Theatre News
From London’s West End to the best national touring productions, find out what to see on your next group theatre visit.
Familiar names included as casting announced for Paddington musical
The principal cast for the world premier of Paddington The Musical, including the Brown family and Mr Curry has been revealed, with performances beginning in November in London.
Stephen Fry and Hugh Dennis join cast for Oscar Wilde Classic
The National Theatre has announced the full cast for its West End production of The Importance of Being Earnest, featuring Stephen Fry and Olly Alexander.
Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts joins Hadestown cast
Former Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts will join the cast of Hadestown at London’s Lyric Theatre, playing Persephone from September until January 2026.
Game of Thrones and The Full Monty actor to star in West End musical
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is transferring to the West End following a sold-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Full cast announced for Dear England tour
David Sturzaker will take on the role of Gareth Southgate alongside EastEnders actress Samantha Womack as team psychologist Pippa Grange.
Mia Carragher Leads The Hunger Games Stage Adaptation
Mia Carragher will take on the lead role of Katniss Everdeen in the first-ever live stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s acclaimed book The Hunger Games.
Tim Minchin meets young cast of Matilda The Musical tour
Casting has been announced for the upcoming tour of Matilda The Musical, which begins at the Curve in Leicester on 6th October 2025 and runs through into 2027.
Inspector Morse brought to the stage for the first time
The full casting has been announced for the tour of Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts, with Tom Chambers playing the lead role and theatres across the country set to welcome the famous detective.
Ed McVey and Maisie Smith to star in The Talented Mr. Ripley
The Crown’s Ed McVey and former EastEnders cast member and Strictly Come Dancing finalist Maisie Smith will take on the roles of Ripley and Marge in the show’s first ever UK tour.
Modern retelling of Single White Female to premiere on the stage
The world premiere production of Single White Female starring Kym Marsh is set to hit the stage on its UK and Ireland tour, with dates starting from January 2026.
Elf The Musical returning for Christmas
The hit musical based on the much-loved Christmas film is returning to the West End for a strictly limited ten-week run until the new year.
Strictly’s Johannes to strut into the West End with Kinky Boots
Following a record-breaking tour, Strictly Come Dancing star, Johannes Radebe will make his West End debut in the new production of Kinky Boots The Musical opening in March 2026.
Further venues announced for Mamma Mia! UK tour
Mamma Mia! will head out on a UK tour from October 2025, and additional dates include runs at theatres nationwide through to August 2026.
Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy live show coming to London
The interactive show will open at Riverside Studios in November, with visitors able to explore the world based on Douglas Adams’ novels and the 2005 film.
Mean Girls The Musical touring UK theatres in 2026
Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions have announced the UK and Ireland tour of Mean Girls The Musical will open at Manchester Opera House on 23rd February 2026.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button closing in October
The award winning musical has announced its final extension at The Ambassadors Theatre, with its last West End performance taking place on 11th October 2025.
RSC announces 2025/26 programme starring Outlander’s Sam Heughan
The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced its 2025/26 programme of shows, including a new production of Shakespeare’s Henry V and a West End run of Born With Teeth.
Special anniversary cast announced for Les Misérables, London
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the West End musical, producers of Les Misérables have announced a new cast including Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean and Bradley Jaden as Javert.
Olly Alexander starring in The Importance of Being Earnest
The actor and singer-songwriter will take on the role of Algernon Moncrieff when the National Theatre production transfers to the West End.
Brian Conley to join the cast of Back to the Future The Musical
The stage and screen star will play Doctor Emmett Brown in Back to the Future The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre.
Cynthia Erivo to lead new adaptation of Dracula in the West End
Kip Williams’ one actor adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula will begin performances at London’s Noël Coward Theatre in February 2026.
The Talented Mr. Ripley set for first UK tour
The stage adaptation of the 1955 novel and hit film will tour UK theatres from 4th September, 70 years after the novel’s publication.
Carlos Acosta’s Nutcracker in Havana announces second UK tour
Nutcracker in Havana, choreographed and directed by Carlos Acosta CBE, will embark on its second UK tour from the end of October 2025.
Legally Blonde to tour UK in 2026
A new production of Legally Blonde The Musical will tour the UK and Ireland in 2026, opening at Leicester’s Curve Theatre in February.
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical to finish West End run
After seven years Tina, the stage show based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner, will conclude its run in London’s West End.
