What Was The Hottest Theatre News This Week? (03-09 Nov)
Written by Jenna for Theatre and Tonic
2026 is shaping up to be an exciting one, thanks to this week’s hottest theatre news. There’s a thrilling mix of classic revivals, star-led musicals and powerful dramas gracing stages across the UK. From Sam Ryder’s West End debut to Matthew Bourne’s latest tour, here’s our weekly roundup of everything theatre lovers can look forward to, brought to you by Theatre & Tonic.
Sam Ryder to make West End debut in Jesus Christ Superstar
Eurovision sensation Sam Ryder will make his highly anticipated West End debut as Jesus in a brand-new production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the London Palladium. Running from 20th June to 5th September 2026, the show will feature design by Tom Scutt and choreography by Drew McOnie, promising a fresh and electrifying reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera. Ryder’s extraordinary vocal range and stage presence are set to bring new life to this iconic role.
Avenue Q Returns to the West End in 2026
The hilarious and much-loved puppet musical Avenue Q is bouncing back into the West End to celebrate its 20th anniversary. The show opens at the Shaftesbury Theatre on 20th March 2026 and will run until 29th August 2026. Expect the same irreverent humour, outrageous puppetry and toe-tapping tunes that made it a cult favourite, as a new generation of audiences discover life’s lessons through the eyes of Princeton, Kate Monster and friends.
Jersey Boys Revival and UK Tour planned for 2026
Marking two decades since it first stormed the stage, Jersey Boys will embark on a 20th anniversary UK and Ireland tour beginning at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 17th June 2026. The Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical tells the true story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, featuring hits such as Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. The tour will continue through 2026 and into 2027, ensuring audiences nationwide can experience the magic of this timeless show.
UK premiere of Something Rotten! to hit Manchester
The smash-hit Broadway musical Something Rotten! is finally making its UK premiere next year, opening at the Manchester Opera House on 16th June 2026. TV and Theatre favourite Jason Manford stars as Nick Bottom, a Renaissance playwright determined to outshine Shakespeare by inventing a brand-new theatrical genre — the musical. Directed by Tim Jackson, the production blends Elizabethan satire, dazzling choreography and outrageous comedy, with strong rumours of a future West End transfer following its Manchester engagement.
New musical ‘The Ballad of Johnny & June’ to embark on UK and Ireland tour
Country music fans are in for a treat as The Ballad of Johnny & June hits the road for a UK and Ireland tour in 2026. Opening at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 2nd March 2026, the show traces the fiery romance and creative partnership of Johnny Cash and June Carter through their most iconic songs. The tour visits major venues including Cardiff, Dublin, Brighton and Birmingham before closing on 19th September 2026, offering an emotional and musical journey through one of country’s most legendary love stories.
National Theatre at Home reveals releases for Winter
The National Theatre at Home platform continues to grow in 2026, with several acclaimed productions joining its streaming library. Newly available titles include Next to Normal, recorded live at the Donmar Warehouse, and David Tennant’s acclaimed turn in Good. The initiative continues to open up access to world-class theatre from the comfort of home, ensuring audiences worldwide can enjoy the National’s celebrated repertoire.
John Simm to star in revival of Blackbird
Award-winning actor John Simm will lead a powerful new revival of David Harrower’s Blackbird at the Ustinov Studio. The intense two-hander runs from 4th February to 6th March 2027 and explores the raw aftermath of a deeply buried past between two estranged characters. Simm’s return to the stage in such a demanding role is already generating significant buzz among theatre critics and audiences alike.
Brand-new production of 9 to 5 the Musical to tour
Dolly Parton’s feel-good hit 9 to 5 the Musical will return for a major UK tour revival beginning at the Peterborough New Theatre on 4th July 2026. Directed by Paul Jepson, with musical supervision by Mark Crossland and design by Amanda Stoodley, this uplifting story of friendship, empowerment and office rebellion will visit Barnstaple, Blackpool, Guildford and Darlington, among other cities. Fans can expect plenty of laughs, sass and, of course, the iconic title number.
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man to embark on UK tour
Visionary choreographer Matthew Bourne brings his steamy and cinematic dance thriller The Car Man back to the stage for a major UK tour in 2026. Opening at Curve, Leicester on 15th June 2026, the production will include a five-week summer residency at Sadler’s Wells, London, before touring major cities across the UK for 22 weeks. With Bourne’s trademark storytelling and bold choreography, this reimagined classic promises to be one of the standout dance shows of the 2026 calendar.
UK tour announced for Calendar Girls
The beloved British musical Calendar Girls is set to return to the stage. Written by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, the production is inspired by the true story of a group of Yorkshire WI women who choose to create a nude calendar to raise funds for charity. The story first appeared as a 2003 film starring Helen Mirren and Julie Walters, later adapted into a stage play in 2008, and then transformed into a musical that premiered in 2015. It will be performed at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick from 6 August to 5 September, with dates for the other venues to be announced later.
From star-studded West End debuts to nationwide revivals of beloved favourites, 2026 is set to deliver an unforgettable season for British theatre. With innovation, nostalgia and storytelling in equal measure, audiences can look forward to a year that truly showcases the breadth and brilliance of UK performance. Why not check out our recent reviews to see which shows are playing right now? And don’t forget to check back next week to keep up to date with the latest stagey news!
