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CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED TOUR OF

THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY

EXTENDS INTO 2026

WITH NEW UK DATES

ANNOUNCED

Following rave reviews and sold-out performances throughout its 2025 season touring the UK, producers Jack Maple, Thomas Hopkins, SAMS Entertainment and Carl Moellenberg are delighted to announce that the first ever UK and International tour of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic thriller THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY extends into 2026 ahead of a planned West End transfer.

The tour will recommence from 19 January 2026 in York and runs through to 2 May 2026 in Salibsury. Ed McVey (The Crown, Netflix), Maisie Smith (Eastenders, BBC) and Bruce Herbelin-Earle (Free Reign, Netflix) continue in the roles of Tom Ripley, Marge Sherwood and Dickie Greenleaf respectively.

The new dates will cover York, Aberdeen, Windsor, Salisbury and more in the UK as well as heading out internationally.

Described by The Stage as a “thrilling adaptation” (★★★★) and WhatsOnStage as “ingenious stories and brilliantly multi-faceted characters” (★★★★),  THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY is adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher (Mary Stuart, New Diorama, UK tour and international; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wilton’s Music Hall/Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov/UK tour).

Starring Ed McVey as Tom Ripley, Maisie Smith as Marge Sherwood and Bruce Herbelin-Earle as Dickie Greenleaf with Christopher Bianchi (Othello, Tobacco Factory) as Herbert Greenleaf/Roverini, Cary Crankson (Death of England, National Theatre) as Freddie Miles/Alvin McCarron, Leda (Antigone, UK Tour) as Cleo/Dottie and Jason Eddy (Othello, Royal Shakespeare Theatre) as Peter/Fausto. The cast is completed by Lachlan McCall (A Christmas Carol, OVO Theatre), Hollie Sullivan (The Mousetrap, UK)and Aldous Ciokajlo-Squire (Doctor Who, BBC/Disney+).

2025 marks the 70^th anniversary of Patricia Highsmith’s gripping novel, the source material for the 2000 Oscar nominated film starring Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow, the 2024 Netflix adaptation starring Andrew Scott and the stage adaptation.

“I never wanted to murder anyone.  It was necessary.”

Step into a world of deception, desire, and deadly ambition.

Tom Ripley is a nobody – until he’s offered an unexpected opportunity: travel to Italy and bring home the wealthy and carefree Dickie Greenleaf. But as Tom is drawn into Dickie’s glittering world of privilege, his obsession takes a dark turn. What begins as an innocent invitation spirals into a web of lies, identity theft, and murder.

Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of 1950s Italy, this gripping stage adaptation of The Talented Mr. Ripley brings Patricia Highsmith’s iconic novel to life in a thrilling new production. With razor-sharp dialogue, psychological intensity, and a chillingly charismatic antihero, this is Ripley as you’ve never seen him before.

How far would you go to be someone else?

THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY is adapted and directed by Mark Leipacher (Mary Stuart, New Diorama, UK tour and international; A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Wilton’s Music Hall/Theatre Royal Bath Ustinov/UK tour), with set and costume design by Holly Pigott (Fleabag, Wyndham’s Theatre), associate set and costume design by Ellen Farrell, lighting design by Zeynep Kepekli (The Little Mermaid, Bristol Old Vic), sound design by Max Pappenheim (The Night of the Iguana, Noel Coward Theatre), movement direction by Sarita Piotroswki (Cyrano De Bergerac, RSC), wigs, hair and make-up designed by Craig Forrest-Thomas (Friends The Musical Parody, UK Tour), fight and intimacy direction by Haruka Kuroda (Rodeloinda, Garsington Opera) and casting by Marc Frankum CDG (The Woman in Black, Fortune Theatre).

THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY is produced by Jack Maple, Thomas Hopkins, SAMS Entertainment and Carl Moellenberg. The production was created by The Faction (Macbeth, Stephen Joseph Theatre; My Last Duchess, film commissioned by The Lowry).

Website: TheTalentedMrRipleyPlay.com

Instagram & Facebook: @RipleyOnStage

2025/26 TOUR LISTINGS

3 – 8 November                                  Bristol Old Vic                                               

                                                            bristololdvic.org.uk                                         

10 – 15 November                              Richmond Theatre

                                                            atgtickets.com/richmond                     

17– 22 November                               Salford Lowry

thelowry.com

19 – 24 January                                  York Grand Opera House

                                                             atgtickets.com/York

26 – 31 January                                  Aylesbury, Waterside

atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

9 – 14 February                                  Aberdeen, His Majesty’s Theatre

                                                            aberdeenperformingarts.com

16 – 21 February                                Guildford, Yvonne Arnaud

                                                            yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

24 – 28 February                                Windsor, Theatre Royal

                                                            theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

16 – 21 March                                    Poole Lighthouse

                                                            lighthousepoole.co.uk

30 March – 4 April                               Eastbourne, Congress Theatre

eastbournetheatres.co.uk

6 – 11 April                                          Colchester, Mercury Theatre

                                                            mercurytheatre.co.uk

13 – 18 April                                        Coventry, Belgrade Theatre

                                                            belgrade.co.uk 

20 – 25 April                                        Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre

grandtheatre.co.uk

27 April – 2 May                                 Salisbury Playhouse

                                                            salisburyplayhouse.com

Further dates to be announced.

