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‘Packs a considerable punch’ ★★★★The Guardian

Former child magician and current American comedian Josh Sharp returns to Soho Theatre with two Sam Pinkleton-directed hits in 2027

Interactive Fringe sell-out An Hour of Crowd Work in the Round lands in Soho Theatre Upstairs, ahead of PowerPoint heavy ta-da!’s one-night-only transfer to Soho Theatre Walthamstow

• Audience-focused An Hour of Crowd Work in the Roundplays Soho Theatre Upstairs, Tuesday 16 – Saturday 27 February 2027, 8.45pm
• PowerPoint presentation gone mad ta-da! transfers to Soho Theatre Walthamstow Saturday 6 March 2027, 7.30pm

Soho Theatre welcomes back Josh Sharp in 2027 with An Hour of Crowd Work in the Round, his sell-out 2026 Shedinburgh shows, to Soho Theatre Upstairs from 16 February, followed by a one-night-only performance of his acclaimed solo show ta-da! at Soho Theatre Walthamstow on 6 March.

An Hour of Crowd Work in the Round centres around one key question: what do you do for work? The show (or comedy experiment, of sorts) takes aim at crowd work as the most popular form of comedy to be fed on your phone. This one will not be filmed for clips, it is simply a chance to talk, and to enjoy the tautology of a comedian asking a room full of strangers about their jobs.

ta-da! transfers from Soho’s Main House to the 960-seat Soho Theatre Walthamstow for one night only, following its extended 2026 run marking Josh’s stellar UK debut. A one-man comedy show inside of a manic 2,000 slide PowerPoint. Expect dumb but erudite jokes and sad but sweet stories joined with the Herculean feat of stupidity that is memorising a slide every 2.1 seconds. At its core, the show is an exploration of mortality and identity, and across the hour, Josh will tackle the ridiculous and the profound: getting a hand job under a bridge, trying to be a teen magician while deeply closeted and the best way to come out (a bcc email).

Josh Sharp is a New York-based actor, writer and comedian. His solo show ta-da!, which he received a Drama Desk nomination for, ran at the Greenwich House Theater in NYC and the SoHo Theatre in London. He is one of the stars, writers, and executive producers of A24’s Dicks: The Musical. He has also appeared in The Opposition With Jordan Klepper (Comedy Central), Search Party (HBO), At Home With Amy Sedaris (TruTV), Matt Rogers: Have You Heard of Christmas? (Showtime), & The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix), and has performed stand-up on 2 Dope Queens (HBO) & This Week At The Comedy Cellar (Comedy Central). He directed Michael Cruz Kayne’s Sorry For Your Loss at the Minetta Lane Theater. Josh was named one of Variety’s 10 Storytellers to Watch for 2025. 

Sam Pinkleton is a Tony Award-winning director, choreographer, and gay person. UK credits: Cole Escola’s Oh, Mary! (West End, Broadway, US tour; Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play), Ceilidh (Shoreditch Town Hall/Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Stephen Sondheim’s Here We Are(National Theatre). Sam also directed the current Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show at Studio 54, Morgan Bassichis’ Can I Be Frank?, You Will Get Sick (Roundabout), and Runaways (Public Theater/City Center). As choreographer: seven Broadway shows including Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Tony nomination). Film/TV: Dying for Sex, The End with Tilda Swinton. Upcoming: You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (City Center Encores!) and the 50th-anniversary Broadway revival of Annie.

Praise for ta-da!:

‘Miraculously brilliant.’ ★★★★★ Londonist
‘Honest, heartfelt and strikingly inventive.’ ★★★★★ Spy In The Stalls
‘A masterpiece production.’ ★★★★★ London Theatre 1
‘ta-da! is one of the most hilariously innovative and astutely performed solo comedy shows I’ve ever seen.’ ★★★★★ Theatermania
‘A true crowd pleaser.’ ★★★★ BroadwayWorld
‘An intricately structured piece about mortality, the self and embracing second chances.’ New York Times

Creative teams

An Hour of Crowd Work in the Round

Performer: Josh Sharp

Director: Sam Pinkleton

Producers: Carlee Briglia

ta-da!

Writer/performer: Josh Sharp

Director: Sam Pinkleton

Producers: Carlee Briglia & Mike Lavoie

Co-video design: Stivo Arnoczy

Magic: Skylar Fox

Incidental Music: Daniel Kluger

Key Artwork & Font Design: Teddy Blanks, CHIPS

Off-Broadway Set design: Meredith Ries

Off-Broadway Lighting design: Cha See

FIRST TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED FOR THE

WORLD PREMIERE OF THE STAGE PLAY ADAPTATION OF

LIONSGATE’S GLOBAL BLOCKBUSTER HIT,

THE HOUSEMAID

Based on Freida McFadden’s best-selling novel, the psychological thriller makes its stage debut in a gripping new production.

www.thehousemaidplay.com

Adapted by acclaimed stage and screen writer Bekah Brunstetter

(The Notebook; The Five-Star Weekend)

Directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story; The Hunger Games: On Stage)

Every house has its secrets. The question is: who holds the keys?

