What Was The Hottest Theatre News This Week? (11-17 August 2025)
Written by Jenna for Theatre and Tonic
The team at Theatre and Tonic are back again with another weekly round-up of the hottest news and revelations in the world of theatre. From exciting cast announcements, new production images, cast recordings and details of upcoming shows such as Hamlet, Lord of the Flies and Project: Walter. If you need to keep up to date, then this is the place to be! Join us again next week for a quick dose of theatre news!
New cast revealed for West End production of Cabaret
An exciting new cast has been unveiled for Cabaret in the West End. Eva Noblezada will play Sally Bowles and Reeve Carney takes on the Emcee from 22nd September 2025 until 24th January 2026. The Broadway power couple, who recently got engaged in London following their run in Hadestown, will take on the iconic roles at the KitKat club. They will be joined by West End royalty Ruthie Henshall as Fraulein Schneider,as well as Robert Hands as Herr Schultz, Baker Mukasa as Clifford Bradshaw and Lucas Koch as Ernst Ludwig.
Nicola Roberts joins Hadestown this Autumn
It was announced this week that Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts is set to star as Persephone in the West End production of Hadestown. She will be bringing her ‘Sound of the Underground’ to the Lyric Theatre from 16th September 2025 to 18th January 2026.
Full cast announced for new production of Hamlet at the National Theatre
The National Theatre has revealed the full cast for Robert Hastie’s (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) reimagining of Hamlet, with Olivier-winner Hiran Abeysekera (Life of Pi) in the title role. The production premieres in the Lyttelton Theatre, running from 25th September to 22nd November 2025. The cast also includes Francesca Mills as Ophelia, Tessa Wong as Hortatio, Geoffrey Streatfeild as Polonius, Alistair Petrie as Claudius, Ayesha Dharker as Gertrude, Hari Mackinnon as Rosencrantz, Joe Bolland as Guildenstern and Tom Glenister as Laertes.
Full cast announced for Cyrano de Bergerac at the RSC
The Royal Shakespeare Company will be launching a new version of Cyrano de Bergerac at the Swan Theatre, running from 27th September to 15th November 2025. Adrian Lester makes his RSC debut as Cyrano, with Susannah Fielding as Roxane and Levi Brown as Christian (also making his RSC debut). Joining them to complete the company are Levi Brown (Christian de Neuvillette), Joseph Christain (Edmond (Young Reserve)), Sunny Chung (Sister Claire/Madame Jodolet), Philip Cumbus (Le Bret), Greer Dale-Foulkes (Abigail), Rachel Dawson (Band Member/Ensemble), Susannah Fielding (Roxane), Oliver Grant (Band Leader/Ensemble), Scott Handy (Comte de Guiche), Adrian Lester (Cyrano de Bergerac), Caolan McCarthy (Arnauld), David Mildon (Jodolet/ Carbon (Reserve)), Matt Mordak (Valvert/Pierre (Reserve)), Chris Nayak (Monfleury/Priest/Bernard (Reserve)), Daniel Norford (Louis (Reserve)) and Christian Patterson (Ragueneau).
First look images revealed for Born with Teeth
Production photos have been released of Ncuti Gatwa (as Kit Marlowe) and Edward Bluemel (as Will Shakespeare) in Born With Teeth. The two-hander, directed by Daniel Evans, imagines a secretive, high-stakes relationship between the literary icons. It begins previews at Wyndham’s Theatre from 13th August, running through until 1st November 2025.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry West End Transfer Confirmed
Following its sold-out engagement at Chichester Festival Theatre, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry transfers to London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket next year. Performances begin on 29th January 2026, running until 18th April 2026. Mark Addy reprises the title role with Jenna Russell returning as Maureen. The musical has music and lyrics written by folk singer Passenger, and is written by Rachel Joyce, based on her 2012 novel of the same name.
Cast announced for Lord of the Flies at Chichester Festival Theatre
Anthony Lau directs Nigel Williams’s acclaimed stage adaptation of Lord of the Flies, with the full cast announced this week. Running from 19th September to 11th October 2025, the production includes Hiroki Berrecloth, Sheyi Cole (Ralph), Ali Hadji-Heshmati (Simon), Alfie Jallow (Piggy), Cal O’Driscoll (Roger), Nevil Patel (Henry), Ruben Reuter (Perceval), Ethan Rouse (Sam), Tucker St Ivany (Jack) and Riley Woodford (Bill).
London premiere announced for Project: Walter
The Off-West End premiere of PROJECT: WALTER, a new musical, is scheduled for 1st to 7th October 2025 at the Bridewell Theatre. Harrison Vaughan will star as Walter, a rising ballet star who wakes up in a lab to discover he is, in fact, an android. This gripping and contemporary musical has a ‘genre-defying score’ and ‘challenges what it means to be real’.
Cast announced for Dancing at Lughnasa in Sheffield & Manchester
Sheffield Theatres and Royal Exchange Theatre have announced the full cast for Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa, directed by incoming Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman. The revival plays at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (13th Sept–4th Oct), then moves to the Royal Exchange, Manchester (10th Oct–8th Nov). The cast includes Martha Dunlea (Christina), Kwaku Fortune (Michael), Frank Laverty (Jack), Rachel O’Connell (Rose), Siobhán O’Kelly (Margaret), Laura Pyper (Agnes), Natalie Radmall-Quirke (Kate), Marcus Rutherford (Gerry), with Rosemary Boyle and Richard Galloway as swings.
The Sound of Music to play in cinemas as part of its 60th anniversary
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic film ‘The Sound of Music,’ and there’s no better way to revisit this timeless musical than with special screenings starting from September 20. The Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which stars Julie Andrews, will be available to see in over 950 cinemas in more than 28 countries. The Sound of Music won five Academy Awards and has seen a plethora of stage adaptations over the years!
That’s all for this week, join us again next Sunday for your weekly instalment of all the top stories in theatreland. Why not check out our latest reviews to help you decide what to see next!
