Home

Actor and singer Clara Lioe sat down with fairypowered to answer 20 questions. Clara is currently playing Emilie/Baby Joey on tour in War Horse.  Due to appear at Leeds Grand Theatre until 6 September, tickets available here

Let’s start with a few favourites

Favourite show (whether you have been in it or not)?

Prima Facie dir. by Justin Martin, written by Suzie Miller

Favourite book?

Room by Emma Donogue

Favourite theatre?

The Lyric Theatre, Belfast – my sister got married there! One of many lovely memories at the Lyric

Favourite song?

So difficult to answer – but let’s go with Freedom by Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar

Favourite music?

R&B

Favourite food?

A huge bowl of spicy ramen

Favourite drink?

Builder’s tea

What is your favourite role?

Probably Emilie from War Horse; it’s so joyful playing a child, and theatre definitely scratches the itch I have for performing more than screen work has thus far in my career

What was your first role?

One of my very early roles when I was a child was playing Jasmine in our primary school production of Aladdin

And what role would you really like to play?

I would absolutely love to play a real person, dead or alive. The research and psychoanalysis of character work is my favourite part of the job a lot of the time, and when you’re playing a real person the research is even more important

If you weren’t a performer what would you be?

I was good at languages when I was at school, so probably a French or Spanish teacher, or maybe a psychotherapist

What made you decide to be a performer?

I did a play about male mental health when I was 16, written by a local Belfast writer Patrick J O’Reilly. It really made me realise that good writing makes acting so thrilling, rewarding and can change people’s lives. Shortly after I started applying for Drama Schools and the rest is history

Do you enjoy touring?

I do enjoy touring, it’s a great way to do some travelling whilst working – which I’ve dreamt about in the past! Sometimes it can be a bit stressful and you just want your own bed, but I’m very lucky to be able to tour with my job

What advice would you give 16 year old you?

Don’t worry if you wanna do something different to all your peers. Just take a chance and see where it goes – it might actually go pretty well!

Do you fancy branching out in Producing or Directing?

I’m not sure if I have the passion for producing/directing or the leadership-type personality to do the job, but maybe in 10 years time after some more career experience.

What was the last stage show you saw and really enjoyed?

I saw an immersive production of Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Bridge Theatre in London. It had acrobats on trapezes, incredible costumes and most importantly – Love On Top by Beyoncé. I would love to do some crazy Shakespeare some day!

Favourite line from any show?

This is a movie quote, sorry! – “If I could find a real life place that made me feel like Tiffany’s then I’d buy some furniture and give the cat a name!” – Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

If you could be anyone else for the day, who would it be?

Randomly, I would love to be Cillian Murphy for the day. He’s very well respected without having to be a huge personality for the sake of his career. He seems to live a very peaceful life in Dublin. The dream!

What are the nicest/weirdest things you have ever received from fans?

N/A

Can you tell us what you will be up to next?

You’ll be seeing me in a new Rom Com called “CC: Emily” around Valentine’s Day 2026, and I finished filming for a Netflix series back in May, but that’s all I can tell you about that.

War Horse is on tour around the UK.  Tickets can be found here

MUSICAL PARODY UNFORTUNATE:
 THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH ANNOUNCES FULL CASTING FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON AT LOWRY STARRING SAM BUTTERY AS URSULA 

Book and Lyrics by Robyn Grant & Daniel Foxx 

Music by Tim Gilvin 

Lowry, Salford | 5 Dec 2025 – 11 Jan 2026

The critically acclaimed musical parody Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch today announces casting for its forthcoming Christmas season, splashing into Lowry, Salford for five weeks from Friday 5 December until Sunday 11 January. 

Sam Buttery, a regular on the hit Netflix series Kaos playing one of ‘The Fates’, three trans non-binary, immortal Gods of Desire, takes on the iconic role of ‘Ursula’. Her recent stage credits include Little Shop of Horrors at Sheffield Theatres and The Addams Family Musical at the London Palladium. She also regularly performs on Manchester’s Cabaret scene and will be leading the Unfortunate team at PRIDE Manchester this Saturday. Miracle Chance (Fangirls, The Witches, Heathers) will play ‘Ariel’, Allie Dart (The Comedy About Spies, 2:22 A Ghost Story) returns to reprise her role as ‘Sebastian’, Blair Robertson (Witness for the Prosecution, Mamma Mia) will play ‘King Triton’ and James Spence will play ‘Prince Eric’. They are joined by Ensemble cast members Freya McMahon and Fionan O’Carroll. 

Returning for a third visit following two previous sold-out runs, this new production of Unfortunate features brand- new set and costumes and will play to a new running time of two hours including one interval. Tickets are on sale. 

When Disney released The Little Mermaid in 1989, they had no idea they were giving birth to an icon. Ursula the Sea Witch quickly took her place as the queen of Disney villains: a pop culture legend and a feminist badass. She’s loud. She’s clever. She’s sexy and unapologetically plus-sized. She’s not defined by slipper-sized feet, or enchanted blonde hair, or snow-white skin. Ursula is plump, purple and proud. A queer icon with a message for us ‘poor unfortunate souls’: love the skin you’re in, value your voice over your body, and don’t be afraid to be a little bit nasty. 

Cruella told her side, and Maleficent’s had her moment… Now the legendary sea witch is ready to spill in this tell- all tale of sex, sorcery and suckers – a laugh-a-minute dive through Ursula’s backstory filled with a filthy pop soundtrack, much-loved characters as you’ve never seen them before and enough (eco-friendly) glitter to keep you sparkling all the way home. Gather up your merfriends; it’s going to be one hell of a beach party. 

Unfortunate first premiered with a sold out run at the Edinburgh Fringe in summer 2019, before heading to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio that Christmas. The show then transferred to Underbelly Earls Court in London and returned for a second sell-out Edinburgh run in 2022. In December 2023 the production returned to London for an 11-week run at Southwark Playhouse Elephant prior to a six-month UK tour in 2024. A Swedish-language production will open in Norrköping this September. 

Unfortunate the musical parody has book and lyrics by Robyn Grant and Daniel Foxx, with music by award- winning composer Tim Gilvin. Casting is by Will Burton CDG for Grindrod Burton Casting. Creative team to be announced. Produced by Wildpark Entertainment. 

LISTINGS 

Wildpark Entertainment, Runaway Entertainment, The Vaults and Dianne Roberts presents 

UNFORTUNATE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH 

Book and lyrics by Robyn Grant & Daniel Foxx


Music by Tim Gilvin 

Friday 5 Dec 2025 – Sunday 11 Jan 2026 

Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford M50 3AZ 

Box Office:thelowry.com | 0161 876 6000 

Tickets: from £19.50 

Performance times: 

Tue – Sat eves 8pm 

Sat & Sun mats 3pm 

Wed 24 3pm


Sun 28 8pm 

Wed 31 5pm


Fri 2 Jan 3pm


No performances 25 & 26 Dec, 1 Jan 

Age guidance: 16+


Running time: 2 hours including one interval 

THE STAGE DEBUT AWARDS 2025 ANNOUNCEMENT

NOMINEES AND BRAND NEW HOST REVEALED

The Stage Debut Awards in association with Netflix today announces the nominees for the industry’s most prestigious annual awards ceremony celebrating breakthrough talent in UK theatre. The winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, on September 28, 2025.

The 46 nominations originate from UK shows staged in all four nations, marking this year’s awards as the most geographically representative to date. The eight categories shine a spotlight on individuals making their professional or West End debuts, and salute excellence in acting, directing, design, writing and musical composition. The varied shortlist demonstrates a thriving transference of cross-genre skills with novelists, screenwriters, film-makers, film stars and podcasters among this year’s talent.

Nominees for the hotly contested Best West End Debut Performer award, the only category in which the winner is decided by public vote, features two sets of co-stars among the eight. Rachel Zegler and Diego Andres Rodriguez, the leading actors of Jamie Lloyd’s much-lauded revival of Evita, arecontenders alongside Tosin Cole (Netflix’s Supacell) and Heather Agyepong, the romantic leads of the Olivier-award nominated Shifters. Last summer’s hit love story also claims the most nominees for a single production, three in total with playwright Benedict Lombe in the running for Best Creative West End Debut. Meanwhile, Georgie Buckland’s standout performance in The Devil Wears Prada, Clueless the Musical’s Emma Flynn and Kat Ronney in Titanique are also nominated in this musicals-dominated shortlist alongside actor Samuel Brewer’s turn in Oedipus.

This year’s Best Performer in a Musical category boasts a four-strong all-female line-up. The nominees are Why Am I So Single?’s Leesa Tulley at London’s Garrick Theatre, Dora Gee in The Mad Ones at the Other Palace, London, and Megan Ellis in Muriel’s Wedding The Musical, the stage adaptation of the popular film at Leicester’s Curve theatre, alongside Eve Shanu-Wilson, who took over the lead role of Christine in the long-running The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, London.

New musicals with a whimsical or comedic theme are the common thread running through this year’s outstanding nominees for Best Composer, Lyricist or Book Writer category, proving the genre’s popularity is as strong as ever. Innovative storytelling exploring modern themes are expressed in the exemplary work of Lovestuck’s trio Martin Batchelar, James Cooper (co-creator and star of global comedy podcast hit My Dad Wrote A Porno) and Bryn Christopher at Theatre Royal Stratford East, London; Yve Blake’s Fangirls at the Lyric Hammersmith, London; and One Man Musical by Flo & Joan by Nicola and Rosie Dempsey at the Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh.

The UK’s vibrant theatre scene is especially evident in this year’s Best Performer in a Play category, with eight nominees represented on all manner of stages across the UK including Hilson Agbangbe for Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic and Paula Clarke in herdeftlysigned and ‘chilling’ performance in The Tragedy of Richard III at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre; Lucy Karczewski’s ‘shining’ performance in Stereophonic in the West End’s Duke of York’s theatre; and Daisy Sequerra’s accomplished role in Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre. London fringe theatre also stakes its claim with Eva Morgan in The Glass Menagerie at the Yard and Christopher Neenan’s ‘hugely promising debut’ in Blood Wedding at Omnibus Theatre.

This year there are several individuals with South Asian heritage being recognised for their excellence in directing: among the nominees is Amit Sharma for Ryan Calais Cameron’s Retrograde (in the Best Creative West End Debut category) as well as Adam Karim for Guards at the Taj at the Orange Tree Theatre, London, and visionary Indian film-maker Aditya Chopra forCome Fall In Love at Manchester’s Opera House, who are both in the running for the Best Director category.

A plethora of writers featured in this year’s Best Creative West End Debut shortlist already come with Olivier-award winning and Olivier-award nominated accolades for their work including Mark Rosenblatt for Giant, Jethro Compton and Darren Clark for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Eline Arbo (adapter/director) for The Years, Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli for Titanique while novelist Nathan Englander’s Olivier-nominated What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank makes the shortlist as a contender for his debut as Best Writer. Richard Mylan, a Debut Awards’ Best Writer nominee for Sorter (2023), returns this time as a contender in the Best Director category, flexing his multi-disciplinary skills in Mumfighter at Swansea Grand Theatre.

Last but not least, The Stage Debut Awards are thrilled to reveal comedy royalty, actor and pantomime dame Julian Clary as the new host of ceremonies at this year’s awards. With over 40 years in showbusiness under his belt, Clary will be putting his unique comedy stamp on The Stage Debut Awards. He says: “It is a true pleasure to host this annual celebration of emerging talent in the theatre industry where we will honour the artistry, creativity and dedication of the newest voices shaping the future of the stage. I look forward to celebrating the extraordinary promise of these rising stars.”

The Stage editor Alistair Smith comments: “Judging The Stage Debut Awards was as thrilling as it was challenging. The sheer breadth and brilliance of emerging talent across the UK made narrowing down our longlist of more than 200 eligible theatremakers no easy task.

“For the first time, our shortlists include nominees from productions staged in all four nations of the UK — a real testament to the geographical spread and vibrancy of theatremaking today. We’re also proud to recognise artists working at every scale: from performers and creatives in blockbuster West End musicals to those making their mark in some of the UK’s most intimate fringe spaces. This year’s nominees truly embody the future of British theatre, and I can’t wait to celebrate their achievements.”

Votes for Best West End Debut Performer opens on August 21 and can be cast online at HERE voting closes on September 14. This award honours a performer’s first appearance in London’s West End.

