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FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW

BRITISH MUSICAL BASED ON THE AWARD-WINNING FILM

AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE, WITH A PREVIEW RUN AT SHERMAN THEATRE, CARDIFF

TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Producers P&P Productions, with the National Theatre in association with Pathé, today announces full casting for Pride, a brand-new musical based on the award-winningfilm, reuniting director Matthew Warchus (Matilda The Musical) and writer Stephen Beresford (The Last of the Haussmans).  This inspiring true story is set during the 1984 miners’ strike, when a group of friends formed Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) before helping a small village in south Wales. It will be brought to life on the National Theatre’s Dorfman stage from 11 June to 12 September 2026,following preview performances at Sherman Theatre in Cardiff from 31 March to 18 April 2026.

Casting announced today includes Samuel Barnett as Jonathan, Lewis Cornay as Bromley, Matthew Durkan as Mike, Gillian Elisa as Gwen, Robin Hayward as Martin, Chris Jenkins as Gethin, Darren Lawrence as Cliff, Jhon Lumsden as Mark, Kirsty Malpass as Hefina, Sarah Pugh as Sian, Jordan Shaw as Reggie,  Courtney Stapleton as Steph,    Caroline Sheen as Maureen, Mared Williams as Margaret and  Matthew Woodyatt as Dai.

They are joined by an ensemble that includes Daniel Forrester, Madeleine Morgan, Catherine Morris and Graham Vick.

Speaking about the cast of Pride, director Matthew Warchus said:

 ‘I’m very much looking forward to be working with such an outstanding group of performers to bring this remarkable and joy-filled true story to the stage.’

Funny, fierce and full of heart,Pride willhave original music by Christopher Nightingale(A Christmas Carol), Josh Cohen (Sylvia) and DJ Walde (Sylvia). This timely and inspiring story of real-life events, where two communities united and set aside their differences, is set to an original score with songs inspired by protest anthems, pop, rock, disco and the Welsh choral tradition.

Summer, 1984.  With miners on strike across the country, 24-year-old activist Mark Ashton tries to rally a group of friends into supporting the beleaguered strikers. The newly formed Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners (LGSM) quickly finds itself entwined with a small pit village in south Wales.

What follows is the remarkable true story of two threatened communities joining forces – and discovering they have more in common than they ever imagined.

Pride has a book and lyrics by Stephen Beresford, music by Christopher Nightingale, Josh Cohen and DJ Walde, developed and directed by Matthew Warchus. The artistic team is completed by set and costume designer Bunny Christie, choreographer Lizzi Gee, lighting designer Hugh Vanstone, sound designer Bobby Aitken, music supervisor Tom Kelly, music director Jo Cichonska, wigs designer Helen Keane for Campbell Young Associates,casting director David Grindrod CDG,  dialect coach Nick Trumble, voice coach Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth, associate director Jamie Manton, associate set designer Verity Sadler, associate choreographer Ashley Andrews, associate lighting designer Luca Panetta,  associate sound designer Jonas Roebuck and staff director Jennifer Lane Baker.

Pride will play in the Dorfman theatre from 11 June to 12 September 2026, with a press performance on Thursday 25 June 2026, at 7pm. Preview performances will run at Sherman Theatre in Cardiff from 31 March to 18 April 2026.

Prideis presented by P&P Productions with the National Theatre in association with Pathé

Tickets now on sale.

For more information visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk. 

Hall for Cornwall, Truro – until 24th January 2026

Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert

5*****

An excellent and highly enjoyable production, showcasing murder, mystery and suspense at it’s very best!

Midsomer Murders is a British staple and ‘The Killings at Badger’s Drift’ was the first episode of the much-loved television series which first aired in 1997. After 28 years it has now been cleverly adapted for the stage, written and directed by Guy Unsworth. Unsworth’s adaption is impressive and manages to retain most of the characters and significant scenes in which the plot unfolds.

When Emily Simpson is found dead in her house, her lifelong friend Lucy is convinced it was not an accident. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are on the scene and discover that the village is not all it seems, with betrayal and secrets and indeed murder.