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton  – until 8 November 2025 

Reviewed by Jo Gordon

5*****

If happiness could be bottled, it would probably sound a lot like Mamma Mia!  From the first glimmer of sunshine on that Greek island to the final, glorious explosion of sequins and lycra this production is a glitter cannon of joy that fires straight at your heart  and quite possibly your dancing feet.

The fact it has been running, globally for over 26 years makes it clear this isn’t just another jukebox musical. The story, centred on Sophie’s quest to discover which of the three charmingly confused men is her father before her wedding, is both chaotic and heartwarming. What could go wrong when you invite three of your Mum’s old flames to an island wedding without telling her? (Answer: everything, but in the most delightful way imaginable!)

Sophie ( Lydia Hunt) played with infectious enthusiasm and a voice that could probably power a small village, is a total delight. Her chemistry with Sky (Joe Grundy) is genuine, her excitement palpable, and her rendition of “I Have a Dream” sweet enough to melt the toughest cynic. However, the show truly belongs to Donna (Jenn Griffin). When she belts out “The Winner Takes It All” it’s as if every heartbreak you’ve ever had suddenly decided to join in and I don’t believe anyone who says they do not have a tear in their eye at “Slipping Through my Fingers“ The emotion is raw and  the vocals spine-tingling.  

Donna’s partners-in-chaos (we all have our version!) Tanya (Sarah Earnshaw) and Rosie (Rosie Glossop) provide a masterclass in comedic brilliance. Tanya, glamorous and gloriously sassy, nails her timing with the precision of a Swiss watch, especially during “Does Your Mother Know”, where she effortlessly turns the tables on a much younger admirer. Rosie, meanwhile, is the friend we all need, bold, hilarious, and utterly unfiltered. Her flirtation with Bill had the audience roaring with laughter, and when she launches into “Take a Chance on Me”, resistance is futile.

The three Dads, Sam (Luke Jasztal), Harry (Richard Meek) and Bill (Mark Goldthorp) each bring their own charm to the mix. Sam’s emotional honesty grounds the chaos, Harry’s awkward earnestness is endearing, and Bill’s carefree humour adds warmth and mischief in equal measure. Together, they’re a wonderfully mismatched trio who make you root for all of them.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Mamma Mia! without the music. Every ABBA hit lands perfectly, from the cheeky fun of “Lay All Your Love on Me” to the euphoric energy of “Voulez-Vous.” The choreography bursts with life, the costumes shimmer like a disco ball’s daydream, and the ensemble cast radiates such joy that it’s impossible not to join in.

By the time the encore hits complete with those legendary jumpsuits, the audience is on its feet, clapping, cheering and dancing. It’s silly, it’s heartfelt, it’s gloriously over the top and that’s exactly the point.

Mamma Mia! isn’t just a musical; it’s a holiday for the soul. You’ll leave humming ABBA, grinning from ear to ear and wondering how soon you can see it again. 

FOLLOWING HIGH DEMAND AHEAD OF OPENING

EXTENSION ANNOUNCED FOR

WEST END PREMIERE OF

BOOKING AT THE AMBASSADORS THEATRE EXTENDS THROUGH TO SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2026.

US PREMIERE FINISHES AN ACCLAIMED, SELL-OUT RUN AT CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE THIS WEEK PRIOR TO TRANSFER TO AHMANSON THEATRE IN LOS ANGELES.

www.paranormalonstage.com

Written by acclaimed playwright Levi Holloway

and directed by Felix Barrett, visionary director behind Punchdrunk

Based on the Paranormal Activity films, first written and directed by Oren Peli and brought to the screen by Blumhouse and Solana Films

As the nights darken and shadows lengthen, Melting Pot today announces that the West End transfer of Paranormal Activity is set to extend its spine-tingling run to Saturday 28 March 2026, giving thrill seekers more time to face the fear, live on stage. Performances begin at the Ambassadors Theatre, Saturday 5 December, 2025.

