Early September theatre news

Full casting has been announced for the brand new stage adaptation of British comedy The Good Life which tours the UK this Autumn. The acclaimed cast will include actress and presenter Preeya Kalidas as ‘Margo Leadbetter’, Dominic Rowan as ‘Jerry Leadbetter’, and Sally Tatum as ‘Barbara Good’, joining the previously announced actor and comedian Rufus Hound as ‘Tom Good’. Also featured will be Nigel Betts and Tessa Churchard.

The new comedy by Jeremy Sams, is based on the classic television series by John Esmonde and Bob Larbey which entertained countless millions in the 1970s and which I have never seen an episode of. Directed by Jeremy Sams, this world premiere production will be the first time that the iconic characters of suburban neighbours the Goods and the Leadbetters will be seen on stage. The Good Life will open at Theatre Royal Bath on 7 October 2021, before dates at Cheltenham Everyman, Salford Lowry, Oxford Playhouse, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Richmond Theatre and Chichester Festival Theatre.


Curve theatre in Leicester has today revealed the full cast of its Christmas musical A Chorus Line, including world famous dancer Adam Cooper and West End and Curve favourite Carly Mercedes Dyer. A smash-hit Broadway masterpiece, A Chorus Line will run at Curve from 3 to 31 December. The musical features iconic songs including ‘One’, ‘I Hope I Get It’, ‘Nothing’ and the hit ballad ‘What I Did For Love’.  

With director Nikolai Foster and choreographer Ellen Kane, the cast features a host of familiar faces to Curve, including West Side Story company members Ronan Burns as Bobby Mills, Beth Hinton-Lever as Bebe Benzenheimer, Katie Lee as Kristine Ulrich and Redmand Rance as Mike Costa.

The cast is completed by Emily Barnett-Salter as Sheila Bryant, Bradley Delarosbel as Gregory Gardner, Lizzy-Rose Essin-Kelly as Diana Morales, André Fabien Francis as Richie Walters, Ainsley Hall Ricketts as Paul San Marco, Joshua Lay as Al Deluca, Kanako Nakano as Judy Turner, Hicaro Nicolai as Swing, Jamie O’Leary as Mark Anthony, Tom Partridge as Don Kerr, Rachel Jayne Picar as Connie Wong, Chloe Saunders as Val Clarke, Charlotte Scott as Maggie Winslow and Taylor Walker as Larry.


Opening at the Bridge Theatre on 5th October, Suzan-Lori Parks’ White Noise has confirmed the cast for this European premiere. James Corrigan, Ken Nwosu, Faith Omole and Helena Wilson will star in an unflinching look at race in the 21st century from both a black and white perspective as four friends rocked by the assault of one of them by the police in a racially motivated incident

White Noise is directed by Polly Findlay, with set designs by Lizzie Clachan, costumes by Natalie Pryce, lighting by Jackie Shemesh, movement by Jade Hackett and sound by Donato Wharton.


© Michael Wharle

Freely inspired by the novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, brand new musical What’s New Pussycat? is romantic musical comedy reimagines Fielding’s classic tale in London’s swinging sixties. Written by the Tony Award winning Joe DiPietro (Memphis The Musical), with a stellar creative team including director Luke Sheppard and legendary choreographer Dame Arlene Phillips, here’s a first look image of Dominic Andersen as Tom Jones and Bronté Barbé as Mary Western.


Harry Potter and the Cursed Child recommences performances at the Palace Theatre from 14 October and has now confirmed its full cast. Retreading the boards are Jamie Ballard as Harry PotterSusie Trayling as Ginny Potter and Dominic Short who plays their son Albus PotterThomas Aldridge as Ron Weasley, Michelle Gayle as Hermione Granger and Phoenix Edwards as their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley and James Howard as Draco Malfoy and Luke Sumner as his son Scorpius Malfoy.

They will be joined by Lola Adaja, Samson Ajewole, David Annen, Valerie Antwi, Sue Appleby, Phil Cheadle, Craig Connolly, Robert Curtis, Tim Dewberry, Jim Fish, Thomas Gilbey, Jemma Gould, Rachel Hinds, Jordan Lang, Ronnie Lee, Katrina Lopes, Lucy Mangan, David Mara, Lucia McAnespie, Jayne McKenna, Kathryn Meisle, Gordon Millar, Ian Redford, Thomas Royal, Tom Sturgess, Joshua Talbot, Mark Theodore, Emma-May UdenMadeleine Walker and Wreh-asha Walton complete the 43-strong company playing a variety of characters including seven children – Noah Alexander, Tom Quinn Alexander, Abby Barnes, Harley Barton, Chase Collard, Samuel Newby and Cicely Smith – who will alternate two roles. 


Wicked, the West End and Broadway musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz, is pleased to confirm the returning cast that will lead the award-winning production back into London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre where it resumes performances on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Joining the returning cast will be Sophie Evans, who previously played Glinda from 2017-2019, and will star opposite Laura Pick, who continues her acclaimed performance as ElphabaCharli Baptie, who appeared in the UK & Ireland Tour, will be Standby for Glinda. Joining the ensemble are Nick Len (The King & I, London Palladium), Emmie Ray (a graduate of Bird College) and Natalie Spriggs (Thoroughly Modern Millie, UK Tour). Former ensemble cast members returning include Lauren Brooke (London), Grace Chapman (UK & International Tour), Conor Crown (London), Joseph Fletcher (London), Fraser Fraser (London), Will Lucas (London), Stacey McGuire (London, UK & International Tour) and Samantha Thomas (London).

The re-opening cast will include: Laura Pick (Elphaba), Sophie Evans* (Glinda), Alistair Brammer (Fiyero), Kim Ismay (Madame Morrible), Andy Hockley (The Wizard), Simeon Truby (Doctor Dillamond), Carina Gillespie (Nessarose), Nicholas McLean (Boq), Amy Webb (Standby for Elphaba), Charli Baptie** (Standby for Glinda), Meg AstinRebecca BotterillLauren BrookeGrace Chapman***, Michael ColbourneConor CrownLewis EasterNolan EdwardsJoseph FletcherFraser FraserRebecca GillilandLucie HorsfallNick LenWill LucasNicole LupinoStuart MaciverCarl ManRhidian MarcJessica-Alice McCluskeyStacey McGuireEmmie RayNatalie SpriggsScott SutcliffeGenevieve TaylorSamantha Thomas****, Grant ThreshJames TitchenerLibby WattsChiarina Woodall and Tom Woollaston. Cast subject to change.

*Maternity cover for Helen Woolf  **Maternity cover for Lisa-Anne Wood  ***Maternity cover for Maggie Lynne   ****Maternity cover for Joanna Sawyer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *