Nominations announced for Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard 

·         Mastercard Best New Musical nominees are The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, MJ The Musical, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 and Why Am I So Single?

·         The nominees for the Piper-Heidsieck Award for Best Musical Revival are Hello, Dolly!, Oliver! and Starlight Express,alongside Fiddler On The Roof which has garnered the most nods with 13 total nominations

·         Giant and The Years are tied for most nominated play with 5 nominations each

·         Nominees for Best Actress are Heather Agyepong, Lesley Manville, Rosie Sheehy, Meera Syal and Indira Varma, with Manville and Varma both nominated for playing the same role in different productions of Oedipus

·         Nominees for Best Actor include recent Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, alongside Billy Crudup, Paapa Essiedu, John Lithgow and Mark Strong, with first-time nominations for Brody, Crudup, Essiedu and Lithgow

officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards 

The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard, British theatre’s most prestigious honours, have been announced. The annual awards will take place on Sunday 6 April at the iconic Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Beverley Knight and Billy Porter. A highlights package will air on ITV and Magic Radio that evening.  

The competition for nominations has been intense in what has proven to be a transformative year for London theatre, marked by a rich blend of dynamic new works, innovative interpretations of classics, and a commitment to championing diverse voices and stories. A stunning array of stars have trod the boards, and nominees in the craft awards have showcased extraordinary innovation and artistry.  

The Mastercard Best New Musical nominees are the actor-musician led The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button,currently playing at the Ambassadors Theatre, MJ The Musical at the Prince Edward Theatre, Donmar Warehouse’s Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812, and Marlow and Moss’ Why Am I So Single?. For the Piper-Heidsieck Award for Best Musical Revival, the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of Fiddler On The Roof, which returns later this year to the Barbican Theatre, is up against the dazzling London Palladium production of Hello, Dolly!. Cameron Mackintosh’s reconceived Oliver!, which transferred from Chichester Festival Theatreto the Gielgud Theatre late last year, and the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, currently playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. 

Fiddler On The Roof is this year’s most nominated production, with 13 nominations including Best Musical Revival, the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director (Jordan Fein), Best Actor in a Musical (Adam Dannheisser), Best Actress in a Musical (Lara Pulver), Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Raphael Papo), and two nods for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical (Liv Andrusier and Beverley Klein). The show also received nominations for the White Light Award for Best Lighting Design (Aideen Malone), Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer (Julia Cheng), d&b audiotechnik Award for Best Sound Design (Nick Lidster), and Outstanding Musical Contribution (Mark Aspinall), with Tom Scutt nominated for both the Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design, and Best Costume Design.  

Other musicals to receive multiple nominations include Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 with 6 nominations, followed by The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and Oliver! with 4 nominations each. Oliver!’s creatives have had a stellar year, with Matthew Bourne receiving his 14^th Olivier Award nomination with a nod for Best Theatre Choreographer, and his second for a production of Oliver!, having been previously nominated in the same category for the 2010 revival; he has had a total of 9 previous wins, including a Special Award in 2019, making him the most celebrated winner in the history of the Awards. Lighting designer Paule Constable receives her 17^th nomination, this year nominated for her work on Oliver! alongside Ben Jacobs; she has had 4 previous wins. 

In the musical theatre performing categories, the Best Actor in a Musical nominees are completed by John Dagleish (for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, a decade after his win for Sunny Afternoon), Myles Frost (MJ The Musical, 2022 Tony Award-winner for the same role), Simon Lipkin (Oliver!) and Jamie Muscato (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812), alongside Fiddler On The Roof’s Adam Dannheisser. The Best Actress in a Musical nominees are Chumisa Dornford-May (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812), Lauren Drew (Titanique), Clare Foster (The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button), Lara Pulver (Fiddler On The Roof) and Imelda Staunton (Hello, Dolly!), with Lara Pulver and Imelda Staunton nominated alongside one another following their respective wins for Gypsy in 2016. This is Imelda Staunton’s 14^th nomination and her 8^th in the Best Actress in a Musical category; she has had 4 wins. 

Andy Nyman (Hello, Dolly!), Layton Williams (Titanique) and Tom Xander (Mean Girls) join Raphael Papo (Fiddler On The Roof) in the Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical category, with Amy Di Bartolomeo (The Devil Wears Prada) and Maimuna Memon (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812) nominated alongside Liv Andrusier and Beverley Klein (Fiddler On The Roof) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical. 

In a strong year for plays, there are 5 nominations for The Londoner Award for Best New Play, with nods for The Fear Of 13 at Donmar Warehouse, the Royal Court’s Giant, which returns to play at the Harold Pinter Theatre in April, the RSC’s Kyoto, playing at @sohoplace until May, Bush Theatre’s Shifters, which transferred to the Duke of York’s Theatre last summer, and The Years,created at the Almeida Theatre and currently playing at the Harold Pinter Theatre.  

Giant and The Yearsare tied for most nominated play with 5 each, including Best Director nods for Eline Arbo (The Years) and Nicholas Hytner (Giant) respectively. John Lithgow receives a first-time Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor for his turn as Roald Dahl in Giant, whilst Elliot Levey receives a third Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Gina McKee receives a Best Actress in a Supporting Role nomination for The Years, with Romola Garai double-nominated in the same category for her roles in both Giant and The Years.  

Completing the nominations in the performing categories are: recent Oscar-winner Adrien Brody (The Fear Of 13), Billy Crudup (Harry Clarke), Paapa Essiedu (Death Of England: Delroy) and Mark Strong (Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre), joining John Lithgow (Giant) in the Best Actor category; Heather Agyepong (Shifters), Rosie Sheehy (Machinal) and Meera Syal (A Tupperware Of Ashes), alongside Lesley Manville (Oedipus, Wyndham’s Theatre) and Indira Varma (Oedipus, The Old Vic) for Best Actress;Jorge Bosch (Kyoto), Tom Edden (Waiting For Godot) and Ben Whishaw (Bluets), alongside Elliot Levey (Giant) for Best Actor in a Supporting Role; Sharon D. Clarke (The Importance Of Being Earnest), alongside Romola Garai (Giant and The Years) and Gina McKee (The Years) for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. 

The Cunard Best Revival category sees fresh interpretations of classics take the spotlight, with nominations for the National Theatre’s The Importance Of Being Earnest, The Old Vic’s Machinal, the Wyndham’s Theatre production of Oedipus, and Waiting For Godotat Theatre Royal Haymarket. In true Greek-tragedian style, the Wyndham’s Theatre production of Oedipus goes head-to-head with a second adaptation at The Old Vic in the Best Actress category, with Lesley Manville (Wyndham’s Theatre) and Indira Varma (The Old Vic) both nominated for playing the same role. 

