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THE NATIONAL THEATRE’S SOLD-OUT PRODUCTION OF

INTER ALIA

TO TRANSFER TO THE WEST END IN SPRING 2026

ROSAMUND PIKE TO REPRISE HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ROLE FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

FROM 19 MARCH – 20 JUNE 2026 

Tickets go on General Sale at midday on Friday 24 October

at www.interaliaplay.com

Monday 20 October, London: TheNational Theatre and Playful Productions are delighted to announce today that Inter Alia, the National Theatre’s recent ‘smash hit’ (★★★★★ Mail on Sunday), will transfer to the West End next Spring for a strictly limited season. Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner and BAFTA and Academy Award-nominee, Rosamund Pike, will reprise her critically acclaimed role with performances running at Wyndham’s Theatre,a Delfont Mackintosh Theatre, from 19 March until 20 June 2026.

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

Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) plays the role of Jessica Parks giving a ‘transfixing shape-shifting performance’ (★★★★ Telegraph). 

Jamie Glover (Waterloo Road, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) is also set to reprise his role as Michael Wheatley ‘Glover is excellent as Michael Wheatley, Jessica’s husband, effortlessly shifting from flippant to flirty to visceral pain’ (★★★★ London Unattached). Further casting to be announced.

Tickets go on general sale at midday on Friday 24 October. ‘Vital drama that needs to be heard’ (The i ★★★★)
 

Writer Suzie Miller said: 

“I am so thrilled that my new play Inter Alia, commissioned and produced by the National Theatre, is transferring to the West End. Rosamund Pike is a magnificent talent and soars in the role of Crown Court Judge and mother Jessica Parks, and her co-star Jamie Glover is nothing short of extraordinary. My long-term creative partners, Justin Martin and Miriam Buether, along with the entire design team have created something sublime that is a true theatre collaboration. The conversations I’m having with audiences are humbling, exciting and game-changing – I am excited for that to continue.”

Director Justin Martin commented: 

“Rosamund Pike is extraordinary, and Suzie Miller is sublime. Witnessing the intersection of these two amazing artists has been a highlight of my career. And then to add Jamie Glover. I’m so excited to be able to share our show with a wider audience.”

Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, Kate Varah added:

“Suzie Miller’s timely urgent play, boldly and empathically directed by Justin Martin and brought to life by Rosamund Pike and Jamie Glover’s incredible performances, is the play for today. It resonates deeply with audiences, and we’re thrilled that more will now be able to experience its power. Inter Alia beautifully and humanely weaves together themes of contemporary masculinity and motherhood and puts a spotlight on the complex dynamics of the justice system. Working with Playful Productions to make this West End transfer possible has been a joy – we all believe so passionately in the value and necessity of this play, this production, this extraordinary company.”  

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

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

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

The creative team also includes set and costume designer Miriam Buether, movement and intimacy director Lucy Hind, video designer Willie Williams for Treatment Studio, composers Erin LeCount and James Jacob, music director Nick Pinchbeck and casting directors Alastair Coomer CDG and Naomi Downham.

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

★★★★★

“Fresh, subversive, essential”

Daily Telegraph

JASON DONOVAN

IS BACK AS FRANK ‘N’ FURTER IN

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

VISITING EDINBURGH, LIVERPOOL, EASTBOURNE AND BRISTOL

AS PART OF 2026 UK TOUR

“JASON DONOVAN IS ASTOUNDING!”

Sydney Scoop

THE LEGENDARY MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

CONTINUES TO THRILL UK AUDIENCES

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM ROCKYHORROR.CO.UK

Back by popular demand, singing superstar Jason Donovan is set to thrill audiences once again as he returns to the iconic role of Frank ‘n’ Furter in Richard O’Brien’s legendary Rocky Horror Show for the 2026 UK tour. Back in his corset and heels, Jason will be performing at Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre 6 – 10 January, Liverpool Empire Theatre 4 – 9 May (following a sold-out Christmas season last year), Eastbourne Congress Theatre 19 – 23 May and Bristol Hippodrome 13 – 18 July. Jason’s hugely anticipated return to the show is set to be a showstopping highlight for fans as he captures Frank’s spirit with fearless showmanship, irresistible charisma and star quality. Tickets are on sale now from RockyHorror.co.uk.

