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MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY AND NORDOFF AND ROBBINS LAUNCH CHARITY PARTNERSHIP IN STAR-STUDDED EVENT,

AS THE PRODUCTION EXTENDS THROUGH TO APRIL 2027

• The inaugural gala event was held at Mamma Mia! The Party at London’s O2 last night to kick off a year-long charity partnership Katherine Ryan, Alison Steadman, Sandi Toksvig, Craig Revel Horwood, Amy Dowden, Juliet Mayhew, Lemar and Bethany England in attendance. 
• Over the course of the next 12 months London’s favourite night out will continue to support the charity to raise money for vital music therapy across the UK.
• Mamma Mia! The Party is now booking through to April 2027.

London’s biggest night out, Mamma Mia! The Party, invited the music industry to The O2, London to celebrate the start of its year-long partnership with Nordoff and Robbins, the UK’s largest music therapy charity.

Created by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, the production is celebrating its sixth year at The O2 and has announced an extension of performances through to April 2027 due to phenomenal demand.

The star-studded gala performance saw guests including Katherine Ryan, Alison Steadman and Craig Revel Horwood transported to the island of Skopelos within London’s iconic O2 for a four-course Greek feast during the extra special evening. Also in attendance were Sandi Toksvig, Amy Dowden, Juliet Mayhew (Real Housewives of London), Lemar, Bethany England (Lioness) and Ashley James. In true Mamma Mia! The Party fashion, the 500+ guests then danced the night away to ABBA’s greatest hits following a speech announcing the partnership by Sandi Toksvig, who wrote the English book for the London experience.

In addition to hosting the gala performance, making a financial donation to the charity, and gifting a series of money-can’t-buy prizes to Nordoff and Robbins’ fundraising auction, Mamma Mia! The Party will continue to support the charity over the course of the next year through further donations from merchandise sales. 

Sophie Arendt, Managing Director of Mamma Mia! The Party,said:

“The music of ABBA holds a special place in the hearts of millions. Joyful, timeless, and unifying, it continues to bring people together across all generations. We witness that joy at everyshow of Mamma Mia! The Party, as guests arrive for a shared experience of food, fun, and music — and depart hours later still uplifted and dancing. That same transformative power of music lies at the core of what Nordoff and Robbins does, and we are honoured that our very first fundraising gala performance has helped contribute to their vital mission.”

Sandy Trappitt, Director of Fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins, commented:

“We are so pleased to be partnering with Mamma Mia! The Party, whose enduring appeal shows just how important music and immersive experiences are in creating meaningful memories. From giving someone living with dementia a chance to reconnect with family, to supporting an autistic child in finding their voice, music therapy can genuinely help people truly express themselves and find connection. This partnership aligns perfectly with our values, and we can’t wait to see how it develops over the next year.”

Mamma Mia! The Party has been a fan favourite since opening in London in September 2019 and has welcomed over 600,000 people through its blue doors for a full evening of dancing, dining and singing to some of ABBA’s greatest hits.

Mamma Mia! The Party is executive produced by Björn Ulvaeus and Pophouse Entertainment.

WESSEX GROVE AND GAVIN KALIN PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

THE 50^TH ANNIVERSARY WEST END REVIVAL OF

DAVID HARE’S

TEETH ‘N‘SMILES

STARRING

REBECCA LUCY TAYLOR

AKA SELF ESTEEM

DIRECTED BY DANIEL RAGGETT

AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE

FOR 12 WEEKS ONLY

FROM MARCH 2026

TICKETS ON SALE OCTOBER 2025

SIGN UP FOR PRIORITY ACCESS AT TEETHNSMILESPLAY.COM

Wessex Grove and Gavin Kalin productions are delighted to present the 50^th Anniversary West End revival of David Hare’s rebel play TEETH ‘N’SMILES starring Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem, in her West End play debut. Directed by Daniel Raggett, TEETH ‘N’SMILES will play at the Duke of York’s Theatre for 12 weeks only from March 2026 with further casting, creative team and full dates to be announced soon.

Tickets will go on sale in October 2025. Audiences can sign up to access priority booking at teethnsmilesplay.com

Rebecca Lucy Taylor said today “I’m deeply honoured to be bringing Teeth ‘n’ Smiles back for its 50th anniversary. I love to challenge myself in new forms and I can’t wait to slap you round the face with Maggie. I am a huge fan of Daniel and David’s work, and the chance to collaborate with them on such a landmark production is something I am insanely excited about.”