A diverse array of productions makeup the nominations for the Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, with the National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright, Spirited Awayat the London Coliseum and Titanique, currently playing at the Criterion Theatre, all in contention for the accolade. 

The Olivier Awards nominations were announced from midday, Tuesday 4 March on Official London Theatre’s YouTube channel. Further details of the ceremony, taking place on Sunday 6 April at the Royal Albert Hall, will be announced soon.  

Public tickets for the Olivier Awards 2025 are on sale exclusively to Mastercard cardholders via priceless.com. 

OlivierAwards.com | Facebook | X | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube 

#OlivierAwards 

Full list of nominations for Olivier Awards 2025 with Mastercard: 

Mastercard Best New Musical 

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, music & lyrics by Darren Clark, book & lyrics by Jethro Compton at Ambassadors Theatre  

MJ The Musical, book by Lynn Nottage at Prince Edward Theatre  

Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812, music, lyrics & book by Dave Malloy at Donmar Warehouse  

Why Am I So Single?, music, lyrics & book by Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss at Garrick Theatre 

Blue-i Theatre Technology Award for Best Set Design 

Jon Bausor for Set Design, Toby Olié & Daisy Beattie for Puppetry Design and Satoshi Kuriyama for Projection Design for Spirited Away at London Coliseum  

Frankie Bradshaw for Set Design for Ballet Shoes at National Theatre – Olivier  

Es Devlin for Set Design for Coriolanus at National Theatre – Olivier  

Tom Scutt for Set Design for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 

White Light Award for Best Lighting Design 

Paule Constable & Ben Jacobs for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre  

Howard Hudson for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse  

Howard Hudson for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre  

Aideen Malone for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre 

TAIT Award for Best New Opera Production 

Duke Bluebeard’s Castle by English National Opera at London Coliseum   

Festen by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House  

L’Olimpiade by Irish National Opera & The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House  

The Tales Of Hoffmann by The Royal Opera at Royal Opera House 

Outstanding Achievement in Opera 

Aigul Akhmetshina for her performance in Carmen at Royal Opera House   

Allan Clayton for his performance in Festen at Royal Opera House  

Jung Young-doo for his direction of Lear at Barbican Theatre 

Best Family Show 

Brainiac Live at Marylebone Theatre  

Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas at Apollo Theatre   

The Nutcracker at Polka Theatre  

Rough Magic at Shakespeare’s Globe – Sam Wanamaker Playhouse 

Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre 

Animal Farm at Theatre Royal Stratford East by George Orwell, adapted by Tatty Hennessy 

Boys On The Verge Of Tears by Sam Grabiner at Soho Theatre  

English by Sanaz Toossi at Kiln Theatre  

Now, I See by Lanre Malaolu at Theatre Royal Stratford East  

What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank by Nathan Englander at Marylebone Theatre 

Best New Dance Production 

Assembly Hall by Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite & Jonathon Young at Sadler’s Wells  

Frontiers: Choreographers Of Canada – Pite/Kudelka/Portner by The National Ballet Of Canada at Sadler’s Wells   

Theatre Of Dreams by Hofesh Shechter Company at Sadler’s Wells  

An Untitled Love by A.I.M by Kyle Abraham at Sadler’s Wells 

Outstanding Achievement in Dance               

Sarah Chun for her performance in Three Short Ballets at Royal Opera House – Linbury Theatre   

Tom Visser for his lighting design of Angels’ Atlas as part of Frontiers: Choreographers Of Canada – Pite/Kudelka/Portner at Sadler’s Wells  

Eva Yerbabuena for her performance in Yerbagüena at Sadler’s Wells   

Best Actor in a Supporting Role 

Jorge Bosch for Kyoto at @sohoplace  

Tom Edden for Waiting For Godot at Theatre Royal Haymarket  

Elliot Levey for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre  

Ben Whishaw for Bluets at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role 

Sharon D. Clarke for The Importance Of Being Earnest at National Theatre – Lyttelton  

Romola Garai for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre  

Romola Garai for The Years at Almeida Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre  

Gina McKee for The Years at Almeida Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre 

Gillian Lynne Award for Best Theatre Choreographer 

Matthew Bourne for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre   

Julia Cheng for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Hofesh Shechter for Oedipus at The Old Vic  

Christopher Wheeldon for MJ The Musical at Prince Edward Theatre 

Best Costume Design 

Hugh Durrant for Robin Hood at The London Palladium  

Sachiko Nakahara for Spirited Away at London Coliseum  

Tom Scutt for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Gabriella Slade for Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre 

d&b audiotechnik Award for Best Sound Design 

Nick Lidster for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Christopher Shutt for Oedipus at The Old Vic  

Thijs van Vuure for The Years at Almeida Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre  

Koichi Yamamoto for Spirited Away at London Coliseum 

Outstanding Musical Contribution 

Mark Aspinall for Musical Supervision & Additional Orchestrations for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Darren Clark for Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements and Mark Aspinall for Musical Direction, Music Supervision, Orchestrations & Arrangements for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre  

Dave Malloy for Orchestrations and Nicholas Skilbeck for Musical Supervision for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse  

Asaf Zohar for Compositions and Gavin Sutherland for Dance Arrangements & Orchestration for Ballet Shoes at National Theatre – Olivier 

Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical 

Liv Andrusier for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Amy Di Bartolomeo for The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre  

Beverley Klein for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Maimuna Memon for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse 

Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical 

Andy Nyman for Hello, Dolly! at The London Palladium  

Raphael Papo for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Layton Williams for Titanique at Criterion Theatre  

Tom Xander for Mean Girls at Savoy Theatre 

Noël Coward Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play 

Ballet Shoes adapted by Kendall Feaver at National Theatre – Olivier  

Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright by Steve Pemberton & Reece Shearsmith at Wyndham’s Theatre  

Spirited Away adapted by John Caird & co-adapted by Maoko Imai at London Coliseum  

Titanique by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle & Constantine Rousouli at Criterion Theatre 

Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director 

Eline Arbo for The Years at Almeida Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre  

Jordan Fein for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Nicholas Hytner for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre  

