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★★★★★

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

Guardian

NEW CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SMASH-HIT PRODUCTION OF

PADDINGTON^TM THE MUSICAL

AS THE PRODUCTION CELEBRATES ITS FIRST BIRTHDAY IN THE WEST END

★★★★★

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

Metro

★★★★★

“A marmalade flavoured masterpiece”

Daily Mail

As the multi-award-winning, critically acclaimed smash-hit PADDINGTON ^TM The Musical celebrates its first birthday in the West End, producers Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK today announce the new cast that will take the company into their second year in London.

Taking on the role of Paddington Bear are Abbie Purvis and Hassan Taj alternating the role as the Paddington on Stage Performer, and Sonny Monaghan as Young Man/Paddington (Voice & Remote Puppetry). They are joined by Samantha Bingley (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (reprising his role as Grant), Alex Crandon (Hank the Pigeon), Linzi Hateley (Mrs Bird), Cassidy Janson (Millicent Clyde), Teddy Kempner (reprising his role as Mr Gruber), Sandra Marvin (Tanya), Haydn Oakley (Mr Brown), Marc Pickering (Mr Curry) and Charlotte Wakefield (Mrs Brown); and Poppy Houghton and Francesca Ratcliffe alternate the role of Judy Brown; Eddison Burch and Shayne Maphosa alternate the role of Tony, with Charlie Dean, Arlo Drage, Oliver Goodman, and Finn Leonard alternating the role of Jonathan Brown; with Esme Bacalla-Hayes, Sarah Benbelaid, Millie Gubby, Helen Gulston, Daisy Hanna, Jonathan Hermosa-Lopez, Jacqueline Hughes, Kellianna Jay, Kwame Kandekore, Sam Lathwood, Andilé Mabhena, Kate Parr, Billy Roberts, Hugo Rolland, Eugene Shire, Vicki Lee Taylor and Kevin Tristan. Freya Rose is the Standby Paddington on Stage Performer. The new company begin performances on 28 October.

Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said today, “It is an absolute privilege bringing Paddington The Musical to the stage with our partners from STUDIOCANAL, and as we celebrate our first year in the west end, it’s a joy to announce this brand-new company. Shows like this don’t come along very often, and we’re continually in awe of how audiences embrace the production, and take this much-loved bear to their hearts. We know this wonderful company will make the show their own and continue to create magic on stage at the Savoy Theatre.”

The production is currently booking until 13 February 2028. Best availability for tickets is now from Summer 2027.

★★★★★

“Paddington The Musical will conquer the world”

The i Paper

Paddington The Musical won seven Olivier Awards equalling the number of wins for any musical – winning Best New Musical, Best Director for Luke Sheppard, Best Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actor in a Musical, Best Supporting Actress in a Musical, Best Set Design for Tom Pye and Ash J Woodward, and Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar – the latter, who designed the bear. The production also received nine WhatsOnStage Awards equalling the record for the most wins in WhatsOnStage Award history – and the most for any new musical. The production won Best New Musical; Best Professional Debut Performance; Best Direction for Luke Sheppard; Best Set Design for Tom Pye; Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar; Best Sound Design for Gareth Owen; Best Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design for Campbell Young Associates; Best Musical Supervision/Direction for Matt Brind; and Best Casting Direction for Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle Davis. Additionally, earlier this year, the production won the Critics’ Circle Award for Best New Musical. A new production will open on Broadway in March 2027 at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

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

PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY TOM FLETCHER BOOK BY JESSICA SWALE

DIRECTED BY LUKE SHEPPARD

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

★★★★★

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

Daily Express

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

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

★★★★★

“London needs this musical now more than ever”

Radio Times

Join us for a rather wonderful adventure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Samantha Bingley plays Lady Sloane. Her theatre work includes Jack and the Beanstalk (Key Theatre, Peterborough), Hey! Christmas Tree (Chichester Festival Theatre), To Wong Foo (Hope Mill Theatre), At Last, It’s Summer (The London Palladium), Beauty and the Beast (The London Palladium/UK tour), Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year Finalist 2019 (Theatre Royal Haymarket), Voldemort and the Teenage Hogwarts Parody Musical (King’s Head Theatre), and The Secret Garden (Ambassadors Theatre).

Tarinn Callender plays Grant. His theatre credits include Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre), The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Cat and The Canary (Chichester’s Minerva Theatre), Bronco Billy (Charing Cross Theatre), The Odyssey: The Underworld (National Theatre), The Secrets Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre), The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre) and Come From Away (Phoenix Theatre). His television work includes Our House and Mama Youth.

Alex Crandon plays Hank the Pigeon. His theatre work includesRobin Hood & Maid Marian, Dick Whittington (Corn Exchange, Newbury), Cinderella (Salisbury Playhouse), Consent (Bridewell Theatre) and  3 Winters (Corbett); and for film, Love Without Walls, Love is Thicker Than Water. 

Linzi Hateley plays Mrs Bird. Her theatre work includes Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular (world tour), London Road (National Theatre), The Little Big Things (@sohoplace), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (The London Palladium/UK tour – also previously appeared in an earlier run at The London Palladium, nomination for Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Blood Brothers, Barnum (UK tour); Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre/Prince of Wales), 50^th Anniversary Gala (National Theatre); Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Chicago (Adelphi Theatre/Cambridge Theatre), Mary Poppins (Prince Edward Theatre), On Your Toes, Oliver!, Into The Woods, The Rink (Leicester Haymarket), The Secret Garden (RSC Stratford/Aldwych Theatre), Divorce Me, Darling! (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Basingstoke Haymarket), Romance Romance (Gielgud Theatre), Grease (Dominion Theatre), Just So (Tricycle Theatre), Les Misérables (Palace Theatre),and Carrie (RSC/Broadway). Her television works includes The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes, History of a Pleasure Seeker; and for film, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, London Road, Les Misérables, A Christmas Carol, Julie and the Cadillacs. Hateley made her New York solo cabaret debut with Linzi Hateley:True Colors at 54 Below; has performed her solo show Broadway Baby across the UK; appeared as special guest to Betty Buckley at Carnegie Hall; as special guest to Lorna Luft on the BBC’s Friday Night Is Music Night; and has recorded three solo albums.

