A Sheffield Theatres and Evolution Productions co-production
ORE ODUBA JOINS THE CAST OF LYCEUM PANTOMIME, CINDERELLA
Written and directed by Paul Hendy
Saturday 28 November 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
SheffieldTheatres and EvolutionProductions announce the further cast for Cinderellaat the Lyceum Theatre this Christmas: star of stage, screen and Strictly, Ore Oduba joins the Lyceum pantomime. Ore is an actor and presenter, becoming a household name when he won the fourteenth series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. He’s since gone on to star in musical theatre productions up and down the country, including Pretty Woman, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Young Frankenstein and more.
Ore joins CBeebies’ favourite Andy Dayand the legendary Damian Williams who returns for his nineteenth year as Sheffield Theatres’ beloved, award-winning Dame. He’s brought his ‘sister’ too, played by Matt Daines. Further, final casting will be revealed soon.
Bringing the magic and sparkle to the Lyceum, Cinderella promises to be top-quality entertainment for all ages this Christmas, including an additional week of performances due to demand. The show will once again be written and directed by Paul Hendy (The Last Laugh, Aladdin) and produced by the award winning Evolution Productions, the same team behind smash-hit panto Snow White, winner of Best Pantomime 2024 at the UK Pantomime Awards.
Cinderellaopens on Saturday 28 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027 at the Lyceum. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
‘CANDY STORE’ VIDEO FILMED IN ICONIC LOCATIONS IN LONDON, NEW YORK AND SYDNEY
WITH MANILA AND ADDITIONAL NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED
Today, the Heathers, Heathers and Heathers come together to celebrate Heathers Day. As a thank you to the show’s fans across the globe, this exclusive Candy Store music video stars the iconic trio from our Australian, New York and the UK & Ireland companies. Filmed across three continents, it’s a celebration of Heathers the Musical with one of the show’s most popular songs – how very!
This video features the UK & Ireland Heathers. Liberty Stottor (Heather Chandler), Jessica Ibadin(Heather Duke) and Lou Henry (Heather McNamara). From the New York cast, Zan Berube (Heather Chandler), Jackera Davis (Heather Duke) and Ava DeMary (Heather McNamara) and the Australian cast including Calista Nelmes (Heather Chandler), Amélia Rojas (Heather Duke) and Abigail Sharp (Heather McNamara).
The current UK & Ireland touring production is also set to venture to Manila for a limited run from 21 January to 7 February 2027 at The Theatre at Solaire. This cast includes Gerardine Sacdalan(@Juliet) as Veronica Sawyer, Louis Hearsey (I Was a Teenage She-Devil) as Jason ‘J.D’ Dean, Liberty Stottor (Six the Musical) as Heather Chandler, with Jessica Ibadin (professional debut) as Heather Duke and Lou Henry (Six the Musical) as Heather McNamara. Veronica Carabai (Black Power Desk) as Ms. Fleming/ Veronica’s Mom,Sophie Manners(professional debut) as Martha Dunnstock, Markus Södergren (Here and Now – The Steps Musical) as Kurt Kelly, Beau Jackson(professional debut)as Ram Sweeney,John Gurdían (West End debut)as Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper, Reuben Browne (School of Rock) as Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal Gowan, with Christian De-Gallerie(Midnight) as Preppy Stud/Officer, Ellouise Delooze(The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical) as New Wave Party Girl, Caitlin Garcia(West End debut)as Drama Club Drama Queen, Alexander Howarth (West End debut) as Hipster Dork, Charlotte O’Rourke(Cruel Intentions The Musical) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Thomas Oxley (Bonnie & Clyde) as Beleaguered Geek, Tola Sokoya(professional debut)as Young Republicanette and Carys Taylor(professional debut) as Stoner Chick.
The North American Tour of Heathers the Musical has also added more venues to their roster with the tour launch being the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore in May 2027. It then travels to New Haven, Chicago, Charlotte, Greenville and Hershey, with further dates to be announced soon.
The current New York production at New World Stages opened in June 2025 to the largest advance in the venue’s history, originally planned to run until 28 September 2025. Due to overwhelming demand, the show has been extended for a fourth and final time to 8 November 2026.
Heathers the Musical has been making its way across Australia and New Zealand this past year, having stops in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and concluding in Perth this October.
With three smash-hit West End runs and three record-breaking UK and Ireland tours under its belt, Heathers has become a fan-favourite. It won the 2019 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical and was filmed for streaming on The Roku Channel in 2022.
Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.
But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.
That is, until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and teaches her that it might
kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…
Based on the iconic 1989 cult film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers first premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 to sold-out audiences before transferring to New York’s New World Stages in 2014. The show was reimagined for its 2018 London debut, featuring new songs and updated script.
Heathers the Musical is directed by acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman, with choreography by Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell, sound by Dan Samson,musical supervision by Will Joy, music associate Jeremy Wootton and is produced by Bill Kenwright Ltdand Paul Taylor-Mills.
LISTINGS
BILL KENWRIGHT LTD & PAUL TAYLOR-MILLS PRESENT
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
Book, Music and Lyrics Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe
WINTER SEASON 2026/27 AT CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE
This Winter, Chichester Festival Theatre is the place to see some of the country’s most exciting touring theatre, music, comedy and dance.
From James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning Best New Play Punch and the cult phenomenon turned smash-hit musical Heathers, to imaginative looks at three fascinating trios: the comedians Tommy Cooper, Bob Monkhouse and Eric Morecambe in The Last Laugh, and Labour politicians Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland in The Gang of Three – both direct from London runs – there’s a wealth of unforgettable stories. A gripping new production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time featuring Joe McFadden and Charlie Brooks sits alongside Noël Coward’s celebrated comedy Present Laughter starring Tracy-Ann Oberman, James Dreyfus and Adrian Lukis.
More beloved novels come to the stage with Dickens’ classic A Tale of Two Cities and Khaled Hosseini’s acclaimed A Thousand Splendid Suns, while Jane Asher, Matthew Cottle, David Robb and Samantha Womack evoke the fashion choices of the late Queen in By Royal Appointment, and Giovanna Fletcher returns in the tense thriller Before I Go To Sleep.
At the heart of the Christmas programme is Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure, brought to life by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, and the return of Hey! Christmas Tree, alongside our much-loved Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Concerts. Enchanting ballet The Nutcracker rounds off the festive season in magical style.
An outstanding programme of one-night events includes Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, The Archers Live at 75and Sara Pascoe.
