Cabaret says ‘Wilkommen’ to two new faces!

Cabaret has been playing at the Kit Kat Club (the West End’s Playhouse Theatre) since November 2021 and Cabaret tickets still remain some of the hottest tickets in town.

The production won 7 Olivier Awards at the 2022 Olivier Awards and set the record for being the most award-winning revival in Olivier history. It took home the award for Best Musical Revival and was also the first production ever to win awards in all 4 eligible acting categories. Winning Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress in a Musical.

One of the most popular musicals of all time, Cabaret is set in 1930 Berlin during the twilight of the Jazz Age and the Nazis’ rise to power. We enter the world of the Kit Kat Club, a place where everyone can be free in a time when the world is changing forever. There we see the relationship between American writer Clifford Bradshaw and English cabaret performer Sally Bowles.

The West End production has already welcomed its fair share of stars including International Actress and Model Cara Delevigne and Oscar Winner Eddie Redmayne. The show has just announced 2 new big names that will be taking to the stage. From 23 September the role of Emcee will be played by Olivier nominee Adam Gillen and the role of Sally Bowles will be played by Golden Globe nominee Katherine Langford. They take over from the current leads Layton Williams and Rhea Norwood who exit the show on 21 September.

Gillen is best known for his iconic role of Liam in ITV’s smash-hit comedy Benidorm and many other television roles. Previous stage credits include Romeo and Juliet, Henry VIII, and Killer Joe.

Langford’s most notable credit is for playing the role of Hannah Baker in the groundbreaking Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. Other TV credits include Knives Out, Love, Simon and Cursed. Langford is set to make her West End debut in Cabaret.

Also joining the cast on 23 September is Daniel Bowerbank (Machinal) as Clifford Bradshaw and Fred Haig (Rock Follies) as Ernst Ludwig. They will also be joined by Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister, Sam Darius, Adrian Grove, Justin-Lee Jones, Alexandra Regan, Marina Tavolieri, Ben Simon Wilson, Wojna and Lucy Young.

Continuing in the production will be Sally Ann Triplett as Fraulein Schneider, Fenton Gray as Herr Schultz, and Jessica Kirton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, alongside Damon Gould, El Haq Latief, Ela Lisondra, Hícaro Nicolai, Andy Rees and Patrick Wilden.

Cabaret is currently playing at the Kit Kat Club. Book your Cabaret tickets now online via the LSBO website or visit our box office in Leicester Square.

The Award-winning production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow is on its way to Broadway.

The stage show is a prequel to the popular Netflix series and is written by Kate Trefry with a story by the creators of the TV series The Duffer Brothers, alongside Jack Thorne and Trefry.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow first previewed in November 2023 and officially opened in December 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre. Produced by Sonia Friedman and directed by Stephen Daldry, the show won ‘Best New Play’ at the WhatsOnStage Awards this year. The play also won the Olivier Award for ‘Best Entertainment or Comedy Play’ as well as ‘Best Set Design’.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is set in Hawkins in 1959 and follows the story of young Jim Hopper, Joyce Maldonado, and Bob Newby. The stage show expands on the TV show’s story and mythology with incredible stagecraft and stunning visual effects.

The current West End cast includes Shane Attwooll as Chief Hopper, Kemi Awoderu as Sue Anderson, Chase Brown as Lonnie Byers, Christopher Buckley as Bob Newby, Ammar Duffus as Charles Sinclair, Gilles Geary as Ted Wheeler, Florence Guy as Karen Childress, Max Harwood as Alan Munson, Michael Jibson as Victor Creel, Oscar Lloyd as James Hopper Jr, Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Isabella Pappas as Joyce Maldonado, Matthew Pidgeon as Principal Newby, Calum Ross as Walter Henderson, Maisie Norma Seaton as Claudia Yount, Patrick Vaill as Dr Brenner, Ella Karuna Williams as Patty Newby and Alex Young as Virginia Creel.

The full company is completed by Anika Boyle, Lily Crawford, Faith Delaney, and Imogen Turner (alternating the role of Alice Creel); with Tricia Adele-Turner, Lauren Arney, Samuel Baxter, Reya-Nyomi Brown, Patricia Castro, Lydia Fraser, Isaac Gryn, Mark Hammersley, Benjamin Lafayette, Tom Peters, Kingdom Sibanda, Tiana Simone, Danny Sykes and Meesha Turner.

The production is set to start previews in March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre ahead of an official opening on 22 April. Casting for the Broadway run is yet to be announced.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is currently playing at the Phoenix Theatre and is booking up until February 2025. Book your Stranger Things tickets now online via the LSBO website or at our box office in Leicester Square.

