It’s that time again! We’re back with our top 10 theatre news stories from the week running 23 – 29 June, brought to you by Theatre & Tonic. This week’s roundup includes casting news for shows such Mary Poppins, Titanique and Back to the Future, as well as announcements about brand new productions coming to a theatre near you! From major West End debuts to standout regional gems, our bite-sized bulletin has something for every theatre fan. Stay tuned – another round of the week’s hottest headlines is coming your way next week!

Lyn Paul to join UK tour of Disney’s Mary Poppins

Legendary singer and actress Lyn Paul is set to join the award-winning musical Mary Poppins as the Bird Woman, starting 18 November 2025 at Milton Keynes Theatre. She will take over from Patti Boulaye, who will perform the role across several cities, including Birmingham and Southampton, until 16 November. Australian stars Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers will continue leading the cast as Mary and Bert, following acclaim from their performances in the Australian run of the show.

The Wanderers to make London debut this Autumn

Anna Ziegler’s Off-Broadway drama The Wanderers will make its UK Debut this Autumn. The acclaimed playwright’s emotionally complex play will premiere at Marylebone Theatre from 17 October to 29 November 2025. The story follows Abe, a disillusioned writer, and his wife Sophie as their marriage unravels amid creative struggles and personal revelations. Simultaneously, a parallel story explores an Orthodox Jewish couple navigating an arranged marriage, shedding light on tradition, identity, and the cost of personal freedom.

UK debut announced for Seagull: True Story

Following a hit run in New York, Seagull: True Story — a bold reinterpretation of Chekhov’s The Seagull — is coming to the Marylebone Theatre from 5 September to 11 October 2025. Produced by MART and Wild Yak, the play challenges notions of identity, truth, and the role of art under authoritarian regimes. Centering on a Russian artist fleeing censorship amid war, it explores the price of artistic freedom through comedy, multimedia, and biting social critique. Seagull: True Story is directed and created by Alexander Molochnikov, who also stars, with further casting to be announced.

Cast announced for The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical UK tour

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical has revealed its full cast ahead of its first-ever UK tour. The news was revealed around the 20th anniversary of Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel The Lightning Thief, on which the musical is based. Leading the cast as Percy Jackson is Vasco Emauz (Back To The Future: The Musical), joined by Kayna Montecillo (Starlight Express) as Annabeth and Cahir O’Neill (Fame) as Grover. Joining them is Simone Robinson (Coming to England) as Sally Jackson, Niall Sheehy (Miss Saigon) as Mr Bruner, and Aidan Cutler (Back to the Future: The Musical) as Mr D. The tour begins at Theatre Royal Windsor in August 2025, before heading to major cities including Liverpool, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Milton Keynes, Brighton and Birmingham, with more dates and venues to be announced.

New cast announced for Titanique

Here at Theatre & Tonic, we were saddened by the news that Lauren Drew will take her final voyage as Celine Dion in Titanique on 12th July. The Olivier award-winning comedy musical has been playing to sold out audiences at the Criterion Theatre and Drew earned herself an Olivier Award nomination for her performance as the Canadian songstress. She will be replaced by Astrid Harris, who has been performing in the role in the French production. Jenny O’Leary (We Will Rock You) also joins the production as Molly Brown, taking over as maternity cover for Charlotte Wakefield. The musical is currently booking until 4th January 2026.

Maddie Grace Jepson to join West End production of Back to the Future The Musical

TikTok Star Maddie Grace Jepson to is set to make her West End debut as Lorraine Baines in Back to the Future: The Musical from 13 August 2025 at the Adelphi Theatre. Jepson, who trained in musical theatre before rising to fame for her funny and relatable reels, expressed her excitement, calling the role a “full circle moment”. She joins the previously announced Brian Conley as Doctor Emmett “Doc” Brown for a limited 12-week run. Cory English will return to the role of Doc from 5 November 2025.

That’ll Be The Day to return to London in 2026

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, rock ‘n’ roll jukebox musical That’ll Be The Day will return to the iconic London Palladium on 3 February 2026. A decade after its last performance at the venue, the show’s creator and star Trevor Payne will lead a talented cast in a nostalgic showcase of music and entertainment, featuring much-loved hits from artists such as The Beatles, ABBA, Dolly Parton, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner and Whitney Houston. Payne said “Bringing the show back to the London Palladium is really special for us and we can’t wait to share this anniversary celebration with both our loyal fans and new faces at the most famous theatre in the world. We promise it will be a night to remember”. There will also be a 40th anniversary tour, with more details coming soon.

Cast announced for West End production of All My Sons

Casting has been announced for director Ivo Van Hove’s upcoming West End production of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon) will play George Deever and Hayley Squires (Daniel Black) takes on the role of Ann Deever, joined by Aliyah Odoffin as Lydia Lubey, Richard Hansell as Dr. Jim Bayliss, and Zach Wyatt as Frank Lubey. They join the previously announced Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Paapa Essiedu as the Keller family. Due to demand, the strictly limited season at Wyndham’s Theatre has been extended by four weeks and will now run from 14 November 2025 to 7 March 2026.

New co-production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream revealed

A new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Headlong theatre company in collaboration with Shakespeare's Globe, Bristol Old Vic and Leeds Playhouse will open at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the Globe from 13 November 2025 to 31st January 2026 before embarking on a national tour. Directed by Holly Race Roughan and Co-Directed by Naeem Hayat, this bold reimagining of Shakespeare's beloved play follows four young lovers fleeing to the forest to escape a society ruled by tyrannical law.

The Choir of Man announce West End extension

And finally, it was announced during their powerhouse performance at West End Live last Sunday that The Choir of Man will be extending its run at The Arts Theatre until January 2026. Set in a pub named The Jungle, the musical features songs from artists such as Guns & Roses, Queen, Sia, Adele and Paul Martin performed by a cast of nine men combining vocals, dance and spoken word. The show, conceived by Nic Doodson and Andrew Kay, received an Oliver Award nomination for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play.

Before you leave us, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews? Highlights this week include Potty The Plant: The Musical at Wilton’s Music Hall Review, Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet Review and Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane Review. We’ll see you next week for more exciting news!

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