Daniel Casey who originally played DS Gavin Troy on television, now steps into the role of DCI Barnaby to great effect. James Bradwell’s performance as the eager and endearing DS Troy, provides great comedy. Julie Legrand is a standout as Lucy Bellringer, she’s forthright and very sharp, and also plays Phillis Cadell and Terry Bazely. Nathalie Barclay is charming as bride to be Katherine Lacey, showing a fiery side when paired with her brother Michael, played by Rupert Sadler. John Dougall plays Dr Trevor Lessiter and Henry Trace and is absolutely extraordinary as Iris Rainbird. Along with Sadler, who also plays her camp undertaker son Dennis, the pair share some of the funniest scenes in the play.

A standout scene is where Chandrika Chevli skilfully switches between characters Barbara Lessiter and Dickie Whiteley, turning in opposite directions to reveal different costumes to represent an interrogation of each character.

David Woodhead’s ingenious set is framed by a circular iron ‘Midsomer County’ sign which shows the backdrop to the houses of the picturesque village beyond and also projects flashbacks. This serves as a backdrop for the multiple sets that slide on and off stage, often to comic effect. The front of the stage shows off the miniature sets of different houses and manicured gardens.

Matt Haskins lighting design and Ella Wahlstrom’s sound design work well to create a tense atmosphere – suspenseful, comical, elevated and transporting and is a real bonus to the show. The cast of only 9 actors are incredibly talented and played multi-roles throughout the show to represent many more characters from the novel.

An excellent and highly enjoyable production, showcasing murder, mystery and suspense at it’s very best!

A must see and joyous night out ….

New Wimbledon Theatre- until Saturday 24th January 2026 

Reviewed by Brooke Burlinge 

5***** 

Friends! The Musical Parody is a truly wonderful production that amazingly captures the spirit of the beloved TV series while also confidently standing on its own as a witty high-energy comedy. From the very beginning, the show establishes itself as a loving satire rather than just simply an imitation, blending sharp humour and catchy musical numbers into one unforgettable night of entertainment and laughs. 

One of the greatest strengths of the production lies within the writing. The script is packed with references back to the show that longtime Friends fans instantly recognise, yet somehow never alienating any audience members who may not know the ins and out of every single episode. The jokes are fast-paced, well-timed, and refreshingly self-aware, poking fun at the show’s iconic moments, characters quirks, and running gags. Instead of constantly relying on nostalgia, the parody elevates the material by exaggerating familiar traits in each character, keeping us an audience engaged throughout. 

The performances of the actors are another standout element. From Rachel (Eva Hope) and Ross’ (Enzo Benvenuti) constant will they, won’t they? To Pheobe’s (Amelia Atherton) completely bizarre yet somehow meaningful songs, everything was truly perfect about each actor’s performance. Monica’s (Alicia Belgarde) cleanliness and need for control is pushed to its limits, reaching comedic extremes, Chandler’s (Daniel Parkinson) sarcastic wit is a constant highlight in the production and of course who can forget Joey’s (Ronnie Burden) charms with his iconic line ‘how you doing?’ Another mention must be made for Gunther (Edward Leigh) who is always hilariously left out of the group despite expressing his utmost want to be ‘a part of their gang.’ I also must add that the musical numbers were especially entertaining, featuring witty lyrics and memorable melodies that enhance the storytelling rather than interrupt it. 

Overall, the production is a joyful celebration of one of TV’s most iconic sitcoms. With its clever writing, talented cast, and heartfelt humour, the show delivers an experience that is hilarious and genuinely uplifting. So, if you want a show that is going to leave you smiling long after the final bow, this is the one to go to. 

FURTHER CAST ANNOUNCED to join rosamund pike in

west end transfer of the national theatre’s

inter alia

AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE FROM 19 MARCH – 20 JUNE 2026

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON 

The National Theatre and Playful Productions are delighted to confirm further casting for the West End transfer of critically acclaimed Inter Alia. Joining the previously announced, Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner and BAFTA and Academy Award-nominee, Rosamund Pike (Saltburn) as Jessica Parks and Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road) as Michael Wheatley is Cormac McAlinden (Little Brother) as Harry Wheatley.

Thomas Michaelson (The Father) and Luke Garner-Greene (The Road Trip) reprise their roles as ensemble/Understudy Michael and ensemble/Understudy Harry respectively.

The National Theatre’s recent ‘smash hit’ (★★★★★ Mail on Sunday) plays Wyndham’s Theatre, a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, from 19 March until 20 June 2026.

Tickets are on sale at www.interaliaplay.com.