Cassidy Janson plays Millicent Clyde. Her theatre work includes Once (Theatre Orb, Tokyo), & Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre – Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical), The Mousetrap (St Martin’s Theatre), Man of La Mancha, Chess (Coliseum), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), Dessa Rose (Trafalgar Studios), Candide, Tick, Tick… Boom!  (Menier Chocolate Factory), Lend Me A Tenor, Avenue Q (Gielgud Theatre), and Wicked (Apollo Victoria). Her film work includes Moment by Moment, and The Hike.

Teddy Kempner plays Mr Gruber.His theatre work includes Girl From the North Country (The Old Vic, UK tour), Cabaret (Playhouse Theatre), Witness for the Prosecution (County Hall), Bitter Wheat, The Solid Gold Cadillac (Garrick Theatre), Caroline, Or Change (Chichester Festival Theatre, Hampstead Theatre, Playhouse Theatre), Driving Miss Daisy, Habeas Corpus, Measure for Measure (Theatre Royal Bath), 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet), Vincent and Flavia: The Last Tango (UK tour), Dance ‘Til Dawn (Aldwych Theatre and UK tour), High Society, Acorn Antiques – The Musical (UK tours), Midnight Tango (Aldwych Theatre and UK tour), 66 Books (Bush Theatre), The Invisible Man (Menier Chocolate Factory), A Month in the Country, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Six Pictures of Lee Miller (Chichester Festival Theatre), Never Forget (Savoy Theatre and UK tour), Where There’s a Will (ETT), Uncle Ron (Savoy Theatre), Pacific Overtures, 3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down (Donmar Warehouse), Kiss Me Kate (Victoria Palace Theatre), Les Misérables (Palace Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Swaggerer, Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), City of Angels (Prince of Wales Theatre), Company (Donmar Warehouse and Albery Theatre), Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, The Trial (National Theatre), The Merry Wives of Windsor, Nicholas Nickleby, Othello, The Three Sisters (RSC), Snoopy (Duchess Theatre – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), The Kitchen (Royal Court Theatre), and Trilby (Shared Experience). For television, his work includes Birds of a Feather, Hustle, Bad Girls, Murder Room, Sir Gadabout, Company, Henry IV, Love Hurts, The Boot Street Band, and Nicholas Nickleby; and for film, The World’s End, Inside the Twin Towers, De Lovely, Dear Wendy, Manderlay, It’s All About Love, RKO 281; Truly, Madly, Deeply; and Yentl. Kempner is co-writer and producer of several animation series, including Foxy Fables, Tales of a Wise King, Insektors, and Witchworld. He has also co-written Three Friends and Jerry, Something Else, Preston; and a film, Clarence.

Sandra Marvin plays Tanya. Her theatre work includesFat Ham (RSC), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre/UK and Ireland tour), & Juliet (UK and Ireland tour), Sister Act The Musical (Hammersmith Apollo/UK tour), White Christmas (Sheffield Theatres), Bagdad Café (The Old Vic); The Band Plays On (Sheffield Crucible); A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic/US tour), Committee, City of Angels (Donmar Warehouse), Stepping Out (Vaudeville Theatre), Show Boat (New London Theatre/Sheffield Crucibles), Chicago (Leicester Curve),  Ragtime, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Porgy and Bess (Savoy Theatre); Cool Hand Luke (Aldwych Theatre); Hairspray (Shaftesbury Theatre/Original UK and Ireland tour). Her television work includes Emmerdale, Call the Midwife, and Citizen Khan; and for film, Gravity, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Mary Poppins Returns, Planet of the Apes and Florence Foster Jenkins.

Sonny Monaghan makes his West End debut as Young Man/Paddington (Voice & Remote Puppetry). His other theatre work includes Dear Evan Hansen (UK and Asia tour), and In Between (The Other Palace).

Haydn Oakley plays Mr Brown. His theatre work includes A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Birmingham Rep), Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Grimaldi Forum Monaco); Mamma Mia! (Novello Theatre); How The Other Half Loves (Salisbury Playhouse), Anything Goes (Barbican Theatre/UK tour), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Middle Temple Hall), An American in Paris, We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre), Side Show (Southwark Playhouse), Sunset Boulevard (London Coliseum), The Smallest Show on Earth, Betty Blue Eyes, Wonderful Town, Porridge (UK tours), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Lend Me a Tenor (Gielgud Theatre), Passion (Donmar Warehouse), The Secret Garden (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh/Royal Alexandra, Toronto), Monty Python’s Spamalot (Palace Theatre), Wicked (Apollo Victoria), Woman in Mind (Gawsworth Open Air Theatre), and The Bomb-itty Errors (New Ambassadors Theatre). His television work includes Shearings, Home Alone, McDonald’s Lonely Hearts, Visa-Travel Happy, Inflatable, and Japanese Girl; and for film, Ink, Knock Knock and A Family Affair.