David Hare said today “I can’t think of anything more exciting than watching Rebecca Lucy Taylor and Dan Raggett strip the varnish off my old play. It’s a perfect moment to see if a new generation responds to that 70s mix of hope, drugs, music, sex and despair.”

Daniel Raggett said today “I first read David’s play over a decade ago and it seared itself into my brain. I’ve wanted to direct it ever since and – thanks to vision of Wessex Grove – I feel so lucky to be working on this revival alongside David, Nick, Tony and the incomparable Rebecca Lucy Taylor, who brings the whole thing alive as Maggie. Like me, she responded to this fifty-year-old play as if it were written yesterday and there couldn’t be a better time for it to come roaring back into the West End. An extraordinary picture of a world, and a band, tearing itself apart at the seams – shot through with some really great songs – its spirit of rock n roll revolution/desperate howl of defiance feels just as pertinent now as it did in 1975.”

Before the New York Dolls. Before Debbie Harry. Before Kurt Cobain. There was Maggie Frisby.Once the roaring voice of 60s counterculture, now broke and disillusioned, a band’s youthful dreams of anarchic rebellion collapse into bitterness. Amidst the wreckage, lead singer Maggie tears through the night fuelled by booze, fury, and a voice that refuses to die.50 years after David Hare’s trailblazing play set The Royal Court alight, TEETH ‘N’ SMILES is ready to burn things down all over again.

Written by David Hare and directed by Daniel Raggett, TEETH ‘N’SMILES has music by Nick Bicât and lyrics by Tony Bicât, with new additional music and lyrics by Rebecca Lucy Taylor.

Rebecca Lucy Taylor, AKA Self Esteem, returns to the stage following her hugely successful run playing Sally Bowles in the multiple Olivier Award-winning Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London’s West End, where her time on stage was extended due to popular demand.

One of the UK’s most exciting breakout stars of the past decade, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, emerged from cult favourite status to mainstream hero following the huge success of her empowering, truth-telling 2021 single ‘I Do This All The Time’. Her hugely acclaimed albums Prioritise Pleasure and this year’s A Complicated Woman have garnered her an Ivor Novello Award and Album of the Year accolades from the Guardian and Sunday Times, alongside Mercury Prize, BRIT Award, Sky Arts and NME Award nominations. She releases her first book, also titled A Complicated Woman, on 30 October via Octopus Books / Hatchette. Taylor marks the book’s release by co-curating the London Literature Festival at the Southbank on 1 November.

11 CHAOTIC YEARS OF MISCHIEF AT LONDON’S LANDMARK COMEDY

WITH 11 PRIZES AT

11 SHOWS

Mischief’s award-winning production of The Play That Goes Wrong celebrates its 11^th Year in in the West End on Sunday 14 September 2025.

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, Cornley Drama Society have 11 STEELGOLDEN Tickets to give away to a lucky audience member at 11 shows this September at the Duchess Theatre in London’s West End.  Audience members who are coming along to see the show from 16 – 25 September 2025 will have the opportunity to enter a special raffle during the 30 minute pre-show and the cast will announce the lucky winner from the stage as the show begins.

There will be one lucky winner at each of the 11 special performances between 16-25 September 2025, with one of the eleven Golden Ticket prizes being two tickets to the Gala Performance of Mischief’s brand-new show, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong on Sunday 14 December 2025 at the Apollo Theatre plus a night in a 4 Star London Hotel.

Other prizes will include:  A collection of Mischief scripts, a pin badge, a programme and poster signed by the cast, a goody back which includes a mug, magnet and script, and finally, 2 tickets to see Christmas Carol Goes Wrong on tour at a venue of the winner’s choice.

There will also be online fun as the original cast of The Play that Goes Wrong interview the current cast in a series of interview called – ELEVENSES.  You can catch them on  www.mischiefcomedy.com.

