Leigh Francis joined the cast of BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre last night (Monday 21 October) in a cameo appearance as ‘Principal Strickland’ to celebrate Back to the Future Day. He was congratulated by his guest, Emma Bunton, after the show.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: (L to R) Bob Gale, Lee Ormsby, Emma Bunton, Leigh Francis aka Keith Lemon, performing in a special cameo as Principal Strickland, and Vasco Emauz attend a special performance of “Back To The Future: The Musical” in celebration of Back To The Future Day at The Adelphi Theatre on October 21, 2024 in London, England.
Photo by Dave Benett
The musical is currently booking until Sunday 27 July 2025 at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End. www.BackToTheFutureMusical.com
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical. The productions in London and Manchester have so far been seen by over 1.6 million people and the musical has broken box office records at the Adelphi Theatre.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: (L to R) Vasco Emauz, Lee Ormsby, Bob Gale and Leigh Francis aka Keith Lemon, performing in a special cameo as Principal Strickland, attend a special performance of “Back To The Future: The Musical” in celebration of Back To The Future Day at The Adelphi Theatre on October 21, 2024 in London, England.
Photo by Dave Benett
Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: (L to R) Lee Ormsby, Emma Bunton, Leigh Francis aka Keith Lemon, performing in a special cameo as Principal Strickland, and Vasco Emauz attend a special performance of “Back To The Future: The Musical” in celebration of Back To The Future Day at The Adelphi Theatre on October 21, 2024 in London, England.
Photo by Dave Benett
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Tim Lutkin (lighting), Hugh Vanstone (lighting consultant), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Leigh Francis aka Keith Lemon (C), performing in a special cameo as Principal Strickland, poses with cast members including Vasco Emauz and Lee Ormsby and co-creator Bob Gale at a special performance of “Back To The Future: The Musical” in celebration of Back To The Future Day at The Adelphi Theatre on October 21, 2024 in London, England.
Photo by Dave Benett
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Hunter Arnold, Gavin Kalin Productions, Playing Field, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Robert L. Hutt, Universal Theatrical Group, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with Kimberly Magarro, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.
written by Anthony Spargo, musical direction by Steve Markwick, directed by James Haddrell at Greenwich Theatre from 22 November 2024 to 5 January 2025
The cast is announced for Greenwich Theatre’s all-new, all-singing, all-dancing pantomime Dick Whittington and his Cat with: Samuel Bailey (Newsies) as Dick Whittington; Jasmine Jules Andrews (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Alice Fitzwarren; Anthony Spargo (who also writes Greenwich’s panto for the third time) as Ratticous; Louise Cielecki (Snow White, Beauty and the Beast) as Muffy Mouse; Paul Kemble (Top Hat) as Alderman Fitzwarren; Inés Ruiz (Beauty and the Beast) as Tommie the Cat; and Phil Yarrow (Peter Pan Goes Wrong) as Meggs the Baker.
Greenwich Theatre introduces Archie Fearon, Nabi Brown and Annabelle Lane in their professional debuts. as part of its valued continuing partnership with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
“Greenwich Theatre… sets the gold standard for pantomime” (British Theatre Guide)
Join Dick Whittington and his Cat as they seek fame and fortune in an adventure through good old London Town! Can Dick outwit the evil King Rat, defeat his gang of revolting rodents? Will he win the beautiful Alice Fitzwarren’s hand in marriage and become Lord Mayor of London? Find out in this pantomime paved with gold!
Lauded as presenting ‘a wonderful panto to rival any of the big boys in London town’ (FairyPoweredProductions), Greenwich Theatre is renowned for punching above its weight with the quality of its festive season shows. Accolades have included multiple Offie Award nominations, including wins for Sleeping Beauty (Best Panto) and Snow White (Best Design, Panto). The production reunites Snow White’s Offie Award-winning Design team – Emily Bestow (set and costumes), Henry Slater (lights) and Liam McDermott (sound), joined by video design from PixelLux (West End, Broadway, Royal Opera House) and 2D animator Hannah Schlenker (Spitting Image Live – Idiots Assemble).
James Haddrell:“Over the past decade, the Greenwich Theatre pantomime has sold more tickets year on year, thanks to a loyal following and new audiences attracted by its exceptional reputation – and we look forward to welcoming them all this year. We are delighted to bring together an exciting cast, with talent from across the West End and the UK touring circuit joining Greenwich regulars Anthony Spargo and Louise Cielecki. Following the tradition of previous years, our panto will transform a much-loved tale into something entirely new, with a host of unforgettable plot twists and West End quality music.”
