NEWS ROUNDUP: 25 - 31 May

Welcome back to my weekly news roundup, and with summer approaching, there has been plenty to keep our interests piqued over the past 7 days, so let's look back on what's been happening in the world of theatre as May prepared to turn into June...

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OH, MARY!

Cole Escola to return to show in their west end debut

Cole Escola and Conrad Ricamora in "Oh, Mary!" on broadway

It has been revealed that, after originating the role off-broadway, and later at the Lyceum Theatre on broadway, Tony winning writer of the show Cole Escola is set to make their west end debut, reprising the title role of Mary Todd Lincoln in the London production of “Oh, Mary!” Escola was nominated for two Tony Awards for the comedy play, winning for their lead performance, amid a flurry of other gongs garnered between 2024 and 2026, including a Pulitzer Prize nomination for the drama category. The show has also announced an extension in the west end, now set to run until the 2nd of January 2027.

Escola will begin their run at the Trafalgar Theatre on the 20th of July, and star in the production for four weeks, with their final performance being on the 15th of August. You can find out more about the show and its writer/cast via the official production Instagram page, and you can book tickets via the ATG website.

EVITA

Further details announced for broadway transfer

Rachel Zegler in "Evita" at the London Palladium

Following the announcement that the recent west end summer revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "Evita" will transfer to broadway next year, the Jamie Lloyd Company have now confirmed the venue and dates for the production. Set to star Rachel Zegler, who reprises her Olivier-winning role of Eva Perón, the show will perform at the Winter Garden Theatre, one of only two broadway theatres to be situated on the namesake avenue, beginning previews on the 27th of February 2027, with an official opening night on the 25th of March. It has also been revealed that, unlike at the Palladium, "Don't cry for me Argentina" will not be performed outside the venue, amid safety concerns, though exact details of how this will be staged are yet to be revealed.

Evita was last performed on broadway in 2012, in a production led by Elena Roger, Ricky Martin and Michael Cervantes, with the Jamie Lloyd production performing at the London Palladium during summer 2025. Further cast to join Zegler will be revealed at a later date, and tickets are currently on presale for holders of American Express credit cards, with general sale opening on the 1st of June, all can be purchased via Telecharge. Additionally, starting on the 6th of June 2027 and lasting until the end of the year, Zegler will not perform the role of Eva Perón on Tuesdays, instead being played by an unannounced alternate.

MRS DOUBTFIRE

Full cast announced for UK tour of musical

Gabriel Vick as Mrs Doubtfire

Help is on the way, poppets! The full cast for the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of “Mrs Doubtfire: The Musical” has been revealed, with title role performer Gabriel Vick being joined by Kara Lily Hayworth as Miranda Hillard, Aaliya Mai as Lydia Hillard, Ryan Pidgen as Frank Hillard, Jairus McClanahan as Andre Mayem, James Darch as Stuart Dunmire, Samuelle Durojaiye as Wanda Sellner, Carl Patrick as Mr Jolly/Judge, Kiera Haynes as Janet Lundy, and Rhianne Alleyne as Flamenco Singer. Adam Colbeck-Dunn is the Alternate Daniel Hillard and will perform at certain performances. Also featured are Charlie Banks, Alexander Beaumont, Joshua Miles and Dexter Pulling alternating the role of Christopher Hillard, with Santi Cohen, Harly Gill, Mila Isaacs and Hattie Leddington Wright sharing the role of Natalie Hillard.

Completing the cast are Zac Adlam, Rhona Butler, Joshua Clayton, Emma Dempsey, Abigail Eustis, Amy Louise Everett, Austin Garrett, Cruz-Troy Hunter, Nicholas Leon Jones, D’Mia Lindsay-Walker, Jordan Livesey, Michael Nelson, Lucy May Pollard, Paulo Teixeira and Natalie Thorn. “Mrs Doubtfire” is based on the beloved 1993 film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field, and has a score by Karey & Wayne Kirkpatrick, and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. The tour is set to commence in Birmingham on the 13th of August, and you can find full tour dates, as well as ticket sales, via the official Mrs Doubtfire website.

THE LAST SHIP

Sting-penned musical to run in the west end

Official artwork for "The Last Ship" featuring Sting

It has been revealed that, following a world tour that comprised performances in Paris, Amsterdam and at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, Tyneside-set musical “The Last Ship”, with music and lyrics by Sting (Gordon Sumner), and a book by Lorne Campbell, is to set sail back into the west end for a limited run. Sumner himself is set to star, with further casting to be announced at a later date. The show originally premiered in 2014, first in Chicago, and later at the Neil Simon Theatre on broadway, in a production starring Jimmy Nail, Rachel Tucker, Sally Ann Tripplett and Michael Esper.