In collaboration with Lionsgate, production company Melting Pot, led by Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska (Life of Pi, Paranormal Activity), today announced the first dates for a major new stage adaptation of The Housemaid, based on the Lionsgate film of the same name and Freida McFadden’s literary phenomenon. The seductive psychological thriller will be adapted for the stage by playwright and screenwriter Bekah Brunstetter (Tony Award® nominee for The Notebook; The Five-Star Weekend) and directed by Tony Award® and Olivier Award nominee Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story; The Hunger Games: On Stage). The tour opens at London’s Richmond Theatre on 14 September, 2027.

Lionsgate’s December 2025 big-screen release of The Housemaid was a box office hit,grossing over $400 million worldwide. Directed by Paul Feig from a screenplay by Rebecca Sonnenshine and based on the book by Freida McFadden, the film was produced by Todd Lieberman, p.g.a., Laura Fischer, p.g.a. and Feig. The live stage production marks the latest step in the studio’s continued expansion of The Housemaid franchise, as the sequel The Housemaid’s Secret is in production and is set for a global theatrical release on 17 December, 2027.

Tony Award® nominee Bekah Brunstetter will write the play; she earned a Tony Award® nomination for her work on the book for the Broadway musical The Notebook. Last year, her play Mother’s Day debuted as part of the DNA New Works Program at La Jolla Playhouse. Her play The Cake has been produced more than 100 times globally. Brunstetter also created the television series The Five-Star Weekend, starring Jennifer Garner and Regina Hall, and her television work includes American Gods, This Is Us, and Maid, for which she won a Writers Guild of America Award. 

Matthew Dunster is a theatre and film director and writer. Previously an actor, he has directed or written over sixty theatre shows, often with major national companies (including Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, Royal Exchange, Shakespeare’s Globe and The Bridge), as well as directing on the West End, Broadway and internationally. He has been the Associate Director of The Young Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Theatre credits include: 2:22 A Ghost Story, which ran in the West End for 694 performances; Shirley Valentine and The Pillowman (The Duke of Yorks); The Homecoming (Young Vic); Dealer’s Choice (The Donmar); and The Hunger Games: On Stage (Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre). Dunster has been nominated for four Olivier Awards, and his Broadway production of Hangmen was nominated for five Tony Awards®.

Freida McFadden is a bestselling American author known for her gripping psychological thrillers and medical-themed suspense novels. With multiple bestsellers to her name, McFadden has solidified herself as a master of domestic thrillers. McFadden gained widespread recognition with her hit novel The Housemaid (2022), which became a viral sensation, leading to two sequels: The Housemaid’s Secret (2023) and The Housemaid Is Watching (2024).

McFadden’s work has been selected as one of Amazon Editors’ best books of the year; she is the winner of the International Thriller Writers Award for Best Paperback, and she is a Goodreads Choice Award winner. Beyond her literary successes, McFadden has been lauded for her contributions to literature, with her novels consistently appearing as #1 on bestseller lists (The New York Times, Amazon Charts, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Sunday Times, and Publishers Weekly), earning praise from both critics and readers alike. To date, her novels have been translated into more than 45 languages.

“With the stage play debuting next year and our sequel film in production, the momentum behind The Housemaid franchise continues to grow,” said Jenefer Brown, Lionsgate’s President, Global Products & Experiences. “We’re thrilled to work with Simon, Hanna, Bekah and Matthew to bring this story to the stage in an entirely new way, giving audiences the chance to experience its suspense, twists and turns live.”

Producer, Simon Friend of Melting Pot continues: “Bekah’s adaptation of The Housemaid is exactly what we’d hoped for – a fresh and uniquely theatrical take on this wildly popular story, and made with Matthew Dunster’s vision, it will certainly bring a thrilling new dimension to the franchise.”

The Housemaid stage adaptation is produced by Simon Friend and Hanna Osmolska for Melting Pot in association with Lionsgate.

