- In |
- On September 7, 2024
Our News section will keep you up to date with all the latest London theatre news. Take a look at this week’s West End theatre news highlights!
Ian McKellen to star in Players Kings
![Players Kings Plyers Kings](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/player-kings-large.jpg)
Adapted by Robert Icke from the Shakespeare classics Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, Players Kings is set to open at the Noel Coward Theatre in April next year. The play will be directed by Icke himself and will star Ian McKellen as John Falstaff.
The play brings together two of Shakespeare’s iconic historic play and tells the story of the turbulent reign of Henry IV set in a divided England in 1403. The Players Kings builds towards a climax of the Battle of Shrewsbury when Henry IV struggles to keep his claim to the throne as a group of rebel noblemen plot to overthrow him. It also portrays the adventures of Prince Hal and John Falstaff as they spend many a drunken night in the pubs of London whilst struggling with the pressures of Kingship.
The production is set to have previews at the New Wimbledon Theatre and the Manchester Opera House in March before heading to the West End. Players Kings will open at the Noel Coward Theatre on 1st April 2024 where it will play for a strictly limited 12-week season, closing on 22nd June 2024.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy Returns to London
![For Black Boys For Black Boys](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/For-Black-Boys.webp)
The Olivier Award winning play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is returning to the West End next year following the shows previous three sold-out runs. The production had its original run at the New Diorama Theatre before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre and then finally landing its West End run at the Apollo Theatre.
The play was nominated for Best New Play and Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the 2023 Olivier Awards. Inspired by the work of Ntozake Shange for colored girls who have considered suicide the play tells the story of six young Black men who meet for group therapy and let their imaginations run wild. A performance full of music, movement, beautiful storytelling and verse For Black Boys is not to be missed.
Originally created by Ryan Calais Cameron who conceived the idea after the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2012 the play has been developed over the course of a decade with young Black men and mental health groups.
The production will open at the Garrick Theatre from 29th February 2024 and will run until 4th May 2024.
Casting Announced for Opening Night
![Sheridan Smith Opening Night Sheridan Smith Opening Night](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Sheridan-Smith-Opening-Night.jpg)
British icon Sheridan Smith is set to star in the dazzling new production of Opening Night next year at the Gielgud Theatre.
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.
Opening Night theatre tickets are available now.
Further casting for the show has been announced and joining Sheridan Smith as Myrtle Gordon is Hadley Fraser as Manny Victor, Shira Haas as Nancy Stein, Amy Lennox as Dorothee Victor, Nicola Hughes as Sarah Goode and John Marquez as David Samuels.
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.
Book your Opening Night tickets now online via our website or visit our box office in Leicester Square. Opening at the Gielgud Theatre from 6th March 2024, book tickets now!
Stranger Things: The First Shadow Production Photos released
Based on the hugely popular Netflix TV show and brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team, this gripping new adventure will take you right to the beginning of the Stranger Things story… and may hold the secret to the end.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow opened in mid-November at the Phoenix Theatre and has since been playing to packed houses. With stunning visual effects and incredible stagecraft, Stranger Things is sure to win over not only fans of the show but also newcomers to the world.
Set in the small town of Hawkins in 1959, Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado wants to graduate and get the hell out of town.
Take a look at these brilliant new production shots that have been released from the show and see for yourself how visually stunning this new show is.
Book Stranger Things: The First Shadow theatre tickets and see the show at the Phoenix Theatre.
![Louis McCartney Henry Ceel Patrick Dr Benner](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Louis-McCartney-Henry-Creel-Patrick-Vaill-Dr-Brenner-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-scaled-1-3.jpg)
![Louis McCartney Henry Ceel Patrick Dr Benner](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Louis-McCartney-Henry-Creel-Patrick-Vaill-Dr-Brenner.-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-scaled-2.jpg)
![Maisie Norma Seaton Claudia Yount Kemi](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Maisie-Norma-Seaton-Claudia-Yount-Kemi-Awoderu-Sue-Anderson-Isabella-Pappas-Joyce-Maldonado-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-1-scaled-2.jpg)
![Loius McCartney Loius McCartney](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Louis-McCartney-Henry-Creel.-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-scaled-2.jpg)
![Isabella Pappas Joyce Maldonado Christopher Buckley Bob](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Isabella-Pappas-Joyce-Maldonado-Christopher-Buckley-Bob-Newby-Oscar-Lloyd-James-Hopper-Jr-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-scaled-2.jpg)
![Isabella Pappas Joyce Maldonado Christopher Buckley Bob Isabella Pappas Joyce Maldonado Christopher Buckley Bob](https://lsbo.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Isabella-Pappas-Joyce-Maldonado-Christopher-Buckley-Bob-Newby-Oscar-Lloyd-James-Hopper-Jr-photo-by-Manuel-Harlan-scaled-3.jpg)
Here at LSBO, we are here to help you buy your London theatre tickets with ease. Whether you’re buying online, over the phone, or in person, we cater to everyone.
You can also follow us on social media to stay up to date, you can find us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and even TikTok!