The upcoming West End production of The Duchess (Of Malfi) has announced additional casting.

As previously announced the play is set to star Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who/ Broadchurch) who makes her return to the stage for the first time in over a decade. Whittaker will be joined by Joel Fry, Rory Fleck Byrne, Jude Owusu, Elizabeth Ayodele, Hubert Burton, Matti Houghton, Hannah Visocchi, Kerill Kelly, Greg Snowden, and Amy Vicary-Smith with further casting yet to be announced.

Directed and adapted by award-winning Zinnie Harris, this production of John Webster’s thrilling drama is said to reinvent the play in a compelling way.

The play follows the story of a recently widowed Duchess who defies her family’s wishes by remarrying beneath her class. When her brothers discover the marriage they unleash a series of cruel punishments against her.

This contemporary adaptation of The Duchess of Malfi will play at the Trafalgar Theatre for 11 weeks only from 5 October to 20 December 2024.

Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) and Álvaro Morte (Money Heist) are set to star in the brand new play Barcelona, which is coming to the West End this October.

Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Lynette Linton, Barcelona follows the story of an American tourist who goes home with a handsome Spaniard when things take a dangerous turn. This sexy and funny play is sure to keep audiences guessing and explores the fantasy of who we pretend to be, versus the truth of who we are.

Both Collins and Morte make their West End debuts in this seductive thriller and when asked about how they feel about the production they said the following.

Collins said: “It has been a childhood dream of mind to perform in the West End and I’m hugely excited to make my stage debut in Bess’ exciting play, Barcelona. Working with this team has truly been a gift and I cannot wait for audiences to be taken on a thrilling journey as the play unravels. I knew the moment I finished reading the script, I had to play Irene.”

Morte added: “The London theatre scene is a vibrant and exhilarating canvas for fresh, groundbreaking work. I am thrilled and honoured to be a part of this captivating new play, marking my West End debut. I’m looking forward to bringing Barcelona to life and sharing it with audiences.”

The show will run at the Duke of York’s Theatre for a strictly limited 12-week run from 21 October 2024 to 11 January 2025. Keep an eye out for further announcements!

Award-winning director Jamie Lloyd (Sunset Boulevard, Romeo and Juliet) is set to direct a season of Shakespeare plays at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, beginning later this year.

The first of the 2 shows will be The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver (Alien, Avatar). She will be making her West End debut as Prospero. The Tempest will run from 7 December 2024 and play until 1 February 2025.

Much Ado About Nothing will then open on 10 February and will run until 5 April 2025. This is set to star Tom Hiddleston (Loki) and Hayley Atwell (Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning) as Benedick and Beatrice.

Regarding the season Lloyd has said: “It is such an honour to be invited by Andrew Lloyd Webber to be the first company to present Shakespeare at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in decades. I could not be more thrilled to welcome three-time Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning actress, Sigourney Weaver — an international icon of stage and screen — to London. Then to collaborate again with two of the greatest actors of their generation — Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell — on one of Shakespeare’s wittiest and most tender comedies is a dream come true.”

Andrew Lloyd Webber who owns the Theatre Royal Drury Lane has stated “When I was nine years old I was taken to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane to see Peter Brook’s legendary production of The Tempest with John Gielgud as Prospero. It made a profound impression on me. At the final performance, Gielgud broke Prospero’s staff and pronounced that Shakespeare would never again be performed at the Theatre Royal as it would be ‘lost to musicals’. Ever since I owned the Theatre Royal I have been determined to prove him wrong. It is therefore a massive joy that Jamie Lloyd is bringing back Shakespeare to the Lane and even more wonderful that the first of two Shakespeare plays will be The Tempest.”

Full cast and creatives for the 16-week season are yet to be announced. Keep an eye out for further announcements!

If you’re looking for the perfect top 5 family shows to take the family to this Summer then look no further. Take a look at our top picks below!

Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre

Wicked has remained of the most popular shows in London since the show opened at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in 2006. In April the musical became the 10th longest-running show in West End history and continues to ‘defy gravity’ night after night.

Acting as both a prequel and a sequel to the classic tale of The Wizard of Oz, Wicked tells the story of the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda the Good.

Packed with colourful costumes, incredible scenery and stunning special effects, Wicked has all the ingredients for an unforgettable family outing. Book your Wicked tickets now for an ‘ozmopolitan’ night out!

The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre

The Lion King is quite possibly the most popular show on the West End, selling out night after night. With stunning special events, vibrant colours and an enchanting musical score, the beloved Disney film comes to life on stage.

The multi-award-winning musical has music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, a musical score created by Hans Zimmer and choral arrangements by Lebo M. The Lion King has been wowing West End audiences for nearly 25 years and shows no sign of stopping.

