Written by Jenna for Theatre and Tonic

It’s that time again! Here is your weekly roundup of the hottest news in UK theatre, brought to you by Theatre & Tonic. From star-studded cast announcements for Waitress the Musical, which embarks on a new UK tour this year, West End transfers, exciting revivals and brand-new shows, let us bring you up to date with everything you need to know from the last seven days.

Further cast revealed for Waitress the Musical UK and Ireland tour

The beloved musical comedy is back on the road, this time with Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna (in many stops). Also revealed this week to be joining her are TV stars Les Dennis as Old Joe, Sandra Marvin (Fat Ham, The RSC) as Becky and Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn. Fletcher’s appearances span venues including New Wimbledon Theatre (28 Mar–4 Apr), Brighton (6–11 Apr), Birmingham (28 Apr–2 May) and Edinburgh Playhouse (12–16 May), among others. Casting for Jenna will be announced for some later dates.

The Ballad of Johnny & June reveals full cast for UK tour

The UK & Ireland tour of this new country musical celebrates the legendary pairing of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. Christopher Ryan Grant returns as Johnny, alongside Christina Bianco as June. They’re joined by Ryan O’Donnell as John Carter Cash, with Christopher Short (also understudying Cash) as Man One, Chomba S. Taulo as Man Two, Peter Peverley as Man Three, Abigail Matthews (also understudying June) as Woman One, Anne-Marie Wojna as Woman Two, and Celyn Cartwright (also understudying June) as Woman Three. The tour begins in Bromley at the Churchill Theatre on 2nd March and runs until 19th September with stops including Cardiff, Dublin, Brighton, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Belfast, Glasgow and more.

Sinatra the Musical to make West End debut this summer

Start spreading the news! World-class new musical Sinatra will make its West End debut at the Aldwych Theatre, with performances beginning Wednesday 3 June 2026. Based on the life and career of Frank Sinatra, the show features over 20 of his classic hits, including “That’s Life”, “One For My Baby”, “Come Fly With Me” and “The Best Is Yet To Come”, and charts his rise from New York stages to global stardom, personal trials and triumphant comeback. Created by Tony-winning writer Joe DiPietro and directed/choreographed by three-time Tony winner Kathleen Marshall, the West End cast is to be announced. Watch this space!

Read our review from the run at Birmingham Rep here.

Cast announced for World Premiere of Pride at National Theatre

Based on the hit 2014 film and directed by Matthew Warchus, Pride brings its musical incarnation to life in 2026. It opens at Sherman Theatre, Cardiff from 31 Mar – 18 Apr, then transfers to the National Theatre’s Dorfman in London from 11 Jun – 12 Sep 2026. The cast includes Samuel Barnett (Jonathan), Lewis Cornay (Bromley), Matthew Durkan (Mike), Gillian Elisa (Gwen), Robin Hayward (Martin), Chris Jenkins (Gethin), Darren Lawrence (Cliff), Jhon Lumsden (Mark), Kirsty Malpass (Hefina), Sarah Pugh (Sian), Jordan Shaw (Reggie), Courtney Stapleton (Steph), Caroline Sheen (Maureen), Mared Williams (Margaret) and Matthew Woodyatt (Dai).

Cast announced for West End transfer of Inter Alia this Spring

Following its acclaimed run at the National Theatre, Inter Alia is transferring to Wyndham’s Theatre in London from 19 Mar – 20 Jun 2026. Rosamund Pike reprises her role as Jessica Parks, supported by Jamie Glover as Michael Wheatley and Cormac McAlinden as Harry Wheatley, plus returning ensemble members. Inter Alia is a play by Suzie Miller (the writer of Prima Facie), and it’s a sharp, modern drama about power, gender and the legal system.

New musical FlyBy set to soar with debut at Southwark Playhouse

A brand-new musical with its head in the stars and its heart firmly on Earth, FlyBy lands at Southwark Playhouse Borough this spring. The show explores the emotional pull of human relationships against a space-set backdrop, bringing big feelings and bigger horizons to the stage. The cast features Poppy Gilbert as Emily, Stuart Thompson as Daniel, Gina Beck as Amy Greenwood, Rupert Young as Jonathan Jay, and Simbi Akande as Grace Adams. FlyBy runs from Friday 3 April to Friday 16 May 2026.

Cast announced for Babyface – The Fierce Wrestling Musical

Part musical theatre, part live wrestling spectacle, Babyface - The Fierce Wrestling Musical is stepping into the ring with a pair of work-in-progress performances early next year. The production blends story, songs and in-the-flesh wrestling action for a gloriously chaotic night out. Audiences can catch the show at Storyhouse, Chester on Wednesday 11 February 2026, before it heads to Pleasance Theatre, London on Friday 13 February 2026. The cast includes James Ifan, Rex Hayes, Genesis Lynea, Iestyn Arwel, Cadi Mullane, Nic Myers, and Elis Myers-Sleight, alongside wrestler-performers Nightshade, KM Lane, Cassius The Neon Explosion and Darcy Stone.

Lead cast announced for co-production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’

Northern Stage (Newcastle) and Derby Theatre are teaming up to bring this cult musical to life in an actor-musician production, running at Northern Stage, Newcastle from Friday 8 to Saturday 23 May 2026, before transferring to Derby Theatre from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 20 June 2026. The principal cast includes Amena El-Kindy as Audrey and Kristian Cunningham as Seymour, joined by a dynamic ensemble of actor-musicians.

Small Island Regional Tour Reveals Full Cast

The acclaimed stage adaptation of Andrea Levy’s Small Island, directed by Matthew Xia and adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson, embarks on a regional tour in spring 2026, premiering at Leeds Playhouse from 11–28 March 2026, before transferring to Nottingham Playhouse from 28 April–16 May 2026, with an interim run at Birmingham Rep from 1–18 April 2026. The ensemble cast includes Anna Crichlow (Hortense), Daniel Ward (Gilbert), Bronté Barbé (Queenie), Mark Arends (Bernard) and Rhys Stephenson (Michael).

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella to embark on 30th anniversary tour

Matthew Bourne’s celebrated Cinderella is returning to the stage to mark its 30th anniversary, with a major UK tour on the way. The show launches in Plymouth this November, visits Salford, and then comes back to Sadler’s Wells for the Christmas season, before heading out across the country in 2027. This beloved reimagining of the classic tale is set in wartime London, blending romance and optimism with striking design.

That’s your packed roundup - cast lists, where to see them, and the dates you’ll want in your diary. Ready for ticket-click finger warm-ups yet? In the meantime, why not check out our recent reviews to see what to book next? And don’t forget to check back next week for the latest theatre news.

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