THE NORTH EAST’S OWN MATT BAKER TO LEAD THE CAST OF BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, DARLINGTON HIPPODROME’S 2026 PANTO

WITH THE RETURN OF JOSH BENSON AND JAMIE JONES

Darlington Hippodrome and Crossroads Pantomimes have today, Monday 18 May, announced that their annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, will star TV favourite Matt Baker. Matt will star as Jack, Belle’s brother, from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.

Joining Matt will be returning Darlington panto favourites Josh Benson as Silly Billy and Jamie Jones as Mrs Potty.

Matt Baker is best known as a presenter of Countryfile on BBC One and Matt Baker: Our Farm in the Dales on Channel 4. Previously, he has presented The One Show, Blue Peter and was a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing. He has been seen on stage as Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

On returning to panto after four years, Matt Baker said: “I’m thrilled to be back in panto, working with Crossroads Pantomimes again to bring the magic of Beauty and the Beast to the beautiful Darlington Hippodrome and wonderful North East audiences.”

Beauty and the Beast is produced by the World’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes, whose Chief Executive Michael Harrison said: “I am so pleased that Matt will be leading the cast of our Darlington Hippodrome panto this year. As well as being a familiar face on screen, Matt’s charisma, charm and North East roots make him the perfect casting for our sensational Darlington show. Joined by Darlo favourites Josh and Jamie, I know audiences will be in for something truly special this Christmas.”

Councillor Libby McCollum, cabinet member for local services at Darlington Borough Council said: “Darlington Hippodrome always draws in the crowds with a spectacular star-studded panto and I’m thrilled that Matt Baker is joining the cast this year. With the return of Darlington favourites Josh and Jaimie, I’ve no doubt audiences are going to love what promises to be a truly fantastic show.”

In this classic tale Belle, longing for a better life, is taken prisoner in a cursed castle ruled by a fearsome Beast. Inside, she discovers enchanted servants under a powerful spell. As time runs out, Belle must learn to see beyond the Beast’s appearance and find love – or risk losing everything to the curse forever.

Beauty and the Beast will play at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 11 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. For full details or to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01325 405405

WILLIAM HANSON TO JOIN
OLIVIER AWARD WINNING TITANIQUE

IN WEST END DEBUT FOR SIX WEEKS ONLY
FROM 9 JUNE – 19 JULY

TITANIQUE EXTENDED TO JANUARY 2027
AT CRITERION THEATRE

london.titaniquemusical.com

Producers Eva Price and Michael Harrison are delighted to announce new cast members joining their must sea splash hit Olivier Award Winning Titanique at the Criterion Theatre on London’s West End. The critically acclaimed production also extends booking to January 2027 due to phenomenal demand. Tickets are on sale at london.titaniquemusical.com.

William Hanson, etiquette coach and co-host of award-winning podcast ‘Help I Sexted My Boss’, which has over 100 million streams, is set to join the cast for 6 weeks from Tuesday 9 June to Sunday 19 July* playing Ruth. On joining the show, Hanson said: 

“Quite how I’ve ended up boarding Titaníque, I’m not entirely sure. One minute I’m teaching the world table manners on social media, the next I’m in a sequinned fever dream somewhere in the Piccadilly Circus part of the North Atlantic. Titanique is gloriously bonkers, outrageously funny, and exactly the sort of theatrical chaos I adore. I’m thrilled to be joining this sensational cast and have already begun practising the most important skill for the voyage: judging the other passengers from afar.”

New to London’s ship of dreams along with William Hanson* as Ruth are Lewis Francis as The Iceberg and Nikki Wheeldon as Molly Brown, with AJ Lewis and Joi Lurrie as on-stage background vocalists and Finton Flynn, Josh Lovell and Charlotte Soo as offstage understudies.

They join existing cast members Rose Galbraith as Rose, Astrid Harris as Céline Dion, Freddie King as Jack(previously offstage understudy), Cameron Vear as Cal (previously offstage understudy), Michael Vinsen as Victor Garber / Luigi and on-stage background vocalist Corrine Priest.

Further casting for Ruth from 19 July is to be announced. 

★★★★★
The Times, Daily Mail, Sunday Express, Sunday Mirror, Gay Times, London Theatre

 
Titaníque is the hysterical musical comedy bursting with nostalgia, non-stop laughs and killer vocals. Featuring all your favourite Céline Dion hits, including My Heart Will Go On, All by Myself and To Love You More, all backed by a sensational live band.

Celebrated as ‘The West End’s Funniest Musical’ (Smooth Radio), Titaníque is brilliant and bonkers fun. ‘If you love the film Titanic or Celine Dion, you’ll love Titaníque. Hell, if you couldn’t care less about them, you’ll love it’ (Mail on Sunday).

It’s the musical that’s making hearts go on… and on, so get on board as this ship of dreams is one voyage you simply can’t miss!

Co-written by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli, Titanique celebrated its Off-Broadway premiere in June 2022 at Asylum Theater, starring the musical’s co-authors Mindelle and Rousouli as Céline Dion and Jack Dawson. After several sold-out extensions, the musical transferred to the Daryl Roth Theatre on 20 November 2022 where it played until 15 June 2025. As well as New York and London, the musical comedy has had smash hit runs in Paris, Sydney, Montreal and Toronto. Titanique made its Broadway debut at the St. James Theatre in March 2026, receiving four Tony Award Nominations including Best Musical.

Titanique is directed by Tye Blue and choreographed by Ellenore Scott. Music Supervision, Arrangements and Orchestrations are by IRNE Award-Winner Nicholas James Connell,Scenic Design is by Gabriel Hainer Evansohn and Grace Lauchbacher for Iron Bloom Creative Production; Costume Design is by Alejo Vietti; Lighting Design is by Paige Seber; and Sound Design is by Lawrence Schober with casting by Pearson Casting CDG and Richard Johnston (for cast joining from 9 June).