The 11^th Anniversary Cast are:  Izzy Edmunds-Clarke as Annie, Jack Hardwick as Chris, Robert Jackson as Robert, Jonty Peach as Jonathan, Charlotte Scott as Sandra, Mitesh Soni as Dennis, Tom Wainwright as Max and Ronnie Yorke as Trevor.  Winston the dog returns to play Winston the dog. (If Winston is found).  The understudies are:  Alex Blackie, Jake Burgum, Kitty Devlin, Louise Hoare and Ed Shamwana.  

The Olivier Award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong  opened at London’s Duchess Theatre in September 2014.  The production shows no signs of slowing down since its first performance at The Old Red Lion Theatre playing to only four paying customers.  The show’s success is a testament to the hard work and determination of a group of drama school graduates who became friends, set up a company under the name ‘Mischief’ and created an extraordinary body of work over the past decade. 

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham – until 13th September 2025

Reviewed by Jacqui Radford

5*****

Tom Ripley, a psychopath first brought to life by novelist Patricia Highsmith, is powerfully brought to life in this production with a brilliant and artistic interpretation of a psychological thriller. Adapted for the stage by Mark Leipacher and interpreted by The Faction, an award-winning theatre ensemble, it undoubtedly sets a benchmark.

Tom Ripley is a ‘nobody’ in New York who is intrigued by the prospect of status and lifestyle amidst a mission to track down an old acquaintance. He finds himself living a fantasy in Europe, allured and obsessed by the liberated life now led by Dickie Greenleaf (played by Bruce Herbelin-Earle). On the outside, Dickie has it all in his new and slightly bohemian life, including a relationship with a fellow American (played by Maisie Smith) and an exotic mix of friends who push the boundaries so clearly defined by his upbringing. The reality is that both Tom and Dickie live a lie that escalates beyond control and reason.

The ten strong ensemble cast is led by Ed McVey as Tom Ripley. He is ever present on stage, posing the question; “Do you ever have the feeling you’re being watched?” Ultimately, this is more a reference to his concerns that others can read his mind and unveil the truth of his own actions in pursuit of his desires. The madness and conflicts of Ripley’s mind are chillingly portrayed by the remaining cast; a clever interpretation of intrusive and dark thoughts of someone with something to hide.

From the outset, the audience knows that Tom Ripley carries something deep and dark. There is little to suggest that it involves murder and sophisticated deceit, but this production draws you in and holds your attention from start to finish with its clever combination of simple stage set, lighting that is used to define mood and supporting cast. It’s a perfect ten for a cast of ten!

RJG Productions in association with the Watermill Theatre presents

A RIOTOUS COMEDY BY CALUM FINLAY
DIRECTED BY Katie-Ann McDonough
STARRING MISCHIEF’S CHARLIE RUSSELL

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR LONDON PRODUCTION, WHICH WILL FEATURE POST-SHOW “NOBLE CALL” – A CHANCE FOR FEMALE-IDENTIFYING MUSICIANS TO SHARE THEIR WORK LIVE ON STAGE

KING’S HEAD THEATRE
10 October – 15 November 2025

 “You’re not stupid for wanting things to change, Fanny – it’s just that we have to play the music that gets handed to us’

Full casting has been announced for Fanny, Calum Finlay’s riotous comedy, directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, which plays at the King’s Head Theatre this autumn from Friday 10 October – Saturday 15 November, with a national press night on Thursday 16 October.

Following its acclaimed world premiere at The Watermill Theatre in 2024, this “life enhancing comedy” (**** Whatsonstage.com) brings Fanny Mendelssohn’s long-overlooked story to the London stage with a new company, once again led by Mischief’s Charlie Russell as ‘Fanny’ – fresh from her most recent West End season in A Comedy About Spies.

 Meet Fanny Mendelssohn. You’ll probably know her younger brother Felix, from nineteenth-century smash hits like ‘The Wedding March’. Felix was such a musical sensation that Queen Victoria requested a personal concert and even sung her favourite of his compositions: ‘Italien’. The only problem was Felix didn’t write it. The piece of music was Fanny’s, quietly published under her brother’s name.

So – when Fanny intercepts a letter inviting Felix to go back to England and premiere a new orchestral work for the Queen, Fanny decides to hide the letter and take her rightful place at the palace…!

FANNY is a sharp, irreverent new comedy celebrating classical music — and finally giving a trailblazing woman composer her moment in the spotlight.