Simon Friend, Producer at Melting Pot, says: ”It is wonderful to see such excitement for our upcoming show, following hugely successful initial engagements in Leeds last year, and now Chicago as well this month. We can’t wait for West End audiences to experience the exceptional stagecraft from our dynamite creative team, in a show which has proven itself to be mysterious, macabre and enormously entertaining as well.”

‘Will I be scared? Yes. How scared? Very. Cleverly, too.’ 

Chicago Tribune

James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are… Inspired by the iconic, terrifying film series, Paranormal Activity is a new story live on stage.

A new story inspired by the worldwide horror phenomenon, Paranormal Activity, is directed by immersive theatre pioneer and Punchdrunk’s Founder and Artistic Director, Felix Barrett and written by playwright Levi Holloway, whose pulse-pounding theatrical thriller Grey House chilled Broadway audiences.

Praised for its inventive storytelling and terrifying atmosphere, the West End transfer promises to amplify the experience even further, making it a must-see event for thrill-seekers and theatre lovers alike. Paranormal Activity is undertaking a North American tour this autumn, where it has recently opened at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre to critical and audience acclaim, ahead of dates at the Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles; Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington DC and American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco.

‘Delivers superior shocks with increasing frequency.’ 

Chicago Sun Times

Paranormal Activity reimagines the modern ghost story with an unsettling intimacy only theatre can provide. Immersing audiences in an atmosphere of creeping dread, unseen forces, and psychological tension, Levi Holloway’s script offers a bold reinterpretation of the original, blending domestic horror with mind-bending theatricality. Felix Barrett, known for breaking boundaries between audience and performer, brings his signature visionary style to the production. With innovative staging and chilling soundscapes, Paranormal Activity invites audiences to witness the inexplicable up close—and feel the fear in real time.

The creative team also includes Fly Davis as Set and Costume Designer, Illusions by Chris Fisher, Anna Watson as Lighting Designer, Gareth Fry as Sound Designer, Video Design by Luke Halls and Casting Direction by Stuart Burt CDG and Ginny Schiller CDG.

Released by Paramount Pictures in 2009, the original Paranormal Activity is a master class in psychological terror.  Reimagining the found footage genre for a new generation, the film became a global sensation, grossing nearly $200 million worldwide and kicking off a blockbuster franchise spanning seven feature films.  Now, the legacy of fear comes to the intimate world of the theatre as the terrifying phenomenon transitions to the West End stage. Get ready to experience Paranormal Activity in real life.

Paranormal Activity is produced by Simon Friend & Hanna Osmolska for Melting Pot in association with Gavin Kalin, Ken Davenport, Jenny King, Patrick Gracey, Jonathan & Rae Corr and Leeds Playhouse.

Age recommendation – 15 +

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

A New Story Live on Stage

www.paranormalonstage.com

Friday 5 December 2025 – Saturday 28 March 2026

The Ambassadors Theatre

West Street

London

WC2H 9ND

PERFORMANCE TIMES

Matinee performances 3pm. Evening performances 8pm. Please see website for holiday booking schedule.

SOCIAL HANDLES

IG / TikTok: @paranormalonstage

The Little Theatre Leicester – until 1st November 2025

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

2**

Emlyn Williams’ play A Murder Has Been Arranged hinges on a rather convoluted and farfetched premise. Which unfortunately doesn’t wear well. The plot concerns an unusual party that takes place on the stage of an empty theatre, rented for the occasion of Lord Jasper’s 50th birthday. Lord Jasper is something of an expert in all things occult and the theatre is reputed to have its own ghostly apparitions, hence his choice of location. Legend has it that a murder once committed at the St. James Theatre, that a mute woman will appear on stage and reveal the murderer. In addition to this, according to the terms of a will, if Jasper can survive until 11 pm, he stands to inherit 2 million pounds. Also in the running for the money is Jasper’s only surviving relative, Maurice Mullins, who will inherit the money if Jasper doesn’t make it to midnight. Of course, the mysterious relative shows up.

Sadly, this rendition of the play offers nothing new or inventive. There is no mystery as we know who the murderer is, the spookiness falls flat and the flaws in the plot make for a wholly unsatisfactory piece of theatre. It’s all a bit ponderous, convoluted and unconvincing. There is no real fear or suspense and not for the first time this season, I was left questioning the choice of play.