In addition to its 2026 Tony Award Nominations and 2025 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, Titanique won seven major awards during the 2022/23 theatre season, including three Lucille Lortel Awards, the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best New Musical, Las Culturistas Culture Award for Best Indoor Performance and two Dorian Awards.

The London production of Titaniqueis produced by Eva Price and Michael Harrison.

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES

CAST FOR

THE WEST END TRANSFER OF

THE OLD VIC PRODUCTION OF

TOM STOPPARD’S

ARCADIA

OPENING AT THE DUKE OF YORK’S THEATRE IN JUNE 2026

Sonia Friedman Productions (SFP) today announces casting for the West End transfer of The Old Vic’s acclaimed and Olivier Award nominated production of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, directed by Carrie Cracknell. The production runs at the Duke of York’s Theatre, which is being newly renovated into the round, from Saturday 20 June – Saturday 12 September 2026.

Cracknell directs Nikki Amuka-Bird as Hannah Jarvis and Oliver Chris as Bernard Nightingale who join the cast alongside Aaron Anthony as Richard Noakes, David Buttle as Captain Brice, Matthew Doswell as Gus Coverly / Augustus Coverly and Yolanda Kettle as Lady Croom. Returning to the production following The Old Vic run are Angus Cooper as Valentine Coverly, Seamus Dillane as Septimus Hodge, Tim Frances as Jellaby, Holly Godliman as Chloë Coverly, Isis Hainsworth reprising her Olivier Award-nominated role as Thomasina Coverly and Matthew Steer as Ezra Chater, with understudies Alex Britt, Peta Cornish and Keziah Hayes.

Nikki Amuka-Bird said, “Hannah Jarvis is a fascinating woman – fiercely intelligent, endlessly curious, always searching for the truth. Tom Stoppard gives her wonderful precision, wit and depth. I’m delighted to be playing her with this company in the West End and to be reuniting with the brilliant Carrie Cracknell.”

Oliver Chris said, “When I saw Carrie Cracknell’s wonderful production of Arcadia at The Old Vic I was completely captivated by it. Tom Stoppard’s writing is dazzlingly intelligent and deeply moving all at once and I can’t wait to be part of bringing this production into the West End and getting my teeth into the role of Bernard.”

The production plays in the round, with limited On-Stage seating available. Tickets are on sale now: arcadiawestend.co.uk

Sonia Friedman Productions present

The Old Vic production of

ARCADIA

By Tom Stoppard

Directed by Carrie Cracknell

Set Design Alex Eales; Costume Design: Suzanne Cave; Lighting Design: Guy Hoare; Sound Design: Donato Wharton; Movement: Ira Mandela Siobhan; Composer: Stuart Earl; Casting: Serena Hill CDG

Duke of York’s Theatre

20 June – 12 September 2026

Brilliant minds. Burning hearts. The irresistible pull between chaos and order.

A dazzling collision of science and romance, Arcadiaexplores the beauty of curiosity, the ache of lost knowledge and the timeless thrill of discovery.

In a country house, two centuries apart, genius, passion and discipline unfold. In 1809, teenage prodigy, Thomasina Coverly races ahead of her time – exploring mathematics, nature and the unpredictable forces that govern both the universe and the human heart.

In the present day, author Hannah Jarvis investigates a mysterious chapter in the life of Lord Byron with precision, patience and rigor, determined to resist the pull of romanticised myth.

As past and present intwine, their questions begin to echo across time: can we ever truly understand the patterns of life or are we forever poised on the edge of disorder?

arcadiawestend.co.uk

Facebook: Arcadia West End

Instagram: ArcadiaWestEnd

TikTok: ArcadiaWestEnd

The Old Vic production of Arcadia will be produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and Winkler & Smalberg.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Nikki Amuka-Bird | Hannah Jarvis

Theatre credits include: The Lady from the Sea (Donmar Warehouse); God Bless the Child, Love and Information (Royal Court); Welcome to Thebes (National); Twelfth Night (Bristol Old Vic); World Music (Crucible Sheffield & Donmar); Top Girls (Oxford Stage Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, The Servant of Two Masters (RSC); Doubt: A Parable (Tricycle).

TV credits include: Betrayal (ITV); Citadel (Prime Video); I, Jack Wright, Hard Sun, Gold Digger, NW, Luther, Spooks, Silent Witness, The Line of Beauty, The Last Enemy, Robin Hood, Survivors (BBC); Avenue 5, Quarry (HBO); Torchwood (BBC & Starz).

Film credits include: Clarissa (Neon); Rumours (Buffalo Gal Pictures); Here (Miramax / Sony Pictures); The Outfit (Focus Features); Jericho Ridge (Brilliant Pictures); Knock at the Cabin, Old (Universal Pictures); Persuasion, The Laundromat, Cargo (Netflix); The Personal History of David Copperfield (Searchlight Pictures); A Private War (Aviron Pictures); Jupiter Ascending (Warner Bros.); Denial, The Face of an Angel, Shoot the Messenger (BBC Films); The Children Act (A24); The Omen (20th Century Fox); Almost Heaven.

Nikki Amuka-Bird was nominated for Best Leading Actress at the 2017 TV BAFTA’s for her outstanding performance in the BBC drama adaptation of Zadie Smith’s globally successful book, NW.

Aaron Anthony | Richard Noakes

Theatre includes: Heart Wall (Bush Theatre); Cymbeline, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe); A Doll’s House (Sheffield Crucible); The Motive and the Cue (National Theatre); Yellowman (Orange Tree Theatre); Shakespeare in Love (West End); Twelfth Night, Billy Liar (Royal Exchange Manchester); Lose Yourself (Sherman Theatre); Romeo & Juliet (Insane Root); A View from the Bridge, Macbeth (Tobacco Factory Theatre); ’Tis Unmanly Grief (Theatre N16); Twelfth Night, Billy Liar (Royal Exchange Manchester); Human Emotional Process (Chaskis/Arts Theatre).

