The Hottest Theatre News This Week (10-16 March 2025)

Another week means another roundup of the top 10 news stories from Theatre and Tonic. Anyone else feeling the sudden return of colder weather? It seems spring has gone into hiding! Let’s hope for better weather from the new week.

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!

Rachel Zegler to star in Evita at the London Palladium

She recently wrapped up her performance in the Broadway production of Romeo + Juliet and now the Golden Globe Award winner Rachel Zegler sets her sights on the West End. Zegler will lead Jamie Lloyd’s revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical this summer as Eva Perón. The production begins performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 14 June 2025.

Cast announced for The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Musical

Adapted by Rachel Joyce, the cast has been announced for a new musical adaptation of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Featuring modern folk songs by the chart-topping indie musician, Passenger, the production will make its world premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre this spring. Directed by Katy Rudd (Ballet Shoes, National Theatre), the cast includes Mark Addy (The Full Monty) as Harold, Jenna Russell (Hello, Dolly!, London Palladium) and Jack Wolfe (Next to Normal, Donmar Warehouse/Wyndham’s Theatre). They will be joined by Ralph Birtwell, Amy Booth-Steel, Tarinn Callender, Don Gallagher, Jacqueline Hughes, Nell Martin, Anu Ogunmefun, Bed Redfern, Sharon Rose, Timo Tatzber and Madeleine Worrall. The production will play from 5 May - 14 June 2025.

The Book Thief Musical releases original cast recording

We once described this production as “an almighty emotional rollercoaster that you don’t want to get off,” and now, we can experience the magic of its music with the original cast recording. The Book Thief, based on Markus Zusak's beloved novel, was lovingly adapted for the stage in 2022 by Jodi Picoult and Timothy Allen MacDonald. This stunning cast recording is the perfect way to immerse yourself in its beauty. Hopefully, this is a sign of its return to the stage in the future..

House of Life cabaret announces London and International tour

The House of Life image. Photo by Mark Senior.

Be transported on an 8-step guide to happiness with The House of Life as the company reveals their plans for a London and International tour this summer. Performed by RaveRend (Ben Welch) and his side-kick Trev, the production has been a hit with audiences during its previous runs in London and Edinburgh. Catch them in London at the Brixton House, Wilton’s Music Hall, and Park Theatre.

Starter for Ten Musical to return to the stage in 2025

Following its sold-out premiere at the Bristol Old Vic last year, the stage adaptation of David Nicholls’ novel Starter For Ten will return to the stage this Autumn. It will first return to Bristol from the 10 September - 11 October before two weeks at Birmingham Rep (22 October - 11 November). Based on the hilarious coming-of-age novel by David Nicholls (One Day, Us, Sweet Sorrow) and the popular 2006 film adaptation starring James McAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, James Corden and Rebecca Hall, this tale of love, class and growing up in the 1980s is set in Bristol against the backdrop of legendary British quiz show University Challenge. Mel Giedroyc will reprise her roles with further casting for the musical is to be announced. 

Moulin Rouge! The Musical reveals tour cast

The lead cast of the Moulin Rouge! The Musical world tour. Photo by Matt Crockett

The multi-award-winning show is getting ready to hit the road on its world tour and the cast has been revealed. The cast includes Verity Thompson as Satine, Nate Landskroner as Christian, Cameron Blakely as Harold Zidler, Kurt Kansley as Toulouse-Lautrec, German Santiago as Santiago, James Bryers as The Duke, Kahlia Davis as Nini, Summer Priest as Arabia, Scott Sutcliffe as Baby Doll, Ellie Jane Grant as La Chocolat and Patrice Tipoki as Alternate Satine. The full cast is completed by Dominic Booth, Alisha Capon, Sol Childs, Áine Curran, Kamau Davis, Martin Dickinson, Barry Drummond, Jacob Fearey, Tosca Fischer, Tessa Fox, Johnny Galeandro, Leyton Holmes, Sayaka Kato, Jacob Kohli, Tyler Lotzof, Avigalle Mendoza, Carly Miles, Luchia Moss, Matt Powell, James Revell, Josh Rose, Samuel Routley, Nathan Saxon, Sorcha Stephenson and Frazer Woolcott. Adapted from the revolutionary film by Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge! The Musical kicks off in Edinburgh on the 22 April! Further information can be found by visiting https://moulinrougemusical.co.uk/

New musical Indigo to receive UK premiere in Leicester

Indigo is a poignant and uplifting new musical that celebrates the unbreakable bonds of family. Following its premiere at The Human Race Theatre Company in Ohio in 2023, the show will take to the stage at Curve’s Studio Theatre this summer, running from 26 June to 19 July. Through its moving narrative, Indigo dives into the experiences of living with Alzheimer’s, autism, and synaesthesia.

James Graham’s Punch to transfer to Broadway

The critically acclaimed new play Punch by James Graham is heading to Broadway this Autumn. The production had a successful premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse last year and is currently playing at the Young Vic where its receiving audience and critical acclaim. Punch is an unflinching true-life account of how Nottingham teenager Jacob throws a single punch – with fatal consequences. It will play at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre which Adam Penford will direct.

Til The Stars Come Down to transfer to the West End

Til the Stars Come Down which sold out its run at the National Theatre will transfer to London’s West End this summer. Hailed as a ‘beautifully observed and bruisingly hilarious play’, the show will be staged at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 1 July until 27 September 2025. Written by Beth Steel, Till the Stars Come Down is a passionate, heartbreaking and hilarious portrayal of a larger-than-life family struggling to come to terms with a changing world.

Weird to make world premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal

A brand new musical which reimagines Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth will premiere at the Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2026. Written by Nick Butcher, Kerri Watt and Fraser Watt, Weird will combine witchcraft, mischief and mayhem, with a soundtrack of newly created pop anthems, telling the dramatic tale of the Scottish king through the eyes of three witches. Further creative team 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 Clueless The Musical at the Trafalgar Theatre, Wild Rose at the Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Cry-Baby The Musical at Arcola Theatre and Weather Girl at the Soho Theatre.