West End Weekly Round-Up (Week Commencing 5th February 2024)

There’s been a lot of announcements in West End theatre this week, take a look below!

Tom Holland to star in Romeo and Juliet

A new production of Shakespeare’s classic love story Romeo and Juliet is set to open in Spring this year. The show is presented by the Jamie Lloyd Company, directed by Lloyd, and will star Spider-Man himself, Tom Holland as Romeo.

This iconic tale of star-crossed lovers is set to play at the Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited 12-week run. This new adaptation of one of the Bard’s most famous plays is described as ‘a pulsating new vision of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmiths, rhymers, lovers and fighters’.

Jamie Lloyd is a multi-award-winning director with many brilliant works to his name. His most recent triumph was Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre with Nicole Scherzinger, which due to its phenomenal success is transferring to Broadway later this year. Other previous works include The Seagull with Emilia Clarke and Doctor Faustus with Kit Harrington.

Tom Holland is returning to the West End stage 16 years after his professional debut in Billy Elliot the Musical. The actor rose to fame in 2016 when he landed the role of Spiderman and went on to play the role in sic Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero films. The following year Holland won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and became the youngest actor to play a title role in an MCU film in Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Romeo and Juliet will run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from 11 May to 3 August 2024. Further casting is yet to be announced.

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! Comes to the West End

The murder-mystery comedy musical has announced a West End premiere in May this year.

Written by Matthew Floyd Jones and Jon Brittain the show follows two true crime podcasters who find themselves caught up in an actual whodunnit when their favourite author is murdered.

Initial casting for the production has already been announced and Bronte Barbé (Newsies) and Rebekah Hinds (Oklahoma!) are set to reprise their respective roles as Kathy and Stella. They will star alongside Imelda Warren-Green (Doctor Who: Time Fracture) who will once again play Erica. Further casting will be announced soon.

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! will open at the Ambassadors Theatre from 25 May to 14 September 2024.

Rehearsals are in Full Swing for MJ the Musical

The highly anticipated Broadway transfer of MJ the Musical opens next month and rehearsals for the show are going strong. The mega-hit musical takes place in the rehearsal room of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour and goes beyond the singular moves, singular glove, and signature sound of the star to offer a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson to legendary status.

MJ the Musical tickets are on sale now.

Packed full of the biggest Michael Jackson hits including Beat It, Billie Jean, Thriller, and Smooth Criminal, this musical is perfect for any Michael Jackson fan out there.

Myles Frost will be reprising his role as Michael Jackson himself in the Tony award-winning show. The cast also comprises of Ashley Zhangazha (Tina) as Joseph Jackson/Rob, Mitchell Zhangazha (Ain’t Too Proud) as Michael, Philippa Stefani (Wicked) as Rachel, Phebe Edwards (The Lion King) as Katherine Jackson/Kate, Matt Mills (Dream Girls) as Berry Gordy/Nick, Rohan Pinnock-Hamilton (Get Up Stand Up) as Tito Jackson/Quincy Jones, Matt Gonsalves (Dear Evan Hansen) as Alejandro, and Jon Tsouras (Sunset Boulevard) as Dave.

MJ the Musical opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on 6th March 2024. Book your MJ the Musical theatre tickets now.