NEWS ROUNDUP: 24th - 30th August

The summer seems to have absolutely whizzed by, as we shall soon be waving it goodbye, and heralding the autumn days, darkening nights, plummeting temperatures, and undoubtedly a whole new set of shows opening, so let's round off the summer with another round of news updates from the past week.

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RENT

Full cast announced for upcoming west end revival

The full cast for the upcoming west end revival of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical “RENT” has been revealed, with a new actor stepping into the role of Mimi. As announced previously, Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut as Mark Cohen in the show, with Travis Ross as Roger, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny. In addition, Alexa Lopez (Masquerade) will take on the role of Mimi, after Bella Brown stepped away from the show due to injury.

The cast is completed by Baylie Carson, Laura Delany, Ryesha Higgs, Montoya Holloway-Johnson, Rhys Hopkins, Shem Omari James, Hannah Macpherson, TJ Matara-Holloway, Ryan Nixon, Leah Vassell, James Wilkinson-Jones and Kevin Yates. “RENT” opens at the Tom Stoppard Theatre (formerly the Duke of York’s) on the 26th of September, where it’s currently booking until the 27th of March 2027, with Materazzo to give his final performance on the 10th of January 2027.

PRIDE

New musical set for a second London run this autumn

Following hugely successful runs at both the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff and the National Theatre, latest British musical hit “Pride”, based on the 2014 film of the same name, is set to transfer to the Bridge Theatre this autumn, due to phenomenal demand for tickets. With a book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford, and music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, “Pride” is currently running at Dorfman at the National, with the entire run sold out safe for £10 Friday rush tickets.

Casting has also been announced, and it will include Samuel Barnett as Jonathan, Matthew Durkan as Mike, Gillian Elisa as Gwen, Chris Jenkins as Gethin, Darren Lawrence as Cliff, Kirsty Malpass as Hefina, Madeleine Morgan in the ensemble, Sarah Pugh as Siân, Caroline Sheen as Maureen, Courtney Stapleton as Steph and Matthew Woodyatt as Dai. Further casting is to be announced. It will open at the Bridge Theatre on the 12th of November, and run until the 8th of May 2027. Priority booking is open now for members, and general sale opens on the 2nd of September at 10am.

BLOOD BROTHERS

Full cast announced for UK touring production

The full cast for the 2026 touring production of Willy Russell’s musical “Blood Brothers” has been revealed, with new dates also announced for the tour. Kristofer Harding will reprise his role as the Narrator between Weston-Super-Mare and Chester, after which Richard Munday will perform in the role between Birmingham and Northampton. Sean Jones and Joe Sleight will continue as the twin brothers, Mickey and Eddie, and will be joined by Tricia Adele Turner (Dear Evan Hansen) as Mrs Lyons, and Beth Danher (Polar Express) as Linda.

The cast is completed by further new faces that comprise Jamil Abbasi (Neighbour), Sarah Moss (Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Amelia Poggenpoel (Brenda), and Jack Anthony Smart (Perkins). Reprising their roles will be Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Michael Gillette (Sammy), Alex Harland (Policeman/Teacher) and Graeme Kinniburgh (Bus Conductor/ Postman). The tour will run in Weston-Super-Mare, Cambridge, Oxford, Chelmsford, Grimsby, Chester, Birmingham, Leicester, Crawley, Malvern, and concluding in Northampton.

RIGHT BEFORE I GO

Maureen Lipman to join cast for limited London run

It has been revealed that Dame Maureen Lipman, star of stage and screen, is set to join the cast of Stan Zimmerman’s “Right Before I Go” on the 10th of September, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day. She joins an already star-studded cast featuring Iz Hesketh (Renegade Nell), Dominique Moore (Horrible Histories), Claire-Marie Hall (Operation Mincemeat) and Emrhys Cooper (Nosferatu) and Zimmerman himself, directed by Abigail Morris.

Currently in its final week at the Edinburgh Fringe, “Right Before I Go” will transfer to the SoHo Theatre for a week of performances from the 5th-10th of September, and is part of awareness raising activities during the month, including World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. Each performance is followed by an audience discussion with both the cast and a local mental health professional.

NANNY MCPHEE

World premiere announced for new musical adaptation

She’s on her way folks! Working Title have today announced the world premiere of “Nanny McPhee: The Musical”, with book & lyrics by original film writer and actor Emma Thompson, and music by songwriter Gary Clark. The project has been in development for over a decade, and is now set to take to the stage in summer of 2027.

Based on the beloved 2005 film, starring Thompson as the titular nanny, its musical adaptation will be directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes), choreographed by Ellen Kane (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), and have set and costume design by Rob Howell (Matilda). Further details, including venue and exact dates, as well as casting, will be revealed at a later date, and you can sign up for updates via the official production website.

THE CHOIR OF MAN

Fan favourite musical announces London return

Following its UK tour, it's now confirmed that west end favourite “The Choir of Man” is set to return to London in time for the festive period. Created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, the show, set in a pub called the Jungle. features a wide variety of popular music by artists like Guns ‘n’ Roses, Adele, Queen, Paul Simon, Sia and many more. Originally opening at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, the show quickly gained a huge following, experience great success at the Arts Theatre prior to its closure due to major refurbishments.

The musical is set to run at The Arts at Marble Arch from the 10th of December 2026 until the 14th of February 2027, following its final performances in Edinburgh at the Festival Theatre; further details, including full casting, will be revealed at a later date. Head on over to the official Choir of Man website for more information, as well as to sign up for ticketing and casting updates

SIX: THE MUSICAL

Show to end its broadway run after more than 5 years

It has been revealed that, after a marvellously successful run, during which it ran for over 2,000 performances, more than recouped its investment, and won countless awards including two Tonys, plus a Grammy nomination, Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss's musical "Six" is set to close on broadway early next year. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe back in 2017, subsequently touring the UK, and opening in the west end (where it continues to run), as well as touring the USA prior to its opening in New York. It has also had countless international productions, including in Poland, Hungary, Canada, Japan, Australia and South Korea among others.

The musical is currently running at the Lena Horne Theatre on broadway, where it will give its final performance on the 7th of January 2027, with the current cast comprising Khaila Wilcoxon (Aragon), Chloe Tucker Caine (Boleyn), Olivia Donalson (Cleves) and Stephanie Jae Park (Parr), as well as original west end cast members Natalie Paris (Seymour) and Aimie Atkinson (Howard), with the lineup completed by Lauryn Adams, Aryn Bohannon, Maggie Likcani and Aiyana Smash, all serving as alternates/understudies.

PATTI LUPONE

Broadway legend to bring solo staged concert to London

The queen of the musical theatre stage Patti LuPone is returning to the UK, bringing her "Matters of the Heart" show to the London Coliseum next year for two nights only. The three-time Tony Award winner returns to the capital following last year's "A Life in Notes" also performed at the Coliseum, this latest concert is based on her album of the same name from 1999. LuPone has a long history with London, with her last run in a musical being in Sondheim's gender-swapped revival of "Company", in which she played Joanne, a role that later won her her third Tony after the production transferred to broadway.

"Matters of the Heart" will play at the London Coliseum on the 14th and 15th of February 2027, and will comprise over two dozen songs from the annals of Broadway history, exploring the affairs and mysteries of the heart. You can sign up for presale tickets, which go on sale on the 3rd of September, via Cuffe & Taylor, with general sale opening on the 4th of September.

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In memoriam: Tim Curry (1946-2026), Anna Louizos (1957-2026), Dolly Parton (1946-2026)