Olivier, Tony and Drama Desk awards nominated Lauren Ward and Josie Benson head the cast for the world premiere of
STALLED
a new musical
at the King’s Head Theatre
Book & Lyrics Liesl Wilke Music & Lyrics Andy Marsh with additional music and lyrics by Kyle Puccia
Director Vikki Stone
Lauren Ward and Josie Benson
King’s Head Theatre 116 Upper Street, London N1 1QN
Thursday 13 February – Sunday 23 March, 2025
West End and Broadway star Lauren Ward (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Dear Evan Hansen) and Josie Benson (Kiss Me Kate, Mamma Mia!) are to head the cast in the world premiere of STALLED, a new musical about mothers, daughters and moving on, at the King’s Head Theatre.
In a bougie-ass Seattle ladies room, lost-but-searching Maggie and a frazzled mother, a neurodivergent daughter, a nonbinary poet and a queer computer scientist are among the characters whose paths cross and who navigate the ups and downs of modern life. With soul-stirring melodies and a rare authenticity, their inspiring stories make for an unforgettable celebration of these complicated, beautiful souls.
STALLED, Book & Lyrics by Liesl Wilke and Music & Lyrics by Andy Marsh and with additional music and lyrics by Kyle Puccia, directed by Vikki Stone, will play a 6-week season from Thursday 13 February – Sunday 23 March, 2025.
Producer Thomas Hopkins said: “I am delighted to be producing the world premiere of Liesl and Andy’s new musical at the new Kings Head Theatre. And it is an honour to collaborate with Liesl (as co-producer) in bringing this vibrant and poignant work to life on stage. This musical gives a powerful platform for voices that deserve to be celebrated. And in the spirit of inclusivity and community, I am thrilled to introduce PAY WHAT YOU CAN TUESDAYS, made possible by the generous support of a dedicated foundation. This initiative ensures that everyone has the opportunity to experience this new musical, no matter what their financial situation.”
Lauren Ward is an Olivier Award, Tony Award and Drama Desk Award nominated actress and singer. Her West End roles include Virginia Creel in Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Cynthia in Dear Evan Hansen (Olivier nomination), Miss Flemming/Veronica’s Mum in Heathers, Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical (Olivier nomination), Baroness Elsa Schraeder in The Sound of Music and Liz in The Philadelphia Story. Her Broadway credits include Matilda the Musical (Tony nomination), Follies, 1776, The Heiress, Carousel, Violet (Drama Desk nomination, Theatre World Award).
Josie Benson recently played Hattie in Kiss Me Kate at the Barbican. Her West End roles include Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Miss Sherman in Fame The Musical, Madam Giry in The Phantom of the Opera. She was Carmen in Carmen Jones and Camila Rosario in the UK premiere of In the Heights.
Cezarah Bonner was recently seen as Lady Thiang in The King and I (West End, UK tour and international tour). Her other roles include Kim in Miss Saigon (West End & Australian premiere) and Annette in Saturday Night Fever.
Regina Co was in Not A Birthday Goes By: A Sondheim Celebration (Upstairs at the Gatehouse) and Sondheim in Red (Phoenix Arts Club).
Emma Espada is making her professional debut.
Isabella Gervais will be next be seen in The Jingleclaw (Birmingham Hippodrome). Other roles include Fame The Musical (Athens, Greece), God Catcher (Edinburgh Fringe).
Joanna Kirkland was in Dear Evan Hansen and A Chorus of Disapproval (West End), Committee and Parade (Donmar Warehouse), The Witches of Eastwick (UK tour).
Evita Khrime was Mimi in Rent (UK tour).
Rebecca-Jo Roberts is making her professional debut.
Carrie Sutton’s West End credits include Snow White, Dick Whittington, Cinderella, The Wizard of Oz, Sister Act and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (all at the London Palladium).
Grace Venus was Cinderella in the Everyman Rock ’N’ Roll Panto (Liverpool Everyman); Aurora in Sleeping Beauty (Storyhouse). Her TV credits include John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams.
Director Vikki Stone Musical Director Livi van Warmelo Set & Costume Designer Emily Bestow Lighting Designer Ciarán Cunningham Sound Designer Dan Samson Production Manager Caroline Croft Casting Director Rob Kelly Producer & General Management Thomas Hopkins Productions Marketing Tessa Daniels for Make a Noise Social Media JWoo
Liesl Wilke – Book & Lyrics Liesl is a New Jersey-born and southern-raised author of novels, short stories, screenplays, and stage plays. She holds a sociology degree from Princeton University and a law degree from the University of North Carolina. Since leaving the practice of law, she’s found joy and meaning in the use of story to uplift and connect with other humans, particularly marginalised groups and those with sweet, sensitive souls she recognises as family. Her work includes the award-winning novels Circle of Three (Writer’s Digest) and Unfurling Lily (PNWA). She has also received recognition for her short stories “Ordinary Commerce,” “Of Crab Traps and Fisherwomen,” and “Stalled Symphony,” which won the 2011 Raymond Carver Short Story Contest and inspired a television series and a musical set in a mall bathroom. Her stories have appeared in publications like G.W. Review, Short Story, and Narrative Magazine. Liesl is actively developing several television series and films, including Normal, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story about growing up in 1980s Charlotte, the social dynamics of busing, and the challenges of growing up with parents experimenting with open marriage. Her short film Lines won several awards, and she recently produced several film projects including The Rebel Girls (about survivors of a civil rights atrocity) and One For The Team (a pilot about a trans male lacrosse player). Liesl also invests in and produces theatre (Rose, Drag! The Musical, Your Lie In April the Musical, Just in Time) and develops new work (Missing Peace (NAMT), Distant Thunder).