Toby Jones and David Harewood to star in Othello
A new West End production of Shakespeare’s Othello will open in October, at Theatre Royal Haymarket, starring David Harewood OBE, Toby Jones OBE and Caitlin FitzGerald.
The Hunger Games stage show to launch at new Canary Wharf theatre
The first-ever live stage adaptation of the The Hunger Games will begin performances in October at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, a brand new venue in Canary Wharf, London.
Wicked extends group bookings to December 2026
Groups can continue to save on tickets for midweek and weekend performances as the West End show extends its groups and trade booking to December 2026.
The Play That Goes Wrong announces extension and new cast
More mischief is guaranteed as The Play That Goes Wrong at London’s Duchess Theatre announces a new cast and extends its run until August 2026.
Disney’s The Lion King extends West End stay again
More tickets have been released through to December 2026 for the multi-award-winning production, with discounted rates available for group bookings.
Bridgerton’s Hannah Dodd leads new cast of Cabaret in London
Hannah Dodd, known for her role in Netflix’s Bridgerton, is set to star as Sally Bowles in the West End production of Cabaret, joining a newly announced cast at London’s Kit Kat Club.
Helloooo, Poppets! Mrs Doubtfire musical to tour
Beloved Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire will be packing up her suitcase and hitting the road as musical Mrs Doubtfire tours the UK and Ireland.
KC and the Sunshine Band musical set for London debut
Get Down Tonight, a musical inspired by the early years of Harry Wayne Casey (of KC and the Sunshine Band), arrives at London’s Charing Cross Theatre this September.
Marmalade anyone? Paddington The Musical to receive world premiere
The much-loved bear from Peru will find a new home at the Savoy Theatre, London with music and lyrics by McFly front-man and best-selling children’s author, Tom Fletcher.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton starring in 2:22 A Ghost Story tour
The full cast for the 2025 leg of the UK tour of 2:22 A Ghost Story has been announced and includes Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley who will star as couple, Sam and Jenny.
TV presenter and singer Fleur East joining Tina Turner musical
Tina - The Tina Turner Musical has announced that Fleur East will make her theatrical debut in the lead role of Tina, and that the show has extended its booking period.
Alexandra Burke to transform into Morticia for The Addams Family tour
The singer-songwriter and winner of series five of The X Factor will star alongside Lesley Joseph, best known for popular comedy, Birds of a Feather.
The Kinks musical returns for another UK Tour
Multi Olivier Award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon, tells the story of The Kinks’ rise to stardom through their iconic hits.
Watch: The Muses perform Zero to Hero from Disney’s Hercules
Groups can get a taster of the new musical coming to the West End, with the release of Zero to Hero by The Muses, one of the many hits in the hotly-anticipated show.
Expect festive mayhem from Christmas Carol Goes Wrong
Mischief will be bringing a predictably chaotic Christmas season with their new festive stage show, after celebrating ten years of The Play That Goes Wrong.
The Producers heading back to the West End stage
Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of The Producers is returning to the West End after a sold-out run at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory.
Much-loved Greatest Showman to be transformed into a stage show
A stage adaptation will open at the Bristol Hippodrome, featuring the award-winning soundtrack from the 2017 hit film.
Popular Midsomer Murders will make stage debut
For the first time, Inspector Barnaby and his sidekick, Sergeant Troy, will take to the stage in Guy Unsworth’s adaptation of Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift.
Nationwide tour of Dear England: football, identity and masculinity
The National Theatre has revealed that Olivier-award winning play, Dear England will tour UK theatres, telling the story of Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England football manager.
More UK tour dates include new firsts for Miss Saigon
Set during the 1970s, during the last days of the Vietnam War, the show tells the story of 17-year-old Kim who is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as The Engineer.
From page to stage: Death on the Nile touring theatres nationwide
A new production of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile will begin a UK and Ireland tour on 26th September, opening at the Lowry Theatre in Salford.
Additional dates for Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
Groups can make use of further dates to the 2025/2026 tour of the double Olivier award-winning production of The Red Shoes, including a short festive run at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London.
To Kill a Mockingbird set for debut UK and Ireland tour
The show based on the acclaimed novel is touring the UK following sell-out runs on Broadway and at London’s Gielgud Theatre.
Fiddler on the Roof transfers to London ahead of UK tour
Fiddler on the Roof will open at London’s Barbican Theatre this summer, followed by a major UK and Ireland tour after a sold-out season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.
Full casting announced for West End debut of Disney’s Hercules
Disney Theatrical Group has announced full casting for Hercules which opens at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 24th June, with previews from 6th June.