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NEW CASTING ANNOUNCED

MAKING THEIR WEST END DEBUTS

SKYLAR ASTIN AS EMCEE

AND

SARAH HYLAND AS SALLY BOWLES

IN

THE MULTI AWARD-WINNING, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED

WEST END PRODUCTION OF

CABARET

AT THE KIT KAT CLUB

FROM 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

The producers of the multi award-winning, critically acclaimed West End production of CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB are delighted to announce new casting.

From 21 September 2026, stage and screen stars Skylar Astin (So Help Me Todd; Pitch Perfect) and Sarah Hyland (Modern Family; The Great Gatsby on Broadway) will play Emcee and Sally Bowles respectively, both making their West End debut.

Also joining the company will be Ronan Burns as Ernst Ludwig, Lindsay Atherton as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Lily Frances, Peter Houston, Samuel How, Bailey Johnson, Ellie Mitchell, Kirsty Anne Shaw, Natasha Wilde and Nicky Wong Rush.

Continuing in the show will be Baker Mukasa as Clifford Bradshaw, Ruthie Henshall as Fraulein Schneider, Robert Hands as Herr Schultz, Joe Atkinson, Xavion Campbell-Brown, Olivia-Rose Deer, Anya Ferdinand, Danny Fogarty, Adrian Grove and Eva-Rose Tanaka.

The Prologue Company are Isobel Bates, Rachel Benson, Ami Benton, Jonathan Charles, Shanelle Clemenson, Andrew Linnie, Zara Liu, Dak Mashava, Brian James O’Sullivan, Jack William Parry and Shiho Yokoyama.

Skylar Astin final performance will be Saturday 12 December 2026. Sarah Hyland’s final performance will be Saturday 23 January 2027.

CABARET is currently booking until Saturday 18 September 2027. The production has surpassed its 1,900^th performance, making it the longest running production of Cabaret in West End history. This year will mark both the 60^th anniversary of the show, which originally opened on Broadway on 20 November 1966, and the 5^th anniversary of this award-winning production, which opened in the West End on 15 November 2021. A celebration will be held at the Kit Kat Club on Friday 20 November to mark the occasion, with a limited allocation of special priced tickets at £19.66, £60 and £196.60. Tickets on sale now at kitkat.club

Skylar Astin is best known for his role as Jesse Swanson in the hit films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2. His theatre credits include originating the role of Georg Zirschnitz in Spring Awakening on Broadway, Mark Cohen in RENT and The Baker in Into The Woods both at the Hollywood Bowl, Tony in West Side Story at Carnegie Hall, and Seymour Krelborn in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. Further screen credits include 21 And Over, Disney’s Wreck It Ralph, Greg Serrano in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Max Richman in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, and Todd Wright in So Help Me Todd playing opposite Marcia Gay Harden. He will next be seen in the horror comedy Nice People, as well as a recurring arc in the hit series Grey’s Anatomy.

Sarah Hyland is best known for her Screen Actors Guild award-winning role as Haley Dunphy in Modern Family. Her Broadway credits include Connie Francis in Just in Time, Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, Jacqueline Bouvier in Grey Gardens and Audrey in the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. She also starred in Hair at The Hollywood Bowl as Chrissy. Her further screen credits include the role of Heidi Miller in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin as well as hosting Love Island USA. Hyland’s advocacy for living a healthy lifestyle, combined with her entrepreneurial savvy has led her to sign on as co-founder for the functional candy brand Sourse.

Ronan Burns most recently appeared in Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre. His other theatre credits include Johnny Casino in Grease at the Dominion Theatre, 42^nd Street at the Théatre du Châteletin, Frank/Ensemble in the UK tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Riff in West Side Story at Curve, Leicester and Bugsy Malone at the Lyric Hammersmith.

Lindsay Atherton’s theatre credits include Top Hat at the Chichester Festival Theatre and UK tour, Hello, Dolly! at the London Palladium, Sinatra at the Birmingham Rep Theatre, Newsies at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre and South Pacific at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Her credits as an Associate Choreographer include the world premiere production of A Knight’s Tale at the Manchester Opera House, the UK tour of Fisherman’s Friends The Musical and the European tour of Berlin Berlin. As a Co-Choreographer she did the European tour of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 

This unique production of CABARET opened in December 2021 to critical and audience acclaim, widely praised as the ultimate theatrical experience. In April 2022 it won a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards. The production has also won three prestigious Critics Circle Awards as well as the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Design for designer Tom Scutt.