Marc Pickering plays Mr Curry. His theatre work includes Thespians (Mischief Theatre UK tour), The Play What I Wrote (Devonshire Park Theatre), Bleak Expectations (Criterion Theatre), The Elephant Man (Trafalgar Studios 2), Zorro! The Musical (Charing Cross Theatre), Honeymoon Suite (Hull Truck Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Royal & Derngate), The Toxic Avenger, Seussical!, Bananaman! The Musical (Southwark Playhouse), Baskerville! A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, They Don’t Pay? We Won’t Pay! (Mercury Theatre, Colchester), The Merchant of Venice (Arcola Theatre), The Return of the Soldier (Hope Mill Theatre), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Wilton’s Music Hall), Snow White  the Seven Dwarfs (Marlowe Theatre), and Jack and the Beanstalk (Sheffield Lyceum – Pantomime Award for Best Supporting Actor). His television work includes Broadwalk Empire, Borgia, Peter Kay’s Britain Got the Pop Factor!, All Creatures Great and Small, Daziel & Pascoe, Cricklewood Greats, and Josh; and for film, Sleepy Hollow, Les Misérables, Calendar Girls, The Krays: Dead Man Walking, A Viking Saga: The Darkest Day, To Be Someone, Kill Keith, The Task, I Want Candy, Cashback, The Queen of Sheba’s Pearls, and Secret Passage. 

Abbie Purvis is making her West End debut as Paddington on Stage Performer. Her other theatre work includes Snow White (Motherwell Theatre), Jack and The Beanstalk (Motherwell Theatre), Snow White (Billingham Form), Peter Pan (Eastwood Park Theatre), Snow White (Xroads), and Waldo’s Circus of Magic and Terror (Bristol Old Vic/UK Tour). Her television work includes Dog Squad, and River City; and Your Highness, and Willow.

Hassan Taj is making his West End debut as Paddington on Stage Performer. His television includes The Acolyte, Andor; and for film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Charlotte Wakefield plays Mrs Brown. Her theatre work includes Spring Awakening (Original London Cast, Lyric Hammersmith/Novello Theatre, nomination for Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), The Sound Of Music (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – nomination for Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical), Titanique (Criterion Theatre), The Great British Bake Off Musical (Noël Coward Theatre and Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham), The Sound Of Music (Alexela Concert Hall, Estonia), The Boy in the Dress (RSC), The Dreamers (Abbey Road Studios), Heathers (Work-in-Progress Season, The Other Palace), Crazy For You, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Oklahoma (UK Tours), The Herbal Bed (Royal & Derngate, Northampton/UK tour), Monsieur Popular (Theatre Royal Bath), Mamma Mia! (Prince Of Wales/Novello/international tour), and Such Tweet Sorrow (RSC). For television, her work includes An American in Austen, Waterloo Road, and Occupation; and for film, An Angel for May.

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www.paddingtonthemusical.com

Listings

Paddington The Musical

SAVOY THEATRE

Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

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

Tickets from £25

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

Monday               7pm

Wednesday         7pm

Thursday              2pm & 7pm

Friday                   7pm

Saturday              2pm & 7pm

Sunday                 2pm

Recommended for ages 6+

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe – until Saturday 3rd October 2026

Reviewed by Rachel Clark

5****

Perfection to a ‘T’ – wow! What an amazing, fast-paced musical. Seamless from start to finish. It’s no wonder this show has won Olivier, WhatsOnStage and Tony Awards.

The posters don’t give much away, and I thought “how are they going to get this True WW2 story that was made into a film into a stage musical?” I was curious! The book, music and lyrics were written by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts.

The stage was set was set, a fairly dark M15 war room. Not giving much away, then the show starts. The vocals were perfect, quick and had humour.

Holly Sumpton who played Ewan Montagu was incredible, and that’s an understatement. She was so quick and really into the character. Sean Carey who played Charles Cholmondeley was superb, funny, with a good voice. How the cast did the speed, word perfect and the costume changes, was like an illusion he really was into the character and captivating.

All the characters where faultless, Christian Andrews was enjoyable to watch with his little curl on his forehead and towered above the others, one of his parts that he plays is Hester Leggatt the senior secretary at M15. Jamie-Rose Monk played several parts one the costumes transformed her and she changed her voice to match – very talented and not forgetting Charlotte Hanna-Williams the petite one of the group but with a big character and voice and presence she played Jean Leslie a young 19-year-old clerk that was very bright and was lovely to watch, she had so much passion.

The props were very versatile, and you didn’t see them being moved around as the show as so quick and you were captured on the characters. There were too many scenes to say ‘well that was really good’, or ‘but that was amazing’ they were all exceptional, I liked the little bit when they were reading the newspapers, all I will say is watch the hat behind the newspaper! And the telephone scenes how they didn’t get that wrong!

The finale – not giving too much away – magical! Where did that come from? Wow that’s incredible/amazing!

All the production team were amazing! They need more than a pat on the back, what they have brought on stage is incredible. For me to come out of the theatre and want to go back in and watch it again – it says it all!!!

SINATRA THE MUSICAL

SUPPORTS MUSIC

THERAPY CHARITY

NORDOFF AND ROBBINS

WITH SPECIAL GALA PERFORMANCE

ON 15 OCTOBER AT 7.30pm

www.sinatramusical.com

(Tuesday 29 September 2026) The acclaimed West End production of Sinatra The Musical, based on the life and career of the legendary artist and cultural icon is having a special Gala Performance in aid of Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity on 15 October at 7.30pm at the Aldwych Theatre where the show is running until Saturday 10 April 2027.   

The productionfeatures over 20 timeless hits including That’s Life, One For My Baby, The Best Is Yet To Come & Come Fly With Me and is the most revealing portrait of the singer ever told.

Specially invited guests expected at the Gala Performance include: Rod Stewart, Penny Lancaster, Alison Steadman, Sir David Jacobi, and Lashana Lynch.  As well as raising money for the charity, two members of the cast, Jenna Russell and Helen Colby, will be visiting the Nordoff and Robbins Centre in North London to take part in an accessible music therapy session for adults with learning difficulties on 7 October. 

