London Theatre News Today: Thursday 10 October

Casting has been announced for Matthew Warchus’ adaption of A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic, which returns for the third year running on 4 December, with previews from 23 November.

Paterson Joseph is to star as Ebenezer Scrooge. He will be joined by Melissa Allan, Kwêsi Edman, Hollie Edwin, Fred Haig, Nick Hart, Andrew Langtree, Myra McFadyen, Steven Miller, Maria Omakinwa, Gloria Onitiri, James Staddon, Samuel Townsend and Rebecca Trehearn. Rayhaan Kufuor-Gray, Lara Mehmet, Lenny Rush and Eleanor Stollery share the role of Tiny Tim.

Witchy West End sensation Wicked welcomed their 10 millionth visitor last night! (Try saying that ten times quickly!) I’m sure you’ll all go green with jealousy when you hear that the lucky theatregoer was invited to celebrate with the cast after the performance.

Not only that, but Geeta Ozdural (no we’re not making it up, she actually has Oz in her name) brought her theatregoing companion with her to meet Nikki Bentley, Helen Woolf and the rest of the cast – who just happened to be her cousin Lopa Shah, who was visiting from the USA in their first Reunion in a decade.

The casting was announced today for the world première of Bijan Sheibani’s debut play, The Arrival, at the Bush Theatre. Bijan is currently directing the National Theatre production of A Taste Of Honey, which has been touring the UK and transfers to Trafalgar Studios from 5 December. His previous credits include The Brothers Size at the Young Vic and Barber Shop Chronicles at the National Theatre.

Estranged brothers Tom and Samad meet for the first time and are shocked by how similar they are, despite Tom being adopted and the years they have spent apart. But they soon realise as things get tangled that their new bond comes at a price. Scott Karim (Oklahoma!, The Village) will play Tom and Irfan Shamji (Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet, Dance Nation) will play Samad.

The cast and creative team have been announced for Message In A Bottle, the new Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK production based on the songs of Sting. Message In A Bottle will première at The Peacock from 6 February 2020.

The production features dancers from all over the world in ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. The production will include winner of Sky 1’s Got to Dance 2013, Lukas McFarlane;  cast member of the 2019 film of Cats, Tommy Franzen; Stricly Come Dancing’s Natasha Gooden and So You Think You Can Dance finalist and judge on CBBC’s Alesha’s Street Dance Stars, Lizzie Gough.

Mazz Murray and Jérôme Pradon have completed the cast of Roger & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in Concert at Cadogan Hall on Sunday 20 October. Mazz is currently starring as Donna in Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, having spent 9 years as Killer Queen in We Will Rock You. Jérôme Pradon has enjoyed success on stage both here and in his native France. His UK credits include Chris in the original production of Miss Saigon and Ivan in Woman On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown.

They join an already star-studded cast of Christine Allado (Prince of Egypt, Hamilton), Jodie Jacobs (Unexpected Joy, Bananaman), Dean John-Wilson (Cruel Intentions, The King & I), Cedric Neal (Back To The Future, The View UpStairsl), Dianne Pilkington (Only Fools and Horses, Wicked), Zoë Rainey (Kiss Me Kate, MAMMA MIA!) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat;Winner of the 2019 Joe Allen Best West End Debut Award).