The Winter season follows the final shows of Festival 2026, created specially for our stages: A Midsummer Night’s Dream relocates Shakespeare’s exuberant comedy to 1990s Sussex, where rave culture collides with magic on the South Downs; while in the Minerva Theatre, Antigone Exits brings Greek tragedy blazing into the present day. Meanwhile, our newest venue, The Nest, continues to buzz with a vibrant year-round programme.
THE LAST LAUGH 3 – 7 November | Festival Theatre Direct from a London run, The Last Laugh imagines three of Britain’s all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse – in a dressing room, discussing the secrets of life, death, comedy and what it means to be really funny…
Written and directed by Paul Hendy, The Last Laugh stars Damian Williams as Cooper, Simon Cartwright as Monkhouse and Steve Royle as Morecambe. Poignant, nostalgic, warm and funny, this is a heartfelt celebration of a golden age of British entertainment.
HEATHERS The Musical 10 – 14 November | Festival Theatre Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is until J.D., the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.
Following smash hit runs in London, New York and Melbourne, Heathers the Musical comes to Chichester. With book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, based on the iconic movie starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater and written by Daniel Waters, Heathers the MusicaI – directed by Andy Fickman – is wickedly funny, deliciously dark and full of big fun. For ages 14+
THE GANG OF THREE 10 – 14 November | Minerva Theatre Deep in the heart of the corridors of power, the Labour Party’s Roy Jenkins, Denis Healey and Tony Crosland clash over the soul of British socialism and their own relentless ambitions. Set against the backdrop of economic crisis, Robert Khan and Tom Salinsky’s acclaimed political drama brings to life the personalities, principles and private tensions that shaped a generation of politics.
Following a sell-out smash hit run in London, The Gang of Three is a chance to revisit a defining moment in the battle for the soul of the Labour Party, which captures the towering intellects, fierce rivalries and the private tensions behind public power. Sharp, provocative and richly entertaining, this is political theatre at its most gripping. Directed by Kirsty Patrick Ward, the production stars original cast members Alan Cox as Tony Crosland, Hywel Morgan as Roy Jenkins and Colin Tierney as Denis Healey.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME17 – 21 November | Festival Theatre Chris Boone is gifted with a brilliant mind for numbers but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life. When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, she comes under suspicion. Determined to prove her innocence, Chris becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue uncovered. What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, forcing Chris to confront truths that will test her courage, family, and understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
Mark Haddon’s internationally celebrated novel that captivated 10 million readers, adapted by Simon Stephens, comes to Chichester in a brand-new staging. Joe McFadden (The Shawshank Redemption, UK tour; 2:22 A Ghost Story, West End; Strictly Come Dancing winner 2017) and EastEnders favourite Charlie Brooks (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, UK tour; The Ocean at the End of the Lane, National Theatre) star as Chris’s parents, Ed and Judy. Inventive, gripping, and moving, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story.
THE SILENCE AND THE NOISE 17 – 21 November | Minerva Theatre Daize has a sharp tongue and a sharper blade. Ben has killer trainers and not much else. She’s determined to protect her mum from his drug-dealing boss – but can two neglected teenagers change their destinies? These natural enemies start to find something in each other no adult has ever given them.
Winner of the 2021 Papatango Prize from over 1,400 scripts, Tom Powell’s extraordinary play beautifully portrays two young people finding hope together. This stage premiere from Papatango Theatre Company and Pentabus is directed by Papatango’s Artistic Director George Turvey. For ages 13+
Tracy-Ann Oberman, James Dreyfus and Adrian Lukis in PRESENT LAUGHTER 24 – 28 November | Festival Theatre Geri Essendine is a hugely successful actress (who has been 39 for the best part of a decade). Her personality, wit and charm have earned her a legion of devoted fans, and a coterie of friends, acquaintances and hangers-on. Just as she is about to depart for a tour of Australia, Geri finds herself besieged by a bevy of would-be lovers, not to mention her long-suffering secretary, estranged husband and an obsessed young playwright. Will she ever disentangle herself from their tightening clutches and incessant demands? And deep down, does she really want to…?
Tracy-Ann Oberman – known to millions from roles in EastEnders, Doctor Who and Friday Night Dinner – stars as Geri Essendine in this new production of Noël Coward’s celebrated and hilarious portrayal of the temptations and pitfalls of theatrical celebrity, returning to the stage following her highly acclaimed performance in The Merchant of Venice 1936.James Dreyfus is well-loved for his TV roles in Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, The Thin Blue Line and Mount Pleasant. Adrian Lukis’s screen credits include Pride and Prejudice, The Crown, Judge John Deed and in theatre, Being Mr Wickham which he co-wrote and has performed in London, New York, and on tour. Lindsay Posner directs.
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS 1 – 5 December | Festival Theatre Ages 7+ The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood and Chichester Cathedral Choir return for the Festival Theatre’s traditional, uplifting Christmas Concerts – guaranteed to leave audiences feeling merry and bright. Brimming with yuletide cheer, the concerts promise cherished carols and classic melodies, alongside new arrangements and a seasonal sing-a-long.
HEY! CHRISTMAS TREE 5 – 27 December | Minerva Theatre Written by Vicki BerwickRelaxed Performance: 9 December From a poem by Michael Morpurgo Music and Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer Enchanting, funny and heart-warming, this festive story about the importance of finding friendship and somewhere to call home, created especially for Chichester Festival Theatre by Michael Morpurgo and written by Vicki Berwick, returns to the Minerva Theatre following its hugely popular 2024 premiere.
Tree is rescued from the forest on Christmas Eve by Mavis, the motorbiking park ranger, who lives with her cheeky cat Winston and 9-year-old Yulia, who doesn’t want to talk and is a long way from home. Tree has never had Christmas before and isn’t sure about all the decorations he has to wear. But he meets Father Christmas and the Snow Woman, and with Yulia to care for him, he starts to dance. The seasons come and go, Tree grows taller, and soon Christmas comes around once again. And alongside the gifts in their stockings is the best present of all.
Inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s book of poems My Heart Was a Tree, it’s a perfect first festive theatre trip for 3 to 7 year olds. Dale Rooks, whose Chichester productions include The Butterfly Lion, Running Wild and A Boy Called Christmas, directs.
Original cast members Olivia Arnold (Yulia), Callum Balmforth (Winston), Amanda Gordon (Mavis) and Nick Howard-Brown (Tree) return, joined by Iona Crampton as Father Christmas/Susan the Snow Woman.