Andy Marsh – Music & Lyrics Los Angeles-based composer and songwriter Andy Marsh, formerly a composer at Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music, has a diverse portfolio. He has independently scored films such as This is Our Home and Gabe and created music for documentaries including Sundance’s Voice Through the Storm and Tribeca’s Conducting a Revolution, which explored the barriers broken by a female conductor in the world of opera. During his tenure at Bleeding Fingers, Andy contributed to high-profile projects like BBC’s Around the World in 80 Days, Netflix’s Island of the Sea Wolves, MasterChef, and Alaskan Bush People. His recent work in theatre includes composing for TH IR DS, written by Ben Edlin and Deborah Aquila, and directed by Jessica Aquila, which premiered in Los Angeles. In addition to his work in film, TV, and theatre, Andy’s commercial projects and song placements have amassed nearly 60 million streams worldwide. Throughout his career, Andy has used his musical talents as a means to explore and communicate diverse themes, from disabilities to gender barriers in the arts, working with a wide array of people and topics. With a proven track record and a dynamic approach to music composition, Andy continues to bring impactful and memorable music to new projects.
Kyle Puccia – Additional Music & Lyrics Kyle began his career in musical theatre as a performer and transitioned into composing songs and writing musicals for the stage. The full-length musical Missing Peace, which he co-wrote with Kalani Queypo, is in development with Goodspeed and previewed at the NAMT festival in 2020. He is a gifted composer both for stage and commercial co-writes garnering over 150 million streams on Spotify. His songs have charted on Billboard’s Top 40 Hot Dance Club and garnered synchs on such TV shows and films as Pretty Little Liars, Love Island, The Titans, and more.
Vikki Stone – Director Vikki Stone is a multi award-winning director, writer, composer, comedian, and musician, who has a rather unique set of skills in writing, classical music, musical theatre, as well as over ten years on the road as a stand-up comedian. She is the co-adapter, writer and music supervisor for the Olivier Award winning Hey Duggee Live, #zoologicalsociety for Royal & Derngate, Cinderella & Aladdin for The Lyric Hammersmith, Alice In Wonderland (music and lyrics) for the Liverpool Everyman Playhouse, Peter Pan (music and lyrics) for Rose Theatre Kingston, Dick Whittington for the New Wolsey Theatre.
Thomas Hopkins Productions – Producer & General Manger Thomas Hopkins Productions was founded in 2019 by award winning theatre, film, TV and radio producer Thomas Hopkins. THP has to-date worked on many live theatrical productions and multiple productions created and filmed specifically for platforms such as Sky, BBC, Amazon Prime, BroadwayHD, Broadway On Demand and educational platform Digital Theatre Plus. Productions include: Sharon Osbourne – “Cut The Crap’’ (Fortune Theatre /Alexandra Theatre/202 European Tour); Song from Far Away (Home/Hampstead Theatre); Rose (Ambassadors Theatre/Hope Mill/ Park Theatre/Sky Arts/BroadwayHD – OnComm award-winning); Passion (Hope Mill); The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me (New Wimbledon OnComm award- winning); Godspell (BroadwayHD). Thomas is passionate about the creation of new theatrical experiences and productions and is developing a new version of Boy George’s autobiography musical Taboo, a West End production of Harrison David Rivers’ play This Bitter Earth to be directed by Grammy Award, Emmy and two time Tony winning actor, singer, director, composer, and playwright Billy Porter and a new family musical by Olivier award winning composer Vikki Stone based on the Iconic BAFTA winning BBC TV show Maid Marian and Her Merry Men by Sir Tony Robinson
King’s Head Theatre King’s Head Theatre is a purpose-built, wheelchair accessible theatre with a 255-seat flexible auditorium and 50-seat cabaret space off Upper St, Islington which showcases a wide range of performance styles from plays to musicals, to opera & cabaret, to drag & comedy. Established in 1970, King’s Head Theatre was the oldest pub theatre in the UK until it closed its doors in August 2023. For 53 years the theatre was housed in the back room of the King’s Head Pub on Upper Street in an old boxing ring and pool hall, before opening the new space in Islington Square right behind the pub theatre in January 2024. Under Artistic Director & Founder Dan Crawford, whose tenure lasted 35 years until his death in 2005, the theatre became known as a breeding ground for new talent and great work. Renowned actors like Maureen Lipman, Hugh Grant, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Alan Rickman & Richard E Grant all performed at the theatre, and a number of productions transferred to the West End and Broadway, premiering work from writers such as Steven Berkoff, Tom Stoppard, Bryony Lavery and Victoria Wood. In 2010, the Olivier Award-winning company Opera UpClose Productions became the theatre’s resident company for four years, and with Adam Spreadbury-Maher as Artistic Director, turned the King’s Head into “London’s Little Opera House”, winning an Olivier Award for La Boheme in the Best New Opera category. Opera remains a key part of the theatre’s focus, alongside a commitment to emerging, daring and innovative work, such as Trainspotting, the Edinburgh Fringe and touring immersive hit developed by King’s Head Theatre. The theatre regularly showcases LGBTQ+ work which explores the full spectrum of experiences symbolised by the rainbow flag. It is a home for a new wave of theatre makers, with a focus on work which is joyful, irreverent, colourful & queer.
