Author: FairyPoweredProductions

The Old Joint Stock Birmingham – until 22 June 2025. 

Reviewed by Emma Millward 

5*****

On a very humid Birmingham evening, I made my first-ever visit to The Old Joint Stock in the Colmore Row district of the city for an exciting musical night with a twist. Do You Hear The People Sing (Along) brings together a selection of the best toe-tapping songs from some of the most popular shows, but unlike your usual theatrical productions, the audience is actively encouraged to sing along too! The Old Joint Stock is a beautiful and unique building.  It was originally a library, before becoming the Birmingham Joint Stock Bank, and finally a pub in 1997. The 80-seat theatre is nestled on the second floor of the building and offers an intimate theatre experience. As you walk up the stairs towards the theatre, posters of previous shows adorn the walls. The theatre has hosted an array of different theatre and musical genres over the years, including Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors and The Importance of Being Earnest.

From the team behind The Old Joint Stock’s previous cabaret shows, ‘I Screamed A Scream- A Villains Cabaret and ‘A Little Bawl of Pain- Musical Tearjerkers’, the show aims to find the biggest crowd-pleaser of them all, and Director/Writer James Edge and Musical Director Callum Thompson have put together a playlist of amazing contenders for that honour.  The ensemble cast of four performers, Shannon Bourne, Emily Hespe, Samuel Howe-Barratt and Josephina Ortiz-Lewis play themselves, but with many different costume changes involved. Joining them on narration duties is Britain’s Got Talent Semi-finalist Will Burns, as (in his own words) ‘the big, loud, annoying voice-over’ who the real host, Josephina Ortiz-Lewis playfully argues with throughout the show. The premise is simple: the cast will sing for us, and when the strategically placed screens dotted around the room tell us that it’s our turn, we get to sing our hearts out!

The cast may be small, but they definitely pack a mighty punch, and they had the audience enthralled from the first song. The show lasted just over 2 hours and along the way, we heard songs from shows such as Cabaret, Chicago, Rent and Grease, presented as solos, duets and group performances. All four performers draw on their strengths and the chemistry between them is obvious. Josephina Ortiz-Lewis and Samuel Howe-Barratt excelled in their comedic turn as two Danny Zukos for ‘You’re The One That I Want’.  Shannon Bourne’s rendition of Disney’s ‘Let It Go’ was outstanding. Emily Hespe bought the house down with her powerhouse vocals for some big songs, including Wicked‘s ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest Showman. As for the audience’s vocals? Yes, we might not have always been pitch-perfect or singing completely in time, but you could feel the enjoyment of everybody in the room and the talented cast always ensured they swiftly got us back on track!!

The tickets have all sold out for this current run, but The Old Joint Stock has created a cheesy but charming singing spectacular that I hope will lead to more sing-a-long shows in the future.

MICHAEL HARRISON IN ASSOCIATION WITH CAMERON MACKINTOSH PRESENTS

BOUBLIL AND SCHÖNBERG’S MISS SAIGON

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THE SPECTACULAR NEW PRODUCTION OF

THE 2025/2025 TOUR PRINCIPAL CAST WILL STAR

SEANN MILEY MOORE AS THE ENGINEER

JULIANNE PUNDAN AS KIM, JACK KANE AS CHRIS

DOM HARTLEY-HARRIS AS JOHN AND EMILY LANGHAM AS ELLEN

FURTHER VENUES ALSO CONFIRMED DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND

miss-saigon.com

Michael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, is delighted to announce the full casting for a major UK and Ireland tour of MISS SAIGON. Opening at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal where it plays from Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 October 2025, additional tour dates are also confirmed today following huge public demand for the thrilling new production. With several of the already announced venues nearly sold out, return visits to several cities are also being scheduled.

The production will star Seann Miley Moore (X Factor UK; Miss Saigon, International Tour; Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Australian Tour)reprising their celebrated role as The Engineerfollowing acclaimed performances across an international tour which visited Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Singapore. The Australian dates saw the Filipino-Australian actor take home the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Performance in a Musical at the inaugural Time Out Sydney Arts & Culture Awards.

Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical is being reborn in this new UK production of Miss Saigon which welcomes brilliant new talent and recent Brit School graduate, Julianne Pundan, making her professional debut as Kim alongside exciting actor and singer Jack Kane (who has starred in Dragonheart Vengeance opposite Helena Bonham Carter, and Years And Years (BBC and HBO) with Rory Kinnear and Emma Thompson) as Chris.

Dom Hartley-Harris, recently seen in the West End as George Washington in Hamilton and on tour as Curtis Taylor Jr. in Dreamgirls, is John, Emily Langham (Singin’ in the Rain International Tour; Hello, Dolly! London Palladium; The Witches, National Theatre) is Ellen.