Chichester Festival Youth Theatre present 14 – 30 December | Festival Theatre Stiles and Drewe’s PETER PAN – a musical adventure Music by George Stiles Lyrics by Anthony Drewe In a new version by Anthony Drewe Based on the book by Willis Hall Adapted from J.M. Barrie’s original play with permission from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
One of the most beloved stories of all time, in a wonderful version with songs by Stiles & Drewe (Honk!, The Three Little Pigs, Half a Sixpence), Peter Pan – a musical adventure is the perfect Christmas show for all the family.
Join Chichester Festival Youth Theatre in this magical and exciting tale about the three Darling children – Wendy, John and Michael – whose world changes when a boy who doesn’t want to grow up flies into their London bedroom, and teaches them how to take wing themselves. And so begins an awfully big adventure more deliciously dangerous and thrilling than they could ever have imagined.
Reaching the island of Never Land, they meet the cheeky fairy Tinker Bell, quarrelsome Lost Boys, mysterious mermaids, rapscallion pirates and, of course, the elegant and menacing Captain Hook…!
An unmissable, classic musical adaptation presented by the multi-talented Chichester Festival Youth Theatre, directed by Lucy Betts (The Wizard of Oz) and supported by a full professional creative team.
For ages 7+. There will be a Relaxed Performance on 30 December at 2pm.
New English Ballet Theatre
THE NUTCRACKER 6 – 10 January | Festival Theatre New English Ballet Theatre (NEBT) presents a bold reimagining of The Nutcracker, performed live on stage to Tchaikovsky’s original, much-loved score. Blending classical tradition with imaginative storytelling, this production offers an enchanting experience for audiences of all ages.
At a glittering modern-day Christmas party, Clara is gifted a Nutcracker by an eccentric entertainer, unaware that it will lead her into a dreamlike world of snowy landscapes, mystery and magic.
This fresh interpretation of the timeless ballet is created by Valentino Zucchetti, one of NEBT’s Associate Choreographers and a First Soloist of The Royal Ballet. The production features elegant, expressive movement and breathtaking performances by inspiring guest artists. Perfect for families, first-time and seasoned ballet-goers alike, The Nutcracker is reimagined with sparkle, heart, and joyful creativity – a magical celebration of the festive season.
BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT 19 – 23 January | Festival Theatre The late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her discretion. She never said anything in public that could ruffle the lightest of feathers. But she had one way of expressing what she really thought – through her wardrobe. She charms the world through coats and admonishes her family through a carefully chosen hat. But the Queen herself is uninterested in fashion; her look is managed by her Designer, her Milliner and most powerful of all, her Dresser: a working-class girl who goes from advising the Queen on the colour of her lipsticks to the real power behind the throne. But The Dresser, like all royal favourites, is living on borrowed time.
By Royal Appointment is a funny, poignant and celebratory new play and a behind thescenes peek into the world of our most popular monarch and the image she presented to the world. Starring Jane Asher as The Queen, stage and screen star Samantha Womack as The Dresser, Downton Abbey star David Robb as The Designer with Matthew Cottle as The Milliner, the play is written by Daisy Goodwin who created the hit ITV series Victoria and directed by Anthony Banks.
SPITFIRE GIRLS 19 – 23 January | Minerva Theatre New Year’s Eve, 1959. Decades after answering the call, two women separated by the war meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of The Spitfire pub. As we hear their story, we’re transported back to a time when female pioneers defied expectations and soared through the skies.
Spitfire Girls, written by Katherine Senior, is inspired by the extraordinary true stories of the women who dared to fly during WWII and the incredible bond that tied them together. Funny and heart-warming, this is an untold story of strength, courage and loss. But above all else, hope. For ages 10+
Giovanna Fletcher in BEFORE I GO TO SLEEP 2 – 6 February | Festival Theatre Actor, author and podcaster Giovanna Fletcher stars in the world stage premiere of Before I Go To Sleep. Based on the international bestselling novel by S.J. Watson which became a hit film, it is adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Loveday Ingram. This tense, fast-paced psychological thriller explores the fragile vulnerability of memory, identity and trust – with twists and turns that will keep audiences gripped until its shocking climax. For ages 15+.
Christine appears to have an idyllic life – with one terrible exception. Every night, when she goes to sleep, she loses her memory. Every morning she wakes up remembering nothing from the last 20 years of her life – not even the loving husband lying next to her. As she desperately tries to piece her life back together, hidden and terrifying truths begin to emerge, forcing her to question everything and everyone around her.
THE RECKONING 2 – 6 February | Minerva Theatre A journalist meets a man in a ruined village outside Kyiv. The Man from Stoyanka is a security guard, just an ordinary man. But when everyone else flees, he stays. As his home turns into a no man’s land, he chooses to take extraordinary action. And she’s there to record it – for the history books, the courts, for humanity.
Playful and unsettling, Offie-nominated The Reckoning, written by Anastasiia Kosodii and Josephine Burton, blends storytelling, movement, music and cooking to bring one man’s truth into sharp, startling relief. Based on real events within The Reckoning Project’s verified archive of witness testimonies of the Russian war in Ukraine, each performance is followed by Food for Thought, a reflection from a journalist, lawyer or those with direct experience of the conflict.
Charles Dickens’ A TALE OF TWO CITIES 9 – 13 February | Festival Theatre In 1770s Paris, revolution is stirring. Sydney Carton is a brilliant yet cynical barrister from England. Charles Darnay is the rebel child of French aristocrats. When they both fall for charming émigré Lucie Manette, a chain of events is set in motion which will endanger everyone. As the Reign of Terror rages on the streets of Paris, for some, love is a lifeline; for others, a sentence to the guillotine.
Adapted by Terence Rattigan (The Winslow Boy, The Deep Blue Sea) and John Gielgud, based on Dickens’ classic novel, this epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption asks: is there any price too great to pay for love? A Tale of Two Cities is a Marlowe Theatre production, directed by Michael Fentiman (Amélie, RCS’s Titus Andronicus, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Loot).
BIRDCATCHER 10 – 13 February | Minerva Theatre Birdcatcher is a darkly comic drama about a teenage girl navigating life inside a doomsday cult. Set in East Yorkshire, the play shines a light on the murky, repressive underworld of religious “high control groups” in the UK – and asks how you find yourself in a world you think is about to end.
This production from Pentabus, the Nation’s Rural Theatre, is directed by BAFTA-winning Artistic Director Elle While (Mother Courage, Richard III Shakespeare’s Globe) and written by rising star and award-winning playwright Laura Waldren, whose first play Some Demon won the 2023 Papatango Prize. All performances have audio description integrated into the production. For ages 12+
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS 16 – 20 February | Festival Theatre Birmingham Rep presents its powerful production of Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel, A Thousand Splendid Suns – which has sold over 38 million copies worldwide and is Hosseini’s spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner – adapted for the stage by Ursula Rani Sarma.
