CELEBRATING 30 YEARS SINCE THE ORIGINAL FILM RELEASE, AND 250 YEARS OF JANE AUSTEN
ANNOUNCES FULL CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM
Book and original film written by AMY HECKERLING
‘THE MOST HOTLY ANTICIPATED MUSICAL OF 2025’
Music by KT TUNSTALL
Lyrics by GLENN SLATER
Choreography by KELLY DEVINE
Directed by RACHEL KAVANAUGH
Based on the Paramount Pictures film, inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma
TICKETS FROM CLUELESSONSTAGE.COM
‘The most hotly anticipated musical of 2025’ CLUELESS, The Musical today announces its full cast and creative team. Bringing together some of the best talent London has to offer, this eagerly anticipated reimagining for the stage will begin performances at London’s Trafalgar Theatre on 15 February as part of both the 30th Anniversary of the original film’s release and 250-year Anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth. Tickets are available to buy from CluelessOnStage.com with early performances selling out.
Original Writer-Director of the beloved film, Amy Heckerling who is also writing the book for the new musical said: “I couldn’t be more excited about CLUELESS, the Musical opening next month. I am totally in love with the brilliant new talent we have been working with, and can’t wait for audiences to be thrilled with their singing, dancing, their heart and humour. What better way to kick off this year’s 30th anniversary of the Clueless movie than to share the love and laughter of Cher’s world with fans old and new.”
Joining the previously announced Emma Flynn (Cher) and Keelan McAuley (Josh), the much-loved characters will be brought to life on stage by the stellar cast: Dionne played by Chyna-Rose Frederick, Tai by Romona Lewis-Malley, Murray by Rabi Kondé and Christian by Isaac J Lewis. Travis will be played by Blake Jordan, Elton by Max Mirza, Mel / Mr Hall / Driving Instructor by Ryan O’Donnell, Miss G / Ms S / Lucy / Heather by Imelda Warren-Green and Amber by Emily Florence.
The full ensemble comprises Sophie Elmes, Jacob Fisher, Aoife Kenny, Josh Latunji, James Lim, Ernest Stroud and Grace Eleanor Thomas. Swings are Dylan Gordon-Jones, Lucas Lluna, Lucy Rice and Rachel Seirian.
Where Clueless led, a generation followed – and the film’s legions of fans have been crying out for a musical ever since. Clueless isn’t just a Hollywood classic — it’s a story that has lived with generations, thanks to its heart, humour, and undeniable charm as well as original source material – Jane Austen’s Emma. It’s a story with a ‘heart of gold and a card made of platinum’, proving that popularity may come and go, but some things never go out of fashion. From West Hollywood to the West End, this musical reimagining takes everything fans love about the film and brings it to life in a fresh, vibrant way.
CLUELESS, a new musical comedy based on the Paramount Pictures film, inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma is an exciting musical collaboration from an acclaimed creative team, featuring a book by the iconic voice of a generation, Amy Heckerling (writer-director of Clueless, director of Fast Times at Ridgemont High). Amy was pivotal in shaping the coming-of-age film genre, capturing the essence of teenage life with humour and authenticity.
The original score is by the multi-platinum Brit Award winning singer-songwriter KT Tunstall (writer and performer of such celebrated hits as “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”) and the lyrics are by GRAMMY Award® winner and three-time Tony Award® nominee Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act). Together they bring a modern, musical vibe to the score blending the spirit of the 90s with a fresh contemporary sound.
CLUELESS makes its West End premiere under the direction of Rachel Kavanaugh (Chichester Festival Theatre and Regent’s Park Open Air), with choreography by Olivier Award® winner, Kelly Devine (Come From Away).
CLUELESS also features music supervision and arrangements by Carmel Dean, scenic design by Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams, costumes by Tony Award® winner Paloma Young (Peter and the Starcatcher), lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Rob Battle & Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time.
Cher Horowitz is the most popular student at Beverly Hills High, renowned for her unique talent at finding love for others. She’s about to embark on her biggest project yet – making over her awkward new friend, Tai, and setting her up with the most handsome boy in school. But what happens to Cher when, for the first time, everything is not perfect? This fresh musical comedy is fun, fashionable, and, like, so way cool.
CLUELESS, The Musical is produced by the Dodgers and Trafalgar Entertainment.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall. London, SW1A 2DY
First Performance: 15 February 2025
Booking Until: 14 June 2025
Performances: Monday – Saturday at 7.30pm & Thursday and Saturday at 2.30pm
Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light presents a heartfelt tale of autism and authenticity UK Tour 2025: Thursday 6th February – Thursday 6th March 2025
After an acclaimed premiere at Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre in 2023, Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is set to hit the road on a UK tour. An immersive, interactive exploration of one woman’s confusing journey of self-discovery, Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Life explores the under-represented female experience of autism through heartfelt storytelling and comedy.
Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light follows Elsa, a kind, funny and quirky girl whose life has never been mundane or short of struggles. Throughout her adolescent years, school was always a nightmare, and romance a mystery, until now. Elsa meets Carmen, who seems to hold the key to unlocking Elsa’s authentic self. This comedy drama is a celebration of the joy and freedom that comes when we live as we truly are, and not as the world thinks we should.
