Ever dreamed of being on a West End stage? Then you’ll love the news this week! Find out how you can sing on the Waitress stage or star in Dear Evan Hansen. Plus casting details, tour announcements, and more!
Dear Evan Hansen is now casting! How would you like to star in the West End production of Dear Evan Hansen? The upcoming London show just announced an open casting call. Auditions will take place in February, with one in London and one in Manchester. You could be found!
Waitress will hold cast album karaoke nights. And speaking of West End/Broadway transfers, you may not be able to star in the upcoming London production of Waitress, but you can sing along on stage! After the shows on 19 February and 18 March, audience members will have the chance to sing one minute of any song from Waitress, on stage with Waitress musical director Katharine Woolley. Here’s your chance to steal the limelight!
Emilia will transfer to the West End. After its successful run at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, Emilia–a play about 16th century writer Emilia Bassano (the supposed inspiration for William Shakespeare’s “dark lady”)–will transfer to the Vaudeville Theatre for a 2019 run.
Tartuffe at the National Theatre announces full casting. Denis O’ Hare will play the title role, in his National Theatre debut. Known for his role as the vampire king of True Blood, Denis O’ Hare won a Tony Award for his performance in Take Me Out at the Donmar Warehouse. He also appeared in Sweet Charity on Broadway. Starring alongside O’ Hare will be Kevin Doyle (The White Guard, Mutabilitie) as Orgon and Olivia Williams (Mosquitoes, Waste) as Elmire. The rest of the cast includes Kitty Archer, Nathan Armarkwei-Laryea, Fayez Bakhsh, Susan Engel, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Hari Dhillon, Matthew Duckett, Susan Engel, Henry Everett, Will Kelly, Geoffrey Lumb, Penelope McGhie, Kevin Murphy, Enyi Okoronkwo and Roisin Rae.
Hair the Musical tour announces full casting. Marcus Collins (Kinky Boots, national tour of Hairspray) stars as Hud, with Daisy Wood-Davis (Dreamboats and Petticoats, European tour of The Rocky Horror Show) as Sheila and Jake Quickenden (Peter Pan at Blackpool Opera House, Cinderella at the Portsmouth King’s Theatre) as Berger. The other cast members are Alison Arnopp, Tom Bales, Louise Francis, Natalie Green, David Heywood, Bradley Judge, Aiesha Pease, Laura Sillett, Spin, Kelly Sweeney and Paul Wilkins. The 50th anniversary tour of Hair kicks off in March!
Jeanine Tesori’s Violet announces full casting. This multi award-winning musical by Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home, Caroline, or Change, Shrek the Musical) and Brian Crawley (The Little Princess) gets its UK premiere 14 January at Charing Cross Theatre–and we now have full casting! Kaisa Hammarlund (Fun Home) will play the title role, with Jay Marsh (Miss Saigon) as Flick, Matthew Harvey (Loserville) as Francis. The other cast members are Simbi Akande, Angelica Allen, Kenneth Avery-Clark, Keiron Crook, James Gant, Danny Michaels and Janet Mooney. Amy Mepham, Rebecca Nardin and Maddie Sellman will play young Violet.
Pixar in Concert is going on tour. Featuring music from Pixar films like Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Ratatouille and The Incredibles played live by a full orchestra, this concert will play in London on 16 April. It’s also planning stops in Manchester and Birmingham.
Nativity! The Musical announces 2019 tour. After this year’s sold out performances, Nativity! The Musical will go on tour again in 2019, starting at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in October.
Alys, Always announces full casting. Joining Joanne Froggatt, of Downton Abbey, and Robert Glenister will be Danny Ashok, Joanna David, Leah Gayer, Simon Manyonda, Slyvestra Le Touzel, Jeff Rawle, Vineeta Rishi, Sue Wallace and Sam Woolf. The production, directed by Nicholas Hytner, opens 5 March at the Bridge Theatre.
Giles Terera joins the cast of The American Clock at the Old Vic. Known for playing Aaron Burr in the original West End production of Hamilton–which earned him the 2018 Olivier award for best actor in a musical–Terera will play Robertson in The American Clock at the Old Vic.
Briefs: Close Encounters is coming to the Leicester Square Spiegeltent for New Year’s Eve. An iconic act that combines drag, circus, burlesque and comedy, the Briefs boys are ready to help you ring in the New Year with aerials, artistry, and strippers.