Transforming one of London’s most famous theatres with an in-the-round auditorium and reimagined spaces, before the show guests are invited to enjoy and explore the Kit Kat Club with pre-show entertainment, drinks and dining all on offer. When booking, guests receive a ‘club entry time’ to allow enough time to take in the world of the Kit Kat Club before the show starts. But of course, the show really starts when you first join us in the club…

One of the most successful musicals of all time CABARET features the songs Wilkommen, Don’t Tell Mama, Mein Herr, Maybe This Time, Money and the title number. It has music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, book by Joe Masteroff. Based on the play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood.

CABARET is directed by Rebecca Frecknall, set and costume design is by Tom Scutt with choreography by Julia Cheng. Musical supervision is by Jennifer Whyte and musical direction is by Ben van Tienen with lighting design by Isabella Byrd, sound design by Nick Lidster, Wigs and Hair design by Sam Cox and Make-Up design by Guy Common. The casting director is Stuart Burt and the original associate director and prologue director is Jordan Fein. The prologue composer is Angus MacRae and the musical director is Ben Van Tienen.

CABARET at the KIT KAT CLUB is produced by ATG Productions and Underbelly.

Launch 11 August 2026

Presented by Artistic Directors – Sally Hughes & Adam Rolston

The Mill at Sonning, written by Marcia Spiers

The Mill at Sonning launched its new season to a packed audience, marking an exciting new chapter for the much-loved riverside theatre and dining venue. After a challenging year for many arts organisations, The Mill — converted from a watermill into a theatre 44 years ago — is looking firmly ahead, supported by a new consortium committed to steering it into the future.

Set on the banks of the Thames, The Mill remains one of the area’s most distinctive cultural venues. The historic building demands constant care and presents accessibility challenges, but its charm, community value and role in supporting young people into work make it a vital part of local life across Sonning, Reading and South Oxfordshire.

The venue is also broadening its offer beyond theatre, with live music, magic, comedy, afternoon teas and children’s entertainment all part of the programme. Plans are also in place to widen its appeal further and improve accessibility and restroom facilities.

Among the key announcements was the introduction of show-only tickets, which will sit alongside The Mill’s traditional dining and theatre packages. The move should open the venue up to a wider audience and offer greater flexibility for theatre workers. The Mill has also appointed Elegant Cuisine as its new catering and hospitality partner. With more than 50 years’ experience in dining, hospitality and events, the company brings a fresh opportunity to connect food and performance more closely. The new chef, who comes with excellent credentials, is keen to take the existing team forward on this next stage of the journey.

The newly announced season offers a strong and varied line-up:

• Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, runs from 4 September to 31 October 2026.

• Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, based on the original book by P. G. Wodehouse, Guy Bolton, Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse, runs from 19 November 2026 to 17 January 2027.

• Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, a fast-paced physical comedy adapted from P. G. Wodehouse by the Goodale Brothers and directed by Sally Hughes, runs from 4 February to 21 March 2027.

• I Ought to Be in Pictures by Neil Simon is a revival of an uplifting comedy about second chances, forgiveness and the people who matter most, with a wonderful father-and-daughter cast. It runs from 8 April to 23 May 2027.

• The Island, a brand-new musical based on Victoria Hislop’s bestselling novel, will have its world premiere at The Mill. It runs from 10 June to 15 August 2027. I am not missing this one — it is one of my favorite novels!

• I’ll Be Back Before Midnight by Peter Colley is a stage thriller running from 9 September to 31 October 2027.

And finally…

• Kiss Me, Kate, Cole Porter’s musical comedy, runs from 19 November 2027 to 19 January 2028.

With an ambitious programme, new ticketing options and refreshed hospitality plans, The Mill is clearly entering its next chapter with energy and purpose. This is a theatre full of character, producing work of a high standard, and it deserves every support as it continues to thrive on the banks of the Thames.

Yvonne Arnaud – until 15 August 2026

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley

3***

Clive Francis has made a valiant attempt to adapt this classic Graham Greene novel for the stage. Greene drew on much of his own life experience and the ineptitude of cold war intelligence agencies, during the 50’s and 60’s. Francis captures Greene’s humour, which runs through the piece like Brighton through a stick of rock!