This ‘searing legal drama’ (★★★★ The Guardian) is an examination of motherhood and modern masculinity, and reunites Olivier Award-winning writer Suzie Miller and BAFTA-Award-winning director Justin Martin of Prima Facie. Inter Alia is a ‘swaggering epic ’ (★★★★ The Independent) that is bold, witty and deeply human. It premiered at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton theatre from 10 July to 13 September, garnering critical and box office acclaim. It was broadcast live in the UK via National Theatre Live on 4 September to over 50,000 people and has recently been distributed to cinemas worldwide.

‘Vital drama that needs to be heard’ (The i ★★★★)

inter alia /ˌɪntər ˈeɪliə,ˈaliə/
adverb
among other things.

Jessica Parks is a maverick London Crown Court Judge; sharp, compassionate, and determined to change a system she knows isn’t always just. But her career exists inter alia (‘among other things’) as she balances motherhood, friendship and the elusive notion of ‘having it all’

So, when an unthinkable event rocks her finely tuned life, can she hold her family together – or will everything fall apart?

Joining Suzie Miller and Justin Martin on the creative team are set and costume designer Miriam Buether, lighting designer Natasha Chivers, sound designers Ben and Max Ringham, video designer Willie Williams for Treatment Studio, composers Erin LeCount and James Jacob PKA Jakwob, casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham, children’s casting and administration by Keston & Keston, movement and intimacy director Lucy Hind, music director Nick Pinchbeck and associate director Grace Duggan.

The West End production of Inter Alia is produced by the National Theatre in a co-production with Playful Productions.

Graham Bickley, Rob Houchen and Kelly Mathieson  join Ramin Karimloo in To Maury, With Love

A celebration of the works of Maury Yeston on the occasion of his 80th birthday

West End stars Graham Bickley, Rob Houchen and Kelly Mathieson are to join the previously announced West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo to celebrate multi-Tony Award winning composer Maury Yeston’s 80th birthday.

Sunday February 22, 2026 at 7.30pm
Theatre Royal Drury Lane,
Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF

VIDEO TRAILER https://youtu.be/69B-WW3WCpI

To Maury, With Love is a concert of his most well know and loved music, directed by Thom Southerland and produced by Producer Danielle Tarento.

Tarento and Southerland have collaborated previously on several of Yeston’s shows in the UK, including the London premieres of Titanic the Musical and Death Takes a Holiday and a critically acclaimed revival of Grand Hotel.

These musicals will be represented in the concert, along with music from Nine, Phantom (Maury’s 1991 version of The Phantom of the Opera has received over 1,000 productions globally) and many others, including never-before heard songs and an overture written especially for the occasion.

Graham Bickley made his West End debut in 1981 in They’re Playing Our Song. His other West End credits include The Pirates of Penzance, Metropolis, Which Witch, Maddie, The Pajama Game (Best Actor nomination, Toronto), Les Misérables (as Enjolras and Marius), Miss Saigon (as Chris), and Sunset Boulevard (as Joe Gillis, playing opposite Petula Clark). He played Tateh in the 2003 London premiere of Ragtime (nominated for the Laurence Olivier and The Whatsonstage Award for Best Actor in a Musical). In 2023, he toured the UK as Captain EJ Smith in Maury Yeston’s Titanic the Musical.

Rob Houchen played Jack in the West End premiere of Titanique. He made his West End debut in Les Misérables (as Marius Pontmercy) and later played Marius in the staged concert version of Les Misérables at the Gielgud Theatre. He was Lieutenant Joseph Cable in the Chichester  Festival Theatre production of South Pacific (Manchester Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and UK tour). He was Frederick Fleet in the Maury Yeston’s Titanic the Musical at Charing Cross Theatre.

Kelly Mathieson made her name in the musical theatre industry when she landed the lead role of Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. During her nearly three-year, award-winning run as Christine, Kelly also built a flourishing concert career, performing as a soloist at prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Concert Hall Glasgow, and Cadogan Hall, where she played Tonia in the UK premiere of Dr Zhivago.

West End and Broadway star Ramin Karimloo is no stranger to Yeston’s work,  Karimloo played Barrett in the recent Encores production of Titanic the Musical at NYCityCenter and Guido Contini in Nine in Concert for Hope Mill Theatre at The Lowry.

Final casting is still to be announced.

The concert will feature a 30-piece London Musical Theatre Orchestra and a choir of graduating Musical Theatre MA students from the Royal Academy of Music, under the baton of Mark Aspinall.

