Can’t wait for Mary Poppins to return? Already got your tickets for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat? Then you’ll love the news this week! We’ve also got the deets for shows like Night of the Living Dead and The Illusionists. Extra, extra, read all about it!
Jason Donovan joins the cast of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium. Donovan, who played the title role in the 1990s, returns to star as the Pharaoh–alongside the previously announced Sheridan Smith as the Narrator (both pictured above). For those of you shouting, “Tell me more, tell me more!” You can read all about the announcement here.
Petula Clark and Joseph Millson join the cast of Mary Poppins. Famed singer Petula Clark will play the Bird Woman, with stage and screen actor Joseph Millson as Mr. Banks. Mary Poppins touches down in the West End starting 23 October.
Louise Redknapp will join the cast of 9 to 5 from 25 March. She was previously scheduled to open the production, but had to delay her entrance due to injury.
A new Harry Potter cast is on the way in! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child welcomes its fourth West End cast starting 22 May. Michelle Gayle will play Hermione Granger, with Rayxia Oho as Rose Granger and Dominic Short as Albus Severus Potter. Other cast members, including Jamie Ballard as Harry Potter, Thomas Aldrigde as Ron Weasley and Jonathan Case as Scorpius Malfoy, will continue in their current roles.
Andrew Scott will star in Present Laughter at the Old Vic. The Olivier Award winner and Sherlock star will play Garry Essendine in Noël Coward’s classic comedy. Sophie Thompson and Luke Thallon (The Inheritance) will also feature, alongside Suzie Toase and Indira Varma. The Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus will direct this production, which runs 17 June to 10 August.
The Illusionists, which returns to the West End this summer, will feature magicians James More, Enzo, Yu Ho-Jin, Adam Trent, Chris Cox, Paul Dabek and Jonathan Goodwin. The show runs at the Shaftesbury from 6 July to 1 September.
Magic Mike Live extends into January 2020. The show is now booking until 5 January 2020.
Night of the Living Dead announces full casting. Directed by Benji Sperring, the production will star Ashley Samuels, Jennifer Harding, Marc Pickering, Mari McGinlay, Mike Bodie and Tama Phethean. The production runs at Pleasance Theatre from 9 April to 19 May.
Louise Jameson and Thomas Mahy will reprise their roles in Vincent River when it transfers to Trafalgar Studios. Directed by Robert Chevara, Philip Ridley’s Vincent River played an acclaimed run at Park Theatre in 2018. It comes to Trafalgar Studios from 16 May to 22 June.
Peter Polycarpou joins Man of La Mancha at the London Coliseum. Known for his roles in the original productions of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, he’s also starred as the title character in The Phantom of the Opera. He’ll play Sancha Panza in the production running from 26 April.
Jennlee Shallow and Alexandra Burke will share the role of Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard. Joining them in the production at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre will be Benoît Maréchal, Micha Richardson, Peter Landi, Craig Berry, Gary Turner, Phil Atkinson and Simon Cotton. Alexandra Burke has already played Rachel Marron in the show’s West End run and tour. The Bodyguard runs 25 June to 6 July.
The Menier Chocolate Factory’s production of Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending announces full casting. Directed by Tamara Harvey, the production will star Jemima Rooper, Hattie Morahan and Seth Numrich. Also featured will be Catrin Aaron, Michael Geary, Valentine Hanson, Jenny Livsey, Laura Jane Matthewson, Mark Meadows, Ifan Meredith, Ian Porter, Carol Royle and Carrie Quinlan. Orpheus Descending runs from 9 May to 6 July.
Michele Austin, Danny Kirrane, Tobias Menzies and Howard Ward will lead The Hunt at Almeida Theatre. Directed by Almeida’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold, David Farr’s The Hunt is based on a Danish film thriller. Further casting will come soon.
Jack McBrayer and Lucy Horobin will host the next Waitress karaoke night on 18 March. Get ready to belt your hearts out!