LISTINGS INFO
LISTINGS INFO
Thomas Hopkins Productions for Stalled on Stage Ltd presents the world premiere of
STALLED a new musical
Book writer & Co-Lyricist Liesl Wilke Composer & Lyricist Andy Marsh with additional music and lyrics by Kyle Puccia
Nottingham Theatre Royal – until Saturday 26 October 2024
Reviewed by Louise Ford
5*****
You have bewitched me, body and soul.
There have been many adaptations, on both the large and small screen, over the years of Jane Austin’s works and at least five of Pride and Prejudice on television alone, however there is always room for a new take on the “girl meets boy” story. And this is exactly what this production does. It takes the original story and looks at it from a different angle and adds the sparkle of karaoke to move the plot along.
The adaptation by Isobel McArthur for the Tron Theatre, in Glasgow, arrived in 2017. It was an instant hit moving to the Fringe, the West End and a Nationwide tour. And the rest as they say is history.
The opening scene is of the largely ignored female servants at Longbourn House, who not only keep the household running like clockwork, doing all of the drudgery tasks, but also playing an important role in moving along a plot or romance. They may deliver a letter too quickly or too slowly which all helps or hinders the path of true love. The servants are clad in their chemises and wearing DMs, they mean business. The entire cast is just five women who take on all of the key roles and characters. The changes of characters are achieved in double quick time and can simply be a jacket or a dress or can be more complicated like Lady Catherine de Bourgh. These are all spot on, some are underplayed and others are played for comic effect.
Talking of comic touches the portrayal of Mr Bennet is inspired. This joke never tires and the exchanges between Mrs Bennet and her husband are very funny. The other great comic touch is the introduction and portrayal of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Her entrance and costume is to … well can you guess? It would be rude not to exploit this connection! Oh and the iconic “wet shirt” scene (from the Colin Firth adaptation) is delivered in a round about sort of way.
The set as with the cast and their costumes is paired back. There is a sweeping staircase which dominates the story. In addition there are a few carefully chosen props including a horse, a chaise lounge and a Chinese vase!
Back to the cast, on Monday night’s production there were five outstanding performers on stage; Susie Barrett, Emma Rose Creaner, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low and Christine Steel. They were all excellent. They were energetic, talented and funny. In turn they took centre stage, sang some classic karaoke favourites and delivered some iconic Austin lines. Some of the songs are accompanied by on stage music, the guitar, recorder and piano. All of the instruments are played by the cast, how talented.
As the closing banner says, if you enjoyed the show tell someone! So do yourselves a favour and treat yourself to a mid week theatre outing of fun, joy and silliness!
OPENING AT THE EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM ON THURSDAY 15 MAY
BEFORE VISITING 15 VENUES ACROSS THE UK
New Adventures is delighted to announce that Matthew Bourne’s award-winning THE MIDNIGHT BELL will be returning in 2025, opening at the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham on Thursday 15 May. It will then embark on a 17-week countrywide tour including many venues for the first time with this production. Full tour schedule below.
In 1930s London ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubsand fog-boundstreets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Step inside The Midnight Bell, a tavern where one particular lonely-hearts club gather to play out their lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption.
Matthew Bourne’s THE MIDNIGHT BELL isinspired by the work of thegreat English novelist Patrick Hamilton(Twenty Thousand Streets Under The Sky, Hangover Square) who created some of the most authentic fiction of his era; stories borne out of years of social interactions with the working man and woman at his favourite location – the London Pub.