®, ™ & © 2026 Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. and related companies.  All Rights Reserved.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehousemaidplay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61592672582052

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehousemaidplay

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheHousemaidPlay

The Housemaid 2027/2028 Tour

Richmond, Richmond Theatre

www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 September 2027

On sale 6 November 2026

Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

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

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 September 2027

On sale 6 November 2026

Malvern, Malvern Theatres

Tuesday 28 September – Saturday 2 October 2027

www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

On sale 2 November 2026

Brighton, Theatre Royal

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 October 2027

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

On sale 6 November 2026

Cheltenham, Everyman Theatre

Tuesday 12 – Saturday 18 October 2027

www.everymantheatre.org.uk

On sale 29 September 2026

Edinburgh, Festival Theatre

Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 October 2027

https://www.capitaltheatres.com/our-venues/festival-theatre/

On sale 17 November

Cambridge, Arts Theatre

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 October 2027

https://www.artstheatre.co.uk

On sale soon

Bromley, Churchill Theatre

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 November 2027

https://trafalgartickets.com/churchill-theatre-bromley

On sale 6 November 2026

Cardiff, New Theatre

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 November 2027

www.trafalgartickets.com/new-theatre-cardiff

On sale 6 November 2026

Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 November 2027

https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre

On sale 6 November 2026

York, Opera House

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 November 2027

www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york

On sale 6 November 2026

Southend, Palace Theatre

Tuesday 30 November – Saturday 4 December 2027

https://trafalgartickets.com/southend-theatres

On sale 6 November 2026

Norwich, Theatre Royal

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 January 2028

www.norwichtheatre.org

On sale soon

Glasgow, Theatre Royal

17-Jan Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 January 2028

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

On sale 6 November 2026

Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 January 2028

https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/

On sale soon

Salford, The Lowry

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 February 2028

www.thelowry.com

On sale soon

Woking, Woking Theatre

Tuesday 29 February – Saturday 4 March 2028

https://www.wokingtheatre.co.uk

On sale 6 November 2026

Milton Keynes, Milton Keynes Theatre

Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 April 2028

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

On sale 6 November 2026

HOSTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL WHATSONSTAGE AWARDS

IN ASSOCIATION WITH AUDIENCEVIEW

WhatsOnStage today announces the duo fronting the 27th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards, in association with AudienceView. The event will return to The London Palladium for the fourth year in 2027.

Taking place at 6.30pm on Sunday 28 February 2027, the awards will be hosted for a third consecutive year by Mazz Murray and Gina Murray, revealed today in a Traitors-style skit on the WhatsOnStage channels. The evening will see winners crowned across a variety of categories. Theatregoers can expect a starry line-up of exclusive live performances from leading stage talent. Now in their 27th year, the WhatsOnStage Awards are the only major theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves. 

WhatsOnStage’s Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said today: “Mazz and Gina had The Palladium audience in the palm of their hands for this year’s awards, so it was a no-brainer to bring them back for an unprecedented third appearance. With nominations opening this week and so many top-quality productions eligible, we’re already very excited for what next February might bring.”

Nominations for performance and show categories will open this Thursday, 5 November, on the WhatsOnStage website, and run through to 24 November 2026. Shortlisted nominees will then be announced on 10 December 2026 ahead of a nominee celebration event in January 2027.

The event is supported by a wide range of partners across the theatre industry and beyond, including Platinum Partners Disney Theatrical, Preevue, SINE Digital, and Travelzoo, alongside Official Hotel Partner The Londoner, Celebration Partner Sipsmith London, Official Drama Training Partner ArtsEd, Charity Partner Go Live Theatre, and Partnerships Consultancy House of Kais.

They are joined by AKA, ANRPR, Blackout,Concord, Dewynters, Gascoyne London, John Good Ltd, John Henry’s, Newman’s Displays, PRG, ROYO, Stagedoor Rewards, Tandem Marketing, Theatre Tokens, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Ticketmaster, Trafalgar Entertainment, and White Light.

www.whatsonstage.com/guide/the-whatsonstage-awards/

lwtheatres.co.uk 

Instagram and TikTok: @WhatsOnStage

X: @WhatsOnStage #WOSAwards

Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham – until 1st November 2026

Reviewed by Emma Millward

5*****

Written and directed by James Edge, with William Spencer as co-director and choreographer, I Screamed a Scream has returned to The Old Joint Stock Theatre, delivering another entertaining evening of musical theatre villainy to the intimate Birmingham venue. This celebration of the darker side of musical theatre features songs from some familiar shows, alongside a few less obvious choices that may surprise audiences or even prove to be a little controversial!

Joined by Carolyn Maitland, Dee Oliviero and Krish Parthiban, Edge also hosts the evening, guiding the audience through a varied programme celebrating the villains, rogues and questionable characters of musical theatre. There are mash-ups, unexpected combinations and even a brand-new original song told from the perspective of an unlikely victim of Les Misérables. Let’s just say they are a rather crusty French character with a surprisingly dramatic and carby side (you’ll understand when you see the show!).

The four performers each bring something different to the evening, with excellent vocals and plenty of personality. Maitland’s voice is crystal clear and gorgeous throughout, while Oliviero impresses with her vocal power, which at times feels almost too big for such an intimate space. Parthiban may initially come across as the quieter member of the group, but his powerful vocals are quite remarkable, particularly for someone so young. Meanwhile, Edge keeps everything moving as host, bringing plenty of character to the proceedings and showing he is just as happy to be part of the musical fun as he is to lead it. Both Oliviero and Parthiban are recent graduates, and it is exciting to discover emerging performers who are clearly going places.