Producer Howard Panter said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Jason Donovan back to this musical extravaganza as Frank ‘n’ Furter. Audiences can’t get enough of Jason, who is a natural fit for the role, bringing charisma, wit and an irresistible energy to every performance. His return is a true celebration of everything that makes the Rocky Horror Show such a global phenomenon – bold, brilliant, and not to missed”.

Jason and this exceptional cast will be bringing their biggest party yet to audiences in Edinburgh, Liverpool, Eastbourne and Bristol, promising a show full of unforgettable fun and a party that’s not to be missed! Also stepping back into the madness is Stephen Webb, who will be returning to the cast to play the role of Frank ‘n’ Furter at select performances and venues in 2026 – having performed the part both on tour and in the West End to critical acclaim.

Brad will be played by James Bisp, Janet by Haley Flaherty, Riff Raff by Ryan Carter-Wilson and Magenta/Usherette by Laura Bird. Columbia will be played by Daisy Steere, Rocky by Morgan Jackson, Eddie/Dr Scott by Edward Bullingham and the role of the Narrator will be shared between comedian Nathan Caton and Motherland star Jackie Clune.

Completing the cast are Phantoms Jesse Chidera, Nathan Zach Johnson, Tyla Dee Nurden and Bethany Amber Perrins, with on-stage swing/dance captain David Peter-Brown and on-stage swing/assistant dance captain Lucy Aiston.

The Rocky Horror Show defies space and time as it continues to captivate audiences around the world featuring all the outrageous characters and infectious energy that has made the show a global phenomenon for over five decades. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, the smash hit show features all the famous musical numbers which have made the Rocky Horror Show such a huge hit for 50 years and counting, including “Sweet Transvestite”, “Science Fiction/Double Feature”, “Dammit Janet” and, of course, the timeless floor-filler, “Time Warp”.

The show tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank’n’Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house whilst on their way to visit their favourite college professor. It’s an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits. The Rocky Horror Show is a guaranteed party, which famously combines science-fiction, horror, comedy and music while encouraging audience participation – meaning, of course, getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress.

The Rocky Horror Show first began life in 1973 before an audience of just 63 people in the Royal Court’s Theatre Upstairs. It was an immediate success and transferred to the Chelsea Classic Cinema, before going on to run at the Kings Road Theatre, 1973-79 and the Comedy Theatre in the West End, 1979-80.

Since it first opened, the Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world. The show has been seen by over 30 million people worldwide in more than 30 countries and translated into 20 languages as it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out tour.

In 1975 it was transformed into a film called ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’. This film adaptation took over $135 million at the Box Office and is still shown in cinemas around the world more than 50 years after its premiere, making it the longest running theatrical release in cinema history. Many stars including Russell Crowe, Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Springer Stephen Fry and Meatloaf have appeared in the Rocky Horror Show over the past 50 years.

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, the Rocky Horror Show is the boldest bash of them all. But be warned, this show has rude parts!

ROCKY HORROR SHOW – 2026 UK TOUR DATES

6 – 10 January 2026 Edinburgh, Playhouse Theatre

12 – 17 January 2026 Sheffield, Lyceum Theatre

19 – 24 January 2026 Sunderland, Empire Theatre

26 – 31 January 2026 Ipswich, Regent Theatre

2 – 7 February 2026 Bradford, Alhambra Theatre

9 – 14 February 2026 Bromley, Churchill Theatre

6 – 11 April 2026 Leicester, Curve Theatre

13 – 18 April 2026 Wolverhampton, Grand Theatre

27 April – 2 May 2026 Cambridge, Corn Exchange

4 – 9 May 2026 Liverpool, Empire Theatre

11 – 16 May 2026 Blackpool, The Grand Theatre

19 – 23 May 2026 Eastbourne, Congress Theatre

26 – 30 May 2026 Aylesbury, Waterside Theatre

1 – 6 June 2026 Cardiff, New Theatre

8 – 13 June 2026 Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre

30 June – 4 July 2026 Chester, Storyhouse Theatre

6 – 11 July 2026 Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre

13 – 18 July 2026 Bristol Hippodrome

20 – 25 July 2026 York, Grand Opera House

27 July – 1 August 2026 Manchester, Palace Theatre

Jason Donovan will play Frank ‘n’ Furter at these venues.

Stephen Webb will play Frank ‘n’ Furter at these venues.