As with its premiere at The Watermill, the King’s Head production will conclude each performance with a Noble Call – inspired by the Irish tradition of inviting guests at a party to share a song, a poem, or to respond to the moment. Female-identifying musicians of all levels, backgrounds and styles are invited to sign-up to play a piece of music at the end of the show each night to continue the work of all the incredible women musicians before them.

Audience members interested in taking part can sign up here.

Charlie Russell, co-founder of Mischief and star of The Goes Wrong Show (BBC), reprises her role as ‘Fanny’ following her acclaimed performance at The Watermill Theatre. She is joined by Daniel Abbott (Groan Ups, Mischief UK Tour; Linck & Mülhahn, Hampstead Theatre; RSC’s Henriad) as ‘Felix’, Kim Ismay (Wicked, West End and UK Tour; Anne Boleyn the Musical, Hever Castle, Elf The Musical, Dominion Theatre) as ‘Lea’, and Jeremy Lloyd (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End and Broadway; Peter Pan Goes Wrong, West End, Broadway and BBC1) as ‘Paul’. Danielle Phillips, recently seen in The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe, plays ‘Rebecka’, and Riad Richie (Anna Karenina, Chichester Festival Theatre; Of Mice and Men, Birmingham Rep; RSC’s The Whip) completes the cast as ‘Wilhelm’.

The production is written by Calum Finlay, whose recent credits include Paddington Lo-Commotion and Peter Rabbit’s Garden Adventure. It is directed by Katie-Ann McDonough, a long-time Mischief Theatre Collaborator, most recently Associate Director on The Comedy About Spies, with music by Yshani Perinpanayagam, set and costumes by Sophia Pardon, and lighting design by David Howe. Harry Blumenau is Casting Director and Phao Wheatley is Movement Director. The creative team also includes Emily Nelson as Associate Set & Costume Designer and Charlie Russell as Creative Associate.

The production team is led by Charlie Rayner as Production Manager, Alice Cavanagh as Company Stage Manager, with Jasmine Dittman and Molly Tackaberry as Assistant Stage Managers.

Fanny is produced by RJG Productions in association with the Watermill Theatre.

Calum Finlay said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to have this extraordinary group of artists bringing Fanny to London. They’re funny and talented and are already elevating the story far beyond what I imagined on the page. I can’t wait for London audiences to enjoy this new version of the play!”

Katie-Ann McDonough said, “Fanny captures the extraordinary ambition and music of Fanny Mendelssohn, a woman whose genius was too often overshadowed. I’m honoured to bring her story of creativity, determination, and the fight to be heard to the King’s Head with this wonderful cast, and to celebrate both her spirit and her legacy.”

Charlie Russell said, “I am really looking forward to returning to Fanny. It’s a beautiful, funny, irreverent play that I can’t wait to share with London. The cast is intimidatingly excellent, and we’re so lucky to have the whole incredible team, on and off stage. We get to tell Fanny’s story, the ‘what if’ she had the agency to do something different, and that’s a privilege.”

@rjgproductions
@kingsheadtheatre
@watermilltheatre

MICHAEL HARRISON AND DAVID IAN

ANNOUNCE

A UK AND IRELAND TOUR

OF THEIR SMASH HIT PRODUCTION

OF THE MUSICAL

OPENING AT NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

ON

SATURDAY 23 MAY 2026

Michael Harrison and David Ian are delighted to announce that their smash hit production of the musical ANNIE will embark on a UK and Irelandtour opening at New Wimbledon Theatre on Saturday 23 May 2026. Tour schedule and on sale details below with further dates and casting to be announced soon. www.anniethemusicaltour.uk

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family…

With its Tony award-winning book and score, this stunning production includes the unforgettable songs ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’.

ANNIE has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. It is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker.

ANNIE is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian. This tour was licensed by Music Theatre International (MTI).

