The Hottest Theatre News This Week (03-09 March 2025)

Has anyone been enjoying the sunshine this week? The first week of March also brought an exceptional amount of exciting theatre news! It was hard to piece together just 10 of the biggest news stories this week but I’ve chosen the ones that have certainly got theatregoers talking.

In our weekly edition, we bring you the most exciting theatre updates—brand-new show announcements, cast reveals, and maybe even a tantalising rumour or two. Whether it's a groundbreaking West End debut or a hidden gem from the regional stage, this bite-sized bulletin has it all. We’ll be back next week with another dose of our hottest theatre news this week!

Full cast announced for Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC

The cast of Much Ado About Nothing at the RSC. Headshots provided by production.

The cast has been announced for the forthcoming production of Much Ado About Nothing which will be directed by Michael Longhurst this Spring with performances beginning on 12 April 2025. Set in the world of top-flight football and celebrity culture, the cast will be led by Freema Agyeman (Twelfth Night, RSC), Nick Blood (After The End, Stratford East), Eleanor Worthington Cox (Next To Normal, Wyndham’s Theatre) and Daniel Adeosun (The Comedy of Errors, Globe). Much Ado About Nothing is the first production in Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans second season as Co-Artistic Directors of the RSC.

Mischief Theatre announces West End and tour for Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Having just celebrated 10 years of The Play That Goes Wrong in the West End and with their new show The Comedy of Spies opening at the Noel Coward next month, another show is heading to the theatre in 2025 from the multi-award winning company. Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is a brand new festive show and it embarks on a UK tour and a festive season in the West End at the Apollo Theatre. If you want all the info, visit www.ChristmasCarolGoesWrong.com

Remember Monday announced as UK Eurovision entry

I never thought I’d combine theatre with Eurovision but here we are! Country group Remember Monday will represent Great Britain at this year’s competition in Switzerland this May. The group is made up of West End performers Lauren Byrne and Holly Anne Hull as well as choreographer Charlotte Steele and their entry song “What The Hell Just Happened” is a right bop! We wish the girls all the best with the Eurovision!

The Greatest Showman musical announces world premiere in 2026

We’re finally getting the stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman and it’s premiering here in the UK next Spring at the Bristol Hippodrome. The musical adaptation will include book by Tim Federle (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). The search for the cast is currently underway and there are already plans for a Broadway and West End run too!

Slava’s Snowshow announces 2025 UK Tour

Slava Snowshow In the Snow Storm by Andrea Lopez

The multi award-winning global phenomenon Slava’s Snowshow will embark on a tour this Autumn following its successful recent seasons in Sunderland, Brighton and the West End. Slava’s SnowShow is a cavalcade of chaos and charm that invites you to leave the everyday behind and indulge in pure, tender delight. The tour will head to cities like Cardiff, Manchester, Nottingham, Richmond, Birmingham and York.

Olivier Awards 2025 nominations revealed

The biggest night in the British theatre calendar is just under a month away. The Olivier Awards celebrates the best in theatre and the nominations were announced this week. Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre’s production of Fiddler on the Roof (which transfers to the Barbican this summer) leads the way with 13 nominations whilst other notable nominees in the mix are Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812, Oliver! and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button also getting quite a few nominations! We can’t wait to find out who is announced as the winners on the 6th April at the Royal Albert Hall.

First listen to Disney’s Hercules ahead of West End premiere

Still image from video supplied by Disney

With performances of Disney’s Hercules kicking off at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June, we were treated to a flavour of what to expect from the cast this week. A video of the Muses performing ‘Zero to Hero’ was released and I’m sure I’m not the only one who hasn’t stopped listening to it since. Starring as the fantastic Muses in the West End production are Candace Furbert, Sharlene Hector, Brianna Ogunbawo, Malinda Parris, and Robyn Rose-Li, with Kamilla Fernandes as Standby Muse. You can watch the full video on YouTube here.

Cast announced for tick, tick..Boom! revival

Ryan Owen, Christina Modestou and Tarik Frimpong. Headshots provided by production.

The revival of Jonathan Larson’s Tick, Tick.. Boom! will open the Theatr Clwyd this summer following it’s major three year redevelopment. Leading the cast is Ryan Owen (Mother Goose, Theatr Clwyd) as Jon, Christina Modestou (Brief Encounter, Royal Exchange Manchester) as Susan and Tarik Frimpong (The Drifters Girl, UK Tour) as Michael. The musical which explores the ambition, perseverance and the sacrifice needed to reach the edge of greatness will play from 2-28 June.

New cast announced for Starlight Express

A fresh cast has been unveiled for the acclaimed, award-winning production of Starlight Express at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. From Wednesday, 11 June 2025, the show will welcome Gavin Adams as Rusty, Sophie Naglik as Pearl, Olivia Ringrose as Greaseball, Asher Forth as Electra, and Georgia Pemberton as Dinah. They join Jade Marvin as Momma McCoy and Jaydon Vijn as Hydra. The production which returned to London last summer after 40 years, also revealed it was extending performances to 1 March 2026.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical announces UK Tour

Max Harwood in The Lightning Thief. Photo: Manuel Harlan

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical reveals it will embark on a UK tour this autumn. After receiving critical acclaim at The Other Palace (where it plays until 31 August 2025), more audiences will now be able to experience the hit stage adaptation of Rick Riordan’s bestselling novel. The tour will open at the Theatre Royal Windsor on 15 August before heading to Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Brighton, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Bradford, and Wimbledon. More dates and cast are to be announced!

Whilst you are here, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews? Highlights this week include A Streetcar Named Desire at the Crucible Theatre, Punch at the Young Vic, Glorious! at the Hope Mill Theatre and Edward II at the Swan Theatre.