Another week means another roundup of our top 10 news stories here at Theatre and Tonic. We have had some great news drop this week that will intrigue you for what’s to come on the stage.

In this 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!

Paddington The Musical to premiere at West End’s Savoy Theatre

This autumn, Paddington The Musical will receive its world premiere at the Savoy Theatre, opening on 1 November. Adapted from the beloved books by Michael Bond, the musical will feature music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard. The full cast, creative team and performance schedule will be announced shortly but we’re very excited to see what is to come with this production. Sign up for more information and priority booking for PADDINGTON The Musical at www.paddingtonthemusical.com

Full cast announced for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre

The cast has been announced for the return of the immersive A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Hailed as one of the Bridge Theatre’s biggest hits, it returns for a limited run from 31 May to 20 August. Joining the previously announced JJ Feild, Susannah Fielding, Emmanuel Akwafo and David Moorst, are Paul Adeyefa, Hilson Agbangbe, Bella Aubin, Jemima Brown, Nina Cassells, Kat Collings, Adam Cunis, Ali Goldsmith, Hollie Hales, Molly Hewitt-Richards, Felicity Montagu, Lennin Nelson-McClure, Jem Rose, Dominic Semwanga, Lily Simpkiss, Divesh Subaskaran and David Webber. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the immersive format of the show allows 400 people to stand close to the action with 670 seats wrapped around.

Maxine Peake to star in world premiere of The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse at Nottingham Playhouse

Written by Caroline Bird, The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse will make its world premiere at the Nottingham Playhouse this autumn. Delving into Mary’s infamous trial against Gay News, this wickedly funny new play challenges beliefs about freedom, censorship, and one woman’s formidable resolve to push back the tide. The production will star Maxine Peake, known for her iconic TV appearances in the likes of Shameless and Dinnerladies. It will play at the Nottingham Playhouse from 5-27 September 2025.

Cast announced for OSCAR at the Crown London premiere

Mark Mauriello, Elizabeth Chalmers and Zak Marx. Headshots provided by production

Ahead of its premiere at a custom-built venue on Tottenham Court Road, OSCAR at the Crown has revealed the cast for the London run. Set in a secret bunker in an Orwellian future, where the only things to survive are reality TV, glitter balls and the complete works of Oscar Wilde. Mark Mauriello and Elizabeth Chalmers will return to the production following on from its run in Edinburgh. They will be joined by Zak Marx, Zofia Weretka, Elinor Morris, Luke Farrugia, Kelis Alleyne, Isidro Ridout, Ran Marner, Natalie Yin, Ella Daini, and Estelle Denison-French. OSCAR at the Crown will launch performances on 21 May 2025.

New production company, TRW Production is launched

Katy Lipson and Michael McFadden. Photo by David Jensen.

A new theatrical company, TRW Production, has been launched - headed by executive producers Michael McFadden and Katy Lipson. With robust knowledge of US and UK markets, this duo have already got some fantastic productions lined up with stage adaptations of the films Music and Lyrics and Joyful Noise already said to be in development.

Stage adaptation of The Beekeeper of Aleppo to tour UK in 2026

Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler’s stage adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s gripping best-selling novel has made plans for a 2026, three years after it premiered at the Nottingham Playhouse in 2023. The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri tells the story of Nuri and Afra, a Syrian couple forced to flee their war-torn home and embark on a harrowing journey to safety in Europe. The tour will begin on 6 February at the Nottingham Playhouse. You can read our review of the production here.

Ben Rappaport to reunite with Sean Hayes in London premiere of Good,Night Oscar

Ben Rappaport. Headshot provided by production.

Ahead of the smash hit’s play transfer to the Barbican Theatre this summer, further casting has been revealed, including Ben Rappaport, who reprises his acclaimed role alongside Sean Hayes. Also starring in Good Night, Oscar is Daniel Adeosun, David Burnett, Richard Katz, Eric Sirakian, and Max Roll. The Broadway production snapped up critical acclaim and Hayes obtained a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Oscar Levant. Good Night, Oscar will play at the Barbican Theatre from 31 July - 21 September 2025.

Cast announced for new musical King of Pangea at King’s Head Theatre

King of Pangea is a new original musical by Martin Storrow and follows Sam Crow as he faces the loss of his relentlessly hopeful mother. The cast for the premiere at King’s Head Theatre includes Dan Burton, Sophia Ragavelas, Emily Tang, Alfie Blackwell, Mark Curry, Daniel Lee, Tayt Joshua Silvester-Stoller, Grace Chapman and Haydn Cox. It will run from 7 June to 6 July 2025.

Rob Madge’s My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) announces New York run

After being postponed, Rob Madge’s My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do) will finally be receiving its New York transfer this summer. The biographical play follows the story of Robert Madge as they attempt to recreate a disastrous Disney parade that they once led for their family from the living room. Since its debut in 2021, the production has had smash-hit runs in Edinburgh and the West End. The show is supported by songs by Pippa Cleary. My Son’s A Queer will play at the New York City Center from 13 to 15 June 2025.

Japanese cast of SIX The Musical to perform in the West End

Following sold-out seasons in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya earlier this year, members of the Japanese cast of SIX The Musical will take to the stage at the Vaudeville Theatre for one week only. The global phenomenon will be performed in Japanese with English captions from 4-9 November 2025. The cast will feature Sonim as ‘Aragon’, Meimi Tamura and Maho Minamoto alternating the role of ‘Boleyn’, Harumi as ‘Seymour’, Eliana and Marie Sugaya alternating the role of ‘Cleves’, Airi Suzuki and Erika Toyohara alternating the role of ‘Howard’, Sora Kazuki and Ruki Saito alternating the role of ‘Parr’. They will be joined by Aoi Tanaka as Musical Director. Due to existing scheduling commitments, original Japanese cast members Emiko Suzuki and Mahya Harada will not be appearing.

Whilst you are here, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews? Highlights this week include Much Ado About Nothing at The RSC, The Brightening Air at The Old Vic, The Great Gatsby Musical at the London Coliseum and Only Fools and Horses The Musical UK Tour. We’ll see you next week for more exciting news!