The versatility of the four actors is remarkable and seriously funny all at once. With many quick changes, you can be forgiven for getting slightly confused at times. The first half is stuffed full of dialogue with not enough action to counterbalance. 

Jack Ashton plays a simple vacuum cleaner salesman finding himself in Havana, making extra money as a secret service spy. He sends intelligence reports home full of fictional characters and made-up stories. It provides a good living for him and his daughter, who is becoming a young adult. Ashton plays well perturbed disbelief, when the characters begin to come to life! He has accidentally given the names of real people, who are now on the hit list and looking for him. Leon Ockenden, Jodie Steele and Bob Barrett present the caricatures, slipping in out of costume as quickly as they do accents! 

Bob Barrett brought the second half alight with his depiction of Teresa, a woman of the night, fully sequined with well placed sparkly stars! Jodie Steele slipped between the upright secretary, the teenage daughter and exotic dancer sometimes on the flip of a coin, with hilarious results! Leon Ockenden fills in the narrative when the pace is in full swing, switching between policeman, cleaner, pimp, plus many others with impressive agility. 

The sliding stage sets give you the grounding needed to know where you are and what characters will be in play. It is like watching a paper diorama, in full size! In the same way, the costume gives you a fix on what character is being played. From the first line to the last, you need to pay attention to get the storyline and spot the funnies!

STAGE AND TV STAR

JENNIFER ELLISON

TO PLAY

MS HERON/MS NORBURY/MRS GEORGE

IN THE

2026/2027 UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OF THE AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

TOURING UNTIL JANUARY 2027

Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce that Jennifer Ellison will play Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George in selected cities in the 2026/2027 UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL. 

Jennier Ellison will perform in Bristol, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Wimbledon, Birmingham, Southampton and Newcastle.

As previously announced, Faye Tozer will play Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George in Canterbury, Blackpool, Dublin, Crawley, Bradford, Norwich, Nottingham and Sheffield.

Jennifer joins Emily Lane as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka as Regina George, Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners, Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith, Georgie Buckland as Janis Sarkisian, Max Gill as Damian Hubbard, Ben Oatley as Aaron Samuels, Karim Zeroual as Kevin Ganatra and Joshua Elmore as Mr Duvall.

Charlie Barnard, Rebekah Bryant, Michael Dean-Wilson, Savannah Ffrench, Fergie Fraser, Thomas Gotobed, Jenny Huxley-Golden, Trisha Kumar, Sadie Levett, Arjun Mudahar, Jessie Odeleye, Stefanos Petri, Charlotte Pourret, Jack Rose, Tori Louise Ryan, Lillia Squires, Jayd’n Tyrone and Chay Wills complete the company.

Jennifer Ellison’s West End credits include Singin’ In The Rain at the Palace Theatre, Boeing Boeing at The Comedy Theatre, and Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, Cambridge Theatre, as well as on a UK Tour and for the 10th Anniversary Gala. Her other theatre credits include UK Tours of Greatest Days, Legally Blonde, Calendar Girls, and a UK Arena Tour of The War Of The Worlds. Jennier’s television credits include Brookside for Channel 4, G’Wed, The Commander: Abduction, The Brief, and The Bill, all for ITV, and Hotel Babylon, The Nativity, and New Street Law, all for the BBC. Her other television credits include SAS Who Dares Wins for Channel 4, Dancing On Ice for ITV, for which she was a semi-finalist and performed on the National Tour, Hell’s Kitchen, which she won, With a Little Help From My Friends for ITV, and appearing as a judge on Dirty Dancing – Time of your Life and as a frequent guest on the ITV daytime show Loose Women. Jennifer also fronted the UK version of the hit US series Dance Moms for the Lifetime channel which followed Jennifer at her very own dance school and college Jelli Studios. Jennier’s film include playing Meg Giry in Phantom of the Opera for Warner Bros, and Tracey in The Cottage.

Meet The Plastics – Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist parents, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung. Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.

MEAN GIRLS, the smash-hit musical comedy based on the iconic Paramount Pictures film of the same name, had its first West End performance at the Savoy Theatre on 5 June 2024, where it was seen by over 330,000 people and played until 8 June 2025. MEAN GIRLS recently took home the coveted ‘Best New Musical’ award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.