Television includes: The Blame, Father Brown, The Pact, Behind Her Eyes, Emmerdale, The Other One, Shakespeare & Hathaway, Midsomer Murders, Delicious, Doctors, Outlaws, Witless, Holby City.
Short Film includes: I, You and Silent Phantom.

David Buttle | Captain Brice

Theatre includes: Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, Backstairs Billy (West End), The Mad Gay King (King’s Head).

Television includes: Slow Horses, Aids: The Unheard Tapes.

Film includes: The Nightingale.

Oliver Chris | Bernard Nightingale

Oliver Chris is a British actor and writer whose work spans stage, television, and film. He is currently a series regular in Disney’s smash hit Rivals and recently starred as Freddie in Terence Rattigan’s The

Deep Blue Sea alongside Tamsin Greig at Theatre Royal Bath.
A veteran of London theatre, Oliver’s stage career includes acclaimed performances in King Charles III (Almeida/West End/Broadway) and One Man, Two Guvnors (National/West End/ Broadway), for which he received an Olivier nomination. His extensive National Theatre credits also include Season’s Greetings, Great Britain and Twelfth Night, and he starred in Nicholas Hytner’s celebrated production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Bridge Theatre.
On screen, Oliver began his television career in Ricky Gervais’ The Office and went on to appear in beloved comedies such as Nathan Barley, The IT Crowd, and Green Wing. He recurs in BBC’s Motherland, plays ‘Freddy’ in Apple TV’s Trying, and features in A Very British Scandal, Miss Scarlet & The Duke, The Crown, Foundation, and ITV’s Maternal. His recent film work includes Living, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Emma, and Miss Marx, with Michael Winterbottom’s Shoshana forthcoming.
In addition to his acting career, Oliver is an accomplished playwright. His 2022 play Jack Absolute Flies Again premiered at the National Theatre to strong critical acclaim from outlets including Variety and The Times.

Angus Cooper | Valentine Coverly

Theatre includes: Arcadia (The Old Vic); 1536 (Almeida). Television includes: Black Doves, Lynley, Alice & Steve. Film includes: H is for Hawk, Anemone, Artificial.

Seamus Dillane | Septimus Hodge

Theatre credits include: Arcadia (The Old Vic); Anna Karenina (Chichester); Richard II (The Bridge); The Invention of Love (Hampstead); The Outrun (Church Hill/Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh); The Girls of Slender Means (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh).

Tv credits include: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Film credits include: Hillside Drive; The Outrun.

Matthew Doswell | Gus Coverly, Augustus Coverly

Matthew studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Arcadia will be his professional and West End debut.

Credits whilst training includes: The Watsons, Tartuffe (The Imposter); Hamlet; Much Ado About Nothing (RWCMD).

Tim Frances | Jellaby

Theatre includes: Arcadia and Machinal (The Old Vic); Witness for the Prosecution, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, The 39 Steps, A Man For All Seasons, An Inspector Calls, June Moon (West End); Never So Good, Marat-Sade (National); Roman Holiday, Machinal (Theatre Royal Bath); Taxidermist’s Daughter, Sweet Bird of Youth, Ragged Trousered Philanthropists (Chichester); The Sound of Music (Regent’s Park); Anne Boleyn, Eternal Love, The Woman in the Moon (Shakespeare’s Globe); Blue Stockings, The Suicide (Storyhouse Chester); King Lear (West Yorks Playhouse); Lady Anna: All At Sea (Park); Christmas Carol (Bridge House); Government Inspector (Broadsides); Love on the Links, Magna Carta, Map of the Heart, Habeas Corpus (Salisbury Playhouse); 1936 (Sadlers Wells & Arcola); Oliver Twist (Bolton Octagon); He’s Much To Blame, Relatively Speaking, Twelfth Night and Wives As They Were & Maids As They Are (Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds); Wizard of Oz (Edinburgh Lyceum); Glee Club (New Vic Stoke), Prodigal Son, Purvis (Stephen Joseph Scarborough); Cabaret, Comedy of Errors (Duke’s Playhouse Lancaster).

Screen includes: Raynmaker, Emmerdale, Citadel, Sister Boniface Mysteries, The Trial of Christine Keeler, Four Lives, It’s All Lies, Big School, Gangsta Granny, The Day of the Triffids, Land Girls, Simon Schama’s Shakespeare, The Death of Marat, Rapture, Bad Girls, My Dad’s the Prime Minister, Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Cromwell, Holby City, East Enders, The Bill, Doctors, Lexx, Othello, That Deadwood Feeling and The Taming of the Shrew.

Radio includes: She Fell Among Thieves, readings of Browning & Tennyson (BBC Radio 4), two series of short stories (QBS).

Holly Godliman | Chloe Coverly

Training: Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Theatre credits include: Arcadia (The Old Vic); Doubt: A Parable (Theatre Royal Bath); Her Country (New Diorama); Macbeth, Help Me I’m Falling, The Welkin, Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties, Top Girls, Queen Margaret, The Hypocrite, Richard III, The Seagull (RWCMD); The Tempest, Uncle Vanya (RADA).

TV and film credits include: The Woman in Cabin 10 (Netflix), House of the Dragon S3 (HBO).

Isis Hainsworth | Thomasina Coverly

Theatre credits include: Arcadia (The Old Vic); Measure for Measure (RSC); The Outrun (Royal Lyceum & Edinburgh International Festival); The House of Bernarda Alba (National); Romeo and Juliet (Almeida); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bridge); Moonlight/Nightschool (Harold Pinter); Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour (Duke of York’s).