THE MIDNIGHT BELL premiered to great acclaim in 2021 and received five nominations at the 2022 National Dance Awards, with Matthew Bourne winning the award for Best Modern Choreography and Michela Meazza for Outstanding Female Modern Performance.
Matthew Bourne said today“The Midnight Bell with its entangled tales of lonely souls, looking for love, was rather appropriately the piece that brought us back to National touring following nearly two years away due to the covid pandemic in 2021. At that time audiences and company were masked and socially distanced but immensely grateful to be back and particularly with a piece that explored the deep-rooted need for human connection. Touring was necessarily limited and audience confidence still slowly returning so I am particularly thrilled to be bringing back this heart-felt piece and to be presenting it in many venues for the first time. This was a truly collaborative work with all of my celebrated creative team delivering their very best work, along with an all-star cast of the cream of New Adventures most beloved stars along with the best of our emerging talent. We look forward to, once again, opening the doors of The Midnight Bell in 2025…please join us… mines a gin and tonic!”
Matthew Bourne once again joins forces with the Olivier and Tony award-winning team of Terry Davies (music), Lez Brotherston (set and costume design), Paule Constable (lighting design) and Paul Groothuis (sound design).
The cast for THE MIDNIGHT BELL will feature fourteen of New Adventures’ finest actor/dancers in roles that challenge and reveal the darker reaches of the human heart. Full casting will be announced shortly.
2014 – the year of avocado toast, Conchita Wurst and conscious uncoupling. Sarah Saxby’s show starts with a sweetly awkward hit of nostalgia as she plays Just Dance on her Wii. What follows is a funny and bittersweet trawl through memories of 2014, and the lasting effects on a girl growing up in the middle of nowhere, with the benefit of hindsight and 10 more years of life experience.
Saxby’s sharp and witty writing captures the paradoxical certainty and crippling self-doubt of teenagers, with her self-proclaimed feminist devouring fanfiction romances and dreaming of Harry Styles. Describing 2014 as a golden time – pre-Brexit, pre-Weinstein and post-Gangnam Style – Saxby looks back at events that confused her with a clearer eye and calls out the behaviour for what she now knows it was. Remembering the ferocity and bravery of teen years and regretting that loss in the modern reality of keeping a job and a roof over her head, things begin to get more sombre as grief for the loss of childhood and the loss of a dear family member meld and intensify in this entertaining and insightful hour.
Saxby is a warm and relatable performer, and her brilliantly judged interactions with the audience and the tech booth are comic highlights of the show. As a writer, Saxby shows extraordinary promise, with assured direction from Isabella Westveer de Mul, and they and Sticks Theatre are names to look out for in the future.
CELEBRATES BACK TO THE FUTURE DAY ON 21 OCTOBER WITH SPECIAL CAMEO PERFORMANCE FROM LEIGH FRANCIS AS
‘PRINCIPAL STRICKLAND’
ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRODUCTION IN AUGUST 2025
Lead producer Colin Ingram, together with Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the creators of the Back To The Future film trilogy, are delighted that Leigh Francis will make a special cameo appearance as ‘Principal Strickland’ to celebrate Back to the Future Day this evening on Monday 21 October. Back to the Future Day is celebrated by fans of the beloved franchise across the world each year on 21 October, marking the date the Marty McFly travels to the future in Back to the Future II.
It is also announced today that there will be a German production of the show opening in the 2025/2026 season with further details to be announced soon.
As well as the German production, Royal Caribbean will bring to life a reworked 100-minute version of the show that will take centre stage on the vacation brand’s new ship, Star of the Seas, when it debuts in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, starting August 2025.
Following the recent London cast change, exclusive backstage shots have been released.
The critically acclaimed Olivier, WhatsOnStage and Broadway World Award-winning Best New Musical is going into its 4th year, having had its opening night in London on Monday 13 September 2021. Performances also began on Broadway on 30 June 2023, with the official opening taking place on 3 August 2023. The North American tour opened in Cleveland, OH, in June 2024 and is currently running in cities across the US and Canada until August 2025. In addition to the newly announced German and Royal Caribbean productions, a production will also open in Japan in 2025.
The musical is currently booking until Sunday 27 July 2025 at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End. Tickets are on sale now.
The recently announced new cast of the show includes recent graduate Vasco Emauz, who is making his West End debut as ‘Marty McFly’, Orlando Gibbs (Mr Burns: A post-electric play at the Bunker Theatre), as ‘George McFly’, C.J. Borger (Kristin Chenoweth: An Evening With Friends In Honor Of Todd Haimes at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Broadway) as ‘Goldie Wilson’ and ‘Marvin Berry’, Alex Runicles (Barman in Choir Of Man on the US and Canada Tour) as ‘Biff Tannen’, Talia Palamathanan (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie on the Original UK Tour and at Ahmanson Theatre Los Angeles) as ‘Jennifer Parker’, Ellis Kirk (JD in Heathers the Musical at The Other Palace) as alternate ‘Marty McFly’ and Liam McHugh (Grease the Musical at the Dominion Theatre) as ‘Dave McFly’. The newest ensemble are Kofi Aidoo-Appiah, Billie Bowman and Gracie Caine. They are joined by returning cast members 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’ and 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.
