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Martin Clarkson and The Production Garden 

in association with Cube Room Productions 

announce 2026 centenary performances for

Eric and Ern

starring Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens

including a West End performance on Sunday 29 March

In celebration of Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise’s joint centenary – both entertainers would have celebrated their 100th birthdays in 2026 – a series of special performances has been announced for Eric and Ern, the new show from Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephen, the Olivier nominated duo behind the hugely celebrated critically acclaimed West End hit Eric & Little Ern.

Following a previously announced limited run at Curve, Leicester from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 January, Eric and Ern will visit the Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 March, Garrick Theatre in London’s West End on Sunday 29 March, and Morecambe Winter Gardens on Saturday 16 May for a special performance coinciding with Eric Morecambe’s birthday weekend.

Eric and Ern takes audiences back to the times when whole families would huddle around the telly to watch the fantastic Morecambe and Wise Christmas specials. This brilliant homage to the two national comedy heroes is crammed full of renditions of those famous comedy sketches, and hits all the right notes – from Greig’s Piano Concerto to Mr Memory, “Arsenal!”, Eric and Ern is a show full of Morecambe and Wise’s most loved routines, songs and sketches – and of course a musical guest – suitable for all the family from 8 to 80.

Eric and Ern is created by Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens based on the writing of Eddie Braben with additional material by Morecambe and Wise.  It is presented by Martin Clarkson and The Production Garden in association with Cube Room Productions. 

LISTINGS INFORMATION

Show title: Eric and Ern

Running time: 1 hour and 50 minutes (including a 20 minute interval)

Age guidance: 8+ 

LIST OF TOUR DATES 

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 17 January 2026                                                                      Curve, Leicester

https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/eric-and-ern

Tuesday 24 – Saturday 28 March 2026                                                                        Lowry, Salford

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/eric-and-ern-xwc6

Sunday 29 March 2026                                                                            Garrick Theatre, London 

Saturday 16 May 2026                                                                          Morecambe Winter Gardens

ON SALE SOON

An accompanying event can be booked separately which is an afternoon talk with Gary and Gail Morecambe, chaired by Martin Clarkson

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 31st January 2026

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

4****

Roald Dahl’s beloved classic The BFG has been delighting readers since its publication in 1982, and now, thanks to Tom Wells and Jenny Worton’s vibrant new stage adaptation, the story leaps from page to stage with dazzling creativity. Directed by Daniel Evans, this production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is a feast of humour, heart, and theatrical ingenuity.

From the outset, the show captures Dahl’s signature blend of gruesome absurdity and tender warmth. The narrative, while condensed from the original book, retains its essence, a tale of giants, dreams, and the unlikely friendship between Sophie the orphan and the Big Friendly Giant. Wells and Worton sprinkle in fresh jokes, additional characters and clever twists, ensuring the adaptation feels both faithful and refreshingly original. Designer Vicki Mortimer’s minimalist set is anything but bare. Through ingenious lighting by Zoe Spurr and vivid costume work from Kinnetia Isidore, the stage transforms into a playground of imagination creating a world of whimsy and wonder. Toby Olié’s puppetry and Akhila Krishnan’s video projections elevate the production to another level. The seamless transitions between live actors and puppets create a sense of scale that is both magical and believable. Giants loom large without breaking the spell, dreams swish around the stage and illuminated model buildings flying by in a chase sequence evoke otherworldliness.

John Leader’s portrayal of the BFG is enchanting. Mostly eschewing Quentin Blake’s iconic illustrations, this BFG is younger, and brims with energy, bringing a curious mix of innocent charm and giant gentleness. Leader’s mastery of Dahl’s mangled language and his physicality make the character irresistibly endearing. Elsie Laslett as Sophie strikes the perfect balance of cheek and courage, while Charlotte Jones as Kimberley adds depth to the dynamic. Both young actors impress not only with their acting but also with their agility, as they perform physical acrobatics assisted by puppeteers, with remarkable grace. Helena Lymbery’s Queen is a delightful surprise, a monarch yearning for adventure rather than mere royal protocol, she has a remarkable transformation. Sargon Yelda’s uptight butler Tibbs provides a foil of comic rigidity, while the double act of Captain Smith, Philip Labey, and Captain Frith, Luke Sumner, lampoon military paranoia with gusto. Their scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, especially when Frith’s dialogue disappears behind his bristling moustache.