Andrew Webster’s portrayal of Lord Jasper misses the mark; his character lacks the eccentricity and edge needed to sell the occultist angle. Daniel Creedon’s Jimmy North, while technically proficient, veers into exaggerated territory, undermining the believability of his relationships on stage. Charlotte Brown brings charm to the role of Jasper’s young bride, though her scenes with North suffer from a lack of chemistry. Nadine Hossent, as the bride’s mother, injects energy with a performance that balances haughty elegance and maternal desperation. Angela Hill shines as Mrs Wragg, delivering a fiery and entertaining performance, while Joy Brankin-Frisby adds tension as the jittery Miss Groze—though her nervousness stems from reasons unrelated to the ghostly lore. Paul Large’s Maurice Mullins is flamboyant and commanding, but the character could benefit from more nuance. Dorota Wojtkowska’s portrayal of ‘The Woman’ lacks the eerie impact the role demands, coming across more as repetitive hysteria than chilling mystery.

I’m not sure if this is all performance based or if this was the intention of director John Ghent, whose nostalgic passion for the play is evident, but the staging feels static and outdated. The cast are often prone on stage, waiting for cues or their turn to speak, much like sim characters awaiting activation. The dialogue-heavy script demands dynamism to elevate the piece, but alas, there is none. The set is rather full; furniture fills it and there is a dining table that is repeatedly dressed by various characters. This play is long and drawn out, the humour does not land and the performances do not hold up. It takes an extraordinary amount of time to set the scenes, then it drifts in the doldrums for a while waiting for the clock to tick towards 11 o’clock when the unexplained and unnatural take over.

While there are occasional clever effects and moments, such as the manipulation of a character into writing a suicide note, the overall tension and fear factor fall short. With a fresher, more vigorous interpretation, this vintage piece might have found new life. As it stands, A Murder Has Been Arranged feels like a missed opportunity.

YORK THEATRE ROYAL’S PRODUCTION OF

SAMUEL BECKETT’S KRAPP’S LAST TAPE

– STARRING AND DIRECTED BY GARY OLDMAN –  

TRANSFERS TO THE ROYAL COURT IN SPRING 2026

As part of the Royal Court’s 70th anniversary season, London audiences will now have the opportunity to see Gary Oldman perform inKrapp’s Last Tape. The celebrated York Theatre Royal production of this Samuel Beckett masterpiece, first performed at the Royal Court in 1958, will run for four weeks in London next May following its original run in York.

Academy Award, BAFTA, SAG, BIFA and Golden Globe winner, Gary Oldman made his return to the York Theatre Royal stage earlier this year in Beckett’s one-act masterpiece. Having started his professional career at York Theatre Royal in 1979, Oldman returned over 40 years later to show his support for regional theatre. The show which ran from 14 Apr to 17 May 2025 was sold out across all performances, bringing thousands of people to the theatre from across the globe.

Paul Crewes, CEO of York Theatre Royal said, “Working with Gary on our production of Krapp’s Last Tape was remarkable and we are delighted that even more people will get the opportunity to see his extraordinary performance in this landmark play. It was first performed at the Royal Court 67 years ago and it’s so wonderfully fitting that it makes a return as part of their 70th anniversary celebrations.”

Royal Court Theatre and York Theatre Royal present

The York Theatre Royal production of

KRAPP’S LAST TAPE

By Samuel Beckett

Directed by Gary Oldman

By Arrangement with Douglas Urbanski

Friday 8 May – Sat 30 May 2026

Royal Court Theatre, London

(Jerwood Theatre Downstairs)

‘Perhaps my best years are gone. When there was a chance of happiness. But I wouldn’t want them back. Not with the fire in me now.’

On his 69th birthday, a man sits alone and listens to the echoes of his younger self.

Starring and directed by Gary Oldman (Slow Horses), Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape returns to the Royal Court, where it played in 1958, with a new production by York Theatre Royal.

Opening the performance every night is Godot’s To-Do List, a new Beckett-inspired short play by Jerwood New Playwright Leo Simpe-Asante. Winner of the 2025 inaugural Royal Court Young Playwrights Award, this curtain-raising comedy follows seven decades on from Krapp’s Last Tape’s own debut as a curtain-raiser on the Royal Court’s stage.

Samuel Beckett (1906 – 1989) was an Irish writer, dramatist and poet. He wrote in both English and French, and his principal works for the stage also include Endgame, Krapp’s Last Tape and Waiting for Godot. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1969.

Tickets for Krapp’s Last Tape at the Royal Court Theatre are onsale now. 

READING REP THEATRE ANNOUNCES CAST FOR NEW STAGING OF BETH FLINTOFF’S READING-BASED ADAPTATION OF

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

A BOLD ADAPTATION THAT IS REDEFINING THE REGIONAL

CHRISTMAS THEATRE EXPERIENCE

28 NOVEMBER 2025 – 3 JANUARY 2026

Berkshire’s flagship producing theatre, Reading Rep Theatre, has today announced the cast for their upcoming new staging of Beth Flintoff’s acclaimed adaptation of A Christmas Carol, which relocates Charles Dickens’ seminal story to Reading and the iconic Huntley and Palmers Biscuit Factory.

