The news this week is all kinds of exciting–with plenty of new productions on the horizon and Olivier winning stars headed your way. Catch all the latest and greatest right here.
Toby Jones and Richard Armitage will star in a new production of Uncle Vanya in 2020. Oliver Award winner Toby Jones will play Uncle Vanya, with Richard Armitage as Astrov. This new adaptation of Chekhov’s play by Conor McPherson, directed by Ian Rickson, will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre for 16 weeks from 14 January 2020. More casting will be announced later.
Lesli Margherita will star in a concert production of Zorro at Cadogan Hall. The actress who won an Olivier for her performance as Inez in the musical will reprise her role for a one-night concert on 23 February 2020. Joining her are Emma Williams as Luisa and Ricardo Afonso as Zorro. Additional casting will be announced later.
David Mitchell will make his West End debut in the stage adaptation of Upstart Crow. Ben Elton’s adaptation of the BBC TV sitcom will run at the Gielgud Theatre from 7 February to 25 April 2020. Reprising his role from the TV comedy series will be David Mitchell as Will Shakespeare, joined by Gemma Whelan (Game of Thrones) as Kate. Olivier Award winner Sean Foley directs.
The Boy Friend at Menier Chocolate Factory announces casting. The revival of Sandy Wilson’s play, directed by Matthew White, will star Janie Dee (Madame DuBonnet), Tiffany Graves (Hortense), Amara Okereke (Sandy Wilson), Arian Edmondson (Lord Brockhurst), Issy van Randwyck (Lady Brockhurst), Dynal Mason (Tony) and Jack Butterworth (Bobby Van Husen). The Boy Friend runs at Menier Chocolate Factory from 3 December 2019 to 7 March 2020.
Soho Cinders, a modern, gay version of Cinderella, will play in London this fall. Olivier Award winners George Stiles and Anthony Drewe (Becoming Nancy, Mary Poppins) have reframed the classic fairytale as a contemporary, gay rom-com musical. Directed by Will Keith, the production runs from 28 October at Charing Cross Theatre, with casting to come.
The original West End cast of Ghost Stories will reprise their roles this fall and winter. Simon Lipkin, Garry Cooper, Preston Nyman and Richard Sutton will all return for the thriller’s run at Ambassadors Theatre from 3 October 2019 to 4 January 2020. The London run will precede a UK tour starting in January.
Waitress extends until 28 March 2020. Sara Bareilles’ celebrated musical extends yet again. The show is now booking until 28 March at the Adelphi Theatre.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie extends through 29 August 2020. Plus, the show just announced an open casting call for the role of Jamie New. You can find more information about how to audition here.
Almeida Theatre’s The Doctor, starring Juliet Stevenson, will transfer to the West End. Adapted by Robert Icke from Arthur Schnitzler’s Professor Bernhardi, The Doctor runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 20 April to 11 July 2020. Olivier winner Juliet Stevenson plays Professor Ruth Wolff, with more casting to be announced later.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe announces casting. Directed by Sally Cookson at the Bridge Theatre, the stage adaptation of C. S. Lewis’ classic book will feature Femi Akinfolarin (Peter), Shalisa James-Davis (Susan), John Leader (Edmund), Keziah Joseph (Lucy), Wil Johnson (Aslan/Professor Kirk), Laura Elphinstone (the White Witch/Mrs. Macready), Stuart Neal (Mr. Tumnus), Omari Bernard (Maugrim), Dean Nolan (Mr. Beaver) and Beverly Rudd (Mrs. Beaver). The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe runs at the Bridge Theatre from 9 November 2019 to 2 February 2020.
Kunene and the King will transfer to the Ambassadors Theatre in January. John Kani’s play, first produced by the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, will play in London from 24 January to 28 March 2020. John Kani will reprise his role as Lunga Kunene, joined by Antony Sher, with live music by Lungiswa Plaatjies.
The National Theatre’s A Taste of Honey will come to the West End in December. Shelagh Delaney’s drama, directed by Bijan Sheibani, is currently on a UK tour. It will play a 12-week engagement at Trafalgar Studios from 5 December. Jodie Prenger leads the cast, joined by Gemma Dobson, Durone Stokes, Stuart Thompson and Tom Varey.
Graham Norton, Tom Allen and Michelle Visage will host this year’s West End Bares. The 10th anniversary performance, titled West End Bares: Stripped, takes place at Troxy on 13 October.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe will release a new joint album on 1 November. The album will be called “Back Together.” The two West End and Broadway veterans are currently starring in Les Misérables – The Staged Concert at the Gielgud Theatre.
Kenneth Branagh’s Olivier Award winning The Winter’s Tale will return to cinemas this December. Starring Judi Dench and Kenneth Branagh, the production from 2015 will play in cinemas around the world on 4 December.
Wicked just celebrated 13 years on the West End! There was a special performance on Thursday to mark the event, complete with balloons and confetti. The show is now entering its 14th year.