Tarento said “My working relationship and friendship with Maury is one of the great joys of my life. His musicals resonate so deeply with me and have framed so much of the past 15 years of my career. To be able to celebrate his 80th birthday in such a significant way is a privilege and an honour.”

The concert is raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK with all profits going towards supporting the work of this vitally important charity.

Maury Yeston is one of Broadway’s most celebrated composer lyricists. In addition to winning a Tony Award for Best Score for Titanic the Musical (which won another four Tonys including Best Musical), Yeston won a Tony Award and two Drama Desk Awards for his music and lyrics to Nine (based on Fellini’s 1963 movie 8½). That production also won four additional Tonys including Best Musical. The Broadway revival of Nine, starring Antonio Banderas, won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival. Yeston’s contribution to the score for Grand Hotel was nominated for a Tony and two Drama Desk Awards, and the Donmar Warehouse production won an Olivier Award. His score for Phantom has received national and international acclaim. More recently, he wrote music and lyrics to Death Takes A Holiday, which was nominated for 11 Drama Desk Awards, the first entirely American full length ballet, Tom Sawyer: A Ballet In Three Acts, which premiered in Kansas City and Anything Can Happen in The Theater – The Musical World of Maury Yeston, a new musical revue conceived and directed by Gerard Alessandrini which premièred in March 2020 at Manhattan’s York Theater Company.

In 2009, Nine google adapted into a film with a screenplay by Anthony Minghella and Michael Tolkin, directed by Rob Marshall and featuring Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Dame Judi Dench, Kate Hudson, Fergie, and Sophia Loren. It was nominated for five Golden Globes and four Academy Awards. Yeston was nominated for a Critics Choice and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, Cinema Italiano, and an Academy Award for Best Original Song, “Take It All”.  

Other works include: Cello Concerto, premièred by Yo Yo Ma; the concert album Goya – A Life In Song, featuring Placido Domingo and Gloria Estefan; December Songs, a song cycle commissioned by Carnegie Hall for its centennial celebration; 
An American Cantata – 2000 Voices, a choral symphony in three movements for the National Symphony Orchestra and 2000 singers commissioned by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

LISTINGS INFO

Danielle Tarento
presents

To Maury, With Love

Directed by
Thom Southerland

Orchestrated and Conducted by
Mark Aspinall
Lighting Designed by Howard Hudson
Sound Designed by Andrew Johnson

Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Catherine St,
London
WC2B 5JF

Sunday February 22, 2026
at 7.30pm

Running time: to be confirmed

Age recommendation: PG

Tickets from £25 (booking fees apply)

Booking link:
https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/maury-yeston-80th-birthday/

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton – until 24 January 2026

Reviewed by Jo Gordon 

4****

Get those curtain fringes perfected, hair twists with mini butterfly clips set solid and dust off your tight tops and hipster trouser combo off because Here & Now! The Steps Musical has arrived.

Full of glitter, heartfelt stories and an unapologetic love for all things Steps, it delivers a crowd-pleasing night.  Built around the chart-topping catalogue of Steps, the show offers a warm, funny  celebration of connection, chosen family and second chances.

Set in a seaside superstore on the brink of closure, we are introduced to  a diverse group of work mates , each wrestling with their own hopes and disappointments. Their stories are mainly light, of the heart yet intertwined with sorrow and loss.   Giving the audience plenty of reason to invest emotionally before the first key change hits.

Steps hits are woven into the story, often used to reveal character rather than simply give the audience nostalgia . Numbers like “Tragedy” and “Better Best Forgotten” land with comic precision, while the inevitable “5,6,7,8” becomes a joy, whipped into a euphoric frenzy by wonderful choreography and  energy.

The cast throw themselves into the show wholeheartedly, with some  show-stopping vocals that blew the audience away and more dance routines than you think could be done using what’s on hand in a supermarket! The set is a neon and glittery treat that reminds us how colourful the Steps era was 

Here & Now! The Steps Musical offers joy, inclusivity and a great sense of fun. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a feel-good night. Dancing, bags of ice, love and absolute banging tunes , what more could we need! 

MISCHIEF’s NEW HIGHLY ACCLAIMED FESTIVE DISASTER TO BE FILMED IN AYLESBURY

By Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields

Directed by Matt DiCarlo

TOURING THIS CHAOTIC CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

UNTIL 1 MARCH 2026

www.ChristmasCarolGoesWrong.com 

(16 January 2026) – It was announced today, Mischief’s new critically acclaimed festive fiasco Christmas Carol Goes Wrong will be recorded live at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre on Thursday 5 February at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are released today for these filmed performances, buy now to see the mayhem and mishaps unravel before your very eyes.