TV and film credits include: Metal Lords (Netflix); Emma (Focus Features); Misbehaviour (Left Bank Pictures); The Panopticon (Molinare TV & Film); Red Rose (BBC); Les Misérables, The Victim (BBC1); Harlots, In Plain Sight(ITV); Wanderlust (BBC1); One of Us (BBC1 & BBC Scotland).

Isis was named one of the Screen International Stars of Tomorrow in 2022.

Yolanda Kettle | Lady Croom

Theatre credits include: The Comeuppance; Patriots; Oil (Almeida); The Interview (Park); Anthropology; Eden; Hello / Goodbye (Hampstead); Plenty, For Services Rendered (Chichester); The Deep Blue Sea (National Theatre); Birdland (Royal Court); Little Light (Orange Tree); Coolatully (Finborough); A Tale of Two Cities (Royal & Derngate Northampton); Pride and Prejudice (Regent’s Park); A Doll’s House (Young Vic & Duke of York’s); The Seagull (Arcola).

TV credits include: The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ (BBC); Roadkill (BBC); Marcella (ITV); Howards End (BBC); Doc Martin (ITV); The Crown (Netflix), Love, Nina (BBC) Father Brown (BBC); The Collection (Amazon); Holby City (BBC)

Film credits include: Sweetsick (Searchlight); Persuasion (Netflix); Made in Italy (CrossDay Productions).

Matthew Steer | Ezra Chater

Theatre credits include: Arcadia (The Old Vic); The Twilight Zone, Shades (West End); One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Old Vic); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Young Vic); Hamlet (Barbican); The Victorian in the Wall (Royal Court); The Summer House (Gate); Britain’s Best Mates (Edinburgh Fringe).
Television credits include: Talamasca: The Secret Order, How Are You? It’s Alan (Partridge), Shardlake, The Ipcress File, Showtrial, Les Misérables, Partners in Crime, Dangerous Liaisons, The Crown, Miss Scarlet, Wyatt Earp and the Cowboy War, Leonardo, Urban Myths, Becoming Elizabeth, Cinderella: After Ever After, Outlander, Misfits, The Last Kingdom, Informer, Drunk History, Cider with Rosie, You, Crackanory, Siblings.
Film credits include: Say Your Prayers, Urban Hymn, Cinderella, The Duke, SuperBob, Last Swim.
Radio credits include: The Haunted Man, Lenin Forever!, The Lambeth Waltz, The Victorian in the Wall.

CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES

Tom Stoppard | Writer

Plays include: Leopoldstadt, The Hard Problem, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead, The Real Inspector Hound, After Magritte, Jumpers, Dirty Linen, Dogg’s Hamlet, Cahoot’s Macbeth, Travesties, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Night and Day, Hapgood, Indian Ink, The Real Thing, The Invention of Love, The Coast of Utopia, Rock ’n’ Roll. Radio plays include: Darkside, If You’re Glad I’ll Be Frank, Albert’s Bridge, Where Are They Now?. Stoppard has received eight Evening Standard Awards and five Tony Awards for his plays. Television includes: Parade’s End, Professional Foul. Film includes: Despair, The Romantic Englishwoman, The Human Factor, Brazil, Empire of the Sun, The Russia House. 

Carrie Cracknell | Director

Theatre work includes: Arcadia at the Old Vic (Nominated for Olivier Award, Best Revival); The Grapes of Wrath, Julie, The Deep Blue Sea, Medea and Blurred Lines at the National Theatre; Seawall/A Life at The Public and Broadway (Nominated for four Tony Awards); Oil and Portia Coughlan at the Almeida; Macbeth, Elektra at the Young Vic and A Doll’s House (nominated for Evening Standard Best Director Award) at the Young Vic, in the West End and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music; Birdland, Searched and Pigeons at the Royal Court; Breathing Irregular, Hedda, I am Falling (also at Sadler’s Wells; South Bank Show Award nomination for Dance), Armageddon and The Sexual Neuroses of our Parents at the Gate; and Dolls at the National Theatre of Scotland. Opera includes Carmen for the Met Opera New York and Wozzeck (Olivier nomination for Best New Opera Production) for the English National Opera. Film includes Persuasion (MRC/Netflix) and Nora (Short). Julie, The Deep Blue Sea and Medea have all played in cinemas worldwide through NT Live. Carrie Cracknell was Artistic Director at the Gate Theatre from 2007 to 2012, and previously Associate Director at both the Young Vic and the Royal Court Theatre.

LISTINGS

ARCADIA

Duke of York’s Theatre

20 June – 12 September 2026

Box Office: arcadiawestend.co.uk

Access Performances:

Captioned: Thursday 6 August, 7pm

BSL interpreted: Saturday 15 August, 7pm

Audio Described: Saturday 29 August, 1.30pm

FULL CASTING ANNOUNCED
FOR THE
GRAND FINALE
OF

LES MISÉRABLES

THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR

PETER POLYCARPOU AND PHILIP QUAST

AS ‘BISHOP OF DIGNE’

ROB MADGE

AS ‘BAMATABOIS’

TO JOIN

ALFIE BOE, KILLIAN DONNELLY OR GERÓNIMO RAUCH AS ‘JEAN VALJEAN’

BRADLEY JADEN OR JEREMY SECOMB AS ‘JAVERT’

SAMANTHA BARKS OR KATIE HALL AS ‘FANTINE’

MATT LUCAS AS ‘THÉNARDIER’,

MARINA PRIOR OR HELEN WALSH AS ‘MADAME THÉNARDIER’,

JAC YARROW AS ‘MARIUS’,

BEATRICE PENNY-TOURÉ AS ‘COSETTE’,

SHAN AKO AS ‘ÉPONINE’,

AND
CHRISTIAN MARK GIBBS AS ‘ENJOLRAS’

LEADING A CAST AND ORCHESTRA OF OVER 65

Cameron Mackintosh, in association with Nick Grace Management, is delighted to announce the full casting for the forthcoming Grand Finale of Boublil and Schönberg’s LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR.