Winners will be announced at The Stage Debut Awards’ eighth annual ceremony on September 28 at 8 Northumberland Avenue, London, in association with headline sponsor Netflix.

The line-up of guest presenters and performers will be revealed in September

THE FULL LIST OF 2025 NOMINEES ARE…

Best Performer in a Play (sponsored by Encore):

●               Hilson Agbangbe for Wonder Boy at Bristol Old Vic

●               Paula Clarke for The Tragedy of Richard III at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast

●               Joseph Edwards for The Red Shoes at the Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

●               Lucy Karczewski for Stereophonic at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London

●               Eva Morgan for The Glass Menagerie at the Yard Theatre, London

●               Christopher Neenan for Blood Wedding at Omnibus Theatre, London

●               Daisy Sequerra for Ballet Shoes at the National Theatre, London

●               Jasper Talbot for Redlands at Chichester Festival Theatre

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

●               Megan Ellis for Muriel’s Wedding the Musical at Curve, Leicester

●               Dora Gee for The Mad Ones at the Other Palace, London

●               Eve Shanu-Wilson for The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre, London

●               Leesa Tulley for Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre, London

Best Writer (sponsored by Sonia Friedman Productions):

●               Sarah Bond for Seagulls and Sad, Sad Stories at Laurels, Whitley Bay

●               Nathan Englander for What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank at    
           Marylebone Theatre, London

●               Danny James King for Miss Myrtle’s Garden at Bush Theatre, London

●               Nancy Netherwood for Radiant Boy: A Haunting at Southwark Playhouse, London

●               Ava Pickett for 1536 at the Almeida Theatre, London

●               Milly Sweeney for Water Colour at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Byre Theatre,
           St Andrews

●               Saana Sze for Belly of the Beast at Finborough Theatre, London

Best Director (sponsored by Arts Council England):

●               Aditya Chopra for Come Fall In Love at Opera House, Manchester

●               Nathan Crossan-Smith for The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure at

Liverpool Everyman

●               Adam Karim for Guards at the Taj at Orange Tree Theatre, London

●               Emily Susanne Lloyd for The Mad Ones at the Other Palace, London

●               Richard Mylan for Mumfighter at Swansea Grand Theatre

Best Designer (sponsored by Preevue):

●               Juliette Demoulin (set), various at Finborough Theatre, London

●               Adam Jefferys (lighting) for Communion at Bush Theatre, London

●               Hannah Schmidt (set and costume) for The Passenger/Personal Values at 

Finborough Theatre/Hampstead Theatre, London

●               Chloe Wyn (set and costume) for The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure, at

Liverpool Everyman

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

●               Martin Batchelar, James Cooper, Bryn Christopher for Lovestuck, at Theatre Royal

Stratford East, London

●               Yve Blake for Fangirls at Lyric Hammersmith, London

●               Nicola Dempsey and Rosie Dempsey for One Man Musical by Flo & Joan at

Pleasance Dome, Edinburgh

Best West End Debut Performer (Sponsored by Noël Coward Foundation):

●               Heather Agyepong for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre

●               Samuel Brewer for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre

●               Georgie Buckland for The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre

●               Tosin Cole for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre

●               Emma Flynn for Clueless the Musical at Trafalgar Theatre

●               Diego Andres Rodriguez for Evita at London Palladium

●               Kat Ronney for Titanique at Criterion Theatre

●               Rachel Zegler for Evita at London Palladium

Best Creative West End Debut (sponsored by Learn My Lines Productions):

●               Eline Arbo (adapter/director) for The Years at Harold Pinter Theatre

●               Tye Blue (writer/director), Marla Mindelle (writer) and Constantine Rousouli (writer)

for Titanique at Criterion Theatre

●               Darren Clark (music and lyrics) and Jethro Compton (book and lyrics)

for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre

●               Justin Craig (musical director and orchestrator) for Stereophonic at the Duke of

York’s Theatre

●               Benedict Lombe (playwright) for Shifters at the Duke of York’s Theatre

●               Mark Rosenblatt (playwright) for Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre

●               Amit Sharma (director) for Retrograde at Apollo Theatre

For tables and tickets please contact Sarah DuMay, sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk

With thanks to our sponsors Netflix, Encore, Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Michael Harrison Entertainment, Arts Council England, Preevue, Sonia Friedman Productions, Noël Coward Foundation and Learn My Lines Productions.

The inaugural The Stage Debut Awards took place in 2017 and recipients of these awards have gone on to star in West End shows, television series and films. Previous years’ winners include Best West End Debut Performer Jack Wolfe in Next to Normal, currently preparing for his Broadway debut in Hadestown, he follows in the footsteps of winner Rose Ayling-Ellis (2023) and Jodie Comer (2022). Other notable winners include Jeevan Braich for Starlight Express, Rob Madge for My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?) at the Garrick Theatre and Ambassadors Theatre who also took their show to Broadway this year, Isobel Thom for their leading role in I, Joanat Shakespeare’s Globe, Michael R Jackson for composing A Strange Loop at the Barbican Theatre and Tingying Dong for her sound design on The Crucible, the Gielgud and National Theatre. A further roll call of notable award winners from previous years include Best West End Debut for Shan Ako (Les Misérables), SpitLip (Operation Mincemeat), Tyrell Williams (Red Pitch), Sam Tutty (Dear Evan Hansen), Miriam-Teak Lee (& Juliet), Bush Theatre artistic director Lynette Linton (Sweat) and composers Femi Temowo (Death of a Salesman) and Dan Gillespie Sells (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie). Jim Barne and Kit Buchan’sThe Season (renamed Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)) will be transferring to Broadway later this year.

For details on eligibility and the judging process see The Stage Debut Awards website: HERE

Leeds Grand Theatre – until Saturday 6th September 2025

Reviewed by Michelle Richardson

5*****

The National Theatre’s acclaimed, award-winning production, War Horse, returns to the stage and is currently playing at Leeds Grand Theatre, as part of a major UK and Ireland tour. Based on the well-loved novel by Michael Morpurgo. Written, after a fireside chat with a veteran about his experiences of The Great War, WWI, War Horse is a fictional depiction based around those tales. This production is adapted by Nick Stafford, directed by Tom Morris, with revival director, Katie Henry.