MEAN GIRLS had its world premiere in 2017 at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C and opened on Broadway in April 2018 at the August Wilson Theatre to ecstatic responses, where it played to packed houses. The show then went on a hugely successful US tour in 2019 and recently completed a second US tour. In addition, in 2024, Paramount Pictures released a new twist on the fan-favourite film from the comedic mind of Tina Fey with a fresh and fun re-telling of the story featuring sensational musical performances.

The musical MEAN GIRLS has a book by Tina Fey, music and vocal arrangements by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw, scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, lighting design by Kenneth Posner, sound design by Brian Ronan, hair design by Josh Marquette, musical supervision/vocal, dance, incidental and additional music arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, orchestrations by John Clancy, dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly and casting by Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting.

BAFTA NOMINATED

LOLLY ADEFOPE

TO MAKE HER WEST END DEBUT

AS MARY TODD LINCOLN

IN

THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING SMASH HIT COMEDY

WRITTEN BY TONY^® AWARD-WINNER

COLE ESCOLA

DIRECTED BY TONY^® AWARD-WINNER

SAM PINKLETON

AT THE TRAFALGAR THEATRE

28 SEPTEMBER – 5 DECEMBER 2026

Producers Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia are delighted to announce that Lolly Adefope will make her West End debut as Mary Todd Lincoln in OH, MARY! atthe Trafalgar Theatre. Lolly will play a 10-week season from 28 September until 5 December 2026.

The Olivier and Tony Award-winning smash hit comedy OH, MARY! is now booking until 2 January 2027.

BAFTA-nominee Lolly Adefope is a British actress, best known for her role in hit British sitcom Ghosts, created by the team behind Horrible Histories. The critically acclaimed sitcom ran for 5 seasons, has been nominated for 2 BAFTAs and picked up the Broadcast Press Guild Award for Best Comedy in 2024. Ghosts will return for a final outing as a feature film, Ghosts: The Possession of Button House, releasing in October. Most recently, Lolly starred opposite Himesh Patel and Richard E. Grant in HBO superhero satire The Franchise, a role for which she earned a BAFTA nomination for Female Performance in a Comedy. She will also soon be seen in Apple TV’s Prodigies, opposite Will Sharpe and Ayo Edebiri. Lolly was named as one of Vanity Fair’s Rising Stars of 2025. Previous to this, Lolly has had a variety of roles in notable television series, such as Hulu’s hit feminist comedy Shrill alongside Aidy Bryant, as well as This Time With Alan Partridge, Netflix’s Black Mirror, and TBS’s Miracle Workers. Lolly has also appeared in iconic British comedies such as Motherland, Lovesick, and Stath Lets Flats. Lolly has also appeared on the big screen in blockbusters such as Thea Sharrock’s Wicked Little Letters and Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn.  Having also had a successful comedy career, Lolly performed her first solo show at Edinburgh Fringe in 2015, and was named one of The Guardian’s Rising Stars of 2017. She has appeared on Taskmaster, and has had guest appearances on The Last Leg, 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and QI.

OH, MARY! currently stars Cole Escola as Mary Todd Lincoln, Giles Terera as Mary’s Husband, Dino Fetscher as Mary’s Teacher, Kate O’Donnell as Mary’s Chaperone and Oliver Stockley as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

From 17 August until 26 September, Jinkx Monsoon will play Mary Todd Lincoln, alongside Scott Karim as Mary’s Husband, Dino Fetscher as Mary’s Teacher, Kate O’Donnell as Mary’s Chaperone and Oliver Stockley as Mary’s Husband’s Assistant.

Full casting for 28 September onwards is to be announced.

OH, MARY! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).

Declared “one of the best comedies in years” by The New York Times, OH, MARY! received Tony^® Awards for Best Leading Actor in a Play (Cole Escola) and Best Direction of a Play (Sam Pinkleton), Drama League Awards for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play, as well as a special citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle. It was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

OH, MARY! premiered off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in January 2024, before a Broadway transfer to the Lyceum Theatre in July 2024, where it broke box office records and continues to play to sold out audiences. It had its West End premiere at Trafalgar Theatre on 3 December 2025, where it has also broken Box Office records, and won Best Entertainment or Comedy Play at this year’s Olivier Awards. This Autumn, OH, MARY! will also launch a US National Tour.

