London Theatre News Today: Tuesday 21 January

We caught a first look at the production images of the new 2020 cast playing in the award-winning sensation, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The class of 2020 includes: Noah Thomas as Jamie, Hiba Elchikhe as Pritti and Jordan Ricketts as Dean, all of whom are making their West End debuts.

Joining them in the new lineup is: Zion Battles as Levi, Leon Craig as Sandra Bollock, Keenan Knight as Sayid, Ebony Clarke as Swing/Dance Captain, David O’Reilly as Laika Virgin, Joe Wolstenholme as Swing, and Brian James Leys as Understudy.

Nica Burns, Producer of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie said: “We are delighted to welcome a new class of exceptionally talented young performers, many of them making their West End debut including our brilliant new Jamie, Noah Thomas. Leading them to light up the winter sky are our current star cast playing the grown ups, Melissa Jacques (Margaret New), Preeya Kalidas (Miss Hedge), Sejal Keshwala (Ray) with Roy Haylock / Bianca Del Rio unveiling two sensational new drag queens. As funny, fabulous and feelgood as ever.”

Based on a true story inspired by the 2011 BBC Three documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, the inspiring show tells the tale of bravery, adversary and fabulousness. 

If you’re looking to beat the January blues, this funny, feel-good musical sensation will leave you fist pumping the air, so grab your tickets now!

Donmar Warehouse today announced Michael Longhurst’s second season as Artistic Director.

Speaking about his second season Artistic Director Michael Longhurst said: “As we head into my second season as Artistic Director at the Donmar I am delighted for us to be bringing you more important stories, thrillingly told. 2020 will see exceptional artists, both new and familiar, joining us here at the Donmar to make inspiring productions that explore the world today.

In April, I am thrilled that Gate Theatre Artistic Director Ellen McDougall will make her Donmar debut, directing the first major UK production of In the Blood. Both epic and personal, Pulitzer Prize-winner Suzan-Lori Parks’ play is inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic American novel The Scarlet Letter. It asks: how far would you go for your children?

Then, in June, we are delighted to give a timely revival to Steve Waters’ compelling and acclaimed double-bill of plays, The Contingency Plan. Steve originally wrote the plays ten years ago and has now updated them to reflect a decade of developments in the climate emergency.

We are pleased to co-produce this double-bill with Theatr Clwyd (whose Artistic Director Tamara Harvey and I were the original directors in 2009). Rising-star directors Chelsea Walker and Caroline Steinbeis will take the helm on what promises to be both a funny and thrilling pair of plays”.

This season sure sounds like one not to be missed.

Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director Michael Longhurst. Photo by Helen Maybanks.

We are thrilled to reveal a collection of rehearsal pictures from the world-premiere of award-winning James McDermott’s new play, Time And Tide.

Directed by Rob Ellis and playing at the Park Theatre from 5 – 29 February, Time And Tide tells the story of May, who runs a crumbling caff on the end of Cromer Pier, her delivery man Ken, who is running out of customers thanks to Costa, and Nemo, who is desperate to tread the boards in London while his unrequited love is burying his head in the sand over his best mate leaving.

The cast includes: Wendy Nottingham as May (Vera Drake, Peaky Blinders, Mr Selfridge), Paul Easom as Ken, Elliot Liburd as Daz and Josh Barrow as Nemo.

Described as “funny as hell”, this LGBT comic drama is well-worth adding to your diary!