One of the evening’s highlights is Loud from Matilda, as Edge and Maitland battle for the spotlight in blue sequin outfits. Their determination to outshine one another makes for a wonderfully entertaining number, with both performers throwing themselves into the fun.

Musical director Callum Thompson also plays a larger role this year. While accompanying the performers from behind the piano, his backing vocals add an often humorous dimension to several numbers. His solo performance of Herod’s Song was a real treat. 

The audience also gets the chance to join in, with a group participation moment during a song from Chicago ensuring that everyone ‘had it coming’. Songs from Mean Girls, The Little Mermaid and Waitress make an appearance, alongside a medley that squeezes in all the songs that could not quite fit into the already packed two-hour show.

One of the joys of I Screamed a Scream is that, alongside the familiar favourites, there is always the chance to discover something new. This time, that came in the form of The Ballad of Sara Berry from 35mm, a darkly comic number telling the story of a popular high-school girl whose ambitions to become Prom Queen take a murderous turn.

This is my second time seeing I Screamed a Scream, and it is a real testament to the team behind it and their obvious love of all things musical theatre that each show feels just as fresh and enjoyable as the last. There is always something unexpected to discover, making it a show you can happily return to each year. 

Dark, dazzling and devilishly entertaining.

Petersfield Festival Hall – until 31^st October  2026

Reviewed by Heather Chalkley 

3*** 

Stage One Youth Theatre have pulled it off once again, taking on a challenging and huge production. This modern day take on Alice Through the Looking Glass will take you by surprise! Director Paul Clements has played to the strengths of his talented cast of young people, bringing powerhouse singers into the spotlight and pulling together a tight knit band of over 50 players.  

This is a lot of fun to watch and you can see the cast are having a great time too! Nerves kick in a little at the beginning with the speed of dialogue sometimes taking away from the delivery. However, once they settle, you have time to catch up with the story. And what a storyline! You definitely need to read the synopsis beforehand, to keep up and appreciate some of the nuances. 

Lucy Mengham (Alice) has an expressive, dynamic singing voice that will give you goosebumps. She kept the story on track with confidence and assurity. 

Tori Clark gives a whole new dimension to The Mad Hatter, with powerful vocals and facial expressions that convey a thousand words. Clark really lives the part! 

Isaac Buckeridge (White Knight) reminds you of Buzz Light Year from Toy Story, creating humour in his earnest honesty. The energy of his band of white knights brings boy band overtures to make you laugh out loud. 

Mad Hatter’s side kick, Lizzie Codling (Morris) delivers her lines with a dark and playful tone that keeps the humour bubbling. Daisy Althorpe is a believable young Alice, holding her own in some big scenes. The Caterpillar’s (Fraser Ndahiro and ensemble) first entrance is a delight and makes you smile – he plays it really cool! The caricatures of White Rabbit (Jasmine Evans) and Queen of Hearts (Abigail Tyler) are true to the original story and bring it into focus. Evans and Tyler embody their characters perfectly. 

Choreographer Helen Wallis is to be commended for understanding what is needed to achieve the impact of each scene, bringing the ensemble together as one unit. The visual impression of the set and costumes is magical, with many folktale characters in the ensemble beautifully attired in theatrical style.  Musical Director Harry Wells and the live band really bring it home. The use of digital screens takes the performance to a new level, giving the whole experience an unexpected professional impact.  

This is youth theatre at its best! This is a show to bring your family to for an early Christmas treat. 

Birmingham Repertory Theatre – until 1st November 2026

Reviewed by Emma Millward

5*****

Based on Raymond Briggs’ much-loved book, The Snowman has returned to Birmingham Rep in a refreshed production that still captures the charm of the original. Revived and newly created for the stage by Will Tuckett, who also directs and choreographs, this delightful winter tale follows a young boy whose snowman comes to life, taking the pair on an unforgettable adventure. The role of The Boy is shared between four young performers, Felix Anderson, Jake Durant, Tristan Marwa and Tate Masuku.  For the performance I attended, Tate took on the role, bringing a lovely sense of curiosity and wonder to the part. His friendship with the Snowman is believable and extremely touching.

Andrew Ashton brings the Snowman to life with warmth and charm, creating a character whose physicality and expressive performance make him instantly endearing. Tahra Zafar’s costume gives the character an instantly recognisable appearance, while Daisy Beattie’s puppet designs fill the stage with personality. I particularly loved the cat puppet (Serafina Sofia Barbieri), whose movements and expressions were a delight to watch, especially when the cat is startled by the Snowman! The other snowmen were also a real highlight, each seeming to have their own distinct character. Tasha Chu and Teague Applegate play Mum and Dad, with Applegate also taking on the role of a gracefully balletic Father Christmas. There was a particularly amusing scene in which the oblivious Mum and Dad sleep peacefully while the Snowman explores their bedroom and tries on their clothes.