THE PRODUCERS EXTENDS SMASH-HIT RUN
AT THE GARRICK THEATRE
 DUE TO PHENOMENAL DEMAND

AND NEW WEST END TRAILER RELEASED

★★★★★
‘A masterful musical comedy’
The Times

The critically acclaimed, smash-hit production of The Producers today extends its run at the Garrick Theatre, with performances now booking until 19 September 2026. Also released today is the new official trailer for the West End production which is available to view and be downloaded via this link.

With a book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, the production is directed by Patrick Marber. The show transferred from the Menier Chocolate Factory following its acclaimed, sold-out run earlier this year.

Artistic Director of the Menier Chocolate Factory David Babani today said, “I’m thrilled that our revival of The Producers is extending at the Garrick Theatre. Patrick Marber’s take on Mel Brooks’ musical still retains the sharp satirical humour of the original but also allows audiences to laugh at things that still remain relevant today.”

★★★★★
‘The funniest show in London’
Evening Standard

David Babani, Nica Burns & Max Weitzenhoffer, Kevin Salter

Seaview, Creative Partners Productions and 2ontheaisle

present

The Menier Chocolate Factory production of

THE PRODUCERS

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks

Original Direction and Choreography by Susan Stroman

By special arrangement with StudioCanal on Stage

Cast: Andy Nyman (Max Bialystock), Marc Antolin (Leo Bloom), Trevor Ashley (Roger DeBris), Raj Ghatak (Carmen Ghia), Harry Morrison (Franz Liebkind), Joanna Woodward (Ulla), Alex Lodge (Storm Trooper), Kelsie-Rae Marshall (Hold-Me-Touch-Me), Nolan Edwards, Michael Franks, Esme Kennedy, Sinead Kenny, Josh Kiernan, Kate Parr, Emma Robotham-Hunt, Pierce Rogan, Hollie Jane Stephens, Jermain Woods, Ryan Pidgen (Standby Max). They are joined by Megan Armstron, Gabrielle Cocca, Olly Christopher, and Matt Gillett.

Director: Patrick Marber; Choreographer: Lorin Latarro;Set Designer: Scott Pask;
Costume Designer: Paul Farnsworth; Lighting Designer: Tim Lutkin; Sound Designer:

Paul Groothuis; Wigs, Hair & Makeup Designer: Betty Marini; Musical Supervisor & Dance Arranger: Gareth Valentine;  Orchestrators: Larry Blank and Mark Cumberland; Musical Director: Matthew Samer; Associate Director: Lily Dyble; Associate Choreographer (US): Michaeljon Slinger; Associate Choreographer (UK): Anna Woodside; Associate Set Designer: Orit Jacoby Carroll; Associate Lighting Designer: Harvey Ebbage; Associate Sound Designer: Simon King; Assistant Musical Director: John Reddel; Resident Director: Matt Gillett

Production Managers: Patrick Molony and Chris Easton; Costume Supervisor: Sabrina Cuniberto; Props Supervisor: Jamie Owens; Keyboard Programmer: David Chin;

Orchestral Manager: James Gorman

Associate Producers: Scott Abrams/ Adam Riemer, Richard Batchelder, StudioCanal on Stage, Deborah and Rocco Landesman, Lang Entertainment Group, Mary Maggio, Winkler & Smalberg

At the Garrick Theatre

Booking until 19 September 2026

The first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ The Producers has exploded onto the West End with ‘his genius for hammily catchy melodies and taboo-busting gags’ (★★★★★ Sunday Express), transferring to the Garrick Theatre after its sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Based on Brooks’ cult classic film, the original Broadway production won a record-breaking twelve Tony Awards, and this revival proves why. When down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom to stage a surefire flop, their scheme backfires with thunderous applause and unstoppable laughter.

Reimagined by Tony Award-winning director Patrick Marber and with triumphant performances from Andy Nyman, Marc Antolin, Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, Harry Morrison and Joanna Woodward, The Producers is officially ‘the musical riot of the century’ (Mail on Sunday) – a joy-filled hit you can’t afford to miss.