Joining the previously announced all-star cast and returning to the barricade will be beloved stage and screen actor Peter Polycarpou, who was part of the original company in 1985, and three-time Olivier Award winner Philip Quast, who originated Javert in the Australian production in 1987, a role he reprised for the 10^th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Both will play the role of the Bishop of Digne, with Peter Polycarpou performing in the UK and Ireland, and Philip Quast performing in New York. West End performer Rob Madge also returns to the production, this time as Bamatabois, having previously starred as Gavroche in the 25^th Anniversary Concert at The O2.

The company is completed by West End performers, Kelly Agbowu, Amelia Broadway, Mary Jean Caldwell, Harry Chandler, Rosy Church, Gabrielle Cummins, Beth Curnock, Jade Davies, Jordan Lee Davies, Jonathan David Dudley, Bryony Duncan, Harry Dunnett, Thiago Phillip Felizardo, Charlie Geoghegan, Nic Greenshields, Christopher Key, Michael Kholwadia, Andrew Maxwell, Jill Nalder, Lisa Peace, Emma Ralston, Ciaran Rodger, James Sillman, Geddy Stringer, Raymond Walsh, Danny Whitehead and Owain Williams.

Cian Bhalla, Alfie Buck, Mateo Casado, Oliver Maurice and Nicholas Teixeira will alternate the role of Gavroche with Saskia Sibley, Sophia Travers and Maya Sharma alternating the role of Little Cosette. Casting for Little Cosette in New York is to be announced.

They will star alongside Alfie Boe, Killian Donnelly or Gerónimo Rauch as Jean Valjean, Bradley Jaden or Jeremy Secomb as Javert, Samantha Barks or Katie Hall as Fantine, Matt Lucas as Thénardier, Marina Prior or Helen Walsh as Madame Thénardier, Jac Yarrow as Marius, Beatrice Penny-Touré as Cosette, Shan Ako as Éponine and Christian Mark Gibbs as Enjolras.

Please see Listings sections below or visit LesMis.com for casting per venue.

Producer Cameron Mackintosh said, “After two extraordinary years, the Les Misérables Arena Concert Spectacular world tour has reached its grand finale. Having already announced a wonderful company including many Les Mis Stars in their Multitudes, I am delighted to confirm the last three brilliant artists who will be climbing the barricades for our final performances in Dublin, Birmingham, London and New York – they are three actors who have an extra special relationship with Les Misérables. In the role of the Bishop, Peter Polycarpou from the original London cast in 1985 (who went on to create the role of John in Miss Saigon) will play in the UK and Ireland, and in New York, the Bishop will be played by the legendary Australian actor Philip Quast, returning to the stage for the first time in many years. Philip Quast first played Javert at the age of 27 in Australia in 1987 and became one of the greatest Javert’s of all time playing over 1,000 performances all over the world, including the extraordinary, filmed 10th anniversary concert at the Royal Albert Hall. Joining them is the incomparable Rob Madge as Bamatabois, who was the brilliant Gavroche at the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 at the age of 14 and has gone on to create a wonderful career as both writer and performer. Our extraordinary Les Mis world tour company is now complete, and I can’t wait for our audiences of thousands to hear the people sing once more in this unique spectacular production which has sold out across the world in over 30 countries. We are now releasing our last production seats so don’t Miz out!”

After a record-breaking two-year World Tour, the acclaimed show will play its final dates in Dublin, Birmingham, London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Radio City Music Hall between May and August this year. Final tickets are now released for Dublin and Birmingham. A limited number of seats will be released for performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall, later this month. Having extended due to phenomenal demand, all performances are now on sale for the limited season at Radio City Music Hall.

* * * *
“A BLOCKBUSTER ON STEROIDS WITH AN ATMOSPHERE BETWEEN A ROCK CONCERT AND A FOOTBALL MATCH.
A HYPNOTIC AND VIRTUOSO PRODUCTION”
THE TIMES

“THIS SUPERB PRODUCTION MARCHES ON!”
THE TELEGRAPH

“DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING? I DID, AND IT WAS MAGICAL”
THE GUARDIAN, AUSTRALIA

LES MISÉRABLES THE ARENA CONCERT SPECTACULAR will play the 3Arena, Dublin (Friday 29 May – Saturday 6 June 2026), Utilita Arena Birmingham (Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 June 2026), London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall (Thursday 18 – Sunday 21 June 2026) and New York’s legendary Radio City Music Hall for a strictly limited three-week run (Thursday 23 July – Sunday 9 August 2026) where it will conclude its World Tour .

Southwark Playhouse Elephant – until 13 June 2026

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

The world premiere of the English-language version of Jishik Kim and Seungyeon Kwon’s hit musical at Southwark Playhouse Elephant is high energy entertainment.

Opening with alarms and news clips of civil unrest, the frenetic opening number sees the survivor heading to the bunker he has prepared for exactly this moment – the zombie apocalypse.

This is a one person musical, so exposition is presented using a mobile phone to record a video journal of life in the bunker – shown on screens above the stage. Inadvertent glitches with the signal cause freezes which add to the sense of chaotic doom. Shankho Chaudhuri’s set design is practical and the utilitarian grey evokes memories of underground adventures in zombie films. Cheolmin Cho’s lighting and Liam McDermott’s sound design provide disturbing reminders of the horrors the survivor would have to face if he left.

Once inside and safely locked in, the survivor uses the phone to show the future viewers their survival equipment but realises that they have not fully stocked the bunker. Quickly calculating a new calorie intake regime, they have enough food to survive for barely 6 months rather than the year they planned. The passing of time is marked with each video recording, and the plants being cultivated in the bunker are providing extra food – until a series of disasters mean no power, no air filtration, no water and no hope.