Whilst attitudes towards autism are changing, with more guidance around autism diagnoses for men and boys, many autistic women and girls still struggle to receive the support they need. Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is Davies’s response to this lack of visibility, in which she shifts the focus to highlight the intricacies of living with autism as a woman. Informed by her own lived experience of being diagnosed with autism, she creates an important platform for female neurodiversity.
Writer Allison Davies comments, As the saying goes, if you’ve met a neurodivergent person, you’ve met one neurodivergent person. So, while it might represent a group of people, at its heart Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is a human story about an autistic woman who’s as strong and as flawed, as funny and as irritating as the next person. When I began writing the show during the doldrum days of lockdown I had no idea if it was a story people might want to engage with. I gave myself permission to write with the brakes off, with the result that the story is closer to my heart than anything I’ve presented up to now. It’s been an absolute joy and a privilege to work on it with such a talented and dynamic creative team. Thanks to their input I’m proud of where Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is today, with all its party quirks, and I hope people enjoy it and find it relatable.
Previous comments for Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light,
Davies’s funny and heartfelt writing sweeps us into Elsa’s mind and shows us the alienation felt by someone with undiagnosed…But importantly, its wondrousness, too, with quietly distilled moments when the octopus brings inner enrichment – ★★★★ The Guardian
A unique and interesting show which gives audiences a view into the world of neurodivergence, but also goes far beyond that – ★★★★★ Stage Side UK
TO MAKE UK PREMIERE AT THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY
With its critically acclaimed smash-hit production of The Producers currently running, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announces the UK premiere of Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Greenberg also directs, returning to the Menier having previously directed The Baker’s Wife and Barnum.
The production opens on 17 March, with previews from 8 March, and runs until 3 May. Priority booking opens today, with public booking opening on 14 January.
The Menier Chocolate Factory
in association with Drew & Dane Productions
presents
THE UK PREMIERE OF
DRACULA, A COMEDY OF TERRORS
by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen
8 March – 3 May
Director: Gordon Greenberg; Set Design: Tijana Bjelajac; Costume Design: Tristan Raines;
Lighting Design: Ben Cracknell; Sound Design: Yvonne Gilbert
Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors gives Bram Stoker’s horror classic a comic makeover in this lightning-fast gender-bending reimagining that features a Gen Z pansexual Count Dracula in the midst of an existential crisis. With a cast of five switching costumes and roles at the drop of a hat, this 90-minute freewheeling send-up plays with sexuality and gender norms in the spirit of comedy legends Charles Ludlam, Monty Python and Mel Brooks – and celebrates goth, camp, and the magic of live theatre itself.
In the treacherous mountains of Transylvania, Jonathan Harker, a meek English estate agent, takes a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client, who happens to be the most terrifying(ly narcissistic) monster the world has ever known: Count Dracula! When the Count sets his sights on Harker’s fiancé, the brilliant young earth scientist Lucy Westfeldt, he meets his match for the first time – as well as a slew of other colorful characters including vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing, insect connoisseur Renfield and behavioral psychiatrist Wallace Westfeldt, whose British country estate doubles as a free-range mental asylum.
Gordon Greenberg returns to the Menier Chocolate Factory to direct, having previously directed The Baker’s Wife and Barnum. HIs recent directing credits include The Heart of Rock and Roll (James Earl Jones Theatre, Broadway) and Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors (Old Globe in San Diego and New World Stages in New York). His other projects include a new musical about Picasso (director & co-writer with Stephen Schwartz & Caridad Svich), the NBC television series Most Talkative (co-executive producer/writer), Crime and Punishment, A Comedy (director & co-writer with Steve Rosen; The Old Globe), Single White Female (A.T.G.), The Wedding Banquet (Ang Lee, Hua Musicals, Taiwan), Ghost Tour, The Play, and the new comedy podcast series Rolling Calls starring Julie Halston & Richard Kind (co-writer with Steve Rosen). He co-wrote and directed the Broadway stage adaptation of Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (Studio 54 for Roundabout Theatre Company and Universal Pictures Stage Productions) and directed Guys And Dolls (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre/Phoenix Theatre), Working (59 E 59 in New York – also adapted), Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well… (Drama Desk, Drama League, Outer Critics Award nominations – also adapted), Johnny Baseball (Williamstown), Tangled (Disney), Blue Sky Boys (Capital Rep), Luck Be A Lady (Asolo), Pirates! Or Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder’d (co-creator; Huntington/Paper Mill/Goodspeed/MUNY), Band Geeks! (also co-writer; Goodspeed), The Baker’s Wife (Paper Mill/Goodspeed), 1776 (Paper Mill), Floyd Collins (Signature), Yentl (Asolo) and Half A Sixpence (Goodspeed).