ANNIE UK TOUR 2026-27

LISTINGS

SATURDAY 23 – SATURDAY 30 MAY 2026

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 2 – SATURDAY 6 JUNE 2026

THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 9 – SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2026

PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER

www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

MONDAY 22 – SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2026

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

https://theatreroyal.com

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 30 – SATURDAY 4 JULY 2026

MARLOWE THEATRE, CANTERBURY

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 7 – SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026

WALES MILLENIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF

https://www.wmc.org.uk/en

ON SALE 3 OCTOBER 2025

TUESDAY 21 – SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026

MILTON KEYNES THEATRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/milton-keynes-theatre/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 28 – SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2026

BLACKPOOL OPERA HOUSE

www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/our-venues/large-venues/opera-house/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 4 – SATURDAY 8 AUGUST 2026

THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE

https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk

ON SALE 25 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 11 – SUNDAY 16 AUGUST 2026

BORD GAIS ENERGY THEATRE, DUBLIN

www.bordgaisenergytheatre.ie/

ON SALE 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 18 – SUNDAY 23 AUGUST 2026

BRISTOL HIPPODROME

www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 1 – SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2026

CONCERT HALL, NOTTINGHAM

ON SALE 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 8 – SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2026

HULL NEW THEATRE

https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/hull-new-theatres

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 15 – SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2026

EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 22 – SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2026

LIVERPOOL EMPIRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 29 – SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 2026

HALL FOR CORNWALL, TRURO

ON SALE 27 OCTOBER 2025

TUESDAY 6 – SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2026

THE EVERYMAN THEATRE, CHELTENHAM

https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 13 – SUNDAY 18 OCTOBER 2026

REGENT THEATRE, STOKE-ON-TENT

www.atgtickets.com/venues/regent-theatre/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2026

THE HAWTH THEATRE, CRAWLEY

www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 27 – SATURDAY 31 OCTOBER 2026

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, BELFAST

https://www.goh.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 3 – SUNDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2026

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE, ABERDEEN

www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/his-majestys-theatre/

ON SALE SOON

MONDAY 16 – SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2026

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, WOKING

www.atgtickets.com/woking/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

MONDAY 23 – SATURDAY 28 NOVEMBER 2026

ALHAMBRA THEATRE, BRADFORD

www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/alhambra-theatre

ON SALE 13 OCTOBER 2025

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2026 – SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2027

NEW THEATRE OXFORD

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

MONDAY 18 – SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2027

THE SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 2 – SUNDAY 7 FEBRUARY 2027

NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL

https://norwichtheatre.org/your-visit/norwich-theatre-royal

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 16 – SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2027

GRAND THEATRE, WOLVERHAMPTON

https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 2 – SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2027

KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW

www.atgtickets.com/venues/kings-theatre-glasgow/

ON SALE 12 SEPTEMBER 2025

TUESDAY 9 – SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2027

CURVE THEATRE, LEICESTER

ON SALE SOON

FURTHER DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

JOEL MONTAGUE,

CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER

& ALED JONES MBE

TO STAR IN

ELF THE MUSICAL

AT THE ALDWYCH THEATRE

FROM 28 OCTOBER UNTIL 3 JANUARY 2026

In just over 7 weeks, Christmas will come early to the Aldwych Theatre when Joel Montague, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Aled Jones MBE will star in the smash hit musical ELF as Buddy, Jovie and Walter Hobbs respectively. Along with these lead roles, the full cast is now announced for ELF’s highly anticipated return to the West End in a strictly limited, 10-week Christmas season, running from 28 October 2025 to 3 January 2026. Tickets are available now at elflondon.com.

Joel Montague’s stage credits include George Wilson in the UK premiere of The Great Gatsby (London Coliseum), King George III in Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre); Harvey Goldsmith in Just For One Day (Old Vic); Amos Hart in Chicago (UK Tour); Ogie in Waitress (Adelphi Theatre); Mendel in Falsettos (The Other Palace); Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls (Théâtre Marigny, Paris); Kiss Me Kate (Sheffield Crucible); Kevin in Fat Friends (UK Tour); alternate Dewey Finn in School of Rock (New London Theatre); Eddie in Funny Girl (Savoy Theatre/Menier Chocolate Factory); The Producers (UK Tour); Urinetown (Apollo Theatre/St James Theatre); The Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK Tour); Sister Act (UK Tour) and Billy Elliot (West End). His screen credits include Kay Mellor’s Girlfriends (ITV).