The cast is completed by Mikko Juan (Hulu /BBC iPlayer’s Better Things, Urinetown: The Musical) as Thuy and Ace who reached the semi-finals of BBC 1’s The Voice in 2024 as part of Sir Tom Jones’ team, as Gigi,Bea Ward as Alternate Kim, Aaron Teoh as Alternate for The Engineer, Jamil Abbasi, Aaron Aisoni, Daniel J Brian, Ann-Marie Craine, Ben Fenwick, Aaron Gonzales, Owen Johnston, Evita Khrime, Caleb Lagayan, Rayhan Lee, James Mateo-Salt, Shania Montevalde, Ryan Ocampo, Julius Sahr, Tonny Shim, Anh Koha Trần, Yiling Yang, Aimee Yue and Carmen Zhu.

Following incredible public demand, further 2026 venues are also confirmed today. The newly added dates now ensure audiences across the UK and Ireland have the chance to experience the new production of this legendary musical. New dates include:

Milton Keynes Theatre (Tuesday 7 April – Saturday 11 April 2026), Empire Theatre, Liverpool (Tuesday 21 April – Saturday 2 May 2026); Alhambra Theatre, Bradford (Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 May 2026); Theatre Royal, Norwich (Tuesday 12 – Saturday 23 May 2026), Millennium Forum, Derry/Londonderry (Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 May 2026); Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff  (Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 June 2026); King’s Theatre, Glasgow (Tuesday 9 – Saturday 20 June 2026); Winter Gardens, Blackpool (Tuesday 30 June – Saturday 4 July 2026), Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (Tuesday 7 – Saturday 18 July 2026) and Hippodrome Theatre, Bristol (Tuesday 21 July – Saturday 1 August 2026).

The tour previously announced its 2025 dates, a Christmas season in Oxford and early 2026 venues – which are already breaking Box Office records – and include: Theatre Royal, Newcastle (Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 October 2025); Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh (Tuesday 28 October – Saturday 1 November 2025); Palace Theatre, Manchester (Tuesday 4 – Saturday 15 November 2025); The Alexandra, Birmingham (Tuesday 18 – Saturday 29 November 2025); Grand Theatre, Leeds (Tuesday 2 – Saturday 13 December 2025) and New Theatre, Oxford (Tuesday 16 December 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026); Venue Cymru, Llandudno (Tuesday 6 January – Saturday 10 January, 2026); Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin (Tuesday 13 January – Saturday 17 January, 2026); Hull New Theatre (Tuesday 20 January – Saturday 24 January, 2026); Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (Tuesday 27 January – Saturday 7 February, 2026); Theatre Royal, Plymouth (Tuesday 17 February – Saturday 28 February, 2026); His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (Tuesday 3 March – Saturday 7 March, 2026); Grand Opera House, Belfast (Tuesday 10 March – Saturday 21 March, 2026); Nottingham, Theatre Royal (Tuesday 24 March – Saturday 4 April, 2026). Please see Listings below for on sale dates.

Of the new production, Cameron Mackintosh comments: “Since we first announced this new production, I have been genuinely delighted at the enthusiasm of the public determined not to miss SAIGON, with tickets flying out of the Box Office and several of the announced cities already nearly sold out. We have now completed our search for a really fantastic cast, full of exciting discoveries, that will bring Boublil and Schönberg’s extraordinary, powerful musical back to thrilling life. I can’t wait to see MISS SAIGON reborn again.”

MISS SAIGON has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from the original French text by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler and Orchestrations by William David Brohn.

Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, whose recent credits include co-direction of Oliver! at the Gielgud Theatre and Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, is the production’s Director. Chrissie Cartwright (Associate Director and Choreographer for CATS Worldwide and choreographic recreation of Phantom of the Opera, West End and North American tour), and Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (SIX The Musical) are Co-Choreographers. Andrew D. Edwards is Set and Costume Designer (Tartuffe, Theatre Royal Haymarket and numerous productions at The Globe);Olivier Award-winner Bruno Poet is the production’s Lighting Designer (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Frankenstein at the National Theatre); Sound Design is by Olivier Award winner Adam Fisher (Oliver! Gielgud & Chichester Festival Theatre; Sunset Boulevard Savoy & Broadway); and Video Design is by George Reeve (2025 Tony Award recipient for Best Scenic Design of a Musical, Maybe Happy Ending, Disney’s Hercules and Oliver! Chichester Festival Theatre and West End); Graham Hurman is the Musical Supervisor and Sarah Leung CDG is Casting Director. Maria Graciano is Resident Director and Jasmin Colangelo is Resident Choreographer. This new production of MISS SAIGON is overseen by Cameron Mackintosh

In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as The Engineer. There, she meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris, but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For 3 years, Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he’s fathered a son.

