With only a few days before Christmas, Theatreland is all swept up in the festive spirit…seriously there are Christmas lights and tinsel EVERYWHERE.
Along with the joyfulness of Christmas, there’s been some VERY exciting news in the West End this week. Missed it? Don’t worry; we’ll get you up to speed in the weekly round-up!
Six casting announced
One of this year’s biggest musical hits, Six is returning for a strictly limited 16-week run from 17 January. And the good news is, all the original cast from the Arts Theatre production are coming back, and they’re bringing some new alternate members with them! Joining the original cast are Vicki Manser as the alternate Anne Boleyn and Anna of Cleves, and Courtney Stapleton as the alternate Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Parr.
Jack McBrayer joins West End cast of Waitress
Theatreland is giving out the best Christmas presents this year as there’s even MORE exciting casting news from another highly anticipated show. 30 Rock star Jack McBrayer will be joining the West End cast of Waitress right from the start of previews on 8 February next year, playing the part of Ogie. Jack will be joining the previously announced cast of Katharine McPhee as Jenna, Marisha Wallace as Becky, Laura Baldwin as Dawn, Peter Hannah as Earl and David Hunter as Dr Pomatter.
10 plays you have to see before they close
While some shows are making a welcome return to London, others will be bidding the West End a very, very fond farewell in January. We’ve selected the top 10 plays to see before they leave the theatre forever.
In rehearsal: Leave To Remain
Did you know that Kele Okereke from Bloc Party has written music for a brand-new show? Leave to Remain follows the story of a young gay couple who face an uncertain future when one of their visas is questioned. Written by Matt Jones (Mr Selfridge, Doctor Who and Torchwood), we’ve got some behind-the-scenes rehearsal photos to share with you!
8 things you didn’t know about A Christmas Carol
Think you know everything about Charles Dicken’s tale? Think you know more about Scrooge than Jacob Marley and the three Christmas ghosts put together? Think again. Here are eight things you didn’t know about A Christmas Carol…
9 shows we can’t wait to see in 2019
As we approach the end of 2018 (seriously, how is it nearly the end of December already!), it’s time to look forward to the exciting new shows hitting the West End in just a few short weeks. Here are just some that we’re REALLY excited about!
Opening night: Hugh Dennis and the cast of The Messiah
We spoke to Hugh Dennis, Lesley Garrett and John Marquez – a trio otherwise known as “the cast of The Messiah“, the hilarious nativity comedy playing at The Other Palace
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Casting for Edward II and After Edward revealed
It’s going to be double doses of Edward II in London next year when Shakespeare’s Globe put on productions of both Christopher Marlowe’s Edward II and Tom Stuart’s new play After Edward. It’s also been revealed that the cast will remain the same for both productions.
The Royal Opera announces The Monstrous Child
The Royal Opera has announced The Monstrous Child, a new opera by young British composer Gavin Higgins, will be directed by Timothy Sheader from Thursday 21 February 2019.
Adapted by Francesca Simon from her darkly humorous young adult novel of the same name, The Monstrous Child follows Hel, daughter of the Norse god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. But Hel is no ordinary teenager: she’s half girl, half corpse!
Booking open for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 2019 season
We may not be even at the start of 2019 yet, but we’re already getting excited about the summer shows of 2019, and the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre is really spoiling us with their planned series of shows. So start looking for fancy picnic blankets, find your best sunglasses and check out Our Town, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hansel and Gretel and Evita!
11 feel-good theatre quotes to get you in the Christmas spirit
If you’re already sick of the same Christmas songs following you around, then why not get into the festive spirit theatrically instead? How many of these feel-good quotes do you recognise?