Steve Rosen (co-author) has previously collaborated with Greenberg on the musical The Secret of My Success (co-book, Joseph Jefferson nomination, Chicago), the plays Crime and Punishment, A Comedy, and Ebenezer Scrooge’s BIG San Diego Christmas Show, as well as the podcasts “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” and “Rolling Calls” (Broadway Podcast Network). He has also co-written (with David Rossmer) the book, music and lyrics of Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation (Seattle’s 5th Ave) and The Other Josh Cohen, which was nominated for six Drama Desk Awards, as well as the Lucille Lortel and Off-Broadway Alliance Awards for Best New Musical. He co-wrote the 2024 Drama Desk Awards show and also co-created (with Dan Lipton, Rossmer and Sarah Saltzberg) the long-running Broadway improv/variety show Don’t Quit Your Night Job, devising original comedic material for artists like Sting, Hank Azaria, Sutton Foster, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Ariana Grande. Education: The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. As an actor, his credits include creating the roles of Dennis’ Mother, Sir Bedevere and Concorde in the original Broadway production of Monty Python’s Spamalot.
NATIONAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR LYNETTE LINTON’S REVIVAL OF MICHAEL ABBENSETTS’ ALTERATIONS
The National Theatre today announces full casting for Bush Theatre Artistic Director Lynette Linton’s (Blues for an Alabama Sky, Shifters) revival of award-winning Guyana-born British writer Michael Abbensetts’ (Sweet Talk, Empire Road) era-defining comedy Alterations. Illuminating the Guyanese experience of 1970s London and highlighting the aspirations and sacrifices of the Windrush generation, this new production will be the largest ever staging, reinvigorated with additional material by writer Trish Cooke (Black Street Mammy).
Alterations is part of the Black Plays Archive based at the National Theatre,an online catalogue of the first professional production in the UK of plays written by Black British, African, and Caribbean playwrights. Previous announced cast include Arinzé Kene (Get Up, Stand Up: The Bob Marley Story) making his National Theatre debut as Walker Holt and Cherrelle Skeete (Hanna) returning to the National Theatre as Darlene Holt.
Further casting announced today includes Karl Collins (Nine Night) as Horace, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr (Small Island) as Buster, Raphel Famotibe (Wonder Boy) as Courtney, Tyler Fayose (Phoenix Rise) as Ensemble + Understudy Walker, Richard Emerson Gould (The Vaudvillains) as Ensemble + Understudy Mr Nat, Joshua John (Romeo & Juliet) as Ensemble + Understudy Courtney, Colin Mace (War Horse) as Mr Nat, Samuel Nunes de Souza (The Prince and the Pauper) as Ensemble + Understudy Horace/Buster and Yolanda Ovide (Slave: A Question of Freedom) as Ensemble + Understudy Darlene.
Walker Holt has big dreams for his tailor’s shop, and an even bigger order to complete. Over the course of 24 hours, he must work tirelessly to satisfy his new client’s impossible tailoring needs. But as the night goes on, it’s not just the trouser hems that start to fray, as tensions rise, and Walker’s friendships and relationships are pushed to their limits. His success comes at a cost, but what price is he willing to pay?
Director Lynette Linton is joined by set and costume designer Frankie Bradshaw, lighting designer Oliver Fenwick, movement director Shelley Maxwell, composer XANA, sound designer George Dennis, Wigs, Hair and Make-up Designer Cynthia De La Rosa, casting director Naomi Downham,fight director Kate Waters, dramatherapist Wabriya King, voice and dialect coach Hazel Holder, assistant voice coach Tamsin Newlands, associate set and costume designer Natalie Johnson and staff director Kaleya Bax.
Playing in the Lyttelton theatre from 20 February to 5 April 2025.
Morris Gilbert and Óskar Eiriksson present the UK premiere of Laurent Baffie’s international smash hit comedy about OCD
DocDoc
at the Churchill Theatre Bromley and the Palace Theatre Southend in February 2025
Directed by Ian Talbot
Morris Gilbert and Óskar Eiriksson present the UK premiere of Laurent Baffie’s outrageously hilarious worldwide hit comedy play DocDoc – which has had over 4 million people in over 37 countries in stitches – at the Churchill Theatre Bromley from 5-15 February 2025 and the Palace Theatre Southend from 18-23 February 2025.
In this hysterical farce which pokes fun at all our idiosyncrasies and foibles, Doctor Cooper, a renowned specialist in obsessive-compulsive disorders, is running late. Meanwhile, he has a waiting room filled with patients desperate to be treated. First up there’s Fred with a bad case of Tourette’s, and behind him a growing queue of more and more challenging compulsions. Practice Assistant, Anna, attempts to keep on top of the mounting chaos whilst we await the good doctor’s arrival but, with the extended absence of Doctor Cooper, the group has no other option than to try their own version of group therapy, with screamingly funny consequences.
DocDoc stars Sophie Bloor (Gay Pride and No Prejudice) as Lili, Gareth Brierley (The Diplomat) as Fred, Ryan Early (Coronation Street) as Lee, Joanna Hudson-Fox (Emmerdale) as Blanche, Isabella Leung (A Bouffon Play About Hong Kong) as Anna, Julia J Nagle (9 to 5 The Musical) as Mary and Leon Stewart (Wish You Were Dead) as Otto with Rhîan Crowley-McLean (Witness for the Prosecution) and Joshua Ford (Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power)as understudies.
The UK Creative Team for DocDoc is Writer Laurent Baffie, English Version by Julian Quintanilla, Adaptation by Susie McKenna and Clarisa Butler, Director Ian Talbot (The Mousetrap) with Original Direction by Lia Jelin and Designer Paula Sabina.