The Original Cast Recording, released on Sony Music’s Masterworks Broadway label, is now available and has had over 20 million streams. It features the new music by multi-Grammy Award-winners Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard alongside classic songs from the movie including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
In celebration of last year’s Back to the Future Day, Sony Masterworks Broadway released a Deluxe Edition of the Original Cast Recording both digitally and as a 2-CD set. Available everywhere now, the Deluxe Edition includes 13 never-before-heard demos, alternate and early versions of many of the show’s major numbers, most performed by Glen Ballard himself.
In July 2023, a brand new behind-the-scenes book documenting the of the show, Creating Back to the Future the by Michael Klastorin, was released worldwide, published by abrams&chronicle books.
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical. The productions in London and Manchester have so far been seen by over 1.6 million people and the musical has broken box office records at the Adelphi Theatre.
Based on the Universal Pictures/Amblin Entertainment film, BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has a book by Bob Gale and new music and lyrics by Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alan Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winning Glen Ballard, with additional songs from the film including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode.
Marty McFly is a rock ‘n’ roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence.
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is directed by Tony Award-winning director John Rando (Urinetown, On The Town), alongside the multi Tony and Olivier Award-winning design team of Tim Hatley (set and costume design), Tim Lutkin (lighting), Hugh Vanstone (lighting consultant), Gareth Owen (sound) and Finn Ross (video), with choreography by Chris Bailey, musical supervision and arrangements by Nick Finlow and Illusions by Chris Fisher. Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook, with dance arrangements by David Chase. Casting is by David Grindrod CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting.
Back to the Future the movie was released in 1985, starring Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and Christopher Lloyd as Dr Emmett Brown. The film grossed $360.6 million (£279 million) at the box office worldwide and the total box office for all three films in the Back to the Future franchise was $936.6 million (over $1.8 billion in today’s money).
BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical is produced by Colin Ingram, Donovan Mannato, Frankel/Viertel/Baruch/Routh Group, Hunter Arnold, Gavin Kalin Productions, Playing Field, Crush Music, CJ ENM, Teresa Tsai, Ivy Herman/Hallee Adelman, Robert L. Hutt, Universal Theatrical Group, Ricardo Marques, Augury, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, in association with Kimberly Magarro, Stage Entertainment, Glass Half Full Productions/ Neil Gooding Productions.
There be a relaxed performance on Sunday 9 March 2025 at 3pm and further signed performances to be announced at a later date.
N.B BACK TO THE FUTURE The Musical has partnered with Gala Pro – a revolutionary app for accessibility and translation to enhance accessible experiences at live performances so you can enjoy any performance of Back to the Future with audio description and closed captioning.
Tickets: from £19.55
Please book via the website: BackToTheFutureMusical.com – no booking fees
“the West End hit is still the perfect mix of ingenious, silly and moving…With a new cast, the Olivier Award-winning musical about the wartime operation is as terrific as ever”
★★★★★ Marianka Swain, The Telegraph
“Operation Mincemeat’s new cast keep the magic alive and bring a tear to the audience’s eye…This might be my second time watching the historical production, but I still find myself struggling to breathe thanks to laughing so much…[the] invasion is going well, and I hope it stays that way.”
★★★★★
Thea Jacobs, The Sun
“Operation Mincemeat opened at the Fortune Theatre in May 2023 and has been wildly successful ever since. Winning the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, it has gone from strength to strength…a hilarious history lesson, with an ingenious script, a brilliant new cast of exceptional performers, and songs that will have you reaching for your streaming service of choice to enjoy them again as soon as you’ve left the theatre.” Nick Barr, 1883 Magazine
“I couldn’t believe the lasting impression the performance left on me…The [new] cast are undisputably talented… the show more than fulfilled my expectations, and I urge anyone and everyone to go and see it. It is a rare occasion that the West End is graced with such a brilliant new musical truly worth its salt, such as this one”
Isabelle Casey, HELLO! Magazine
“the new cast does the story proud while putting its own stamp on the proceedings…an absolute joy to watch…simply first class and the chemistry between the characters is palpable.”
★★★★★
Lisa Martland, Musical Theatre Review
74 ★★★★★ reviews and counting
Monday 20th October – Hot on the heels of a tenth extension at the West End’s Fortune Theatre and the announcement that the Olivier Award-winning Operation Mincemeat will open on Broadway at the Golden Theatre on 20th March 2025, ATG has granted an incredible eleventh extension in London, with performances now set to continue until 19th April 2025.
