Articles

Dracula to haunt Menier Chocolate Factory

James Daly, Safeena Ladha, Diane Pilkington and Charlie Stemp will star in the UK premiere of Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors, when it comes to the Menier Chocolate Factory in March.

Written by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, Greenberg directs Daly as Dracula, Ladha as Lucy Westfeldt, Pilkington as Dr Westfeldt and Stemp as Jonathan Harker. 

The set designer is Tijana Bjelajac, the costume designer is Tristan Raines, the lighting designer is Ben Cracknell and the sound designer is Yvonne Gilbert.

Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors gives Bram Stoker’s horror classic a comic makeover in this lightning-fast gender-bending reimagining that features a Gen Z pansexual Count Dracula in the midst of an existential crisis. With a cast of five switching costumes and roles at the drop of a hat, this 90-minute freewheeling send-up plays with sexuality and gender norms in the spirit of comedy legends Charles Ludlam, Monty Python and Mel Brooks – and celebrates goth, camp, and the magic of live theatre itself. 

In the treacherous mountains of Transylvania, Jonathan Harker, a meek English estate agent, takes a harrowing journey to meet a new and mysterious client, who happens to be the most terrifying(ly narcissistic) monster the world has ever known: Count Dracula! When the Count sets his sights on Harker’s fiancé, the brilliant young earth scientist Lucy Westfeldt, he meets his match for the first time – as well as a slew of other colourful characters including vampire hunter Jean Van Helsing, insect connoisseur Renfield and behavioural psychiatrist Wallace Westfeldt, whose British country estate doubles as a free-range mental asylum.

The production opens on March 17, with previews from March 8, and runs until May 3. Details: www.menierchocolatefactory.com

Posh Girls take over King’s Head Theatre

New play Posh Girls will expose the secret side of Britain’s elite private schools when it debuts at the King’s Head Theatre.

Going behind the clichéd tuck boxes, tartan kilts and jovial escapades, it will look at the messy experiences of navigating platonic and romantic relationships during adolescence, and how these formative experiences can be exacerbated in the isolating environment of boarding school.

Posh Girls follows ex-best friends Hermione Winter and Alexandra Thornton Pugh meeting unexpectedly for the first time in twelve years in the waiting room of their therapist’s office.

From inseparable companions to complete strangers, they reflect on their past, what went wrong, and if burnt bridges can be rebuilt in a play that discusses teenage competitiveness, peer pressure and growing up in a time prior to discussions around consent with humour and light-hearted comedy.

Co-writer Sophie Robertson (Derry Girls, The Irregulars) makes her professional theatre performance debut, partnering with Harriet Chomley (The Lion’s Den). It is also the directorial theatre debut for Steve Waddington (Vincent & Agostina).

Posh Girls runs from Tuesday, January 28-Sunday, February 2 (not January 31).

Waterloo East Theatre finds Toy Soldier

Waterloo East Theatre will stage the world premiere of new play Toy Soldier, from writers Helen Goodman and Joseph Dewey.

From Theatre on the River, it marks the London directorial debut of Goodman, working with a cast including Lucy Bromilow, Nico Conde, Spin Glancy and Michael Tantrum.

Set against the backdrop of the 1982 battle for the Falklands, the story explores a family struggling to ensure their own survival during the 10-week conflict.

The Falkland Islands, July 2002. Jane has been keeping a secret for 20 years, and amidst the grip of patriotism as the islanders celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, Jane returns to pack up the family home following the death of her mother.

Jane takes the audience on a journey through the Falklands conflict of 1982, which she shared with her younger brother, where isolation and fear became the daily norm.

Bromilow plays Jane, Conde is Alejo, Glancy is Mark and Tantrum is Billy. The lighting director is Vittorio Verta.

The play will run from January 21 to February 2. Details: https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/toy-soldier

Royal Court sets the stage for More Life

Royal Court Theatre will play host to Lauren Mooney and James Yeatman’s More Life, debuting in February.

Described as a sci-fi horror, a woman wakes up in 2075 in a body that is not her own. Fifty years ago, Bridget died in a car accident. Now, thanks to a technological breakthrough, she is back: her mind, her consciousness, in a synthetic body. Metal. Wires. But she’s still Bridget, isn’t she? She must be. 

The cast includes Marc Elliott, Alison Halstead, Lewis Mackinnon, Tim McMullan, Danusia Samal and Helen Schlesinger. The director is Yeatman and text and dramaturgy is by Mooney.

More Life is designed by Shankho Chaudhuri with lighting design by Ryan Joseph Stafford. The composer and sound designer is Zac Gvirtzman, the co-sound designer is Dan Balfour and the costume supervisor is Isobel Pellow. 

The Kandinsky Theatre Company production will run from Thursday, February 6 to Saturday, March 8.

Tickets: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/more-life/

Kerry Ellis, David Hunter wonder If/Then at Savoy Theatre

Kerry Ellis and David Hunter lead the cast of If/Then, which will have its UK premiere at the Savoy Theatre in February.