Screenshot
Laurent Baffie – who has experienced obsessive-compulsive disorders himself – is a French writer, radio and television presenter, actor, theatre director and film-maker. He began writing sketches for other comedians as early as 1985, but it was not until 1991 that he became known for his bold and provocative improvisations on television. In 2005, he wrote Toc Toc (retitled as DocDoc for the UK), which was a huge success not only in France but all over the world, especially in Spain and South America, where it was an unprecedented success. Toc Toc has been seen by more than 4,300,000 people and has won numerous awards. Laurent Baffie writes a new play every year. He has also written several books, including his own dictionary, with over 500,000 copies sold. His jokes and hidden cameras are popular on his Instagram and YouTube channels. Laurent Baffie is a bestselling author whose comic tone, freedom and impertinence make him a unique character.
Julián Quintanilla is a Spanish writer and also a Theatre and Film director. His latest work in film, the medium-length film El Mundo Entero, qualified for the Oscars and was nominated for the Goya Awards in 2018, as well as winning 44 international awards, including ‘Best Live Action Short Film’ at the Cleveland International Film Festival. As a playwright, his plays Mi abuela, la loca, El gran día de la madre and Hongos stand out. His work as a Molière Award-winning adaptor of French plays has earned him worldwide recognition, with his texts premiered in more than 20 countries, performed and directed by leading figures in the theatre. Julián has a degree in directing from the RESAD in Madrid, a degree in cinema from the University of Paris and a degree in audiovisual scriptwriting from the French Screenwriters’ School. Julián is currently finishing the post-production of his first feature film.
The producers of DocDoc will be working in partnership with UK-based mental health charities. More details are to be announced.
Artistic Director Tim Sheader and Executive Director Henny Finch today announce the full company for the world premiere of Anna Mackmin’s new play, Backstroke – joining the previously announced Tamsin Greig and Celia Imrie are Lucy Briers, Anita Reynolds and Georgina Rich. Chloe Hart and Rhashan Stone also feature in filmed scenes within the production.
Backstroke opens on 20 February, with previews from 14 February, and runs until 12 April.
THE WORLD PREMIERE OF BACKSTROKE Written and directed by Anna Mackmin
Design by Lez Brotherston Lighting design by Paule Constable Sound Design by Christopher Shutt Video Design by Gino Ricardo Green Choreographer Scarlett Mackmin Casting Director Anna Cooper CDG Associate Director Fiona Dunn
14 February 2025 – 12 April 2025
“Just let go. Let your body float. You’ll still be here but it’ll feel like flying in a dream.”
Bo is busy – balancing the pressures of work and the needs of her struggling daughter. When her mother, the irrepressible force-of-nature Beth, is admitted to hospital following a stroke, the practical realities of the present collide with the complexities of their past.
Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig play mother and daughter in this kaleidoscopic and compassionate new play, written and directed by Anna Mackmin.
Anna Mackmin returns to the Donmar – she previously directed The Dark. Her first novel Devoured was published by Propolis 2018. It was shortlisted for the Desmond Elliot prize, won the New Angles book of the year and the East Anglian book award for best novel. Her other work as a director includes The Divine Mrs S (Hampstead Theatre), Woman in Mind (Chichester Festival Theatre), Di and Viv and Rose (Hampstead Theatre/Vaudeville Theatre), Hedda Gabler, The Real Thing, Dancing at Lughnasa (The Old Vic), Really Old, Like Forty Five; Chatroom, Burn & Citizenship (National Theatre), Hedda Gabler, Ghosts (Gate Theatre Dublin), In Celebration, Under the Blue Sky (Duke of York’s), Dying for It, The Lightning Play (Almeida Theatre), Mammals (Bush Theatre/tour), Breathing Corpses, Food Chain (Royal Court Theatre), Auntie and Me (Wyndham’s Theatre/Gaiety Theatre Dublin), In Flame (Bush Theatre/Ambassadors Theatre), Airswimming (Battersea Arts Centre), Me and My Girl, The Crucible, Iphigenia, Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, and The Arbor (Sheffield Theatres).