Carrie Hope Fletcher is currently on tour as Calamity Jane in Calamity Jane. Previously she has starred as Elizabeth in The Crown Jewels (West End/UK Tour), Grusha in The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Rose Theatre), Cinderella in Cinderella (West End), Fantine in Les Misérables: The Concert (West End), Veronica Sawyer in Heathers (West End/The Other Palace), Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family (UK Tour), Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty (Marlowe Theatre), Brenda in The Christmasaurus Live (Eventim Apollo), Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK Tour), Beth in Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds (Arena Tour) and Eponine in Les Misérables (West End). She is also a four-time WhatsOnStage Award winner, recognised with Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in Cinderella, Heathers and The Addams Family, as well as Best Takeover in a Role for Les Misérables. Carrie has headlined two successful solo tours, An Open Book (2023) and Love Letters (2024),showcasing her as a leading voice on stage in her own right. Her debut solo album When the Curtain Falls reached the UK Top 20 and hit number two in the iTunes Soundtrack Charts. She has also been recognised in the music world as a GRAMMY nominee for Cinderella (Original Cast Album) and Les Misérables: The Staged Concert. Carrie is an accomplished author across fiction, non-fiction and children’s literature. She made her debut with  All I Know Now: Wonderings and Reflections on Growing Up Gracefully and has since written a number of novels including: On the Other Side, All That She Can See, When the Curtain Falls, In the Time We Lost and With This Kiss.

Aled Jones MBE has had an extraordinary career over the past four decades, he has sung for the Pope and the Royal Family, received an MBE, released over 40 albums with over 10 million album sales and over 40 Silver, Gold and Platinum Discs. He is also the first classical artist to have 2 albums in the Top 5 of the Official Album Chart. Aled began his career at age 12 with the defining Walking in the Air from the animated film The Snowman. He has forged an extensive career as a TV & Radio presenter with shows across BBC Radio 2, 3 and BBC Radio Wales along with the most listened to show on Sunday on Classic FM and has been a firm favourite presenting Songs of Praise for over 20 years. 2022 saw Aled starring on ITV’s The Masked Singer as “Traffic Cone”.  This last year has seen Aled’s The Full Circle tour reaching parts of the UK never visited by Aled before with well over 100 dates.

Joining them will be Rosanna Hyland (West End: Disruption, Back to the Future The Musical) as Emily Hobbs, Martyn Ellis (West End: Wicked, The Lion King,) as Santa/Mr Greenway, Lucinda Lawrence (9 to 5, West End; Hairspray, UK Tour) as Deb and Dermot Canavan (West End: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof) as Store Manager with Mollie Cleere (MAMMA MIA! The Party, The O2), Farirayi Garaba (MAMMA MIA!, International tour), Sophie Pourret (The Great Gatsby, West End), Lucy Rice (Clueless, West End), Biancha Szynal (Bring It On, Southbank Centre), Kyle Cox (& Juliet, UK Tour), Zack Guest (Moulin Rouge! The Music, West End), Ryan Jupp (Crazy For You, West End), Dominic Lamb (Guys & Dolls, Bridge Theatre), Danny Nattrass (Brigadoon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre). The cast is completed by Sophie Camble (Cinderella The Musical, West End) as Swing, Amy Punter (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, West End) as Swing, Samuel John Humphreys (The Great Gatsby, West End) as Swing and Michael Tyler (MAMMA MIA!, West End) as Swing.

The role of Michael Hobbs will be played by Ayrton English, Max Garlick, Harry Georgiou and Samuel Sturge.

Based on the beloved 2003 New Line Cinema hit starring Will Ferrell, ELF features a book by Tony Award-winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone), with songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

ELF is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf! Way too tall and not so great at his job, Buddy is the North Pole’s biggest misfit… and knows he’ll never belong. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York City to find his birth father (who turns out to be quite high on the naughty list). After causing some merry mayhem in Manhattan, Buddy finally discovers the gift of family and falls in love. And when Santa’s sleigh crashes in Central Park, it’s Buddy who finds a way to save Christmas forever!

After two sold-out runs at the Dominion Theatre and a record-breaking holiday run at the Marquis Theatre on Broadway, ELF will bring holiday cheer to London with a brand-new set, adapted for the dimensions of the Aldwych Theatre by Tim Goodchild. This production of ELF will once again be directed by Philip Wm. McKinley, with choreography by Liam Steel, set and costumes by Tim Goodchild, lighting by Patrick Woodroffe, sound by Gareth Owen, video by Ian William Galloway and casting by Grindrod Burton Casting.