Beth Flintoff said of relocating Dickens’ classic tale, “I have always loved Dickens, and I was so excited to adapt A Christmas Carol – its message is so warm and generous and full of heart. I immediately knew that I wanted to translate Dickens’ much-loved characters to their respective jobs at the Huntley and Palmer’s Biscuit Factory, as it’s such an important part of the town’s past. Audiences will still get to see the old favourites like Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, but this time you’ll find them popping up in recognisable places on the cobbled stones in the heart of old Reading. Christmas shows are about bringing the whole family together, and celebrating our community, and I really hope this does that.”

The adaptation, which had past sell-out runs in 2021 and 2022 in Reading, runs from Friday 28 November 2025 – Saturday 3 January 2026.

There’s magic in the air – everywhere except the Huntley and Palmers Biscuit Factory, where Ebenezer Scrooge remains as bitter as ever. But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come pay him a visit, will Scrooge finally discover the true meaning of the season?

Step into Victorian Reading for a heartwarming journey of redemption, wonder, and joy. Featuring beloved characters and brimming with Dickensian charm, A Christmas Carol is the perfect festive treat for the whole family.

Step into Victorian Reading, brought vividly to life in a production brimming with live music, heart, and festive wonder. Full of local pride, community spirit, and Dickensian warmth, A Christmas Carol promises to be Berkshire’s must-see festive treat for all ages.

Beth Flintoff is Associate Playwright and Young Writers Associate at the Royal Court Theatre in London and an Associate Artist at RABBLE Theatre Company. Her play The Ballad of Maria Marten (for Eastern Angles) is regularly produced around the world and was Nick Hern Books’ second most performed play of 2024.

Chris Cuming (Peter Pan, The Snow Queen) returns to direct the new staging of Reading Rep’s Christmas show, who was previously co-director and movement director on the prior incarnations of the show. 

The cast will comprise of George Eggay (The Wife of Willesden – Kiln Theatre, The Last King of Scotland – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield), Orla O’Sullivan (The Snow Queen, It’s A Wonderful Life, Potted Panto – Reading Rep Theatre), Charlotte Warner (The Snow Queen, It’s A Wonderful Life, Potted Panto – Reading Rep Theatre), Sam Amestoy (Rainbow Rescue, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Reading Rep Theatre), and Mark Desebrock (Hedda Gabler, The Snow Queen – Reading Rep Theatre).

Alongside Cuming on the creative team will be Nicky Bunch as Set & Costume Designer, Aaron J Dootson as Lighting Designer, Joe Dines as Sound Designer, Tabitha Stock as Costume Designer, Nathan Storm as Associate Lighting Designer, Louis Ling as Children’s Manager, Sarah Hawkins as Casting Designer, and Jordan Harris as Production Manager.

Chris Cuming said of the production, “Christmas at Reading Rep is always something special. A true highlight of the town’s festive calendar. It’s a joy to revisit Beth Flintoff’s home-grown adaptation, bringing together familiar faces from our company and new talent to celebrate Reading’s history through Dickens’ most enduring tale. This A Christmas Carol is funny, moving, and full of heart, a story about community, compassion, and the power of change. It’s everything Christmas at the theatre should be.”

Casting for the role of Tiny Tim will be announced at a later date. More information on the production can be found at www.readingrep.com.  

MISCHIEF TO DEBUT THEIR FIRST

MUSICAL COMEDY

THESPIANS

LIMITED TOUR FROM MAY 2026 BEGINNING AT MERCURY THEATRE COLCHESTER

“If you thought something funny happened on the way to the forum, wait until you hear what happened enroute to the amphitheatre!”

‘WE ALL NEED A BIT OF MISCHIEF IN OUR LIVES’

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph

‘MISCHIEF ARE THE HILARIOUS GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING’

WhatsOnStage

HOME Manchester, Mercury Theatre Colchester, and JPT Productions present the world premiere of the Mischief production of THESPIANS. The brand-new musical comedy which rewrites ancient history will have a limited 9-week tour, beginning May 2026.

534 BC. Greece’s smallest island is battling to avoid defeat in a nationwide prayer competition set up by a thin-skinned tyrant – where the loser is put to death. All is going dreadfully until Thespis accidentally invents acting, leading to the world’s first play and the origins of theatre as we know it!

Step into the amphitheatre, leave your troubles in the foyer, and escape into Ancient Greece as it bursts into song, with a thrilling plot, a love story worthy of Aphrodite, and enough laughter to fill the Acropolis. THESPIANS is an uplifting, hilarious, and timely reminder of the power of empathy and stepping into someone else’s sandals. 