Producers, Michele Anthony and Bruce Resnikoff said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to present a special gala performance of Sinatra the Musical on 15 October. The timeless music of Frank Sinatra continues to inspire and uplift audiences around the world, and it is a privilege to celebrate his legacy while supporting the incredible work of Nordoff and Robbins. Music has the power to transform lives, and partnering with such a dedicated charity makes this event even more meaningful for us all.”

Sandy Trappitt, Director of Fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Sinatra the Musical team for hosting this special Gala performance in aid of Nordoff and Robbins. Frank Sinatra’s iconic songs have connected millions of people globally for decades, showcasing music’s unique quality as a universal language. Funds raised through this amazing partnership will support Nordoff and Robbins in our mission to help people connect, communicate and truly express themselves through music therapy.”

Nordoff and Robbins’ trained music therapists use the power of music to break through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation. The charity reaches thousands of vulnerable people through their bases across the UK, and by working in partnership with organisations including care homes, schools and hospitals. Its work can be transformative, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family, to a child with autism finding their voice.

Joel Harper-Jackson, described as ‘simply unmissable’, stars as Frank Sinatra, with Ana Villafañe as the movie goddess Ava Gardner, Phoebe Panaretos as Frank’s first wife, Nancy Sinatra and the Olivier Award-winning Jenna Russell as Frank’s mother, Dolly Sinatra.

The cast is completed by: Oliver Adam-Reynolds (Nat King Cole/Ensemble) Becky Anderson (Lana Turner/Ensemble), Carl Au (Lee Mortimer/Ensemble), Sam Brown (Tommy Dorsey/Ensemble), Helen Colby (Hedda Hopper/Ensemble), Emma Crossley (Swing), Adam Davidson (Gene Kelly/Ensemble), Alexander Day (Swing and Dance Captain), Christopher GoPaul (Swing), Stuart Hickey (Swing), Jenna Innes (Judy Garland/Ensemble), Marty Maguire (Marty Sinatra), Mia Musakembeva (Ensemble), Melissa Nettleford (Billie Holiday/Ensemble), Samuel Nicholas (Ensemble), Nardia Ruth (Swing), Christina Shand (Swing and Assistant Dance Captain), John Stacey (Mitch Miller/Harry Cohn/Ensemble), Allana Taylor (Marlene Dietrich/Ensemble) and Lee Zarrett (George Evans). Sylvie Regan, Mia Savident and Felicity Walton share the role of Little Nancy.

Sinatra The Musical is written by the two-time Tony award-winning writer Joe DiPietro (Memphis the Musical, What’s New Pussycat?), directed and choreographed by three-time Tony Award-winning Kathleen Marshall (Top Hat, Anything Goes) and the set is designed by Olivier Award-winning Peter McKintosh (Top Hat, When We Are Married).  The orchestra of seventeen musicians will be supervised byGareth Valentine (My Fair Lady, 42^nd Street).  They are joined by Jon Morrell (Costume Designer), Bruno Poet (Lighting Designer), Jonathan Deans (Sound Designer), Akhila Krishnan (Video Designer), Campbell Young Associates (Wigs, Hair and Make-up Designer), Larry Blank (Orchestrator), Gareth Valentine, Ian Eisendrath and David Chase (Arrangements),   David Chase (Dance Arrangements), David Grindrod, CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting (Casting Director), Jim Carnahan (US Casting Director), Jason Thinger (US Casting (Carnahan), and Carol Lee Meadows (Associate Director/Choreographer).

Sinatra The Musical is presented by Michele Anthony and Bruce Resnikoff for Universal Music Group Theatrical, Tina Sinatra and Charles Pignone for Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Executive Producer Scott Landis, Executive Producer Chris Harper and UK General Management by Rodeo Productions. 

Co-Producers are Scott Landis, Julie Boardman, Lang Entertainment Group, Thomas Steven Perakos, Tina Sinatra, Frank Sinatra Enterprises, Nederlander Presentations, Stephen Byrd, Ken & Janet Schur, Solderafedermanwolofsky Productions, Larry Magid, Simon Hunt, Od Universe & Co Corp., Chris Harper, Kate Cannova, Carl Moellenberg, A C Moremi Productions, Richard Batchelder, Willette Klausner, Mario Carbone, Wendy Gillespie, Thomas Kleinman,  No Guarantees Productions, Morwin Schmookler,  Nothing Ventured Productions & Van Horn Doran And Michael Watt/Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.

Sinatra The Musicalis developed by Frank Sinatra Enterprises in partnership with Universal Music Group, the world leader in music-based entertainment.

LEE MEAD

TO PERFORM

SOLO CONCERT

‘TWENTY YEARS IN TECHNICOLOUR’

THE ADELPHI THEATRE

ON SUNDAY 11 JULY 2027

DEM Productions in association with Westway Music are delighted to announce that West End star LEE MEAD will present his new solo concert Twenty Years in Technicolour, live at the Adelphi Theatre on Sunday 11 July 2027 at 2.00 and 7.00pm. The concert celebrates 20 years since Lee performed in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the very same theatre!

Tickets on sale from Friday 2 October via lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lee-mead-at/

Twenty years ago, a nation picked up the phone and decided that any dream would do. And this one did.

Lee Mead is coming home to the Adelphi Theatre, returning to the stage where it all began, and bringing two decades of music, memories, and stories with him.

This is a full-circle moment: for Lee, for the theatre, for the songs that changed his life, and for every single person who voted for him and has kept turning up ever since.

Joined by a live band and perhaps even a few surprise guests, Lee presents the show that twenty years of touring have been leading up to: the most personal night of his career, and without a doubt the most colourful.

Expect the West End at full volume with hits from Joseph, We Will Rock You, Phantom of the Opera, Sister Act, Barnum, and all the biggest shows from Lee’s career. And woven through them, the music of George Michael, Tony Bennett, and Bruno Mars, artists who made Lee want to sing in the first place and have inspired him ever since. Come for the stories behind the songs, told in the one room where they mean the most.

