It’s been another busy week of theatre yet again, with show returns, cast announcements and show extensions we didn’t see coming. Take a look at some of our news highlights from the last seven days!
Heather’s extension, Eugenius revival and MT Fest plans announced
It has certainly been a week for Paul Taylor-Mills and his many London venues! We’ve had some exciting news coming out of both The Other Palace and The Turbine Theatre, with show announcements, extensions and MT Fest plans being announced on Thursday. First up, the hit musical Eugenius is set to be returning this Spring at The Turbine Theatre for a limited run. The show, penned by Ben Adams and Chris Wilkins, has been seen in many different forms over the years, with productions at the London Palladium and two runs at The Other Palace in Victoria. Billed as a love-letter to comic-book culture and ’80s nostalgia, the piece’s album has already proved a major hit on streaming platforms.
MT Fest is also set to return at the end of this month, with eight new shows taking over the Turbine Theatre and The Other Palace Studio from 30 January. The festival, known for premiering new work, features shows from Heathers writers Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, as well as a show based on reality tv show Come Dine With Me. The full list of shows can be found on The Turbine Theatre and The Other Palace websites.
We also got the news of a Heathers extension in The Other Palace’s main theatre. Whilst perhaps slightly controversial, it’s an exciting one for Corn Nuts like us none-the-less. The show is now booking until 3 September with tickets on sale for the new dates now!
Initial Grease casting for West End return revealed
Initial casting has been revealed for Grease ahead of its return to the Dominion Theatre this summer, filled with exciting returning cast members and star studded names. Louise Redknapp (9 to 5, Cabaret) will play the role of Teen Angel from 2 June (when the show begins performances) and will appear through to 29 July. Returning once more to the show will be Dan Partridge as Danny, Olivia Moore as Sandy and Jocasta Almgill as Rizzo. Further casting is still to be announced for the show, which is due to run at the Dominon Theatre from the 2 June. Tickets are on sale now.
If you want to hear our thoughts on Grease, head on over to Episode 6 of Overstudies: The Podcast!
Spring Blood Brothers tour cast announced
The cast for the new tour of Blood Brothers has been unveiled as the show heads out on tour again from next week. Joining the cast are Niki Colwell Evans, playing the role of Mrs Johnstone, alongside Richard Munday as the Narrator, Sean Jones as Mickey, Joe Sleight as Eddie, Paula Tappenden as Mrs Lyons, Tim Churchill as Mr Lyons, Olivia Sloyan as Linda, Timothy Lucas as Sammy, Gemma Brodrick as Donna Marie/Miss Jones, Jacob Yolland as Postman/Bus Conductor, Josh Capper as the Neighbour, Amy Murphy as Brenda, Connor Bannister as Perkins and Nick Wilkes as Policeman/Teacher.
The show willl open in Southend on 17 January before visting Chesterfield, Derry, Dublin, Richmond, Bromley, Swindon, Crewe, Wellingborough, Coventry, Hastings, Cheltenham, Crawley and Sheffield. Tickets are on sale now.
Parade with Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond to run on Broadway
It’s been a fun week for fans of Jason Robert Brown, with the news that Parade is set to return to Broadway this year. This is the first Broadway revival of Parade, which ran 85 performances (and 39 previews) at the Vivian Beaumont Theater during the 1998-99 season. The musical will begin previews on 21 February at the Bernard B Jacobs Theatre, which was recently vacated by Almost Famous.
Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, stars of the New York City Center presentation of Parade in November, will reprise their performances as Leo and Lucille Frank. Performances are currently scheduled through to 6 August with tickets on sale now.
John McCrea and Aimee Lou Wood to star in Cabaret in the West End
A pair of brand new faces will be joining the award-winning production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club from 13 February 2023. John McCrea who originated the part of Jamie in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie will take over the role of Emcee in the production, joined by BAFTA winner and Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood as the new Sally Bowles.
Also set to join the production is Nathan Ives-Moiba (As You Like It) in the role of Cliff Bradshaw, beginning on 13 February. At certain performances, the role of Sally Bowles will be played by Emily Benjamin who will take on the role of Bowles from 30 January to 11 February before Wood begins, with Matthew Gent playing the role of the Emcee during the same window. At certain performances the role of Sally Bowles will be played by Sally Frith. The production is currently booking until December 2023.
Bat Out of Hell to embark on new tour in 2023
Awesome news rockers! The award winning Bat Out Of Hell have this week announced that it will be touring the UK again in 2023 – and the first date has now been announced. Featuring the music of Jim Steinman, Bat follows a group of immortal teens who live in a dystopic wasteland and are embroiled in all manner of romantic frolics and fracas. The musical will open at the Hall for Cornwall on 25 September 2023, with additional stops and schedule to be confirmed. Before that, the hit musical has a London stint at the Peacock Theatre, running from 17 February to 1 April 2023. Tickets are on sale for the London run now, with more dates to be announced in the coming months.
Sugar Coat to open at Southwark Playhouse this spring
Pop-punk play Sugar Coat will open at Southwark Playhouse this spring, following previews at the VAULT Festival in 2020. The show follows one woman’s coming-of-age over eight years, put to a soundtrack inspired by Riot Grrrl groups and performed by an all-female and non-binary band. Celine Lowenthal (Pecs) directs the five-strong cast featuring Rachel Barnes (Manic Street Creature), Eve De Leon Allen (Doctor Who), Dani Heron (Peter Gynt), Anya Pearson (from Dream Nails, who is also co-musical director alongside Pollard) and Sarah Workman (Girls Don’t Play Guitar). The piece runs from 29 March to 22 April with tickets on sale now.
