It’s that time again! We’re back with our top 10 theatre news stories from the week running 16-22 June, brought to you by Theatre & Tonic. This week’s roundup includes casting news for upcoming shows such as Be More Chill, Fat Ham and Miss Saigon, as well as announcements about brand new musicals coming to a theatre near you! From major West End debuts to standout regional gems, our bite-sized bulletin has something for every theatre fan. Stay tuned – another round of the week’s hottest headlines is coming your way next week!

Major new tour of Barnum announced

First up was the news that there will be a major new tour of Barnum, the musical that told us the story of PT Barnum’s life a long time before The Greatest Showman! The show will star Lee Mead in the title role, and will be directed by Jonathan O’Boyle and choreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse. This immersive revival first premiered at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury in 2024, starring Matt Rawle. The tour will begin in Windsor in January 2026 before visiting Manchester, York, Brighton, Cardiff, Aylesbury and Birmingham. More dates/venues and casting to be announced, so watch this space!

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button announces West End closure

Next, we heard that sad news that The Curious Case of Benjamin Button will be closing after it’s final extension. The musical will play its final performance on 11th October 2025 at the Ambassadors Theatre, despite its popularity and glowing reviews. The show stars John Dalgleish in the title role alongside Olivier-Nominee Claire Foster as Elowen. F Scott Fitzgerald’s curious tale was adapted for the stage by Jethro Compton and Darren Clark, with Compton directing. He said, “This amazing year in the West End is just the first chapter of the show’s life”, hinting that a tour may follow. We will keep you updated!

Cast announced for Friends! The Musical Paraody

Fresh from its success in New York and Las Vegas, FRIENDS! The Musical Parody has announced a brand new production touring the UK before a West End transfer. The tour will begin on 14th July 2025 at The Barn Theatre in Cirencester before stopping off at Nottingham, York, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and many more. From the Producers of Hairspray and directed by Michael Gyngell, this parody of the beloved hit TV series will star Enzo Benvenuti (the Importance of being Earnest) as Ross, Alicia Belgarde (Grease) as Monica, Daniel Parkinson (Jersey Boys) as Chandler, Eva Hope (Footloose) as Rachel, Ronnie Burden (Tony & Tina’s Wedding) as Joey and Amelia Atherton (Six) as Phoebe.

Cast revealed for West End production of The Weir

The cast has been revealed for the upcoming production of The Weir by Conor McPherson, which will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 12th September to 6th December. The cast features Brendan Gleeson making his West End debut as Jack, alongside Owen McDonnell (Killing Eve) as Brendan, Seán McGinley (The Brightening Air) as Jim, Kate Phillips (Peaky Blinders) as Valerie, and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Dancing at Lughnasa) as Finbar. Set in a secluded pub in rural Ireland, the play follows a group of local men who share ghostly stories to impress Valerie, a mysterious newcomer. However, when Valerie recounts her own disturbing experience, it leaves the others deeply unsettled.

Cast announced for new musical, Saving Mozart

More cast news announced this week includes Saving Mozart, a show about the untold secrets of the musical genius, which is coming to The Other Palace from 28th July to 30th August. The star-studded cast includes Jack Chambers (Stiletto) as Mozart, Erin Caldwell (Heathers) as his wife Constanze, Aimie Atkinson (Pretty Woman) as his sister Nannerl, Jordan Luke Gage (Titanique) as his rival Salieri and Douglas Hansell as his father Leopold (Come From Away). This is a strictly limited 5-week run, so don’t miss out and book your tickets now!

Miss Saigon reveals cast for UK and Ireland tour

The much anticipated UK & Ireland tour of Miss Saigon has revealed its cast, ahead of its opening at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle on 4th October. The musical, which is one of the most successful in theatre history, follows a powerful, tragic love story set during the Vietnam War. Seann Miley Moore will return to Miss Saigon, reprising his role as The Engineer. Julianne Pundan will make her professional debut as Kim, alongside musician Jack Kane as Chris. The cast also features Dom Hartley-Harris (Bonnie & Clyde) as John, Emily Langham (Hello, Dolly!) as Ellen, Miko Juan as Thuy and The Voice semi-finalist Ace making her theatre debut as Gigi.

Cast announced for Be More Chill in Birmingham

More exciting cast announcements this week include Be More Chill, which will run at the Old Joint Stock this summer. This sci-fi musical will star Tom Dickerson (Dear Evan Hansen) as teenager Jeremy who takes a pill containing a computer chip called ‘the Squip’ in a bid to improve his popularity. Also starring is Shannon Bourne (Becoming Nancy) as his love interest Christine, Jack Carr (Anything Goes!) as his best friend Michael, Maya Jade Frank (Next to Normal) as Chloe, Jessica Lim (Shrek the Musical) as Jenna and Tommy Fouweather as the Squip. Director James Edge spoke exclusively to Theatre & Tonic, saying, “After its Broadway and West End runs, we are delighted to be bringing Be More Chill to a regional audience. It’s nerdy and nuanced and since its last production, technology has evolved leaps and bounds, so we are excited to evolve the production in turn”. Be More Chill will run from the 6th to 31st August.

Acclaimed production ‘Age is a Feeling’ to play at Soho Theatre

The acclaimed production Age is a Feeling, written and performed by Haley McGee, will be staged at Soho Theatre Walthamstow from 5 to 7 March 2026. Previously performed in cities such as London and Toronto, as well as at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the show is directed by Mitchell Cushman, with original direction by Adam Brace.

New musical ‘Black Power Desk’ to receive World Premiere at Brixton House

New musical Black Power Desk will have its world premiere at Brixton House this Autumn. Written by the critically acclaimed team of Urielle Klein-Mekongo (Roundhouse), Gerel Falconer (Tones) and Renell Shaw (Rudimental), the show is directed by Gbolahan Obisesan with dramaturgy by Gail Babb. Set in 1970’s London, Black Power Desk is described as “A moving story of sisters who need to reconnect for the sake of their community”. It will run from the 1st – 28th September and casting will be announced soon.

Cast revealed for The RSC’s production of Fat Ham

The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced the cast and creative team for the European premiere of Fat Ham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by James Ijames. Directed by Sideeq Heard at the Swan Theatre, and building on the original direction by Saheem Ali, the production will run in Stratford-upon-Avon from 15 August to 13 September. A modern reimagining of Hamlet, Fat Ham centres on Juicy, a queer college student in the American South whose world is thrown into turmoil when his father’s ghost appears during a family barbecue, demanding revenge. The cast includes Olisa Odele as Juicy, Jasmine Elcock as Opal, Sandra Marvin as Babby, and Corey Montague-Sholay as Larry.

Before you leave us, why don’t you read one of this week’s reviews? Highlights this week include 4:48 Psychosis at Royal Court Theatre Review, Lovestuck: A New Comedy Musical at Stratford East Review, Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works at Royal Ballet and Opera House Review and Stereophonic at Duke of York’s Theatre Review. We’ll see you next week for more exciting news!