The show continues its UK tour after its sell-out West End run, visiting Nottingham Theatre Royal, the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, the King’s Theatre in Glasgow and the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, where the tour finishes on 1 March 2026. Distribution plans for the live capture are currently being finalised and will be announced in due course.

Turning this Christmas classic into chaos are:  Matt Cavendish as Max, Daniel Fraser as Chris, Sasha Frost as Sandra with Ashley Tucker taking over from Nottingham , Chris Leask as Trevor, Henry Lewis as Robert, Jonathan Sayer as Dennis, Greg Tannahill as Jonathan, and Nancy Zamit and Dumile Sibanda will share the role of Annie.  The understudies are: Alex Bird, Will Bishop, Siobhan Cha Cha, Colm Gleeson and Paige Round .

This brand new Goes Wrong comedy sees the chaos and humour of the Cornley Amateur Dramatic Society return, and is written by original Mischief Members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. The production welcomes back director Matt DiCarlo following critical claim for his West End directorial debut of the Comedy About Spies, with Set Design by Libby Todd, Costume Design by Roberto Surace, Lighting Design by David Howe, and Alexandra Faye Braithwaite as Sound Designer & Composer.

The Cornley crew battle miscommunication, delays to their set, actors missing in action and a growing feud over who will play the lead. It’s sure to be a disastrous take on the much-loved classic Christmas story of Ebeneezer Scrooge. Will Cornley finally change their ways, or will their misfortunes wreak havoc yet again?

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is produced by Kenny Wax and Stage Presence, presented by arrangement with Mischief Worldwide Ltd. The live capture will be produced by Mischief Screen, in collaboration with Emma Keith for The Knighton Group, and filmed by Human Eyes.

CASTING ANNOUNCED

FOR

WORK-IN-PROGRESS PERFORMANCES OF

BABYFACE – THE FIERCE WRESTLING MUSICAL

BY SEIRIOL DAVIES

AT STORYHOUSE, CHESTER

ON WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2026

AND A NEWLY ANNOUNCED PERFORMANCE AT

PLEASANCE, LONDON

ON FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2026

Casting is announced today for work-in-progress performances of BABYFACE – THE FIERCE WRESTLING MUSICAL, written by Seiriol Davies. The cast includes James Ifan (Kinky Boots), Rex Hayes (To Kill A Mockingbird, Ted Lasso), Genesis Lynea (Six original cast, Sylvia, Dr. Who, Death in Paradise) and Iestyn Arwel. Also joining the cast are musical theatre performers Cadi Mullane, Nic Myers and Elis Myers-Sleight, who are joined by professional wrestlers Nightshade, KM Lane, Cassius The Neon Explosion and Darcy Stone.

The work-in-progress performances will be presented at Storyhouse, Chester on Wednesday 11 February 2026, as part of Storyhouse Queer festival, and at Pleasance, London on Friday 13 February 2026. Tickets are from £15 and on sale now. www.babyfacemusical.com

BABYFACE is the rags-to-spandex story of two tender queer souls from Rhyl, climbing the ranks of an industry where selling your persona is everything. Gruff wants to be a poet but his Nanna Dela needs money to keep the local bailiffs at bay; so Gruff must follow the path of his late grandad, the legendary wrestler Rhyl Dryll. Rezi wants to be the first ever female wrestling world champion. But can their friendship survive this crazy, sweaty, hyper-charged world? Will they turn into villains, or will they be… Babyfaces?

Fusing musical theatre and pro-wrestling (yes, with ACTUAL wrestling in an ACTUAL ring!) it’s a laugh-out-loud thrill ride that asks: in a polarised world, what happens when your need for community conflicts with your urge to WIN? 

BABYFACE has been in development for three years and was presented in May 2025 in Birmingham as part of BEAM2025, a national showcase of new musicals. Producer Jafar Iqbal has now partnered with leading West End production company PW Productions.

It follows the success of Davies’ How To Win Against History, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016, returning in 2025, winning The Stage Edinburgh Award and receiving critical acclaim, including:

★★★★★ 

The Daily Telegraph

‘A work of genius.’ 