Lucy Briers plays Carol. Her previous work for the Donmar includes Ivanov (Wyndham’s Theatre). Her other theatre credits include Orlando (Garrick Theatre), All of Us, The Voysey Inheritance (National Theatre), Rosmersholm – winner of the Clarence Derwent Award (Duke of York’s Theatre), Forty Years On; The Seagull, Ivanov (Chichester Festival Theatre), Show Boat (Chichester Festival Theatre/Gillian Lynne Theatre), Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies (RSC/Aldwych Theatre/Broadway), Top Girls (Chichester/Trafalgar Theatre), Behud (Belgrade Coventry/Soho Theatre), Bedroom Farce, Miss Julie (Rose Theatre Kingston), Private Fears in Public Places, Just Between Ourselves (Theatre Royal Northampton), Sexual Perversity in Chicago (Norwich Theatre Royal), Some Kind of Bliss (Trafalgar Studios/Brits Off Broadway), Ship of Fools (Theatre503), Catch (Royal Court Theatre), The Winter’s Tale (Southwark Playhouse), Musik; Rose Bernd (Arcola Theatre), The Solid Gold Cadillac (Garrick Theatre), Cloud Nine – nominated for TMA Best Supporting Actress, Teeth ‘n’ Smiles, Don Juan (Sheffield Theatres), Electra (Gate Theatre), Spike (Nuffield, Southampton), Keepers (Hampstead Theatre), As You Like It (Sheffield Theatres/Lyric Hammersmith), All That Trouble That We Had (Birmingham Rep), The Rivals (Nottingham Playhouse), Henry IV (The Old Vic/English Touring Theatre), Othello (New Victoria Theatre), Emma (Edinburgh Fringe), The Entertainer (Leeds Playhouse/Birmingham Rep), The Tempest (Salisbury Rep), and Syme (Birmingham Rep/National Theatre). For television, her work includes House of the Dragon, Lockwood & Co, Home, Endeavour, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Gentleman Jack, Victoria, Mrs Wilson, Press, Father Brown, Count Arthur Strong, Our Girl, DCI Banks, The Thick of It, Parade’s End, The Night Watch, Twenty Twelve, Ashes to Ashes, Einstein and Eddington, The Green Green Grass, Genie in the House, Rough Crossings, Bonkers, Broken News, Bodies, Poirot: The Hollow, Fathers and Sons, Beast, Wives and Daughters, Dangerfield, Imogen’s Face, Game On, Unfinished Business, Only You, Pride and Prejudice, Unnatural Causes, Screaming, The Ten Percenters, The Brittas Empire, Red Dwarf, A Masculine Ending, and Blackheath Poisonings; and for film, Flavia de Luce, Downton Abbey 3, We Live in Time, My Policeman, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Emma, The Show, Genius, Alan Partridge, Alpha Papa, Children of Men, and Perks.
Tamsin Greig plays Bo. Her theatre credits includes The Deep Blue Sea (Theatre Royal Bath), Peggy for You, iHo (Hampstead Theatre), Talking Heads Live: Nights in The Garden of Spain (Bridge Theatre), A Kind of Alaska/Landscape (Harold Pinter Theatre), Labour of Love (Noël Coward Theatre), Twelfth Night (National Theatre), Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Playhouse Theatre), Jumpy (Royal Court Theatre), God of Carnage (Gielgud Theatre), The Little Dog Laughed (Garrick Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC and Novello – Olivier & Critics Award for Best Actress), and Gethsemane (National Theatre). Her television work includes The Completely Made Up Adventures of Dick Turpin, Suspect, Sexy Beast, The Amazing Mr Blunden, The Diary of Anne Frank, Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, Belgravia, Elementary, Diana and I, Inside No 9, The Guilty, White Heat, Episodes (BAFTA Best Comedy Performance nomination), Friday Night Dinner (BAFTA Best Comedy Performance nomination), Emma, Green Wing (Royal Television Society Award for Best Actress, BAFTA Best Comedy Performance nomination), and Black Books (British Comedy Award nomination for Best Actress); and for film, Land of Legend, My Happy Ending, Official Secrets, Romeo and Juliet, Days of the Bagnold Summer, Tamara Drewe (Nominated BIFA Best Supporting Actress), The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Breaking the Bank, and Stop the World.
Celia Imrie returns to the Donmar to play Beth – she previously appeared in Polar Bears and Habeas Corpus. Her other theatre work includes Party Time / Celebration, The Hothouse (Harold Pinter Theatre), Noises Off (The Old Vic), Hay Fever (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Rivals (Southwark Playhouse), Mixed Up North (Wilton’s Music Hall), Plague Over England (Duchess Theatre), Unsuspecting Susan (King’s Head/59th Street Theatre, New York), Acorn Antiques: The Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket, Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical), The School for Scandal (RSC), Dona Rosita the Spinster (Almeida Theatre), and The Sea (National Theatre, Clarence Derwent Award for Best Supporting Actress). Her television work includes The Diplomat, Better Things, Short Adam, Keeping Faith, Hang Ups, Patrick Melrose, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Vicious, Our Zoo, Blandings, Coming Up, Love & Marriage, Doctor Who, Titanic, The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, Cranford, After You’ve Gone, Kingdom, Still Game; Doctor Zhivago, Daniel Deronda, Sparkhouse, Absolutely Fabulous, Love in a Cold Climate, Gormenghast, dinnerladies, Microsoap, Duck Patrol, The History of Tom Jones and Wokenwell; and for film, Good Grief, Love Again, Love Sarah, Nativity Rocks!, Malevolent, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Finding Your Feet, A Cure for Wellness, Bridget Jones’s Baby, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Year by the Sea, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Nativity 3: Dude, Where’s My Donkey?!, What We Did on Our Holiday, The Love Punch, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, You will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger, St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fool’s Gold, St Trinian’s, Nanny McPhee, Imagine Me & You, Wah-Wah, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Wimbledon, Out of Bounds, Calendar Girls, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Hillary and Jackie, The Borrowers, In The Bleak Midwinter, Frankenstein, Highlander, and the forthcoming The Thursday Murder Club and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. She was awarded the Women in Film and Television Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017.