Since its London premiere in 1989, Cameron Mackintosh’s original production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s epic musical MISS SAIGON became one of the most successful musicals in history. The original Broadway production of MISS SAIGON opened on April 11, 1991, and played for nearly ten years with its 4,097 performances attended by more than 6.3 million people. Cameron’s latest London production of MISS SAIGON opened in London in May 2014 to record-breaking advance sales and critical acclaim, followed by a UK tour in 2017. During this run, in 2016, the spectacular 25th Anniversary Gala Performance of this timeless musical, featuring appearances by the original cast, including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga, took place and was filmed for television and cinema and continues to be shown around the world.

The soaring musical score features the hits songs; The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World and The American Dream. September 2024 marked 35 years since the show’s opening in the West End.

MISS SAIGON has been performed in 33 countries, 378 cities in 15 different languages, has won 75 major awards including 2 Olivier Awards, 3 Tony Awards, and 4 Drama Desk Awards and has been seen by over 38 million people worldwide.

Sign-up for news and access to priority booking at miss-saigon.com.

MISS SAIGON UK TOUR 2025/2026

NEW DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2026

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

TUE 7 APRIL – SATURDAY 11 APRIL 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

On General Sale Thursday 26 June 2025

Empire Theatre, Liverpool

Tue 21 April – Sat 2 May 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

On General Sale Thursday 26 June 2025

Alhambra Theatre, Bradford

Tue 5 – Sat 9 May 2026

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/alhambra-theatre

On General Sale Monday 21 July 2025

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Tue 12 – Sat 23 May 2026

www.norwichtheatre.org

On General Sale Friday 27 June 2025

Millennium Forum, Derry/LONDONDERRY

Tue 26 – Sat 30 May 2026

www.millenniumforum.co.uk

On General Sale Tuesday 24 June 2025

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff 

Tues 2 – Sat 6 June 2026

www.wmc.org.uk

On General Sale Friday 4 July 2025

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Tue 9 – Sat 20 June 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow

On General Sale Thursday 26 June 2025

Winter Gardens, Blackpool

Tue 30 June – Sat 4 July 2026

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

On General Sale Thursday 26 June 2025

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Tue 7 – Sat 18 July 2026

www.marlowetheatre.com

On General Sale Soon

Hippodrome Theatre, Bristol

Tue 21 July – Sat 1 August 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome

On General Sale Thursday 26 June 2025

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DATES

On Sale Now

NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

SAT 4 – SAT 25 OCTOBER 2025

www.theatreroyal.co.uk

PLAYHOUSE THEATRE, EDINBURGH

TUES 28 OCT- SAT 1 NOVEMBER 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER

TUES 4 – SAT 15 NOVEMBER 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM

TUES 18 – SAT 29 NOVEMBER 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

LEEDS GRAND THEATRE

TUES 2 – SAT 13 DECEMBER 2025

www.leedsheritagetheatres.com

NEW THEATRE OXFORD

TUE 16 DECEMBER 2025 – SAT 3 JANUARY 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

VENUE CYMRU, LLANDUDNO

TUE 6 – SAT 10 JANUARY 2026 

www.venuecymru.co.uk

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN 

TUE 13 JANUARY – SAT 17 JANUARY 2026

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie 

HULL NEW THEATRE 

TUE 20 – SAT 24 JANUARY 2026 

www.hulltheatres.co.uk

MAYFLOWER THEATRE, SOUTHAMPTON

TUE 27 JAN – SAT 7 FEBRUARY 2026

www.mayflower.org.uk

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

TUE 17 – SAT 28 FEBRUARY 2026

www.theatreroyal.com

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN

TUE 3 – SAT 7 MARCH 2026 

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST

TUE 10 – SAT 21 MARCH 2026 

www.goh.co.uk

NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL

TUE 24 MARCH – SAT 4 APRIL 2026

www.trch.co.uk

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR
CONOR McPHERSON’S THE WEIR
WITH BRENDAN GLEESON
PRESENTED BY KATE HORTON PRODUCTIONS AND LANDMARK PRODUCTIONS

Kate Horton Productions and Landmark Productions today announce the full cast for a new production of The Weir written, and directed for the first time, by Conor McPherson (The Brightening Air, Girl from the North Country), starring Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin, Paddington 2) making his West End debut as Jack at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 12 September to 6 December 2025.

Joining the multi award-winning actor Brendan Gleeson are Owen McDonnell (Bad Sisters, Killing Eve) as Brendan, Seán McGinley (That They May Face the Rising Sun, The Brightening Air) as Jim, Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders, Wolf Hall) as Valerie and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Dancing at Lughnasa, Say Nothing) as Finbar.

The Weir is playing at the 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin from 8 August to 6 September before transferring to the West End.

Tickets for the West End run are on sale now via theweirplay.com. 10,000 seats available at £30 and under, including 3,000 for under 30s and blue light workers across Stalls, Dress Circle and Royal Circle.

