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News Archive

Our guide to ‘Theater’ vs ‘Theatre’

Published: 4 July 2018

It’s a magnificent date in the transatlantic calendar, as our American friends from ‘across the pond’ celebrate their 4 July holiday, also known as Independence Day. And among many things…Read More

Emma Rice announces School for Wise Children

Published: 3 July 2018

With preparations for the launch of her company Wise Children - and its first show of the same name - Emma Rice has also announced details of the company's new…Read More

Watch: An Ideal Husband cast tell two truths & a lie

Published: 3 July 2018

If there's one thing the characters of an Oscar Wilde play love, it's a juicy scandal. Good thing, then, that the characters (and cast members) of An Ideal Husband have…Read More

Shakespeare’s Globe announces all-female Emilia cast

Published: 3 July 2018

Shakespeare’s Globe has announced the all-female cast for Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s new play Emilia, directed by Nicole Charles. The play charts the life of Emilia Bassano, the poet, mother and…Read More

Watch: Shows to see this July

Published: 2 July 2018

We're in the middle of a scorching heatwave, and while we're loving the sunshine, the Official London Theatre team are also taking every opportunity they can to get out of…Read More

Watch: Sneak peek at Sounds And Sorcery

Published: 2 July 2018

We've all had that weird fever dream. When dancing hippos enter your room and angry mops break all the plates in your kitchen. You have Disney's Fantasia to thank for…Read More

Everything you need to know about Come From Away in London

Published: 2 July 2018

The Tony Award-winning musical, Come From Away, is winging its way to London's Phoenix Theatre next year and we can't wait. The heartwarming Broadway hit tells the true story of…Read More

West End theatres to dim lights in memory of Dame Gillian Lynne

Published: 2 July 2018

Theatres across London’s West End will be dimming their lights at 7pm tonight (2 July) in memory of the British choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne, who died on Sunday evening aged…Read More

Musical songs for the road

Published: 29 June 2018

The skies are blue. The sun is bright. The nights are long. That adds up to one thing... it's SUMMER! It's finally that time to pack your bags, jump in…Read More

Watch: Andrew Scott and Simon Stephens Q&A at The Old Vic

Published: 29 June 2018

Andrew Scott is fast becoming the West End's most revered leading man. Following his Olivier-nominated turn in Hamlet at the Almeida and the Pinter Theatre, he's made his eagerly anticipated…Read More

Richard Fleeshman joins the cast of Company

Published: 29 June 2018

Since its announcement, the cast of the upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company has been setting the West End tongues a-wagging. With Patti LuPone, Mel Giedroyc, and Rosalie Craig…Read More

Misty transfers to Trafalgar Studios

Published: 29 June 2018

This September, Arinzé Kene's critically-acclaimed Misty is transferring to Trafalgar Studios following its sold-out run at the Bush Theatre. Using a blend of theatre, performance poetry and music, Arinzé delivers an epic,…Read More

New shows to Kids Week in 2018

Published: 28 June 2018

Every year, we offer you the opportunity to take your child to a show for free in August with Kids Week. We have dozens of shows available, from long-standing West…Read More

Watch: Martin Kemp in Chicago rehearsals

Published: 28 June 2018

It's the perfect marriage: the gold stardust of Martin Kemp, and the razzle-dazzle of America's most beloved musical, Chicago. And from Monday (2 July), Chicago fans can look forward to…Read More

Come From Away transfers to West End’s Phoenix Theatre

Published: 28 June 2018

The Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away will land in London's Phoenix Theatre from 30 January 2019. Telling the heart-warming stories of 7,000 stranded air passengers in the wake of…Read More

Reasons to see: The Turn Of The Screw

Published: 27 June 2018

Benjamin Britten's opera The Turn Of The Screw is on for a short run until at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre this June - here's why you should see it!…Read More

Free Encore performances to be screened at Wembley Park

Published: 27 June 2018

This July, National Theatre Live will be screening two FREE Encore performances at Wembley Park. It's the first time they will be available to the public for free in an…Read More

Michael Rosen to host We’re Going On A Bear Hunt workshop

Published: 26 June 2018

When We're Going On A Bear Hunt in the West End, it's handy to have a few things around: a comprehensive map, a solid plan, and a brilliant children's author…Read More

Mazz Murray joins Martin Kemp in Chicago

Published: 26 June 2018

As Cuba Gooding Jr's charismatic run in West End musical Chicago comes to a close, the production has confirmed casting for its second booking period from Monday 2 July, with…Read More