Beneath the fart jokes and fantastical giants beats a heartwarming story of friendship, bravery, and the power of dreams. A cacophony of whizzpopping wonder, delivering the kind of joyous chaos that Dahl fans crave, the production succeeds at balancing spectacle with sincerity. Daniel Evans has orchestrated a production that is as inventive as it is heartfelt. With its stunning puppetry, clever design, and pitch-perfect performances, The BFG is a splendiferous triumph of imagination, a theatrical treat for audiences of all ages.

Park Theatre – until 24 December 2025

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

3***

Make It Beautiful bring a modern twist to the Arthurian legend of Gawain and the Green Knight in this quirky and warm-hearted comedy.

Since the death of the CEO of Camelot Corp, his daughter has taken over and gone all in on the Arthurian ethos for the cybersecurity company, insisting on staff using Arthurian names and shouting “Huzzah” at every opportunity. The medieval warfare jargon used in customer calls is hilarious and Arthur (Cara Steele) and Lance’s (Gabriel Fogarty-Graveson) management style is hardly chivalrous.

Gary (Felix Grainger) hates being called Gawain, is unhappy in his job but can’t be bothered to leave and is viewed as a boring disappointment by management. The only ray of light in his day is Gwynne (Laura Pujos), who shares his opinion that the Arthurian schtick is nonsense. Handed his marching orders on the day of the compulsory Christmas party, Gawain is the only person to accept the mysterious stranger’s challenge to strike him with his axe and be prepared to accept the same in one year and a day. Gawain continues working, waiting for the arrival of the Green Knight, but as his time draws near, he finally decides to search for the knight and face his fate head-on.

This setup takes an hour before the interval, during which Simon Nicholas’s versatile set was redressed. Although lots of satisfying callbacks to throwaway lines in the second act worked brilliantly, this hour could have been cut back and a 90-minute show could be better balanced and paced. The change to the quest lands could possibly have been achieved with lighting effects (Caitlin MacGregor’s lighting design and Kezia Tomsett’s sound design create wonderfully atmospheric dynamics throughout.)

Writers Grainger and Fogarty-Graveson hit their stride once Gawain’s search for the Green Knight begins, via the magic elevator, and director Kelly Ann Stewart picks up the pace nicely. The characters Gawain meets are frankly insane but straight out of the original story. Think Monty Python/Maid Marian and her Merry Men/Horrible Histories and that’s the tone of this madcap nonsense. The writing partners have a wonderful eye for the absurd and Grainger’s reactions are wonderful as Gawain tries to cope with the medieval shenanigans surrounding him. Fogarty-Graveson is brilliantly deadpan as a range of bonkers characters; Cara Steele nails the role of the deluded and cruel Arthur and Laura Pujos is the show’s calm anchor as Gwynne. Shawn Chambers voices Merlin – the corporation’s AI that seems to be even crueller than Arthur, but Gawain still finds meaning in his life despite the digital devilry.

This smart and funny Arthurian tale could do with a little streamlining but has exciting potential.

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – until 11th January 2026

Reviewed by Jacqui Radford

5*****

Billed as an extravaganza, this year’s Everyman Theatre pantomime is exactly that. Robin Hood is not a traditional pantomime choice but with the addition of Tweedy and a ‘Gloucestershire dimension’, the well-known tale delivers perfectly on the brief of a family pantomime.

Tweedy, playing the role of Friar Tuck takes comedy and clowning around to the highest level. His humour hits the mark with the children in the audience, evoking fits of giggles at the mention of farts or admonishing the adults in the audience. Every bit of clowning around is carefully planned to provoke gasps and cheers, drawing everyone into the spirit of panto, including a comedic performance of ‘Bolero’ alongside Dame Nursie, played by Kevin Brewis

Alongside the clowning around we have all come to expect of a pantomime at Everyman Cheltenham, the remaining cast bring more cheer and glamour than you could ever hope for. Dan Wilshire as Robin Hood plays the role of a wholesome hero alongside Maid Marian and the obligatory villain, Sheriff of Gloucestershire.