★★★★★
‘Fabulously outrageous’
Daily Express

THE PRODUCERS

GARRICK THEATRE

GARRICK THEATRE

2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Box Office:  0330 333 4811
https://nimaxtheatres.com/

www.theproducersmusical.com

Social handles @theproducerslondon

Tickets from £25

Booking until Saturday 19 September 2026

Leeds Grand Theatre – until 22nd November

Reviewed by Dawn Smallwood

4****

Opera North brings Puccini’s La Bohème, in their 2025/26 season. It is a revival of Phyllida Lloyd’s production which was first performed in 1993. The four-act opera is based on Henry Murger’s Scènes de la vie de bohème and Thèodore Barrière’s La Vie de bohème and it premiered in 1896 in Italy.

La Bohème is about four bohemians, artists, who live together in Paris and are struggling to make ends meet. One Christmas Eve, Mimi (Olivia Boen), knocks on the apartment door looking for her candle to be lighted, and there she meets Rodolfo (Anthony Ciaramitaro) and they both fall in love. The love of the first sight eventfully leads to tragedy where Mimi is seriously ill and the challenge, due to poverty, remains for Rodolfo and his friends to care and provide for her.

This production is set in in the late 1950s in Paris where a celebration of existentialism and the café culture being part and parcel of everybody’s lives whether they are aplenty or have limited means. This is affirmed in Puccini’s versatile, realistic, and well-known musical score, describing the Bohemian’s ambience, atmosphere, and energy. Each of the characters are given their own recognisable signature tune.

Lloyd’s production is successfully revived by James Hurley and Maxine Braham’s choreography. Anthony Ward’s set and costumes fittingly support the staging and the flexible scene changes which Rick Fisher’s lighting is revived by Richard Moore. Excellent emotive portrayals of Mimi by Boen and Rodolfo by Ciaramitaro and they are supported by the cast, Chorus of Opera North, and Opera North Youth Company under the baton of Garry Walker.

La Bohème is a successful revival of Lloyd’s production, which was first staged over 30 years and remains popular among the audience today. It is said that the opera and its themes resonate to everyone today particularly with the cost of living and the quest to enjoy life despite what one faces. An emotive, energetic, and realistic opera.

Wiltons Music Hall – until 25 October 2025

Reviewed by Phil Brown

4****

I’ve never seen Wilton’s busier than on this occasion.  You could tell straight away from the nature of the audience and the pre-show buzz that we were destined for something unusual and very special.  

Whilst Musik is new to me, the palpable air of knowing anticipation suggested that was not the case for many of the folk present.  In fact, the show has been around for a while….and without doubt deserves to be around for a whole lot longer.  

The genesis of Musik is over 20 years ago with the premiere in 2001 of Closer to Heaven, a musical written by Jonathan Harvey and the Pet Shop Boys, in which, retired rock glamour puss Billie Trix (played by Frances Barber) is the narrator/MC for an everyday tale of sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll set in a gay club.  Barber’s performance apparently stole the show and the legend of Billie Trix was born, along with the idea for a one woman show based on her life of excess as a hedonistic scenestress, for whom class A drugs are her “plus one”.

In a threeway collaboration between Jonathan Harvey (script), the Pet Shop Boys (Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe) who wrote 6 songs specifically for the show, and Barber, a cabaret-style show was developed and premiered at the Edinburgh fringe in 2019 – eighteen years later.  (It’s always surprising how long the gestation of art can take!)  This was followed by a brief run in London in 2020.  

Now it makes a well directed (Terry Johnson) return to possibly the most suitable London venue for it.  With shades of Cabaret suggested by the gothically garbed Billie Trix, her bitchy teutonically flavoured monologue of tragicomic decadence seems to fit the decayed splendour of Wilton’s Music Hall like a glove.

The character of Billie Trix looks like a composite of several famous rock chicks – Nico, Marianne Faithfull, Anita Pallenberg come to mind.  Frances Barber inhabits the role like a world weary natural who has had her fill of excess, but can always rise to the occasion.  She has a good voice which improves as the show goes on – sounding at times like Nico and at others, uncannily like Neil Tennant.  This is a superlative performance in all respects, particularly her brilliant comic timing. 

I can only assume Jonathan Harvey must have had a whole lot of fun developing the script.  Clever, smart, pointed, I think there is still scope for refinement, but to describe it as surreally outrageous, is like saying Dali was slightly quirky and Warhol enjoyed a touch of colour.  Talking of which, this is more or less where Hildegard, a self declared mongrel escaping from a delinquent Mutter in the post war ruins of Berlin, steps on the escalator to the big time.  