RSC’s Don Quixote transfers to the West End

Published: 25 June 2018

The Royal Shakespeare Company's joyous adaptation of Don Quixote will transfer to the West End in October, along with original cast members David Threlfall and Rufus Hound. Miguel de Cervantes'…Read More

Get an inside look into National Youth Dance Company

Published: 25 June 2018

For young, aspirational performers, finding a way into the industry can be quite hard. Navigating schools, auditions, workshops and programmes can be daunting. So when something like the National Youth Dance…Read More

In Pictures: West End LIVE 2018

Published: 23 June 2018

80,000 people (a record for the event) in Trafalgar Square across 16-17 June 2018. 27 shows performing, across 11 hours of glorious performance. 700 performers on stage. The number one…Read More

Watch: Walking To West End LIVE

Published: 22 June 2018

The world has long forgotten the walk of shame. Now, it's all about the walk to fame! Last week, performers from some of the West End's best shows strut their…Read More

New London Theatre renamed to Gillian Lynne Theatre

Published: 22 June 2018

Today, Andrew and Madeleine Lloyd Webber hosted a reception to officially re-open the New London Theatre as The Gillian Lynne Theatre. It was announced earlier this year that the West…Read More

Prom Queen The Musical comes to The Other Palace

Published: 22 June 2018

On 2 July, the brand new musical, Prom Queen The Musical, will receive two workshop presentation at The Other Palace. The show is inspired by the true story of Marc…Read More

Reasons to see: Kiss Me, Kate at London Coliseum

Published: 21 June 2018

Opera North, with their full-scale orchestra and chorus in tow, are bringing the magical sound of Broadway to the London Coliseum with Kiss Me, Kate. Here's why you need to…Read More

Gary Kemp, Maggie Steed and John Simm among new Pinter casting

Published: 21 June 2018

More stars have joined the glittering array of cast members in the forthcoming Pinter At The Pinter season, including Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp, Maggie Steed (Channel 4's Chewing Gum) and…Read More

Loved the film? You’ll love the musical

Published: 20 June 2018

Last night, Heathers The Musical officially opened and it absolutely KILLED IT! The crowds went wild for Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe's dark comic musical. And, really, are we surprised? With…Read More

First look: rehearsal shots of As You Like It

Published: 20 June 2018

This summer, Shakespeare's warm-hearted comedy, As You Like It, will Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The timeless tale of adventure, sibling rivalry, mistaken identity and romance will positively gleam with glory…Read More

Reasons to see in Kids Week: Pressure

Published: 19 June 2018

Pressure, David Haig's World War II-set thriller, has made the switch to the West End due to popular demand. Telling a tense but remarkable true story, it's the perfect show…Read More

Our West End World Cup XI

Published: 18 June 2018

In case you hadn’t heard… there’s a lot of football going on right now. A whole month of it on television, in fact. But we’re not convinced theatre and football…Read More

Our favourite moments from West End LIVE 2018

Published: 18 June 2018

West End LIVE 2018 was EPIC! There were so many brilliant performances, it's hard to pick our favourites. So we won't. What we'll do instead is share our favourite moments.…Read More

Winter season at The Globe announced

Published: 18 June 2018

Today, Shakespeare's Globe announced its 2018/19 winter season which opens on 7 November. The season, which takes place in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, will feature two pairings of plays by…Read More

Clive Rowe returns to Hackney Empire pantomime

Published: 18 June 2018

Hackney Empire’s Olivier Award-winning Grande Dame of pantomime Clive Rowe is set to return to the East End stage for the theatre’s 2018 pantomime. A landmark year for the panto,…Read More

Bitcoin-funded production comes to Trafalgar Studios

Published: 18 June 2018

Alex Oates' Silk Road (How To Buy Drugs Online) will return to Trafalgar Studios in August in a production funded through the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Inspired by interviews with real online…Read More

Watch: West End LIVE 2018 performances

Published: 18 June 2018

Hundreds of thousands of theatre fans joined us over the weekend for the free musical theatre festival, West End LIVE. The 14th annual event united West End theatre enthusiasts from…Read More

Meet the West End’s latest queens – Six cast announced

Published: 15 June 2018

Forget one new Duchess. The West End has gone all out and gotten itself six new queens. Yaaaaaaaaaas! Today, the cast of the eagerly anticipated Six The Musical has been…Read More