In addition to Cole Escola (Writer) and Sam Pinkleton (Director), the full creative team includes dots (Scenic Designer), Holly Pierson (Costume Designer), Cha See (Lighting Designer), Daniel Kluger (Sound Design and Music), Drew Levy (Sound Designer), Leah J. Loukas (Wig Designer), David Dabbon (Arrangements) with Casting by Stuart Burt CDG. Associate creatives include Georgie Rankcom (Associate Director), Zoë Hurwitz (Scenic), Debo Andrews (Costume), Tom Turner (Lighting), Chris Reid (Sound), Kim Kasim (Wigs), Caitlin Morgan (Music Direction), Eleanor Dolan (Costume Supervisor), and Marcus Hall (Props Supervisor).

OH, MARY! is produced in the West End by Kevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia with Bob Boyett, The Council, Jean Doumanian Productions, Nicole Eisenberg, Jay Marcus & George Strus, Irony Point, Richard Batchelder/Bradley Reynolds, Tyler Mount/Tommy Doyle, Nelson & Tao, Palomares & Rosenberg, ShowTown Productions, Jamie Wilson Productions and Wessex Grove.

The Executive producers of OH, MARY! at Trafalgar Theatre are Wessex Grove

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall – until Saturday 15 August 2026

Reviewed by Louise Ford

3***

It’s all about the pies

When I was asked to review Waitress I was pleased as I do love a musical but I was also puzzled as I hadn’t heard of this particular one. This is a bit surprising as Waitress is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and has received a whole host of nominations both in the America and in the UK. It was the first Broadway musical created by an all female team. It was originally a book written by Jesse Nelson, which was turned into a film, with the script written by Adrienne Shelly. The rights were snapped up and the story was turned into a musical. The songs were written by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and the script by playwright Paula Vogel. So quite a gap in my musicals’ knowledge.

So onto the show. The story centres around three waitresses and a busy diner. There’s Jenna (Carrie Hope Fletcher), Becky (Sandra Marvin) and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins), three waitresses who all have man trouble of one sort or another. They are an all female team of solidarity who support each other whilst delivering pies and coffee to the diners. The diner set is amazing (Scott Pask) it effortlessly moves from the kitchen, where Jenna is creating her magical pies to the front of house where most of the action takes place. In the background there’s a backdrop of a road leading out of town towards a vast horizon.

The diner is owned by the cranky Joe (Les Dennis), with his specific meal order (cream on a separate plate), who turns out to be a fairy godfather at the end. The diner is managed by the short tempered Cal (Dan O’Brien), the waitresses, not surprisingly, run rings round him.

Whilst I loved the setting and the live band, on stage, I struggled a bit to understand the lyrics. The balance between the singers and the lyrics did not seem quite right. This improved in the second half, maybe my hearing had adjusted accordingly. The first half seemed confusing, busy, lively and a bit improbable. I couldn’t quite believe in the romance between Jenna and Dr Pomatter (Dan Partridge). The plot isn’t difficult to follow it just seemed a bit unlikely. The mix of kitchen sink drama and magical baking (sugar), didn’t always gel, for me. Also there are a lot of songs but none of them are particularly memorable.

Having said all of the above the acting and the singing is first class. The last two songs delivered by Jenna (She Used to be Me and Everything Changes) really captured the audience and had them on their feet.

So take a slice of marshmallow mermaid pie and a cup of thick black coffee, down to the Royal Concert Hall and see what you think for yourselves.

MOONLIGHT FLICKS OPEN AIR CINEMA, STORYHOUSE IN THE PARK, CHESTER – UNTIL 31ST AUGUST 2026

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

5*****

I went to Moonlight Flicks Open Air Cinema to watch Mamma Mia! —the first of six films this season—and honestly, I wasn’t quite prepared for how much I was going to love it. Picture this: a huge inflatable screen, a very British blanket of cloud overhead (but thankfully not a single drop of rain!), and that unmistakable buzz of people settling in for a night that already feels a bit special before the film even starts.

It was my first time, so I went in curious… and came out wondering why I haven’t been doing this every summer of my life.

