London Theatre News Today: Friday 7 February

& Juliet today announced a special sing-a-long performance on Tuesday 12 May.

If you’re a fan of noughties hits from the likes of Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Backstreet Boys and more, you’ll be thrilled to learn that the new pop-fuelled musical, & Juliet will be holding a special sing-a-long performance on Tuesday 12 May at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Told through some of pop’s most famous songs, this timely yet timeless tale picks up where Romeo And Juliet ends. Follow the story of an independent woman who decides to throw the dagger to the floor, and instead sets off to Paris in this hilarious comical romance all about self-discovery. 

An exciting, energetic retelling of Hamlet for young audiences is coming the National Theatre. 

Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy introduces the world of Shakespeare to young audiences aged 8 to 12 in a new adaption by Jude Christian (Othellomacbeth, Cinderella).

Directed by Tinuke Craig, the play opens at the Dorman Theatre from 30 March to 9 April, following a six-week tour to state primary and secondary schools across Greater London, as part of the National Theatre’s commitment to introducing children and young people to theatre.

Tinuke said, “It’s so important that children from all backgrounds feel that the arts are open to them to participate in and enjoy, and it’s a privilege to make work for the next generation. The challenge of taking one of the greatest works in the canon and distilling it to an hour long play for 8-12 year olds is a big one. Not only do we have the task of creating an engaging production for an audience, but we also have a responsibility to introduce younger audiences to theatre, bringing productions to their home turf to provide an early, or often first, experience of Shakespeare that is welcoming, inclusive, exciting and fun”.

Check out the rehearsal images below and for further information or to book your tickets, visit the National Theatre’s website.

Mischief Theatre and Penn & Teller’s Magic Goes Wrong today announced a brand new cast.

Playing at the Vaudeville Theatre until 30 August, Magic Goes Wrong follows the story of a hapless gang of magicians who attempt to present a charity event. When accidents spiral out of control, so does their fundraising target!

The new cast include: Laurence Pears as Sophisticato (31 March to 31 May), Lauren Ingram as Spitzmaus (from 31 March), Sydney K Smith as Mickey (from 5 April), Kazeem Tosin Amore as The Blade (from 7 April), Laura Kirman as Bear (from 7 April), Harry Kershaw as Mind Mangler (from 5 May) and Tom Babbage as Sophisticato (from 2 June).

The West End Cast Recording for Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical is available to stream and download now!

The producers of the legendary pop and country musical, 9 To 5 The Musical, today announced that a live recording is now available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Recorded live at the Savoy Theatre with the West End cast, this hilarious story tells the story of three workmates who have been pushed to the brink by their sexist and egotistical boss. When they put a plan together to kidnap and turn the tables on their horrid supervisor, will the ladies manage to get the office in order or will events unravel when the CEO pays an unexpected visit?

Featuring Caroline Sheen, Amber Davies, Natalie McQueen, Bonnie Langford and Brian Conley, this West End hit is a must-see. And if you’ve not yet seen it on stage, the clocks are ticking with the show currently playing until 23 May, so snap up your tickets now. Psst, to tempt you even further, Louise Redknapp will be returning to the show as Violet from 10 February.  That’s enough reason to go see it!

We caught a first glimpse at Time And Tide, opening tonight at the Park Theatre.

Directed by Rob Ellis, the world premiere of award-winning playwright James McDermott’s new play, Time And Tide, will play at the Park Theatre from tonight until 29 February.

May runs a crumbling caff on the end of Cromer Pier. Her delivery man, Ken, is running out of customers, thanks to Costa. Nemo is desperate to tread the boards in London. His unrequited love, Daz, is burying his head in the sand over his best mate leaving.

Starring Wendy Nottingham as May (Vera Drake, Peaky Blinders), Paul Easom as Ken, Elliot Liburd as Daz and Josh Barrow as Nemo, the LGBT comical drama is all about a Norfolk community struggling with change. To book your tickets, visit the Park Theatre’s website.

We got a sneak peek at rehearsal images from the new cast of Come From Away.

Named the Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards 2019 with Mastercard, Come From Away tells the incredible real-life tale of the 7,000 air passengers grounded in Canada after 9/11. On 11 September 2001 the world stopped in the wake of crisis. On 12 September, their stories moved us all.

Join the new Come From Aways in the rehearsal room as they get ready to welcome you to the Rock for the very first time on Monday! 

It was announced today that there will be a cast recording of the production of RAGS The Musical which is currently playing to sold out houses at Park Theatre. 

Directed by Bornagh Lagan (Little Women, Broken Wings), RAGS is a heartwarming musical that tells the story of a Russian immigrant who travels to America with her son in search of a better life. She soon realises she must choose between staying true to her roots or adopting a new cultural identity in an attempt to fit in.

This will be the first recording of the show since Sony’s 1991 album with the Broadway cast and will be released by Ghostlight/Sh-K-Boom Records.

Stephen Schwartz said of the recording: “I could not be more pleased that this beautifully sung production of Rags is being recorded by this group of terrific actors and musicians.  I and my fellow authors consider ourselves lucky indeed!”

The West End transfer of the Donmar Warehouse’ Olivier Award winning production of City of Angels, has today released a first look image of the 2020 cast.

Directed by Josie Rourke, the cast includes: singer song-writer and BRIT Award winner Nicola Roberts (Girls Aloud), Grammy and Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives), Hollywood actor and model Theo James (Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant and ITV drama Sanditon) all making their West End debuts alongside Rosalie Craig, who played the lead role in the recent gender-twist hit revival, Company, Hadley Fraser (Les Misérables, Young Frankenstein), Olivier Award winner Rebecca Trehearn (Show Boat) and RSC stage actor Jonathan Slinger.

Opening at the Garrick Theatre from 5 March, this musical is a love letter to the glamour of old Hollywood and a homage to 1940’s Film Noir. It features a jazz score by Cy Coleman and a clever and witty storyline about the LA movie industry. The musical waves together two tales set in the ‘real world’ and the fictional ‘reel world’ of the silver screen,  stunningly presenting the action in opposing glorious full colour and monochrome. Packed with glitter, glamour and jazz, it’s definitely worth snapping up your tickets now.