Anita Reynolds plays Jill. Her work in theatre includes The Comedy of Errors, Bartholomew Fair, The Merry Wives of Windsor (Shakespeare’s Globe), Twelfth Night (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Romeo and Julie (National Theatre/Sherman Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest (ETT/ Leeds Playhouse/ Rose Theatre), A Monster Calls – Helen Hayes Award nominee for Outstanding Performance (The Old Vic/Bristol Old Vic/US tour), Ear For Eye (Royal Court Theatre), Absolute Hell (National Theatre), Hang (Run Amok/The Other Room), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Arabian Nights, Romeo And Juliet, Measure For Measure, Horrible Histories (Sherman Theatre), Speechless (Shared Experience/Sherman Cymru), The Move (Made in Wales), Carers (Turning Point Theatre Co), Cinderella (Unicorn Theatre), Forbidden Fruit (Nottingham Roundabout Theatre), Wishful Thinking (Hijinx Theatre), Dealing With Feelings (London Bubble Theatre), and How High Is Up/Mirror Mirror (Theatre Centre). For television, his work includes The Light in the Hall; Somewhere Boy, The Pembrokeshire Murders, In My Skin, Rellik, Keeping Faith, Stella, Gwaith Cartref, Talking to the Dead, Being Human, Caerdydd; Belonging; Dau Dy a Ni, Nice Day for a Welsh Wedding, Doctors; The Story of Tracy Beaker, Dose, Bay College, Nuts and Bolts, The Bench, and The Hull Project; and for film, I Used to Be Famous, Mother’s Day, G Flat, Wild Geese, Telling Tales, Sweet 16, Rain, and Paradise Grove.
Georgina Rich plays Paulina. Her theatre credits include Richard III, Between Us (Arcola Theatre), Rabbit Hole (Hampstead Theatre), As You Like It (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Merchant of Venice (RSC), Dirty Dancing (Aldwych Theatre), Honour (Wyndham’s Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing, Lear (Sheffield Theatres), and Twelfth Night (English Touring Theatre). Her television work includes Industry, The Jetty, Grace, Heartstopper, Criminal Record, Malpractice, War of the Worlds, Sister Boniface, Queens of Mystery, Call the Midwife, Wallis: The Queen That Never Was, Rellik, Black Mirror: Hated in the Nation, Cuffs, River, Ripper Street, In and Out of the Kitchen, The Game, Sherlock, New Tricks, Public Enemies, Spooks, Waking the Dead, Law and Order: UK, The Catherine Tate Show, Kenneth Tynan: In Praise of Hardcore, and Peter Warlock: Some Little Joy; and for film, September 5, Blithe Spirit, Radioactive, and Dimensions.
Preview discounts apply to the first four performances only
Standing £15 to be released at a later date
35 AND UNDER TICKETS AT £20 Aged 16-35? Sign up to our exclusive email list to book tickets for £20, located throughout the theatre including the front row. Plus receive insights to shows, invites to socials, and exclusive offers at the bar and more. Book early to secure these prices.www.donmarwarehouse.com/35under
Maximum two tickets per person – both need to be aged 35 or under at time of the performance. Subject to availability. ID will need to be shown at Box Office to collect tickets.
DONMAR DAILY
New tickets on sale every day at the Donmar. Allocations of tickets will be made available every day for performances 7 days later. Tickets will be available across the auditorium at every price band.
ACCESS
The Donmar Warehouse is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome in the auditorium. There is a Loop system and a Radio Frequency system fitted in the main auditorium and there are also hearing loops at all the front of house counters.
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES If you require a companion to attend the Donmar, their ticket will be free. To book call 020 3282 3808 or email access@donmarwarehouse.com.
For all other access enquiries or bookings call 020 3282 3808.
SEASON AT A GLANCE
NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Until 8 February 2025 Captioned: Monday 27 January 7.30pm Audio described: Saturday 1 February 2.30pm
BACKSTROKE 14 February 2025 – 12 April 2025 Captioned: Monday 31 March at 7.30pm Audio described: Saturday 5 April at 2.30pm
INTIMATE APPAREL 20 June 2025 – 9 August 2025 Captioned: Monday 28 July at 7.30pm Audio described: Saturday 2 August at 2.30pm
MACBETH – IN CINEMAS
5 February
Since 2019 the Donmar has doubled the reach of its schools and community work, including twice touring full scale productions to schools in its local boroughs in response to declining arts provision in schools.
The company has also significantly expanded its talent development work, launching CATALYST, its training programme that creates paid training opportunities for those historically underrepresented in the sector. Since 2019 the programme has helped launch the careers of 31 early career artists and administrators, 90% of whom continue to work in the sector.
Thousands of young people each year get to see the Donmar’s world-class productions through audience development programmes providing heavily discounted or free tickets.