Having arrived in New York City and slept between the toes of the Statue of Liberty, she connects with Warhol and the Factory and becomes Billie Trix. The predominance of soup in her past diet inadvertently inspires Andy’s art.  And so it goes on.  Thereafter, rather reminiscent of Peter Sarstedt’s late 60s song Where Do You Go To My Lovely, the competitive name dropping (and hilarity) intensifies as Billie finds herself influencing or present at most of the significant moments in modern culture and history.  “Someone once said to me – Billie your’e so pretentious” ….”I think it was Jean-Paul Sartre…”  

The six Tennant/Lowe songs more or less equally interspersed across the hour long performance are fine examples of the Pet Shop Boys at their melodic best and provide a necessary contrast, light relief in a sense, to the intensity of Billie/Barber in full flow.  It’s possible to stream the six songs – Mongrel, Soup, Run Girl Run, Ich bin Musik, Friendly Fire, For Every Moment on Spotify.

The set (Lee Newby) is a good example of less is more.  I like the 18 TV sets which flank the stage and which show the wonderful back projections accompanying the action (Leo Flint).  It would be easy to overlook the importance of the video stream playing in the background, but as well as being interesting in its own right, it also provides invaluable, well matched cues for each element of Billie’s life story.

Overall – an uproarious evening of high class, unique entertainment.  The occasional raunchy content may not be for everyone, and that might mean it will never break out from cult classic status.  However, it’s hard to imagine a better use of an hour than immersing yourself in such a wild ride. 

NEW CAST TAKE TO THE PALACE THEATRE STAGE IN

H A R R Y   P O T T E R   A N D   T H E   C U R S E D   C H I L D

AS FAMILY PORTRAITS AND PRODUCTION IMAGES ARE RELEASED

WWW.HARRYPOTTERTHEPLAY.COM

The producers of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions – are delighted to welcome the new cast who have taken to the stage for their first performance at the Palace Theatre this week as new family portraits and production images are released to celebrate their debuts in the show.

Marking their first performance are Joshua Sullivan as Albus Potter, Kai Spackman as Scorpius Malfoy, Oliver Boot as Draco Malfoy and Tamia-Renée Alexandra as Rose Granger-Weasley. They perform alongside David Ricardo-Pearce and Claire Lams as Harry and Ginny Potter with Thomas Aldridge and Naana Agyei-Ampadu as Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger who all continue in their roles.

They are joined by David Annen, Hollie Beastall, Jacqueline Beaumont, Angeline Bell, Ricardo Castro, Robert Curtis, Laveda Dione, Gabriel Fleary, Cate Hamer, Tim Hibberd, Max Hunter, Dewayne Jameson Adams, Emma Louise Jones, Laura June Ness, Geffen Katz-Kaye, Louise Ludgate, Sophie Matthew, Nathan Muwowo, David Nairne, Mariam Pope, Helen Power, Jocelyn Prah, Claire Redcliffe, Ian Redford, Martin de los Santos, Adam Slynn, Joshua Talbot, Callum Tempest, Alex Tomkins Jake Tuesley and Aidan Garrett Wilkins. Jasper Franklin, Sebastian Halford, Rachel Kirk, Effie Linnen, Theo Martin, Zachary Seaton and Harper Tricker alternate two children’s roles.

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure – this time, joined by a brave new generation that has only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

Now in its tenth year at the Palace Theatre, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, home of the original and only production worldwide shown in two parts, has recently extended booking to 26 July 2026 and has been seen by over 2 million people in the West End and 14 million people globally.

Tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child remain priced from £15 per part. The regular performance schedule is Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 2pm Part One & 7pm Part Two; Sunday – 1pm Part One & 6pm Part Two, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday – no performance.

Each Friday 40 tickets priced at £40 (£20 per part) are released for every performance the following week, and located in great seats throughout the theatre. Patrons can enter the ‘Friday Forty’ lottery by downloading the TodayTix app.