In 1992 in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, an orphaned Laila is left alone in an increasingly threatening world. Her older neighbour Rasheed is quick to open his home and takes Laila as his second wife. Rasheed’s first wife Mariam has no choice but to accept her younger, and now pregnant, rival. As the Taliban take over, life for all of them becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, and the two women find themselves unlikely allies.
PUNCH 23 – 27 February | Festival Theatre Winner of the Olivier, Critics’ Circle and London Standard Awards for Best New Play: a powerful true story of hope, humanity, and the possibility of change. Following sold-out runs at the Nottingham Playhouse and Young Vic, and simultaneous openings on Broadway and in the West End, Punch comes to Chichester for one week only as part of its UK tour. Suitable for ages 12+.
From Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham (Dear England, This House, BBC’s Sherwood), based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, Punch brings Jacob’s extraordinary true story to the stage in a gripping, high-energy and deeply moving production directed by Adam Penford (Atonement, The Sound of Music).
Jacob Dunne, a teenager from Nottingham, spends his Saturday nights seeking thrills with his friends. One fateful evening, an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. After serving prison time, Jacob finds himself lost and directionless. Searching for answers, Joan and David – the parents of his victim James – ask to meet, sparking a profound transformation in Jacob’s life
Music, Performance and Comedy
Judi Dench: Is it too late to make a run for it? 28 October | Festival Theatre Dame Judi Dench joins her friend and writing partner Brendan O’Hea in conversation about her extraordinary new memoir. At turns deeply touching and riotously funny, this evening will show Judi at her inimitable best: telling the stories of a lifetime spent as one of the world’s best-loved performers.
Liza Pulman & Joe Stilgoe: Hooray for Hollywood 29 October | Festival Theatre The dynamic duo return with their hit new show, weaving a century of movie-musical songs to life, once again in their own unique fashion, in an evening of laughter, romance and pure joy.
Stitches Comedy Club present Sara Pascoe, Zoe Lyons and Stephen K Amos 30 October | Festival Theatre Three amazing household-name comedians come to CFT for a one-off night of hilarity, introduced by award-winning comedian and compere James Alderson. For ages 16+
The Archers: Live at 75 31 October | Festival Theatre Hosted by comedian and superfan Angela Barnes and set at the beloved Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, The Archers steps onto the stage with Timothy Bentinck (David Archer), Charlotte Martin (Susan Carter), Ben Norris (Ben Archer) and Annabelle Dowler (Kirsty Miller).
Juliet & Romeo 5 – 7 November | Minerva Theatre It turns out Juliet & Romeo they didn’t die in a tragic misunderstanding; they grew up and lived happily ever after. Well, they lived at least. With Lost Dog’s blend of dance, theatre and comedy, this duet, directed by Olivier Award-nominated Ben Duke, takes on our cultural obsession with youth and our inevitable issues with longevity. For ages 13+
Mitch Benn: The Lehrer Effect 23 November | Minerva Theatre Mitch Benn looks at the legacy of elusive American comic songwriting legend Tom Lehrer, the creative debt that he – and all who mix humour and melody – owe to him, and performs some of his own more Lehreresque songs. Expect a few Mitch Benn-ified covers of Tom’s most famous creations as well.
Mark Thomas: 40 in Stand-Up Years 24 November | Minerva Theatre Mark Thomas celebrates 40 years at the mic. In that time he has changed laws on tax, jailed arms dealers, kickstarted a comedy circuit in Palestine, given evidence before three Parliamentary select committees and taken the police to court three times and won. Expect a taster menu of mayhem, jokes and rants. For ages 16+
Burt Bacharach: His life story in music and theatre 25 & 26 November | Minerva Theatre Composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist, Burt Bacharach is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of 20th-century popular music. His life is revealed as his four wives gather at the Brill Building at the behest of Hal David to share memories of Burt. Written and directed by Mike Carey, featuring an 11-piece ensemble.
Zoe Rahman: Hull Suite Live 27 November | Minerva Theatre Zoe Rahman and her electrifying world-class jazz trio present their thrilling new album Hull Suite Live. Based on themes of voyage, migration and the sea, expect earthy blues influences, soulful melodies and cinematic musical textures.
I Musicanti 9 January | Minerva Theatre Founded and directed by the internationally acclaimed double bassist Leon Bosch, I Musicanti is a mixed instrument chamber ensemble bringing together many of Britain’s leading musicians, internationally renowned soloists and principal orchestral players. Soloist Jack Liebeck joins the quintet to perform pieces by Mozart, Farrenc and Beethoven.
Yippee Ki Yay / Top Gunchained 11 – 16 January | Minerva Theatre Director and performer Richard Marsh with Yippee Ki Yay and Top Gunchained – his joyfully funny, unauthorised parody celebrations of favourite films Die Hard and Top Gun. Essential viewing for superfans and newcomers alike.
Fascinating Aïda: Bawdacious! 14 January | Festival Theatre Devilishly funny and gloriously glamorous Dillie, Liza and Adèle, with Michael Roulston on piano, are back. With brand new songs generated by human neural networks and using their combined deep‑learning age of 278 years, they have data-mined their back catalogue to bring audiences their greatest, most sensationally analogue show ever!
Tarantara! A Gala Celebration of Gilbert & Sullivan 15 January | Festival Theatre Featuring favourites from The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance and HMS Pinafore, these gala concert performances from Tarantara’s brilliant 34-piece orchestra and eight renowned soloists will be a glorious celebration of all that’s best in G&S’s extraordinary operas.
Sir Derek Jacobi in conversation with Richard Clifford 16 January at 2.30pm | Festival Theatre Sir Derek Jacobi has BAFTA, Olivier, Emmy, Screen Guild and Tony Awards. With his partner, actor and director Richard Clifford in the driving seat, there will be an incredible insight into his life and work, with the joy of Shakespeare and so much more.
Friday Night Is Music Night: BBC Concert Orchestra 28 January | Festival Theatre Join the BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Tess Jackson for the BBC’s popular, longrunning radio show, including Percy Grainger’s Shepherd’s Hey, Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante défunte, Ruth Gipps’ Knight in Armour and Haydn’s evergreen Trumpet Concerto with star trumpeter Kate Moore.