First staged at the Dominion Theatre in 2022, this production became the fastest selling show in the venue’s history, going on to break its own box office records during the subsequent 2023 run at the same house. When this production ran at the Marquis Theatre in 2024, it marked the musical’s first return to Broadway in over a decade and went on to break the venue’s box office’s record for weekly grosses in two consecutive weeks.

ELF is produced by Temple Live Entertainment.

Website: elflondon.com

Instagram: @elfmusicalLDN

Facebook: @elfmusicalLDN

Twitter: @elfmusicalLDN

LISTINGS INFORMATION

ELF the Musical

28 October 2025 – 3 January 2026

Aldwych Theatre

49 Aldwych, London

WC2B 4DF

Performances: Monday – Saturday 7pm, Thursday and Saturday 2pm

There will be additional matinees on: 9 December & 16 December at 2pm

Christmas 2025 Performance Schedule

Monday 22 December – 2pm & 7pm

Tuesday 23 December – 2pm & 7pm

Wednesday 24 December – 2pm

Thursday 25 December – No Performance

Friday 26 December – 2pm & 7pm

Saturday 27 December – 2pm & 7pm

Sunday 28 December – No Performance

Monday 29 December – 2pm & 7pm

Tuesday 30 December – 2pm & 7pm

Wednesday 31 December – 2pm

Thursday 1 January – 7pm

Friday 2 January – 7pm

Saturday 3 January – 2pm & 7pm

On a glorious day in September, we visited Darlington Hippodrome to see the launch of this year’s pantomime – Goldilocks and the Three Bears

For Taziva-Faye Katsande (Goldilocks) this was her first trip to Darlington.  Josh Benson (Joey the Clown) and Jamie Jones (Dame Betty Barnum) have appeared in the pantomime in Darlington before, with this one being their third here together. Dancing legend Brendan Cole (Baron von Bolshoi) has played Darlington many times as a dancer, but the first time in pantomime here.  

Don’t be surprised to find the cast exploring Darlington during their stay.  They all have plans to explore the local area and the regional Christmas markets. Jamie also has plans to catch as many of the local pantomimes as he can.  Although all 5 say they will be getting plenty of sleep on their day off

With the exception of Brendan, who has played the role before, none of the others know exactly what this year has in store.  Although Josh gets to be his natural magical self and Jamie is getting to wear some world class Dame dresses. But all agree it will be full of fun and magic and all the pantomime staples we have come to know and love.

With the cast already firm friends, it can only make the panto this year even more magical than ever.  So get your tickets now!

Goldilocks and the Three bears at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 5 December – book tickets here or phone 01325 405405 or in person at the Hippodrome Box Office.

GUEST PRESENTERS AND PERFORMANCES FROM HIT MUSICALS JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, 

JUST FOR ONE DAY AND HOT MESS

PLUS SPECIAL SURPRISE

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2025

Golda Rosheuvel, revered stage actor, star of Netflix’s Bridgerton andspin-off series Queen Charlotte, and Black Panther’s Letitia Wright, both currently performing in Bush Theatre’s Not Your Superwoman, lead the glittering and eclectic line-up of guest presenters at The Stage Debut Awards 2025. Hosted by the inimitable Julian Clary,the winners will be announced at a special ceremony on September 28, 2025, in front of an audience of some of the most influential names in theatre at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London.

Dedicated to celebrating breakthrough theatre talent, these prestigious and unique awards shine a much-needed spotlight on the industry’s rising stars while also underscoring the rich interchange of talent working across stage, screen and music. The 46 nominations range from performers, directors, writers, composers and lyricists to set, costume and lighting design.

Also joining this year’s roster of guest presenters is one half of chart-topping Rizzle Kicks Jordan Stephens, currently making his own stage debut in Entertaining Mr Sloane with Tamzin Outhwaite at London’s Young Vic; one of the country’s best-loved dancers and Kinky Boots star Johannes Radebe,widely known for his regular appearances on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing; Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields Mischief Comedy’s geniuses behind hit shows including The Play That Goes Wrong;multi-award-winning playwright, screenwriter and director Patrick Marber, whose extraordinary body of work most recently includes the first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ The Producers at the Garrick Theatre and directing Tom Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt at Wyndham’s Theatre and on Broadway, for which he won the Tony Award for Best Director of a Play; and the exceptional three-time Tony Award nominee designer Miriam Buether whose acclaimed work on both sides of the Atlantic includes Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Prima Facie.