The second act gets darker – in all senses of the word – and with no power to use the phone, a teddy bear becomes the survivor’s confidante, with two-way conversations and arguments moving the plot along. Jethro Compton’s dramaturgy and Daljung Kim’s direction create a surprisingly dynamic show and Jishi Kim’s book, although using every cliché from zombie films, tells a very grounded and emotional story. His lyrics are witty and any clunky rhymes are easily forgiven as lost in translation. Seungyeon Kwon’s rock score is punchy and matches the emotional rollercoaster of the plot, with endearingly heartfelt ballads sprinkled throughout. Musical director Amy Hsu and the live band above the stage shine.

The role of the survivor is shared throughout the run by Nabi Brown and Lex Lee. Lee was performing on press night and was a joy to watch. Lee’s survivor’s descent from cocky and prepared to lost and panicked is beautifully judged, and the swift changes as sanity collapses are nuanced and natural. Lee is such a charismatic actor that you can’t help caring about this strange character, and his voice! Absolutely fantastic belting during the faster numbers, and heartbreakingly tender with the ballads.

The survivor’s encyclopaedic knowledge of film – types of zombies from different franchises are compared as they consider what is happening outside, the parallels of the bunker diet with The Martian are joked about – creates laughs and raises questions and the twist ending is signposted throughout. The twist comes after what could have been a gloriously heroic finale in its own right as the survivor decides to leave, but the musical ends on a quieter more intimately human note that has even more emotional impact.

This is definitely musical theatre marmite – but let yourself go with the zombie flow and discover the wonderful humanity of The Last Man.

ROYAL CONCERT HALL, NOTTINGHAM – UNTIL 16 MAY 2026

REVIEWED BY GERALDINE RENNIE

4****

Breakin’ Convention has been based at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London since 2004. It leads a global hip hop dance theatre movement which showcases leading artists and connects communities through the power of dance, music and storytelling. Breakin’ Convention Festival 2026 was the world’s biggest festival of hip hop culture, which took over the Sadler’s Wells theatre at the start of May, followed by 9 dates around the country. This tour brings an exciting mixture of established, award winning acts as well as opportunities for local acts to perform on the stage and also in the foyer prior the mainstage performance

Hip Hop culture originated in the early 1970s in the Bronx, New York City, emerging from African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and Latino communities as a form of artistic expression and social commentary. Its 4 main pillars are DJing, MCing (or rapping), graffiti art, and breakdancing. My first experience of it here in the UK came in the 1980s when a piece of lino appeared in an un-used classroom and groups of (mainly) boys could be found trying out their kick outs and headspins to the sounds of Run-D.M.C.and the Beastie Boys. Tonight’s performance, hosted by Jonzi D, founder and Artistic Director of Breakin’ Convention, began with the same energy, channelled through dance and brought the audience to their feet.

The first crew, Take 1 Dance, exploded onto the stage in a cloud of energy with a really interesting range of moves that meant you wanted to look everywhere at once. They were followed by Tozer Studios whose strong moves were fierce, reinforced by the red and black
clothes and a whiplash of hair. The narrative of Beatbots was enhanced by the warmth of their matching colour theme as they surrounded their central dancer. All 3 local dance groups projected a really strong feeling of pride and unity and were a delight to watch.
This was followed by Femme Fatale who are of French and Korean origin. They moved with grace and poise and the use of the spotlight was notable as they danced trapped in its beam.

Local act Jah Digga, a Nottingham based rapper and poet reflected on ‘so many broken blokes.’ A similar theme was explored following the interval with TRAPLORD; a dark and menacing piece reflecting on guns, masculinity, poor mental health and suicide. Audiences were warned by Jonzi D that it might not be for everyone and 16+ years was advised. No age limit prepared the audience for the skills of the contortionist and there was a collective eewww as he rotated his shoulder to unheard of positions.

The highlight of the show came from ILL – Abilities; a differently able dance duo who commanded attention from the audience immediately. Their music drove the narrative but didn’t overpower it. Their beautifully symbiotic movements were mesmerising, graceful and to witness the dancer with 1 leg do a back flip from standing will stay in my mind for a long time

Hope Theatre -until 16 May 2026

Reviewed by Claire Roderick

4****

It’s Saph’s birthday, and she’s having a night out with her mates, but in Eva Regan’s play lifechanging revelations create drama amongst the hilarious and sometimes excruciating drunken chaos as the girls retreat to the haven of the toilets.

Cracking tunes play as the audience enters, with the cast celebrating on the dancefloor, spilling drinks and shouting at the DJ. Cian Feasey’s lighting and sound is fantastic with music blaring and lights blazing as the action switches from the toilets to the dancefloor smoothly and swiftly under Blair McAlpine’s assured direction.

Saph (Emily Puttick), Liv (Áine O’Neill Mason) and Flick (Eva Regan) are best friends and, between talking how much they love each other, swigging from hip flasks and taking drugs, Saph discovers that Liv has been shagging Jack (Jordan Peedell). A positive pregnancy test results in some deep drunken thinking and soul searching about Liv’s future, as well as lots of mockery about her taste in men. But Saph and her boyfriend Archie (Jacob Hutchings) are also keeping a secret from the others. Also celebrating with the group is another boy (Kieran Robson) – Saph is his boss and it is made clear from a scene at the urinals that the other 2 lads don’t really know him.

Regan’s writing is realistic, raw and raunchy – with a fierce sense of deep love and friendship shining through. The character group is instantly recognisable and the cast lean into the personality types brilliantly. Puttick is a lovable mix of den mother and head girl as the calm centre of the trio of girls, O’Neill Mason is a hilariously chaotic bunch of drunkenness and hormones and Regan is arch and anarchic as drama queen Flick, with some wonderfully revealed nuances as she holds back her trauma so as not to spoil Saph’s night – whether that is her choice or because she is following Archie’s request is not clarified, but either way, she deserves more credit than her friends give her. You just hope that she does actually talk about it tomorrow with Liv…

Drunk Girls Cry Here is a fantastic representation of friendship, frivolity, and moving on. Frank and very very funny, this marks Eva Regan as a writer to watch out for.