Written by Jonathan Sayer (co-writer of The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery) and Ed Zanders (musical director Mischief Movie Night), do not miss this ancient prescription for modern day laughter packed with comedy, chaos and choreography that will have every mortal in your household aching with laughter. 

Jonathan Sayer says, “I’m absolutely delighted that Thespians will be touring the UK next year. I’ve always loved musicals and it’s been a total joy to co-write one, especially with such a skilled composer as Ed.  I think the show is full of heart, great songs plus the laughter and mayhem that you’d expect in a Mischief show! We can’t wait to share it with audiences next year.”

THESPIANS will make its world premiere at Mercury Theatre Colchester from 9-23 May, followed by runs at Theatre Royal Bath from 26-30 May, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon from 2-6 June, The Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford from 9-13 June, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham from 16-20 June, New Theatre, Cardiff from 23-27 June and HOME Manchester from 7–18 July.

Casting will be announced at a later date.

More information can be found at ThespiansMusical.com.

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR OLDHAM COLISEUM AND NOT TOO TAME’S 

SITE-SPECIFIC REVIVAL OF JIM CARTWRIGHT’S 

A CHRISTMAS FAIR

Full casting has been announced for the immersive, site-specific revival of Jim Cartwright’s festive play, A Christmas Fair, produced by Oldham Coliseum Theatre in association with Not Too Tame. Embracing the period of the current £10m refurbishment of the theatre, the production will be staged in Oldham’s Chadderton Town Hall directed by Jimmy Fairhurst (Artistic Director of Not Too Tame) and will run from 17 December – 2 January.

Joining John Henshaw, Samantha Robinson and Dickon Tyrrell in the cast are Kelise Gordon-Harrison and Paddy Stafford. The final two actors were cast following open auditions as part of Not Too Tame’s ambition to create professional opportunities for every production.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre in association with Not Too Tame 

A Christmas Fair 

by Jim Cartwright
Directed by Jimmy Fairhurst

17 December – 2 January 

Cast: Kelise Gordon-Harrison (Lucy), John Henshaw (Caretaker), Samantha Robinson (Veronica), Paddy Stafford (Johnny) and Dickon Tyrrell (Vicar)

Director: Jimmy Fairhurst; Associate Director: Kayleigh Hawkins 

Designer: Jen McGinley;Lighting Designer: Benny Goodman; Sound Designer: Jack Baxter

Movement Director: Annie-Lunette Deakin-Foster

Musical Supervisor & Composer: Benjamin Holder 

Young love might be in the air, the vicar’s distracted, Veronica is rallying her troops to keep things on track, and the caretaker just wants to go home. Will romance blossom? Will secrets be revealed? Or will the Christmas fair go with a bang…?

First premièred in 2012, renowned playwright Jim Cartwright’s A Christmas Fair is a love letter to village life. It tells the hilarious and heart wrenching stories of five characters amidst the buzz, bustle and festive mayhem of setting up the annual fair in the days before Christmas.

Following their sell-out production of Twelfth Night with Les Dennis at Shakespeare North Playhouse which saw 38% new attendees to live theatre, A Christmas Fair will be in Not Too Tame’s signature style of energising, popular theatre. Not Too Tame celebrates regional identity and champions community, creating work to attract, entertain and engage new audiences and highlighting that theatre is for all, both as a form of entertainment and as a possible career path.

Jim Cartwright is a multi-award winning, international playwright, screenwriter and director, and his work has been translated into over 35 languages. His plays include Road now considered a modern classic and winner of The George Devine Award, and The Samuel Beckett Award. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy. Other plays include, Bed, Two, Eight Miles High, Prize Night, Hard Fruit, A Christmas Fair, Mobile Phone Show and Raz. Film and television credits include Road, Vroom, June, Vacuuming Completely Nude in Paradise, Strumpet, King of the Teds, and the award-winning film Little Voice starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine which Cartwright adapted from his play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. As a director, he has worked at the Royal Court Theatre, in the West End, the Royal Exchange Theatre and he directed a national tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. On television, he directed Johnny Shakespeare, winner of two Royal Television Society Awards, and King of the Teds starring Brenda Blethyn, Alison Steadman and Sir Tom Jones.

Kelise Gordon-Harrison plays Lucy. Theatre credits include Romeo & Juliet (Liverpool Everyman), Best Mates, Top Bins and Venga Venga (Royal Exchange), Alice in Wonderland (Shakespeare North Playhouse) and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Not Too Tame). Television and film credits include Just Act Normal, WACO: British Stories, Gone Clear, Softy and A Long Walk Home.