The chemistry between the whole cast is obvious, enabling a few spontaneous moments and shared moments of laughter between them. It is clear that they really enjoy the script and all the opportunities they have to kick back and enjoy performing.

This year’s set and costume design surpassed previous productions. Bright colours, dazzling lighting effects, snowstorms and confetti all add a real Christmas experience that every child and adult can’t help but enjoy. Add to that the participation of panto, singing and dancing, you’ll leave this production with a spring in your step.

BILL KENWRIGHT’S

MULTI AWARD-WINNING PRODUCTION OF

BLOOD BROTHERS

SPRING 2026 CAST AND DATES ANNOUNCED

Bill Kenwright’s legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers has announced its Spring 2026 tour dates, opening at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Wednesday 14 January 2026. 

Vivienne Carlyle will continue as Mrs. Johnstone having gained widespread critical acclaim and nightly standing ovations on the show’s most recent tours. 

Richard Munday rejoins Blood Brothers as the Narrator, at certain venues, after playing the role on the 2022–2023 UK tour. He will share the part with Kristofer Harding, a role he first played in 2016 and returned to in the most recent 2025 tour. 

Fresh from alternating the role of Elphaba in Wicked (Apollo Victoria) and covering Norma Desmond in Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard (Savoy), Laura Harrison returns to Blood Brothers. Harrison previously played Donna Marie in the 2015 tour and is now taking on the role of Mrs Lyons. 

For performances in Derry and Dublin, Mrs Johnstone will be played by Ireland’s own musical theatre legend, Rebecca Storm. Rebecca is thrilled to return to a role she has truly made her own and join the Blood Brothers company for a limited run at the Millenium Forum followed by the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. 

Sean Jones and Joe Sleight will also be returning as the twin brothers, Mickey and Eddie and Gemma Brodrick will continue to play Linda. 

Also reprising their roles are Michael Gillett (Sammy), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Francesca Benton-Stace(Donna Marie/Miss Jones), Latesha Karisa (Brenda), Danny Knott (Perkins), Dominic Gore (Neighbour), Alex Harland(Policeman/Teacher) and Graeme Kinniburgh (Postman/Bus Conductor).

For further information on casting at each venue, please visit kenwright.com.

Written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell, few musicals have been received with such acclaim as the multi-award-winning Blood Brothers. Considered ‘one of the best musicals ever’ (Sunday Times), Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, and has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (Daily Mail).

This epic tale of Liverpool life started as a play, performed at a Liverpool comprehensive school in 1981, before opening at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. The musical has since triumphed across the globe, completing sell out seasons in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Japan, and scooping up four awards for Best Musical in London and seven Tony Award nominations on Broadway.  

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences.  

When Mrs Johnstone, a young mother, is deserted by her husband and left to her own devices to provide for seven hungry children she takes a job as a housekeeper in order to make ends meet. It is not long before her brittle world crashes around her when she discovers herself to be pregnant yet again – this time with twins! In a moment of weakness and desperation, she enters a secret pact with her employer which leads inexorably to the show’s shattering climax. 

Willy Russell is one of this country’s leading contemporary dramatists. His countless credits include Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. Educating Rita, originally commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, enjoyed a two-year run in the West End and was made into a movie starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. Shirley Valentine also made the move from stage to screen in an enormously popular film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti. The production made a triumphant return to the West End in 2023 with Sheridan Smith.

LISTINGS 

Bill Kenwright Ltd presents 

BLOOD BROTHERS 

2026 UK and Ireland Tour 

Written by Willy Russell 

Directed by Bob Tomson & Bill Kenwright  

Resident Director Tim Churchill

Music Supervisor Matt Malone 

Sound by Dan Samson  

Set & Costumes by Andy Walmsley  

Lighting by Nick Richings 

Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)  

Spring 2026 Tour Dates

Bromley Churchill Theatre                trafalgartickets/Churchill-Theatre 

Wed 14 – Sat 17 Jan

Crewe Lyceum Theatre                       crewelyceum.co.uk

Tues 20 – Sat 24 Jan

Coventry Belgrade Theatre                belgrade.co.uk

Tues 27 – Sat 31 Jan

Guildford Yvonne Arnaud                  yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Theatre