West End hero Steph Parry to take lead in 42nd Street

Published: 15 June 2018

In a turn of poetic justice, the understudy wins the part as Steph Parry accepts the iconic role of Dorothy Brock in 42nd Street! Following a very eventful week, it…Read More

How to make the most of the West End LIVE weekend

Published: 15 June 2018

Everybody. Stay. Calm. This is not a drill. Yes, it’s the one-of-a-kind annual musical extravaganza that is West End LIVE! It’s finally here: the weekend that sees every theatregoer and…Read More

Kit Harington to star in True West

Published: 15 June 2018

The King Of The North is set to storm the West End later this year for the UK premiere of Sam Shepard's True West. Kit Harington will star alongside Johnny…Read More

Disney’s Aladdin swaps Genies for the summer

Published: 14 June 2018

Trevor Dion Nicholas, the original Genie in the West End production of Disney's Aladdin, will trade lamps - and places - with the brilliant US touring Genie, Michael James Scott,…Read More

Are you ready to play Name That Musical for West End LIVE?

Published: 14 June 2018

You've warmed up those vocal chords but how about that memory? Before you join us at West End LIVE this weekend, make sure you know your lyrics. Take the quiz…Read More

24-hour helpline launched to provide support for industry professionals

Published: 13 June 2018

Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre have launched Theatre Helpline, a free 24-hour phone and email service supporting theatre professionals with any issue affecting their health and wellbeing.…Read More

The bad dads of the West End

Published: 13 June 2018

From all of us at Official London Theatre, we just want to wish all the father figures out there a very happy Dad Day! Father, grandad, uncle, older brother… whoever…Read More

Casting for The Greatest Wealth announced

Published: 13 June 2018

To celebrate 70 years of the NHS, The Old Vic will be hosting The Greatest Wealth - a collection of monologues curated by Lolita Chakrabarti - later this month. And today, the…Read More

Further casting for Florian Zeller’s The Height Of The Storm

Published: 13 June 2018

Anna Madeley, Amanda Drew and Lucy Cohu will join Jonathan Pryce and Dame Eileen Atkins in Florian Zeller's compelling new family drama The Height Of The Storm. Madeley is perhaps…Read More

Reasons to see: The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie

Published: 13 June 2018

Muriel Spark's infamous novel, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie, is probably best known for the 1969 film starring Maggie Smith who earned her first Oscar for playing the titular…Read More

Cate Blanchett and Stephen Dillane to lead new National Theatre play

Published: 13 June 2018

Stars of stage and screen Cate Blanchett and Stephen Dillane will perform at the National Theatre in January 2019 in a new play directed by Katie Mitchell. Penned by Martin…Read More

Casting announced for Spamilton, the Hamilton parody musical

Published: 12 June 2018

The Menier Chocolate Factory has today announced casting for the UK premiere of Gerard Alessandrini’s Spamilton: An American Parody. Taking aim at the Olivier, Tony, Pulitzer and Grammy Award-winning musical…Read More

Kinky Boots struts out of West End in January 2019

Published: 12 June 2018

Can you believe it's "raised us up" for almost three years already?! And now, the multi Olivier Award-winning musical Kinky Boots has revealed its feelgood factory of catchy songs will…Read More

Play time: West End LIVE Bingo

Published: 12 June 2018

It's coming! West End LIVE is just around the corner - eeeeep! - are you ready for it? On 16 and 17 June, scores of West End shows and acts…Read More

Kids Week 2018 now on sale!

Published: 12 June 2018

Families, friends, theatregoers, get ready: tickets are now on sale for Kids Week 2018! In case you haven't heard of Kids Week, allow us to explain: this August, a child…Read More

Cast announced for The Jungle

Published: 11 June 2018

This week, The Jungle will be opening at Playhouse Theatre following its sold-out and critically-acclaimed run at the Young Vic. Today, the full cast of Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s much-anticipated production has been announced…Read More

Reasons to see: Café Society Swing

Published: 11 June 2018

It's the last week of Café Society Swing's strictly limited run at Theatre Royal Stratford East and we're here to tell you why you should rush to the theatre to…Read More

Almeida Theatre’s Summer And Smoke gets West End transfer

Published: 11 June 2018

The Almeida Theatre's on a roll of West End transfers. Their critically acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams' rarely staged classic Summer And Smoke, which left audiences and critics reeling at…Read More

The Band’s Visit and Harry Potter And The Cursed Child sweep the Tony Awards

Published: 11 June 2018

Last night’s Tony Awards saw the glitterati of Broadway gather together for an evening of celebration and recognition for the past year’s theatrical achievements. Among the nominees, London plays and West…Read More

