The Hottest Theatre News This Week (17-23 February 2025)

Another week wrapped up, which means it's time for The Hottest Theatre News This Week! We're bringing you the latest buzz from the theatre world —think exciting new show announcements, cast reveals, and maybe even a juicy rumour or two. Whether it’s a game-changing West End debut or a gem from the regional stage, this bite-sized bulletin has you covered. Stay tuned every week for your must-read roundup of all things theatre!

London Theatre Week is back!

London Theatre Week returned for the eighth year with tickets to the hottest musicals and plays in London from just £15! The offer which runs from 17 February until 2 March 2025, shows participating in the offer include Titanique, Back to the Future The Musical and Starlight Express. Grab your tickets via London Box Office today!

National Theatre’s Dear England to embark on a UK Tour

The cast of Dear England. Photo by Marc Brenner

James Graham’s award-winning masterpiece about Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England men's football manager is hitting the road for a UK tour this autumn. After premiering at the National Theatre in the summer of 2023 and enjoying a successful West End transfer, the production returns to London next month before heading to The Lowry in Salford for a four-week run. The tour will open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 15 September before heading to cities including Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, Nottingham and Birmingham.

Curve announces new production of The Sound Of Music for Christmas 2025

Are we already thinking about Christmas in February? Yes we are. This week the Curve in Leicester announced they would be presenting a brand-new Made at Curve production of The Sound of Music over the festive period. Directed by Nikolai Foster (Kinky Boots, My Fair Lady, A Chorus Line) - the iconic musical with music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein will run from 22 November to 11 January 2026.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert announces UK, Ireland and International Tour

The sassy and joyous Broadway and West End hit musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert is grabbing a bus and heading out on a major tour in 2026! The hilarious and heart-warming journey as three friends travel across Australia in a dilapidated bus nicknamed Priscilla to put on the show of a lifetime. Packed with iconic disco anthems, Priscilla Queen of the Desert will open its tour at the Palace Theatre in Manchester on the 16th February 2026! For the full list of tour dates please visit www.priscillauktour.com

Kinky Boots UK & Ireland tour release production images

Courtney Bowman as Lauren in KINKY BOOTS, credit Pamela Raith.jpg

Johannes Radebe as Lola (centre) & the Angles in KINKY BOOTS, credit Pamela Raith 1.jpg

LtoR Jesse Manzi as Young Simon, Johannes Radebe as Lola, Dan Partridge as Charlie&Lonan Johnson as Young Charlie in KINKY BOOTS, credit Johan Persson.jpg

The cast of KINKY BOOTS, credit Johan Persson.jpg

As the UK tour of Kinky Boots continues, images of the production were released this week. The production which stars Johannes Radebe is proving to be a bumper hit with audiences who have already sold out theatres to see the show. Directed by Nikolai Foster, Kinky Boots ends its tour on 26 July 2025 in Oxford.

National Theatre’s Ballet Shoes announces return for Winter 2025

The cast of ***Ballet Shoes***. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Kendall Feaver’s celebrated and acclaimed adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s best-selling book Ballet Shoes (read our review here) will return to the National Theatre for the festive season this year! It will form as part of incoming Director and Co-CEO Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season (with more news on that coming soon!). With so many raving reviews for this production, we’re so glad it’ll be making a return!

Casting announced for new stage adaptation of A Thousand Splendid Suns

David Ahmed, Humera Syed, Jonas Khan and Kerena Jagpal. Headshots provided by production.

Birmingham Rep’s new production of A Thousand Splendid Suns is Ursula Rani Sarma’s new play, based on Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner. Set in 1992 in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, this powerful story follows three generations of women discovering strength in unity and finding hope in the unlikeliest of places. The cast for the production involves David Ahmad, Rina Fatania, Kerena Jagpal, Jonas Khan, Jonny Khan, Noah Manzoor, Peyvand Sadeghian, Tahir Shah and Humera Syed. The tour will open on 11 April at the Birmingham Rep before heading to the Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse where it will end on the 14 June 2025.

World premiere of Faygele announced at Marylebone Theatre

Shimmy Braun’s powerful new play Faygele will open this Spring at the Marylebone Theatre, starring Ilan Galkoff. The play is a story of survival in the space between faith and identity, love and duty, past and future - unravelling the complexities of Ari’s adolescence and the relationships that shape him. Faygele will be directed by Will Nunziata and runs from 30 April - 31 May 2025.

Whilst you are here, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews? Our highlights this week were Otherland at Almeida Theatre, Champion at Live Theatre Newcastle, Much Ado About Nothing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Kenrex at Southwark Playhouse Borough. We will see you again next week!