The BBC Big Band and Claire Martin: The Art of Swing 29 January | Festival Theatre The BBC Big Band are joined by multi-award winning vocalist Claire Martin and renowned conductor Barry Forgie for a celebration including Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Peggy Lee, plus classics from Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman.
The Magic Flute 30 & 31 January | Minerva Theatre An acclaimed dance-theatre adaptation of Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, adapted and directed by Luca Silvestrini. Join the fun-loving Papageno and Prince Tamino as they journey through a magical world. Brought to life through Protein’s playful mix of dance, storytelling, singing and striking visuals, this enchanting family show for ages 7+ is filled with humour, adventure and heart
The Lion Inside 16 – 21 February | Minerva Theatre Ages 3+ Daytimes, check schedule Based on the book by Rachel Bright & Jim Field, adapted & directed by Sarah Punshon with music & Lyrics by Eamonn O’Dwyer, The Lion Inside is a heart-warming tale about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.
Who Let the Gods Out? 24 – 28 February | Minerva Theatre Ages 7+ Daytimes, check schedule With book and lyrics by bestselling author Maz Evans and music by Luke Bateman, this first adventure in the brilliant Who Let The Gods Out? series is brought to life in a hilarious brand-new stage musical. Elliot needs to save the world – and save his mum. Enter some epic Greek Gods with a few tricks up their togas…
Nerina Pallot: Fire Escape Symphonies 12 March | Minerva Theatre Following her acclaimed Royal Albert Hall performance celebrating 25 years of music, Brit and Ivor Novello nominated singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot performs completely solo, armed only with her songs, stories, piano and guitar: a rare opportunity to experience her music in its most direct and personal form.
Community events
Intermezzo 7 & 8 January | Minerva Theatre An eclectic new repertoire of works presented by Chichester College dance students, encompassing a diverse range of dance styles from jazz to contemporary and commercial.
Children’s Concert 12 January | Festival Theatre Southern Pro Musica’s ever-popular introduction to live music played by a full professional orchestra, compered by musical magician Neil Henry and conducted by Jonathan Willcocks.
United Voices 13 January | Festival Theatre Primary school children from across the Chichester area come together to sing songs linked by the theme of connection and community, celebrating and showcasing the love of singing in harmony, conducted by Emily Barden.
Shoah – Chichester Marks Holocaust Memorial Day 27 January | Minerva Theatre Preserving the memory of children of the Holocaust. In three parts: a piece by local children, Butterflies, a play inspired by artwork of holocaust victims, written by playwright Tim Pitman and Robert Mauro’s Children of the Holocaust.
Tango Criminoso 3 March | Minerva Theatre TWF School of Dance presents a compelling show which fuses drama and humour with modern and traditional tango music and dance.
Ovation Rock Show 5 & 6 March | Minerva Theatre Two evenings of live music featuring children and young people (ages 8 – 18) from local schools, Chichester Music Academy and Ovation Music
FestivALL 9 March | The Nest 10 & 11 March | Minerva Theatre Our annual celebration of the talents and creativity of learning-disabled and neurodivergent performers in our community. Bringing together numerous local companies, including CFT’s own Friday Company for two evenings of captivating live performances as well as an open mic opportunity.
Off-Stage Events Throughout the Winter season, a multitude of talks, activities, cabaret and family fun are on offer.
Santa’s Grotto is back from 4 – 23 December, with an opportunity to help the Elves with their festive tasks before meeting Father Christmas himself and get an early present. Mistletoe & Melodies: A Musical Supper in The Brasserie (11 – 12 December) is an enchanting evening of festive dining and Christmas music from West End performers. Cabaret Nostalgique present (‘Twas) The Cabaret Before Christmas, an evening of festival frolics (5 December) while Scrooge Live to Film (19 December) enhances the film with a live score played by the three piece FB Pocket Orchestra.
Black History Month is marked with two ‘In Conversation’ events: In Conversation with Catherine Joy White (3 October) sees the award-winning author in discussion about her book This Thread of Gold, a lyrical celebration of the history of Black women who challenged stereotypes through film, politics, activism and beyond (with a free interactive installation in our foyer space throughout the month); and on 14 October, fresh from his Chichester debut in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, actor and comedian Munya Chawawa joins Artistic Director Justin Audibert to talk about his career to date and establishing his Black Boys Theatre Club, introducing young boys to the performing arts.
Throughout the season there are Post-Show Talks as well as Backstage Tours.Creative Careers Day (26 January) and International Women’s Day (8 March) return, while an exhibition of Afghan Art and Textiles runs alongside A Thousand Splendid Suns.
For families, That Pesky Rat returns to The Nest on 10 & 11 September following a tour of local schools; HurlyBurly’s After Party (25 September) offers immersive fun for 0 – 2 year olds. Creation Station and The Brick People return for October half term craft activities; Pop-up Play Cafés run before selected Minerva Theatre family performances, and weekly Family Fun provides free crafts, colouring in fancy dress and a reading zone. Bring Your Own Baby Comedy (19 March) offers grown-up comedy for adults with babes in arms.
What happens when you are caught between two worlds? That question lies at the heart of Sea Change, a brand-new musical making its debut in Birmingham. Written by Birmingham-based creatives Will Jackson and Elinor Peregrin for British Youth Music Theatre, the production combines folklore, live music and a talented young ensemble in a charming exploration of identity, community and the courage to embrace change.
Set in the coastal town of Blackwater Cove, the story centres on the Selkies who emerge from the sea during a rare Tidal Eclipse, giving them just one week to experience life on land. As the full moon approaches, they must decide whether to return to the sea or remain among the humans. Meanwhile, the residents of Blackwater Cove must confront their own long-held ideas about the mysterious seal-like creatures they have been taught to fear. At its heart, this is a story about outsiders and the assumptions we make about those who are different from ourselves. The parallels with modern society are clear without ever becoming heavy-handed.
Will Jackson’s direction makes particularly good use of the intimate Patrick Studio space. Lighting by Catja Hamilton often gives an otherworldly feel to scenes. Choreography by Eleanor Rattenbury makes effective use of such a large ensemble. Kritika Agarwal’s set and costume design doesn’t rely on elaborate scenery, allowing its young performers to create parts of the world around them. A beautiful shadow-puppet sequence behind a strategically placed cloth is a particular highlight. The same ingenuity is evident in the delightful portrayal of the donkeys, with two cast members working together to create each animal. Complete with seaside spade ears, a sandcastle bucket forming the mouth and a rope tail that swishes behind them, the effect is wonderfully simple and inventive.