Tues 3 – 7 Feb

Brighton Theatre Royal                       brightontheatre.co.uk

Tues 10 – Sat 14 Feb

Derry Millennium Forum                    millenniumforum.co.uk

Tues 17 – 21 Feb

Dublin Bord Gais Energy                     bordgaisenergytheatre.ie

Theatre             

Tues 24 Feb – 7 Mar

Sunderland Empire Theatre                sunderland-theatre.co.uk

Tues 17 – Sat 21 Mar

Wellingborough Castle                       parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Theatre         

Tues 24 – 28 Mar

Hull New Theatre                                   hulltheatres.co.uk

Tues 31 Mar – Sat 4 Apr

Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre           bournemouthpavilion.co.uk

Tues 14 – Sat 18 Apr

High Wycombe Wycombe Swan         trafalgartickets/wycombeswantheatre

Tues 21 – Sat 25 Apr

Bradford Alhambra Theatre                 bradford-theatres.co.uk

Tues 28 – Sat 2 May

Hertford Beam                                      beamhertford.co.uk

Tues 5 – 9 May

London Richmond Theatre                 ATG/richmndtheatre.com 

Tues 12- Sat 16 May

Lichfield Garrick Theatre                    lichfieldgarrick.com

Tues 19- Sat 23 May

Website: kenwright.com 

Social Media:

Facebook and Instagram:       BKLProductions

X/Twitter:                                BKL_Productions

A Fane production licensed by the BBC
  NATIONAL TOUR ANNOUNCED CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF THE ARCHERS

Priority on sale: (venue members and Fane priority bookers) Thursday 18th December at 10am
General On Sale: Friday 19th December at 10am

www.fane.co.uk/the-archers 
 
 BBC Radio 4’s long-running drama ‘The Archers’ celebrates 75th anniversary and steps out of the studio for a new live theatrical experience, 

touring the UK from June–November 2026.

First airing on 1st January 1951, BBC Radio 4’s The Archers is the world’s longest-running drama. Today Fane is delighted to announce that the programme will mark its 75th anniversary in 2026 with a national live tour, inviting audiences to experience the village of Ambridge as they’ve never seen – or indeed heard – it before.

Touring from June to November 2026, this brand-new live production brings the beloved iconic radio drama out of the studio and onto stages across the UK. Hosted by award-winning comedian and Archers devotee Angela Barnes, each performance will feature a rotating cast of Archers actors, a BBC archivist and a live sound-effects specialist.

 For 75 years, broadcasting six times a week to millions of listeners, The Archers follows the everyday lives, loves, and dramas of the residents of the fictional village of Ambridge, deep in the heart of the English countryside. Over the course of more than 20,000 episodes, the show has chronicled significant social and cultural changes in Britain, dealing with complex contemporary issues alongside the traditional rhythms of rural life, earning its place as a cornerstone of the British cultural landscape. Today, it remains one of the BBC’s most popular programmes and is currently the top on-demand show for listeners of all ages – as well as regularly topping the list of most popular on-demand programmes for listeners under 35 – on BBC Sounds.

Set within a playful reimagining of the Ambridge Flower & Produce Show, The Archers: Live at 75 blends theatricality, nostalgia, comedy and behind-the-scenes insight. The evening will include on-stage interviews, insider stories and gossip,live performances with live foley sound effects of specially written scenes created exclusively for the tour, archive treasures spanning seven decades from the BBC vaults, fascinating demonstrations of the sound-effects artistry that brings the fields, kitchens and barns of Ambridge so vividly to life, audience questions, an interactive pub quiz straight out of The Bull  and  of course, a sing-along to the programme’s famous theme tune.

This is a theatrical, one-of-a-kind celebration of, and a unique insight into, the people, stories and distinctive production craft that have cemented The Archers as a beloved British institution for three generations.

The tour offers newcomers an accessible introduction to the drama’s world, while giving long-time listeners a rare look into how Ambridge is created – revealing the artistry behind the character work, development of storylines, and the unmistakable soundscape that define the series.

The full list of cast appearances will be announced in early 2026 and will feature both much-loved long-standing Ambridge actors and the newer voices shaping the drama today.