Book The Lion King tickets now to experience the captivating rhythms of Africa at the Lyceum Theatre. The Lion King is all you need for a fun family night out this Summer.

Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre

Matilda the Musical is inspired by the beloved book from the ingenious author Roald Dahl and has been delighting London’s audiences for well over a decade. The heartwarming and whimsical stage adaptation brings the novel to life on stage with an abundance of catchy tunes and spectacular staging.

With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs from the brilliant Tim Minchin, Matilda is a treat for all the family. Book your Matilda tickets now to see the award-winning musical at the Cambridge Theatre.

Back to the Future
Adelphi Theatre

Back to the Future The Musical is adapted from the 1985 film and features a book by Bob Gale and music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy winner Glen Ballard. The musical features original songs as well as songs featured in the film such at Johnny B. Goode, Back in Time and The Power of Love.

The perfect musical for all the family to enjoy, Back to the Future is full of brilliant special effects, catchy tunes and colourful costumes. When this baby hits 88mph you’re going to see some serious… entertainment.

Book your Back to the Future tickets now to see the show at the Adelphi Theatre.

SIX the Musical
Vaudeville Theatre

Divorced. Beheaded. Died. Divorced. Beheaded. Survived. Live in concert!

Six the Musical is the untold story of the six wives of Henry VIII, remixed into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power. The musical written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss was first seen at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 and has since become a global phenomenon. Six is now a staple in London’s West End, Broadway, internationally and even on the sea!

Book your Six tickets now to see the queens ‘Get Down’ in this homegrown British musical. Now playing at the Queen’s ‘forever home’, the Vaudeville Theatre.

Book West End theatre tickets for any of these shows online via the LSBO website or visit our box office in Leicester Square.

How many theatres are there in the West End?

There are a total of 39 theatres in the West End but that is only counting official West End venues, There are 241 theatres in London as a whole.

Which West End Theatre is the smallest?

The Arts Theatre, located just behind Leicester Square Station is so small that it only holds 350 people. The theatre is the current home of The Choir of Man. This theatre is closely followed by the Fortune Theatre (Operation Mincemeat) which has 432 seats and the Ambassadors Theatre (Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!) which has 444.

Which West End Theatre is the biggest?

The London Coliseum on St Martin’s Lane is huge with a grand total of 2359 seats however it is the home of the English National Opera and therefore a non-commercial theatre. This makes the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the home of Wicked, the biggest West End theatre with 2328 seats.

Other big West End venues that have a capacity of over 2000 include the London Palladium, Dominion Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, Prince Edward Theatre, and the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Which West End Theatre is the oldest?

Taking the title of oldest West End Theatre is the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which first opened in May 1663, the current home of Disney’s Frozen.

Which West End Theatre is the newest?

@sohoplace opened in October 2022 on Tottenham Court Road and is the first new West End theatre in 50 years. It is currently the home of Death of England.

Who owns the West End Theatres?

The majority of the West End Theatres are owned by Nimax Theatres, LW Theatres, ATG Entertainment, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, and the Nederland Organisation.

Where are the West End Theatres located?

Most of the West End Theatres can be found in ‘Theatreland’, London’s main theatre district and situated in the heart of the West End of London, It is traditionally defined as the Strand to the south, Oxford Street to the north, Regent Street to the west and Kingsway to the east. There are a few other theatres that are still considered to be a part of the West End such as The Apollo Victoria Theatre in Victoria. Famous streets that house the majority of West End theatres are Shaftesbury Avenue, the Strand, and Drury Lane.

Are any of the West End Theatres haunted?

Yes! A couple of West End Theatres are home to a couple of ghostly characters. Most notably His Majesty’s Theatre (The Phantom of the Opera) is thought to be haunted by Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree who was a Victorian/ Edwardian actor-manager. He owned and lived in the theatre back in the day and is now said to haunt the top box, stage right.

Then there is William Terriss, a celebrated Victorian actor who is said to be the ghost of the Adelphi Theatre (Back to the Future). He was murdered by a fellow thespian that he had fired from his role. He was stabbed at stage door, brought back inside, and apparently died on the stage itself, declaring ‘I shall come back’.

The Theatre Royal Haymarket is also said to house the ghost of John Buckstone, an actor, writer, and producer who is to thank for a huge amount of plays, mainly at the Haymarket. He died peacefully at 77 and has been spotted by actors including Judi Dench and Patrick Stewart who are said to have seen him on stage during a performance of Waiting for Godot.

Matilda the Musical is now entering its 13th year at the West End’s Cambridge Theatre and from September the show will welcome some brand new cast members.