The tallest tales reveal the deepest truths.

On a stormy night, four local men gather in an isolated pub in rural Ireland. Their usual banter and everyday lives are disrupted by the arrival of a woman called Valerie. The stories they weave to impress her are gripping, haunting and deeply unsettling. Little do they know that she has a profoundly personal story of her own, the sharing of which will leave them all shaken.

The Weir is a testament to the need for human connection, the possibility of hope, and the enduring power of storytelling.

Conor McPherson said, “I couldn’t be happier to be working with this brilliant cast. It’s always exciting embarking on a new production but to revisit The Weir in the company of these particularly accomplished artists feels like a singular privilege and I look forward to sharing this story with audiences in Dublin and London very soon.”

Joining Conor McPherson are Rae Smith (set and costume design), Mark Henderson (lighting design) and Kevin Gleeson (sound design).

The Weir is produced by Kate Horton Productions and Landmark Productions.

Highlights: The Official London Theatre Ticket Booth in Leicester Square is officially reopen 

OfficialLondonTheatre.com 

·         Following a major refurbishment project, the Official London Theatre Ticket Booth celebrated its reopening at a launch event earlier today (Wednesday 18 June)

·         Costumed stars from 25 West End shows were in attendance, with leading ladies Zoe Birkett (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) and Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia!) cutting the ribbon

Official London Theatre raised the curtain on their newly refurbished Ticket Booth in Leicester Square at a launch event earlier today (Wednesday 18 June). Costumed stars from 25 West End shows gathered for the occasion, with leading ladies Zoe Birkett (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) and Mazz Murray (Mamma Mia!) cutting the ribbon to mark this vibrant theatre hub officially reopen.  

Also represented were 101 Dalmatians, Back To The Future, Burlesque The Musical, Cabaret, The Choir Of Man, Clueless The Musical, The Comedy About Spies, Diamonds And Dust, The Great Gatsby, Hadestown, Magic Mike Live, Matilda The Musical, MJ The Musical, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, The Mousetrap, My Neighbour Totoro, The Play That Goes Wrong, Six, Starlight Express, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Titanique & Witness For The Prosecution. 

Operated by the Society of London Theatre, a not-for-profit organisation which has been championing theatre since 1908, the refurbishment of the Official London Theatre Ticket Booth has been supported by Westminster City Council and the Theatre Development Fund (TDF), who run tkts New York. 

First opened in 1980 as ‘The Half Price Ticket Booth’, the Society of London Theatre’s ticket booth was the first of its kind in Leicester Square, spawning many imitations over the years. It moved into its current iconic clocktower building in 1992, and in 2001, formed a long-standing partnership with its Broadway counterpart tkts New York, globally establishing the Official London Theatre Ticket Booth as the go-to place for discounted London theatre tickets. 

The Official London Theatre Ticket Booth offers up to 50% off top musicals, plays and entertainment, available to book in-person either on-the-day or up to a week ahead. The same great deals can be found online at OfficialLondonTheatre.com, where theatregoers can also book tickets further in advance. Official London Theatre is the only ticket buying platform run by the Society of London Theatre, meaning all profits are reinvested into initiatives that keep theatre thriving and make it more accessible for everyone. 

To round off the celebrations, Official London Theatre took over the Piccadilly Lights at 5.20pm today (Wednesday 18 June), celebrating the reopening of the booth alongside their key summer campaigns Kids Week and West End LIVE. 

OfficialLondonTheatre.com | Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube 

FINAL EXTENSION ANNOUNCED

FOR

THE THREE-TIME OLIVIER AWARD WINNING

BEST NEW MUSICAL

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

MUST END 11^th OCTOBER 2025

AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE

The three-time Olivier Award winning new British musical THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON has announced its final extension at The Ambassadors Theatre, with its last West End performance on Saturday 11^th October 2025. The acclaimed production will have played in the West End for exactly one year and one day!

The show’s creator, writer, director and designer, Jethro Compton said, “Bringing Benjamin Button to the West End has been a dream come true. We could never have imagined such an incredible response to the show. On behalf of the entire Button family, I want to express our enormous gratitude to every audience member who has come to see us and the many that have come back again and brought friends and loved ones with them. This amazing year in the West End is just the first chapter of the show’s life, and as I hope we’ve demonstrated in our journey from a small-scale fringe show to an Olivier Award-winning West End musical, anything’s possible.”

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON won three Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, Outstanding Musical Contribution for Darren Clark for Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements and Mark Aspinall for Musical Direction, Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements, and Best Actor in a Musical for John Dagleish.

