NEWS ROUNDUP: 9 - 15 February
- James Tradgett
- Feb 16
- 6 min read
Extra, extra! We have a fresh helping of weekly news recaps here for you, in a week when love was in the air, we have been treated to major new revivals, cast announcements galore, and a major film adaptation in the works...
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MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET
Ben Platt to star in UK premiere
It has been announced that Broadway favourite Ben Platt (Parade) is set to star in the UK premiere of Mark Sonnenblick’s musical “Midnight at the Never Get” this summer, with full cast and creative team to be announced at a later date. The show first premiered in 2018 at the York Theatre Company off-broadway, and tells the story of a romance between a singer and a songwriter in 1960s Greenwich Village, New York City, who put together a nightclub act at an illegal gay bar.
The show will run at the Menier Chocolate Factory from the 11th of July until the 12th of September, with press night on the 20th of July. Tickets go on sale for supporters of the venue from the 2nd of March, with general booking open from the 11th of March, to find out more head on over to the Menier Chocolate Factory website.
WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER
New musical to open in London, cast announced
Following hugely successful runs in New York and at the Edinburgh Fringe, it has been revealed that Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal musical “World’s Greatest Lover” is set to have its London premiere this spring, with the cast having also been revealed. The musical will feature X Factor winners Matt Terry and Dalton Harris as Cyrano and Val respectively, along with Union J member Jaymi Hensley as Sade, Joaquin Pedro Valdes (The Baker's Wife) as Romeo, Leonardo Vieira (Footballer's Wives) as Caz, and Alex Hayden (The Book of Mormon) as off-stage swing.
The show will be directed and choreographed by Joshua Bergasse (Smash), and follows iconic male romance figures exploring themes of love, desire and identity. It will run at The Other Palace from the 12th of April until the 7th of June, and tickets can be purchased from the venue’s website.
BILLY ELLIOT
UK tour and west end revival confirmed
Walking proudly back onto a stage near you is the Lee Hall and Elton John musical “Billy Elliot”, which is set to tour the UK starting this November, in addition to a west end return in the new year. The show will open at Sunderland Empire, where it will play from the 4th - 28th of November, before a festive run at Manchester Palace Theatre, and a three week stint at Edinburgh Playhouse. It will then open at London’s Adelphi Theatre on the 12th of February 2027, where it will run until the 31st of July, in a strictly limited 24-week season. A casting call for the three named child roles was launched in December, with adult cast yet to be announced.
The musical first performed in the west end from 2005, running at the Victoria Palace Theatre for 11 years before closing in April 2016, making this the first time the show has been seen in London in over a decade. Priority tickets will go on sale on the 6th of March, and you can sign up for presale via the production’s website; general sale for the west end and tour will open on the 9th of March. Further details, including casting, will be revealed at a later date.
ATONEMENT
Ian McEwen novel to be adapted to the stage
As part of the new Chichester Festival Theatre season, it has been announced that the Ian McEwen novel "Atonement", made popular after the 2007 film adaptation starring Keira Knightley, is set to be adapted to the stage this summer. The adaptation is written by playwright Christopher Hampton (Les Liaisons Dangereuses), and directed by Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford (Punch). The creative team also includes Anthony Ward (set design), Alexandra Faye Braithwaite (composer/sound design), Ben Wright (movement/intimacy) and Helena Palmer (casting direction).
The show will run at the Chichester Festival Theatre from the 29th of May until the 20th of June, with a press night on the 5th of June. Further details about the production, including full cast and creative team, will be revealed at a later date, and you can find out more via the venue's website, where you can also view the priority booking schedule.
THE PRODUCERS
Richard Kind to reprise role he last played in New York
It has been revealed by the Garrick Theatre that renowned tv actor, voice actor and Tony nominee Richard Kind (All In) is set to take over the role of Max Bialystock in the west end production of Mel Brooks' musical “The Producers”, in a limited appearance whilst Andy Nyman is away starring in “The Psychic” at York Theatre Royal. Kind will begin performances on the 23rd of March, having previously played the role of Bialystock in the original Broadway production of the musical in 2004, with Nyman returning on the 11th of May. The broadway and voice acting legend has also appeared in countless other production in New York, including "Funny Girl", "The Drowsy Chaperone" and "Candide".
Kind's return to the role of Bialystock for the first time in two decades will be his first appearance in the west end since 2015, last performing as Nathan Detroit in the west end revival of "Guys & Dolls" at the Phoenix Theatre. On screen, he is known for countless voice roles, in films like A Bug’s Life, Toy Story 3 and Inside Out, as well as various sitcom appearances in Spin City and Curb Your Enthusiasm. You can find out more about the show, as well as book tickets, via the official Producers website.
A DOLL'S HOUSE
Full cast announced for off-west end revival
The full cast for the upcoming Almeida Theatre production of Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House” has been revealed, and will feature James Corrigan (Wendy and Peter Pan), Olivier Huband (Much Ado About Nothing), Tom Mothersdale (Oil), and Thalissa Teixeira (Julius Caesar); they join the previously announced Romola Garai (The Years) in the cast, in her third engagement at the Almeida. The production will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins (The Tragedy of King Richard the Second), in a new version by Anya Reiss (Becoming Elizabeth).
First premiering in Denmark almost 150 years ago, “A Doll’s House” will run at the Almeida Theatre from the 31st of March until the 16th of May 2026, with a press night on the 8th of April. To find out more about the cast, as well as how to book tickets, head on over to the Almeida Theatre website.
THE SEA
Jennifer Saunders to star in regional revival
It has been revealed by the Theatre Royal Bath that Jennifer Saunders (Sister Act) is set to star as Mrs Rafi in their upcoming revival of Edward Bond's play "The Sea". Best known as long term comedy partner to Dawn French, as well as for her appearances in sitcoms such as "Absolutely Fabulous" and "FRIENDS", the actor and comedian previously performed in Bath as Madame Arcati in a 2019 production of Noël Coward's play "Blithe Spirit", which later transferred to the west end.
The production of "The Seat" will be directed by Jonathan Munby (The Price), and will run at the Theatre Royal Bath from the 22nd of October until the 7th of November. Further casting and creative team will be revealed at a later date, and you can purchase tickets through the Theatre Royal website.
THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Full cast announced for UK tour of La Carré play
The Chichester Festival Theatre production of John La Carré’s “The Spy Who Came In From The Cold”, currently running at @sohoplace in the west end, have announced the full cast for the upcoming UK tour. Featuring will be Ralf Little (Death in Paradise) as Alec Leamas, with Gráinne Dromgoole (Merchant of Venice 1936) as Liz Gold, Tony Turner (Dear England) as George Smiley, Nicholas Murchie (Present Laughter) as Control, and Peter Losasso (The Comedy of Errors) as Hans-Dieter Mundt.
Also featured are Eddie Toll (A Thousand Blows) as Fielder, Melody Chikakane Brown (Life of Pi) as Miss Crail/President of the Tribunal, Jeff D’Sangalang (untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play) as Ashe, Jonny Burman (One Under Par) as Riemeck/Kiever, and Jo Servi (Witness for the Prosecution) as Pitt/Ford. The cast is completed by ensemble members Clara Wessely and James Burman. The play will begin its tour at Leicester Curve, before heading out to twenty other venues. You can find out more about the show, as well as how to book tickets, via the production's website.
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