Robert Icke for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre 

Best Actress 

Heather Agyepong for Shifters at Duke of York’s Theatre  

Lesley Manville for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre  

Rosie Sheehy for Machinal at The Old Vic  

Meera Syal for A Tupperware Of Ashes at National Theatre – Dorfman  

Indira Varma for Oedipus at The Old Vic 

Best Actor 

Adrien Brody for The Fear Of 13 at Donmar Warehouse  

Billy Crudup for Harry Clarke at Ambassadors Theatre  

Paapa Essiedu for Death Of England: Delroy at @sohoplace  

John Lithgow for Giant at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre  

Mark Strong for Oedipus at Wyndham’s Theatre 

Cunard Best Revival 

The Importance Of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde at National Theatre – Lyttelton  

Machinal by Sophie Treadwell at The Old Vic  

Oedipus by Robert Icke at Wyndham’s Theatre  

Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett at Theatre Royal Haymarket 

Piper-Heidsieck Award for Best Musical Revival 

Fiddler On The Roof, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joseph Stein at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Hello, Dolly!, music & lyrics by Jerry Herman, book by Michael Stewart at The London Palladium  

Oliver!, book, music & lyrics by Lionel Bart, new material & revisions by Cameron Mackintosh at Gielgud Theatre  

Starlight Express, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Richard Stilgoe at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre 

Best Actor in a Musical 

John Dagleish for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre  

Adam Dannheisser for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Myles Frost for MJ The Musical at Prince Edward Theatre  

Simon Lipkin for Oliver! at Gielgud Theatre  

Jamie Muscato for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse 

Best Actress in a Musical 

Chumisa Dornford-May for Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 at Donmar Warehouse  

Lauren Drew for Titanique at Criterion Theatre  

Clare Foster for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button at Ambassadors Theatre  

Lara Pulver for Fiddler On The Roof at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre  

Imelda Staunton for Hello, Dolly! at The London Palladium 

The Londoner Award for Best New Play 

The Fear Of 13 by Lindsey Ferrentino at Donmar Warehouse  

Giant by Mark Rosenblatt at Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at Royal Court Theatre  

Kyoto by Joe Murphy & Joe Robertson at @sohoplace  

Shifters by Benedict Lombe at Duke of York’s Theatre  

The Years adapted by Eline Arbo, in an English version by Stephanie Bain at Almeida Theatre & Harold Pinter Theatre 

Nominations list also available here: officiallondontheatre.com/olivier-awards 

SUSAN HILL’S ICONIC

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

TO TOUR THE UK IN 2025-26

OPENING

AT STORYHOUSE, CHESTER

ON 24 SEPTEMBER 2025

PW Productions is delighted to announce that Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black will return for a UK Tour, opening at Storyhouse, Chester on Wednesday 24 September 2025. The production will then play at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury ahead of a 3-week run at London’s Alexandra Palace before touring to Plymouth, Brighton, Richmond, Bath, and in 2026, Darlington, York, Glasgow, Birmingham, Chelmsford, Oxford, Poole, Liverpool, Nottingham and Guildford, with further venues and casting to be announced. Listings information below.

For 33 years THE WOMAN IN BLACK played a record-breaking run in the West End, with over 13,000 performances at the Fortune Theatre before its final performance on Saturday 4 March 2023. It has also been seen by over 7 million people in the UK.

Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of Susan Hill’s best-selling novel tells the story of a lawyer obsessed with a curse that he believes has been cast over his family by the spectre of a ‘Woman in Black’. He engages a young actor to help him tell his story and exorcise the fear that grips his soul. It begins innocently enough, but as they delve further into his darkest memories the borders between make-believe and reality begin to blur and the flesh begins to creep.

Following a Christmas production in 1987 at a pub in Scarborough, THE WOMAN IN BLACK was brought to Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre in January 1989. Reviews were sufficiently encouraging (apart from The Independent, who regretted the production’s inability to incorporate a live dog) to warrant a West End run. Its West End tour started at the Strand (now Novello) Theatre in March and moved to the Playhouse in April, finally lodging at the Fortune on June 7, 1989.

Throughout the production’s run in the West End and during its many tours the producer has been determined to keep ticket prices within the range of students and young people, a policy that continues today.

THE WOMAN IN BLACK is directed by Robin Herford, with designs by Michael Holt and lighting by Kevin Sleep.

LISTINGS

www.thewomaninblack.com

2025

WEDNESDAY 24 – SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

CHESTER STORYHOUSE

www.storyhouse.com/

ON SALE 10 MARCH 2025

TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER – SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER

SHREWSBURY THEATRE SEVERN

www.theatresevern.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

WEDNESDAY 8 – SUNDAY 26 OCTOBER

ALEXANDRA PALACE

www.alexandrapalace.com/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 4 – SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER

THEATRE ROYAL PLYMOUTH

www.theatreroyal.com

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 18 – SATURDAY 22 NOVEMBER

THEATRE ROYAL BRIGHTON

www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 25 – SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER

RICHMOND THEATRE

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

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 2 – SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER

THEATRE ROYAL BATH

www.theatreroyal.org.uk/

ON SALE NOW

2026

TUESDAY 6 – SATURDAY 10 JANUARY

DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 13 – SATURDAY 17 JANUARY

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, YORK

www.atgtickets.com/venues/grand-opera-house-york/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 20 – SATURDAY 24 JANUARY

THEATRE ROYAL GLASGOW

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

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 27 – SATURDAY 31 JANUARY

THE ALEXANDRA, BIRMINGHAM

www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 3 – SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY

CHELMSFORD THEATRE

www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 10 – SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY

OXFORD PLAYHOUSE

www.oxfordplayhouse.com/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 17 – SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY

LIGHTHOUSE POOLE

www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/

ON SALE NOW

TUESDAY 24 – SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY

LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE

everymanplayhouse.com/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 10 – SATURDAY 14 MARCH

THEATRE ROYAL, NOTTINGHAM

trch.co.uk/

ON SALE SOON

TUESDAY 14 – SATURDAY 18 APRIL

YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE, GUILDFORD

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/

ON SALE 17 MARCH

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR

THE WORLD PREMIERE

CONCERT PERFORMANCES OF

BRAND NEW MUSICAL

AUSTENLAND

AT THE SAVOY THEATRE

DEM Productions on behalf of Writers’ Cage are delighted to announce the full cast of AUSTENLAND, a new musical based on the novel by Shannon Hale, which will have its world premiere with two concert performances at the Savoy Theatre on Monday 24 March 2025.

