SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS AND SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT
ANNOUNCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF
QUENTIN TARANTINO’S NEW SWASHBUCKLING STAGE COMEDY
THE POPINJAY CAVALIER
Sonia Friedman Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announce the development of The Popinjay Cavalier, a new swashbuckling comedy written and directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Set in 1830s Europe, The Popinjay Cavalier is a rambunctious comedy of deception and disguise inspired by the grand swashbuckling epics of stage and screen.
A sweeping celebration of theatre and its heightened romance, told with Tarantino’s signature style and unmistakable wit, The Popinjay Cavalier is currently planned to open in London’s West End in early 2027, in a theatre to be announced, following a period of development this year.
Casting, creative team, dates and all other details will be announced at a later date.
Audiences are invited to sign up for more information and priority booking for The Popinjay Cavalier atwww.popinjayplay.com.
Kathy Kiera Clarke will star as ‘Cara’ in Heartsink, a new bittersweet medical comedy written by former GP Farine Clarke (London Zoo) and directed by Sean Turner (Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England, The Play That Goes Wrong), premiering at Riverside Studios from Tuesday 21 April to Sunday 10 May.
Whilst best known for playing ‘Aunt Sarah’ in Hat Trick Productions’ Derry Girls, Clarke has an extensive theatre and film career, with credits including Portia Coughlan (Almeida Theatre), The Dry House (Marylebone Theatre), Bloody Sunday (IFTA Award nomination for Best Actress in a Feature Film), Medea (Best Actress commendation at the Ian Charleson Awards), Tartuffe (RNT), and The Pale Horse (Amazon Prime).
“After years in practice seeing through a doctors’ eyes, I find myself on a crash-course as the patient, The view isn’t quite so attractive from this side, you’d be surprised to know.”
For GP Jeffrey Longford, a cancer diagnosis turns his faith in the medical fraternity inside out. Crossing the divide from confident clinician to frightened patient, challenges his professional certainties at every turn — from the way individuals are labelled by their conditions, to the ethical faultlines surrounding assisted dying.
Written with warmth, intelligence and lived experience, Heartsink is a sharp, humane comedy that tackles ostensibly unfunny subject matter with wit and compassion. Alongside Jeffrey are a cast of richly drawn characters: Cara, an Irish patient whose hypochondria conceals a devastating truth; Suzie, a hospital receptionist whose abrasive exterior masks a brilliant philosophical mind; and Dr Roofi, a colleague forced to confront duty, loyalty and conscience.
The title, Heartsink, once used as a tag to warn doctors about a dreaded patient — becomes a quietly radical re-examination of empathy, power and humanity within modern medicine.
Kathy Kiera Clarke said, “Farine’s writing is sharp, compassionate and very funny — even when it’s tackling the most serious subjects. Cara is a brilliant, multi-faceted, complex role and I’m delighted to be bringing this story to the stage at Riverside Studios.”
Farine Clarke said, “Kathy Kiera Clarke is perfect for Cara. She has a rare ability to find both the comedy and the emotional truth in a character, while at the same time demonstrating the ethereal, magical quality this role demands.
Heartsink looks at what happens when a doctor suddenly finds themselves on the other side of the hospital bed. It’s a story about vulnerability, identity and the strange humour that often appears in the darkest moments — and Kathy is the ideal actor to bring that world to life.”
Heartsink is written by Farine Clarke and directed by Sean Turner. The creative team includes set designer Matteo Mastrandrea, lighting designer Chuma Lighting Design, sound designer Hattie North, designer Tom Mann, and casting director Ellie Collyer-Bristow Casting.
Roll Up, Roll Up, the circus of the century is in town-I doubt you’ve ever see anything like this before and P.T.Barnum’s should be your first stop!
