It’s been a busy week in the theatre world this week. Here’s some of our top picks of news that you should know about!
New app provides West End theatregoers with captions and audio description on mobile phones
GalaPro – available on both iOS and Android – already has widespread usage on Broadway, but has now made its way to the UK. The app, which was previously demoed with a production of School of Rock back in 2019, is now being rolled out to LW Theatre’s Adelphi Theatre – currently home to Back to the Future The Musical. The app functions in Airplane mode to avoid disruption, while displaying red or grey text on a black background to avoid bright lights. The Adelphi has said they have additional devices for those without. The app is not expected to disrupt the existing schedule of captioned, relaxed and audio-described performances already scheduled by the likes of Back to the Future. We hope to see this tech rolled out to more theatres and shows soon!
Cory English to take over from Roger Bart in Back to the Future The Musical in the West End
On the topic of Back to the Future, we’ve finally found out who will be taking on the role of Doc Brown in March when Roger Bart heads over to Broadway – and it looks like we’ve got the return of a familiar face. Cory English, who was previously in the show from 23 November 2022 to 3 January 2023, is set to take over the role permanently. The production has also announced it is now booking through to October 2023 at the Adelphi Theatre, where it opened in September 2021. Tickets are on sale now, with group bookings running through to February 2024.
To Kill a Mockingbird extends run and sets West End closing date
A final performance date has been set for To Kill a Mockingbird in the West End. Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, published in 1960, explores racial injustice in America and features one of the most iconic characters in literary history – small-town lawyer Atticus Finch, currently portrayed by Matthew Modine (Stranger Things). The show has announced it will play its final performance at the Gielgud Theatre on 20 May 2023, with tickets on sale now.
Mamma Mia! The Party extends run at the O2 in London
Mamma Mia! The Party have extended bookings due to popular demand. Set at Nikos Taverna on the Greek island of Skopelos, where the film adaptation of the popular West End musical was captured, the theatrical dining experience combines a rom-com storyline with a four-course Greek meal and, of course, ABBA’s greatest hits, culminating with a 1970s-style disco. The party is now booking until 3 September so there’s plenty of time to get your ABBA disco fix!
Initial casting announced for Next To Normal at Donmar Warehouse
The egerly anticipated UK premiere of Next To Normal is opening in August, and this week we’ve found out exactly who will be leading the show. Set to appear as Diana will be Caissie Levy, who originated the role of Elsa in Frozen with other credits including Leopoldstadt on Broadway and Ghost in the West End. Joining Levy will be Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin, Hamilton) as Dr Madden/Dr Fine, with further cast to be revealed. The 2008 musical follows a mother struggling with bipolar disorder, and was first seen on Broadway in 2009 – going on to win three Tony Awards including Best Musical. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Tickets are on sale now.
Cast for The Spongebob Musical’s UK premiere announced
Yep, you read that right. We are getting a musical based on our favourite yellow sponge. Casting has been unveiled for the UK premiere of The Spongebob Musical, based on the beloved animated series. Featuring SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Eugene and Gary the Snail, the musical has original tunes by the likes of Cyndi Lauper, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Sara Bareilles, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Plain White T’s and more.
The show is set to tour the UK from 5 April 2023, and will be starring Gareth Gates (he/him) as Squidward, Divina de Campo (she/her) as Sheldon J Plankton, Lewis Cornay (he/him) as SpongeBob, Irfan Damani (he/him) as Patrick, Chrissie Bhima (she/her) as Sandy, Richard J Hunt (he/him) as Mr Krabs, Sarah Freer (she/her) as Pearl, Eloise Davies (she/her) as Mrs Puff, Hannah Lowther (she/her) as Karen and Rebecca Lisewski (she/her) as Mayor. They are joined by Sam Beveridge (he/him), Jeremiah Olaleye (he/him), Eleanor Turiansky (she/her), Rhys Batten (he/him) and Reece Kerridge (he/him). Tickets for tour dates are on sale now.
Complete cast revealed for new musical Killing the Cat
Complete casting has been announced for the world premiere of Killing the Cat at Riverside Studios. Warner Brown and Joshua Schmidt’s new musical, which is set for an off-Broadway run after its London opening, explores the various obstacles facing modern lust and love. Joining the previously announced Madalena Alberto and Tim Rogers in the show will be Molly Lynch (The Last Five Years, Sunset Boulevard), Kluane Saunders (Equus, HMS Pinafore) and Joaquin Pedro Valdes (The Lion King, Heathers). Tickets are on sale now for the run from 17 March to 22 April.
Heathers cinema release date finally announced
It’s going to be so very! After much speculation, director Andy Fickman confirmed that the award-winning Heathers the Musical is set for the big screen in the UK. The filmed production, in collaboration with Steam Motion and Sound, is led by Ailsa Davidson (as Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (as Jason “J.D” Dean), Maddison Firth (as Heather Chandler), Vivian Panka (as Heather Duke) and Teleri Hughes (as Heather McNamara), alongside Vicki Lee Taylor (as Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (as Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (as Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (as Ram Sweeney), Oliver Brooks (as Kurt’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper), Andy Brady (as Ram’s Dad/Principle Gowan/Veronica’s Dad), Benjamin Karran (as Beleaguered Geek), Chris Parkinson (as Hipster Dork/Officer McCord), Jermaine Woods (as Peppy Stud/Officer Milner), Eleanor Morrison Halliday (as Young Republicanette), Mary-Jean Caldwell (as Stoner Chick), Hannah Lowther (as New Wave Party Girl) and May Tether (as Drama Club Drama Queen). The film will be shown in locations across the nation on 28 March, with further details to be confirmed in due course.
Royal Opera House confirms end of 33-year BP sponsorship deal
After 33 years of partnership, the Royal Opera House has this week confirmed that they are “no longer in receipt of BP money” and later confirmed to The Guardian that they “agreed that the partnership would not extend beyond 22 December [2022], when BP’s contract came to an end.”. The ROH is the latest arts venue that is no longer in association with the oil and gas company, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Portrait Gallery.
Chris Garrard, a composer and co-director of the organisation known as Culture Unstained, released the following statement: “What we are witnessing is a seismic shift, a near wholesale rejection across the arts of BP’s brand and the climate-wrecking business it represents. By bringing down the curtain on fossil fuel funding, the Royal Opera House can now play a leading role in creating the culture beyond oil we so urgently need.”