“I am not just an Archers superfan, I am obsessed with all things Ambridge. So to be asked to host The Archers: Live at 75 is like winning a prize at the Flower and Produce Show and being cast as the lead in a Lynda Snell production, all rolled into one. I can’t wait to hang out with all of my favourite characters and really immerse myself in Borsetshire life.”  Angela Barnes, Host

 “Marking 75 years of The Archers is a rare privilege, and we’re thrilled to work with the BBC to create a live experience that honours the programme’s extraordinary legacy. Taking one of the BBC’s most precious and established brands, which has lived almost entirely in listeners’ imaginations, and working so closely with Angela, the editorial team, and the cast to make it leap out of the studio and onto the stage is a wonderfully fun creative challenge. We can’t wait to share this special experience with the audiences who’ve loved The Archers for generations.” James Albrecht and Serena Brett, Directors of Fane 

Alison Hindell, Drama and Fiction Commissioner, BBC Radio 4, says, “The Archers is one of the BBC’s most-loved programmes and we are tremendously proud of it as it reaches the  astonishing broadcasting milestone of its 75^th year. We hope that The Archers live show will give fans even more of what they love, joining in the celebrations with an extra slice of Ambridge life.”

Apollo Theatre – until 26 January 2026, then touring UK until March

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Cornley Drama Society delivers consummate Christmas chaos as Mischief tackle Dickens.

Writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields have all the familiar characters return, with their foibles ramped up to eleven. Beginning with the audition process, with eternal optimist Annie (Nancy Zamit) appreciating every candidate while Chris (Daniel Fraser) despairs and decides that nobody can match his acting skills and casts himself as Scrooge, the big gags in the second act are set up early. Interminable production team meetings are held, the eternally enthusiastic but untalented Max (Matt Cavendish) rehearses, and hapless Dennis’s (Jonathan Sayer) inability to learn any lines leads to his script being printed on multiple props. Meanwhile poor Jonathan (Greg Tannahill) is still suffering from the trauma of playing Peter Pan and cannot face heights – or even singing high notes. Deluded thespian Robert (Henry Lewis) thinks he is perfect for the part of Scrooge, even though he hasn’t read the script, and Sandra (Sasha Frost) still dreams of playing Russell Crowe’s dead wife in a movie one day – she can now play all 3 – yes 3 – emotions!

A mishap with Chris’s model box means that the set builder has a very different design to Chris’s original, resulting in a confectionary catastrophe and a truly terrifying Tiny Tim. Throw in some sabotage from Robert as he continually tries to incapacitate Chris and take over the role of Scrooge mid-performance, and stage manager Trevor’s (Chris Leask) relaxed attitude to health and safety, and Chris Beans’ Dickensian vision is doomed. The characters foibles are well known to Mischief fans, and writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields dig deeper into their relationships in this production, developing a backstage parallel to Scrooge’s transformation as tyrannical micromanaging director Chris has his own epiphany after the disastrous first performance where he rewrites Dickens’ onstage.

Director Matt DiCarlo directs skilfully and Libby Todd’s fantastic set, lit by David Howe, is a masterpiece. Roberto Surace’s costumes are a triumph, especially the three ghosts of Christmas: Nancy Zamit has a hoot as the weirdly leggy Christmas past, while poor Henry Lewis is a very literal take on Christmas present. Chris Leask’s physical comedy in the towering Christmas yet to come costume is absolutely brilliant, dispelling any fear of younger audience members.

The physical, sight and verbal gags come at pace, and most hit the spot brilliantly. Bellringers, execrable choreography, insane multi-role playing, Chris and Robert’s onstage war – and Tiny Tim’s long-awaited entrance all have the audience in stitches. And, as any Mischief fan knows, Chris eventually loses it with the audience for laughing at his show – Daniel Fraser does apoplexy very well, and the Christmas audiences are really up for goading Chris Bean in true panto style.

Packed with warm-hearted silliness and genuine belly laughs, Mischief’s Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

UK Tour Dates

Nottingham Theatre Royal 27 – 31 January 2026

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 3 – 7 February

Edinburgh Festival Theatre 10 – 15 February

Glasgow King’s Theatre 17 – 22 February

Canterbury Marlowe Theatre 24 February – 1 March

SOHO THEATRE – UNTIL 24th JANUARY 2026

REVIEWED BY JACKIE THORNTON

5*****

The morning after a one night stand in a Travelodge during the Edinburgh Festival doesn’t immediately scream Christmas, but this sharp and witty two-hander from multi-award winning playwright David Ireland has audiences gasping in delight as some truly astonishing truths come to life.

