As Eurovision celebrations get underway, the West End has been busy confirming much anticipated revivals, brand new productions and casting announcements!
Here's what's happening this week in the West End!
Cast announcements in the West End
From full cast lists to West End debuts of puppets, here's the casting announcements of the last seven days.
Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical
The ensemble of Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical
Over 100 puppets are making their West End debut at the Phoenix Theatre between 24 May till 26 August - so who's bringing these zany characters to life?
Two of the show's writers, Al Murray (The Pub Landlord) and Matt Forde (The Political Party) will take part as voice-over artists, and they'll be joined by:
- Oliver Chris (Green Wing)
- Kathryn Drysdale (Bridgerton)
- Jason Forbes (The Mash Report)
- Luke Kempner (Spitting Image)
- Lorna Laidlaw (Coronation Street)
- Jackie Lam (Strangers)
- Shri Patel (Emmerdale)
- Jess Robinson (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice)
- Debra Stephenson (Dead Ringers)
- Ronan Summers (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom)
The ensemble who will be bringing the puppets to life on stage are: Antony Antunes, Rianna Ash , Katie Bradley, Emily Essery, Kaidan Dawkins, Bertie Harris, Pena Iiambo, Jackie Lam, Bright Ong, Will Palmer, Helen Parke, Rayo Patel, Tom Quinn, Richard Vorster and Faye Weerasinghe.
This critically acclaimed show is directed by Sean Foley (Upstart Crow) who is also a co-writer on the production. Don't miss the puppet-filled bonanza when it arrives in the West End!
Book Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical tickets
Long Day's Journey Into Night
The cast of Long Day's Journey Into Night
Marking the return of Brian Cox to the West End for the first time in almost a decade, the full cast of Long Day's Journey Into Night has been confirmed.
Running at the Wyndham's Theatre for a limited season from 19 March, the complete cast will be:
- Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actress Patricia Clarkson (Sharp Objects) as matriarch Mary Tyrone
- Alex Lawther (The End of the F***ing World, Black Mirror) as Edmund
- BAFTA award-nominee Daryl McCormack (Bad Sisters, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande) as James Jr
- Louisa Harland (Derry Girls) as Cathleen
Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written
The complete cast of Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written
As summer shows commence at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, the full cast of the upcoming production of Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written has been announced.
Written by former Kneehigh Co-Artistic Director Carl Grose (The Grinning Man), and directed by Melly Still, the cast are:
- Charlotte Beaumont as Little Joan
- Nandi Bhebhe as The Balladeer / Jenny
- Stephanie Marion Fayerman as Betty
- Dave Fishley as Bob Much
- Samuel Gosrani as Will Scatlocke
- TJ Holmes as Brasswilt / Robin Hood
- Paul Hunter as The King
- Katherine Manners as Simpkins
- Shaun Yusuf McKee as Brokebrick / Robin Hood)
- Alex Mugnaioni as Baldwyn
- Simon Oskarsson as Boneweather / Robin Hood
- Ellen Robertson as Marian
- Dumile Sibanda as Woodnut
- Ira Mandela Siobhan as Gisburne
- Elexi Walker as Mary Tuck),
- Musicians: Amena Alicia El-Kindy, Taya Ming and Marta Miranda.
A new adaptation of the iconic story of Robin Hood, this bold new production is full of humour, heart and epic storytelling, a set within a mystical forest full of secrets.
Book Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-written tickets
Closing shows in the West End
You've not got long to book your tickets to these shows - they're all closing on the 20 May (next Saturday!).
Animal
Animal at the Park Theatre
Running at the Park Theatre, Animal is the story of David, a gay disabled man who embarks on a sexual and romantic journey. Hilarious, challenging and heart-breaking, follow David on his quest for random hook-ups after a lifetime of knock-backs while juggling his round-the-clock care.
Bonnie and Clyde
The cast of Bonnie and Clyde
The West End's most wanted duo are leaving the Garrick Theatre next weekend.
Starring Jordan Luke Gage and Frances Mayli McCann in the title roles, this production recently won Best New Musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards.
The show tells the story of two small-town kids who become the biggest criminals in America and captured the nation with their adventures. Featuring music by Tony nominee Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Oscar winner Don Black and book by Emmy nominee Ivan Menchell, the West End will remember this show long after it leaves!
Christina Bianco - In Divine Company
Witness all your favourite divas in one room, as internationally acclaimed performer Christina Bianco bring them to life all by herself!
Channelling iconic singers through her uncanny and hilarious impressions, it's no wonder that Christina has wowed audiences on a global scale with her voice and comedic charm. From Barbara Streisand to Bette Midler, expect dynamic arrangements of classic songs, show-tunes and beloved pop songs.
Book Christina Bianco - In Divine Company tickets
The Lehman Trilogy
The Lehman Trilogy runs at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
Winner of five Tony Awards and directed by the iconic award-winning director Sam Mendes, The Lehman Trilogy tells the story of the biggest financial disaster in history, and the family who oversaw it.
Starring Hadley Fraser, Nigel Lindsay and Michael Balogun as the Lehman Brothers, over the course of a single evening you'll discover how three generations of Lehman sons changed the world.
Book The Lehman Trilogy tickets
To Kill A Mockingbird
Matthew Modine stars as Atticus Finch
This Tony Award-nominated production is a stage adaptation of Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Playing at the Gielguld Theatre, this enduring and relevant story of racial injustice and childhood innocence has been wowing audiences throughout its West End run. Starring Matthew Modine as Atticus Finch, don’t miss this critically acclaimed show.
Book To Kill A Mockingbird tickets
Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial
Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial
A verbatim dramatization of the infamous Wagatha Christie trial, this production brings the sensational headlines and detective-style sting operations to the stage. Find out how the trial really went down, in Coleen Rooney's and Rebekah Vardy's own words.
Book Vardy V Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial tickets
New shows in the West End
Get your diaries out and add this upcoming production to your diary!
Hadestown
Hadestown is returning to London
The wait is over, Hadestown is coming on down to the West End!
Running at the Lyric Theatre from 10 February 2024, this musical has not been seen in London since its initial run at the National Theatre in 2018. Since going over the pond, it's gone onto win eight Tony Awards (including Best Musical) won a Grammy and becomes the highest grossing musical and longest running show in the history of the Walter Kerr Theater.
Tickets go on general sale on 23 May 2023.
I Believe in Unicorns
The award-winning storyteller Danyah Miller brings the best-selling children’s book to life in I Believe in Unicorns.
An intimate show set inside a library, the show explores the power of literature as a young boy called Tomas, who hates reading, has his world turned upside down when he meets the Unicorn Lady in his local library. Don't miss this enchanting and interactive production at the Apollo Theatre, running between 22 July until the 2 September 2023.
Book I Believe in Unicorns tickets
The Pillowman
Starring Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton, The Pillowman is a classic tale for our times. Dark and disturbingly funny, Martin McDonagh's Olivier Award winning play is revived at the Duke Of York's Theatre on 10 June for a limited run.
The story follows Katurian, a writer who is questioned about a series of murders which bear similarity to his short stories. But when Katurian’s brother, Michal confesses to this crimes, Katurian has to take drastic measures to protect his stories.
What are you seeing in the West End this week? Tag us on social media in your theatre trips and share your memories with us!
Before Coronation celebrations begin in London this weekend, it's time for a stagey catch-up of all the latest West End news.