After a long time away from the stage, Johnathon O’Boyle directs the most energetic musical you’ll see! Starring Tom Sterling as the titular P.T.Barnum (a role also played by Lee Mead), this musical will delight, excite and entertain you. As we go through the life of Barnum and his rise to fame in 1800’s America, the theatre is transformed into a big top circus tent, where over 150 instruments are played by the cast as they sing, dance and perform acrobatics and aerial stunts! We see how P.T.Barnum is ‘humbugging’ the nations with his ‘oddities’-Joice who is over 160 years old, general Tom Thumb who is only 25 inches tall and Jenny Lind-the Swedish nightingale.
Choreographed by Oti Mabuse, the dancing with this performance was really slick and when interspersed with the scene changes, allowed for a transportation that didn’t remove the audiences attention. Musically-this was an absolute triumph. The talent within the cast palpable! The cast were changing instruments midway through song, as well as singing, dancing and performing circus tricks-I was completely in awe with their performances. The only criticism I found, was where the band was so integral to the performance, the singing was difficult to hear on a couple of the songs-particularly the patter style ‘Museum Song’. However, the stand out performance was Penny Ashmore as ‘Jenny Lind’. She played piano, sang with the ensemble but also performed a beautiful obbligato whilst playing the harp-and in Swedish! It was truly breathtaking.
There was not a moment in this show where I was left detracted from the performance. I was in awe at every moment of the show and the circus elements added so much – I don’t believe there could have been a better casting due to the extraordinary talent displayed on stage.
This is a show for adults and children alike, there is something to tantalise everyone.
Darlington Hippodrome – until Saturday 14 March 2026
3***
I went to see The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical fully aware that I am probably not the target audience, and I tried to keep that in mind throughout the performance. There was clearly a lot of enthusiasm behind the production, and the cast committed to it with real energy, but overall it was a show that never quite came together for me. While younger fans of the books may well get more out of it, I found the pacing, staging, and music left me feeling oddly disconnected from the story.
One of the main issues was the way the plot was structured on stage. The first half of the show spends a surprisingly long time covering the opening chapters of the book, setting up Percy’s world in great detail. In theory this should help the audience settle into the story, but it meant that by the time the interval arrived, it felt as though very little had actually happened. Unfortunately, the second half then seemed to go in completely the opposite direction, racing through the rest of the tale at speed. Important events that take whole chapters in the book were reduced to a few lines within songs, and some moments that should have felt dramatic or meaningful barely had time to land before the story moved on again. The result was a production that felt unbalanced, as though the first half lingered too long while the second half tried to squeeze in everything that was left.
The staging itself also felt a little strange at times. There were some inventive ideas, but the overall effect was occasionally confusing rather than imaginative. Scenes seemed to blend into one another without much sense of place, which didn’t help when the story was already moving so quickly in the second half. If you already know the book well, this might not be a problem, but for anyone less familiar with the details it could be hard to keep track of what was going on.
As for the music, it was lively enough in the moment, but none of the songs really stayed with me afterwards. For a musical, that felt like a significant drawback. There wasn’t a standout number that I found myself humming on the way home, nor any song that felt like an emotional high point of the show. The performers delivered the material with plenty of effort, but the tunes themselves were instantly forgettable, which made the whole production feel less memorable than it should have been.
To be fair, the audience reaction suggested that the show does connect with the people it is aimed at. There were plenty of laughs, and younger viewers in particular seemed to enjoy the humour and the references to the books. I can see this being a fun introduction to theatre for fans of Percy Jackson, and there is something to be said for the sheer enthusiasm on stage.
For me, though, the uneven pacing and forgettable score meant that it never quite found its rhythm. I’m glad I went, but it’s not a musical I would rush to see again.
Monday 9 March 2026 – The co-writer of The Comedy About Spies, Henry Lewis and producer Kenny Wax announced at the prestigious WhatsOnStage Awards held last night at The London Palladium, that MISCHIEF’s hilarious, award-winning production will be returning to London this summer.
The Comedy About Spies won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play, with Henry Lewis and Kenny Wax announcing the West End return during their acceptance speech. The production has also just been has been nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play.