John Henshaw plays Caretaker. He is perhaps best known as Ken Dixon, the landlord in the BBC sitcom, Early Doors, written by Craig Cash. His theatre credits include Early Doors (The Lowry), King Cotton (The Lowry/Everyman), Beautiful House (Library Theatre) and Road (Bolton Octagon). Work on television includes The Royle Family, Life on Mars, Cutting It, Born and Bred, Nice Guy Eddie, Confessions of a Diary Secretary, New Tricks, Cops, Downton Abbey and Midsomer Murders. His many screen credits include Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric (British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actor), The Keeper (Beijing International Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor)and The Angel’s Share.

Samantha Robinson plays Veronica. Theatre credits include Two (New Vic Theatre), Rita, Sue and Bob Too (Out of Joint/Royal Court), The Grand Gesture (Northern Broadsides), Dead, Heavy, Fantastic (Liverpool Everyman), Three Sisters on Hope Street (Hampstead Theatre), The Tempest (Royal Exchange), A Taste of Honey (Oldham Coliseum Theatre/national tour), The Lemon Princess (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Untouchable (Bush Theatre) and Song of the Western Men (Chichester Festival Theatre). Television and film credits include McKenzie, Brassic, Little Boy Blue, Cilla, Casualty, Shameless, Sixty Six and The Island at War.

Paddy Stafford plays Johnny. Theatre credits include Mojo (Redbrick) and Too Much World All At Once (Box of Tricks). Television and film credits include Unforgivable, Doctor Who, Doctors, Ultra, Kiddo and Fairview Park.

Dickon Tyrrell plays Vicar. His stage credits include Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Bartholomew Fair, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure, The Oresteia, The Duchess of Malfi, The Knight of the Burning Pestle, King Lear, Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet and Anne Boleyn (Shakespeare’s Globe), Anatomy of a Suicide (Royal Court), Labour of Love (Headlong/West End), Rutherford and Son (Northern Stage), The Romans in Britain (Sheffield Crucible), The Merchant of Venice and Major Barbara (RSC), Romeo & Juliet, (Northern Broadsides) and The Taming of the Shrew (West Yorkshire Playhouse). Television credits include Going Forward, Law and Order, Coronation Street, Rough Crossings, Aberfan and Peak Practice, and for film, The Isle.

Jimmy Fairhurst directs. After an early career in rugby league with Bradford Bulls and Leigh Centurions, Jimmy changed careers to become a professional actor, training at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where he was awarded the John Gielgud Award. On stage and screen, he has worked with directors and companies including Cheek By Jowl, Mike Leigh, Sarah Brigham, Owen Horsley, Cate Blanchett, Ruth Carney and Matthew Dunster. Jimmy is the founder and artistic director of Not Too Tame, which he formed with a cohort of working-class artists in 2014. For the company, he is an actor, writer and director, aiming to produce high-octane, heart-on-sleeve stories steeped in working-class culture, and made by working-class artists. He received a UK Theatre Award nomination for Best Director in 2023 for A Midsummer Night’s Dream which was the inaugural production at Shakespeare North Playhouse in a co-production with Not Too Tame and Northern Stage.

Gabriel Clark to star in Hive North’s The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me at Hope Mill Theatre

Hive North will stage David Drake’s landmark solo play The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre from 10 to 14 February 2026, with Gabriel Clark performing and Adam Zane directing. 

First performed in the early 1990s, The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me charts a young gay man’s coming of age at the height of the AIDS crisis, moving between intimate memoir and public act of remembrance. Inspired by the activist spirit of Larry Kramer and ACT UP, the piece examines how a community organised, mourned and resisted, asking what it means to turn grief into action and private experience into political change.

Marking the play’s first Manchester staging in more than three decades, this new production will be presented as part of LGBT History Month and to celebrate 40 years of the HIV charity, George House Trust. 

The play will star Gabriel Clark, a British-Sardinian actor, writer and director, and the Artistic Director of Switch_MCR Theatre Company. He is best known for playing Ollie Morgan on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. Following Hollyoaks, Gabriel has worked on productions with the Royal Exchange Theatre, The Octagon, The Edge Theatre, Contact and HOME. Earlier this year, Gabriel played AJ in Hive North’s Jock Night. 

The production is directed by Hive North’s founder and Ambassador for George House Trust, Adam Zane, whose credits include appearing in Channel 4’s Queer as Folk and as the writer and director of the acclaimed #BeMoreMartyn: The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo and Jock Night.

The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me is produced by Mike Lee for Hive North by special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing. The production will feature set design by Dick Longdin, lighting design by David Clare and sound design by Hannah Bracegirdle. 

