This week, we’ve got returns, departures, and some exciting casting details–plus more news about the London run of Dear Evan Hansen! Catch up on all the latest in your weekly London theatre round-up.
Alexander Vlahos, of Versailles (Philippe, Duke of Orleans) and Merlin (Mordred), will star as Captain Hook in the revival of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan at the Park Theatre. Nickcolia King-N’Da stars as Peter Pan, the boy who refuses to grow up. Directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, this production will open in December, just in time for a magical Christmas.
It’s official: Dear Evan Hansen is coming to the West End. The show by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, currently on Broadway, will open at the Noel Coward Theatre next autumn. Casting hasn’t been announced yet, but we know that the Broadway creative team will carry over. Producer Stacey Minich says: “Our show is very much about connection and we are all looking forward to connecting London audiences to the music and story of Dear Evan Hansen.”
Fame the Musical announces the first casting news for its West End transfer. Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, currently playing Iris Kelly in Fame’s touring production, will reprise her role–making her West End debut. Joining her will be Keith Jack and soul singer Mica Paris. Fame comes to London in September 2019. Watch the trailer below!
Six returns to the West End! The sold-out Edinburgh Fringe show Six–a pop musical about the wives of King Henry VIII–returns to the West End in January for an open ended run. Tickets go on sale today.
Foxfinder is out–and Eugenius! is in. The first, Dawn King’s play about a professional fox hunter, is set to close early after mixed reviews. In other words, if you want to see Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon onstage, you’ve now only got until 20 October!
After that, Eugenius! The Musical will take Foxfinder‘s place at the Ambassadors Theatre. This 80s-inspired musical about a teen comic book artist, written by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins and produced by Warwick Davis, is currently running at The Other Palace, and will transfer to the Ambassadors 27 October.
Cate Blanchett will make her National Theatre debut in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other, starring opposite Game of Thrones actor Stephen Dillane. And tickets will not be easy to come by. You’ll have to enter a lottery just to get the chance to buy tickets, and if you win, you have about 24 hours in which to buy tickets. The ticket ballot opens at noon on 22 November, and closes 29 November. Best of luck!
Speaking of the National Theatre, have you heard about their new high-tech “smart caption” glasses? They allow audience members to see closed captions while watching a production, which means they no longer have to look away from the action. In development since 2014, these glasses are finally available for use at National Theatre productions.
The National Theatre also just announced its new season: which includes Tartuffe, The Three Sisters, Peter Gynt, As You Like It, the European premiere of The Antipodes, and the world premiere of Small Island (adapted from Andrea Levy’s award-winning novel).
Let the sunshine in! Because Hair is returning to the UK! The hippie rock musical kicks off its 50th anniversary run in March 2019 at the New Wimbledon Theatre. After that, it will tour a number of UK cities, including Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cardiff. And we hear the producers are considering offering a few “clothing optional” performances. More on that later….
Speaking of…um…getting naked…the line up for West End Bares is announced! Supporting The Make a Difference Trust, the event will take place 28 October at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Tom Allen and Eva Noblezada will host, with the line up including:
Moya Angela (Dreamgirls), Michelle Antrobus (Chicago), Natasha Barnes (Funny Girl), Luke Baker (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Laura Baldwin (Eugenius!), Matt Croke (Aladdin), Laura Emmitt (Wicked), Michelle Francis (School of Rock), Jordan Fox (Kinky Boots), Candace Furbert (Tina) and Brennyn Lark (Dreamgirls), John McCrea (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Christina Modestou (Little Shop of Horrors), Cedric Neal (Motown The Musical), Jay Perry (Motown The Musical), Jon Robyns (Hamilton), Lucie Shorthouse (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Danielle Steers (Bat Out Of Hell), Anna Van Ruiten (Motown The Musical) and Anna Woodside (Carousel).
