NEWS ROUNDUP: 23 February - 1 March

With winter melting into spring, what better way to say goodbye to the bitter cold than warming ourselves up with another theatre news recap. Here are all the stories from the past week that have been piquing out collective interest...

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PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

Horror play to embark on UK tour

It has been revealed that, following its run in the west end, Levi Holloway’s stage adaptation of “Paranormal Activity”, based on the hit horror movie series of the same name, is set to tour the UK, starting in autumn and running into spring of 2027. At present, it is performing at London’s Ambassador’s Theatre, where it is scheduled to close on the 25th of April, take a hiatus of three and a half months, before reopening on the 8th of August for a further eight weeks.

The tour will begin concurrently with the final month of the west end run, starting in Richmond from September, before going to perform in Milton Keynes, Glasgow, York, Woking, Cheltenham, Canterbury, Birmingham, Norwich, Salford, Brighton, Bath, and a festive run in Leeds to close out 2026. You can find full tour dates, as well as ticket sales, via the production’s website, where you can also find details about both London runs.

LITTLE PIECE OF YOU

New closed doors workshop to be staged

Official artwork for "Little Piece of You"

Following two sold out concert performances at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Kjersti Long musical “Little Piece of You” is set to have a closed doors workshop presentation, following further developments including a revised book. The cast has also been announced, and will comprise Jodie Steele as Sydney, Zoe Birkett as Jules, David Bedella as Roger, Madison Swan as Maggie, Emma Crossley as Riley and Kjersti Long as Sara. The rest of the cast includes Simon Anthony, Eloise Davies, Luke Latchman, Gino Ochello and Lorren Santo-Quinn.

The performance will take place on the 6th of March at the Lilian Baylis Studio at Sadler’s Wells, to a specially invited audience. In the meantime, you can download and stream the “Little Piece Of You” album on all streaming services.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Role of Herod to be shared by six different performers

(L-R) Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams, Julian Clary

LW Theatres have announced that, during the summer residency of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the London Palladium this year, the role of King Herod will be split six ways, with a different performer playing the role at various points. Beginning the run will be Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Here We Are) from the 20th of June til the 11th of July, Simon Russell Beale (The Lehman Trilogy) from the 13th - 25th of July, Richard Armitage (Uncle Vanya) from the 27th of July to the 1st of August, Boy George (Moulin Rouge) from the 3rd - 15th of August, Layton Williams (Titanique) from the 17th - 29th of August, and finally Julian Clary (Sleeping Beauty) returning to the role on the 31st of August for the final week.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” will run at the London Palladium from the 20th of June until the 5th of September, with Sam Ryder having been announced as playing the title role. Further information, as well as ticket sales, can be found via the LW Theatres website.

OH, MARY!

Catherine Tate to star in west end production

Catherine Tate as Mary Todd Lincoln

It has been announced that Catherine Tate (The Enfield Haunting) is set to take on the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the west end production of Cole Escola’s Tony Award-winning comedy play “Oh, Mary!” The role is currently being played by Mason Alexander Park, who gives their final performance on the 25th of April, after having been a part of the original London cast. Also set to join the cast is Scott Karim as Mary’s Husband, who begins performances on the 16th of March, taking over from the departing Giles Terera, who is set to commence rehearsals for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest".

Tate begins performances at the Trafalgar Theatre on the 27th of April, joining fellow new recruit Karim, as well as continuing Kate O’Donnell as Mary’s Chaperone, Oliver Stockley as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant, and Dino Fetscher as Mary’s Teacher. The play continues to run in both London and New York, and you can fin out more about both productions, as well as the upcoming US tour, via the official Oh, Mary! website.

WAITRESS

Full cast announced for UK tour

(L-R) Carrie Hope Fletcher, Dan Partridge, Mark Anderson

The complete casting for the upcoming UK tour of Sara Bareilles' musical "Waitress" has been revealed. Previously announced are Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, Sandra Marvin as Becky, Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn, and Les Dennis as Old Joe. Joining them will be Dan Partridge (Kinky Boots) as Dr. Pomatter, Mark Anderson (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Ogie, Mark Wilshire (White Rose) as Earl, and Dan O’Brien (Mamma Mia!) as Cal. Fletcher will appear until the 20th of June, appearing in every stop up to and including Southend, except for in Bradford; Marvin will also leave the show on the 20th of June, further casting for both Jenna and Becky is yet to be revealed.

The cast is completed by ensemble members Yochabel Asante, Alice Croft, Jamie Doncaster, Daniel George-Wright, Emma Lucia, David Mairs-McKenzie and Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez, and swings Will Arundell, Will Hardy, Bayley Hart and Olivia Lallo. "Waitress" premiered on broadway in 2016, following an initial run at the American Repertory Theatre in Massachusetts the previous year, and has since been performed all over the world, including in the UK, Canada, Poland, Japan, Philippines and Argentina. The UK tour commences in Wimbledon on the 28th of March, and concludes in Salford in October; you can find out more via the official Waitress website.

AS YOU LIKE IT

Jonathan Groff to star in all-male staging, part of new RSC season

Jonathan Groff

It has been revealed by the Royal Shakespeare Company that Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff (Just In Time) is set to make his RSC debut in an all male production of Shakespeare's comedy play “As You Like It”, directed by RSC artistic director Daniel Evans (Born With Teeth). It will be Groff’s first appearance in a UK production in over ten years, last performing in a concert production of the Frank Loesser musical “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015. The production is part of a newly announced 2026-27 season that also includes "The Three Musketeers", "The Mad King" and "Middlemarch Parts 1 & 2".

Playing the role of Rosalind, Groff will be joined by Fisayo Akinade (Slave Play) as Celia, with further casting to be announced at a later date. The production will run at the RSC Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from the 26th of September to the 7th of November, with a press night on the 6th of October, and you can find out more about the production, as well as the rest of the upcoming season, via the RSC website.

DEATH NOTE

Anime-based musical to receive fully staged premiere

Official artwork for "Death Note" at the Barbican

Following hugely successful performances at both the London Palladium and the Lyric Theatre respectively, a new staging of Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy and Ivan Menchell’s anime inspired musical “Death Note” is to have its first full run in London this summer. The show has been staged multiple times in east Asia, including in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, having its English language premiere back in August 2023.

The musical, based on the best selling manga series and anime series it later spawned, will run at the Barbican Theatre from the 30th of July until the 12th of September, with tickets going on general sale on the 4th of March at 10am. Further details, including casting and creative team, will be revealed at a later date, and you can find out more about the production via the Barbican website.