NEWS ROUNDUP: 9 - 15 March
- James Tradgett
- Mar 16
- 6 min read
It's been a comparatively quiet week, however there is always news to be shared when it comes to theatre, and there have been some terrific stories divulged over the past 7 days...
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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Initial casting announced for regional premiere
Initial casting for the upcoming regional revival of David Simpatico’s musical “High School Musical” has been revealed; set to star will be Tobias Turley (Hot Mess) as Troy Bolton, Leonor Correia (Six) as Gabriella Montez, Caitlin Tipping (Frozen) as Sharpay Evans, and Luke Bayer (Diva: Live From Hell!) as Ryan Evans. The show will be co-directed by Hope Mill Theatre founders and artistic directors Joseph Houston and William Whelton, with further casting to be revealed at a later date.
The musical, in a co-production with Hope Mill, will perform at the Lowry in Salford, opening at the Lyric Theatre from the 21st of August where, following a recent extension, it will now run until the 19th of September. Other members of the creative team include choreography by Aaron Renfree, set design by Andrew Exeter, sound design by Matt Peploe, video design by George Reeve, lighting design by Rory Beaton, costume design by Sophia Pardon, musical supervision by Katy Richardson, and musical direction by Audra Cramer. Tickets for the show are now on sale via the Lowry website, including for the final week.
THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES
West end return planned for Mischief spy thriller
Following its win for best new play at the WhatsOnStage Awards, Mischief Comedy’s latest west end triumph “The Comedy About Spies” is set to return to London this summer for a second limited run. It originally ran at the Noël Coward Theatre from April through September 2025, starring much of Mischief’s core performers, including the show's writers Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, as well as Chris Leask, David Hearn, Adele James and Greg Tannahill.
“The Comedy About Spies” will open at the Adelphi Theatre on the 1st of August, and run for a limited 8 weeks only, closing on the 26th of September. Tickets are now on general sale for all performances, and you can book now, as well as find out more about the show, via the LW Theatres website.
THE KARATE KID
Complete casting announced for UK tour
The full cast has been revealed for the upcoming UK tour of Drew Gasparini’s musical adaptation of “The Karate Kid”, based on the beloved 1984 film starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita. Leading the line will be Adrian Pang (Hamlet) as Mr Miyagi, with Gino Ochello (Alice By Heart) as Daniel LaRusso, Abigail Amin (Spring Awakening) as Ali Mills, Joe Simmons (Cruel Intentions) as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills (MJ: The Musical) as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton (Bat out of Hell) as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver (Get Down Tonight) as Freddie Fernandez.
The cast is completed by ensemble members Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh. “The Karate Kid” begins its tour in Wimbledon next month, before playing in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff, with further dates to be announced.
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER
New play by Quentin Tarantino to premiere in London
Best known as a film director, with pictures such as "Pulp Fiction", "Kill Bill" and "The Hateful Eight" among his best known work, Quentin Tarantino is set to have his first stage play, an 1830s “rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise”, premiere in London during next year. Entitled “The Popinjay Cavalier”, the new play will be produced by Sonia Friedman and Sony Pictures; the play is set to be developed further during this year, and will premiere in early 2027 with details of the venue and exact dates to be revealed at a later date.
PUNCH
James Graham play announces 2027 tour dates
It has been revealed that the award-winning play by James Graham will tour the UK next year, following initial 2026 regional dates in Nottingham (13 March - 4 April), Leeds (7 - 11 April) and Plymouth (14 - 18 April). The play first premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024, prior to runs at the Young Vic, and later in the west end and on broadway last year. It is currently nominated for four Olivier Awards for the 2025-26 season, including best new play for Graham, as well as acting nominations for David Shields and Julie Hesmondhalgh.
The play will begin its 2027 tour by returning to Nottingham Playhouse (25th January - 6th February), before running at Bath Theatre Royal (9th - 13th February), Birmingham Rep (16th - 20th February), Chichester Festival Theatre (23rd - 27th February), Malvern Theatres (2nd - 6th March), Blackpool Grand Theatre (9th - 13th March), and finally at Leicester Curve Theatre (16th - 20th March). You can find more about the mini 2026 tour via the official Punch website, and tickets for 2027 can be found via the respective venue websites.
WEST END LIVE 2026
Returning free live musical event announces dates
The summer’s hottest outdoor event in the theatre calendar has set its dates, as West End Live returns to Trafalgar Square this summer! The event will run on the 20th and 21st of June, with the full lineup to be announced at a later date; accessible places will be ticketed, details of which can be found via the official website. With previous years having featured many west end favourites, including Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Wicked, Les Miserables and Operation Mincemeat, we can expect another top tier lineup this year.
Additionally, a competition will run prior to the event, during which 100 winners each day will be offered the chance to jump the queue and get the chance to enter via an alternate entrance. One lucky winner will also receive backstage access during the event, along with a Theatre Tokens voucher, and a merchandise voucher. Head on over to the official West End Live website to find out more, as well as to sign up for access tickets.
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
West end production extends run into 2027
It has been revealed by Nederlander Theatres that the musical adaptation of "The Devil Wears Prada", with a score by Elton John, Mark Sonnenblick & Shaina Taub, and a book by Kate Wetherhead, has extended its west end run into February 2027. The musical had its original premiere in 2022 at Chicago's James M. Nederlander Theatre, and after its UK premiere at the Plymouth Theatre Royal in the summer of 2024, it opened at London's Dominion Theatre that autumn, where it celebrated a year in London late last year. Lead actress Vanessa Williams has also extened her contract with the show, now performing in the role until the 26th of October 2026.
The current cast also features Stevie Doc (Andy), Taila Halford (Emily), Matt Henry (Nigel), James Darch (Christian), and Keelan McAuley (Nate), with direction and choreography by Tony and Drama Desk winner Jerry Mitchell. "The Devil Wears Prada" is now booking through the 6th of February 2027, and you can find out more about the show, as well as book tickets for shows up to and including the 6th of February, via the Dominion Theatre website.
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