Until 15th February, when Broadway previews begin, tickets will be available exclusively in London. After that, Operation Mincemeat will run simultaneously in both New York and London.
Extension tickets are available on general sale on Friday 1st November at 10am from the Official Box Office here.
Following the success of the Monday ballot, it has now expanded to include Tuesday and Saturday shows to ensure tickets get into the right hands. Monday ticket prices remain frozen at £39.50, and the popular fortnightly £25 ticket lottery continues here. The first ballot draw for the new booking period from 10th March to 19th April 2025 will take place on Thursday 31st October at 2pm. Link here.
Operation Mincemeat began as a tiny (and tiny-budgeted) production at the London Fringe New Diorama Theatre in 2019. The show quickly gained a devoted following, spurring sold-out runs at venues including Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios. It finally premiered in the West End on 9th May 2023 at the Fortune Theatre, where it won the Olivier and WhatsOnstage Awards® for ‘Best New Musical’, alongside garnering 74 five-star reviews and counting, and has become the ‘Best reviewed show in West End history.’
The decision to write the musical was the last roll of the dice from a quartet of young British creatives after years of performing sketch shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and echoes the journey of Beyond the Fringe from the world-famous quartet Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, and Dudley Moore, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1960, before moving to the Fortune Theatre and later to the Golden in 1962.
Operation Mincemeat entered its second year in London on the 13th May 2024 with a debut performance of the new cast, Emily Barber, Seán Carey, Chlöe Hart, Christian Andrews and Claire-Marie Hall , with George Jennings and Jonty Peach joining Holly Sumpton and Geri Allen to form the Company.
The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.
Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?
The production is directed by 2023 Olivier Award nominated Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre – 2023 Best New Musical Olivier Award winner), following providing directorial support for the Riverside Studios run, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. Also from Standing at the Sky’s Edge at theNational Theatre on the creative team are: 2023 Olivier Award nominated Ben Stones (Sylvia, The Old Vic) as Set and Costume Designer, Tony Award, six-time Olivier Award and Bafta Award winning Mark Henderson (Girl From the North Country, Broadway & Noël Coward Theatre) as Lighting Designer and Olivier Award winning Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) as Sound Designer. Grammy Award winning and Tony, Emmy & 2024 ‘Outstanding Musical Contribution’ Olivier Award nominated Steve Sidwell (Beautiful:The Musical, Broadway & Aldwych Theatre) is Orchestrator and Vocal Arranger, while 2024 ‘Outstanding Musical Contribution’ Olivier Award nominated Joe Bunker is Musical Director. Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Casting is by Pearson Casting. The extraordinary debut musical is written and composed by SpitLip – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts.
Operation Mincemeat won the 2024 ‘Best New Musical’ and ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical’ Olivier Awards, following receiving six nominations. These awards trail winning the 2024 ‘Best New Musical’ WhatsOnStage Award and the ‘Best West End Show’, ‘Rising Star’ and ‘Best Understudy’ West End Wilma Awards. Previously on the show’s journey, Operation Mincemeat has picked up the Off-West End award for ‘Best Musical Production’ and ‘Best Company Ensemble’ and The Stage Debut Award for ‘Best Composer/Lyricist’.
Operation Mincemeat is presented in the West End by Avalon (in association with SpitLip), who have supported since the Southwark Playhouse runs. The show was commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and also supported by the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat.
All four nations are represented, demonstrating the strength of theatre right across the UK
Leeds Playhouse’s production of Oliver! leads the way with awards for Best Musical Production, and Best Performance in a Musical for Jenny Fitzpatrick
Polka Theatre secures the coveted UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award
Sunday 20 October 2024: The winners of this year’s UK Theatre Awards have been announced at a ceremony hosted by Faye Tozer, which took place at 8 Northumberland Avenue this afternoon. The UK Theatre Awards celebrate the very best of theatre across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Awards are given for creative excellence and outstanding work both on and off stage, including the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award and the UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award.
With winners representing all four nations, the ceremony celebrated the UK’s world-leading theatre industry. Leeds Playhouse’s production of Oliver! led the way, winning two awards: Best Musical Production, and Best Performance in a Musical for Jenny Fitzpatrick. Belgrade Theatre are attached to two winning productions: Swim, Aunty, Swim! (Best New Play), and Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning (Best Design for Kenneth MacLeod).
Elsewhere in the On Stage categories, Best Director was awarded to Drew McOnie for The Artist at Theatre Royal Plymouth, Rhino at Lyric Theatre Belfast snapped up Best Play Revival, and Stephen Joseph Theatre’s production of Beauty And The Beast secured Best Show for Children & Young People. Achievement in Dance was won by Mehek, an Aakash Odedra Company & Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company production, and Achievement in Opera was awarded to Welsh National Opera’s Death In Venice.