The access performances currently on sale are as follows – British Sign Language Performance  Saturday 21 March 2026, Audio Described Performances on Saturday 15 November 2025 Saturday 14 March 2026, and Captioned Performances on Saturday 8 November 2025 and Saturday 7 March 2026.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child holds a record 60 major honours, with nine Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Play and six Tony Awards including Best New Play and has five productions of currently running worldwide in London, New York, Hamburg, Tokyo, and a North American tour which is currently running at The Ohio Theatre, Columbus. The Netherlands production will open in March 2026 at The Hague’s AFAS Circustheater Scheveningen Theater.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany with movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music & arrangements by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, illusions & magic by Jamie Harrison, music supervision & arrangements by Martin Lowe, and casting by Julia Horan CDG and Lotte Hines CDG. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

COMES TO SOUTHWARK PLAYHOUSE BOROUGH

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN 
FROM 22 MAY – 4 JULY 2026

WITH BOOK, MUSIC AND LYRICS BY 
JORDAN LUKE GAGE 

Following eight sold out workshop performances at The Other Palace in 2024, new musical Redcliffe, written by Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie & Clyde, Heathers, &Juliet) will run for a limited time, fully staged, at Southwark Playhouse Borough from May 2026. 

Also reprising his lead role as William, which previously captivated audiences during the workshop performances, Gage has said, “it has been my greatest fulfilment creating Redcliffe and exploring the world of 18th century Bristol, a time that was beyond terrifying for men like me to exist in. To be able to tell this story, one which has never been told on the public stage, and to be able to hopefully move, uplift and change people, is beyond thrilling for me as both writer and actor.”

Set against the backdrop of 18^th Century England, the new musical is based on the haunting true story of William Critchard and Richard Arnold in Redcliffe, Bristol and is an epic tale of forbidden love during the persecution people faced for hundreds of years.

William, a man from humble beginnings, is swept up in a hurricane of passion and danger when he meets Richard, a sailor visiting the town. This meeting forces both men to question everything they knew about the world and themselves.

With book, music, lyrics and starring Jordan Luke Gage, Redcliffe has been supported and developed by MTFestUK, The Other Palace and Bill Kenwright Limited. Further casting to be announced in due course. 

LYCEUM, SHEFFIELD – 18th OCTOBER 2025

REVIEWED BY ALISON BEAUMONT

5*****

Black is the Color of My Voice is a play inspired by the life of Nina Simone which tells the story of the successful singer and civil rights activist reflecting on her life as she seeks redemption after her father’s death. The play is written by Apphia Campbell and includes some of Simone’s iconic songs and spirituals while exploring the journey from a piano prodigy to a jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement.

The entire play is a one-woman performance by Florence Odumosu who plays the character under the pseudonym of Mena Bordeaux. Florence captivated the audience from the very first minute until the very end. To say the production was only 1 hour and 15 minutes long a lot of Nina Simone’s life was captured in this short space of time.

The stage is simple and set in one room, consisting of a table, bed, rug and a suitcase. She shares her memories using keepsakes from the suitcase and talking to her deceased father.

The play was very emotional at times especially when she was portraying the flashback to her life at the hands of her husband Arthur when he assaulted her. This really had me on the verge of tears.

Florence received a well-deserved standing ovation for her performance. I would recommend anyone to go and see this very moving play, lots of the performances on the tour are already sold out which shows its popularity.

Hull New Theatre – until 18th October 2025

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

Dance Consortium presents Cirque Éloize ID Reloaded, Jeannot Painchaud (Creative Producer & Stage Director and Elon Höglund Choreographer & Associate Stage Director)

It’s going to be quite difficult to describe how good this show is in a few hundred words; it has to be one of the most high-octane professional shows I have seen in a long time. The Dance Consortium have always brought different and entertaining shows to Hull New Theatre and this was no exception.

It was set against a backdrop of an urban city landscape (designed by Frederick Ouellet) and the videos (Bernard Mauran, Yannick Doucet) sound (Rémy Jannelle) lighting (Stéphane Ménigot) Musical Composers (Jean-Phil Goncalves & Alex McMahon) really made this production world class.

The artists performed many different things, breakdancing, contemporary dance, acrobatics, circus skills, juggling, cyr wheel, trampoline, contortion, Chinese pole, straps, silks, hand to hand, ariels, chair balancing and trial bike (which ended on riding around the auditorium) we even had audience participation!

The performers Alexia Medesan, Adam Dranshfield, Bryan “Slinky” Boyer, Lakesshia “Kiki” Pierre, Trevor Bodogh, JP Deltell, Kayden Woodridge, Christopher Bate and Florence Amar were all jaw droppingly brilliant. It’s impossible to single out anyone separately as they were all so good. There is obviously a very large amount of trust involved in the performance as most of the show involves performing at height and they were all seamless in performing their roles.