Lee Mead is an acclaimed actor and singer who rose to prominence after winning the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do, securing the title role in the West End production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Adelphi Theatre). His extensive theatre credits include Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Emmett in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre), Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Billy Flynn in Chicago (UK Tour), Khashoggi in We Will Rock You (London Coliseum) and Eddie Souther in Sister Act (Dominion Theatre). Earlier credits include The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre), Miss Saigon (UK Tour), The Who’s Tommy (UK Tour) and The West End Men (London Palladium).

On television, Lee is well known for playing Ben ‘Lofty’ Chiltern in the BBC’s Casualty and Holby City, with further appearances including Bedlam, Motherland and The Dumping Ground. Alongside his acting career, Lee is an established recording artist and concert performer, having released several solo albums and toured extensively across the UK and internationally.

In September 2026 Lee releases his autobiography ‘Lee Mead – The Colours Of My Life’ celebrating twenty years since his debut album, The Colours of My Life, published by A Way With Media. 

Socials:

@leemead_official

@dem.productions

@westway.music

Website: leemead.co.uk

LISTINGS INFORMATION

LEE MEAD: TWENTY YEARS IN TECHNICOLOUR

Sunday 11 July 2027, 2.00pm & 7.00pm

Adelphi Theatre

409-412 Strand,

London,

WC2R 0NS

To book: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/lee-mead-at/

ADDITIONAL DATES AND VENUES ANNOUNCED FOR

THE TONY AND GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING BEST MUSICAL

HADESTOWN
UK & IRELAND TOUR IN 2027

Producers of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Hadestown, currently playing its third smash-hit year in London’s West End, and embarking on its first-ever UK & Ireland tour beginning February 2027, today announce further additional dates and venues.

The new dates and venues for 2027 are: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend (25 – 29 May), Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton (28 September – 2 October), New Victoria Theatre, Woking (12 – 16 October), New Theatre, Oxford (19 – 23 October), and New Wimbledon Theatre (16 – 20 November).

Previously announced dates are: Curve Theatre, Leicester (19 February – 6 March), Lowry, Salford (9 – 20 March), Leeds Grand Theatre (23 – 27 March), Theatre Royal, Nottingham (30 March – 10 April), Birmingham Hippodrome (13 – 17 April), Milton Keynes Theatre (20 – 24 April), Mayflower Theatre, Southampton (27 April – 1 May), Theatre Royal, Norwich (11 – 15 May), Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury (18 – 22 May), Theatre Royal, Newcastle (1 – 5 June), King’s Theatre, Glasgow (8 – 12 June), Festival Theatre, Edinburgh (15 – 19 June), His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen (22 – 26 June), Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff (29 June – 3 July), Liverpool Empire (6 – 10 July), Dublin (details coming soon), Grand Opera House, Belfast (27 July – 7 August), Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield (9 – 18 September), Hull New Theatre (21 – 25 September), Theatre Royal, Plymouth (5 – 9 October), Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (26 – 30 October), Storyhouse, Chester (2 – 6 November), and Sunderland Empire Theatre (9 – 13 November).

Casting and full creative team to be announced.

Blending American songwriting traditions, from indie folk, to pop, blues, and New Orleans-inspired jazz, Hadestownhas music, lyrics, and book by acclaimed Tony and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winner Anaïs Mitchell whooriginated Hadestownas anindie theatre project and acclaimed album, before transforming the show into a genre-defying new musical alongside artistic collaborator and Tony Award-winning director Rachel Chavkin.

Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.  A deeply resonant and defiantly hopeful theatrical experience, Hadestown invites you to imagine how the world could be.

Hadestown is the winner of 8 TonyAwards on Broadway including ‘Best Musical’ and a Grammy Award for ‘Best Musical Theatre Album.’ The Original Broadway Cast Recording has become one of the most streamed cast albums of all time with nearly one billion streams to date and has recently been certified Gold by The Recording Industry Association of America. 

The critically acclaimed West End run continues at London’s Lyric Theatre, more than eight years after its sold-out engagement at the National Theatre in 2018. 

Hadestown UK & Ireland touris produced by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold,and Tom Kirdahy.

Further information on Hadestown UK & Ireland Tour and how to buy tickets, can be found at tour.hadestown.com.

HADESTOWN LISTING INFORMATION 

Website: tour.hadestown.com
Instagram: HadestownUK

X: HadestownUK

Facebook: HadestownUK

TikTok: hadestownmusical

Tour dates:

Curve Theatre, Leicester

Friday 19 February – Saturday 6 March 2027

On sale now

curveonline.co.uk

Lowry, Salford

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 20 March 2027

On sale now

thelowry.com

Leeds Grand Theatre

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 March 2027

On sale now

leedsheritagetheatres.com

Theatre Royal, Nottingham

Tuesday 30 March – Saturday 10 April 2027

On sale now

trch.co.uk

Birmingham Hippodrome

Tuesday 13 April – Saturday 17 April 2027

On sale now

birminghamhippodrome.com

Milton Keynes Theatre

Tuesday 20 April – Saturday 24 April 2027

On sale now

miltonkeynes-theatre.co.uk

Mayflower Theatre, Southampton

Tuesday 27 April – Saturday 1 May 2027

On sale now

mayflower.org.uk

Theatre Royal, Norwich

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 May 2027

On sale now

norwichtheatre.org

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 May 2027

On sale now

marlowetheatre.com

Cliffs Pavilion, Southend
Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 May 2027