Like Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, it’s not just about the show —it’s about the whole experience. There’s something so lovely about watching everyone arrive, juggling blankets, snacks, and chairs like it’s a competitive sport. Some people had hired chairs, others came fully prepared with their own, and a few (clearly the seasoned pros) had brought what can only be described as deluxe blanket nests. Once everyone settles, you can feel this warm, happy buzz ripple through the crowd.

And the food? Don’t even get me started. People were tucking into fresh wood-fired pizzas like it was a festival, drinks in hand, all very relaxed and “we’ve got nowhere else to be.” There’s even a bar, and you can pre-order everything—which feels incredibly organised for something that also involves sitting in a field watching ABBA under the stars.

One of the best bits is the headset system. Everyone gets their own, you can adjust the volume, and it somehow makes the whole thing feel both communal and personal at the same time. Although… I’ll admit, I did take mine off at one point. Not because of the sound quality—but because I could hear the audience softly singing along to the songs, and it was too good to miss.

And by the end? “Softly singing” had very much turned into full-on standing, dancing, belting-it-out-with-no-shame energy. Mamma Mia! was the perfect choice to kick things off—a proper feel-good, sing-your-heart-out kind of film that had everyone completely swept up in the moment.

I went expecting a nice evening. I left with a big smile, slightly hoarse from singing (no regrets), and already planning my next visit—this time with the family. Because honestly, this isn’t just a cinema trip… it’s a whole memory waiting to happen.

PRINCIPAL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE 75^TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR OF

AGATHA CHRISTIE’S ICONIC THRILLER

‘THE MOUSETRAP’

Producer Brian Fenty is delighted to announce the principal cast of the 75th Anniversary UK tour of Agatha Christie’s iconic thriller and the world’s longest running play, The Mousetrap. The tour will begin in Birmingham on 3 September 2026, running through to 2027 and visiting over 25 cities across the UK.  

The UK tour welcomes new Director Hannah Chissick who, together with Casting Director Denise Silvey, have assembled a world-class cast as The Mousetrap enters its 75^th anniversary.

Joining the cast are Emily Laing (One Life) as Mollie Ralston, Jack Hardwick (The Bodyguard UK tour) as Giles Ralston, Thomas Barrett (Summer Folk, National Theatre) as Christopher Wren, Clare Duffy (Pipe Dream, Union Theatre) as Miss Casewell, James Peake (The Invisible Man, Eastbourne Theatres) as Mr Paravicini and Alfie Richards (The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, UK tour) as Detective Sergeant Trotter.

They join previously announced Nicholas Bailey (EastEnders) as Major Metcalf and Susan Penhaligon (A Fine Romance) as Mrs Boyle.

SOLVE THEATRE’S MOST FAMOUS MYSTERY.

Since 1952, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap has captivated the world with silent clues, shifting shadows and the best-kept secret in theatre history. Now, the record-breaking classic embarks on its 75th Anniversary tour across the UK and Ireland.

A shocking murder rattles London. Far from the chaos, in a remote guesthouse seven strangers seek refuge. But when a police detective battles through a deadly snowstorm with a warning no one expects, it becomes clear the threat is already within their walls.

Every whisper hides a clue. Every story masks a lie. And as suspicion tightens its grip, one question chills the room: who among them is capable of murder?

Step into Monkswell Manor and solve the great British murder mystery that has kept the world guessing for generations.

THE MANOR AWAITS.

Earlier this year the play celebrated its 30,000^th performance in the West End and was presented with a Guinness World Records certificate for the record title of longest theatrical run. The genre-defining murder mystery opened in 1952 and continues to enthral audiences at London’s St Martin’s Theatre, now booking into its 75^th year in 2027.

The tour is directedby Hannah Chissick with lighting design by Nic Farman, casting by Denise Silvey, and resident director Myles Brown.

The Mousetrap is produced by Brian Fenty.

