NEWS ROUNDUP: 15 - 21 June

On the longest day of the year, and a weekend when theatre fans gather together in Trafalgar Square for a festival of free musical theatre, I have a fresh batch of news updates to recap, and there are some particularly exciting ones this week...

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SAVAGE

New musical about Paul O'Grady to premiere

It has been announced by Leicester Curve and Hope Mill Theatre that a brand new play, based on the life of entertainer Paul O’Grady and his blonde bombshell alter-ego Lily Savage, is set to open early next year, first premiering at the Curve before going on to tour the UK. Written by Jonathan Harvey, and produced by ROYO, Curve, Hope Mill and Eilene Davidson, “Savage” will star Danny Beard (The Lightning Thief) as the eponymous drag sensation, with the show to be directed by the Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster.

The will open in Leicester on the 13th of February 2027, and run until the 6th of March, before going on to play in Liverpool, Salford, Canterbury, Bath, Norwich and Birmingham. Further details, including complete casting and creative team, will be revealed at a later date, and tickets are now on sale for all dates via the production's website.

DEATH NOTE

Full cast announced for London premiere

Death is coming for them, as we now know the full lineup who will be taking to the stage in the full premiere of Ivan Menchell, Jack Murphy and Frank Wildhorn’s “Death Note: The Musical”, to play at the Barbican Theatre this summer. Previously announced Xander Pang and Colin Ryan will be joined by Stephanie Zaharis (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Misa Amane, Telly Leung (Allegiance) as Ryuk, Grace Mouat (Mean Girls) as Rem, Paolo Montalban (Funny Girl) as Soichiro Yagami, Chloe Saracco (Into The Woods) as Jerasu, and Elise Buckley (pro debut) as Sayu.

Completing the cast will be ensemble members CJ Benoiton, Louise Liluna Browning, Aoife Haakenson, Samantha Ho, Katie Ka Lay Ho, Olivia Hazel Jones, Matthew Koon, Abel Law, Luchia Moss, Patrick Munday, Richie Paisley, Regine Phua, Nicky Wong Rush and Ernest Stroud, as well as swings Nicole Carlisle, Renz Cardenas, David Ouch and Sian Yeo. The show will open on the 30th of July, and run until the 12th of September, with tickets now on sale for all performances via the Barbican website.

SHAFTESBURY THEATRE

West end theatre to be renamed for acting legend

It has been revealed by the Shaftesbury Theatre that, for the first time in 60 years, the venue will officially change its name, to be renamed the “Judi Dench Theatre” after the world renowned stage and screen actor; this will be the first time ever that a west end house is named after a female actor. The Shaftesbury first opened in 1911 as the New Prince’s Theatre, dropping the “New” three years later, later closing for reconstruction in 1963, and reopening as the Shaftesbury the following year. Previous productions to have performed at the venue have included "Pal Joey", "Hair", "Follies", "Be More Chill" and "Mrs Doubtfire".

The new name will come into effect in February 2027, becoming the latest west end house to change its name, the previous such change coming in 2023, when Her Majesty’s Theatre became His Majesty’s, to reflect the coronation of King Charles III, following the death of his predecessor and mother Elizabeth II. The Shaftesbury continues to host "Avenue Q", which concludes performances in January 2027.

THELMA & LOUISE

Full cast announced for world premiere of new musical

The full cast for the world premiere of the musical adaptation of “Thelma & Louise”, to premiere this autumn at the Young Vic, has been revealed. Previously announced Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker will be joined by Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hercules) as Hal, and Jordan Luke Gage (Redcliffe) as JD. Also featuring will be Samuel Edwards (Mrs Doubtfire) as Darryl, Alex Gibson-Giorgio (Top Hat) as Jimmy, Letitia Hector (Tina) as Sarah, Tamlyn Henderson (Mamma Mia!) as Harlan / Max, and Jack Butterworth (Here We Are) as Trooper / Singer.

Completing the cast are ensemble members Suzie McAdam, Eleanor Walsh, Alex Given, Kamilla Fernandes, Rushand Chambers and Joshua Dever. The show is written by Neko Case (music/lyrics) and Callie Khouri (book), and will be directed by Trip Cullman (Becky SShaw), with a creative team including musical direction by Ed Bussey, lighting design by Natasha Chivers, sound design by Gareth Owen, scenic design by Brett J. Banakis/Christine Jones, and costume design by Ryan Dawson Laight. The show will open on the 3rd of September, and is set to run until the 24th of October, with tickets now on sale from the Young Vic website.