Anna Fleischle’s work as Production Designer (Set and Costumes) makes clever use of the stage, with the house providing the setting for much of the first act. The set rotates to reveal different rooms, while the video design by Nina Dunn adds atmosphere and really add to the magic of the flying scenes. Matt Daw’s lighting complements the imaginative visuals without distracting from the characters. The wider company also deserves credit for the precision and coordination that bring the production’s movement and storytelling together. Everything feels seamless, and you are drawn in so quickly that you barely notice the scene changes.

The live five-piece orchestra, under Musical Director Andy Massey, brings Howard Blake’s beautiful score to life. When The Boy and the Snowman (Aaron Smyth as the Flying Snowman) took flight to the familiar sound of Walking in the Air, it was clearly a moment the audience has been anticipating, with excitement building around the auditorium before the pair took off to cheers and applause. It was a breathtaking moment, and one that brought a tear to my eye. The emotional heartstrings were tugged again towards the end, as the Snowman melted, leaving just his hat, nose and a few broken hearts behind!

The Birmingham run is relatively short before the production moves to London’s Peacock Theatre. I heard several audience members comment that they would have loved to see it again closer to Christmas, but its October arrival offers a welcome chance to enjoy this much-loved story.

There is a lovely balance of humour, adventure and emotion, making it accessible and engaging for younger audiences, while still offering plenty for adults to enjoy too. With its charming performances and inventive puppetry, The Snowman is a production that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

Magical, moving and utterly enchanting.

Birmingham Hippodrome – until 7th November 2026

Reviewed by Emma Millward

4****

Cats has arrived at Birmingham Hippodrome. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics inspired by T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show introduces the Jellicle cats, each with their own distinctive character and story to tell. Led by the wise Old Deuteronomy (Kalisha Amaris), they gather once a year to decide which cat will be given the chance to begin a new life.

The story is told almost entirely through song, making the narrative feel loose and confusing at times. However, the variety-show format allows individual cats to take centre stage, giving the performers plenty of opportunities to showcase their personalities. Jennyanydots (Laura Tyrer) was among my favourites. She made the most of her moment in the spotlight, engaging with the audience during her number, and continued to catch the eye later through her expressive facial expressions. Danny Nattrass and Briana Craig brought a cheeky, Cockney-style charm to Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Elliot Broadfoot’s dual roles as Gus and Bustopher Jones added an amusing touch, particularly as he bounced and twerked his way around the stage as the rather rotund Bustopher. Jaydon Vijn’s Rum Tum Tugger worked the stage well, even if he lacked some of the swagger I have seen in previous versions of the character.

Drew McOnie’s direction and choreography keep the action moving, with the precise movements particularly effective during the fighting sequences. Sami Fendall’s set, costume and wig design help establish the cats’ world, giving each character a distinctive look. Gone are the furry costumes of old, replaced by sleek leotards and bodysuits. Jessica Hung Han Yun’s lighting helps create an otherworldly atmosphere, particularly when the much-feared Macavity finally appears. Played by Dianté Lodge, he makes an eerie impression, with his tall, devil-like ears and confrontations with the other cats giving him a menacing presence.

Jet Yau brings a fresh twist to Mr Mistoffelees, with an impressive breakdancing sequence that adds a contemporary edge and provides one of the evening’s standout moments. Although Grizabella (Louise Dearman) has relatively limited stage time, her isolation is clear whenever she appears, with the other cats recoiling from her. When she sings Memory, Dearman draws the audience in, delivering one of the evening’s emotional highlights. The moment Grizabella is accepted back into the group is genuinely touching, prompting an audible “aww” from the audience.

Under Geraint Owen’s musical direction, the numbers remain a major strength, with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score still managing to feel fresh and the ensemble maintaining the lively energy throughout.

While the loose narrative occasionally makes Cats difficult to follow, the individual character performances and wonderful score make it an entertaining experience. It may not always be straightforward, but there is plenty to enjoy.

A playful, quirky delight.

★★★★★

“It will fill you with joy and melt your heart”

Guardian

THE MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION OF

PADDINGTON^TM THE MUSICAL

EXTENDS UNTIL 25 JUNE 2028

★★★★★

“Is it possible to give a show six stars?”

Metro

★★★★★

“A marmalade flavoured masterpiece”

Daily Mail

With the new company starting performances and the production about to celebrate its first birthday in the West End, the multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed smash-hit PADDINGTON ^TM The Musical, extends until 25 June 2028 due to unprecedented demand. 