The musical is based on the 1988 book by Roald Dahl and features music and lyrics by Tim Minchin with a book by Dennis Kelly. It follows the story of Matilda Wormwood, a brilliant young girl with a love of books who discovers she has the power of telekinesis.

Matilda the Musical tickets are available now.

The production had an initial 12-week run staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford-Upon-Avon from November 2010 before its West End premiere in November 2011. It has since received widespread critical acclaim and remains a box-office hit. At the 2012 Olivier Awards, the musical won an outstanding seven awards, including Best New Musical. Matilda the Musical then opened on Broadway in April 2013 at the Shubert Theatre and that production went on to win five awards at the 2013 Tony Awards.

From 10 September, Angelica Scott will join current cast members Anna Deikalo, Ava Posniak, and Sophia Saravanan to share the title role.

In addition to this Tiffany Graves (But I’m A Cheerleader!) is joining the cast as Mrs Wormwood, while Neil McDermott (Pretty Woman) will be taking on the role of Mr Wormwood, with Eve Norris (Groundhog Day) joining the production as Miss Honey. Kieran Hill will continue in his role as Miss Trunchbull.

Joining the adult cast are Pearce Barron, Alex Louize Bird, Reece Budin, Dan Cooke, William Elijah-Lewis, Issy Khogali, Sam Lips, Sam Jeffrey Parkes, Jak Skelly, Ralph Watts, and Dawn Williams, who will join current members Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Ronan Burns, Karina Hind, Sam Lathwood, Gabrielle Davina Smith and Deborah Tracey.

New members of the young cast include Pasquale Aben-Danan, Elyza Alderton, Beatrice Armitage, Joseph Burrows, Maddy Collings, Sienna Culm, Joey Grady, Blake Graham, Alexandra Horner, Adam Hussain, George Jones, Amber Koduah-Hutchison, Tristan Marwa, Isabelle McLatchie, Anayah Thomas and Kobe Warmington.

Continuing in the production are Nesim Adnan, Ryo Appadu, Amelia-Grace Cambridge, Max Garlick, Jesamine-Bleu Gibbs, Kaylen Luke, Charlie Man-Evans, Yvie Moore, and Marnie Rae Warren-Baker.

A film adaptation of the musical was released in November 2022 starring Emma Thompson as the iconic Miss Trunchbull.

Matilda the Musical is currently playing at the Cambridge Theatre and is taking bookings through to 25 May 2025. Book your Matilda tickets now online via the LSBO website or visit our box office in Leicester Square.

The West End production Back to the Future: The Musical welcomes some brand new faces to the cast.

The Award-winning show first opened in London in 2021 and was awarded the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2022. The musical adaptation of the classic film features music and lyrics by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard with a book by Bob Gale. The show also features songs from the 1985 film such as The Power of Love, Johnny B. Goode, and Back in Time as well as original music.

The new West End cast includes Vasco Emauz as Marty McFly, making his West End debut, Orlando Gibbs as George McFly, CJ Borger as Goldie Wilson and Marvin Berry, Alex Runicles as Biff Tannen, Talia Palamathanan as Jennifer Parker, Ellis Kirk as alternate Marty McFly, and Liam McHugh as Dave McFly. Ensemble members include Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Billie Bowman, and Gracie Caine.

Current cast members staying on in the show are Cory English as Doctor Emmett Brown, Sarah Goggin as Lorraine Baines, Lee Ormsby as Strickland and alternate Doctor Emmett Brown, and Patricia Wilkins as Linda McFly. Ensemble members Ella Beaumont, Sia Dauda, Alexander Day, Helen Gulston, Matthew Ives, Connor Lewis, Adam Margilewski, Bryan Mottram, Anna Murray, Samuel Nicholas, Louis Quinn, Zachkiel Smith, Grace Swaby-Moore, and Alexandra Wright will also return.

The show has also announced an extension and is now booking until 27 July 2025. Book your Back to the Future tickets now online via the LSBO website or visit our box office in Leicester Square.

The musical theatre event returns to the Royal Abert Hall this September with performances from leading cast members and the most iconic shows for the West End.

This year the event will take place on Sunday 22 September and a huge amount of sparkling acts have already been revealed. Taking part in the event are smash hit musicals Disney’s The Lion King, Disney’s Aladdin, Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, An Officer and a Gentleman, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Six.

New shows that have just been announced include Mean Girls, Operation Mincemeat, Calamity Jane, and Burlesque The Musical.

West End star and radio presenter Ruthie Henshall is returning as host for the event alongside presenter and comedian Jason Manford. In addition, theatre favourites Kerry Ellis and John Owen-Jones are scheduled to perform.

Keep an eye out for further announcements!