Following its sold out 21-week season in 2025, the critically acclaimed hit will begin performances at London’s Adelphi Theatre on Saturday 1 August, and play a strictly limited 8 week season through until Saturday 26 September 2026.
Audiences can sign up on www.SpiesComedy.com for access to priority tickets on sale at 10am on Friday 13 March 2026. There will be over 4,500 reduced priced tickets available – with prices ranging from £15 to £49.50 – savings of up to £45 per ticket.
Tickets will go on General Sale from Monday 16 March 2026 at midday.
MISCHIEF’s The Comedy About Spies is written by original MISCHIEF members Henry Lewis and Henry Shields and directed by Matt DiCarlo. Set Design is by David Farley, Costume Design by Deborah Andrews, the Movement Director is Shelley Maxwell, Lighting Design is by Johanna Town and Sound Design and Composition is by Jon Fiber for Jollygoodtunes and the Executive Producer is Jonathan Sayer. Casting is yet to be announced.
When a rogue British agent pilfers plans for a top-secret weapon, CIA and KGB spies converge on London’s Piccadilly Hotel in pursuit of the elusive file. Add to the mix a clueless young couple, a hapless actor angling for the role of James Bond, and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, and you’ve got a mission that’s hilariously out of control.
Henry Lewis said: ‘I am absolutely thrilled that The Comedy About Spies is returning to the West End this year. The Adelphi is such an incredible venue and we can’t wait to make audiences laugh there this summer.’
Kenny Wax added: ‘We are thrilled to win Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards and want to thank our fans and audiences who voted. If you missed us, we are returning this summer for only 8 weeks and can’t wait to fill the outstanding Adelphi Theatre with laughter.’
With over 12 impressive years of bringing laughter to the West End, MISCHIEF show no sign of slowing down in 2026. This year, as well as having The Play That Goes Wrong and The Comedy About Spies running simultaneously in the West End, MISCHIEF will also launch their first-ever musical, Thespians.
With book and lyrics by MISCHIEF Creative Director and Original Founding Member Jonathan Sayer, and music and lyrics by Ed Zanders, Thespianswill be directed by Robyn Grant and opens at the Mercury, Colchester from May with a short tour, closing at HOME Manchester in July.
Following a sold out UK Tour and 8-week West End season last year, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong will return to cause chaos this Christmas, with further details including international seasons announced in due course.
The Play That Goes Wrong continues to perform to sell-out audiences in the West End after 12 smash-hit years, is also celebrating 9 years in New York in April, and is being performed in multiple languages worldwide every day in 2026.
Last year the production was the most watched show at the Sydney Opera House, Australia, celebrated its 4000th performance in May 2025 at the Duchess Theatre, London, and Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields were listed in the top 10 most produced playwrights across North America and Canada.
In 2025 MISCHIEF filmed the original casts of both The Comedy About Spies and Christmas Carol Goes Wrong, adding these live captures to the digital content portfolio with Mischief Movie Night In and The Goes Wrong Show. 2026 will bring opportunities for audiences to stream, watch and laugh all over again.
The Comedy about Spies is presented by Kenny Wax and Stage Presence in association with Jo Danvers.
JAMES GRAHAM RECEIVES THE SERVICES TO UK THEATRE AWARD
At a ceremony tonight at The London Palladium hosted by Gina and Mazz Murray, the winners of the 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awardsin association with AudienceView were announced – the only major UK theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves.
WhatsOnStage’s Darius Thompson and Alex Wood said today, “The voters really did look after that Bear! Paddington’s record-setting awards haul has firmly cemented it as a fan-favourite new addition to the West End. From bears to balconies – it’s no surprise to see Rachel Zegler amongst the starry line-up of winners following her al fresco performance at this very venue last summer.
“We have to give thanks to our sponsors – your continued support has allowed us to grow these awards to become such a wonderful celebration of the theatre community. Most importantly, of course, is a big thank you to everyone that nominated, voted and campaigned for their favourite shows and performers – the wealth of excitement around these awards highlights the unwavering passion and love for theatre that brings punters to venues night after night. Here’s to next year and see you for the nominations in November!”