A young horse is bought at auction by a drunken farmer, Ted Narracott (Karl Haynes). His sone Albert (Tom Sturgess) develops a close bond with the horse and names him Joey. As war breaks out Joey is sold to the British Army, shipped to France to aid the campaign to stop the German Kaiser invasion of Belgium. Albert is devastated and wants to go with Joey, but he is too young to join up, but he is assured that Joey will be back on the farm in time for Christmas. Little did anyone anticipate that this operation would far exceed the couple of months predicted. What follows is an emotional, harrowing tale of the realities of war.

Joey is subjected to the horrors of WWI. He befriends another horse, a magnificent beast named Topthorn. The Captain who bought him is killed in battle, where we see only Joey and Topthorn surviving, the Germans then take possession of them both. They are put to use, pulling ambulance carriages, before being redeployed, hauling heavy artillery. Albert in the meantime decides to join up, even though he is too young, in an effort to find his beloved horse.

The stage show works so well because of the amazing, jaw dropping puppetry, by Handspring Puppet Company, that is used. The horses are created with a metal framework, with a swishing tail, moveable neck, ears and legs and sound. They are powered by some truly amazing puppeteers. I must mention all that I was lucky enough to watch in action on the night. For young Joey we had Jordan Paris, Eloise Beaumont-Wood and Clara Lioe, older Joey, Tom Quinn, Lewis McBean and Michael Larcombe and Topthorn was Tea Poldervaart, Robin Hayward and Gun Suen. They brought the horses to life with such realism it was easy to forget they weren’t real. The horses are even ridden by the actors. It is an incredible sight to behold and worth the ticket price alone. Not only do we see horses, but a squawky puppet goose wheeling across the stage, brings a bit of light relief.

I thought it was amazing to see Joey as a foal, but when he morphed onto the stage as his older self, wow. To see the fluid motion of a huge horse rearing up, with the sound and action all around, it was breathtaking and a standout of the show.

The backdrop of the stage is black, with what looks like a scrap of paper across it, much like the scrap of paper that Albert carries with him with a sketch of Joey. This backdrop is used to project drawings by Rae Smith, as the story unfolds. These sketches are very effective and only enhance, synching with the action taking place on the stage.

The show isn’t just puppets, there is a large cast of actors who are impressive too. The collective voice, when the actors came together as one, provided a powerful use of storytelling. Folk music is used to narrate the play. Sally Swanson has a beautiful voice and was amazing as the singer. The use of sound and lighting plays a crucial role in this show. It creates a realistic and emotional depiction of war, its impact packed a punch.

War Horse isn’t shy in retelling the horrors of war. It is heart wrenching to witness the suffering of animals and humans from all sides, in the name of war. The love shared between horse and man, though Joey and Albert, is so touching to watch. For the Great War Britain sent across roughly one million horses, with just over half surviving.

This production is a truly marvellous, stunning piece of theatre. It explores themes of love, loyalty and resilience. It is imaginative, powerful, thrilling and emotional to watch, make sure you take a hankie with you. A visual masterpiece.

Wow, oh wow. This should be on your bucket list of shows to see. One of the best productions I have ever seen!

THE DELAUNAY PRESENTS
AN EVENING WITH RUSSELL TOVEY

The Delaunay, in partnership with the Royal Theatrical Fund, will host an exclusive evening on Sunday 28 September with acclaimed actor Russell Tovey, as part of its ‘The Delaunay Presents, An Evening With…’ series.

The evening begins at 6:30pm with writer and journalist Tim Wapshott hosting a relaxed and insightful conversation with Tovey, who will reflect on his acclaimed career across stage and screen. He will share personal stories and highlights from notable roles, including The History Boys, Being Human, Years and Years, Looking, and The Pass. The discussion will also explore his deep involvement in the art world, including his role as co-host the Talk Art podcast and his ongoing support for contemporary artists and emerging talent.

Previous guest stars of The Delaunay Presents, An Evening With…’ series have included Martin Shaw, Dame Joanna Lumley, Julian Clary, Brian Cox CBE, Sir Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance, Sir Ian McKellen, Michael Sheen, and Felicity Kendal.

Full event details and Standard tickets (priced at £95) and are available at:
https://www.thedelaunay.com/the-delaunay-presents-an-evening-with/.

MEET THE PRINCIPAL CAST BRINGING

THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL

TO THE WEST END THIS AUTUMN

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE CREATIVE TEAM ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY

As rehearsals begin for the world premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical, producers Sonia Friedman Productions, STUDIOCANAL and Eliza Lumley Productions on behalf of Universal Music UK today announce the principal cast (well, maybe not quite all of them just yet…) and further members of the creative team.

Adapted from the much-loved books written by Michael Bond, and the award-winning films by STUDIOCANAL, with music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard the production opens at the Savoy Theatre on Sunday, 30 November, with previews from Saturday, 1 November, and is currently booking until 25 May 2026.

The principal cast is Timi Akinyosade (Tony), Amy Booth-Steel (Lady Sloane), Tarinn Callender (Grant), Delilah Bennett-Cardy (Judy Brown), Adrian Der Gregorian (Mr. Brown), Tom Edden (Mr Curry), Brenda Edwards (Tanya), Amy Ellen Richardson (Mrs. Brown), Victoria Hamilton-Barritt (Millicent Clyde),  Teddy Kempner (Mr Gruber), Bonnie Langford (Mrs Bird), and the role of Jonathan Brown is played by Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare and Jasper Rowse.

It may also be apparent that someone rather important is missing from this announcement.

Dramatic paws…

We can’t wait for you to meet Paddington, but please bear with us a little longer.

Also announced today is the additional creative team working alongside Sheppard – Matt Brind (Musical Supervisor, Orchestrations and Arrangements), Ellen Kane (Choreographer), Tom Pye (Scenic Designer), Gabriella Slade (Costume Designer), Paddington Bear Designer: To be revealed, 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), and Nick Hockaday (Young Persons’ Casting Director), Javier Marzan (Physical Comedy Consultant, Tobago and D-Lime (Additional Music Consultants).