General on sale: 2 October 2026

trafalgartickets.com/southend-theatres/cliffs-pavillion

Theatre Royal, Newcastle

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 June 2027

On sale now

theatreroyal.co.uk

King’s Theatre, Glasgow

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 June 2027

On sale now

atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow

Festival Theatre, Edinburgh

Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 June 2027

On sale now

capitaltheatres.com

His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 June 2027

On sale now

aberdeenperformingarts.com

Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff

Tuesday 29 June – Saturday 3 July 2027

On sale now

wmc.org.uk

Liverpool Empire 

Tuesday 6 – Saturday 10 July 2027

On sale now

atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire

Dublin

Dublin details coming soon

Grand Opera House, Belfast

Tuesday 27 July – Saturday 7 August 2027

On sale now

goh.co.uk

Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Thursday 9  – Saturday 18 September 2027

On sale now

sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Hull New Theatre

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 September 2027

On sale now

hulltheatres.co.uk

Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Tuesday 28 September – 2 October 2027

General on sale: 2 October 2026

royalandderngate.co.uk

Theatre Royal, Plymouth

Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 October 2027

On sale now

theatreroyal.com

New Victoria Theatre, Woking
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 October 2027

General on sale: 2 October 2026

atgtickets.com/venues/woking-theatre

New Theatre, Oxford
Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 October 2027

General on sale: 2 October 2026
atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 October 2027

On sale now

grandtheatre.co.uk

Storyhouse, Chester

Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 November 2027

On sale now

storyhouse.com

Sunderland Empire Theatre

Tuesday 9 – Saturday 13 November 2027

On sale now

atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire

New Wimbledon Theatre
Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 November 2027

General on-sale: 2 October 2026

atgtickets/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2026, IN ASSOCIATION WITH NETFLIX WINNERS ANNOUNCED 

Sadie Sink wins public vote for Best West End Debut Performer

Jordan Luke Gage, Robert Aramayo and Natalie Roar also among the winners 

Ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Hammed Animashaun, with category awards presented by a host of celebrated names from across the theatre industry including Sting, Indhu Rubasingham, Matthew Xia,Tyrone Huntley, Marisha Wallace and Michael Rishawn

Attendees were treated to performances from Tyrone Huntley and Avenue Q, as well as a medley from the West End Theatre Choir and a surprise performance from Sting alongside The Last Ship co-star Frances McNamee

Sunday 27 September 2026: Winners of The Stage Debut Awards 2026, in association with Netflix, were revealed tonight at a star-studded ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, celebrating the performers and creatives making standout professional and West End debuts across UK theatre.

Sadie Sink scooped the prize for Best West End Debut Performer, one of the evening’s most coveted awards, for her performance in Romeo and Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Sink follows in the footsteps of previous winners including Rachel Zegler, Jodie Comer, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Jack Wolfe.

At the ceremony hosted by actor and comedian Hammed Animashaun attended by some of UK theatre’s most influential figures, Sink’s win was the only award category where the winner was decided by public vote.

This year’s nominations across eight categories celebrated performers, composers, designers, writers, lyricists and directors whose breakthrough work premiered on stages across the UK.

There were two joint wins among this year’s performance categories. Julianne Pundan and James Spence shared the award for Best Performer in a Musical sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment. Pundan was recognised for her performance in Miss Saigon at Manchester’s Palace Theatre and on tour, while Spence won for his performance in Thespians at the Mercury Theatre Colchester and on tour.

The Best Performer in a Play prize sponsored by Encore was also shared, with Robert Aramayo and Zoë Armerboth taking home the award. Aramayo was recognised for his performance in Guess How Much I Love You? at London’s Royal Court, while Armer won for her performance as Anya in The Virgins at Soho Theatre.

In the off-stage categories, Tommaso Giacomin was named Best Director, while Georgie Dettmer took home the prize for Best Writer sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions.

Actor and writer Jordan Luke Gage won Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide, for Redcliffe at Southwark Playhouse Borough. Making his debut as a book writer, lyricist and composer, Gage created an unabashedly sweeping and emotionally wrenching romance through the new musical.

Natalie Roar was named Best Designer sponsored by Preevue for her costume design on Les Liaisons Dangereusesat the National Theatre, while Ava Pickett took home the award for Best Creative West End Debut sponsored by Jamie Wilson Productions. Pickett’s win came just one year after she took home the Best Writer award at last year’s ceremony.

The awards were presented by a host of celebrated names from across the theatre industry including Sting, Indhu Rubasingham, Matthew Xia,Tyrone Huntley, Marisha Wallace and Michael Rishawn.

The awards, uniquely dedicated to shining a light on breakthrough theatre talent, also featured a packed programme. Attendees were treated to performances from Tyrone Huntley and Avenue Q, as well as a medley from the West End Theatre Choir and a surprise performance from Sting alongside The Last Ship co-star Frances McNamee.

Sam Marlowe, The Stage’s reviews editor and co-chair of the judging panel, said: “This year’s winners represent a truly exciting range of fresh talent – artists making their mark, bringing us work that speaks to our present moment and enriches and advances theatre as an art form. Their energy and vision are bound to ensure that the stage remains a vibrant, socially and culturally significant creative space.”  

The 2026 ceremony marked the ninth edition of The Stage Debut Awards since their inception in 2017, ahead of the awards’ 10th anniversary in 2027.