Joining previously announced Lucie Jones as Jane Hayes will be Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Captain East (Passing Strange, Young Vic Theatre), Laura Baldwin as Miss Heartwright (Waitress, Adelphi Theatre), Oli Higginson as Nobley (The Last Five Years, Southwark Playhouse & Garrick Theatre), George Ioannides as Hot Darcy/Colonel Andrews (Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre), Cassidy Janson as Aunt Carolyn/Wattlesbrook (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre), Idriss Kargbo as Manly (I Wish You Well: The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski Trial Musical, Criterion Theatre), Daniel Krikler as Martin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, Donmar Warehouse) and Alex Young as Elizabeth Charming (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Phoenix Theatre). The cast is completed by Ashley Gilmour (My Fair Lady, Curve Theatre), Lily Laight (The Artist, Theatre Royal Plymouth), Ying Ue Li (My Fair Lady, Curve Theatre), Amonik Melaco (Heathers The Musical, The Other Place), Nathan Ryles (Burlesque, Manchester Opera House) and Hollie Jane Stephens (Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre).

The new musical, based on Shannon Hale’s 2007 novel, is the third musical adaptation from the writers of The Book Thief (Leicester Curve, Belgrade Theatre Coventry) and Between the Lines (Off-Broadway),with book by award-winning best-selling author Jodi Picoult (My Sister’s Keeper & Small Great Things) and Timothy Allen McDonald (adaptor of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka & James and the Giant Peach) and music & lyrics by Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel (Apple TV’s Central Park & Olaf’s Frozen Adventure).

Meet Jane Hayes – unlucky-in-love and Austen-obsessed, she’s ditching the dating apps for a dream vacation to Austenland, where every dance, duel, and scandal promises a taste of Regency romance.

But beneath the corsets and cravats lies a world where nothing is as it seems, and love is never scripted. Is the mysterious Mr Nobley an authentic suitor… or an actor who works for Austenland? Is the gorgeous gardener the real deal? Will Jane become fully immersed in the fantasy or could her true Mr Darcy be the person she least expects…

AUSTENLAND will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle (Cruel Intentions, The Other Palace; Calendar Girls, UK Tour) with choreography by Joanna Goodwin (My Fair Lady, Leicester Curve; An Officer and a Gentleman, UK & Ireland Tour), musical supervision, orchestration and arrangements by Matthew Malone (The Book Thief, Leicester Curve, Carousel, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), music direction by Natalie Pound (The Creakers, Southbank Centre & Theatre Royal Plymouth; Lovestuck, Theatre Royal Stratford East), design by Polly Sullivan (Cruel Intentions The 90s Musical, The Other Palace & tour; Describe the Night, Hampstead Theatre), lighting by Jack Weir (The Woman In White, Electric Theatre; One Night Only, Sandi Toksvig, Theatre Royal Drury Lane) and sound by Sound Quiet Time (Clueless, Churchill Theatre; Manic Street Creature, Southwark Playhouse, London)

AUSTENLAND is produced by Writers’ Cage and managed by Deus Ex Machina Productions (The Book Thief, RIDE, A Sherlock Carol, Spring Awakening).

Website: www.austenlandmusical.co.uk

Instagram, TikTok & Facebook: @austenlandmusical

LISTINGS INFORMATION:

AUSTENLAND

Monday 24 March 2025

Savoy Theatre

Savoy Court

Strand

London

WC2R 0ET

Performances: 3pm & 7:30pm

Box Office: 0844 871 3000

www.atgtickets.com/shows/austenland/savoy-theatre

TAMSIN GREIG, 

NICHOLAS FARRELL & FINBAR LYNCH

ARE JOINED BY

HADLEY FRASER & SELINA CADELL

IN THE ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION OF 

The Deep Blue Sea

by Terence Rattigan

Directed by Lindsay Posner

Theatre Royal Haymarket from Wednesday 7 May – Saturday 21 June 2025

www.trh.co.uk

Hadley Fraser and Selina Cadell join original cast members Tamsin Greig, Nicholas

Farrell and Finbar Lynch in the West End transfer of the Theatre Royal Bath productions THE DEEP BLUE SEA, following a sell-out run at the Ustinov Studio last year.

This powerful drama of passion versus loyalty and the destructive power of love, will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London from Wednesday 7 May until Saturday 21 June 2025.

Olivier Award winner Tamsin Greig has been one of the country’s best-loved stage and screen actresses in a career spanning four decades. She won the Olivier for Best Actress in 2007 for Much Ado About Nothing and has been nominated for The Little Dog Laughed and Women on the Verge of a Breakdown. 

Hadley Fraser’s acclaimed roles in the West End include Marius and Inspector Javert in Les Miserables, Raoul and the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, and productions of Carousel, Chess, City of Angels, Young Frankenstein and The Secret Garden. He starred opposite Tom Hiddleston in Coriolanus at the Donmar Warehouse and has been seen on TV in Doctor Who and Gentleman Jack.

Selina Cadell’s four-decade career on stage and screen has seen her take many roles with the National Theatre, The Old Vic, Bristol Old Vic and Chichester Festival Theatre. Her numerous television credits include Doc Martin, Father Brown, Upstairs Downstairs and As Time Goes By.

They join the previous cast from THE DEEP BLUE SEA’s sell-out run in Bath last year, including Nicholas Farrell (Chariots of Fire, House of Cards) and Tony Award nominee Finbar Lynch, with Marc Elliott, Preston Nyman and Lisa Ambalavanar.

Director Lindsay Posner’s recent highly acclaimed productions include the West End transfers of Noises Off and A View From The Bridge starring Dominic West.

Joining Lindsay on the creative team are Peter McKintosh (Set & Costume Designer), Paul Pyant (Lighting Designer), Gregory Clarke (Sound Designer), Will Stuart (Composer), Carole Hancock (Hair, Wigs & Make-up Designer), Ginny Schiller (Casting Director) and George Jibson (Associate Director).

Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen for Access Entertainment present Terence Rattigan’s production of The Deep Blue Sea at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London.

AMY VAUGHAN APPOINTED
AS ETT’S CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

With new trustees Harriet Mackie and Alison Holder appointed

ETT (English Touring Theatre) today announces the appointment of Amy Vaughan as Chair of the Board of Trustees, she takes up the position from outgoing Chair Robert Delamere. She will be joined by Alison Holder and Harriet Mackie who are new trustees of the board.

Amy Vaughan is currently Executive Director at Battersea Arts Centre, a role she has held since 2022. She has extensive experience across venue management and policymaking in the arts sector.