This production is well worth watching, Hull was their last UK stop off on this part of the tour, they are now going abroad with it until April 2026. But if you can catch it on the rest of the tour or if they come back to the UK again try and go and watch them…you definitely won’t be disappointed!

Theatr Moondance, Theatr Clwyd, Yr Wyddgrug/Mold

Until 25th October 2025

Reviewed by Julie Noller

5*****

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man of good fortune must be in want of a good wife at 21 years old Jane Austen could almost have been quoting from a marriage handbook, it is fitting that this year as we celebrate 250 years since her birth Pride and Prejudice adapted by Kate Hamill should be touring, should be enjoyed. Not quite those many years ago but a few; a teacher once told me that once older I would allow myself to love Pride and Prejudice, I am not a die hard Austen fan and there are those who do not like contemporary retellings of a traditional literary novel however I am convinced that my 15 year old self would have thoroughly enjoyed this version and perhaps even understood that school assignment a little bit better had I been able to watch this theatre production. It is perhaps right to acknowledge this is truly theatre working effectively together in today’s climate of uncertainty; Octagon Theatre Bolton, Theatre by the Lake, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Hull Truck Theatre Production in association with Theatr Clwyd.

If you are a fan of period costume dramas, The Gilded Age, Downton Abbey, Bridgerton then this is for you. They perhaps in turn took inspiration from Jane Austen’s novel all these years later. Speaking of Bridgerton if you are a fan of the use of music especially giving modern classics a new lease of life through the use a string quartet then you will adore versions of 80s classics such as Don’t You Want Me Baby by The Human League for me they worked like that missing jigsaw piece slotted into place to bring the picture to life as a whole.

Pride and Prejudice is a complex web of family dynamics, friendships and ultimately how manners shaped 19th century society. Kate Hamill has taken it through the mangle, there have been so many films and television versions it is hard to know what Austen had in mind or indeed wanted for us to see. Best advice is to just enjoy, open your mind, laugh,be shocked, and take in the differing personalities. We have lost 1 of the Bennett sisters but that does not detract from the story but perhaps make it easier to watch, less to concentrate on as quite a few of the actors are playing dual characters. The Bennetts are Father (Dyfrig Morris) world-weary and happily downtrodden. Mother (Joanna Holden) a financial savvy/seeking perfect monetary matches, heart and soul of her family, whirlwind of nervous energy. Jane (Aamira Challenger) romantically shy, family first eldest daughter. Elizabeth (Rosa Hesmondhalgh) not the beauty of the family but she is sharp and inquisitive. Mary (Eve Pereira) usually the forgotten child, boring nature, but here she is a little asthmatic, serious and accomplished piano forte player; who didn’t love the funeral march at a party! Lydia (Jessica Ellis) brash and bold after all she is just 14 and society is yet to mold her. I personally liked the fact we had characters not seen in the same room together.

If you compare each character Ben Fensome brilliantly portrayed for example, he gave us the despicable Wickham with his lies, self appreciation, rogue. Then Collins, snivelling creep, but you realise they are alike we see the same social climbers, judgemental attitudes. The same could be said as Jessica Ellis portrayed Lady Catherine shouty, only her opinion mattered. The exceptions were Eve Pereira’s Mr Bingley in contrast to Mary, he was shy, not yet fully developed and definitely more delicate being portrayed by a woman. Kiara Nicole Pillai gave us the delicate wallflower seeking a husband Charlotte Lucas and the judgemental, Darcy huntress Caroline Bingley.

The one character not yet mentioned is the haughty, broad-shouldered Fitzwilliam Darcy (James Sheldon) who managed to get wet a few times although the lady next to me was very excited at the thought of Darcy emerging from a lake on stage, she was happy to see his white shirt rain soaked during the last scene dance.

There is a happy ending, we all know that. But it wasn’t the bended knee, Marry me of Regency times for Elizabeth Bennett had sworn never to marry this was a dance in the rain and hold me forever ending. So many versions as I have already stated exist of Pride and Prejudice, each different in its own way and perhaps you have a favourite? Well before you decide, settle down for an evening of laughter, joy and innuendo as this version by Kate Hamill fits neatly into its own box ready to be unwrapped and loved each night!