Queen’s Birthday Honours List commends London theatre makers

Published: 11 June 2018

A number of London theatre's brightest stars received royal accolades in the Queen's birthday honours list this weekend, including actor Emma Thompson, director Marianne Elliott and producer Caro Newling. Thompson,…Read More

More family activities available this summer

Published: 10 June 2018

Please click here for more family activities available this summer.Read More

Test your knowledge for West End LIVE 2018

Published: 8 June 2018

We're just a week away from the most anticipated event in the theatre calendar, West End LIVE! You've been counting down the days but how ready are you really? Take…Read More

Heard it on the grapevine: Motown The Musical extends

Published: 8 June 2018

Haven't seen Motown The Musical yet? Well, you have 450,000 more opportunities to because that's the number of new tickets released today. What's the cause of the influx of tickets?…Read More

Further casting announced for The Importance Of Being Earnest

Published: 8 June 2018

Fiona Button, Pippa Nixon and Stella Gonet will join the cast of Classic Spring's forthcoming The Importance Of Being Earnest. Button, who recently starred as Rose Defoe in hit BBC…Read More

Top tips to get the most out of Kids Week 2018

Published: 8 June 2018

So, good news. You have six weeks left to plan the summer holidays. Better news, Kids Week tickets go on sale next week, keeping the kids happy - and your…Read More

Final cast announced for Broken Wings

Published: 8 June 2018

For four days only, a brand new musical is soaring into London to make its West End premiere. From 1-4 August, Broken Wings will play at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and…Read More

River Stage Festival returns to London’s South Bank in July

Published: 7 June 2018

River Stage, the free outdoor Summer festival organised by the National Theatre in partnership with five of the UK’s leading arts and culture organisations, begins on London’s South Bank this…Read More

Watch: Pressure’s first night féte

Published: 7 June 2018

David Haig's World War II play Pressure is nothing if not surprising. A play about the weather... that's also a nail-biting thriller. A play stooped in historical gravity... but one…Read More

First look: 3rd year cast of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Published: 7 June 2018

Can you believe it's been two years since Harry Potter And The Cursed Child arrived in the West End to a sonic boom of applause? Nope, us neither. But with…Read More

Michael Longhurst appointed Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director

Published: 7 June 2018

The award-winning director Michael Longhurst has been appointed Artistic Director at the Donmar Warehouse from March 2019. Following his hugely exciting appointment, Michael's first programming will begin in mid-2019. His…Read More

Dreamgirls announces final West End performance in January 2019

Published: 5 June 2018

The spectacular West End debut production of Dreamgirls will play its final performance at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday 12 January 2019, it has been announced. Completing a run of…Read More

10 must-see West End LIVE moments

Published: 5 June 2018

In just under two weeks, Society Of London Theatre and Westminster City Council will be taking over Trafalgar Square and getting ready for West End LIVE 2018. But you can't…Read More

The Old Vic reveals new productions for late 2018

Published: 5 June 2018

The first part of Matthew Warchus' fourth season at The Old Vic has been unveiled, with further details about Emma Rice's Wise Children, and a new adaptation of Luke Harding's…Read More

Watch: Orlando Bloom and the cast of Killer Joe

Published: 5 June 2018

Killer Joe had its official West End opening last night and, having enjoyed the rollercoaster ride of Tracy Letts' black comedy, we can confirm it's a show to die for.…Read More

Watch: sneak peek of The King And I

Published: 5 June 2018

"Rodgers & Hammerstein's songs are somewhere in everybody's cerebral cortex - we all know and love them," declared The King And I director, Bartlett Sher, before going on to prove his…Read More

Sheila Atim & André Holland to star with Mark Rylance in Othello

Published: 4 June 2018

It's set to be the Shakespearean event of the summer: Mark Rylance playing Iago in Othello, directed by Claire van Kampen, at Shakespeare's Globe. And now it's been announced that…Read More

June Picks: Shows to see this month

Published: 1 June 2018

"June is bustin' out all over" - in case you hadn't noticed! And with it brings scores of exciting new musicals, cutting dramas, spoooooooky operas - and two of the…Read More

Reasons to see: Tartuffe at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Published: 1 June 2018

During times of change at Theatre Royal Haymarket, a classic Moliére was bound to remind everyone what theatre is all about. And while sat in the beautiful auditorium, you could…Read More

Editors' Pick