Amy Vaughan today said, “I am delighted and honoured to be taking up the role of Chair at ETT. I’ve long admired their work, but more than that, they are a company rooted in values I can really get behind. In a sector that’s become increasingly challenging for touring organisations, I’m hoping that with my venue and policy background, and the team’s unwavering vision to create bold and brilliant theatre that builds audiences for venues right across the country, we can provoke and challenge, and bring some pretty big ideas to fruition.”

Richard Twyman, Artistic Director and CEO, and Sophie Scull, Executive Producer added, “We are immensely proud and excited to welcome Amy Vaughan as ETT’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees alongside new Trustees, Alison Holder and Harriet Mackie. The experience of all three will propel ETT forwards as we face the challenges and opportunities of the coming years. They join a group of engaged, supportive and highly skilled Trustees to whom we are incredibly grateful for their time and energy.”

Amy Vaughan will take up the post of Chair of the Board of Trustees alongside Alison Holder and Harriet Mackie as new trustees.

Amy Vaughan has worked as Director of Touring as well as Director of Change Programmes for Arts Council England. Her theatrical expertise and experience in advisory roles across the sector have led her to take on various freelance positions, notably as a co-author on the National Theatre’s Scene Change report. Earlier in her career Vaughan held roles with Cambridge Junction and a variety of other venues. She also acts as the Chair of London Theatre Consortium and a trustee at Gecko Theatre Company.

Alison Holder is a producer who has worked across theatre, short film, and audio, collaborating with some of the UK’s most respected theatre companies, arts organisations, and media platforms. Her theatre credits include Not Beckett (UK and international tour), Mugabe, My Dad & Me (ETT/Brixton House/Theatre Royal York), Black Victorians (Festival.org, UK and European tour), Run It Back and The Tide (Talawa Theatre Company), PLAYSTART (The Mono Box), Future Bodies (RashDash/Unlimited Theatre/HOME and UK tour) and Truth (Birmingham Rep/Southbank Centre and UK tour); with her short film credits including MANGO, Reset the Stage and Tales from the Frontline.

Harriet Mackie is currently the Head of Producing – Development at the National Theatre. She has extensive producing experience having also held the role of Director of Producing at The Old Vic and led the producing and programming teams at Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Leeds Playhouse, Watford Palace and The Theatre Chipping Norton.

Berk’s Nest presents…

JORDAN GRAY ANNOUNCES SOHO THEATRE RUN WITH BRAND NEW SHOW

IS THAT A C*CK IN YOUR POCKET, OR ARE YOU JUST HERE TO KILL ME?

EDINBURGH FRINGE BEST SHOW NOMINEE | NEXTUP BIGGEST AWARD IN COMEDY WINNER |

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST BEST SHOW NOMINEE | CHANNEL 4 BREAKTHROUGH COMEDY STAR WINNER

Comedian and Channel 4 Breakthrough Comedy Star Winner Jordan Gray today announces her highly-anticipated return to London with a brand new show Is That A C*ck In Your Pocket, Or Are You Just Here To Kill Me?. Following the launch of her Channel 4 special of her smash hit show Is It A Bird? Jordan will take to the stage at Soho Theatre this May 2025. Presale tickets are available on Tuesday 4th March via Jordan Gray’s mailing list before general on sale takes place on Wednesday 5th March. Sign up and tickets are available via www.jordangraycomedy.com.

One of the UK’s most exciting and celebrated rising comics will kick off her strictly limited 11 day run at Soho Theatre on Monday 19th May and conclude on Saturday 31st May.

Three wild years since her legendary hit show Is It A Bird?, the cockiest woman in comedy returns, with a guitar on her back and a bounty on her ballbag. After a BAFTA-winning strip-off live on Channel 4, bigots around the globe went ballistic. Luckily… so are her tits. ‘Death threats’. ‘Ding-dongs’. ‘Dr King’. ‘Daylight savings’. Jordan Gray returns with her rootinest, tootinest, shootinest hour of musical comedy yet.

Jordan Gray is an award-winning British actor, comedian and screenwriter. She created and co-stars (alongside Nick Frost) in the record-breaking comedy series Transaction, due to air as a 6-part series this summer on ITVX. Her BAFTA-winning naked appearance on Friday Night Live garnered over 1600 (overturned) Ofcom complaints and her global smash hit comedy special “Is It A Bird?” is now streaming on Channel 4.

Jordan said: “I got so many death threats off the back of FNL, it got scary. But then I started making jokes about it on stage, and it got funny SO fast.

“The last show took off in such a crazy way, it feels like I’m competing with myself. Which I don’t mind, I enjoy the professional rivalry. Sometimes we go for smoothies together”.

Audiences can expect a raucous rodeo of comedy that will resonate with those both within and beyond the LGBTQ+ community. Featuring Jordan’s trademark original songs the show will take audiences on a wild west journey which explores personal anecdotes as well broader societal themes. All delivered with Gray’s one of a kind, truly unique wit and energy this hoedown show(down) is not one to be missed.

As seen on QI, The Last Leg, The Russell Howard Hour, Off Menu, Jack Whitehall’s Safe Space, Rhod Gilbert’s Growing Pains, Celebrity Weakest Link, Big Brother Late and Live – and many more.

After 10 years as a professional recording artist, Jordan made the leap to stand up comedy in 2017. She was the first ever transgender contestant to appear on The Voice, worldwide, reaching the semi-finals in 2016.

Previous praise for Jordan Gray:

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A gorgeous, accomplished and deeply funny hour” – The Guardian

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “This hilarious, bold show will change lives” – The Independent

★ ★ ★ ★ “Bold, provocative, and extraordinary” – Chortle

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Archly satirical, intimately personal and radically revealing” – The Scotsman

★ ★ ★ ★ “Bona fide star power” – The London Standard

www.jordangraycomedy.com / Instagram: @talldarkfriend

“The Brits have made the year’s funniest musical…Against the odds, the “Operation Mincemeat” gang has found its way to the big time.”
Peter Marks, The Washington Post

“one of the biggest West End hits of all time”
Alistair McGeorge, Metro

“a little show with a very big future”
David Benedict, Variety

“the West End hit is still the perfect mix of ingenious, silly and moving…With a new cast, the Olivier Award-winning musical about the wartime operation is as terrific as ever” ★★★★★
Marianka Swain, The Telegraph

 “a miraculous musical that tells the entire story in a kind of accelerated farce that is part Mel Brooks, part SIX, part Hamilton with a side order of One Man, Two Guvnors.”★★★★★
Neil Norman, The Daily Mirror

“the feel-good West End musical of the summer… The reviews for the show have been ecstatic… the overwhelming impression is of hopefulness, expansiveness, possibility and joy.”
Alexis Soloski, The New York Times

74 ★★★★★ reviews and counting

Ahead of Operation Mincemeat’s Broadway opening night at the John Golden Theatre on 20th March, the 2024 Best New Musical Olivier Award-winning show announces its biggest West End extension to date. Following the 12th extension, the production is moving straight to the 14th (for obvious reasons, keeping its good fortune alive), with a further 24 weeks at the Fortune Theatre, entering its third sold-out year in London and running through to 15th November 2025.