★★★★★ 

The Stage

‘A glittering production.’ 

★★★★

The Times

‘Sparkling piece of musical theatre.’ 

Seiriol Davies is a writer, composer and performer from Anglesey. As well as How to Win Against History, Seiriol has written shows including Milky Peaks (Theatr Clwyd and touring), Betty! A Sort of Musical with Maxine Peake (Manchester Royal Exchange) and Branwen:Dadeni for the Donald Gordon Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre (as co-writer). They have also created work with companies such as Punchdrunk, English National Opera, The Gate Theatre, Underbling & Vow, The Unicorn Theatre and Le Gateau Chocolat. Currently, Seiriol is developing a musical with Hijinx, a queer medieval Shakespearian epic about Henry the Fifth and Welsh folk hero Owain Glyndwr, entitled Sweet Henry Vee with the Birmingham Rep, and Charles Actual Dickens and the Death Ship of Gold with Francesca Moody Productions.

These work-in-progress performances of BABYFACE – THE FIERCE WRESTLING MUSICAL are directed by Debbie Hannan and Matthew Holmquist, with musical supervision and arrangements by Geraint Owen, musical direction by Sioned Evans, wrestling choreography by Ed Gamester, and casting by Harry Blumenau.

LISTINGS

Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR

Performance at 7.30pm on Wednesday 11 February 2026

Pleasance, 5 Carpenters Mews, North Road, London, N7 9EF

Performance at 7.30pm on Friday 13 February 2026

Tickets from £15

www.babyfacemusical.com

FULL CAST INCLUDING ALEX LAWTHER, DOON MACKICHAN, PAUL READY AND SOPHIE RUNDLE ANNOUNCED FOR SUMMERFOLK AT THE NATIONAL THEATRE

NEW VERSION OF MAXIM GORKY’S CLASSIC BY NINA RAINE AND MOSES RAINE

The National Theatre today announces full casting for Nina Raine and Moses Raine’s new version of Maxim Gorky’s Summerfolk, a razor-sharp portrait of class, privilege and denial.  Directed by Deputy Artistic Director Robert Hastie, this biting and satirical play will run in the Olivier theatre from 6 March to 29 April 2026.

Full cast includes Rebecca Banatvala as Sasha, Thomas Barrett as Maxim Zimin, Tamika Bennett as Sonya,  Pip Carter as Pavel Sergeyich Ryumin, Peter Forbes as Semyon Semyonich Dvoyetochiye, Brandon Grace as Nikolai Petrovich Zamislov, Arthur Hughes as Pyotr Ivanich Suslov, Sam Jenkins-Shaw as Kropilkin, Gwyneth Keyworth as Olga Alekseyevna, Daniel Lapaine as Yakov Petrovich Shalimov, Alex Lawther as Vlass  Mikhailich, Adelle Leonce as Yulia Filipovna, Doon Mackichan as Kaleria, Justine Mitchell as Maria Lvovna, Paul Ready as Sergei Vassilich Bassov, Sophie Rundle as Varvara Mikhailovna,  Sid Sagar as Kirill Akimovich Dudakov and Richard Trinder as Pustobaika, With Ivan Ivashkin, Aisha-Mae McCormick, Roisin Rae, Ellie Turner and Joe Usher making up the ensemble.

It’s a hot, beautiful summer in 1905, and Russia’s elite retreat to the countryside to swim, sip champagne and start affairs. When they’re having this much fun, why care about anything else? But Varvara just can’t shake the feeling that their holiday idyll is built on borrowed time. As the party continues, how long can they ignore the storm on the horizon?

Director Robert Hastie is joined by set and costume designer Peter McKintosh, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Alexandra Faye Braithwaite, composer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Thomas Herron, Music Director Candida Caldicot, casting director Bryony Jarvis-Taylor CDG, voice coaches Shereen Ibrahim and Zoe Littleton, associate set designer Joseph Bisat Marshall, and BSL and staff director Lilac Yosiphon..

Playing in the Olivier theatre from 6 March to 29 April 2026, press performance on Tuesday 17 March 2026, 7pm.

Tickets available at nationaltheatre.org.uk.