Credit: Johan Persson
The critically acclaimed smash-hit Paddington The Musical triumphed, winning nine awards and equalling the record for the most wins in WhatsOnStage Award history with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Miss Saigon – and the most for any new msucial. The production won Best New Musical; Best Professional Debut Performance for Timi Akinyosade; Best Direction for Luke Sheppard; Best Set Design for Tom Pye; Best Costume Design for Gabriella Slade and Tahra Zafar – the latter, who designed the bear; Best Sound Design for Gareth Owen; Best Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Design for Campbell Young Associates; Best Musical Supervision/Direction for Matt Brind; and Best Casting Direction for Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion and Natalie Gallacher Casting, Nick Hockaday and Annabelle Davis.
Evita was the recipient of five Awards – Best Musical Revival, Best Choreography for Fabian Aloise, Best Lighting for Jon Clark, Best Video Design for Jamie Lloyd, Nick Ward and David Anderson, and Rachel Zegler winning Best Performer in a Musical. Zegler also won the Best Concert Event for Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium.
With the year very much dominated by the big musicals, Richard II at Bridge Theatre leads the straight play categories with two wins – Jonathan Bailey win Best Performer in a Play and the production, Best Play Revival. Taking the Best New Play Award are WhatsOnStage Award favourites Mischief for The Comedy About Spies by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields.
Completing the performance categories, Amber Davies wins Best Supporting Performer in a Musical taking the only win for The Great Gatsby; Stephen Fry winning Best Supporting Performer in a Play for The Importance of Being Earnest, again the only win for the multi-nominated production; and Emma Kingston takes Best Takeover for Elphaba in Wicked.
Crowning its 40th year, Les Misérables, the West End’s longest running musical, wins the coveted Best West End Show Award. Best Regional Production goes to 13 Going on 30 The Musical at the Opera House in Manchester; with the Hope Mill’s production of Young Frankenstein taking Best Studio Production.
For the first time this year, in association with Go Live Theatre – a charity that uses the power of theatre to create inspiring experiences and unlock possibilities for children and young people and the official charity partner of this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards – the inaugural Best Child Performance category was won by The Land of the Livingat National Theatre – Young Thomas: Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Anton Vehring, and Artie Wilkinson-Hunt.
Completing the evening, James Graham was awarded the AudienceViewServices to UK Theatre Award – last year alone his much-heralded new play Punch played to acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic, Boys From the Blackstuff was staged at Liverpool Royal Court and National Theatre, Make It Happen debuted at Dundee Rep and Edinburgh International Festival, and a TV adaptation of his acclaimed play Dear England was in production at the BBC.
Now in their 26th year, the WhatsOnStage Awards remain the only major UK theatre awards decided by the theatregoers themselves. In addition to seeing winners crowned across a range of categories, theatregoers also enjoyed a host of exclusive live performances from top stage talent, accompanied by a 24-piece orchestra in this one-night-only showcase co-produced with creative directors Alex Parker and Damian Sandys. Performances at this year’s sell-out event included 13 Going On 30 the Musical, Disney’s Hercules, Paddington The Musical, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, and Young Frankenstein. Heart Musicals are the Exclusive Broadcast Partner for this year Awards.
The 26th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards are supported by a wide range of partners from across the industry and beyond, including AKA Promotions Ltd, AudienceView, Boulevard Events, Brent Carpets, Concord Theatricals, Dewynters, Disney Theatrical, Go Live Theatre, John Good, LaDcua Shoes, London Theatre Direct, Newman Displays, Outernet Venues, Preevue, Re:Water, RSVP-ify, SINE Digital, Studio Twenty, Tandem Marketing Worldwide, Theatrical RightsWorldwide, The Londoner, Ticketmaster, Travelzoo and White Light.
