It has been a big week for announcements in London theatre this week and here at LSBO we try to keep you up to date with all things theatre! Here are some pretty big casting announcements that we think you need to hear about.

Imelda Staunton in Hello, Dolly!

London Palladium (6 July – 14 September 2024)

Imelda Staunton


Hello, Dolly! Is returning to the West End next Summer and the legendary Imelda Staunton is set to take on the lead role of Dolly Levi. The show will open at the London Palladium on 6th July 2024 and will run until 14th September 2024.

This run is following the groundbreaking Broadway revival in 2017 that starred the incredible Bette Midler and the West End revival in 2020 that took place at the Adelphi Theatre.

With music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and a book by Michael Stewart, this production will be directed by Dominic Cooke.

The musical follows the story of Dolly, a skilled matchmaker who travels to Yonkers, New York City to find a suitable match for her most challenging client yet, semi-millionaire Horace Vandergelder.

The revival opens at the London Palladium on 6th July 2024 and will run for a strictly limited season until 14th September. Keep an eye out for further announcements and how to grab your Hello, Dolly! Theatre tickets.

Sheridan Smith in Opening Night

Gielgud Theatre (From 6 March 2024)

Sheridan Smith

British icon Sheridan Smith will star in a dazzling new production of Opening Night at the Gielgud Theatre next year.

This is following her critically acclaimed performance in Shirley Valentine at the Duke of York’s Theatre earlier this year.

Sheridan Smith is known for being one of the greatest actors of her generation and has even received an OBE for her outstanding contributions to the entertainment industry along with many other awards. She started her career appearing in British sitcoms such as ‘Benidorm’, ‘Gavin & Stacey’ and ‘The Royle Family’ before moving into more dramatic roles in television. One of her most notable roles was playing the role of Cilla Black in ‘Cilla’ for which she won awards for Best Actress at the TV Choice Awards and the National Television Awards.

Smith’s most notable work in theatre includes ‘Into the Woods’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’ and of course ‘Shirley Valentine’ last year.

Opening Night is a musical based on the 1977 film of the same name that was written and directed by John Cassavetes. The psychological horror film tells the story of an alcoholic stage actress who witnesses the accidental death of one of her fans. She is then haunted by the ghost of the deceased woman, which leads her to a nervous breakdown right before the premiere of her next Broadway play.

With a book by Ivo Van Hove (A Little Life) and music and lyrics by songwriter Rufus Wainwright, this new musical is set to be a hit.

Don’t miss your chance to secure Opening Night tickets and keep an eye out for further announcements here on the LSBO website.

Ruth Jones in Sister Act


Dominion Theatre (15 March – 30 August 2024)

Ruth Jones

It has been announced that the iconic Ruth Jones will appear in the upcoming production of Sister Act, which opens at the Dominion Theatre next year. She is set to play Mother Superior alongside the sensational Beverley Knight when the show returns to London in March.

The Welsh actress, comedian, producer and writer is most known for her work co-writing and co-starring in the critically acclaimed British comedy Gavin & Stacey from 2007 and 2010. She then went on to star in the Sky One comedy drama ‘Stella’ from 2012 to 2017.

Sister Act follows the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a disco singer whose life turns upside down when she witnesses a murder. She is then placed in the witness protection program and is given a new identity… as a nun! Under the watchful eye of Mother Superior, Deloris finds a unique bond with her fellow nuns through the power of music, helping them to discover their voices and find her own in the process.

This 2024 revival of Sister Act is set to star both Alexandra Burke and Beverley Knight as Deloris Van Cartier, while further casting is yet to be announced.

Sister Act tickets are available now online or visit our box office in Leicester Square. Don’t miss your chance to see this heartwarming and witty musical, opening at the Dominion Theatre from the 15th of March 2024.

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