PADDINGTON The Musical won seven Olivier Awards equalling the number of wins for any musical – winning Best New Musical, Best Director for Luke Sheppard, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Best Set Design for Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward, and Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar – the latter, who designed the bear. The production also received nine WhatsOnStage Awards equalling the record for the most wins in WhatsOnStage Award history – and the most for any new musical. The production won Best New Musical; Best Professional Debut Performance; Best Direction for Luke Sheppard; Best Set Design for Tom Pye; Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar; Best Sound Design for Gareth Owen; Best Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design for Campbell Young Associates; Best Musical Supervision/Direction for Matt Brind; and Best Casting Direction for Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle Davis. Additionally, earlier this year, the production won the Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical.

New productions will open on Broadway in March 2027 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre; and at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney in September 2027.

Best availability for West End tickets is now from Summer 2027.

★★★★★

“Paddington The Musical will conquer the world”

The i Paper

Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK present

PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY TOM FLETCHER BOOK BY JESSICA SWALE

DIRECTED BY LUKE SHEPPARD

Based on A Bear Called Paddington written by Michael Bond and the film ‘PADDINGTON’, by special arrangement with STUDIOCANAL

★★★★★

“A triumph. A love-letter to kindness, inclusion and family”

Daily Express

Cast:Samantha Bingley (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (reprising his role as Grant), Alex Crandon (Hank the Pigeon), Linzi Hateley (Mrs Bird), Cassidy Janson (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (reprising his role as Mr Gruber), Sonny Monaghan (Paddington Voice and Remote Puppetry/Young Man), Sandra Marvin (Tanya), Haydn Oakley (Mr Brown), Marc Pickering (Mr Curry), Abbie Purvis (Paddington on Stage Performer), Hassan Taj (Paddington On-Stage Performer), and Charlotte Wakefield (Mrs Brown); and Poppy Houghton and Francesca Ratcliffe alternate the role of Judy Brown; Eddison Burch and Shayne Maphosa alternate the role of Tony, with Charlie Dean, Arlo Drage, Oliver Goodman, and Finn Leonard alternating the role of Jonathan Brown; with Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Sarah Benbelaid, Millie Gubby, Helen Gulston, Daisy Hanna, Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Kwame Kandekore, Sam Lathwood, Andilé Mabhena, Kate Parr, Billy Roberts, Hugo Rolland, Eugene Shire, Vicki Lee Taylor and Kevin Tristan. Freya Rose is the Paddington On-Stage Performer understudy.

Matt Brind (Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Ellen Kane (Choreographer), Tom Pye (Scenic Designer), Gabriella Slade (Costume Designer), Tahra Zafar (Paddington Bear Designer), Neil Austin (Lighting Designer), Gareth Owen (Sound Designer), Ash J Woodward (Video Designer and Animation), Campbell Young Associates (Hair, Wig & Make-Up Designer), Majid Adin (Illustration and additional Animation), Laura Bangay (Musical Director), Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting (Casting Director), Nick Hockaday (Young Persons’ Casting Director), Annabelle Davis (Paddington Casting Director), Javier Marzan (Physical Comedy Consultant), Tobago Crusoe and Felix Ruiz (Additional Music Consultants)

★★★★★

“London needs this musical now more than ever”

Radio Times

Join us for a rather wonderful adventure.

Hold on to your hats! PADDINGTON The Musical is now playing in London’s West End.

When a small, lost bear from Peru arrives in London in search of a new home, a chance encounter with the Brown family leads him to the wonderful world of Windsor Gardens.

But London isn’t all afternoon teas and friendly faces – and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when a mysterious and vengeful villain sets her sights on Paddington, the Browns embark on a thrilling rescue mission, realising they need this special bear as much as he needs them.

Packed with show-stopping songs, dazzling choreography, mishaps and mayhem at every turn – and of course, marmalade sandwiches – PADDINGTON The Musical is based on the iconic characters from Michael Bond’s books, with a story inspired by the award-winning 2014 film.

Michael Bond’s A Bear Called Paddington was published in 1958 by Collins, later Harper Collins – the first of 29 Paddington books he was to write, with the final one Paddington at St. Paul’s, published posthumously in 2018. The books have sold over 35 million copies worldwide.

Paddington has been adapted for television several times – first by the BBC in 1976; and most recently adapted by STUDIOCANAL who have produced three Emmy Award-winning series of The Adventures of Paddington. Paddington has also enjoyed three successful big-screen outings, all produced and developed by STUDIOCANAL, a Canal+ company – Paddington released in 2014, Paddington 2 in 2017, and Paddington in Peru in 2024, enjoying critical and commercial acclaim becoming the biggest independent family franchise of all time.