Tom Hiddleston, Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Joe Locke, Clarkston, Trafalgar Theatre
Maxine Peake, The Last Stand of Mrs Mary Whitehouse, Nottingham Playhouse
Rosamund Pike, Inter Alia, National Theatre
BEST PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL – SPONSORED BY TICKETMASTER
Lauren Drew, Titanique, Criterion Theatre
James Hameed and Arti Shah, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
Lucie Jones, 13 Going On 30 The Musical, Manchester Opera House
Jamie Muscato, The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum
Diego Andres Rodriguez, Evita, The London Palladium
Rachel Zegler, Evita, The London Palladium
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A PLAY
Joe Alwyn, The Lady from the Sea, Bridge Theatre
Emma Corrin, The Seagull, Barbican Theatre
Stephen Fry, The Importance of Being Earnest, Noël Coward Theatre
Yerin Ha, The Maids, Donmar Warehouse
Sophie Melville, Clarkston, Trafalgar Theatre
Mason Alexander Park, Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMER IN A MUSICAL – SPONSORED BY NEWMAN DISPLAYS
Bella Brown, Evita, The London Palladium
Amber Davies, The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum
Candace Furbert, Sharlene Hector, Brianna Ogunbawo, Malinda Parris, Robyn Rose-Li, Hercules, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
Grace Mouat, 13 Going On 30 The Musical, Manchester Opera House
Layton Williams, Titanique, Criterion Theatre
BEST PROFESSIONAL DEBUT – SPONSORED BY AKA
Timi Akinyosade, Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
Mia Carragher, The Hunger Games on Stage, Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre
Hannah Dodd, Cabaret, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Jess Folley, Burlesque The Musical, Savoy Theatre
Ruaridh Mollica, Clarkston, Trafalgar Theatre
Asha Parker, Burlesque The Musical, Savoy Theatre
BEST TAKEOVER
Karis Anderson, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre
Stevie Doc, The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre
Emma Kingston, Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
Rob Madge, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Eva Noblezada, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Alex Young, Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre
BEST CHILD PERFORMANCE
Paddington The Musical – Savoy Theatre – Jonathan Brown: Joseph Bramley, Leo Collon, Stevie Hare, Jasper Rowse
Evita – The London Palladium – The Child: Auora Breslin, Lois Haidar, Ffion Rosalie Williams
Wild Rose – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh – Wynonna: Lily Ferguson, Jessie-Lou Harvie, Ayla Sherriff
The Land of the Living – National Theatre – Young Thomas: Platon Filatov, Darcy Tosun, Artie Wilkinson-Hunt, Anton Vehring
13 Going on 30 the Musical – Manchester Opera House – Young Jenna Rink: Amelia Minto and Fearne Lily King I’anson and Young Matt Flamhaff: Max Bispham and George Hamblin
BEST NEW PLAY – SPONSORED BY DISNEY ON STAGE
Born With Teeth, Wyndham’s Theatre
Clarkston, Trafalgar Theatre
The Comedy About Spies, Noël Coward Theatre
Inter Alia, National Theatre
Stereophonic, Duke of York’s Theatre
Through It All Together, Leeds Playhouse
THE TRAVELZOO BEST NEW MUSICAL AWARD
The Great Gatsby, London Coliseum
Hercules, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Here and Now, UK Tour
Paddington The Musical, Savoy Theatre
Shucked, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Titanique, Criterion Theatre
THE LONDONER BEST PLAY REVIVAL AWARD
The Importance of Being Earnest, National Theatre / Noël Coward Theatre
The Lady from the Sea, Bridge Theatre
Much Ado About Nothing, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Richard II, Bridge Theatre
The Seagull, Barbican Theatre
A Streetcar Named Desire, Sheffield Theatres
BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL – SPONSORED BY CONCORD THEATRICALS
Brigadoon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Evita, The London Palladium
Jesus Christ Superstar, The Watermill Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors, Sheffield Theatres
My Fair Lady, Curve, Leicester
The Producers, Menier Chocolate Factory / Garrick Theatre
BEST WEST END SHOW – SPONSORED BY DEWYNTERS