In the performing categories, David Shields won Best Performance in a Play for Punch at Nottingham Playhouse, and Chumisa Dornford-May won Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play) for Evita at the Curve.
The highly coveted UK’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award was secured by Polka Theatre, coming out on top against strong competition from fellow nominees Hall for Cornwall and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
Elsewhere in the Off Stage categories, the Workforce Award was won by Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre, Chichester Festival Theatre snapped up the newly-introduced accolade for Excellence in Sustainability, Excellence in Inclusivity went to Antony & Cleopatra at Shakespeare’s Globe, Excellence in Touring to Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s Parti Priodas, and Excellence in Arts Education was secured by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
As previously announced, the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre Award was Jenny Sealey OBE, Artistic Director of Graeae, whose achievements were celebrated at this afternoon’s ceremony as she was presented with her Award.
Claire Walker & Hannah Essex, Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre, said:
“This year’s UK Theatre Awards ceremony has been a truly joyful celebration and a real testament to the quality and diversity of the work that our members do both on and off the stage and in their local communities. We are constantly in awe of the resilience, creativity and ambition that we witness across the four nations.
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees, and thank you to our sponsors and partners for their support. We are thrilled to have celebrated another year of phenomenal UK theatre with you all.”
The UK Theatre Awards 2024 are sponsored by Encore, kindly supported by AKT, Cunard, Harbottle & Lewis, John Good Ltd, MTI Europe, Theatre Tokens, Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical, Unusual Rigging & White Light.
Full list of winners at the UK Theatre Awards 2024
On Stage Awards:
Best Design
Kenneth MacLeod for Dracula: Mina’s Reckoning, a National Theatre of Scotland & Aberdeen Performing Arts co-production in association with Belgrade Theatre
Best Director
Drew McOnie for The Artist, a Theatre Royal Plymouth, McOnie Company, Playful Productions & Bill Damaschke co-production
Best Musical Production sponsored by Tysers in association with Ecclesiastical
Oliver!, a Leeds Playhouse production by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh
Best New Play sponsored by Cunard
Swim, Aunty, Swim!, a Belgrade Theatre production in association with tiata fahodzi
Best Play Revival
Rhino, a Tinderbox Theatre Company production at Lyric Theatre Belfast
Achievement in Dance sponsored by AKT
Mehek, an Aakash Odedra Company & Aditi Mangaldas Dance Company production in association with The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi
Achievement in Opera
Death In Venice, by Welsh National Opera in association with NoFit State
Best Supporting Performance (in a Musical or Play)
Chumisa Dornford-May for Evita, a Curve production
Best Performance in a Musical
Jenny Fitzpatrick for Oliver!, a Leeds Playhouse production by special arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh
Best Performance in a Play
David Shields for Punch, a Nottingham Playhouse production
Best Show for Children & Young People
Beauty And The Beast, a Stephen Joseph Theatre production
Based on Ali Smith’s 2016 novel of the same name, Autumn is pieced together like a collage of time, place, people and things. We meet Elisabeth (Rebecca Banatvala) in 2016 just after the Brexit referendum. She is staying with her mother Wendy (Sophie Ward) in the village in which he grew up, to visit her centenarian friend Daniel Gluck (Gary Lilburn) in a nursing home. We first meet Elisabeth as she tries to apply for a passport and the post office worker is very concerned that every step is followed correctly. We then start to bend time, moving to the past when Elisabeth and Daniel first meet despite Wendy’s concerns that he is foreign and strange – he has lots of art in his house. As we move back and forth, Daniel is being read to while he sleeps, the Profumo affair is explored through art, we meet Daniel’s sister in his dreams, and Wendy goes on an Antiques Road Trip style TV show.
In Harry McDonald’s poetic script, imagination, stories and art are woven together. There is a lightness to the flow, and this is due in part to the cast. Nancy Crane plays several parts from acerbic post office worker to a playful little sister, and with the use of an excellent catalogue of accents and clever use of props, it’s never confusing and is often charming and funny. Crane also provides a lot of the scene changes of Grace Venning’s clever simple set. Banatvala is also adept at switching from age 9 to 32 and back again with just a change in tone and a furrowed brow. Gary Lilburn is sweet and full of childlike enthusiasm as Daniel even when elderly and reminiscing. You want to go straight round to his house and discuss every aspect of life with him. Sophie Ward’s Wendy is quiet rage at the systems, springing into action and ending the play full of love and hope, masterfully navigating new feelings and a new zest for life.
Autumn under the direction of Charlotte Vickers is delightful from start to finish. It takes in all of the love and care of Ali Smith’s characters and narrative, and creates a poignant and engaging dance through time.
