This week, we’ve got some very exciting casting news, plus a new ENO season and all the details about incoming musicals. Read on!
Alistair Brammer will play Fiyero in Wicked this summer. Brammer, known for his roles as Marius in Les Misérables in the West End and Chris in Miss Saigon on Broadway, will join the cast of Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from 22 July. David Witts, currently playing Fiyero, will give his last performance 20 July. Further casting for Wicked will be announced soon. Get all the details here.
To Gillie With Love, featuring Sierra Boggess, Ramin Karimloo and more, is coming to the Gillian Lynne Theatre. A celebration of choreographer Gillian Lynne, the show will star a number of West End actors, along with a student choir from the Royal Academy of Music and Arts Ed. To Gillie With Love will take place 2 July in the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Tickets are now on sale.
Rylan Clark-Neal will star in Nativity! the Musical this December. The TV personality who has appeared on The X Factor and This Morning will make his stage debut as The Critic when the show returns to the Eventim Apollo this Christmas, from 11 to 29 December. He joins Simon Lipkin and other cast members who are soon to be announced.
The Starry Messenger, starring Matthew Broderick, announces full casting. Written by Academy-Award winner Kenneth Lonergan, The Starry Messenger will also feature Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey), Jim Norton (Father Ted), Rosalind Eleazar (Howard’s End), Jenny Galloway (Les Miserables, original casts of Oliver!, Mamma Mia! and Mary Poppins), Sinead Matthews, Sid Sagar and Joplin Sibtain. Sam Yates directs. The Starry Messenger runs for 13 weeks at the Wyndham’s Theatre, from 16 May.
Peter Pan Goes Wrong will return to London this Christmas. The Mischief Theatre production will run at the newly reopened Alexandra Palace Theatre before embarking on a UK tour. Peter Pan Goes Wrong will play in London from 13 December 2019 to 5 January 2020. Tickets are on sale today!
Ben Platt will perform at the Eventim Apollo for one night on 15 June. Promoting his new album, the Broadway star of Dear Evan Hansen is embarking on a world tour. He will perform in London with special guest James TW in June. Tickets are on sale today.
Ricky Gervais announces a stand-up show in London. The comedian will give an intimate performance at Jacksons Lane on 7 May, but only 150 tickets will be available–on sale today.
Survivor: The Destiny’s Child Musical is heading to the West End. After a premiere in Houston, Texas in 2020, the musical plans to run on Broadway and the West End.
ENO announces its 2019-2020 season, which includes four operas that deal with the Orpheus myth. The new season at English National Opera will feature classics like Rusalka, Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Madam Butterfly, and The Mikado. The ENO will also mount several operas inspired by the Orpheus myth (perhaps prompted by Hadestown?): Orpheus and Eurydice (Gluck), Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach), The Mask of Orpheus (Birtwistle), and Orphée (Glass).
All My Sons, starring Sally Field, Bill Pullman and Jenna Coleman, opened on Wednesday. The Arthur Miller classic plays at the Old Vic through 8 June.
Chizzy Adkudolu and Laura Baldwin will host the next Waitress karaoke night on 8 May.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical celebrated its first birthday on the West End. Congrats!
The Vaudeville theatre made history by staging a baby-friendly performance of Emilia on Wednesday. We hear there were more than 170 babies in attendance–as well as some very happy parents.