Cabaret, Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Hadestown, Lyric Theatre
Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
Oliver!, Gielgud Theatre
Operation Mincemeat, Fortune Theatre
Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
AUDIENCE REPUBLIC BEST REGIONAL PRODUCTION
13 Going on 30 The Musical, Manchester Opera House
Come Fall in Love – The DDLJ Musical, Manchester Opera House
Jesus Christ Superstar, The Watermill Theatre
Krapp’s Last Tape, York Theatre Royal
Pride and Prejudice, UK Tour
Through It All Together, Leeds Playhouse
BEST CONCERT EVENT
The Book Thief in Concert, Prince of Wales Theatre
Gravity, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
The Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert, Prince Edward Theatre
Jeremy Jordan: Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Albert Hall
Songs For a New World, Eventim Apollo Hammersmith
Rachel Zegler: Live at The London Palladium, The London Palladium
BEST STUDIO PRODUCTION – SPONSORED BY THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE
Be More Chill, Old Joint Stock Theatre
Brixton Calling, South Playhouse Borough
Cul de Sac, Omnibus Theatre
The Frogs, South Playhouse Borough
The Last Five Years, Barn Theatre Cirencester and Reading Rep
Young Frankenstein, Hope Mill Theatre
BEST DIRECTION – SPONSORED BY LONDON THEATRE DIRECT
After winning the 2025 Olivier Award for Best Family Show, the science sensation Brainiac Live will tour the UK this year following its recent festive run at Birmingham Town Hall, and prior to a West End season, with details to be confirmed.
More mischievous than ever before, the UK’s original and favourite family science show explodes on stage and takes audiences on a breFathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful. Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re far too scared (and definitely not allowed) to do at home.
The tour will visit Wolverhampton Grand (31 March), The Hafren, Newtown (1 April), Hull New Theatre (2 April), Royal Concert Hall Nottingham (7 April), WatfordPalace Theatre (11 April), Marlowe Theatre Canterbury (13 April), Mayflower Studios Southampton (26 May), Bristol Old Vic (28-29 May), Belgrade Theatre Coventry (20 June – on sale soon), Theatre Royal Brighton (4 July), Grand Opera House York (13 September) Queens Theatre, Barnstaple (18 October), Chelmsford Theatre (28 October), Lighthouse, Poole (29 October), Anvil Arts Basingstoke (30 October), St Georges Hall, Bradford (31 October), New Theatre Peterborough (1 November), with further dates to be announced.
Brainiac Live will also be appearing at Butlins in Minehead, Skegness and Bognor Regis across the Easter holidays, May Half Term, October Half Term and School Summer holidays throughout 2026.
Based on the popular original Sky One show, Brainiac Live has played to packed houses across the UK, headlined major science festivals, and toured internationally from Dubai to Australia. Since its debut in 2008, it has entertained and educated hundreds of thousands of children and families. Highlights include three West End summer seasons, a two-week run at the Sydney Opera House, and appearances in Hong Kong, Brisbane, Edinburgh, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Barcelona – plus a recent English/Arabic dual-language production in Saudi Arabia. Its Olivier Award win in 2025 celebrated the summer run at London’s Marylebone Theatre.
Developed by bringing together theatre producers, writers, directors, designers, science communicators, and a Professor of Public Engagement in Science, the show continues to evolve. Expect a non-stop, fast-paced ride through the world of science – with liquid nitrogen clouds, vortex smoke rings, exploding hydrogen balloons, spinning CO₂ chairs and much, much more.
Produced by Dan Colman, with Andy Joyce as Creative Director, Damian Stanton as Designer, and a revolving company of cast and presenters.
Dan Colman says “After Winning the Olivier Award for Best Family Show last year which was a huge moment for us, 2026 promises to be our busiest year yet.– We’re are thrilled to see Brainiac Live as popular as ever and to be taking the show on tour across the UK and to be returning to the West End and of course playing to family audiences across Butlins Holiday resorts.