#DebutAwards 

THE WINNERS IN FULL

Best Performer in a Play (sponsored by Encore)

• Robert Aramayo for Guess How Much I Love You? at the Royal Court Theatre, London 
• Zoë Armer for The Virgins at Soho Theatre, London 

Best Performer in a Musical (sponsored by Michael Harrison Entertainment)

• Julianne Pundan for Miss Saigon at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, and touring
• James Spence for Thespians at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester, and touring

Best Writer (sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions)

• Georgie Dettmer for Are You Watching? at the Royal Court Theatre, London

Best Director 

• Tommaso Giacomin for The Uncontainable Nausea of Alec Baldwin at the New Diorama Theatre, London 

Best Designer (sponsored by Preevue)

• Natalie Roar (costume design) for Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre, London

Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer (sponsored by Theatrical Rights Worldwide)

• Jordan Luke Gage (book, music, lyrics) for Redcliffe at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London 

Best Creative West End Debut (sponsored by Jamie Wilson Productions)

• Ava Pickett (writer) for 1536 at the Ambassadors Theatre 

Best West End Debut Performer 

• Sadie Sink for Romeo and Juliet at the Harold Pinter Theatre

With thanks to our sponsors Netflix, Encore, Michael Harrison Entertainment, Preevue, Sonia Friedman Productions, Theatrical Rights Worldwide and Jamie Wilson Productions and our supportersTheatre Royal Haymarket, LAMDA and Cameron Mackintosh.

The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place in 2017, and since then its winners have gone on to star in major West End productions, television series and films, with alumni earning Olivier and Tony Awards along the way.

Recent winners include Rachel Zegler, who won Best West End Debut Performer in 2025 for her performance as Eva Perón in Evita, following previous recipients Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal), Rose Ayling-Ellis (2023) and Jodie Comer (2022). The 2025 winners also included Lucy Karczewski, Leesa Tulley, Richard Mylan, Yve Blake and Mark Rosenblatt, adding to an alumni that spans performers, writers, directors, composers and designers.

Other notable winners include Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express, Rob Madge for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) and Michael R Jackson for composing A Strange Loop at the Barbican Theatre and Tingying Dong for her sound design on The Crucible at the National Theatre and in the West End.

The awards’ hall of fame also includes Shan Ako (Les Misérables), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Miriam-Teak Lee (On the Town), Bush Theatre artistic director Lynette Linton (Sweat) and composers Femi Temowo (Death of a Salesman) and Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie).

Former winners have gone on to receive and be nominated for Olivier and Tony Awards. Recent successes have included SptiLip’s Operation Mincemeat, which was first celebrated at the Debuts in 2019, and Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’s Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) which won in 2020 when it was originally called The Season. 

Etcetera Theatre, Camden – untill September 28th 2026

Reviewed by Mike Linane

3***

The American Revolutionary War has been waging for several years with no end in sight. After abandoning battle an American and British soldier spend the last days of the war in the forests of New York … tolerating each other. Although they share the same name, John Smith and John Thomas couldn’t be more different, but right now they only have each other.

This sounds an interesting premise for a one act play but it is so much more than that. This is a play about friendship, communication, man’s need for one another and what the point of war is. It is made all the more interesting as the two soldiers who are bitter enemies on opposing sides of the battle but who equally need each other to survive are played by two women. I don’t know whose idea it was to cast Mikkie-dené Le Roux and Emma Wilkinson Wright in the roles of the two Johns but it is a masterstroke as they play their parts so well. In fact I’m not sure the play would work as well if these parts were played by male actors.

Mikkie-dené Le Roux is very engaging as John Thomas, the American soldier who is taken captive in the woods by British officer John Smith. Through guile, humour and clever questioning John Thomas comes to understand what has made his captor do what he has done to reach the point where they meet.

Emma Wilkinson Wright is equally as good as the uptight John Smith determined to still do his duty as he sees it despite having deserted the front line of fighting. Smith is the complete opposite of Thomas in every way and apart from a small section of the play where we are given a history lesson about the seven years war where the drama sags somewhat it is the relationship between these two characters that keeps us gripped throughout. Will John Smith return to his regiment that he has previously deserted and hand over his prisoner John Thomas or can John Thomas persuade Smith to take a different course of action? Can either of them survive for long in the forests of New York with only wild squirrels to eat? What if one of them becomes sick? Can they rely on the other one to help them get better?

As the play progresses Smith and Thomas get a better understanding of each other merely by talking to each other and this underlines the futility of war and the need for better communication to understand different points of view.

This really is a life-affirming play and a pleasure so watch and one I would highly recommend to all theatre goers who want to see some really good acting in a studio space that will have them leaving the theatre with a smile on their face.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre – until October 11th 2026

Reviewed By Cathy Crabb

5*****

A ripped Northern Irish writer, named Writer (Fra Fee) coming down off chem sex, is battling with his play commission. Liberace (Simon Russell Beale) who is the subject of his commission. Writer is fixated on the fact that Liberace lied about his homosexuality in the libel trial against The Daily Mirror. Famously, The Mirror’s William Connor hiding behind the name ‘Cassandra’ in 1956 and flagrantly declared Liberace, a ‘fruit flavoured, mincing, ice-covered heap of mother love’. To Writers’ annoyance (and the audiences delight), Liberace keeps rocking up and throwing his rings in the ring, trying to hog the narrative, as he epitomises his scathing slur in The Daily Mirror. Russell Beale presents Liberace along with the gorgeously extravagant costume design by Tim Hatley as no bigger or smaller than the Liberace the world can never unsee. It’s all there – his massive sequined, ruffled flouncy extravagant self before us.

This play is self-reflecting. We are often invited to an exchange with the characters. There is also, and you will have to see the show to experience this, a strong feeling that it was being written as we watched.

The play poses a question it cannot answer. Why is it, that Oscar Wilde is martyred and Liberace is sneered at – even though they both lied about their true selves in court? But the most infuriating aspect to the play is that the Writer cannot get the truth out of Liberace – he can only get the documented Liberace truth – and that is a lie. He was gay and he said he wasn’t. It’s never going to change. And as Sherman’s Liberace says when placing Liberace’s lie next to Wilde’s ‘I got away with it, and he didn’t.

And maybe people still believe that lie, they must do because some people at Pitlochry Festival Theatre walked out. That’s fine, but it’s a long way to go to be outraged.