Adam Zane said, “I watched David Drake perform The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me over thirty years ago, and it had a huge impact on me as an artist and an activist. Staging this revival is an opportunity to honour a landmark of queer theatre and the activism it speaks to. In a world where LGBTQ+ rights are being eroded daily, it’s a vital reminder of the power of activism and its continuing relevance for audiences today.”

Gabriel Clarke commented, “I was instantly gripped by Drake’s ability to blend a coming-of-age story with the universal feelings of pain, rage, and helplessness in the face of injustice. Those feelings reverberate through the play, and they echo loudly today”

The play runs at Hope Mill Theatre from 10^th to 14^th February 2026 before transferring to London, with the venue to be announced. 

THE ICONIC 80s MOVIE COMES TO THE STAGE 

THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL UK PREMIERE KICKS OFF A NATIONAL TOUR FROM APRIL 2026

PRIOR TO THE WEST END AND BROADWAY

Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax are delighted to announce the UK premiere production of THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL will embark on a major UK Tour next spring, prior to the West End and Broadway.Written by Robert Mark Kamen,screenwriter of the original 1984 movie that launched a 40-year strong global franchise, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL will open at New Wimbledon Theatre on Tuesday 28 April, before touring nationwide to Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham and Cardiff, until Saturday 1 August 2026. Tickets go on sale from today at 10am (further dates to be announced). 

The original Karate Kid blockbuster starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi enjoyed spectacular box office success and wide critical acclaim, with Morita receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The movie fast became a cultural phenomenon, launching a major global franchise that has included three movie sequels, a 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan and the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai (2018 – 2025). This year saw the release of the sixth movie, Karate Kid: Legends starring Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio. THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL received its world premiere in St. Louis, USA in 2022, playing to sold out houses with rave reviews from audiences and critics alike.

Bringing the original, now legendary 1984 film to life on stage, this heart-felt coming of age story is reimagined through movement, music, andraw, energetic storytelling. At its heart is the powerful bond between Daniel LaRusso and Mr. Miyagi, who teaches that karate isn’t about fighting, it’s about balance, dignity, and respect. 

A Tony Award-winning design team transforms iconic cinematic moments into an emotionally charged, kinetic stage experience. Honouring the roots of the timeless story, this musical celebrates resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations. Destiny is in your hands – wax on – wax off.

THE KARATE KID writer and creator Robert Mark Kamen says: “William Goldman said about Hollywood “No one knows anything.” He was right. Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for THE KARATE KID, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago.”

Written by Robert Mark Kamen with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL is directed by Amon Miyamoto, with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, scenic design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervisor and arrangements by Andrew Resnick, wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman. Produced by Naoya Kinoshita,  Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax.  Casting to be announced.

Website: thekaratekidthemusicalUK.com

IG & TT: @thekaratekidmusical
FB: The Karate Kid Musical
X: @TKKMusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION 

THE KARATE KID – THE MUSICAL

UK TOUR 2026

Tue 28 Apr – Sat 9 May  
WIMBLEDON New Wimbledon Theatre
93 The Broadway, London SW19 1QG
atgtickets.com/wimbledon

Tue 12 – Sat 23 May 
MANCHESTER Palace Theatre
97 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT
atgtickets.com/manchester       

Tue 26 – Sat 30 May  
LEEDS Grand Theatre – ONSALE SOON
46 New Briggate, Leeds LS1 6NU
leedsheritagetheatres.com | 0113 243 0808

Tue 2 – Sat 6 June  
LIVERPOOL Empire Theatre
Lime St, Liverpool L1 1JE
atgtickets.com/liverpool

Tue 9 – Sat 13 June  
OXFORD New Theatre
24-26 George Street, Oxford OX1 2AG
atgtickets.com/oxford

Tue 16 – Sat 20 June  
MILTON KEYNES Milton Keynes Theatre
500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 3NZ


atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes

Tue 30 Jun – Sat 4 July  
GLASGOW Theatre Royal
297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN
atgtickets.com/Glasgow

Tue 7 – Sat 11 July  
SHEFFIELD Lyceum Theatre
55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 1DA


sheffieldtheatres.co.uk | 0114 249 6000

Tue 14 – Sat 18 July  
SUNDERLAND Empire
4-5 High St, West Sunderland SR1 3EX
atgtickets.com/sunderland

Tue 21 – Sat 25 July  
BIRMINGHAM The Alexandra
Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham B5 4DS
atgtickets.com/birmingham

Tue 28 July – Sat 1 Aug  
CARDIFF Wales Millennium Centre – ONSALE SOON
Bute Place, Cardiff CF10 5AL
wmc.org.uk | 029 2063 6464   Further dates to be announced