The news that has had theatre land talking this week includes
New casting announced for 2.22 A Ghost Story
New casting has been announced for hit play 2.22: A Ghost Story, with the show due to run at the Lyric Theatre from 21 January to 23 April
The new cast will include Cheryl, Hugo Chegwin, Scott Karim and Louise Ford.
Cheryl, who will play Jenny, said: “I am really excited to be taking part in what is such a new challenge for me. I have always loved and been a big fan of theatre so I’m especially excited to be playing the role of Jenny in this production of 2:22. It is a brilliant role and subject matter with a very interesting plot! Danny Robins is such an intriguing character which is evident throughout this play and his style of writing has an odd sense of familiarity to me, being a fellow Geordie! I look forward to working with Matthew and the other cast members and can’t wait to get going.”
Sheridan Smith to play Shirley Valentine
It has been announced that Sheridan Smith will return to the London stage, staring in solo show Shirley Valentine.
Directed by Matthew Dunster, the show tells the story of a women dreaming of escaping her family home and heading to Greece.
The show will run a the Duke of York’s Theatre from 17 February for 12 weeks.
Groundhog Day to return to the Old Vic
It has been announced that fan favourite musical Groundhog Day will return to the Old Vic Theatre next year.
The show will run from 20 May to 12 August, with tickets on sale 12 December.
Andy Karl will return to the leading role of Phil Conners with further casting to be revealed.
Boq casting announced for Wicked Movie
Further casting has been announced for the upcoming two part movie adaptation of Wicked.
Broadway regular Ethan Slater will play the role of Boq in the film, joining Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda and Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero.
We Will Rock You to return to London
It has been announced that We Will Rock You will return to London for a strictly limited season at the London Coliseum, running 2 June to 27 August 2023.
Original Queen band member Brian May said today: “”I’m thrilled we finally have this opportunity to put We Will Rock You back on stage in London, where it was born. The show’s original message of the fight to re-establish individuality in a dystopian corporate world is even more relevant now than when we began. It will be a completely new production that will burst on to the prestigious London Coliseum stage – but the story, the humour, and of course the Queen music, will hit you harder than ever. We WILL Rock You – again!!”
Bandmate Roger Taylor added: “Bigger, better, faster, funnier! Here we go again… yeaaaaaaaah!”
Casting is to be announced.