The Original West End Cast Recording was recently released across all streaming platforms and has already amassed over 600,000 streams and counting.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON stars two-time Olivier Award winner John Dagleish as Benjamin Button and two-time Olivier Award nominee, most recently for this role, Clare Foster as Elowen Keene. They star alongside Matthew Burns, Jonathan Charles, Oonagh Cox, Katy Ellis, Anna Fordham, Philippa Hogg, Damien James, Elliot Mackenzie, Ann Marcuson, Emily Panes, Nuwan Hugh Perera, Jack Quarton and Benedict Salter.

An electrifying journey through the timeless tale of a love that defies all odds, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is an enchantingly beautiful and truly unordinary musical that reminds us to make every second count. The production first captured hearts in 2019, followed by a sold-out Southwark Playhouse run in 2023 – winning Best Musical Theatre Production at the 2024 Off West End Awards. It was subsequently nominated for two WhatsOnStage Awards – Best New Musical and Best Musical Direction/Supervision.

With a breathtaking soundtrack brought to life by an extraordinary actor-musician ensemble, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic short story is relocated to a fishing village on the north coast of Cornwall by writing team Jethro Compton and Darren Clark.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON is based on the short story of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald, author of The Great Gatsby and The Beautiful and Damned. With Book & Lyrics by Jethro Compton and Music & Lyrics by Darren Clark. It is directed by Jethro Compton who also designs the stage, with co-music supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Mark Aspinall and Darren Clark, choreography by Chi-San Howard, costumes and associate stage design by Anna Kelsey, sound by Luke Swaffield, lighting by Zoe Spurr, musical direction by Mark Aspinall and casting by Ginny Schiller.

It is produced by ATG Productions, Gavin Kalin Productions, Gary Beestone Associates, Eilene Davidson Productions, Susan Edelstein & Teresa Tsai, Umeda Arts Theater, Rupert Gavin & Mallory Factor, Winkler & Smalberg, Thomas Steven Perakos and Jethro Compton Productions.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

The Ambassadors Theatre, West St, London WC2H 9ND

Now booking until 11^th October 2025

www.benjaminbuttonmusical.com

THE PICKLED CRAB – OPENING TIMES

The Pickled Crab is open 90 minutes prior to each performance.

Monday: 5.30pm – 8.30pm

Tuesday: 12.00pm – 8.30pm

Wednesday: 5.30pm – 8.30pm

Thursday: 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Friday: 6.00pm – 9.00pm

Saturday: 1.00pm – 9.00pm

Sunday: CLOSED

LEE MEAD
STARS AS
THE WORLD’S GREATEST SHOWMAN

TOURING THE UK FROM FEBRUARY 2026

Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth!

Bill Kenwright Ltd is delighted to announce that it will present a major UK tour of Barnum, the classic Broadway musical that celebrates the life of the world’s greatest showman, P.T. Barnum.

Barnum opens at Theatre Royal Windsor on Tuesday 3 February 2026 (previews from Friday 30 January) with tour dates including Manchester Palace Theatre (10 – 14 February), Cardiff Wales Millenium Centre (17 – 21 March), and Birmingham Hippodrome (21 – 25 April). 

West End favourite and TV star Lee Mead will take centre stage as the legendary P.T. Barnum. Known for his breakout win on Any Dream Will Do and acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Wicked and Legally Blonde, Mead brings charisma, vocal brilliance and emotional depth to the title role.

Barnum first took the UK by storm when it played the London Palladium, with Michael Crawford making theatrical history with a death-defying nightly tightrope walk across the stage. And now, Lee Mead steps into Barnum’s shoes and on to the tightrope!

Jenny Seagrove, Chairperson at Bill Kenwright Ltd said:

“I was captivated when I saw Barnum at the Watermill Theatre last year and knew immediately that this was a show I wanted to bring to audiences across the country. Our spectacular new staging will feature an extraordinary ensemble cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing international circus acts led by the wonderful Lee Mead playing the title role.”

With direction by Jonathan O’Boyle (Picture You Dead; The Last Five Years) andchoreography by Oti Mabuse (Strictly Come Dancing), The Observer called the Watermill Theatre production a “dazzling all-singing, all-juggling musical tribute to the 19th-century circus showman” in their five star review.

Step right up and enter the dazzling world of P.T. Barnum, where imagination and ambition know no bounds. Hand in hand with wife Charity, Barnum’s life and career twists and turns as he schemes and dreams his way to headier heights. 

Come follow the band with the glorious music of multi-award-winner Cy Coleman, Michael Stewart’s lyrics and Mark Bramble’s book. The show features a whole host of classic show tunes including Join the Circus, Colours of My Life, Come Follow the Band and Love Makes Such Fools of Us All.

The creative team includes Lee Newby (Set & Costume Designer), Jai Morjaria (Lighting Designer), Tom Marshall (Sound Designer), George Dyer (Musical Supervisor, Arrangements & Orchestrations), Amy Panter (Circus Director), Matt Nicholson (Associate Choreographer) and Nick Lodge (Associate Sound Designer).