With 36 young performers, it would be impossible to mention everybody individually, but each deserves recognition for the commitment and enthusiasm they bring to the production. Among the ensemble, some particularly catch the eye. Millie Whale is a delight as Mysterious Mags, the narrator with excellent comic timing who often remains at the back of the action yet somehow draws your attention whenever she appears. Ella McFetrich is a quieter presence among the louder townsfolk as Isla, the lonely daughter of the lighthouse’s owners, determined to fight for its future when plans are made to sell it.
Peregrin’s folk-inspired score is one of the production’s strongest elements. Nautical tunes and shanties under Sarah Morrison’s musical direction give the musical a distinctive identity, with a live onstage accompaniment of guitar, violin, accordion and percussion.
There are moments where Sea Change still feels like a new musical finding its feet, but that is also part of its appeal. While the show itself has been developed over the past year, the full creative, technical and pastoral team only came together with the complete young company two weeks ago to build the finished production. Given that remarkably short window, what the company has achieved is impressive, particularly how confidently such a large ensemble works together.
Sea Change feels like a production that has already established a strong identity and plenty of promise. With an appealing score, inventive staging and an enthusiastic young company, it is a welcome reminder of how exciting new musical theatre can be. Sea Change may still have room to grow, but this is an enchanting musical adventure with a bright future.
Imagine a world where tele-voting decides the fate of real people’s lives. This is the premise that Island Tides portrays. Island Tides is a tv show where each week some monumental decision has to be made and the ‘contestants’ for want of a better word have to agree in advance to stick with the decision made by the viewing/voting audience. Think Judge Rinder or Judge Judy but not with petty squabbles between people but major, life changing decisions like should a married couple get divorced or not.
One ordinary morning, June, a high-profile divorce lawyer, receives a strange call. A television debate programme, Island Tides, invites her to take part in a special discussion. Faced with a difficult divorce case, she finds herself opposite an intimacy consultant who argues to hold the relationship together, confronting the same question: “Should Mr. and Mrs. Smith stay in their marriage… or walk away?”
By agreeing to appear on the programme Mr and Mrs Smith agree that if the viewing public think they should divorce then they must do so and they cannot ever remarry each other, if on the other hand the vote goes the way of the relationship counsellor then the married couple must have the counselling and stay together for the rest of their lives whether they want to or not.
As the studio lights come on and the cameras begin rolling, where will Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s marriage end up?
The concept of this play is a good and very worrying one for the day and age we live in. With the continued rise of reality tv just how much of a stretch of the imagination is it that we will one day be seeing a programme just like the one described above, but the problem is that we just don’t care about Mr and Mrs Smith at all. We only see them in a short pre-filmed segment where their marriage has obviously broken down and they are no longer communicating with each other at all. We have no idea how happy the marriage has been previously and only learn what has caused the breakdown relatively late in the play.
Most of the time is taken up with the lawyer and counsellor trying to cajole the studio audience and those watching at home to vote for them. Instead of it being a serious vote about two people’s lives it becomes a popularity vote about which of the two advocates are liked best – a bit like Strictly Come Dancing isn’t all about who is the best dancer at all but who the audience and studio judges like the most.
If only either the lawyer or the counsellor had some charisma or something about them to make the audience sit up and take note of what they are saying – but sadly they don’t. They are too wrapped up in their own worlds and trying to score points off each other to show any sort of personality at all. And what the sudden break of these two and the studio compere into singing rap music had to do with anything I really don’t know. Getting down wiv the kids? Appealing to the yoofs of today? Give me a clue!
For this play to work it needs much stronger casting and acting because at the moment it really doesn’t come alive at all.
Most people will already be aware of the story of Victor Frankenstein, an ambitious student who discovers how to animate lifeless matter and assembles a being from stolen body parts. Horrified at its awakening, he abandons it—only for the creature to seek him out, longing for companionship but driven to vengeance by rejection, from the novel by Mary Shelley that has been filmed so many times.
But did you know that twenty years ago writing team Jimmy Jewell and Nick Stimson turned it into a musical with a cast including a young Ed Sheeran? Two decades later Jewell and Stimson have reworked the show with the help of writer Victoria Gimby and it is nothing short of amazing.
If you like your musicals in the ilk of Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera then this show is for you.
It is being presented British Youth Theatre Music with funding from the Boris Karloff Foundation. Karloff, of course, famously played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 film version.
This visceral new musical adaptation of Frankenstein rips into society’s gaze: how do we decide who is dangerous, who is worthy, and who is denied humanity altogether? Fast‑paced and drenched in tension, it hurtles through a world where snap judgements turn lethal and rejection becomes a force of its own.
Performed by a ferocious cast of young performers, this production never slows to catch its breath. Scenes snap by with cinematic intensity, driven by an urgent, propulsive score, sharp jump scares and bold theatrical set pieces that keep audiences on edge.
Relentless and unsettling, Frankenstein is a gripping theatrical experience that leaves no room to look away. This adaptation exposes the violence of judgement itself.
The cast of 38 are all under the age of 21 but are tremendously talented. They all give extremely mature performances with the principal cast members all being outstanding. Special mention must be made of Catherine Lewis who plays Frankenstein’s mother Elizabeth, Bryony Rochfort who plays Caroline, the love of Victor’s life, Eleni Chivers who plays Frankenstein and Freddie Summers who plays the Creature with a very intense performance.
There is literally nothing to fault in this production except, perhaps, that ay 80 minutes it is all over too quickly. It demands to be expanded into a full-scale musical which could be easily done as there are many parts of the story that happen somewhat quickly and then could easily grace any West End stage and be an almighty success.
This reviewer has to admit that he wasn’t expecting to rave over this show as much as he has but it really is one of the best musicals he has ever seen in his life. If I could I’d go back and see it again and again.
Do yourself a favour and do whatever it takes to obtain a ticket whilst it is still on at the Greenwich Theatre – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Lara Ricote brings Inkling, now nominated for Best Show in the 2026 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, to Park90 from 3 – 26 September.
Lara Ricote’s Saturday performances will be BSL interpreted, reflecting the comedian’s own relationship with being hard of hearing.
Ricote is joined by Em Humble, Lou Wall and Olga Koch for a month of comedy transferring direct from this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
[Friday 28 August 2026, Finsbury Park] Artistic Director Jez Bond, Executive Director Catherine McKinney, and the whole team at Park Theatre are delighted to announce further details of a month of acclaimed Edinburgh Festival Fringe comedy transfers, bringing Lara Ricote, Em Humble, Lou Wall and Olga Koch direct from Edinburgh to Park90 this September.