There’s nothing quite like the look on kids’ faces when they see our daredevil experiments live on stage – but remember, DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME!”
Lou Black, SVP Brand Licensing, ITV Studios says “We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Dan Colman Creative, who have done an outstanding job bringing Brainiac Live to audiences across the UK and internationally. The UK tour is another exciting milestone in expanding our live events offering, and we couldn’t be prouder of their Olivier Award win, which underlines the quality and creativity of their work.”
Brainiac Live is suitable for ages 5+ but great for all the family.
Producers ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve and Lowry are delighted to announce initial casting for the world premiere of BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL which will open in May 2026 at Lowry and Curve respectively.
The musical will have a book and lyrics by Rob Madge (My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), Cabaret), music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary (The Great British Bake Off Musical, The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾) and will be directed by Curve Artistic Director Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, A Chorus Line).
Hayley Tamaddon (Del Dingle in Emmerdale, Andrea Beckett in Coronation Street, Miss Hedge in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Apollo Theatre and UK & Ireland tour) will play Nicky; Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Mean Girls, Savoy Theatre, My Beautiful Laundrette, Curve/National Tour & Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre) will play Hugh; Claire Moore (Scrooge in A Christmas Carol the Musical, Hope Mill Theatre at Lowry, Original Ellen in Miss Saigon, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, The Girls, Leeds Grand, Lowry & Phoenix Theatre West End – Olivier Award nomination, Babs in The Great British Bake Off, the Musical, Noel Coward Theatre) will play Maureen and Lauryn Redding (Coven, Kiln Theatre, Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Gillian Lynne Theatre, West End) will play Alex.
Further casting and the role of Dave will be announced in due course.
BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL is based on the Sunday Times best-selling book, BAFTA Award-winning documentary and global-hit Netflix film of the same name with a screenplay by Piers Ashworth.
“If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: everybody hates bankers.”
BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL is a home-grown, brand-new British musical – bursting with northern grit, laugh-out-loud humour and what Dave himself calls “the best songs in any musical ever.”
This feel-good show tells the true-ish story of Dave Fishwick: Burnley born and bred, and no ordinary man. A self-made millionaire, Dave spent years helping local people and small businesses when hard-nosed banks turned them away. Frustrated by the system, he has an idea…set up his own bank and put the profits straight back into his community.
With posh but principled lawyer Hugh at his side, Dave swaps Burnley for London to take on the banking bigwigs and fight for a fairer deal. But will the fat cats of the City make way for Dave’s dreams?
From Sunday Times bestseller to Netflix’s #1 UK film, Dave’s inspiring underdog story now bursts onto the stage as a laugh-out-loud British musical packed with heart, humour and cracking new music.
‘The humour of The Full Monty with the spirit of Billy Elliot, but with a few more ba*tard bankers, and an unlikely hero from Burnley!’ – Dave Fishwick
BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL is produced by ROYO, Future Artists Entertainment, Curve and Lowry. Katie Lander is the consultant for Finestripe Productions.
Jane Austen’s infamous rogue will take centre stage in the West End
as Adrian Lukis performs his acclaimed solo show
Being Mr Wickham at the Garrick Theatre on Sunday 31 May 2026
Well known for playing Mr Wickham in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice adaptation on screen, Adrian Lukis will reprise the role in the West End when his one-man play Being Mr Wickham plays the Garrick Theatre on Sunday 31 May 2026.
Written and performed by Adrian Lukis, and directed by Guy Unsworth, Being Mr Wickham offers a witty and revealing exploration of one of Jane Austen’s most charmingly roguish gentlemen.
Join Pride and Prejudice’s George Wickham on the eve of his sixtieth birthday to lift the sheets on what exactly happened thirty years on from where we left him and discover his own version of some very famous literary events.