Later we chatted with local patrons Kay and her friend Linda – Kay works at a distillery, Linda drinks what Kay brings back; it’s a match made in heaven. Kay mentioned all the work the theatre does for younger people – that seven schools are attached to Pitlochry Festival Theatre and that they get to experience the arts that is not so available to them in school. This to me, is a community theatre unparalleled. Showing a play that doesn’t follow this lineage narrative we are forever experiencing nowadays of a three-act structure as if nothing else has ever existed as a form of storytelling.

A highlight was Anne Lacey who played, among her characters the Statue of Liberty and Mother. At one point she played both Liberace and Writer’s Mother all at once and the way she traverses each accent – American-Polish and Northern Irish was fascinating and gripping.

What happens in I’ll Be Seeing You is that Sherman represents a battle between old and new forces. And with all the incredible costumes, the ensemble feel of the production the easy and slick direction by Alan Cumming and Ben Occhipinti and Sherman’s incredible script that flowed with exasperation and flamboyance in equal measure – having Liberace float, flounce and sparkle with costume as well as wit – the most theatrical moment is the first appearance of Martin Sherman. It must be one of the most beautiful, goosebump, camp moments of any play I have ever seen. And that, I will not spoil for you. And that which I will not spoil for you, is the reason you should really make the trip to see I’ll Be Seeing You and how dare anyone walk out of what was a theatre legend’s swan song.

Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, Oxford – until 11 October 2026

Reviewed by Rachel Clark

4****

If you want a totally different theatrical experience this is for you! A heart stirring journey though Oxford from the 8th Century to the present day.

This was brilliant, you meet at Blackbird Ley in Oxford in a pub and then take a short walk to a park wearing a headphone set. Charlyne Francis who plays Paulette and Yemoja starts to tell you her story wearing a 1960’s outfit, her voice is clear and she is excited to tell you her story. You then hop on board a bus to be transported even further to the past and also to the current day. The dates are mixed up in the story as it jumps about the years, but in the bus it displays the year.

The bus stops and a Bus Conductor played superbly by Joseph Akubeze (he also played other parts including Dudley Thompson – one of the first black pilots in the RAF – he was decorated for his service in world War 2 and went to Merton College.)

The journey continues through Oxford, meeting protestors, attending a board meeting for a famous charity. The student of Oxford walking through the act, wondering what is going on!

There is an interval of 20 mins – which was a tea break and toilet break – sadly they had run out of tea but I think I was the last, so the judgement for the required amount was far out. The break was needed but would have been better to have has something going on in the background (you’re split into two groups) like a display board of photos etc – but I understand this would be difficult with the logistics etc.

There is lots going on and it is a brilliant experience, this would be amazing concept at Christmas doing a festive story, I’d love to do a similar one in the future.

All of the actors were fantastic and Alex Andsell excelled in the Bodleian Library for me, laying on the floor and moving round the audience, making you do a 360 turn to follow him with the excitement in his voice to me this was exceptional – but it all was.

They was an act with someone in labour ( giving birth) – to me this went on a bit too long, I did remove the headphones for a while as did two others that I could see, but as it was live you could still her this going on.

The show was top class it was very well executed the only but was the initial meeting wasn’t as professional and polished as the rest of the event. Perhaps an A-board outside the pub and may be go in the side entrance. It didn’t give me much enthusiasm or expectation which was a real shame as it defiantly didn’t match up to the rest of the truly magical evening. It just needed a bit more polishing and info in the room.

Warning – there is walking and some steps (though I did see a lift in the venues) and perhaps take a bottle of water.

I will most defiantly be looking out for another similar event – a bus theatre show such a brilliant unique experience.

10/10 for uniqueness.

The creative team were Erica Whyman – Director, Natty Mark Samuals, Afsaneh Grey and Helen Eastman were the writers.

EVERYMAN THEATRE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2026

REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN

4****

I knew the title Death of a Salesman, of course, but if I’m honest, I knew very little about the play itself. What I did know was that it is hugely respected, much-loved and considered a classic of American theatre, so there was a real sense of anticipation in the Everyman audience to see what director Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu would bring to such an iconic piece.

And then there is the small matter of its running time — over three hours! That might sound daunting, but from the moment I walked into the theatre, I was intrigued.

The set immediately transports us to the late 1940s, with a lived-in family home complete with kitchen, bedroom and an upstairs bedroom. There is no dramatic curtain announcement or theatrical fanfare to signal the beginning. Instead, a woman enters playing the flute, quietly creating an atmosphere that draws you into Willy Loman’s world. Then a man in a suit enters, briefcase in hand — and I was captivated.

The story follows the final 24 hours in the life of Willy Loman, a travelling salesman, father and husband who is exhausted by life, his work and the expectations he has placed upon himself and his family. What unfolds is a deeply emotional exploration of ambition, disappointment, family, memory and the complicated relationships between fathers and sons.

Fynn-Aiduenu’s interpretation brings its own distinctive cultural texture to this well-known classic. The incorporation of Igbo language into moments of the production adds another layer to the storytelling, enriching the world of the characters without taking away from the heart of Miller’s play. It gives this familiar story a fresh perspective and makes the production feel very much its own.

Cyril Nri as Willy Loman is fantastic. There is a real emotional honesty to his performance. I could feel the weight he was carrying, He brings an incredible vulnerability to a man desperately trying to hold onto his dreams while watching his carefully constructed world unravel.

Kiren Keball-Dwyer as Happy and Laurence Ubong Williams as Biff are equally compelling. Their strained relationship with their father feels painfully real. You believe their history, their frustrations and, underneath it all, their love.

At over three hours, this is certainly a commitment, but I was completely invested. Fynn-Aiduenu’s production breathes new life into a classic, making it feel immediate, human and deeply affecting.

A powerful, beautifully acted evening of theatre — and one that left me with a much better understanding of why Death of a Salesman has endured for so long.