If you feel like Oscar Wilde when he said: “I love acting. It is so much more real than life…” then you’re in the right place! With industry news, the latest castings, and upcoming projects, we’ll make sure stay updated on the ever-changing theatrical world. Whether it’s West End, fringe or regional theatre, we have your back.
Mischief Theatre takes to the screen.
A new TV show based on Mischief Theatre’s hit The Play That Goes Wrong has been commissioned by BBC One. Controller of Comedy Commissioning Shane Allen and Charlotte Moore, director of BBC content, are behind the new project, which is titled The Goes Wrong Show. A six-part TV series, the show will star and be written by founding members of Mischief Theatre Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. The cast will also include Bryony Corrigan, Dave Hearn, Chris Leask, Charlie Russell, Greg Tannahill, and Nancy Zamit. Filming will take place in Manchester this year, with a live studio audience.
Your chance to feel like one of Henry VIII’s wives.
The pop musical Six is inviting audiences to a sing-along on 6 June this summer. After a successful run at the Arts Theatre in 2018, the club-style retelling of the history of Henry VIII’s six wives returned in January and will run until at least January 2020. Book, music, and lyrics are by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, with direction from Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage. Tickets are on sale now for the sing-along, which will invite audiences to dress in costume and vie to be crowned “Queen of the Night” – with the lucky individual winning a poster signed by the cast.
All Star Musicals gets all-star judges.
ITV’s hit show from 2017 All Star Musicals is back! The legendary Elaine Paige will judge – and she’ll also duet with Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked). The show is to feature musical theatre performances by celebrities, with judges weighing in on their merits. John Barrowman will host, and it’s been announced that Chenoweth, Kevin Clifton (Rock of Ages), and Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin) will also sit on the panel. The official premiere date for the TV show is TBA, but it’s slated for the spring.
Another Game of Thrones star takes the stage.
Gwendoline Christie, known for playing GoT’s Brienne of Tarth, will play the queen of the fairies, Titania, in an upcoming production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre. Starring alongside Christie will be Oliver Chris as Oberon, David Moorst as Puck, and Hammed Animashaun as Bottom. Nicholas Hytner directs, and the production, which runs from 3 June, will make full use of the Bridge Theatre’s immersive space as noted in last year’s production of Julius Caesar.
READ: Do You Want to Join the Cast of the Game of Thrones Prequel?
Jennifer Saunders and Rupert Everett head to Theatre Royal Bath.
This summer, Saunders will take on the role of Madame Arcati in Noël Coward’s classic Blithe Spirit at Theatre Royal Bath. With direction by Richard Eyre, the show will also star Lisa Dillon, with further casting TBA. Following Blithe Spirit, the theatre will show Uncle Vanya, a new adaptation by David Hare of Anton Chekhov’s famous play. It will be Rupert Everett’s theatrical directorial debut, and he will star in the titular role, with set design by Charles Quiggin. A summer season of classics not to be missed!
This dancing queen must take a bow.
Georgia Louise is stepping down as Sophie Sheridan in the West End production of Mamma Mia! In the lead role at the Novello Theatre since June 2018, she took the decision due to frequent hospitalisations from asthma. Lucy May Barker will take on her role; she has starred in international and UK touring productions of the show and cites the Novello as the 35th venue where she’ll have played Sophie. The official date of the takeover is yet to be announced.
READ: So You Want to Act in the West End?
London premiere of Light in the Piazza announces cast.
This summer, musical The Light in the Piazza will have its London premiere at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. Rob Houchen (Les Misérables) will take on the role of Fabrizio Naccarelli, Celinde Schoenmaker – best known for playing Christine Daaé in Phantom of the Opera – will play Franca Naccarelli with Liam Tamne (Phantom of the Opera, Wicked) as Giuseppe Naccarelli. Further new casting includes soprano Marie McLaughlin and Malcolm Sinclair. These cast members join already announced Dove Cameron as Clara and Renée Fleming as Margaret. The story follows mother and daughter Margaret and Clara as they travel to Italy in 1953. Clara meets and falls in love with Fabrizio, but their love story uncovers various familial secrets. The book is by Craig Lucas, with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, based on the novella by Elizabeth Spencer.
Ready to get cast? Check out Backstage’s London audition listings!