Full cast, including Paddington Casting, Bear Designer and Bear Creative team to be announced shortly.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Eliza Lumley said today, “Having had the immense privilege to work with Tom, Jessica and Luke to create and develop this brand-new musical over several years, it’s incredibly exciting to be starting rehearsals with this extraordinary company. We can’t wait until the first preview, when we will reveal who will be playing Paddington, and the brilliant creative team who are responsible for bringing this very special bear to life on stage.”

Anna Marsh, CEO of STUDIOCANAL, Chief Content Officer of CANAL+ and Deputy CEO of CANAL+ comments, “We are so proud to announce our brilliantly talented company today as we look forward to Paddington’s highly anticipated stage debut in London’s West End. As with our films and series, we have put such genuine care into PADDINGTON the Musical to ensure that audiences will truly delight in Paddington’s next adventure. It’s a true privilege for everyone at STUDIOCANAL to be part of Paddington’s legacy.”

A rather wonderful adventure is about to begin…

Hold on to your hats for the world premiere of PADDINGTON The Musical 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, mischief 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, voiced by Michael Hordern; 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 – Paddington released in 2014, Paddington 2 in 2017, and Paddington in Peru in 2024, enjoying critical and commercial acclaim.

Instagram, Facebook and TikTok: paddingtonthemusical

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

Timi Akinyosade plays Tony. This marks his professional stage debut. His television credits include Man Like Mobeen.

Amy Booth-Steel plays Lady Sloane. Her theatre work includes The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (Chichester Festival Theatre), Mates in Chelsea (Royal Court Theatre), The Odyssey, Dick Whittington, One Man Two Guvnors, The Light Princess, She Stoops to Conquer (National Theatre), Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre), Tammy Faye (Almeida Theatre), The Magician’s Elephant (RSC), #HonestAmy (Pleasance Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Heathers (Theatre Royal Haymarket), As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Assassination of Katie Hopkins (Theatr Clwyd), A Pacificist’s Guide to the War on Cancer (National Theatre and Complicité), Anita and Me (Birmingham Rep and Theatre Royal Stratford East), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ – The Musical (Curve, Leicester), and Betty Blue Eyes (Mercury Theatre Colchester and West Yorkshire Playhouse). For television, her work includes Down Cemetery Road, Late in Life, One Day, Nolly, Stath Lets Flats, The Mind of Herbert Clunkerdunk, Buffering, Call the Midwife, Newark Newark, Zomboat, Doctor Who, The Year of the Rabbit, Wannabe, and The Windsors; and for film, Blue Jean.

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.

Delilah Bennett-Cardy plays Judy. For theatre, her credits include Bugsy Malone (UK tour), A Christmas Carol (Dominion Theatre), School of Rock (Gilliam Lynne Theatre), A Little Princess (Royal Festival Hall), Macbeth (RSC), and The Nutcracker (Brimingham Royal Ballet/Royal Albert Hall). Her television credits include Tom Jones; and for film, The Magic Faraway Tree.

Adrian Der Gregorian plays Mr. Brown. His theatre credits include Wonderful Town (La Scala Milan), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), Sweet Smell of Success (Arcola Theatre), Roman Holiday (Theatre Royal Bath), Cyrano De Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre), The Hunt (Almeida Theatre), Once in a Lifetime (Young Vic), Mr Burns (Almeida Theatre), Road Show (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Infant (Les Enfants Terrible), Love and Understanding (Trident Theatre), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (UK tour), La Cage Aux Folles (Playhouse Theatre), The Woman in White (Palace Theatre), and Bombay Dreams (Apollo Victoria Theatre). For television, his work includes W1A, and The Galaghan Directories. He is also an international soloist working with Symphony Orchestras and is a soloist for Friday Night is Music for the BBC.

Tom Edden plays Mr Curry. His stage work includes Waiting for Godot (Theatre Royal Haymarket – Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Play), The Merry Widow (Glyndebourne Opera), Crazy for You (Chichester Festival Theatre and Gillian Lynne Theatre), Cyrano de Bergerac (Playhouse Theatre and New York), Our Town (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), The Pinter Season – Trouble in the Works/Night/Girls (Pinter Theatre), Matilda (RSC at the Cambridge Theatre), The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse), Amadeus (National Theatre), Doctor Faustus (Duke of York’s Theatre), Peter Pan Goes Wrong (Mischief Theatre Company), Measure for Measure (Young Vic), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), Olivier! (Sheffield Theatres), A Little Hotel on the Side (Theatre Royal Bath), and One Man Two Guvnors (National Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket and Music Box Theatre Broadway – winner of the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play, Tony Award nomination and Outer Critics’ Circle nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play). His television work includes Starstruck, Singapore Grip, Upstart Crow, The Scandalous Lady W, Doctor Who and Stuart, A Life Backwards, and for film, Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens, Cinderella, The Wolf Man, and Mr Turner.

Brenda Edwards plays Tanya. Her theatre work includes I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (The London Palladium), We Need a Little Christmas (The Actors’ Church), White Christmas (Dominion Theatre), Hairspray (UK tour), Carousel, We Will Rock You (London Coliseum and Dominion Theatre), Moby Dick The Musical (Union Theatre), The Human Comedy (Young Vic), and Chicago (UK tour). Her work as a theatre director includes Hairspray (UK tour). For television her work includes Gospel Choir of the Year, as well as appearances on X Factor and The Singer Takes It All, and as a presenter on Songs of Praise and Loose Women.

Amy Ellen Richardson plays Mrs Brown. Her extensive theatre work includes Extraordinary Women (Jermyn Street Theatre), Matilda, The Musical (RSC at the Cambridge Theatre), Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Vincent in Brixton,

 White Christmas, Cats, Chicago  (UK tours), The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole 13 and ¾ (Ambassadors Theatre), Sweet Charity (Donmar Warehouse), Kiss Me Kate (Sheffield Crucible), Sweet Charity (Nottingham Playhouse), Into The Woods (Royal Exchange Theatre), Follies (Royal Albert Hall), How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Royal Festival Hall), Singin’ In The Rain (UK tour and Tokyo), Merrily We Roll Along (Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre), Crazy For You (Novello Theatre), Into The Woods, Gigi (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), She Loves Me, Funny Girl (Minerva Theatre), Oklahoma! (Chichester Festival Theatre), Original Cast of Spamalot (Palace Theatre), Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Sherman Cymru), On The Town (ENO Coliseum), On Your Toes (Tokyo), Whistle Down The Wind (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales Theatre). Her television work includes The Grinch Live!; and for film, Les Misérables.