Operation Mincemeat is currently running simultaneously in both New York and London. It’s first sold-out Broadway preview on 15^th February saw the original cast take their inaugural bows to a 5-minute standing ovation. Immediately following the curtain call, they were greeted by a band of loyal fans – dubbed the ‘Mincefluencers’, 300 of whom had flown to New York from London. The show has begun performances under an unlit marquee, an unheard-of occurrence in modern times, due to President Trump’s latest tariff policies delaying a shipment of light bulbs from China. Due to popular demand, it’s Broadway run originally scheduled for 16 weeks only, has also recently been extended by 4 weeks through 13^th July.

West End Extension tickets are available on General sale on Friday 21^st March at 10am from the Official Box Office here and tickets via the ballot are available on Thursday 20^th March at 2pm. Broadway tickets and more info here.

Following the success of the Monday ballot, it has now expanded to include Tuesday and Saturday shows to ensure tickets get into the right hands. Monday ticket prices remain frozen at £39.50, and the popular fortnightly £25 ticket lottery continues here. The first ballot draw for the new booking period from 7^th June to 15^th November will take place on Thursday 20^th March at 2pm. Link here.

Operation Mincemeat began as a tiny (and tiny-budgeted) production at the London Fringe New Diorama Theatre in 2019. The show quickly gained a devoted following, spurring sold-out runs at venues including Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios. It finally premiered in the West End on 9^th May 2023 at the Fortune Theatre, where it won the Olivier and WhatsOnstage Awards® for ‘Best New Musical’, alongside garnering 74 five-star reviews and counting, and has become the ‘Best reviewed show in West End history.’

 The decision to write the musical was the last roll of the dice from a quartet of young British creatives after years of performing sketch shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and echoes the journey of Beyond the Fringe from the world-famous quartet Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller, and Dudley Moore, which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1960, before moving to the Fortune Theatre and later to the Golden in 1962.

In the West End, Holly Sumpton, Seán Carey, Chlöe Hart, Christian Andrews,  George Jennings, Jonty Peach and Geri Allen are joined by new members Charlotte Hanna-Williams and Maddie Jackson-Smith to form the Company. 

The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.

Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?

The production is directed by 2023 Olivier Award nominated  Robert Hastie (Standing at the Sky’s Edge, National Theatre – 2023 Best New Musical Olivier Award winner), following providing directorial support for the Riverside Studios run, while Olivier Award nominated Jenny Arnold (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) continues as Choreographer. Also from Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre on the creative team are: 2023 Olivier Award nominated  Ben Stones (Sylvia, The Old Vic) as Set and Costume Designer, Tony Award, six-time Olivier Award and Bafta Award winning Mark Henderson (Girl From the North Country, Broadway & Noël Coward Theatre) as Lighting Designer and Olivier Award winning Mike Walker (Jerry Springer: The Opera, National Theatre) as Sound Designer.  Grammy Award winning and Tony, Emmy & 2024 ‘Outstanding Musical Contribution’ Olivier Award nominated Steve Sidwell (Beautiful: The Musical, Broadway & Aldwych Theatre) is Orchestrator and Vocal Arranger, while 2024 ‘Outstanding Musical Contribution’ Olivier Award nominated Joe Bunker is Musical Director. Georgie Staight is Associate Director and Paul Isaiah Isles is Associate Choreographer. Casting is by Pearson Casting. The extraordinary debut musical is written and composed by SpitLip – David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoë Roberts.

Operation Mincemeat won the 2024 ‘Best New Musical’ and ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical’ Olivier Awards, following receiving six nominations. These awards trail winning the 2024 ‘Best New Musical’ WhatsOnStage Award and the ‘Best West End Show’, ‘Rising Star’ and ‘Best Understudy’ West End Wilma Awards. Previously on the show’s journey, Operation Mincemeat has picked up the Off-West End award for ‘Best Musical Production’ and ‘Best Company Ensemble’ and The Stage Debut Award for ‘Best Composer/Lyricist’.

Operation Mincemeat is produced in the West End and Broadway by Avalon (in association with SpitLip). The show was commissioned by New Diorama Theatre, co-commissioned by The Lowry, and also supported by the Rhinebeck Writers Retreat.

York Theatre Royal – Saturday 1 March 2025

Reviewed by Sal Marino

5*****

Eloise Lally’s direction of the English Touring Opera’s production, Bellini’s ‘The Capulets and The Montagues’, is a unique and innovative performance due to its less traditional and more relatable narrative landscape of mid-20th-century New York. Here, Lally takes us right to the heart of the underbelly of those famous mafia families we all became intrigued by through the work of Martin Scorsese and Francis Ford Coppola in the 70s and 80s (think Mean Streets and Goodfellas). Anyone who considers themselves as, “not a fan of opera” or even Shakespeare will have their perceptions challenged and I guarantee that you will be very pleasantly surprised! It would be very hard not to become intoxicated by this piece as the rich story that is weaved from within the Capulet family business (a well-kept bar where boxes of oranges and lemons conceal dirty money) intimately draws you in from the off as you become the observer of the everyday comings and goings of this notorious family and tragic star-crossed lovers, Romeo (Samantha Price) and Giulietta (Jessica Cale).

By transporting us into the dark worlds of film directors Scorsese and Coppola, Lally cleverly fuses opera with mafia film iconography. The other inspiration behind this spellbinding performance are the photographs taken by Letizia Battaglia who bravely reported on a famous trial where 200 hundred mob members were convicted. Within the opera the cinematic influences are exciting and complex dramatic freeze-frames and intense confrontations followed by mass gunfights. This creates an ambiance of the drama which at points, one forgets that they are at an opera – you get so caught up in the exhilarating experience of the action! The acting alongside the exceptional vocal performances is first-class! A standout performance for his portrayal as Lorenzo (Masimba Ushe), Giulietta’s (long suffering confidante but also her father’s (Capellio, Timothy Nelson) longest serving mob member really captures the essence of man who is in the middle of a huge dilemma. Lorenzo is split between two loyalties – he loves them both but knows that he will eventually have to pay the price for his betrayal. It’s mafia law that must be abided whether your intentions are good or not. Without giving too much away, the compelling alternative ending speaks to a new generation and questions the inner conflict of a future for ones self or that of tradition?