Website:  www.themousetrap.com

Twitter:  @TheMousetrapOfficial

Facebook:  @TheMousetrapOfficial

Instagram:  @TheMousetrapOfficial

2026/27 TOUR SCHEDULE

3 – 12 Sept 2026        Birmingham, The Alexandra

                                    atgtickets.com/Birmingham                                                          

15 – 19 Sept               Princess Theatre, Torquay

                                     atgtickets.com/torquay

21 – 26 Sept               Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham                                           01242 572 573

                                    everymantheatre.org.uk

6 – 10 Oct                   Lyceum Theatre, Crewe

                                    trafalgartickets.com/lyceum-theatre-crewe/en-GB

12 – 17 Oct                 Theatre Royal Windsor                                                         01753 853 888

                                    theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

19 – 24 Oct                 Floral Pavillion, New Brighton

                                    floralpavilion.com

26 – 31 Oct                 Manchester Opera House

                                    atgtickets.com/manchester   

3 – 7 Nov                    Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield                                                   

                                    sheffieldtheatres.co.uk                                                           

9 – 14 Nov                  Aylesbury, Waterside

                                    atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

16 – 21 Nov                Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne

                                    trafalgartickets.com/eastbourne-theatres-eastbourne/en-GB

23 – 28 Nov                Lighthouse Poole

                                    lighthousepoole.co.uk

30 Nov – 5 Dec           Palace Theatre, Southend

                                    trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB

7 – 16 Jan 2027          Royal & Derngate, Northampton                                          01604 624811  

                                    royalandderngate.co.uk

19 – 23 Jan                 Cardiff New Theatre                                                               0343 310 0041

                                    newtheatrecardiff.co.uk          

25 – 30 Jan                 Woking New Victoria Theatre

                                    atgtickets.com/new-victoria-theatre               

1 – 6 Feb                     Theatre Royal Plymouth                                                        01752 267 222

                                    theatreroyal.com

15 – 20 Feb                Bromley Churchill Theatre                                                     0343 310 0020

                                    churchilltheatre.co.uk                                    

22 – 27 Feb                 Swindon Wyvern Theatre                                                      0343 310 0040

                                    swindontheatres.co.uk

1 – 6 March                 Stoke, Regent Theatre

atgtickets.com/stoke

8 – 13 March               Lichfield Garrick

                                    lichfieldgarrick.com  

22 – 27 March             Sunderland Empire Theatre

                                    atgtickets.com/sunderland

5 – 10 April                  Edinburgh Playhouse

                                    atgtickets.com/Edinburgh

12 – 17 April                Glasgow Kings Theatre

                                    atgtickets.com/Glasgow

19 – 24 April                Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

                                    mayflower.org.uk 

26 April – 1 May          Milton Keynes Theatre

                                    atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

4 – 8 May                    Malvern Theatres                                                                   01684 892277

                                    malvern-theatres.co.uk 

24 – 29 May                Truro Hall for Cornwall                                                           01872 262 466

                                    hallforcornwall.co.uk  

21 – 26 June               Grand Opera House York

                                    atgtickets.com/York

12 – 18 Jul                  High Wycombe Swan
                                    trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre/en-GB

OLIVER AWARD WINNING LAYTON WILLIAMS ANNOUNCES LAYTON LIVE UK TOUR FOR 2027

Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Layton Williams will embark on a brand-new nationwide tour with LAYTON LIVE, a spectacular evening of music, dance and storytelling celebrating his extraordinary career on stage and screen. Tickets go on pre-sale from Monday 10th August 2026, with general sale opening on Tuesday 11th August 2026. 

Tickets are available from www.laytonlive.co.uk. 

Marking the upcoming 20th anniversary of his professional stage debut, LAYTON LIVE takes audiences on a whistle-stop musical journey through Layton’s remarkable career – from his breakout performance in Billy Elliot to his acclaimed turn in Titanique, with stops at Cabaret, Hairspray, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the Bad Education classroom and even the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.

LAYTON LIVE will tour the UK from 23 February to 4 April 2027, visiting more than 20 towns and cities including Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Cardiff and Sheffield, before culminating in a major London performance at the Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 4 April 2027.

Backed by a company of exceptional performers, the show promises unforgettable behind-the-scenes stories, powerhouse vocals, spectacular choreography and many of the iconic songs and moments that have defined Layton’s career. With a strictly limited run of performances, audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, Layton Williams began his professional career at just 12 years old in the title role of Billy Elliot in the West End. Since then, he has become one of the UK’s most celebrated musical theatre performers.

His stage credits include Titanique (Criterion Theatre), Cabaret (Playhouse Theatre), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie(Apollo Theatre), Kiss Me, Kate (Sheffield Crucible), Hairspray (UK Tour), Rent (The Other Palace), Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man and Lord of the Flies, Thriller Live (Lyric Theatre) and Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre).