Victoria Hamilton-Barritt plays Millicent. She is a two time Olivier nominee and her theatre work includes Hadestown (Lyric Theatre), Nine in Concert (The Lowry, Salford), Bronco Billy (Charing Cross Theatre), Bat Boy the Musical in Concert (The London Palladium), The Odyssey, Hex (National Theatre), Cinderella (Gillian Lynne Theatre), Death of a Salesman (Piccadilly Theatre), The View Upstairs (Soho Theatre), The Wild Party (The Other Palace), Murder Ballad (Arts Theatre), In the Heights (King’s Cross Theatre, Southwark Playhouse), Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens (Criterion Theatre), Chicks (New Diorama), A Chorus Line (The London Palladium), Gypsy (Curve, Leicester), Flashdance (Shaftesbury Theatre and UK tour), Grease (Piccadilly Theatre), Desperately Seeking Susan (Novello Theatre), West Side Story, Oh! What s Night (international tours), Fame (Aldwych Theatre), Saturday Night Fever (UK tour), and Mamma Mia! (Prince Edward Theatre). For television her work includes Call the Midwife, and The Cast; and for film, Bunch of Amateurs.

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.

Bonnie Langford plays Mrs Bird. Her recent theatre work includes Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre, Los Angeles and Broadway), Gone with the Wind, Gypsy (also on Broadway), Cats (Original London Cast), Chicago (also on Broadway), Sweet Charity, Spamalot, 42nd Street (also released on DVD), 9 to 5 The Musical, Anything Goes, Les Misérables, Fosse, Guys and Dolls, and Oklahoma! (UK tours). Her recent television work includes Doctor Who, EastEnders (British Soap Award and NTA nomination), Marple, Hotel Babylon, Just William, and The Catherine Tate Show; as well as appearances on Dancing on Ice, and The Masked Dancer. Her work also spans across albums and books, with film appearances including the classic Bugsy Malone.

Tom Fletcher is the founding member of Brit Award-winning band McFLY, and a number-one, bestselling children’s author.

Writing music has always been Tom’s first passion, he has penned ten #1 singles and his band McFLY, who were founded in 2003, remain one of the most successful and cherished bands in the UK. McFLY are the youngest band to chart a debut album at #1 – taking the record from The Beatles – have recorded 7 studio albums and sold over 10 million albums. Tom is also a coach on The Voice UK, alongside band mate Danny Jones.

In 2016 Fletcher published his first novel The Christmasaurus which was the biggest debut middle-grade novel that year and was shortlisted for a British Book Award. He has written over 30 children’s books, which have been translated into 45 languages and have sold over 10 million copies. Three of these chart- topping novels, The Christmasaurus, The Creakers and Space Band are published alongside accompanying soundtrack albums, written and performed by Tom, which are available to stream throughout the story, taking the reader on a magical musical journey. 

For younger readers, he writes the number one, best-selling picture book series Who’s in Your Book? and he is one half of the author duo behind The Dinosaur that Pooped series with bandmate Dougie Poynter. Both book series have been adapted into popular stage productions that are currently touring the UK, featuring music written by Tom. The Creakers theatre production also completed a sold-out run in the West End in 2024 and will be touring in the near future. 

While continuing to work on multiple exciting projects, Fletcher will also be embarking on the sold-out, 35 date arena tour BUSTED vs McFLY across the UK at the end of 2025.

Jessica Swale is an Olivier Award-winning filmmaker, writer and director. As a playwright, her first play Blue Stockings, won her an Evening Standard Most Promising Playwright nomination and is now on the GCSE drama syllabus. Her second, Nell Gwynn, won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy after transferring from the Globe to the West End, starring Gemma Arterton. She is currently penning the screenplay for Working Title. Her much-performed theatre adaptations include Sense and Sensibility, Far from the Madding Crowd, The Jungle Book and The Secret Garden. 

In film, her romantic comedy Merv, starring Zooey Deschanel and Charlie Cox, will be released later this year with MGM/ Lightworks and Amazon. Prior to that, her first short, the comedy Leading Lady Parts (starring Felicity Jones, Florence Pugh, Emilia Clarke, Tom Hiddleston and Gemma Chan) became a viral hit with over 25 million views and her debut feature film, Summerland (starring Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw) was released in 2020 by Lionsgate, Embankment & BFI. She also wrote the screenplay for the Horrible Histories Movie starring Emilia Jones.

She has since directed episodes of Ten Percent for BRON/Headline starring Dominic West, Himesh Patel and Emma Corrin. Her latest projects include a new adaptation for Netflix and Lookout Point and a re-working of The Taming of the Shrew for Working Title.

Luke Sheppard’s theatre credits include & Juliet (West End, Broadway, Toronto, Hamburg, Australia), Starlight Express (Troubadour), Just For One Day (Shaftesbury Theatre, The Old Vic, Toronto), The Little Big Things (West End), In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse/Toronto), My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) (West End, Turbine Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe), What’s New Pussycat? (Birmingham Rep), Rent, Spring Awakening (Hope Mill Theatre), The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾: The Musical (West End, Menier Chocolate Factory and Leicester Curve), In The Heights (King’s Cross Theatre and Southwark Playhouse), Billionaire Boy (Nuffield Theatre, Southampton), Peter and the Starcatcher (Royal & Derngate), Night Must Fall (Salisbury Playhouse & UK Tour), Oliver! (Watermill Theatre), and Working, Casa Valentina, and Next Fall (Southwark Playhouse).

Listings

Paddington The Musical

SAVOY THEATRE

Savoy Court, Strand, London WC2R 0ET

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

Previews from £15

Post Opening Performance from £25

PREVIEW SCHEDULE:

Saturday            1 Nov                 7pm     

Monday            3 Nov                 7pm     

Tuesday             4 Nov                 7pm     

Thursday           6 Nov                 7pm     

Friday                 7 Nov                 7pm     

Saturday            8 Nov                 7pm     

Monday            10 Nov               7pm     

Tuesday             11 Nov               7pm     

Thursday           13 Nov               7pm     

Friday                 14 Nov               7pm     

Saturday            15 Nov               7pm     

Monday            17 Nov               7pm     

Tuesday             18 Nov               7pm     

Thursday           20 Nov               7pm     

Friday                 21 Nov                             7pm     

Saturday            22 Nov               2pm & 7pm

Monday             24 Nov               7pm

Wednesday      26 Nov               7pm     

Thursday           27 Nov               7pm     

Friday                 28 Nov               7pm     

Saturday            29 Nov               2pm & 7pm     

Sunday              30 Nov               5pm – OPENING PERFORMANCE

REGULAR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Monday            7pm

Wednesday      7pm

Thursday           2pm & 7pm

Friday                 7pm

Saturday            2pm & 7pm

Sunday              2pm

Please check the website for the Christmas/New Year schedule.