MATT CARDLE

TO PLAY CHARLIE PRICE IN

KINKY BOOTS

AT THE LONDON COLISEUM

TOSH WANOGHO-MAUD

TO ALTERNATE THE ROLE OF LOLA WITH

JOHANNES RADEBE

17 MARCH 2026 – 11 JULY 2026

Producers ROYO, Runaway Entertainment and Curve are delighted to announce that multi-platinum-selling recording artist and award-winning West End actor Matt Cardle will play Charlie Price alongside Johannes Radebe as Lola, in the brand-new production of the Olivier, Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning KINKY BOOTS The Musical. The show will strut into the spectacular London Coliseum for 17 weeks from 17 March 2026 to 11 July 2026, with a week of previews at Curve, Leicester from 3 March 2026. Tickets are on sale now.

Tosh Wanogho-Maud, who is currently starring as Lola in the European leg of the touring production, also joins the cast as Alternate Lola*.

KINKY BOOTS The Musical features a book by Harvey Fierstein and a score by Cyndi Lauper. It will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line, Billy Elliot).

Matt Cardle rose to fame performing with Rihanna in front of a televised audience of over 20 million as the winner of The X Factor’s highest ever rated series in 2010. Since then Matt has soared up the charts and achieved similar success on his own terms releasing four studio albums; Letters (2011), The Fire (2012), Porcelain (2013) and Time To Be Alive (2018). New album, The Great Escape, is released on 10 April 2026.

Matt most recently starred as Shakespeare in the UK and Ireland tour of & Juliet. He played Huey Calhoun in Memphis (Shaftesbury Theatre, West End) alongside Beverley Knight, for which he received the WhatsOnStage Award for ‘Best West End Debut.’ He also appeared as Wally Strand in Strictly Ballroom (Piccadilly Theatre) and Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar (Barbican Theatre).

Matt said “I am absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast of Kinky Boots on London’s biggest stage. Theatre has been a huge part of my career so far, and leading a cast alongside Johannes Radebe at the London Coliseum is a huge honour. Kinky Boots is a show I’ve loved for years so to get the opportunity to step into the role of Charlie Price is a dream come true. Bringing this iconic role to life in the West End is an incredible privilege, and I cannot wait to share this production with audiences.”

Tosh Wanogho-Maud started his career as a child in the iconic shows Whistle Down the Wind and The Lion King. Previous credits include ICEBERG in Titanique(Criterion Theatre) Palladium Pantomime, Oklahoma! in Concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Batboy in Concert (The London Palladium), Ain’t Too Proud (Prince Edward Theatre), Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Toronto), The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre), Dreamgirls (Savoy Theatre) and The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre). His film and television credits include Jingle Jangle (Apple TV+), Bridgerton (Netflix) and Roadkill (BBC).

KINKY BOOTS The Musical is a Broadway and West End phenomenon based on a true story and movie of the same name released in 2005.

When Charlie Price inherits his family’s failing shoe factory, saving the company – and his love life – feels like an impossibly tall order. Until, that is, he meets Lola, the sparkling, larger-than-life drag queen with the unlikeliest of answers. Can they work together to reboot the business and save the day? Perhaps they just need to help each other – and everyone around them – to stand a little taller…

A glorious celebration of friendship and individuality, let Kinky Boots raise you up higher than ever at the

legendary London Coliseum for 17 weeks only.

KINKY BOOTS is directed by Nikolai Foster with choreography by Leah Hill, set design by Robert Jones, costume design by Robert Jones & Tom Rogers, musical supervision by George Dyer, lighting design by Ben Cracknell, sound design by Adam Fisher, casting by Harry Blumenau CDG CDA, wigs, hair and make-up design by Campbell Young Associates, associate direction by Michaela Powell with production management by Setting Line.

KINKY BOOTS is produced by ROYO, Runaway Entertainment and Curve.

Website: KinkyBootsLondon.com

Socials: @kinkyboots_uk

KINKY BOOTS  

Book by Harvey Fierstein

Music and Lyrics by Cyndi Lauper  

Original Broadway Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerry Mitchell  

Based on the Miramax motion picture Kinky Boots Written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth 

Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

LISTINGS INFORMATION

17 March – 11 July 2026

London Coliseum

St Martin’s Lane

London

WC2N 4ES

Curve preview performances: Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm

Preview performances: Tuesday – Saturday 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday 2:30pm

Performances: Monday – Saturday 7:30pm, Thursday and Saturday 2:30pm

Tickets from: £20

Box Office: 020 7845 9300

*Tosh Wanogho-Maud will play the role of Lola on all Monday performances from 6April 2026. Patrons are advised to check the website for further information.