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Listings

Paddington The Musical

SAVOY THEATRE

Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

Box Office: 0844 871 7687 / www.paddingtonthemusical.com

Tickets from £25

Paddington ticket lottery: https://paddingtonthemusical.com/lottery/

Monday               7pm

Wednesday         7pm

Thursday              2pm & 7pm

Friday                   7pm

Saturday              2pm & 7pm

Sunday                 2pm

Recommended for ages 6+

TOM ROSENTHAL & ADRIAN SCARBOROUGH

TO STAR IN 2027 UK TOUR OF

JEEVES AND WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE

A COMEDY FROM THE WORKS OF P.G. WODEHOUSE

FROM 29 JANUARY 2027

ATG Productions are delighted to announce that stars of stage and screen Tom Rosenthal and Adrian Scarborough will lead the cast of the 2027 UK tour of Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense: A comedy from the works of P.G. Wodehouse, written by Robert Goodale and David Goodale. The tour, which will be directed by acclaimed theatre director Phillip Breen, will open at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre from 29 January 2027.

Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, spectacular muddles and a colourful cast of wonderfully eccentric characters. P.G. Wodehouse’s world of charm and mischief bursts onto the stage in a riot of impeccable comic timing, ingenious theatrical invention and gloriously British humour.

With comedy gold at every turn, Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is guaranteed to be the theatre comedy event of the year!

Tom Rosenthal, who plays the gloriously hapless Bertie Wooster, is an acclaimed British actor and comedian, best known for playing Jonny Goodman in the hit Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner and Marcus Gallo in ITV2’s Plebs. His further screen credits include Broadchurch, Dad’s Army: The Lost Episodes, Drunk History and Bridget Jones’s Baby. Alongside his screen career, he is an established stand-up comedian, performing at venues and festivals across the UK. His theatre credits include The Government Inspector (Chichester Festival Theatre), directed by Gregory Doran; The Philanthropist (Trafalgar Studios), directed by Simon Callow; and Chicken Soup with Barley (Royal Court Theatre), directed by Dominic Cooke.

Adrian Scarborough who plays Wooster’s unflappable valet Jeeves, is a two-time Olivier Award-winning British actor best known for playing Pete Sutcliffe in the hit BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey and the title role in The Chelsea Detective. His extensive television credits include Killing Eve, A Very English Scandal, Doctor Who, Miranda, Sanditon, Plebs, Blunt Talk, Mr Bigstuff, Falling and War. His film credits include 1917, The King’s Speech, Les Misérables, Gosford Park, Vera Drake, Notes on a Scandal and On Chesil Beach. Alongside his screen career, he is an acclaimed stage actor, having won two Olivier Awards for his performances in After the Dance (National Theatre) and Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre).

Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense is produced by ATG Productions.

Website: perfectnonsenseplay.com

Instagram, Facebook: @perfectnonsenseplay

2027 TOUR SCHEDULE

29 January – 6 February                   Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

9 – 13 February                                 Manchester Opera House

                                                           atgtickets.com/Manchester

16 – 20 February                               Theatre Royal Brighton

                                                           atgtickets.com/brighton

23 – 27 February                                Princess Theatre, Torquay

                                                            atgtickets.com/torquay

2 – 6 March                                       Richmond Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/Richmond

9 – 13 March                                     The Arts Theatre Cambridge                                      On sale soon

                                                           www.artstheatre.co.uk

16 – 20 March                                   Theatre Royal Glasgow

                                                           atgtickets.com/theatre-royal-glasgow/     

23 – 27 March                                   Woking Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/woking                             

30 March – 3 April                              Milton Keynes Theatre

                                                           atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

13 April – 17 April                               Liverpool Playhouse                                                  On sale soon

                                                            everymanplayhouse.com  

20 – 24 April                                       Sheffield Lyceum Theatre                                          On sale soon

                                                           sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

27 April – 1 May                                Birmingham, The Alexandra

                                                           atgtickets.com/Birmingham

4 – 8 May                                            Grand Opera House York

                                                            atgtickets.com/York

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WEST END TRANSFER OF

KIMBERLY BELFLOWER’S

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN

DIRECTED BY TONY AWARD-WINNER

DANYA TAYMOR

AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED 12-WEEK SEASON

FROM 2 FEBRUARY UNTIL 24 APRIL 2027

Producers Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Sonia Friedman Productions, Wessex Grove, Runyonland, Spark Productions, John Mara Jr, Jillian Robbins and The Royal Court are delighted to announce the full cast for the West End transfer of Kimberly Belflower’s JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN, directed by Tony Award-winner Danya Taymor.

The cast are Lauryn Ajufo (Nell Shaw), Charlie Borg (Lee Turner), Reece Braddock (Mason Adams), Dónal Finn (Carter Smith), Holly Howden Gilchrist (Beth Powell), Miya James (Raelynn Nix), Molly McFadden (Bailey Gallagher), Amy Macken (Ivy Watkins) and Sadie Soverall (Shelby Holcomb).  

