Theatre News Round-Up - 26/7/19

There's been LOTS of theatre news this week. Here we've rounded up some of the biggest...

The Full Cast of Mary Poppins Announced
Disney's Mary Poppins returns to London this winter once again returning to the Prince Edward Theatre where it originally opened back in 2004. This revival will be led by Zizi Strallen as Mary and Charlie Stemp as Bert. Joseph Millson plays Mr Banks, Amy Griffiths plays Winifred Banks, Petula Clark plays The Bird Woman, Claire Moore plays Miss Andrews, Claire Machin plays Mrs Brill, Jack North plays Roberston Ay and Barry James plays Bank Chairman and Admiral Boom.

Zizi Strallen (Mary) and Charlie Stemp (Bert)
Photo by Seamus Ryan

The ensemble is made up of Yves Adang, Lydia Bannister, Angeline Bell, Lydia Boulton, Matt Cox, Adam Davidson, Katie Deacon, Danielle Delys, Joshua Denyer, Stan Doughty, Glen Facey, Davide Fienauri, Ian Gareth-Jones, Mark Goldthorp, Joanna Gregory, Catherine Hannay, Jacqueline Hughes, Jason Kajdi, Sam Lathwood, Jordan Livesey, Ceili O’Connor, Malinda Parris, Alex Pinder, Ben Redfern, Rachel Spurrell, Lucie-Mae Sumner, Rhys West and Monique Young.

Mary Poppins is a show that I personally love and am REALLY excited to see it again especially with such a brilliant cast.

Mary Poppins runs at London's Prince Edward Theatre from October. To book visit here.

New Phantom of the Opera cast
Josh Piterman will take over the role of The Phantom in the London cast of The Phantom of the Opera. The Australian musical theatre star will take over the title from Tim Howar who is currently playing the role. Josh and the new company start in the show on September 9th 2019.

Also joining the cast are Richard Woodford as Monsieur Andre and Britt Lenting as Carlotta. Danny Whitehead will take over as Raoul with Bridget Costello being promoted to alternate Christine Daae.

Tim Howar (Phantom) and Kelly Mathieson (Christine) in The Phantom of the Opera

Those continuing in their roles include; Kelly Mathieson as Christine Daae, Georgia Ware as Meg Giry, Jacinta Mulcahy as Madame Giry, Paul Ettore Tabone as Ubaldo Piagni, Ross Dawes as Monsieur Firmin. Scott Davies will continue as the standby Phantom.

Completing the cast are Adam Robert Lewis, Alistair So, Andrei Teodor Iliescu, Anna Shircliff, Ben Tyler, Claire Tilling, Corinne Cowling, Danielle Pullum, Eleanor Sanderson-Nash, Ellen Jackson, Grace Castle, Hadrian Delacey, James Butcher, John Stacey, Katy Hanna, Kris Manuel, Manon Taris, Matthew Barrow, Morven Douglas, Paul Erbs, Philip Griffiths, Rebecca Ridout, Simon Whitaker, Sophie Caton, Sophie Cottrill, Tim Morgan, Victoria Ward, and Zoe Arshamian.

The Phantom of the Opera plays at London's Her Majesty's Theatre. To book visit here.

New Tina Turner Announced For London
Tina - The Tina Turner musical which opened in spring 2018 has announced its new leading lady. Aisha Jawando will take over the role from October 8th 2019. Aisha has been part of the shows cast since it opened and is now promoted to playing the role on a full-time basis.

Nkeki Obi-Melekwe, who is currently playing the title role in London is expected to join the shows Broadway company as an alternate to Adrienne Warren. 

Nkeki Obi Melekwe as Tina. Photo by Manuel Harlan

Tina - The Tina Turner musical runs at London's Aldwych Theatre where it's currently booking until January 2020. To book visit here.

Waitress Extends
The London production of Waitress has announced the diner will stay open longer with booking now open until January 4th 2020.

The musical with a gorgeous score by Sara Bareilles and an all-female creative team opened earlier this year and has clearly proved popular with London audiences.

The current cast is led by Lucie Jones, who is spectacular, in the lead role of Jenna. Ashley Roberts plays Dawn until August 10th, with Laura Baldwin returning to the role on August 12th. Marisha Wallace plays Becky.

Ashley Roberts (Dawn), Lucie Jones (Jenna) and Marisha Wallace (Becky). Photo by Johan Persson.

David Hunter plays Dr Pomatter, Peter Hannah plays Earl, Shaun Prendergast plays Joe, Stephen Leask plays Cal, Blake Harrison plays Ogie and Kelly Agbowu as Nurse Norma.

Completing the cast are Piers Bate, Nicole Raquel Dennis, Chris McGuigan, Olivia Moore, Nathaniel Morrison, Charlotte Riby, Michael Hamway, Sarah O'Connor, Leanne Pinder and Mark Wilshire. Juliette Clemens-Lary and Annabelle Jones share the role of Lulu.

Waitress is playing a London's Adelphi Theatre. To book visit here.

Andy Mace Takes Over In Only Fools and Horses
Andy Mace will take over the role of Grandad from Paul Whitehouse in the London production of Only Fools and Horses The Musical.

Mace will take over the role from July 29th. Paul Whitehouse who currently plays the role will return to the show at a later date which is yet to be confirmed.

The musical based on the massively popular sitcom is running at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket Theatre brings to life the iconic characters back to life. The show written for the stage by Jim Sullivan, son of the TV shows creator John Sullivan and Paul Whitehouse.

Andy Mace pictured as Grandad.

The current cast includes: Adrian Irvine as Denzil, Chris Kiely as Mickey Pearce, Dianne Pilkington as Raquel, Jeff Nicholson as Boycie, Pete Gallagher and Adam Venue as the Driscoll Brothers, Peter Baker as Trigger, Pippa Duffy as Cassandra, Ryan Hutton as Rodney, Samantha Seager as Marlene, and Tom Bennett as Del Boy.

Only Fools at Horses runs at London's Theatre Royal Haymarket currently booking until February 2020. To book visit here.


With the summer here it's an exciting time ahead for British Theatre. Let us know what you're most excited about in the comments.