The audience will also be treated to performances ranging from one of the most iconic musicals to one of the newest musicals on the scene. Featuring Jesus Christ Superstar’s Parisa Shahmir,Just For One Day’s Craige Els andfresh from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe’s hit new musical Hot Mess is Tobias Turley, winner of ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream. Plus a very special ‘under wraps’ performance is in store.

The Stage Debut Awards would like to thank sponsors Netflix, Encore, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Michael Harrison Entertainment, Arts Council England, Preevue, Sonia Friedman Productions, Noël Coward Foundation and Learn My Lines Productions.

Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 13th September 2025

Reviewed by Chris Jarvis

5*****

The audience was captivated from ‘End’ to End!

As we arrived at the Theatre Royal to watch this performance, we were chatting to a lady in the foyer who advised us to concentrate on the first couple of minutes and not to forget them! I’d seen Blood Brothers before so had an inkling, but my friend who has never seen it was intrigued!

Blood Brothers was written by English dramatist, lyricist and composer Willy Russell whose career spans 5 decades and includes iconic films and plays such as Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine. It has been described as legendary, captivating and moving, and one of the best musicals ever written. It ran for 24 years in the West End becoming one of the longest running musicals in history.

It has become established as a popular text in the UK GCSE curriculum for both English Literature and Drama, which was obvious last night looking at the age range of the audience from teenagers through to those who saw it when it first opened at Liverpool Playhouse in 1983 through the last 40+ years and have seen it numerous times since.

The opening scene is unforgettable and is followed by a dramatic introduction by the tall, dark handsome Narrator played tonight by Kristofer Harding who addresses the audience with:-

“So, did y’ hear the story of the Johnstone twins?

As like each other as two new pins;

Of one womb born, on the self same day

How was one kept and one given away …….”

In essence this describes the plot where Mrs Johnstone (Vivienne Carlyle) domestic help to Mrs Lyons (Paula Tappenden) is persuaded by her employer to give her one of the twins she is expecting. Willy Russell’s mental image of Mrs Johnstone – the old woman who lived in a shoe with so many children, she didn’t know what to do! She was coerced into believing it was the best outcome for all involved but that it must be kept a secret forever.

The twin boys born in Liverpool were separated soon after birth and brought up at different ends of the social spectrum, though not actually living too far apart. Fate conspired for them to meet through life unaware of their relationship.

The boys first meet age 7 both Mickey (Sean Jones) and Eddie (Joe Sleight) being played by adults. Both actors played great parts but Sean Jones was born to play Mickey at every stage in his life from a 7 year old tyke reminding me of Wee Jimmy Krankie with a scouse accent, to a cheeky but lovable teenage rogue, shy and awkward as he negotiated adolescence into adulthood with his childhood sweetheart Linda (Gemma Brodrick) who also played a brilliant part through age 7 years to adulthood. Eddie was brought up by Mr and Mrs Lyons in luxury, wanting for nothing and always with a bag of sweets in his pocket – the antithesis of Mickey. Despite their differences or perhaps because of them, they become BB’s – best buddies and blood brothers!

Mickey and Eddie follow different paths to employment and University and life events conspire against Mickey when he is made redundant and he and his colleagues in the dole queue sing a very powerful and moving Just Another Sign of the Times. The songs throughout are all meaningful with some great voices and harmonies and include Tell Me It’s Not True and Marilyn Monroe. Vivienne Carlyle gives an outstanding performance as Mrs Johnstone – her voice is incredible and her emotions so true.

I don’t remember feeling so emotionally involved in a production. The first half was emotional and funny, but the second half had the audience totally silent with their emotions torn apart as Mickey sinks into depression, Linda tries desperately to bring him back and Eddie wants to help them both.

The beginning is the end, and this is a production not to be missed. The acting, singing, set design and of course Willy Russell’s real-life writing, music and lyrics are second to none. It is not surprising that Blood Brothers is affectionately known as the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’ and tonight was no exception.