Layton’s television and film work includes Bad Education (BBC), People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix), Strictly Come Dancing(BBC), I Hate Suzie (HBO), I Kissed A Boy (BBC), The Cleaner (BBC), Murder, They Hope (BBC), Benidorm(ITV), School for Stars(CBBC) and Beautiful People (BBC). This year he also makes his Netflix series debut as stylist Onassis in Geek Girl.

Beyond performing, Layton is the director of Pros From The Shows, which delivers professional performing arts experiences for young people through his acclaimed “Slay Clubs”. He is also a passionate advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community.

His accolades include three Black British Theatre Awards, a WhatsOnStage Award, the Olivier Award for Titanique in the West End, and a Tony Award nomination for the show’s Broadway transfer. Before embarking on the LAYTON LIVE tour, Layton will appear as King Herod in Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

LAYTON LIVE is a joyful celebration of two decades of one of British entertainment’s most dynamic performers, combining show-stopping musical numbers with the humour, honesty and charisma that have made Layton a favourite with audiences across theatre, television and beyond.

LISTINGS: 

FEBRUARY 2027

Tuesday 23rd February                        NEWBURY                     CORN EXCHANGE 

Wednesday 24th February                  HARROGATE                ROYAL CONCERT HALL 

Thursday 25th February                       MANCHESTER              OPERA HOUSE 

Friday 26th February                            DERBY                          THEATRE 

Sunday 28th February                         NORTHAMPTON           DERNGATE 

MARCH 2027 

Wednesday 3rd March                       POOLE                         LIGHTHOUSE THEATRE              

Friday 5th March                                 CHELTENHAM              TOWN HALL 

Sunday 7th March                               EDINBURGH                 KINGS THEATRE 

Monday 8th March                             GLASGOW                   PAVILLION

Tuesday 9th March                             PERTH                           THEATRE 

Wednesday 10th March                     INVERNESS                   EDEN COURT 

Friday 12th March                               BIRMINGHAM              TOWN HALL 

Tuesday 16th March                           WOKING                      NEW VICTORIA  

Thursday 18th March                          FAREHAM                   FAREHAM LIVE 

Friday 19th March                              SWINDON                    WYVERN THEATRE 

Saturday 20th March                          BLACKPOOL                The Grand Theatre 

Monday 22nd March                          OXFORD                        Oxford Playhouse 

Tuesday 23rd March                          NEWCASTLE                NORTHERN STAGE 

Wednesday 24th March                     MOLD                             THEATRE CLWD 

Tuesday 30th March                            CARDIFF                      NEW THEATRE 

APRIL 2027  

Thursday 1st April                               SHEFFIELD                 CRUCIBLE 

Friday 2nd April                                   MILTON KEYNES         THE STABLES 

Saturday 3rd April                               BASINGSTOKE            ANVIL 

Sunday 4th April                                  LONDON                     ADELPHI THEATRE 

Hull Truck Theatre – until 8th August 2026

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

Just two weeks ago, the young company of British Youth Music Theatre had only just met. In that brief time, they created a show, developed their characters, and shaped it into a strong, entertaining production.

Written by Joe Venable, who also provided the lyrics, with music composed and additional lyrics by Samuel MacDonald. Steve Elias directs the production.

Technical Difficulties is set in a senior school theatre, where a student production will count towards the cast’s end-of-year grades. From the very beginning, things start to go wrong.

The stage is fitted with a state-of-the-art safety curtain, brought to life through Sam Levy’s clever lighting design. Once activated, it becomes electrified, preventing anyone from passing through it.

When the curtain cannot be switched off, the students are separated from the backstage crew and cast, creating confusion, tension, and conflict.

As disagreements grow, sabotage is at play. Someone seems determined to stop the production from going ahead. The students must find out who is responsible, overcome the chaos, and decide whether they can still put on the show and earn the grades they deserve.

The choreography by DKFASH was performed confidently by the company and worked well alongside the singing and acting to create an enjoyable production.

The band, under musical director Josh Sood, was excellent. Together with the strong singing from the company, the music helped bring the script to life.

British Youth Music Theatre gives young people the opportunity to perform in a professional production on a professional stage. The entire company gave their all, delivering an excellent show that was warmly received and clearly enjoyed by the audience.