ONE DAY

New musical to receive west end transfer this autumn

Following its run at the Edinburgh Royal Lyceum earlier this year, it has been revealed that hit new musical “One Day”, with a book by David Greig, and score by Abner & Amanda Ramirez, is set to transfer to the west end this autumn. Jamie Muscato (The Great Gatsby) and Sharon Rose (Sylvia) are also to reprise the roles of Dexter and Em that they originated in Edinburgh, with further casting to be revealed at a later date. Additionally, choreography will be by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, musical direction by Nigel Lilley, set & costume design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Bruno Poet, and sound design by Simon Baker.

Based on the 2009 novel of the same name by David Nicholls, the show is told over the course of 20 years, focussing on the story of a couple whose "lives intertwine through joy and heartbreak, missed opportunities and second chances, they navigate love, ambition, and the unpredictable twists of life." The show will open at the Garrick Theatre on the 17th of November, and is currently booking until the 14th of March 2027, with tickets now on sale from the Nimax Theatres website.

EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE

Initial casting revealed for UK tour

He’s a superstar (but does he even know it?) The lead casting for the upcoming UK tour of “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” has been revealed, as the show prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Taking on the title role will be Ashcon Rahmani in his professional stage debut, while mother Margaret will be played by Rebecca Trehearn (Becoming Nancy). Further casting will be announced at a later date.

With music by Dan Gillespie Sells, and a book and lyrics by Tom MacRae, the musical first premiered at the Crucible in Sheffield back in February 2017, transferring to London’s Apollo Theatre later that year, where it would run until 2021. It has since toured the UK twice, as well as performing all over the world, including in Australia, Japan, Sweden, South Africa, Mexico and the USA. This new UK tour will open in January 2027 at the Leeds Grand Theatre, and you can view full tour dates via the production’s website.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Casting announced for King Herod at Drury Lane

The (almost) complete list of names taking on the role of Herod during this year's autumn and winter run of "Jesus Christ Superstar" has been revealed. Already announced as Herod, joining Sam Ryder as Jesus, will be Simon Russell Beale, who has pushed his appearance in the role back, now to feature from the 7th - 12th of December, after having originally been slated to appear at the London Palladium this summer. Joining him will be Matt Bomer (16th - 31st October), Rob Brydon (2nd - 7th November), Reece Shearsmith (9th - 14th November), Bob The Drag Queen (16th - 21st November), Michael Ball (23rd November - 5th December), Omid Djalili (14th - 19th December), and Layton Williams (21st December - 2nd January).

One further Herod is yet to be announced, with there still being a vacancy in the role for the final week, so stay tuned for further announcements. Following a run at the London Palladium, the show will later open at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, opening on the 16th of October, and running until the 9th of January 2027. Further casting for the second run will be revealed at a later date, and you can book tickets for all dates via the LW Theatres website.

HEATHERS

Full cast announced for London and touring production

This will be beautiful, as the full cast for the upcoming return of the Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe musical "Heathers" has been revealed. The show will run in London this summer, opening at the Arts Theatre at Marble Arch on the 9th of July, where it will run until the 22nd of August. This will be followed by a UK & Ireland tour commencing in the autumn, and running into spring 2027. Confirmed earlier today was Gerardine Sacdalan (& Juliet) as Veronica Sawyer, with Louis Hearsey (I Was a Teenage She-Devil) playing Jason “JD” Dean, and the Heathers being played by Liberty Stottor (Six) as Chandler, Jessica Ibadin (The Full Monty) as Duke, and Lou Henry (The Last Ship) as McNamara.

Also featuring are Veronica Carabai (Black Power Desk) as Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom, Sophie Manners (pro debut) as Martha, Markus Södergren (Here and Now) as Kurt, Beau Jackson (pro debut) as Ram, Reuben Browne (School of Rock) as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan, Christian De-Gallerie (Midnight) as Preppy Stud/Officer, Ellouise Delooze (The Lightning Thief) as New Wave Party Girl, Caitlin Garcia (West End debut) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Alexander Howarth (West End debut) as Hipster Dork, Charlotte O’Rourke (Cruel Intentions) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Thomas Oxley (Bonnie & Clyde) as Beleaguered Geek, Tola Sokoya (We Will Rock You) as Young Republicanette, and Carys Taylor (pro debut) as Stoner Chick. You can find out more via the official Heathers website.