The Hottest Theatre News This Week (10-16 February 2025)
Introducing a brand-new feature on Theatre and Tonic: The Hottest Theatre News This Week! Stay up to date with the latest buzz from the world of theatre, from exciting new productions and casting announcements and maybe even a rumour every now and again. Whether it's a groundbreaking West End debut or something from the regional stage, we’ve got you covered with this bitesize bulletin-style post. Check back every week for your essential round-up of all things theatre!
Shucked announces cast for Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Georgina Onuorah, Steven Webb and Jonathan Andrew Hume.
Audiences across the pond loved it and now Shucked will receive its London premiere at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre this year with a run planned for 10 May - 14 June 2025. Jack O’Brien will direct a phenomenal cast in this musical comedy including Georgina Onuorah (Little Shop of Horrors, Crucible Sheffield), Steven Webb (Here You Come Again, UK Tour), Ben Joyce (Back to the Future The Musical, Adelphi Theatre) and Jonathan Andrew Hume (Guys and Dolls, Bridge Theatre).
Tickets for Shucked can be found on the London Box Office website.
Cast announced for the world premiere of A Knight’s Tale The Musical
LtoR Meesha Turner, Emile Ruddock, Max Bennett, Andrew Coshan, Eva Scott, Emily Benjamin & Oliver Tompsett. Photo by Jay Brooks
Premiering at the Manchester Opera House on 11 April 2025, A Knight’s Tale The Musical is based on the 2001 film which starred Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany. Now adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley, the cast for the premiere includes Emily Benjamin (Bronco Billy, West End), Max Bennett (Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Globe), Andrew Coshan (A Face In The Crowd, Young Vic), Oliver Tompsett (& Juliet, West End), and Meesha Turner (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, West End). A Knight’s Tale The Musical will play from 11 April - 10 May 2025.
Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein The Musical to have a regional premiere
Artwork for Mel Brook’s Young Frankenstein The Musical
Adapted by Mel Brooks from his legendary 1974 film starring Gene Wilder, A Young Frankenstein The Musical will have its regional premiere at the Hope Mill Theatre this Autumn. The production will be adapted and choreographed by Nick Winston with casting to be announced soon. A Young Frankenstein The Musical will run from 10 October to 30 November 2025.
Cast announced for Manhunt at the Royal Court Theatre
Samuel Edward Cook. Photo by David Reiss
Making his Royal Court Theatre debut, Robert Icke (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) has written and will direct Manhunt. A new play, Manhunt follows the man at the heart of one of the most infamous manhunts of the century, Raoul Mout. The cast includes Samuel Edward-Cook, Trevor Fox, Leo James, Patricia Jones, Danny Kirrane, Angela Lonsdale, Sally Messham and Nicolas Tennant. Manhunt will play at the Royal Court Theatre from 28 March - 3 May 2025.
Chichester Festival Theatre announces 2025 season
There’s loads to look forward over at the Chichester Festival Theatre with the announcement of their 2025 season. Audiences can expect what they love from this theatre, an unmissable summer musical, stimulating new work and classic masterpieces. Seasonal highlights include Top Hat from the multi-Tony and Olivier Award-winning director and choreographer Kathleen Marshall, a musical version of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, the uplifting Choir and the theatre’s first-ever production of Hamlet starring Giles Terera. All the information you need for this season can be found here.
Stage Adaptation of Death on the Nile to embark on tour
Directed by Lucy Bailey and adapted by Ken Ludwig, Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile will embark on a UK tour (all the information is here!). It kicks off at The Lowry in Salford this September and will tour through to 2026. It follows the adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express. Casting for the UK tour is to be announced.
Cast announced for London premiere of The Great Gatsby Musical
Jon Robyns, Amber Davies, Frances Mayli McCann, Jamie Muscato, Rachel Tucker and John Owen-Jones. Photo by Danny Kaan.
Great news old sports! We have the cast for the London premiere of The Great Gatsby which heads into the London Coliseum this Spring. Adapted from the timeless novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald, the cast includes Jamie Muscato (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Jay Gatsby and Frances Mayli McCann as Daisy Buchanan, Corbin Bleu (High School Musical) as Nick Carraway, Amber Davies (Pretty Woman) as Jordan Baker, Joel Montague (Hamilton) as George Wilson, John Owen-Jones (Les Misérables) as Meyer Wolfsheim, Jon Robyns (Phantom of the Opera) as Tom Buchanan and Rachel Tucker (Wicked) as Myrtle Wilson. It is scheduled to run from 11 April through to 7 September 2025.
Tickets for The Great Gatsby can be found on the London Box Office website.
Kiln Theatre announces 2025/26 season
Kiln Theatre’s Artistic Director, Amit Sharma, has unveiled the 2025/26 season, featuring an exciting lineup of productions. The season includes three world premieres: Coven, a new musical that re-examines the true story of the 17th-century Pendle Witch Trials; Seagulls, a fresh Black British retelling of Chekhov’s classic play, set to open early next year; and Please Please Me, a new play by Tom Wright exploring the electrifying yet troubled life of Brian Epstein, often referred to as the ‘Fifth Beatle.’ Additionally, The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs by Iman Qureshi will run at the Kiln Theatre from 13 June to 12 July, following its sold-out success at Soho Theatre. Further information on Kiln Theatre’s season can be found here.
Whilst you are here, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews. Our highlights this week where The Passenger at Finborough Theatre, Unicorn at Garrick Theatre, Of Mice and Men at Derby Theatre and Girls and Boys at Nottingham Playhouse. We will see you again next week!