Under conductor Alphonse Cemin, ETO’s carefully sculptured solos and choruses give attention to more dramatic scores when needed and crucially give input during highly emotional moments. The harp was exquisite when Giulietta was contemplating her fate after the announcement of her forthcoming marriage to Tebaldo (brilliantly played by Brenton Spiteri). The vocal performances are outstanding on every level from the male mafia members to the sincere Lorenzo and powerfully charged but beautifully controlled voices of Cale and Price. The intimate moments between these two has tenderness alongside outbursts of huge passion that is alarming in all the right places.

This opera has everything for fans of so many genres: Shakespeare, Bellini, opera, gangster films, high-drama narrative, action, love and so much more. Don’t let the word ‘opera’ put you off because this performance crosses the boundaries of many different works and whatever your preferences if you love a good story – you’ll love this

THE MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY’S SMASH HIT PRODUCTION OF

MEL BROOKS’

THE PRODUCERS

TRANSFERS TO THE WEST END

PUBLIC BOOKING OPENS ON 5 MARCH 2025

WITH OVER 18,000 TICKETS AT £25

The Menier Chocolate Factory’s critically acclaimed sell-out production of The Producers with book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music & lyrics by Mel Brooks transfers to the West End.

The production opens at the Garrick Theatre this Autumn, with Andy Nyman (Fiddler on the Roof, Abigail’s Party, Assassins – Menier, Hello Dolly – London Palladium, Governor Thropp in the film Wicked and creator of Ghost Stories), Marc Antolin (I Wish You Well – The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical – Edinburgh Fringe/Criterion, The Band’s Visit – Donmar Warehouse), Trevor Ashley (Liza (on an E), I’m Every Woman, Diamonds Are for Trevor), Raj Ghatak (The Father and the Assassin – National Theatre, Life of Pi, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – Sheffield Theatres), Harry Morrison (Come from Away – Phoenix Theatre/Abbey Theatre, The Third Man and Assassins for the Menier) and Joanna Woodward (The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical – Apollo Theatre, Merrily We Roll Along for the Menier) all reprising their roles from the original Menier run.

The production opens on 15 September, with previews from 30 August, and is booking until 21 February 2026. Priority booking opens on 3 March, with public booking opening on 5 March. There are over 18,000 tickets at £25.

Mel Brooks said today, “Hello Brits! My record-breaking musical, The Producers, is coming back to the West End! I couldn’t be more proud of this show. I can’t wait to sit in the Garrick Theatre and be bathed in laughter.”

Artistic Director of the Menier Chocolate Factory David Babani commented, “I am enormously proud of the entire team working across The Producers – the journey thus far at the Menier has been an utter joy from start to finish, with an incomparable cast led by the very brilliant Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin. To have the opportunity to do it all again, and grow the production as we transfer to the West End with our brilliant partners Nica Burns, Max Weitzenhoffer and Kevin Salter, is an absolute privilege.”

Producer Nica Burns added, “Whatever tickles your funny bone, you’ll find The Producers a total hoot. Laughter and joy throughout courtesy of the incomparable Mel Brooks and David Babani’s terrific production.  Don’t walk, run to the box office!”

Full cast and creative team for the production will be announced shortly.

www.theproducersmusical.com

Social handles @theproducerslondon

David Babani and Nica Burns & Max Weitzenhoffer, Kevin Salter

Seaview, Creative Partners Productions and 2ontheaisleBDWY

present

The Menier Chocolate Factory production of

THE PRODUCERS

Book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks

Original Direction and Choreography Susan Stroman

By special arrangement with StudioCanal

At the Garrick Theatre

30 August 2025 – 21 February 2026

The first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of The Producers transfers to the Garrick Theatre this Autumn following a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Based on the classic cult film, the original Broadway production won a record twelve Tony Awards, and skewers Broadway traditions, taking no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an “equal opportunity offender!”.

Down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock schemes with timid accountant Leo Bloom to create the biggest flop in theatre history – only to have it backfire spectacularly, and with thunderous applause.

Critically acclaimed principals Andy Nyman, Marc Antolin, Trevor Ashley, Raj Ghatak, Harry Morrison and Joanna Woodward all return triumphantly for the West End production, which opens on 15 September, with previews from 30 August.

Andy Nyman plays Max Bialystock. He is an award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film and television. His work for the Menier includes Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof (also at the Playhouse – Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, Abigail’s Party (also Wyndham’s Theatre) and Terrible Advice. Other theatre work includes Hello, Dolly! (The London Palladium), Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen (Wyndham’s Theatre/Broadway) and the original production of Ghost Stories (Duke of York’s Theatre/Arts Theatre) in which he starred in as well as co-wrote and co-directed with Jeremy Dyson – later adapted into a film, in which he also starred. His extensive television credits include Lockerbie, Hanna, Wanderlust, The Eichmann Show, Campus, Crooked House, Dead Set as well as his highly acclaimed performance as Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders. Nyman’s extensive film credits include Governor Thropp in Wicked, Jungle Cruise, Judy, The Commuter, Death at a Funeral, Kick-Ass 2, Black Death, The Brothers Bloom, Severance and Shut Up & Shoot Me, for which he won the Best Actor award at the Cherbourg Film Festival in 2006. In addition, he has collaborated with Derren Brown for almost 20 years, co-writing and co-creating much of Brown’s early TV work.  He has also co-written and directed six of Brown’s stage shows, winning the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment for Derren Brown – Something Wicked This Way Comes and a New York Drama Desk Award for Best Unique Theatrical Event 2017 for Derren Brown – Secret.

