The news that has had theatre land talking this week includes..
Full cast for Once announced
Full casting has been announced for Once, which will play for two performances only at the London Palladium on Sunday 12 March.
Joining the previously announced Jamie Muscato and Carrie Hope Fletcher will be Phil Adéle as Eamon, Kamilla Gregorovitch as Reza, Seán Keany as Billy, Alasdair Macrae as Da, Loris Scarpa as Svec, Jos Slovick as Andrej, Christina Tedders as Ex-girlfriend, Angus Tikka as bank manager, Susannah Van Den Berg as Babushka and Micheal Vine as Emcee.
The role of Ivonka will be played by Tabitha Shorten at the matinee and Mia Raggio at the evening performance.
Helen George to star in the UK Tour of The King and I
It has been announced that Call the Midwife star Helen George will play the role of Anna Leonowens in the upcoming tour of the King and I, which kicks off in February.
She has said “I was blown away when I saw Bartlett Sher’s staging of this wonderful show, so I can’t wait to work with him and the rest of the creative team to bring this timeless story back to the stage next year. Anna is such a strong, passionate and determined character, and I’m going to relish bringing her to life every night, as well as giving audiences all over the UK the chance to see this peerless Broadway and West End musical right on their doorstep.”
The Mousetrap to premiere on Broadway
To mark its 70th anniversary, it has been announced that The Mousetrap will finally have its broadway premiere, opening in New York next year.
Producer Kevin McCollum has said: “I am thrilled that Agatha Christie’s beloved murder mystery that changed popular theatre and has been a landmark attraction for US visitors to London’s West End for the past 70 years will now be coming to Broadway. I’m excited for the huge Christie fan-base in North America, and for the acting company in New York who will join the esteemed ranks of The Mousetrap alumni.”
London cast announced for the Rocky Horror Show
Casting has been announced for the London run of The Rocky Horror Show which plays at the Peacock theatre for a limited run next year.
Ore Oduba will reprise his role of Brad Majors alongside Helen Flaherty as Janet, Stephen Webb as Frank N Furter, Kristian Lavercombe as Riff Raff, Ben Westhead as Rocky, Suzie McAdams as Magenta and Joe Allen as Eddie and Dr Scott.
The cast is completed by Stefania Du Toit, Jessica Sole, Reece Budin, Fionán O’Carroll, Nathan Shaw and Tyler Nurden.
Cast for Ain’t Too Proud announced
Initial casting has been announced for the London premiere of Ain’t Too Proud, which opens at the prince Edward theatre in March 2023.
Cameron Bernard Jones will play the role of Melvin Franklin with Kyle Cox as Paul Williams, Sifiso Mazibuko as Otis Williams, Tosh Wanagho-Maud as David Ruffin and Mitchell Zhangazha as Eddie Kendricks.
Further casting is to be announced.