Barnum was originally produced on the Broadway stage by Judy Gordon, Cy Coleman, Maurice and Lois F. Rosenfield in association with Irwin Feld and Kenneth Feld.

LISTINGS

Bill Kenwright Ltd presents the Watermill Theatre production of

BARNUM
MUSIC BY CY COLEMAN
LYRICS BY MICHAEL STEWART
BOOK BY MARK BRAMBLE

Website: www.kenwright.com

TOUR SCHEDULE 2026

30 Jan – 7 Feb             Windsor Theatre Royal                       On sale 20 Jun

10 – 14 Feb                 Manchester Palace Theatre                On sale 20 Jun

24 – 28 Feb                 York Grand Opera House                    On sale 20 Jun

3 – 7 Mar                     Brighton Theatre Royal                       On sale 20 Jun

17 – 21 Mar                 Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre       On sale 4 Jul

24 – 28 Mar                 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre             On sale 20 Jun

21 – 25 Apr                 Birmingham Hippodrome                   On sale 24 Jun

Further dates and casting to be announced

Hope Mill Theatre announces expansion plans, including the relocation and reopening of its award-winning community hub, as part of its 10th Birthday

Fundraising Appeal launched to help fund the works

Hope Mill Theatre is relaunching its award-winning community hub, which it was forced to close in early 2024 due to costs, as part of an expansion of the much-loved venue.

The community hub – which won an I Love Mcr Award just months before it closed – was based on Pollard Street, close by to Hope Mill Theatre.

The hub was home to the organisation’s outreach programmes, including the Theatre School, Community Choir & Orchestra and the Play Reading Club. The space was also used by local charity and community groups as well as theatre companies for rehearsals and events.

It shut its doors in Spring 2024 due to costs but now, to coincide with Hope Mill Theatre’s 10th birthday, the community hub is set to reopen within the Hope Mill building, as part of an extension of the current theatre and bar space.

Hope Mill Theatre is located in the rear of the ground floor of the 200-year-old mill – as part of these plans it will take over the front of the ground floor – a move that will see the organisation double its square footage.

The new space will include an accessible dressing room and an extra accessible backstage toilet facility, a large community room and dance studio, individual singing rooms, a rehearsal studio and office space.

The space will be shared with neighbours in AWOL studios, and will also include brand new creative work spaces and offices.

William Whelton CEO and co-founder of Hope Mill Theatre, said: “It was a really difficult decision to make back in 2024 to close the community hub, but at the time a necessary one. Despite the closure of the hub, our outreach work – including our theatre school, orchestra and choir – has continued in other spaces across the local area and we are so grateful for their support.  However it is really important for us to bring together all of our wonderful community programmes under one roof so when the rest of the ground floor of Hope Mill became available, we knew the time is right to expand.

“The new community space will be connected directly through our current bar area and will also allow us to expand with more office space, dressing rooms and a much-needed dance and rehearsal studio.

“Hope Mill Theatre celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year, and myself and Joe could never have imagined the growth and impact the organisation would have made over the period and there are lots of exciting plans ahead. But we desperately need to expand and need more space, so to have the opportunity to grow within the current building feels right.”

Hope Mill Theatre has launched a fundraising campaign to help fund the works, with both corporate sponsorship and individual donations welcome.

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ADDITIONAL DATES AND VENUES ANNNOUNCED
FOR THE MAJOR NEW UK TOUR
OF THE WORLDWIDE SMASH HIT MUSICAL
MAMMA MIA!
BEGINNING FROM OCTOBER 2025

The sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! embarks on a new UK tour from 24 October 2025 and today announces further additional dates and venues.

The new dates and venues for 2026 are: Hull New Theatre (7 – 18 April), Venue Cymru, Llandudno (21–25 April), Blackpool Opera House (28 April –3May), Birmingham Hippodrome (12–30 May), Hall for Cornwall, Truro (2 –13 June), Leeds Grand Theatre (16 – Sat 27June), Norwich Theatre Royal (30 June –11 July), Eastbourne Congress Theatre (14 –19 July), Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre (28 July – 2 August), King’s Theatre Glasgow (13 – 29 August 2026).

Previously announced dates are: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (24 October – 8 November 2025), Bristol Hippodrome (11 – 22 November 2025), New Theatre Oxford (25 November – 6 December 2025), Edinburgh Playhouse (9 December 2025 – 4 January 2026) Swansea Building Society Arena (13 January – 24 January 2026), His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (27 January – 7 February 2026), Newcastle Theatre Royal (11 – 28 February 2026), Palace Theatre Manchester (3 – 21 March 2026), Curve, Leicester (24 – 29 March 2026).

Further tour dates and venues are to be announced. For more information and to book the newly announced venues visit mamma-mia.com. Casting for the tour is to be announced.

From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with a sunny, funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads unfolding on a Greek island idyll.

This irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world and now there’s never been a better time to see this unforgettable musical. Whatever age you are, you can’t help but have the time of your life at MAMMA MIA!

Now in its 26th year, MAMMA MIA! has been seen by over 11 million people and has played over 10,000 performances in London’s West End. The MAMMA MIA! International Tour has visited 42 countries in the past 20 years, performed more than 3,800 shows and has been seen by over 7.3 million people. MAMMA MIA! became the 9th longest running show in Broadway history where it played a record-breaking run for 14 years. In 2011, it became the first Western musical ever to be staged in Mandarin in the People’s Republic of China. MAMMA MIA! has been seen live on stage by over 70 million people across the world and turned into two record-breaking movies.

Produced by Judy Craymer, MAMMA MIA! The Movie became the highest grossing live action musical film of all time upon its release in 2008.  A second film, MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN, opened in July 2018 and became the most successful live musical movie sequel of all time. Both films starred Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper, with Lily James, Andy Garcia and Cher joining them in the second film.

With music & lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and choreographed by Anthony Van Laast. The production is designed by Mark Thompson, with lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce & Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material & arrangements by Martin Koch.

The MAMMA MIA! UK Tour is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East & Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal Music Group and NGM.

LISTINGS

• Dates: Performances from 24 October 2025 (tour schedule below)
• Access Performances: Check individual venue websites for information and booking details
• Social Platforms:

www.instagram.com/mammamiamusical

www.twitter.com/MammaMiaMusical

www.facebook.com/mammamiamusical

www.tiktok.com/@mammamiaworldwide

MAMMA MIA! UK TOUR DATES 2025-2026:

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton                                                       24 October – 8 November 2025

www.mayflower.org.uk/whats-on/mamma-mia-2025

on sale now

Bristol Hippodrome                                                                                   11 – 22 November 2025

www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-mia/bristol-hippodrome   

on sale now

New Theatre Oxford                                                                                 25 November – 6 December 2025

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

on sale now

Edinburgh Playhouse                                                                                9 December 2025 – 4 January 2026

www.atgtickets.com/shows/mamma-mia/edinburgh-playhouse

on sale now

Swansea Building Society Arena                                                            13 January – 24 January 2026
www.swanseagrand.co.uk

on sale now

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen                                                          27 January – 7 February 2026
www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on

on sale now

Newcastle Theatre Royal                                                                         11 – 28 February 2026
www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on

on sale now

Palace Theatre Manchester                                                                    3 – 21 March 2026

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester

on sale now

Curve, Leicester                                                                                          24 – 28 March 2026www.curveonline.co.uk               

on sale now

Hull New Theatre                                                                                       7 April –18 April 2026

www.hulltheatres.co.uk

on sale 20 June 2025

Venue Cymru, Llandudno                                                                        21 April –25 April 2026
www.venuecymru.co.uk
on sale 20 June 2025

Blackpool Opera House                                                                            28 April –3 May 2026
www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk
on sale 20 June 2025

Birmingham Hippodrome                                                                        12 May –30 May 2026
www.birminghamhippodrome.com
on sale 27 June 2025

Hall for Cornwall, Truro                                                                           2 June –13 June 2026
www.hallforcornwall.co.uk
on sale 14 July 2025

Leeds Grand Theatre                                                                                 16 June –27 June 2026
www.leedsheritagetheatres.com
on sale 27 June 2025

Norwich Theatre Royal                                                                             30 June –11 July 2026
www.norwichtheatre.org
on sale 27 June 2025

Eastbourne Congress Theatre                                                                14July –19 July 2026
www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk
on sale 20 June 2025

Bournemouth Pavillion Theatre                                                            28 July – 2 August 2026
www.bournemouthpavillion.co.uk
on sale 20 June 2025

King’s Theatre Glasgow                                                                            13 – 29 August 2026
www.kingstheatreglasgow.net
on sale 20 June 2025

www.mamma-mia.com

The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Productions, proudly presents Be More Chill

We are beyond excited to reveal the exceptional cast for our upcoming production — the largest ever at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, featuring a company of 10 brilliant performers.

Leading the cast is Tom Dickerson as Jeremy. Tom is currently touring with Dear Evan Hansen as Jared Kleinman and has also appeared in Heathers and The Book of Mormon. He is joined by Broadway and Emmy-nominated Maya Jade Frank as Chloe. Maya’s impressive credits include Mary Poppins and Evita on Broadway, Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark (alongside Olivia Rodrigo and Jake Paul), and most recently Next to Normal in Los Angeles, where she starred as Natalie.

We also have the incredible Jessica Lim plays Jenna (Dear Evan Hansen, Shrek UK Tour), Tommy Fouweather appears as Squip (I Am Harvey Milk), and Shannon Bourne takes on Christine (Stranger Sings!, Becoming Nancy). Steven Rostance as Mr Heere (The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Noises Off).