Royal & Derngate Theatre, Northampton – until 16th May 2026

Review by Amanda Allen

4****

I don’t think I have ever seen such frantic energy confined to such a limited space by such a small group of people! From a dramatic musical introduction to the manic paced Hamlet finale this production didn’t stop. Being honest parts of it were a bit to fast for me, my ears and brain could not keep up with the dialogue and action at times. In trying to tell the story of ALL of Shakespeare’s works in one production the 3 person cast of Efe Agwele, Tom Pavey and Kiran Raywilliams took us on a journey through time and place and sometimes I lost my way.

I am not a huge fan of Shakespeare, like many I studied some of his works at school and have seen various performances over the years of the more popular plays. I thought this would be a good way of extending my Shakespearian experience in a fun way. Throughout the play we were constantly reminded how many of our sayings and regularly used phrases originated with the Bard. The cast took us along on the journey with lots of audience participation and humour. Directed by Adam Long who was also one of the writers this is an interesting look at the many works of Shakespeare we are all familiar with.

The reduced Shakespeare Company have excelled in making a virtue of limited means with sparce settings and minimal props, lots of costume changes and theatrical invention. The cast depicted the many characters with such a fast pace it was at times hard to keep up. Kiran Raywilliams was excellent in being both the narrator of many parts and the glue that hung the team together through out this run away performance. One of the highlights for me was his rendition of the alphabet in rap style, very clever and I am sure extremely difficult to deliver. On the downside the delivery of the Scottish play exert in a broad Glaswegian accent left me completely behind as I didn’t understand a word of it! Similarly the depiction of Titus Andronicus as a cooking show didn’t work for me either, I know we are asked to push the boundaries of live entertainment sometimes but for me this was an unnecessary stretch of my imagination.

Although this was a comedic performance there were parts where the actors were allowed to show their true talent and deliver parts of Shakespeare’s great plays straight faced and with great timing, taking us from the fast comedy to the beauty of the Bards written word showed the true scale of the talent on show before us. I don’t know how they remembered all their lines, throughout the performance the pace of delivery didn’t drop, it was a real marathon, both vocally and physically and the cast carried the audience along with them.

Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare’s works or not this is a really entertaining night out, well worth seeing, it may even spark a further interest in going to see some “real” Shakespeare plays!

FULL CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE UK TOUR OF MALORY TOWERS

ADAPTED AND DIRECTED BY EMMA RICE

TUE 30 JUN – SAT 4 JUL

The Emma Rice Company today announces the full cast for their upcoming tour of Malory Towers from the novels by Enid Blyton and adapted by Emma Rice. Rice directs Eden Barrie (Mary Lou Atkinson), Molly Cheesley (Alicia Johns), Rebecca Collingwood (Gwendolyn Lacey), Stephanie Hockley (Irene DuPont), Emily Panes (Musician), Robyn Sinclair (Darrell Rivers), Bethany Wooding (Sally Hope) and Zoe West (Bill Robinson) in this co-production with Alexandra Palace Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse.

Emma Rice said today, “Malory Towers is an enduring passion for me! Inspired by my Gran, Mum and all the magnificent women of the wartime generations, I have loved bringing these intoxicating characters and tales up to date with love, song and laughter. However, like the school itself, this sparkling production needs to be filled with new personalities. This new tour is no different! The class of 2026 is filled with fresh, fierce and joyful talent – and I cannot wait to see what they bring to Miss Grayling, Malory Towers and me. Here’s to ‘Good strong women that the world can lean on’. My, in these terrifying and divided times we need that more than ever, don’t we?” 

MALORY TOWERS

From the novels by Enid Blyton

Adapted and directed by Emma Rice

Co-produced by Emma Rice Company, Alexandra Palace Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

Set & Costume Designer Lez Brotherston; Composer Ian Ross;

Lighting Designer Malcolm Rippeth; Sound and Video Designer Simon Baker;

Choreographer Alistair David

It’s back by popular demand! Emma Rice Company’s ‘magic’ Malory Towers (Guardian) is touring the UK again. Get ready for high jinks, high drama and high spirits, all set to sensational live music.

Darrell Rivers is starting school with an eager mind and fierce heart. Unfortunately she also has a quick temper! Can she learn to tolerate the infuriating Gwendoline Lacey, or value the kind-hearted Sally Hope? Can she save the school play and rescue terrified Mary Lou from the grip of a raging storm? If she can do these things anywhere, she will do them at Malory Towers!

​Nostalgic, naughty, and perfect for now, Malory Towers is the original ‘Girl Power’ story. This is a show for girls, boys and all grown-up children who still dream of midnight feasts and Cornish clifftops.

Eden Barrie plays Mary Lou Atkinson. She was in the ensemble for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre Rep season in 2025 performing in Grease, Nessie and Toast Fae the Lassies.

Molly Cheesley plays Alicia Johns. Her theatre credits incldue NOW That’s What I Call A Musical (UK Tour), You’re Not The Boss of Me (The Other Palace), Jane Austen’s Emma (UK Tour), Forever Young, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, and Robin Hood (Exeter Northcott).

Rebecca Collingwood reprises her role as Gwendolyn Lacey having played her in the 2019 tour. For the company, she also appeared in Wuthering Heights. Her other theatre credits include The Motive and the Cue (National Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing (RSC) Arms and the Man, Precious Little Talent, Widowers’ Houses – Ian Charleson Award nomination (Orange Tree Theatre), The Hartlepool Monkey (Gyre and Gimble), Caste (Finborough Theatre), Much Ado About Nothing and Love’s Labour’s Lost (RSC at Chichester Festival Theatre and Theatre Royal Haymarket). Her television work includes Miss Scarlett and The Duke and The Holden Girls: Mandy and Mrytle.

