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.
Amélie finds its Amélie.
The UK premiere of the musical Amélie, opening in April, has found its lead. Known for her starring roles in Pinocchio at the National Theatre and UK tours of The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk and La Strada, Audrey Brisson will take on the quirky titular role in this UK and Ireland tour. Directed by Michael Fentiman with the book by Craig Lucas, music by Daniel Messé, and lyrics from Messé and Nathan Tysen, the tour begins this spring at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury before wending its way across the British Isles. The rest of the creative has also been set with choreography from Tom Jackson Greaves, arrangements and orchestrations by Barnaby Race, musical supervision and direction by George Francis, and design by Madeleine Girling. Further casting supporting Brisson is forthcoming for the show that opened and closed on Broadway in 2017.
A triumphant return to the stage.
Dame Maggie Smith is returning to the stage after a 12-year hiatus to take on a solo show, A German Life. Written by Christopher Hampton, with direction by Jonathan Kent, the new play follows Brunhilde Pomsel, a secretary in 1930s Germany who worked for Joseph Goebbels. Using words from her own testimonial before her death, Hampton brings to life this woman’s extraordinary story. Smith, much loved by fans for her decades-long career on TV, film, and stage, will perform at the Bridge Theatre from April to May.
The sardines!
Theatre fans rejoice: the most meta-theatrical play is returning to its original home. Noises Off, the hilarious backstage farce by Michael Frayn, will play again at the Lyric Hammersmith where it opened almost 40 years ago. A play about a play, Noises Off recounts the staging of an adult farce called Nothing On, following the onstage and backstage shenanigans of the actors and the creative team attempting to put on a show. With direction by Jeremy Herrin and design by Max Jones, this revival of one of the funniest plays of all time is sure to delight audiences through June and July.
Finally, trans stories are entering the mainstream.
Jon Brittain’s play Rotterdam will tour the UK this year, with queer star and drag king Lucy Jane Parkinson in the lead role. Bethan Cullinane will play Alice, a woman who is dating Fiona (Parkinson) as they navigate their relationship after Fiona has revealed he identifies as a man and wishes to begin living as Adrian. Joined by Elijah W Harris and Ellie Morris, the production will be directed by Donnacadh O’Briain. Rotterdam won an Olivier for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2017 after opening at Theatre503 and transferring to Trafalgar Studios. This new tour begins 4 April at the Rose Theatre in Kingston before visiting cities all over the UK and closing in June.
READ: Drag Kings – The Gender-Bending Art Form Taking London by Storm
Tina, take two.
Nkeki Obi-Melekwe will make her West End debut this spring as she takes on the iconic lead role in Tina – The Tina Turner Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. She takes over from Adrienne Warren, who will move to the Broadway production in the autumn. Replacing Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is Ashley Zhangazha (Death of a Salesman at the Royal Exchange) in the role of Ike Turner. Sharing the Tina role will be Aisha Jawando, and further casting for the changeover includes Howard Gossington, Irene-Myrtle Forrester, and Terry Britten. Also joining the company is Maria Omakinwa as Tina’s mother, until 22 June, at which point Madeline Appiah will play the role again. Roll down the river to check out this talented second cast!
For the first time ever: Mrs John Proctor.
The Yard Theatre is staging a radical production of Arthur Miller’s American classic The Crucible, its first ever revival of an existing play. Another first: it will star a woman, Caoilfhionn Dunne, as the wrongfully accused John Proctor. Further casting includes Lucy Vandi, Syrus Lowe, Jacob James Beswick, Emma D’Arcy, Sophie Duval, Sorcha Groundsell, Jack Holden, and Nina Cassells, in her professional debut. Directed by Jay Miller, artistic director of the Yard, the show opens 2 April, with previews beginning 27 March. Check out how gender-bending affects this classic piece of theatre.
READ: The Who’s Who of British Theatre’s New Wave
A European premiere of an American play about Egyptian life.
Cultures and lives collide in American playwright Tom Coash’s play Cry Havoc, which will have its European premiere at the Park Theatre this March. Coash, who spent four years in Cairo, brings us a contemporary tale of LGBTQ+ identity, with the play following the love story between a British and an Egyptian man. Pamela Schermann will direct, Marc Antolin stars as Nicholas Field, with James El-Sharawy as Mohammed El-Masri, and Karren Winchester in the role of Mrs Nevers, with set and costume design by Emily Bestow, sound design by Julian Starr, and lighting design by Petr Vocka.
Check out Backstage’s UK audition listings!