“Mr. Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends – whether he may be equally capable of retaining them is less certain”. Mr Wickham is ready to set the record straight. What really happened with Darcy? What did he feel about Lizzie? What happened at Waterloo? Not to mention Byron…
Produced by Original Theatre and The Production Garden, Being Mr Wickham’s West End premiere follows sold out runs at Jermyn Street Theatre, New York and Chichester’s Minerva Theatre, and tour dates around the country.
Being Mr Wickham is performed and written by Adrian Lukis and directed by Guy Unsworth with design by Libby Watson, lighting design by Johanna Town and sound design by Max Pappenheim.
Adrian Lukis said: “Mr Wickham is back in the West End, among the theatres, clubs and card tables of his youth. Here, at the Garrick Theatre, on the eve of his 60th birthday, Mr Wickham sets us straight: growing up with Darcy, surviving an horrific boarding school, Meryton and the Bennet girls, marriage to Lydia and much, much more! Spend an hour, if you dare, with Austen’s most persuasive charmer. Whether you believe him or not, is entirely up to you!”
Being Mr Wickham is also available at Original Online (https://originaltheatre.com/). This replay of the 2021 livestreamed production with the stunning backdrop of Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds is featured in a unique reversed staging that was only possible at the time.
-LISTINGS-
Show: Being Mr Wickham
Venue: Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH
Dates: Sunday 31 May 2026 at 7.30pm
Running Time: 65 minutes (no interval)
Ticket Prices: £29.50, £47.50, £65.00 (inclusive of £1.50 levy); £35 Group Rate available
[6 March 2026] The world premiere of new musical Dark of the Moon, based on the classic 1941 play by Howard D Richardson and William Berney, will run at Charing Cross Theatre from Monday 18 May to Saturday 8 August 2026.
Directed by Georgie Rankcom (The Frogs; Anyone Can Whistle; How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying; Before After – Southwark Playhouse), the musical features a book by Emmy® Award nominee Jonathan Prince (American Dreams) and music and lyrics by Grammy® Award-winning and multi-platinum songwriters Lindy Robbins (Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper”), Dave Bassett (Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s”) and Steve Robson (Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most”).
DARK OF THE MOON isa supernatural tale of powerful witchcraft, small-town prejudices and the power of love. This timeless, spellbinding new musical portrays the clash of two dynamically polarized worlds—a charming rural Appalachian town and the mystical world of witches and warlocks from the Smoky Mountains that loom high above. The show’s unique musical score reflects those conflicting worlds using a thrilling blend of country/bluegrass and rock. Barbara Allen – a human girl and John – a curious witch-boy – find each other and defy their communities to build a life together. But will love conquer all – or will they be haunted by a deal that was made by the dark of the moon?
Originally written by Howard Richardson and William Berney while students at the University of Iowa in the early 1940s, the play Dark of the Moon is loosely inspired by the traditional Scottish ballad Barbara Allen. Following its original Broadway production by the Shubert Organization, the play has been widely produced internationally and has attracted notable performers and directors including Paul Newman, George C. Scott, Cicely Tyson and James Earl Jones. Sir Peter Brook directed a London production at the Ambassador Theatre in 1949.
The story has recently re-entered the cultural conversation through references in the Stranger Things stage play The First Shadow and the final season of the hit Netflix series.
Georgie Rankcom said, “Dark of the Moon has captivated audiences since the 1940s, and it’s exciting to see the story finding new resonance today — most recently through its appearance in the world of Stranger Things. This musical adaptation allows us to rediscover the story for a new generation.”
Additional members of the creative team are choreographer Jane McMurtrie, musical supervisor Brad Haak, musical director Matt Herbert, orchestrator Dillon Kondor, casting director Peter Noden, production designer Libby Todd, lighting designer Jonathan Chan and sound designer Andrew Johnson.
The show is produced by WitzEnd Productions LLC (Michael Jackowitz and Jeffrey Grove), and Steven M Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited and is general managed by Steven M. Levy for Charing Cross Theatre Productions Limited. Dark of the Moon is presented by special arrangement with the Richardson/Yale Property Trust, Elliot S. Blair, administrator.
Full casting and creative team to be announced in due course.