Recommended for ages 6+

Theatre Royal Windsor – until Saturday 23rd August 2025

Reviewed by Liberty Noke

4****

“The Lighting Thief” is a musical based on the book “Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan. It features main character Percy Jackson (Vasco Emauz) who has been expelled from 6 schools and believes he is a loser because of his ADHD and Dyslexia. This all comes to make sense when he discovers that he is the son of Poseidon.

The show opens with Percy on a school trip learning about the Greek Gods. One of his schoolteachers reveals herself to be a fury and attacks Percy leading to another expulsion. Percy goes home to his mother who begins to explain the truth, but they are attacked by a minotaur. The minotaur is depicted on stage incredible. 2 members of the ensemble held giant horns while others held a nose and eyes creating a giant, menacing presence on the stage. They moved as one, swerving around the stage to attack. Percy escapes to camp half-blood with his friend Grover but his mother is killed by the minotaur.

The staging is reminiscent of underground pipes which may be relevant to Percy’s parentage but did seem a little strange as it never seemed to match the setting of the story and it was hard to depict a change in scenery.

At camp half blood we learn about the demigods and meet daughter of Athena, Annabeth (Kayna Montecillo), daughter of Ares, Clarise (Ellie-Grace Cousins) and Son of Hermes, Luke Paolo Micallef).

The costumes in this production are impressive Grover’s (Chair O’Neill) goat legs look realistic as did Chiron’s (Niall Sheehy) horse legs. The gods can be difficult to depict on stage, but I really enjoyed the modern costumes for them. The demigods wore muted colours, baggy jeans and hoodies. I liked that they felt like real teenagers.

The musical numbers were impressive, I was dubious about this story being turned into a musical, having enjoyed the book so much as a child, but it wasn’t at all cringey, the songs were well written and the cast had incredible, powerhouse vocals. Everyone danced with high energy, so each number was well received by the audience. Simone Robinson was particularly impressive as Charon. Another highlight was Aidan Cutler who was hilarious as Mr D.

“The Lightning Thief” is a high energy adventure musical that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It was great to see so many people of all ages in the theatre on a weeknight. With incredible performances, and songs that will be stuck in your head for weeks this is a production not to be missed if you are a fan of adventure and Greek mythology.

A WATERMILL THEATRE PRODUCTION

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR

A NEW ADAPTATION BY ROB MADGE

BASED ON THE PLAY BY BRANDON THOMAS

DIRECTED BY SOPHIE DRAKE

FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER – SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER

BOOK ONLINE AT WATERMILL.ORG.UK OR VIA THE BOX OFFICE ON
01635 46044

Joint CEOs Artistic Director Paul Hart andExecutive Director Claire Murray, and the whole team at Newbury’s Watermill Theatre are delighted to announce the cast for Rob Madge’s brand-new adaptation of Charley’s Aunt, a Watermill Theatre production playing from Friday 3 October to Saturday 15 November, with a press night on Wednesday 8 October.

Schemes, dreams, and classic comic confusion meet hidden identities, mistaken identities, and new identities in this glamourous glow-up of Brandon Thomas’ much-loved farce.

Jonathan Case (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, West End, Our Last First and The Jungle, St Ann’s Warehouse) will play ‘Charley Wykeham’; alongside Richard Earl (Bang Bang! Exeter Northcott, Flat Out, Upstairs at The Gatehouse, Travels with my Aunt with Creative Cow) as ‘Spettigue’;  Elijah Ferreira (The Mad Gay King, King’s Head Theatre, Romeo and Juliet and A Christmas Carol, Reading Rep Theatre) as ‘Eli Delahay’; Max Gill (Fangirls, Lyric Hammersmith, The Boy In The Dress, RSC, Fly More Than You Fall,  Southwark Playhouse) as‘Babbs’; Mae Munuo (Romeo and Juliet, New Wolsey Theatre, Rough Magic, Shakespeare’s Globe, Box Of Delights, RSC) as ‘Amy Spettigue’; Yasemin Özdemir (The Merry Wives of Windsor and School for Scandal, RSC, Hansel & Gretel, Shakespeare’s Globe) as ‘Kitty Verdun’; Maggie Service (A Hundred Feet Tall and A Flea In Her Ear, The Old Vic, The Witches, Rules For Living, National Theatre) as ‘Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez’; and Benjamin Westerby (Mrs Warren’s Profession, West End, Witness For The Prosecution, West End, Chariots of Fire, Sheffield Crucible) as ‘Jack Chesney’.

Charley’s Aunt will be directed by Sophie Drake with set & costume design by Alex Berry, lighting design by Ben Jacobs and sound design from Russell Ditchfield. The score will be composed by Lauryn Redding who returns to the Watermill after her composition work on Three Hens in a Boat. The stage management team are Cat Pewsey, CSM, Fern Bamber, DSM and Natalie Toney, ASM. Casting by Cydney Beech.

Joint CEOs of the Watermill Paul Hart and Claire Murray said “We’re excited to have such a brilliant team bringing the hilarious Charley’s Aunt to life at the Watermill.  Rob’s new version of this well-loved farce keeps all the quick wit, comedy, and elaborate ruses of the original, but views love, relationships, and identity through a modern lens in a fresh and playful update. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Charley’s Aunt at the Watermill, and we’re looking forward to a riotous autumn!”

As part of a partnership with Newbury Pride, Watermill Theatre will be hosting their first Come As You Are Night on Monday 27 October ahead of the evening’s performance, inviting guests to attend as their most comfortable self for drinks and nibbles from 6pm. There will be individual bathrooms open before and after the evening’s performance offering everyone the opportunity to get changed should they wish.