Lauryn Ajufo, Charlie Borg, Reece Braddock, Dónal Finn, Holly Howden Gilchrist, Miya James, Molly McFadden and Sadie Soverall all reprise their roles from the sell-out run at the Royal Court, with Amy Macken joining the cast for the West End transfer.

The cast is completed by Alfie Craig, Anna Francis, Thalia Gambe, Ada Grey and Tom Milligan.

Kimberly Belflower and Danya Taymor said today: “We’re over the moon to be reuniting with so many members of our Royal Court coven, and to be welcoming the extraordinary Amy Macken to the fold as we prepare to take the West End by storm in 2027. Rehearsing this play with these people is a sacred, special thing; we can’t wait to be back in the room and make more magic together.”

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN transfers to the West End following a critically acclaimed, sold out run at the Royal Court Theatre earlier this year. It will play a strictly limited 12-week season at Wyndham’s Theatre,a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, from Tuesday 2 February until Saturday 24 April 2027 with a press night on Tuesday 11 February. Tickets are on sale now.

One small town. A soundtrack of pop, adrenaline and barely-contained rage, five young women reveal something darker is stirring. As long-buried truths rise to the surface, they begin to question everything and take control of the narrative for themselves.

Heralded as one of the most compelling new plays of recent years, the production offers a poised and piercing exploration of girlhood, power, and the courage to question what we think we know.

In addition to John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court,Lauryn Ajufo’s theatre credits include Chewing Gum Dreams for Theatre 503 and The Den at Swan Wharf. Her television credits include Accused, Dreaming Whilst Black, Everything Now, Tell Me Everything, The Last Bus and Holby City, and her film credits include Luther: The Fallen Sun, Boiling Point and Villain. Charlie Borg’s theatre credits include John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court and It’s About Your Son for Little Two Theatre Company, and his film credits include Dog of Time. Reece Braddock made his professional debut in John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court. Dónal Finn’s West End credits include Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre and his other theatre credits, in addition to John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court, include An Oak Tree at The Other Palace, Sing Street at the Huntington Theatre Company, Albion at the Almeida Theatre and Chasing Bono at Soho Theatre. His television credits include The Other Bennet Sister and SAS: Rouge Heroes for the BBC, Young Sherlock and The Wheel of Time for Amazon, and Cursed and The Witcher for Netflix. His film credits include The Uprising, Viva La Madness, Four Letters of Love, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, and How to Build a Girl. Holly Howden Gilchrist’s theatre credits include John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court, Antigone and A View from the Bridge, both at the Tron Theatre, Beauty and the Beast and Small Acts of Love, both at the Citizens Theatre, and Blinded by the Light for Sylvian Productions.Her television credits include Murder Is Easy, and her film credits include I Swear, Whisky Galore!, Man to Man, and Love What You Love. Miya James’s West End credits include The Crucible at the Gielgud Theatre and her other theatre credits include Measure for Measure for the RSC, London Tide at the National Theatre and John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court. Miya’s television credits include Midsomer Murders for ITV. Amy Macken’s theatre credits include The Snapper and A Wonderful Life, both at The Gate Theatre, Dublin, and Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre. Her television credits include Dublin Murders for the BBC. Molly McFadden made her professional stage debut in John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court and her television credits include The Rachel Incident. Sadie Soverall’s theatre credits include John Proctor is the Villain at the Royal Court and The Cherry Orchard at the Donmar Warehouse. Her television credits include Every Year After for Amazon, The Gathering for Channel 4, Never Let Me Go for FX and The Winx Saga for Netflix. Her film credits include Elsinore, Finding Emily, Arcadian, Saltburn and Little Bone Lodge.

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN premiered on Broadway in March 2025 at the Booth Theatre, where it was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Play. It had its London premiere at the Royal Court Theatre on 20 March 2026, where it played to sold-out audiences until Saturday 25 April. Critical acclaim from its run at the Royal Court included:

Financial Times ★★★★★

‘a joyous, blazingly intelligent play’

London Theatre ★★★★★

‘It’s not just a drama: it’s a revolution.’

WhatsOnStage ★★★★★

‘Absolutely essential… this is art that helps us to understand life’

Time Out ★★★★

‘The hype is real’

Scenography is by AMP, featuring Teresa L. Williams, the costume design is by Sarah Laux, the lighting design is by Natasha Katz, the sound design and original composition is by Palmer Hefferan, projection design is by Hannah Wasileski and movement direction is by Tilly Evans-Krueger. The Voice and Dialect Coach is Gigi Buffington, the Casting Director is Julia Horan, CDG, with dramaturgy by Lauren Halvorsen.

JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN is presented by Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Sonia Friedman Productions, Wessex Grove, Runyonland, Spark Productions, John Mara Jr, Jillian Robbins and The Royal Court.