As a proud fringe venue committed to supporting emerging talent, we are thrilled to be introducing: Jack Carr as Michael, John OG as Rich, Harry Chamberlain as Jake and Ailsa Erskine as Brooke.

This production also marks a major milestone, as it will be the venue’s first production under the Equity House Agreement — a significant step in championing fair pay and professional standards in fringe theatre.

Artistic Director James commented on this landmark moment and outstanding company: We are thrilled to be welcoming so many experienced performers and exciting newcomers to the venue for Be More Chill. Since the show was last performed technology has advanced so much with the likes of AI and ChatGBT and we look forward to incorporating that into this fresh new production. All I will say is make sure you stay for the after credits!

About the Show:

This summer, Broadway and West End smash Be More Chill comes to the Old Joint Stock.

After developing a cult following through its two stunning cast recordings, Be More Chill is now on its way to take Birmingham by storm.

Jeremy Heere is just an average teenager. That is, until he finds out about “The Squip,” a tiny supercomputer that promises to bring him everything he desires most: a date with Christine, an invite to the raddest party of the year, and a chance to survive life in his suburban New Jersey high school. But is being the most popular guy in school worth the risk? A hit on Broadway and in the West End, Be More Chill is based on the novel by Ned Vizzini.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Be More Chill: 6th – 31st August https://www.designmynight.com/birmingham/pubs/city-centre/the-old-joint-stock-theatre/be-more-chill-the-musical

CHILDREN’S THEATRE PARTNERSHIP AND ROSE THEATRE

PRESENT THE 2026 UK TOUR OF ONJALI Q. RAUF’S

THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY NICK AHAD

After delighting audiences across the country in 2024, The Boy at the Back of the Class, a celebration of friendship, kindness and compassion, is back.  Following a two-week run at Rose Theatre, from 6-22 February 2026, Nick Ahmad’s critically and publicly acclaimed adaptation of Onjali Q. Raúf’s award-winning and best-selling novel will tour the UK through to 23 May.  The production will once again be directed by The Stage Debut Award-winner, Monique Touko.  There will be a national press night on Wednesday 11 February at Rose Theatre.

There used to be an empty chair at the back of the class, but now a new boy called Ahmet is sitting in it. He’s nine years old (just like me), but he’s very strange. He never talks and never smiles and doesn’t like sweets – not even lemon sherbets, which are my favourite!

After learning that he has fled his own war-torn country, Ahmet’s classmates have ‘The Greatest Idea in the World’ – a magnificent plan to reunite Ahmet with his family. An unexpected and often hilarious adventure follows, all topped off with a terrific twist.

Told from a child’s perspective, balancing heart and humour, The Boy at the Back of the Class highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home.

The cast is to be announced.

Hedda Beeby of Children’s Touring Partnership said, “Being in an audience of young people on the 2024 tour was a joyful and enriching experience. The story truly touches and connects with young lives. Thanks to support from the Arts Council of England, we are delighted to have the opportunity to take this production to young people around the UK once more.”

Rose Artistic Director Christopher Haydon said, “We are thrilled to be bringing this heartfelt and still highly relevant story back to our stage and theatres across the UK with Children’s Theatre Partnership. Writer Nick Ahad and director Monique Touko have brilliantly captured the wild ride of Onjali Raúf’s book and brought so much heart and passion to this production. I’m eager for new audiences to experience this lovely and inspiring story of inclusion, compassion and kindness.”

The creative team includes Monique Touko (Director), Lily Arnold (Set & Costume Designer), Ryan Day (Lighting Designer), Giles Thomas (Composer & Sound Designer), Kloé Dean (Movement Director) and Sophie Parrott CDG (Casting Director).

Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2019

Winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2019

Age Guidance: 7+

theboyatthebackoftheclass.co.uk

Instagram and Facebook: @BoyAtBackPlay

TOUR SCHEDULE

25-28 February                     Belgrade Theatre, Coventry                                               024 7655 3055

                                                belgrade.co.uk                                                                      on sale soon

15-18 April                            Lowry, Salford                                                                       0161 876 2000

                                                www.thelowry.com                                                             on sale 27 June

28 April – 2 May                   Hall for Cornwall, Truro                                                      01872 262 466

                                                www.hallforcornwall.co.uk                                                on sale 14 July

5-9 May                                 Blackpool Grand Theatre                                                   01253 290190

                                                blackpoolgrand.co.uk                                                         on sale soon

11-16 May                             New Theatre, Cardiff                                                         0343 310 0041

                                                newtheatrecardiff.co.uk                                                    on sale 27 June

19-23 May                             Alhambra Theatre, Bradford                                            01274 432000

                                                bradford-theatres.co.uk                                                    on sale 21 July

More dates to be added.