Most Favoured was originally staged as a reading at the Traverse during the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe so it’s perhaps no surprise that it revels in poking fun at the renowned arts festival. Double BAFTA Scotland winner Lauren Lyle, probably best known for playing Detective Karen Pirie in the hit ITV series, is Mary, a brash Glaswegian who’s been shagging her way across the country for the last eight months. Her latest conquest is American tourist Mike, played by Skins star Alexander Arnold, who wanders nonchalantly back into the room having ventured out for some breakfast KFC.

For Mary it’s been the best sex of her life. For Mike, the fried chicken is the best he’s ever tasted. Lyle brings real heart and humour to the role as Mary’s incredulity towards Mike’s laissez faire attitude to their night of passion ratchets up and up. Arnold, as Mike, remains unflappable and displays brilliant comic timing as his eyes refuse to be pulled away from that iconic striped bucket.

Director Max Elton has worked with David Ireland before on the critically acclaimed Not Now and not a beat is wasted in this performance as the layers of this seemingly everyday encounter are slowly pulled back.

There’s a wonderful rhythm to the low key battle for power between the two lovers and Ceci Calf’s simple set of a crumpled bed in a nondescript budget hotel room is put to good effect in demonstrating the clash of worldviews in Mary and Mike.

Over a pacy 45 minutes Ireland’s writing is undeniable and Lyle and Arnold are a joy and instantly watchable.

A Christmas tale like no other with sackfuls of heart and humour and a clever twist.

AWKWARD PRODS & BABE CREATIVE ANNOUNCE NEW PODCAST ‘MY ROMAN EMPIRE’ WITH THREE FESTIVE ‘AT CHRISTMAS’ SPECIALS AHEAD OF FULL SERIES IN EARLY 2026

A queer festive deep dive from Awkward Prods and Babe Creative

Awkward Prods and Babe Creative are delighted to announce My Roman Empire – a brand new pop culture podcast. Hosted by creative duo and real life partners Linus Karp and Joseph Martin (aka Awkward Prods), the show meets people from the world of pop culture, and asks them what pop culture moments they’re obsessed with, that live in their minds rent free, i.e. their Roman Empire.

A three-part Christmas special My Roman Empire (At Christmas) arrives this month ahead of the full series launch in early 2026. These festive instalments set the tone for the show with nostalgia, humour and a healthy dose of queer chaos, and explore the pop culture classics that shape our festive imaginations. The series mirrors the theatricality and comedic flair that define Awkward Prods, creators of international hit shows Gwyneth Goes Skiing and Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, whose latest show The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here)) is running at the Kings Head Theatre in Islington, London, until 3 January.

For those unfamiliar with the phrase ‘My Roman Empire’, it originates from a TikTok trend where women asked men how often they thought about the Roman Empire. The answer? Surprisingly often. This grew into people talking about their own personal ‘Roman Empires’, and thus the internet’s new favourite term was born.

EPISODE 1 – 15 DECEMBER – A VERY AWKWARD CHRISTMAS

Linus and Joseph kick off the Christmas trilogy with a deep dive into their personal top five festive films and songs. Expect pure camp, unfiltered fandom, many Vanessa Hudgens-es, and how these films led to the creation of The Fit Prince, whose own DNA is rooted in queer Christmas storytelling. Oh, and watch out for the Number 5 bus out of New Haven on Christmas Eve…

EPISODE 2 – 19 DECEMBER

Drag Race UK favourite and Celebrity Mastermind winner  Kate Butch joins the hosts to celebrate her enduring obsession with the BBC’s 1988-1990 adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia. Kate explores the unforgettable costumes, camp performances and the cultural impact that made Narnia her lifelong Roman Empire. The trio also discuss RuPaul’s Drag Race, performing with the Cheeky Girls and her career defining role as Angela Merkel.