After having previously toured the UK back in 2016, the musical finally makes its long-awaited west end premiere, where it will run at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from the 22nd of September until the 3rd of October, in a strictly limited two week run, with tickets now on sale. You can find out more about the production, as well as book tickets, via the LW Theatres website.

THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES

Full cast announced for west end return of Mischief comedy

"The comedy About Spies" in the west end

Ahead of a second spell in London later this year, the full cast for "The Comedy About Spies", to run at the Adelphi Theatre, has been revealed. Returning to the production are David Hearn (Lance Buchanan), Adele James (Rosemary Wilson), Chris Leask (Sergei Ivanov), Henry Lewis (Douglas Woodbead), Henry Shields (Bernard Wright), Greg Tannahill (Albert Tipton), Nancy Zamit (Janet Buchanan), and they are joined by original Mischief cast member Bryony Corrigan, who will take over the role of Elena Popova. Completing the cast will be Macadie Amoroso, Adam Byron, Matt Cavendish, Allie Dart, Niall Ransome and Ashley Tucker.

Originally running at the Noël Coward Theatre during 2025, "The Comedy About Spies" this time runs at the Adelphi from the 1st of August until the 26th of September 2026, in a strictly limited return engagement. The show is written by Mischief founders Lewis and Shields, both of whom will return to star in the show, with the troupe also having "The Play That Goes Wrong" currently running in the west end, and their first musical "Thespians" currently touring the UK. You can find tickets for all of their shows via the Mischief Comedy website.

GAME OF THRONES: THE MAD KING

Full cast announced for world premiere at the RSC

Official artwork for "Game of Thrones: The Mad King" at the RSC

The full cast for the upcoming world premiere of “Game of Thrones: The Mad King”, adapted by Duncan MacMillan from original novels by George R. R. Martin, has been revealed. Featuring in the show will be Michael Abubakar as Eddard Stark, Elizabeth Ayodele as Elia Martell, Maxim Ays as Jaime Lannister, Miles Barrow as Benjen Stark, Islam Bouakkaz as Howland Reed, Luke Brady as Brandon Stark, Marty Breen as Catelyn Stark, Edem-Ita Duke as Oberyn Martell, Daisy Franks as Cersei Lannister, Mariah Gale as Rhaella Targaryen / Shella Whent, Richard Hansell as Grand Maester Pycelle, Daniel Hawksford as Barristan Selmy, Kel Matsena as Arthur Dayne, Alexander Newland as Rickard Stark, Hughie O’Donnell as Varys, Huw Parmenter as Oswell Whent, Noah Ritter as Rhaegar Targaryen, Harmony Rose-Bremner as Lyanna Stark, Michael Shaeffer as Aerys II Targaryen, Tanisha Spring as Ashara Dayne, Marcello Walton as Jonothor Darry / Tywin Lannister, and Callum Woodhouse as Robert Baratheon.

The cast is completed by ensemble members Seastian Charles, Adrian Christopher, Ronan Cullen, Fred Davis, Simi Egbejumi-David, Lewis Howard, April Nerissa Hudson, Tom Larkin, Chelsea Marie, Shaun Yusuf McKee, Kate Rowsell, Tom Stacy, Matt Tait and Tzarina-Nassor. It is set to be directed by Dominic Cooke, with a creative team that includes set designer Chloe Lamford, costume designer Georgia McGuinness, lighting designer Jon Clark, composer Will Stuart, and sound designer Tom Gibbons. The play will run at the RSC Theatre in Stratford upon Avon from the 20th of July until the 5th of September, with an official opening night on the 8th of August. You can find out more, as well as book tickets, via the RSC website.

WEST END LIVE

Full lineup revealed for 2026 free summer festival

A previous year's performance given by the cast of "Les Miserables"

Now in its 22nd year, we now know which shows will feature in the lineup for the 2026 West End Live weekend, to take place this June. Acts returning to the lineup after previous appearances will include Avenue Q for the first time in 16 years, as well as The Book Of Mormon, Cabaret, The Choir Of Man, The Devil Wears Prada, Hadestown, Hamilton, Hercules, Kinky Boots, Les Misérables, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Matilda, Moulin Rouge!, My Neighbour Totoro, Oliver!, Operation Mincemeat, Phantom of the Opera, The Producers, Six, Titanique, Waitress and Wicked. Joining them will be a whole host of newcomers, including Beetlejuice, Bliss, The Harder They Come, High School Musical, High Society, Hot Mess, Paddington and Redcliffe.

The event will take place over the course of the weekend of the 20th and 21st of June, returning once again to Trafalgar Square. You can find out more about the event, including the full lineup, as well as accessibility information, via the official website.