Written by Jenna for Theatre and Tonic

We are back again with our weekly roundup of the top stories in the world of theatre! The final third of 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting time for UK theatre in London and beyond. From sold-out star concerts, jukebox musical workshops, festive revivals, Cast Recordings, West End transfers and thrilling new plays, there’s something for every theatre-goer to mark in their diaries. Here’s the latest on who’s performing, what’s opening, and what’s coming soon to the stage brought to you by Theatre & Tonic.

Rachel Ziegler sells out the Palladium with solo show

Snow White and West Side Story star Rachel Ziegler will give a one-night-only concert at the London Palladium on 5th October 2025, performing a mix of musical theatre favourites and personal selections. The show has already sold out, following the success of Evita at the Palladium, in which she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Eva Peron.

Singin’ in the Rain revival set for Christmas run in Manchester

Laura Baldwin, Louis Gaunt, Carly Mercedes Dyer and Danny Collins. Headshots provided by production.

The Royal Exchange Theatre’s Christmas revival of Singin’ in the Rain will run in Manchester from 29th November 2025 to 18th January 2026, directed by Raz Shaw. The cast includes Louis Gaunt (Brigadoon, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) as Don Lockwood, Carly Mercedes Dyer (Drifter’s Girl, UK Tour) as Kathy Selden, Danny Collins (White Christmas, Sheffield Theatres) as Cosmo Brown, Laura Baldwin (Half A Sixpence, Kilworth House Theatre) as Lina Lamont. The show is a revival of Raz Shaw's acclaimed production of the classic musical.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow announces extension & New Cast

Stranger Things: The First Shadow in London’s West End has confirmed new additions to its cast. Producers have also confirmed an extension into a third year at the Phoenix Theatre, with performances now booking until 5th April 2026. The new cast taking over from this autumn will include Jack Christou (Matilda the Musical) playing Henry Creel, Stewart Clarke (Les Misérables) as Dr Brenner, Avril Maponga (Witness for the Prosecution) as Patty Newby, Max Potter (A Monster Calls) as Bob Newby, Adam Wadsworth (The Merry Wives of Windsor) as James Hopper Jr., and Edie Wright making her professional stage debut as Joyce Maldonado.

Samantha Barks to tour UK Cathedrals for candlelit concerts

Frozen and Les Misérables star Samantha Barks will embark on a candlelit UK cathedral tour from 12th to 21st November 2025, with performances at Lichfield Cathedral (12th), Chester Cathedral (13th), Portsmouth Cathedral (14th), Carlisle Cathedral (15th), Lincoln Cathedral (19th), Llandaff Cathedral in Cardiff (20th), and Durham Cathedral (21st). Samantha will showcase her incredible voice performing songs from stage and screen, with the wonderful atmosphere and acoustics of some of the UK’s most beautiful cathedrals.

The Devil Wears Prada releases West End Cast Recording

The original cast recording of The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical is now available on streaming platforms and in physical CD and LP formats on 19th September 2025 via Island EMI. The album features songs such as 'Miranda Girl', sung by Georgie Buckland who plays Andy in the hit musical. The show is currently running at the Dominion theatre and holds the record as the fastest selling show in the theatre’s history.

Get Down Tonight: The KC & The Sunshine Band Musical transfers to London

London’s premiere of Get Down Tonight: The KC & The Sunshine Band Musical will run at Charing Cross Theatre from 19th September to 15th November 2025. The show celebrates the disco era with over twenty of KC & The Sunshine Band’s greatest hits. Following a successful Edinburgh fringe run, the returning cast includes Ross Harmon (Shucked) playing Harry Wayne Casey (KC), with Adam Taylor (Cabaret) as Orly, Paige Fenlon (Pretty Woman) as Dee and Annabelle Terry (Scissorhandz) as Gina.

A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception heads to the West End

Following its acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a successful UK tour, A Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception will transfer to London’s Arts Theatre this Autumn. The comedy, created by the up-and-coming company Shoddy Theatre, the play blends slapstick humour, quick-fire wordplay, and meta-theatrical twists, offering a playful send-up of the classic detective genre. Its West End outing marks a major milestone for the young troupe. The show will play at the Arts Theatre on 13th and 27th October.

Workshop announced for British Invasion musical

A new jukebox musical titled British Invasion will have a workshop presentation in London on 18th and 19th September 2025. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde), the show charts the global phenomenon of the 1960s British pop explosion, when bands such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks transformed the music industry. The workshop is expected to give producers and audiences a first glimpse of the production’s potential West End and Broadway future.

Casting revealed for new play The Unbelievers

Playful Productions and the Royal Court Theatre have revealed the cast for The Unbelievers, a new play by Nick Payne exploring family, memory, and hope. Directed by Marianne Elliott, the production stars Nicola Walker as a mother desperate to find her missing son, alongside Ella Lily Hyland (Black Doves, Towards Zero) and Paul Higgins (The Thick of It, Line of Duty, Slow Horses). The show runs at the Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs from 10th October to 29th November 2025. The Unbelievers tells the story of a teenager’s disappearance, the fracturing of time, and a mother’s unwavering hope in the face of unimaginable loss.

Casting announced for Leeds Playhouse’s A Christmas Carol

Leeds Playhouse has revealed its cast for the upcoming production of A Christmas Carol. Reece Disndale will take on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in its festive 2025 staging, joined by Stephen Collins as Bob Cratchit and Bea Glancy and Claudia Kariuki as the Ghosts of Christmas past and present. Directed by Amy Leach, the production promises to bring fun, music and festive magic to the Playhouse. The show will run from 20th November 2025 to 17th January 2026.

With big names, fresh talent, and a mix of musicals, drama, and holiday favourites, the UK theatre scene continues to sparkle. Whether you’re booking a candlelit cathedral concert or a magical Christmas production, there’s plenty to see, hear, and celebrate in the months ahead. Why not check out our latest reviews to help you decide what to see next? Check back next week for more stories making headlines for theatre fans!

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