By Douglas Mayo The European premiere of the original Japanese stage production of Studio Ghibli’s award-winning Spirited Away at the London Coliseum is announced. Mona Kamishiraishi and No Face from Spirited Away. Photo: Jay Brooks In these first-look images an iconic scene from the film is recreated on a London tube carriage, featuring Kanna Hashimoto and Mone Kamishiraishi who return from the original Japanese production as Chihiro, sitting alongside ‘No-Face’. Spirited Away runs at London Coliseum from 30 April – 29 August 2024. Studio Ghibli’s Sprited Away, created by legendary anima ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Rifko Theatre Company’s Frankie Goes To Bollywood has announced a West End transfer to the Southbank Centre, London. Photo: Rick Lakos Rifko Theatre Company has announced that Frankie Goes to Bollywood is to transfer to London’s Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall following its current season at the Watford Palace Theatre. The new musical will run at the Southbank Centre from 31 July – 16 August 2024. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO STAY INFORMED Rifco Theatre is known for celebrating and reflecting contemporary British Asian experiences; producing authentic, though-provoking and ..read more

By Douglas Mayo New production photos are out for James Graham’s adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s TV Drama Boys from the Blackstuff coming to the Garrick Theatre. Aron Julius, Dominic Carter, Jamie Peacock and Philip Whitchurch New production photos have been released for James Graham’s new adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s TV drama Boys from the Blackstuff which opens at the Garrick Theatre from 13 June for a limited eight-week season. BOOK TICKETS FOR BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF The new production is directed by Kate Wasserberg and the Liverpool’s Royal Court and National Theatre production is pres ..read more

By Douglas Mayo The Menier Chocolate Factory has announced a major revival of Stephen Schwartz and Joseph Stein’s The Baker Wife for July 2024. The Menier Chocolate Factory, London have announced that Gordon Greenberg will return to direct a revival of the musical The Baker’s Wife with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked, Godspell) and book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler On The Roof). This revival of The Baker’s Wife starts previews on 6 July, opening at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 7 July and running through to 14 September 2024. The arrival of a new Baker and his younger wife ..read more

By Libby Purves Our very own theatreCat Libby Purves reviews Mike Poulton’s The Other Boleyn Girl based on the novel by Philippa Gregory now playing at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Lucy Phelps as Mary Boleyn. Photo: Stephen Cummiskey The Other Boleyn Girl Chichester Festival Theatre 5 Stars Book Tickets THE COURT AND THE BEDCHAMBER Theatre will never tire of the Tudors, nor should it.  From every new angle they offer a dramatic gift which never stops giving.  Here’s 1534,  and Mary Boleyn in a very understandable temper, telling it like it is.  “I am an adulteress and a ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Following its critically acclaimed UK Premiere My Neighbour Totoro is to transfer to London’s Gillian Lynne Theatre in 2025. Photo: Manuel Harlan The record-breaking production of My Neighbour Totoro is to transfer to the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 8 March 2025. Tickets go on sale Friday 3rd May 2024. Join our mailing list to stay informed. Adapted by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer) from Hayao Miyazaki’s celebrated 1988 animated feature film, the production is directed by Improbable Co-Founder, Phelim McDermott. Winner of six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards, My Neigh ..read more

By Paul T Davies Paul T Davis reviews London Tide now playing in the Lyttleton at the National Theatre, London. Ami Tredrea. Photo: Marc Brenner London Tide. National Theatre, Lyttleton. 17 April 2024 3 Stars Book Tickets “This is the story of a river”, just one of the lines in the opening number of Ben Powers’ modernistic adaptation of Dicken’s Our Mutual Friend, with songs by PJ Harvey and Powers himself. Director Ian Rickson and the designers certainly lean into the concept of the Thames, a superb opening has the cast being washed up on the shore, and Jack Knowles’s outstanding lighting des ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Cameron Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s classic family musical Oliver! comes to the Gielgud Theatre in December 2024. Cameron Mackintosh’s new co-production of Lionel Barts musical Oliver, staged with Chichester Festival Theatre is to open at the Gielgud Theatre this December. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST TO STAY INFORMED FOR TICKETS The full reconceived production by director and choreographer Matthew Bourne comes to the West End via Chichester. The cast includes Simon Lipkin (Guys and Dolls, Avenue Q) as Fagin, Shanay Holmes (Miss Saigon, The Bodygua ..read more

By Douglas Mayo Mrs Doubtfire the musical announces new casting as it enters its second year in the West End. Gabriel Vick as Mrs Doubtfire. Photo: Manuel Harlan Rehearsals are now underway for the new West End cast members of Mrs Doubtfire as the show starts its second year at the Shaftesbury Theatre. BOOK MRS DOUBTFIRE THE MUSICAL TICKETS The cast of Mrs Doubtfire will continue to include Gabriel Vick (Avenue Q) as Daniel Hillard, Laura Tebbutt (School of Rock) as Miranda Hillard, Cameron Blakely (Newsies) as Frank Hillard, Marcus Collins (Kinky Boots) as Andre, and Micha Richardson (Come Fr ..read more

By Douglas Mayo The Tubular Bells Concert Tour will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band across the UK in 2024. Tubular Bells Concert Tour 2024 To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tubular Bells, the iconic masterpiece will be performed live with a full band across the UK in 2024. The Tubular Bells Concert 2024 Tour is conducted and arranged by Oldfield’s long-term collaborator Robin Smith. BOOK TUBULAR BELLS TICKETS Tubular Bells was the debut studio album by English multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter Mi ..read more