Marc Antolin plays Leo Bloom. His theatre credits include I Wish You Well – The Gwyneth Paltrow Ski-Trial Musical (Edinburgh Fringe/ Criterion Theatre), Quiz (UK tour), The Band’s Visit (Donmar Warehouse), Murder on the Orient Express, Amadeus, Singin’ in the Rain, The Music Man (Chichester  Festival Theatre), The Magician’s Elephant (RSC), Camelot (The Watermill Theatre), Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic/Sam Wanamaker Playhouse/US tour), Cry Havoc (Park Theatre), Hedda Gabler (Sherman Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical), Into the Woods, Hello Dolly! (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Flying Lovers of Vitebsk (Edinburgh Festival/ Bristol Old Vic/ Shakespeare’s Globe), Twelfth Night (Shakespeare’s Globe), Peter Pan (National Theatre), Taken at Midnight (Chichester Festival Theatre/Theatre Royal Haymarket), The Trial (Young Vic Theatre), From Here to Eternity (Shaftesbury Theatre), Matilda (RSC/Cambridge Theatre), Bells are Ringing, Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi (Union Theatre), Billy Liar (UK tour) and Imagine This (New London Theatre). His television credits include The Outlaws, Keeping Faith, Caerdydd and More Than Love; and for film, London Road, Hunky Dory and Love Actually.

Trevor Ashley plays Roger de Bris. His Australian theatre work includes Les Misérables, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. His television work includes RFDS – Royal Flying Doctor Service, Les Norton and Significant Others; and for film, Seriously Red. Also a renowned cabaret performer, he has performed Liza (on an E), I’m Every Woman and Diamonds Are for Trevor. He was the runner-up on Queen of the Universe.

Raj Ghatak playa Carmen Ghia. His theatre work includes The Father and the Assassin (National Theatre); Am Dram, Simply Cinderella (Curve, Leicester); Life of Pi, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (Sheffield Theatres); The Kite Runner (UK tour); Miss Meena and the Masala Queens (Watford Palace and UK tour); This Tuesday (Arcola Theatre); Hector (Traverse Theatre and Ambassador’s Theatre);  Golgotha (Conspirators’ Kitchen); Soho Cinders (Soho Theatre); The Secret Garden (Festival Theatre/  Toronto); The Great Extension, High Heel Parrot Fish (Theatre Royal Stratford East); The Low Road, The Spiral/Rough Cuts, Free Outgoing, Shades – Unheard Voices (Royal Court Theatre); Bombay Dreams (Apollo Victoria); Hijra (West Yorkshire Playhouse/Bush Theatre/Theatre Royal Plymouth); My Dad’s Corner Shop (Birmingham Rep) and West Side Story (Prince of Wales Theatre). For television his work includes The Amazing Mr Blunden, Ackley Bridge (as semi-regular Asif), Ghosts, Hetty Feather, Taboo, The 7.39, Dead Set, Synchronicity, All About Me, Hard Cash and Out of Sight; and for film, An Evening with Taglioni, Christopher Robin, Defrosted, Job’s Dinner, Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie, Naachle London, Diary of a Thagee, Karma Magnet, Dangerous Parking, Starter for Ten, The Lives of Saints, Never Say Never Mind, Birthday Girl, and Sari and Trainers.

Harry Morrison plays Franz Liebkind – he previously appeared at the Menier in The Third Man and Assassins. His theatre credits include Beetlejuice (international tour), Come from Away (Phoenix Theatre/Abbey Theatre), Half a Sixpence (Chichester Festival Theatre/Noël Coward Theatre), Guys & Dolls and Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Royal, Northampton), Checkley & Bush (Soho Theatre), Oliver! (Larnaca International Festival/ Sheffield Crucible), Crazy for You (Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park/Novello Theatre), The Sound of Music (Open Air Theatre Regent’s Park) and All The Town’s Men (Theatre on the Fly). His television credits include Mongrels and Doc Martin.

 Joanna Woodward plays Ulla. She previously appeared at the Menier in Merrily We Roll Along (also at the Harold Pinter Theatre).  Her theatre credits include The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical (Apollo Theatre), Pretty Woman: The Musical (Savoy Theatre), Confessions, Zombies: The Musical (The Other Palace), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Aldwych Theatre), The Life (Southwark Playhouse), Fings Ain’t Wot They Used T’Be (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lost Boy (Finborough/ Charing Cross Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Kilworth House Theatre), The Adventures of Jason and the Argonauts (Scoop Amphitheatre), Medea and Pages: Promised Land (Union Theatre).

THE PRODUCERS

GARRICK THEATRE

GARRICK THEATRE

2 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0HH

Box Office:  0330 333 4811
https://nimaxtheatres.com/

www.theproducersmusical.com

Social handles @theproducerslondon

Tickets from £25

30 August 2025 – 21 February 2026

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-Upon-Avon – until 29th March 2025

Reviewed by Amarjeet Singh

5****

Audacious and atmospheric, Rupert Goold’s rendition of Hamlet reimagines Elsinore as a ship at sea. Spliced with scenes reminiscent of occurrences upon the Titanic, the tale plays out over a single night, heightening the urgency and doom. Hamlet, prince of Denmark, is in mourning over his father’s death. He is racked with resentment over his uncle’s marriage to his mother, making him the king and sullying his dead brother’s memory. Visited by the ghost of the dead king, Hamlet uncovers his uncle’s plot to murder and usurp his father, plummeting him into paranoia, mental unravelling and a pathway of destruction to exact revenge.

It’s difficult to believe that this is Luke Thallon’s RSC debut. His performance as Hamlet is outstanding. Charming and captivating, he disarmingly vocalises verse as if plucking the words from nowhere. Natural yet incredibly nuanced, he has carved out this Hamlet as his own. Jared Harris’s Claudius is subtle and suave, striking only when his sinful ways are exposed. Miranda Colchester is poised and ever on edge as the bereaved and bewildered Gertrude. Elliot Levey’s Polonius is a velvet clad gent, humorously playing loving father and breaking the fourth wall as he documents Hamlet’s mental decent. Nia Towle’s Ophelia is a harrowing sight as she struggles to understand the changes in Hamlet. The play within a play is reminiscent of Japanese Noh theatre, wonderfully stylised and beautifully performed by Anton Lesser and the ensemble. Lesser also plays the ghost of the slain king to profound effect.

The ship is a character within itself, undulating along with the action. Es Devlin’s masterful deck design runs on the stage and ceiling, with raised tables and openings which lead below deck. Akhila Krishnan’s video design runs panoramically down-stage giving the impression you are at sea. Roiling waves become more tumultuous as the drama increases. We see the sea, the bowels of the ship, port holes and a variety of visuals to keep it fresh and interesting but never to detract from the live action. Jack Knowles’ lighting is complex, impressive and intricate. Illuminating spirits, soliloquies and sword fights along with the deck and video design, the production values are brilliant.

Steered by a superb creative team and performed by a stellar cast, this production of Hamlet is a triumph. The courage to castaway the traditions that tether this tragedy make this a truly memorable performance and a must see.