Leading the season is 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Lara Ricote, whose latest show Inkling runs at Park Theatre from 3 – 26 September, with a press performance on Friday 4 September at 7pm. The show has just been shortlisted for Best Show at the 2026 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, following its earlier nomination for Best Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In what Ricote calls her “stupidest and smartest show yet”, Inkling explores the mystery of being alive through surreal storytelling, character comedy and stand-up. The show has won acclaim at this year’s Fringe, with ★★★★ from The Skinny, which praised its combination of smart storytelling, “big picture” comedy and “glorious stupidity”, describing Inkling as “a gem of a show”. The Guardian has also hailed the new hour as Ricote’s best work yet.
Ricote won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer in 2022 and has since appeared on Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping, Make That Movie, Live at the Apollo, QI and Would I Lie to You?. Earlier this year she was nominated for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Reflecting Ricote’s own relationship with being hard of hearing, Saturday performances of Inkling at Park Theatre will be BSL interpreted. Accessibility and hearing loss also form part of the show itself, with Ricote exploring her own relationship with communication, impairment and identity.
Lara Ricote said,
“I’ve loved doing my show in Edinburgh so very much and I can’t waaaaaaait to do my show at Park Theatre in September! This is my Dream!! Hope to see you there
lots of love
lara
xxxx (british)”
Also transferring directly from Edinburgh is Em Humble: Lady of the Lakes , playing from 3 – 5 September. BAFTA-longlisted comedian Humble brings her debut character comedy show to Park90: a fantastically surreal procession of Arthurian-inspired freaks, wizards, goblins and urchins, as the fickle finger of fate decides who will emerge victorious and be deemed worthy to wield the legendary Excalibur.
Lou Wall: Where Are All The Tall Grandmas?, follows from 7 – 18 September. A nominee for Most Outstanding Show at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in both 2024 and 2025, Wall dives headfirst into one very important question: where have all the tall grandmas gone? The result is a hilariously unhinged investigation into height, heritage and what it truly means to live large. Wall has previously been described by The New York Times as “a comedy whirlwind”.
Completing the season is Olga Koch: Fat Tom Cruise from 19 – 26 September, following another acclaimed Edinburgh run. The Melbourne and Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated comedian’s new show has earned ★★★★ from The Guardian, which praised Koch’s assured storytelling, fast-paced delivery and consistently strong punchlines. In the immersive and genre-defying show, Koch has one good story — only it isn’t really her story — and combs through recent history to tell it.
Audiences can also save 20% when booking for more than one of the four comedy shows, with the offer applied when tickets for multiple shows are included in the same order.
Park Theatre presents exceptional theatre in the heart of Finsbury Park, boasting two world-class performance spaces: Park200 for predominantly larger scale productions by established talent, and Park90, a flexible studio space, for emerging artists. In thirteen years, it has enjoyed 10 West End transfers (including Rose starring Maureen Lipman, The Boys in the Band starring Mark Gatiss, Pressure starring David Haig and The Life I Lead starring Miles Jupp), two National Theatre transfers, 14 national tours, seven Olivier Award nominations, has won multiple OffWestEnd Offie Awards, and a Theatre of the Year award from The Stage as well as their inaugural Campaign of the Year award in 2025 for their work reaching underserved audiences with Canadian/ Korean comedy drama Kim’s Convenience. Park Theatre co-commissioned and co-produced the world premiere of The Meat Kings! (inc.) of Brooklyn Heights which won the 2026 Susan Smith Blackburn Award.
Producers Darren Bell and Cuffe & Taylor are delighted to announce that three-time Tony Award® winner PATTI LUPONE will perform her critically acclaimed theatrical concert MATTERS OF THE HEART at the London Coliseum on 14 & 15 February 2027. Tickets on general sale 4 September at www.londoncoliseum.org
Ms. LuPone celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Broadway engagement at the Beaumount Theatre with the launch of the tour in January 2026. The show is based on the CD recording of the same name which was released in 1999 and named one of the best recordings of the year by both The Times and Time Out in New York. Ms. LuPone went on to perform MATTERS OF THE HEART in London’s West End, and tour dates nationally and internationally.
On returning to London Ms. LuPone said: “Performing my show “A Life in Notes” at the Coliseum in 2025 was a special night that I remember dearly. I can’t wait to come back with “Matters of the Heart,” which I first performed at the Donmar Warehouse in 1999. And it’s Valentine’s Day, Dolls. Will you be my Valentine?”
In MATTERS OF THE HEART LuPone takes the audience on an exploration of the crimes, affairs and the mysteries of the heart, with electrifying performances of over two dozen love songs ranging from Broadway favorites to works by today’s top contemporary songwriters.
MATTERS OF THE HEART is conceived and directed by Scott Wittman, with musical direction and arrangements by Joseph Thalken and features the Four Play String Quartet.
PATTI LUPONE is a three-time Tony Award winner for her performances as Joanne in Marianne Elliott’s gender-swapped award-winning production of the Stephen Sondheim-George Furth musical Company, Madame Rose in the 2008 Broadway revival of the Jule Styne-Stephen Sondheim-Arthur Laurents classic Gypsy and the title role in the original Broadway production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice production of Evita.
Ms. LuPone launched her concert career in 1980 at New York City’s legendary nightclub Les Mouches, performing late-night on Saturdays for 27-weeks, while also performing in Evita. Since then, she has continued to tour extensively, captivating audiences across North America, London’s West End, Australia, and Broadway. Her celebrated concert repertoire includes Don’t Monkey with Broadway, Far Away Places, A Life in Notes, and the upcoming 2026 tour of Matters of the Heart, marking the 25th anniversary of that beloved show.
New York stage appearances include: The Roommate; War Paint; Shows for Days; The Anarchist; The Seven Deadly Sins (NY City Ballet); Company (NY Philharmonic); Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown; The Old Neighborhood; Sweeney Todd; Noises Off; Master Class; Anything Goes; Oliver!;Accidental Death of An Anarchist; The Robber Bridegroom. London stage appearances include Company; Master Class; Sunset Boulevard; Les Misérables; The Cradle Will Rock. Opera: The Ghosts of Versailles (LA Opera); To Hell and Back (SF Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra); The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (LA Opera-debut); Regina (Kennedy Center). Film: Ari Aster’s Beau is Afraid (opposite Joaquin Phoenix); The School for Good and Evil (Netflix); Last Christmas; The Comedian; Parker; Union Square; Heist; State and Main; Driving Miss Daisy; Witness. TV/Streaming: And Just Like That; Marvel’s Agatha All Along; Hollywood; Pose; Mom; Crazy Ex-Girlfriend; Penny Dreadful; Girls; American Horror Story (NYC and Coven); 30 Rock; Glee; Frasier; and four seasons as Libby Thatcher on ABCs Life Goes On.