DONMAR WAREHOUSE
The Donmar offers a uniquely intimate theatre experience where no audience member is ever more than four rows from the action. In our converted warehouse in the heart of the West End, we bring together exceptional artists to tell powerful, popular and inclusive stories. For over 30 years we’ve been making celebrated productions of classic plays, new work and intimate musicals that illuminate the human experience and thrill theatre-goers at our home base and further afield through transfers and on screen. We enable talented emerging artists to find new routes into the industry, and create opportunities for local young people to experience the artform as both audience members and makers. Through our productions and participation programmes we inspire audiences and artists of all backgrounds to embrace the experience of live theatre as a catalyst for inquiry, compassion, connection and joy.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 18th January 2025
Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh
5*****
Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night tells the tale of Viola, who, when separated from her twin brother Sebastian in a shipwreck, disguises herself as a boy, calls herself Cesario, and becomes a servant to the Duke Orsino. The duke sends her to woo the Countess Olivia on his behalf, but instead the countess falls in love with Cesario. Meanwhile Olivia’s drunken uncle, Sir Toby Belch and his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek play a trick on Malvolio, Olivia’s pompous steward, convincing him that the countess is in fact in love with him. Eventually Sebastian turns up, creating confusion, chaos and high jinx.
Prasanna Puwananarajah’s Twelfth Night is a directorial triumph. Staying faithful to the original, he has breathed new life into this production, making for a modern, magical, masterpiece. This is an exceptionally clever comedy balanced perfectly alongside the more melancholy and sinister aspects of the plot. Each character is fully fleshed out and well-rounded so we can engage with their journey, understand and believe their motives and emotions. A visual delight, we are shown so much in nuance as well as speech. A raised eyebrow, a nod of the head, a group laugh, there is not one moment that has not been thought through or considered.
Bally Gill plays Duke Orsino with poise and passion. Demetri Goritsas, Joplin Sibtain and Daniel Miller as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, Sir Toby Belch and Fabien respectively provide some excellent antics alongside Danielle Henry as the superbly stirring Maria.
Norman Bowman plays the angst-ridden Antonio with authenticity paired wonderfully with Rhys Rusbatch’s rough and rugged Sebastian. Samuel West plays Malvolio to perfection, enabling us to follow the character as he changes from victimiser to victim. Freema Agyeman’s Olivia equally portrays the change from that of the bereaved to the beguiled flawlessly. Gwyneth Keyworth effortlessly traverses Viola’s emotional and physical shifts throughout the play. Grieving sibling, gender altered “Cesario”, mistaken lothario, and brutish brawler. Embodying each state convincingly she drives the play with wonderful wit and warmth. Michael Grady-Hall’s Feste, with his Eraserhead/Kramer esq shock of hair, is sensational. He completely mesmerises with his performance whilst taking nothing away from the other players. Ballads, ball play, mime, ventriloquism, his timing and presence is remarkable. Combined with Zoe Spurr and George Dennis’ brilliant Lighting and sound design they pull off some hilarious and unexpected illusions. James Cotterill’s costumes bring splashes of colour and along with Matt Maltese’s original musical composition, Twelfth Night is a sensation for all the senses. Puwananarajah has certainly achieved greatness in this Christmas cracker.
Start the year as you mean to go on, by seeing live theatre, with great deals available until the end of January on your favourite London shows with tickets from as little as £10 to £60 for select performances in 2025.
If you are already a theatre fan, share your love and take a friend, and if you’re new… welcome! This is the perfect way to see what Theatreland has to offer and do something different.
Previously known as the Official London Theatre New Year Sale and Get into London Theatre, See It Live is firmly established as one of theatreland’s longest running promotions, now in its 22nd year.
From exciting new productions like 101 Dalmations, Clueless The Musical, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, Elektra, Kyoto, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, Mean Girls and The Score, and established West End favourites including Back To The Future The Musical, Disney’s The Lion King, Les Misérables, MJ The Musical, Mrs. Doubtfire, Mamma Mia!, Matilda The Musical, The Mousetrap, The Phantom Of The Opera, The Play That Goes Wrong and Wicked, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Full list of available shows in See It Live in 2025
101 Dalmations
Aladdin Back To The Future The Musical
Birdsong Cabaret
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
The Choir Of Man Clueless The Musical The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Dr. Strangelove
Elektra Fawlty Towers Firebird The Gang Of Three The Gift Hadestown Here You Come Again Horrible Histories: Horrible Christmas How To Fight Loneliness King Of Pangea Kyoto The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical Disney’s The Lion King Macbeth Magic Mike Live Mamma Mia! The Marriage Of Figaro Matilda The Musical Mean Girls
The Merchant Of Venice 1936 A Midsummer Night’s Dream Les Misérables MJ The Musical Moulin Rouge! The Musical The Mousetrap
Mrs President Mrs. Doubtfire Murder Ballad The Nutcracker Parlour Song The Phantom Of The Opera The Pirates Of Penzance Play On! The Play That Goes Wrong
Potted Panto Puppy Robin Hood And The Christmas Heist The Score The Show On The Roof
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Sisters 360 Six
Slava’s SnowShow The Smartest Giant In Town The Snowy Day Starlight Express Stranger Things: The First Shadow (This Is Not A) Happy Room Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
The Westway Sessions Why Am I So Single?
Wicked The Years
Available dates, age recommendations and restrictions for participating shows will vary. Please check the show listings on OfficialLondonTheatre.com for more information.