For more information on Newbury Pride, please visit: newburypride.org.uk
Instagram: newburypride

Tickets for Charley’s Aunt are available at watermill.org.uk/events/charleys-aunt or by calling the box office on 01635 46044. Tickets for ages 16-30 are discounted to £10 for Mon-Wed performances (band D) when joining the Watermill’s 16-30: Beginners scheme.

Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard – until 25 August 2025

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

5*****

Awkward Productions strike comedy gold yet again with their latest ridiculous romp spoofing royal romance films. Skilfully using digital appearances, audience participation and puppets – oh the puppets!!! – The Fit Prince showcases Linus Karp and Joseph Martin’s brilliant storytelling and improvisation prowess. Beginning the show with only audience members in role onstage borders on lunacy, but fans old and new are onboard with the idea immediately, establishing a sense of community that grows throughout the madcap hour as willing victims volunteers jump up to play orphans and horses and the entire audience gasps and groans dramatically and unprompted as the plot unfolds. The possibilities for mishaps are endless with this reliance on the audience, but Karp and Martin are intuitive experts at adlibbing and building on unexpected hiccups.

The King of Swedonia is dead, and at his funeral the mourners are reminded that for Prince Ilian (Linus Karp) to be crowned, he must marry before midsummer. While Ilian unenthusiastically surveys suitable consorts, the action switches to New York. Here baker Aaron Butcher (Joseph Martin), recently dumped, is drifting through daily routines until fellow baker and pushy puppet Jenny’s badgering of Swedonian officials somehow sets him off on a journey to Swedonia.

Of course, the two bump into each other and animosity changes into love over the course of the day as they explore Swedonia. Ilian (Sorry, PRINCE Ilian – and don’t forget it!) has never left the castle before, so it all gets a little Roman Holiday as he explores with Aaron (although I can’t recall Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in the sauna…)

Like all good romances there has to be a villain and Swedonia’s security arrangements provide the perfect candidate – played by an audience member – adding an extra layer of jeopardy. Riffing on the cliché of the visually signposted villain actually being sweet and caring, Awkward Prods have outdone themselves with the character Gerta McMurder and her home for orphans. As someone old enough to have seen The Dark Crystal on the big, terrifying, screen in the 1980s, Gerta’s first entrance was slightly (EXTREMELY) traumatic, but Joseph Martin’s puppetry and characterisation soon had me howling with laughter rather than fear. Hilarious – it’s just a shame Aaron is always in the bathroom and never gets to meet her.

Leland again provides fabulously daft music: the concert by Swedonian pop megastars BAAB is genius – you’ll be singing Movement King all night. Digital cameos from many other fit princes are a delight, although it’s the stern-faced political and royal figures that often steal the show with their appearances: Tove Lo as Swedonia’s fabulous prime minister, Geri Allen as QE2, Kate Butch as Angela Merkel, Yshee Black as Michelle Obama and Linus Karp as the Diana-esque widowed queen of Swedonia are simply brilliant.

Clever, camp, charming and full of heart, The Fit Prince is fantastic entertainment and a loud declaration of Awkward Productions’ unrivalled vision and talent.

If you can’t get to Edinburgh this week book tickets for the London run – playing at King’s Head Theatre 2 December – 3 January

Theatre Royal Nottingham – until Saturday 23rd August 2025

Reviewed by Chris Jarvis

3***

Written by the late Ira Levin; well known American author of many books such as Rosemary’s Baby and The Stepford Wives and plays such as Veronica’s Room and of course Deathtrap which premiered on Broadway in 1978 and was an instant hit. It was nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Play. It held the record for the longest-running comedy-thriller on Broadway, and was adapted into a film starring Michael Caine, Christopher Reeve and Dyan Cannon in 1982.

The whole play takes place at the home of Sidney Bruhl (Andrew Ryan), a once-celebrated playwright with many well-known plays behind him, who is now struggling with crippling creative drought.

The curtain rises in Sidney’s study in the late 70’s – an old-fashioned room with a large desk, comfortable sitting area and French windows into the garden. The back wall is decorated with all sorts of weaponry, handcuffs and other trophies used as props in Sidney’s successful plays. He has just received a letter from a student who attended one of his seminars.

His wife Myra Bruhl (Sarah Wynne Kordas) joins him in the study for a drink, and he shares the contents of the letter. The student is himself a budding playwright and having just completed his first script, has sent it to Sidney to get his thoughts on whether it will be a success.

Sidney is blown away by the ‘2 act play’ called Deathtrap, telling Myra that it will be an instant box office hit. Myra, who is supportive of Sidney’s career suggests ways in which Sidney might get involved in helping this young playwright launch his career, while also making money for himself. An introduction fee, collaborating to offer his expertise, etc. However, Sidney, who is desperate for a hit play after several recent flops, gets somewhat carried away with his devious mind making plans for how he might steal the brilliant new script. They jokingly discuss whether Sidney is capable of murder and whether he would do it to save his career.

Sidney phones to invite former student, Clifford Anderson (Pavan Maru) to his home to discuss the script, suggesting that it is a good first draft but that there are too many changes to be made to discuss over the phone.

During the meeting Clifford’s suspicions seem to be aroused and a deadly game of deception and betrayal begins. They receive a visit from the Dutch Helga ten Dorp (Susan Earnshaw), a larger-than-life psychic renting the house next door who has sensed danger and describes with great accuracy some of the events that she has ‘sensed’ have occurred. She also expresses specific concerns about Myra’s health. The curtain falls at the end of Act 1 leaving the audience with an intriguing twist after what felt like a long, drawn-out tale.

Act 2 continues with more twists and intrigue, with everyone seemingly out for themselves. I found the second half more entertaining and livelier with so many changes in direction and particularly liked the twist at the ‘very end’ and I lost track of how many times the ‘Deathtrap 2 Act lay’ was seemingly rewritten by different characters!!

Overall Deathtrap was an entertaining play with the humour and thrills expected of a comedy thriller with a clever and intriguing plot. I saw Death by Fatal Murder with the same actors last week, who are part of the team involved in the renowned Nottingham Theatre Royal Thriller Season. They do extremely well to remember their script, complicated characters and plots and I notice from the programme that some swap between acting, directing and design over the three productions – a multitalented and hardworking team