Ms LuPone is a founding member of both the Drama Division of The Juilliard School and John Houseman’s The Acting Company, and the author of the NY Times best-seller Patti LuPone: A Memoir.
MATTERS OF THE HEART is presented by Darren Bell Productions and Cuffe & Taylor, with general management by QUBE Theatricals.
[Friday 28 August 2026, London] The producers of the Olivier Award-nominated international smash hit musical THE CHOIR OF MAN are delighted to announce that the show will return to London this Christmas, opening at Arts at Marble Arch, powered by TodayTix, on Thursday 10 December 2026, playing until Sunday 14 February 2027, with a press night on Wednesday 16 December.
The London season follows THE CHOIR OF MAN’s first ever UK & Ireland Tour, which opened at New Wimbledon Theatre in March 2026 and is currently taking The Jungle to audiences across the country and Ireland. The tour continues through the autumn, culminating at Edinburgh Festival Theatre in December, immediately ahead of the show’s return to the capital.
THE CHOIR OF MAN’s West End journey began at the Arts Theatre in October 2021. Across more than 1,000 performances, the show welcomed over 280,000 audience members and received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, before concluding its most recent West End run in January 2026.
Nic Doodson, Creator and Director of THE CHOIR OF MAN, said, “We’ve always said that home isn’t really a building; it’s the people who know your name, pull up a chair, fill your glass and make room for you exactly as you are. For a long time, one particular corner of London felt like home to us, and we’ve really missed it.
“So it feels incredibly special to be bringing The Choir of Man back to the West End, opening the doors to our brand-new pub at the Arts at Marble Arch. It may be a new pub and a new chapter, but the feeling at the heart of the show remains exactly the same: whoever you are, and wherever you’ve come from, there will always be a place for you at our table.
“London, we’re coming home — and we can’t wait to see you at the bar.”
Set in on-stage pub The Jungle, THE CHOIR OF MAN is the best trip to your local you’ll ever have. Here, a cast of nine (extra)ordinary guys combine beautiful harmonies and foot-stomping singalongs with world-class tap dance and soulful storytelling.
Featuring hits from artists including Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns N’ Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry, this uplifting celebration of community and friendship offers something for everyone – including free beer. It’s feel-good, foot-stomping entertainment celebrating the power of music, friendship and finding your people.
Since its creation, THE CHOIR OF MAN has become an international stage sensation, playing three sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House alongside multiple sold-out tours across the US and Europe. Its first UK & Ireland Tour launched in March 2026, taking the show to more than 30 towns and cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Tickets for the London season will go on sale next week, and casting for the London season will be announced separately.
THE CHOIR OF MAN is created by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, directed by Nic Doodson, with musical supervision, vocal arrangements and orchestrations by Jack Blume, movement direction and choreography by Freddie Huddleston, monologues written by Ben Norris, scenic design by Oli Townsend, lighting design by Richard Dinnen, costume design and co-scenic design by Verity Sadler, sound design by Sten Severson and casting by Debbie O’Brien.
The London season is produced by HH Productions, Nic Doodson, Andrew Kay, Global Creative and Kenny Wax.
[Friday 28 August, London] Producers Vicky Graham, Birmingham Hippodrome, and Aria Entertainment are delighted to announce the release of “One in a Trillion” a brand-new track from the multi-award-winning 5-star new musical Hot Mess, closing next week on Sunday 6 September at The Other Palace.
After a billion years of bad dates, Earth has finally found the one… Humanity. Sparks fly. Seeds are sown. Ground is broken. But what begins as a passionate love affair between the universe’s most iconic couple quickly descends into a hot mess.
An original pop musical about love, hope, and the ultimate break up.
Created by the award-winning duo behind 42 Balloons, Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote, Hot Mess is a high-energy original romcom that reimagines the climate crisis as a turbulent love story between Earth and Humanity.
Vicky Graham said, on behalf of the producers, “It has been incredibly exciting to see audiences embrace Hot Mess throughout this London run, and we’re so proud of everything Jack, Ellie and this brilliant company have achieved.
‘One in a Trillion’ was newly created for this production at The Other Palace, and Morgan Gregory makes it a true showstopper with his incredible vocals.
Releasing the track as a single feels like the perfect way to celebrate these final performances in London, and to give audiences another piece of the show to take away with them.
This may be the end of this particular chapter, but there are lots of conversations happening about what comes next for Hot Mess – so watch this space!”
One in a Trillion is performed by Morgan Gregory, with music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey. Godfrey also serves as music producer and co-orchestrator, alongside Joe Beighton as co-orchestrator and music producer. Sam Featherstone is recording engineer, mixing engineer and music producer, with Leo Aram-Downs on guitar and mastering by Ste Kerry.
Danielle Steers (Just for One Day, Six the Musical, Bat Out of Hell) stars as ‘Earth’, following her acclaimed performances in the show’s sell-out Edinburgh Fringe premiere and subsequent Southwark Playhouse transfer. Morgan Gregory (The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, UK tour, Back to the Future, original West End cast at the Adelphi, 42 Balloons, Lowry, and Newsies, Troubadour Wembley Park) stars as ‘Humanity’. Mia Quimpo (Pippin, Upstairs at the Gatehouse) is cover ‘Earth’ and Nathan Shaw (Mamma Mia! The Party, and The Rocky Horror Show UK and International tour) is cover ‘Humanity’.
The production features music supervision and co-orchestrations by Joe Beighton, choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set design by Shankho Chaudhuri, lighting design by Ryan Joseph Stafford, audio production and sound design by Paul Gatehouse, costume design by Sarah Mercadé, musical direction by Sara De Sanctis, casting by Pearson Casting CDG and intimacy coordination by Lex Kaby. The dramaturg is Deirdre O’Halloran, with Lydia Cook as Associate Director and Taz Hoesli as Associate Choreographer, Phil Burke as Associate Lighting Designer, Charlie Smith and Richard Pomeroy as Associate Sound Designers, and Ciéranne Kennedy-Bell as Costume Supervisor. Rosie Morgan is Company Stage Manager, with James Anderton as Production Manager and Byron Ladd-Carr as Sound No.1.
Hot Mess is produced by Vicky Graham Productions, Birmingham Hippodrome, Aria Entertainment,Pascal Ultee Productions, Broadway Asia International,TRW Production, Willette Klausner, and RJG Productions as General Managers.