EPISODE 3 – 24 DECEMBER

Oh Mary! (Broadway) and Adults (FX) actor Julian Manjerico shares his devotion to The Grinch, unpacking how the film shaped his queer creative identity. This Christmas Eve episode is a warm, funny and heartfelt tribute to the power of festive storytelling. Julian also talks about performing with Jane Krakowski on Broadway, why Matt Damon is the nicest celebrity to be a waiter for, and how lying can get you a role opposite Tom Hanks.

The full My Roman Empire series continues weekly from early 2026, with guests including original The Simpsons writer Mike Reiss, The Late Late Show’s Dylan Adler and the woman who, according to The Sun newspaper, killed comedy: Lorna Rose Treen, with more exciting names to be announced.

My Roman Empire (At Christmas) is available wherever you get your podcasts and available fully visualised on YouTube at www.youtube.com/@RomanEmpiresPodcast.

ABOUT AWKWARD PRODS

Awkward Prods was founded by queer Swede Linus Karp and his gay lover Joseph Martin to bring ridiculous comedy, niche pop culture references, audience participation and unfiltered queer joy to the stage. Their award-winning shows include Gwyneth Goes Skiing, Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story, how to live a jellicle life: life lessons from the 2019 hit movie musical ‘Cats’ and The Fit Prince (who gets switched on the square in the frosty castle the night before (insert public holiday here)), which runs at the Kings Head Theatre in Islington until 3 January 2026. An Awkward Prods show is not performed for you, they are performed with you.

Instagram: @AwkwardProds

Website: www.awkwardprods.com

ABOUT BABE CREATIVE

Babe Creative is the unapologetically fun, fiercely imaginative production agency bringing camp flair to the creative industry.. With more than fifteen years experience across the entertainment world, Babe has partnered with beloved brands such as the BBC, Sony, MTV, Jampot and Paramount Plus while building a reputation for bold ideas and storytelling with heart. 

Babe is making their debut in the podcast space with two new titles: My Roman Empire and Miss Leigh Ding Fortunes, a celebrity chat show hosted by a tarot reading drag queen. 

Babe exists to amplify queer and diverse voices, to create safe and joyful spaces for expression and to make the creative world considerably more fabulous.

Instagram: @hellobabecreative

FAYE TOZER

ANNOUNCED AS

MS HERON/MS NORBURY/MRS GEORGE

ALONGSIDE

KIARA DARIO AS GRETCHEN WIENERS

IN THE

2026/2027 UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OF THE AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

OPENING AT

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

ON 23 FEBRUARY 2026

Lorne Michaels, Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions are delighted to announce further casting for the 2026/2027 UK and Ireland tour of the award-winning MEAN GIRLS THE MUSICAL, opening at Manchester Opera House on 23 February 2026. Joining the previously announced Emily Lane as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka as Regina George, Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith, Georgie Buckland as Janis Sarkisian, Max Gill as Damian Hubbard, Karim Zeroual as Kevin Ganatra and Joshua Elmore as Mr Duvall, are Faye Tozer as Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George and Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners.

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

Faye Tozer will perform in Manchester, Cardiff, Stoke, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Eastbourne, Woking, Leicester, Aberdeen, Cheltenham, Hull, Bournemouth, Belfast, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Southend, Llandudno, Canterbury and Blackpool, with casting for Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George for the rest of the tour to be announced. www.meangirlsmusical.com

Faye Tozer is a singer, actress, TV personality and West End star, probably best-known for being a member of BRIT Award-winning pop band Steps who had number one hits with Tragedy and Stomp and have sold over 25 million records worldwide. Faye’s West End credits include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at the Apollo Theatre, and her other musical theatre credits including the Dita Von Teese production of Diamonds and Dust, UK tours of 101 Dalmatians, 42nd Street, In The Spotlight, Me And My Girl, Love Shack and Tell Me On A Sunday, Singin’ in The Rain at Sadler’s Wells, in Toronto and on a UK tour, and Saucy Jack And The Space Vixens at The Leicester Square Theatre. Faye’s film credits include St Georges Day, Mixed Up and Lady Godiva Back In The Saddle.

Kiara Dario will make her UK principal debut in Mean Girls the Musical. Her previous West End credits include the original London cast of The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum and her other theatre credits include the international tour of Miss Saigon, and Annie, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Disney’s Camp Rock, AngHuling El Bimbo, Joseph The Dreamer and Snow White, all in the Philippines. 

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

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

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

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