STARS FROM THE NATIONAL THEATRE AND THE TONY AWARD®-WINNING BROADWAY PRODUCTIONS OF
HADESTOWN
RETURN TO LONDON TO JOIN THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED WEST END PRODUCTION FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED RUN
REEVE CARNEY (ORPHEUS), ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS (HERMES), AMBER GRAY (PERSEPHONE), EVA NOBLEZADA (EURYDICE), AND PATRICK PAGE (HADES)
AT THE LYRIC THEATRE 11 FEBRUARY – 9 MARCH 2025 uk.hadestown.com
The producers of Hadestown are delighted to announce that original cast members of the National Theatre production and the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning Broadway production of Hadestown will reprise their roles for a limited run at the Lyric Theatre from 11 February until 9 March 2025. Welcoming Reeve Carney as Orpheus, André De Shields as Hermes, Amber Gray as Persephone, Eva Noblezada as Eurydice and Patrick Page as Hades.
Tickets for these performances will go on sale to the public on Friday 20 December at 12pm noon. A 24-hour period of priority access from 12pm GMT / 7am EST on Thursday 19 December will be available to those signed up to either the Hadestown UK or Hadestown US mailing lists by 23:59pm GMT / 18:59pm EST on Wednesday 18 December respectively. Sign up at uk.hadestown.com / hadestown.com.
Producer Mara Issacs said: It is nothing short of divine magic to be able to welcome Reeve, Andre, Amber, Eva, and Patrick back to London. This transatlantic collaboration, which began with the National Theatre production in 2018, is baked into Hadestown’s DNA. We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring them ‘home’ as Hadestown continues its love affair with the West End.
Reeve Carney (Orpheus) – Grammy® Award and Independent Music Award-winning actor and musician who originated the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (Broadway’s Foxwoods Theatre) and played Dorian Gray in Showtimes Penny Dreadful on television.
André De Shields (Hermes) – Actor, Director and Choreographer who has won multiple awards over a distinguished career including Tony® Award, Grammy Award ® Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for the role of Hermes in Hadestown on Broadway as well as a Primetime Emmy Award, Drama League Award and an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from University of Wisconsin-Madison. His many credits include originating Broadway casts of The Full Monty, Warp!, The Wiz and Ain’t Misbehaving. He has appeared on television in Another World, Cosby, Sex and the City, Great Performances, Lipstick Jungle, and Law & Order.
Amber Gray (Persephone) – Outer Critics Circle Award-winning, Grammy® Award-winning actress who was nominated for a Tony® Award for her role in Hadestown on Broadway. Further credits include Hélène Bezukhova in Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 (Imperial Theatre, Broadway), Carina in Eureka Day (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, Broadway), and Stephen Sondheim’s Here We Are (The Shed, New York).
Eva Noblezada (Eurydice) – Winner of a Grammy® Award, WhatsOnStage Award, Broadway.com Award and two-time Tony® Award-nominee (one nomination for her role in Hadestown on Broadway), whose further theatre credits include Kim in Miss Saigon (Prince Edward Theatre, London and Broadway Theatre, New York), Éponine in Les Misérables (Queens Theatre) and Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby (Broadway Theatre, New York).
Patrick Page (Hades) – Winner of Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and Grammy® Award who was nominated for a Tony® Award for his role in Hadestown on Broadway. He is a veteran of fifteen Broadway shows from Jamie Lloyd’s Cyrano de Bergerac (with Douglas Hodge), A Man for All Seasons (with Frank Langella) and Julius Caesar (with Denzel Washington), to Disney’s The Lion King, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and Beauty and the Beast, as well as Classical roles with the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. and Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Further casting for performances from 11 February 2025 will be announced soon.
Hadestown opened to huge critical acclaim at the Lyric Theatre, London in February this year, five years after a sold-out engagement at the National Theatre in 2018 and is now booking in the West End until 28 September 2025.
Blending American songwriting traditions, from indie folk, to pop, blues, and New Orleans-inspired jazz, Hadestown has 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 celebrated its 5th anniversary on Broadway in April 2024. It holds the record for the highest grossing musical and longest running show in the 100-year history of the Walter Kerr Theatre and is currently among the top 50 longest running shows in Broadway history (and still moving up the list).
HADESTOWN – LIVE FROM LONDON, the highly anticipated original West End cast album for Hadestown, recorded live at the Lyric Theatre earlier this year, was recently released by Sing It Again Records on standard black vinyl, a limited-edition deluxe gatefold “pop-up” vinyl and compact disc – alongside digital download and streaming services.
The Hadestown creative team includes David Neumann (choreography), Rachel Hauck (scenic design), Michael Krass (costume design), Bradley King (lighting design), Nevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound design), Liam Robinson (music supervision and vocal arrangements), Michael Chorney and Todd Sickafoose (arrangements and orchestrations), Ken Cerniglia (dramaturgy), Maria Crocker (UK Associate Director), and Tarek Merchant (Musical Director). Casting for the London production is by Jacob Sparrow. US Casting by Duncan Stewart and Benton Whitley.
Hadestown is produced in London by Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold, Tom Kirdahy and the National Theatre in association with JAS Theatricals.
Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada and Patrick Page are appearing with the support of Equity UK, incorporating the Variety Artistes’ Federation, pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and Equity UK.