Stephanie Hockley plays Irene DuPont. For the company she previously appeared in Wuthering Heights, Blue Beard and Malory Towers. Her other theatre credits include Miracle on 34^th Street (HOME Manchester), Vernon Girls (Liverpool Royal Court), A Christmas Carol, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Storyhouse), Robin Hood (Watermill Theatre); Return to the Forbidden Planet (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, The Little Mermaid (Liverpool Everyman), Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel (Liverpool Everyman), and The Witch of Edmonton (Sam Wanamaker Festival).

Emily Panes is the Musician. Her theatre credits include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Ambassadors Theatre), Twelfth Night (Mill at Sonning and Cunard Cruises), The Threepenny Opera (Minack Theatre, OVO), Hay Fever, Twelfth Night, Still Life (The Mill at Sonning), Cinderella and Robin Hood (The Barn Cirencester), Pinocchio, Rapunzel (The Garage Norwich), and Kinky Boots in Concert (LMTO, Theatre Royal Drury Lane).

Robyn Sinclair plays Darrell Rivers – her previous work for the company includes Blue Beard. Her other theatre work includes Four Felons and a Funeral (UK tour), The Grapes of Wrath (National Theatre), 4000 Miles, Mood Music (The Old Vic), The Enormous Crocodile (Leeds Playhouse and Regent’s Park Open Air Productions), The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth (The Watermill Theatre), Wildfire Road (Sheffield Theatres), The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (UK tour and Gillian Lynne Theatre), Amélie (Criterion Theatre), Mog (The Wardrobe Ensemble, Royal and Derngate, The Old Vic), Electrolyte (Wildcard Theatre), The Wind in the Willows (New Vic Theatre), The Snow Queen (Theatre Clwyd/Paperfinch Theatre), and Much Ado About Nothing (Oxford Shakespeare Company). For film, Not Knowing Needing and Fledgeling.

Bethany Wooding plays Sally Hope. Her theatre work includes The Crucible (Shakespeare’s Globe), Peerless, Rodney and The Shrieking Sisterhood (Sherman Theatre), and The Return (ReLive Theatre Company). Her film work includes The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde, and Six Minutes to Midnight.

Zoe West plays Bill Robinson. Their theatre work includes Jack and the Beanstalk, Romeo and Juliet, Rapunzel, Cinderella (Liverpool Everyman), Baby in the Mirror (Second Adolescence), Dead Girls Rising (Silent Uproar), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Chichester Festival Theatre), Wildfire Road (Sheffield Theatres), A Christmas Carol (Shakespeare North Playhouse), The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Rose Theatre Kingston), Jane Eyre (Stephen Joseph Theatre and New Vic), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Peter Pan (Storyhouse), Much Ado About Nothing (New English Shakespeare Company), Out of Water (Orange Tree Theatre and RSC), White Teeth (Kiln Theatre), Sleeping Beauty (Theatr Clwyd), and Island Song (Stratford Circus). For television, The Primrose Railway Children.

Emma Rice is the Artistic Director of Wise Children and is an internationally respected theatre-maker and director. For Wise Children she has adapted and directed A Child’s Christmas in Wales, The Buddha of Suburbia, Blue Beard, The Little Matchgirl and Happier Tales, Wuthering Heights, Bagdad Café, Angela Carter’s Wise Children, Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers and Romantics Anonymous. As Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe: Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Little Matchgirl (and Other Happier Tales). Rice worked for Kneehigh as an actor, director and Artistic Director, creating critically acclaimed productions including: The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, 946: The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips, The Wild Bride, The Red Shoes, Cymbeline (in association with RSC), A Matter of Life and Death (in association with National Theatre), Brief Encounter (in association with David Pugh and Dafydd Rogers Productions), Don John (in association with the RSC and Bristol Old Vic), Wah! Wah! Girls (in association with Sadler’s Wells and Theatre Royal Stratford East for World Stages), and Steptoe and Son. She received the Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre award at the 2019 UK Theatre Awards.  

Hull Truck Theatre – until 16th May 2026

Reviewed by Dawn Bennett

5*****

I have seen many amateur productions across Hull and the East Riding, and they are always full of talent. Last night’s performance at Hull Truck Theatre was no exception.

Tech It Serious Productions made an outstanding debut with Avenue Q. If I could have awarded more than the maximum five stars, I gladly would have done.

As soon as you arrive at the theatre and are greeted by a sign warning of “puppet nudity”, you know this is not going to be an ordinary show. It is very much a show aimed at adults!

Avenue Q tells the story of a rundown street in New York and its diverse residents. The blend of human actors and puppets is brilliantly handled, and both are so expressive on stage that it is hard to know where to look.

Princeton (Alex Dickenson) moves into the only flat he can afford after graduating from college. There, he falls for Kate Monster (Rachel Waters), but the pair soon discover that relationships are not always easy to navigate.

Nicky (Andrew Siddle-Vale) and Rod (Luke Gillingham) live together as roommates. Rod remains deeply in the closet and does not realise that everyone already knows he is gay.

Trekkie Monster (Phil Wilson) is an internet porn addict who rarely likes to leave home.

Lucy T. Slut (Violet Glenton) is a bar singer who sets her sights on Princeton, much to Kate Monster’s disgust.

Among the human characters are Brian (Russell Fallon), an unemployed comedian, his Japanese fiancée, Christmas Eve (Pinky C Ko) and Gary Coleman (Jade Easom-Samuels).

The ensemble of Sarah-Lucy Penny, Shawnee Siddle-Vale, and Joe Spence play a variety of characters superbly.

The entire cast is fabulous, with impeccable timing and delivery throughout. Under musical director Jessica Viner, the band performs the score beautifully.

I am already looking forward to seeing what this company does next. It is certainly one to watch.