triplett who played Miss Berta.

First premiering at the Victoria Wood Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere this spring, “Fourteen Again” runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory from the 21st of November until the 27th of February 2027, and will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle. Tickets are now on sale for all performances both through the venue's box office (in-person and by phone), and via their website.

NANNY MCPHEE

Further details announced for upcoming world premiere

The nanny finally has a home, as it has been revealed that the world premiere of “Nanny McPhee: The Musical” is to open at the Aldwych Theatre, with performances set to commence in November 2027, and an initial run up until September 2028. The musical has a book by the film's original Oscar-winning writer and star Emma Thompson, music by Gary Clark, and lyrics by both Clark and Thompson, and it is to be directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes).

The creative team also includes set/costume design by Rob Howell, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound by Ian Dickinson, and puppetry by Samuel Wyer. You can book tickets for all performances now via the Nederlander website, with further details, including casting, to be revealed at a later date; you can also head into the theatre in person to find out more.

PRIDE

Full cast announced for musical's second London run

The full cast for the London return of “Pride: The Musical” has been revealed. Returning to the show from its initial run are Samuel Barnett (The History Boys) as Jonathan, Matthew Durkan (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead) as Mike, Gillian Elisa (Under Milk Wood) as Gwen, Daniel Forrester (Martin Guerre) as Carl, Robin Hayward (War Horse) as Martin, Chris Jenkins (Groundhog Day) as Gethin, Darren Lawrence (Erogenous Zones) as Cliff, Kirsty Malpass (Come From Away) as Hefina, Madeleine Morgan (Roadshow) as Debbie, Catherine Morris (Grease) as Mrs Bromley, Sarah Pugh (The Gondoliers) as Siȃn, Caroline Sheen (Mary Poppins) as Maureen, Courtney Stapleton (The Mad Ones) as Steph, Mared Williams (Branwen: Dadeni) as Margaret and Matthew Woodyatt (Fiddler on the Roof) as Dai.

They are joined by Dan Hand (Oliver!) as Bromley, Ryan Kopel (Dear Evan Hansen) as Mark, Grant Neal (The Last Ship) as Mr Bromley, Carl Spencer (Hamilton) as Reggie, with the cast completed by Joe Boyle, Billy Cullum, Ben Heathcote, Michael Larcombe, Sorelle Marsh, Shannon Quarini, and Samantha Thomas. “Pride” will open again at the Bridge Theatre on the 12th of November, and run until the 8th of May 2027, with tickets now on sale for all performances via the venue's website and box office.

THE GUILTY

Russell Tovey-led production to transfer to the west end

It has been announced that, following its hugely successful run at Donmar Warehouse, Chloë Moss-adapted play “The Guilty” is set to transfer to the west end next year. Starring RTSA winner Russell Tovey, the play tells of police officer Joe, who gets disillusioned with taking monotonous emergency calls until he receives one that shakes him to his core. Further details for the production, including the remainder of the cast, will be revealed at a later date, and tickets can be purchased at the Harold Pinter Theatre's box office, and also via both the ATG website and ATG's booking phone line.

Based on the 2018 Danish film "Den Skyldige", and the subsequent English language adaptation starring Jake Gyllenhaal, “The Guilty” is to open on the 16th of January 2027 at the Harold Pinter Theatre, where it will run until the 3rd of April, in a strictly limited engagement.

BRIXTON CALLING

London return for award winning new play

The multi-award winning play “Brixton Calling”, originally running in London in summer 2025, is to return in the new year. Written by Alex Urwin, the show returns to Southwark Playhouse Borough in January, where it will run in The Large for a seven-week engagement, with the cast having also been announced for the run. Reprising their roles from the show’s first run are Max Runham (Mother Courage and Her Children) and Tendai Humphrey Sitima (A Strange Loop), in the roles of Simon and Johnny respectively, joined by musician Nadine Lee.

Direction will be by Bronagh Lagan, with sets/costumes by Nik Corrall, lighting by Derek Anderson, sound by Max Pappenheim, and AV design by Matt Powell. “Brixton Calling” will open on the 22nd of January, and run until the 13th of March 2027, with tickets now on sale via the Southwark Playhouse website, as well as directly through the venue.

THE ENTERTAINER

David Tennant to star in Almeida Theatre revival

It has been revealed that Emmy winning and Olivier nominated star of stage and screen David Tennant (MacBeth) is to return to the stage in early 2028, in a revival of the John Osborne play "The Entertainer", as part of the Almeida Theatre's first season under new artistic director Dominic Cooke. Last seen on the professional stage at the Duchess Theatre, in a revival of "White Rabbit Red Rabbit", this will be the former "Doctor Who" actor's debut at the Almeida, in a season that also includes Caryl Churchill’s play "Three and a Bit", and Jamie Bogyo’s new work "Musculus".

"The Entertainer" will run at the Almeida Theatre during the early months of 2028, with exact dates yet to be confirmed by the venue, and tickets will go on sale via the Almeida Theatre website (where you can sign up for updates), as well as the box office, at some point next year. Further information, including full cast and creative team, will also be revealed at a later date.