A round-up of the big new shows in London’s West End, ideal for groups planning a trip to theatreland.

Grease  

Jason Donovan and Peter Andre will return to Grease at the Dominion Theatre on selected dates throughout its summer run (2nd June - 28th October), joining the previously announced Louise Redknapp. The trio will all have stints as Teen Angel, with Peter Andre also taking on the role of Vince Fontaine for certain performances. Grease was seen by more than 500,000 people in 2022, making it the Dominion Theatre’s most successful summer run since We Will Rock You.

Grease The Musical, London

Source: Manuel Harlan

Peter Andre as Vince Fontaine (centre) with the company in Grease.

This year is due to be no different, with hit songs like Summer Nights and Hopelessly Devoted To You included, as well as choreography by Arlene Phillips and spectacular set designs to transport audiences to Rydell High School. 

Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations 

Broadway’s Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is running at the Prince Edward Theatre, starring Cameron Bernard Jones as Melvin Franklin, Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanogho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks. You can watch a social media teaser of what to expect from the singing group below:

The show brings the incredible true story of one of the greatest R&B groups to life in London for the first time, with parties of ten or more people qualifying for discounted rates. 

Crazy For You 

Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre during the summer of 2022, Susan Stoman’s hit is to embark on a six-month season at London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre from 24th June until 4th January 2024.

Crazy for You

Source: Johan Persson

From left: Nell Martin, Carlie Stemp (centre) and Kate Parr in Crazy for You at Chichester Festival Theatre.

The story follows the life of theatre-mad Bobby Child (Charlie Stemp), who is torn between his show-business dreams and running the family bank. Child reluctantly heads west to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a theatre’s mortgage, only to fall for the theatre owner’s daughter, Polly (Carly Anderson).

You can read our interview with Charlie Stemp to find out what he hopes audiences will take away from the performance by clicking here.

Mrs Doubtfire

The comedy musical based on the iconic movie starring Robin Williams, will open at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre on 12th May, running until January 2024.

Having made its UK premiere in Manchester in 2022 on a month-long run, the London production will also star Gabriel Vick as the leading man and woman, Daniel Hillard, plus his alter ego Mrs Doubtfire.

Watch the trailer below:

The comedy follows out-of-work actor Daniel who will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives.

Aspects of Love

The West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Aspects of Love stars musical theatre legend Michael Ball as George, alongside Laura Pitt-Pulford as Rose, Jamie Bogyo as Alex and Danielle de Niese as Giulietta. The Lyric Theatre will host the production from 12th May until 11th November, telling the story of a young actress by the name of Rose Vibert who finds herself homeless and penniless after her hoped-for career break play closes early.

Invited to a country villa by a love struck young American, Alex Dillingham, she impulsively accepts. When unexpectedly interrupted by Alex’s distinguished uncle George, everything changes.

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We Will Rock You 

Queen and Ben Elton’s hit show will return to London’s London Coliseum, 21 years after it exploded into the West End for a 12-week season from 2nd June until 27th August. Loose Women’s Brenda Edwards will star in the role of Killer Queen and is joined by Lee Mead who will play the role of Khashoggi. Brenda has had leading roles in theatreland such as Mama Morton in Chicago, Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act The Musical and Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray.

Mead’s theatre credits include Billy Flynn in Chicago and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The musical features 24 of Queen’s greatest hits and is said to rival the scale and spectacle of the band’s legendary live performances. 

We Will Rock You, London

Brenda Edwards and Lee Mead will take to the stage as Killer Queen and Khashoggi respectively.

The Wizard of Oz

Gary Wilmot is the latest name to be revealed for The Wizard of Oz that will take to the London Palladium stage from 23rd June until 3rd September. Wilmot, who is described as one of the all-time legends of The London Palladium and a star of the annual Palladium Panto, will play The Wizard and Professor Marvel, joining the previously announced Jason Manford (the Cowardly Lion) and Ashley Banjo (the Tin Man). 

Join Dorothy and Toto on an unforgettable adventure as they are swept over the rainbow to the merry old land of Oz, with original songs like Over The Rainbow, Follow The Yellow Brick Road and We’re Off To See the Wizard included, as well as additional tunes from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

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