This is the first time UK audiences will have the chance to experience Tony Award-winning writers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey (Next to Normal)’s celebrated musical – presented in a staged concert format.

If/Then follows Elizabeth, a 38-year-old city planner returning to New York after 12 years, ready to rebuild her life in the wake of a recent divorce. Standing at a pivotal crossroads, Elizabeth faces a choice that will send her down two parallel paths, each leading to a radically different future. On her first day back, she reconnects with Lucas, an old friend, and meets Kate, her vibrant new neighbour. Lucas invites her to join him in the world of activism, while Kate
offers a lighter diversion—coffee, music, and the temptation of a charismatic guitarist nearby.

As the story unfolds, audiences follow Elizabeth’s journey along these parallel lives, exploring how every decision, no matter how small, shapes the course of destiny.

Hunter plays Lucas, with Ellis as Elizabeth, a woman torn between two possible journeys. Joining them are Preeya Kalidas as Kate, Tim Howar as Stephen and Jenny Fitzpatrick as Anne. Carl Man plays David and Joni Ayton-Kent is Elena.

The ensemble features Christian Maynard and Kayleigh Thadani, as well as Lauren Hall and Sario Solomon.

The production will be directed by Bill Buckhurst (101 Dalmatians The Musical, Sister Act). The musical staging is by Alistair David (Kiss Me, Kate), with music direction by acclaimed Michael England (The Phantom of the Opera, Les
Misérables).

If/Then comes to London on Monday, February 10 after opening on Broadway in 2014 and is produced by Adam Blanshay Productions and Daniel Hinchliffe in association with The Savoy Theatre.

Tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/if-then/savoy-theatre/

Broadway’s Stereophonic soars to West End with Duke of York’s Theatre run

Stereophonic, the most Tony Award-nominated play of all time, will transfer from Broadway to the West End this year for a run at the Duke of York’s Theatre from May.

The show, which also won the most Tony Awards in 2024, had its Broadway run extended twice and now brings original cast members include Andrew R Butler as Charlie, Eli Gelb as Grover and Chris Stack as Simon. Further casting to be announced in due course.

With music from Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Stereophonic mines the agony and the ecstasy of creation as it zooms in on a music studio in 1976. Here, an up-and-coming rock band recording a new album finds itself suddenly on the cusp of superstardom. The ensuing pressures could spark their breakup — or their breakthrough.

Stereophonic originally had its world premiere at Playwrights Horizon’s before transferring to Broadway on 3 April 2024. The hit play will also embark on a US tour from October 2025.

The Stereophonic creative team includes David Zinn (scenic designer), Enver Chakartash (costume designer), Jiyoun Chang (lighting designer), Will Butler and Justin Craig (orchestrations), Ryan Rumery (sound designer), Justin Craig (music director) and Robert Pickens & Katie Gell (hair & wig design). UK casting is by Julia Horan, with US casting by Alaine Alldaffer, Lisa Donadio and Taylor Williams.

Stereophonic is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Seaview, Linden Productions and Ashley Melone & Nick Mills, and Playwrights Horizons: Adam Greenfield, Leslie Marcus and Carol Fishman.

The play won five Tony Awards last year: Best Play, Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for Will Brill, Best Direction of a Play for Daniel Aukin, Best Scenic Design of a Play for David Zinn and Best Sound Design of a Play for Ryan Rumery.

Imelda Staunton, Bessie Carter take up Mrs Warren’s Profession

Mother-and-daughter Imelda Staunton and Bessie Carter will take to the stage together for the first time in Mrs Warren’s Profession, coming to the Garrick Theatre this May.

Staunton will play Mrs Kitty Warren and Carter will appear as Vivie Warren in George Bernard Shaw’s play, which will be directed by Dominic Cooke.

Vivie Warren is a woman ahead of her time. Estranged from her wealthy mother, she delights in a glass of whisky, a good detective story, and is determined to carve herself a sparkling legal career in an age ruled by men.

Her mother, however, is a product of that old patriarchal order. Exploiting it has earned Mrs Warren a fortune and paid for her daughter’s expensive education – but at what cost?

Staunton and Cooke previously collaborated on Hello, Dolly! and Follies. The actor also reunites with producer Sonia Friedman following Who’s Afraid of Virgina Woolf; and Cooke and Friedman after Clybourne Park.

The designer is Chloe Lamford, with casting by Amy Ball.

The production will open at the Garrick Theatre on May 22, with previews from May 10, and run until August 16.

Tickets will be on sale in early 2025, with audiences are invited to sign up for pre-sale ticket access at mrswarrensprofession.com.

Hope Theatre dials up 855-FOR-TRUTH

Eva Hudson’s 855-FOR-TRUTH comes to The Hope Theatre in February.

Blending dynamic love story and climate doomsday narrative, this story of shared humanity and our frustrated desire to fix our world and everyone in it, will explore how even the most polarising views can become similar.

Set somewhere in the woods between Hilldale, Utah, and The End of The World, an 18-year-old religious cult member and young climate scientist meet. Meredith, raised in a Christian cult, believes the world will end in six days whilst Isaac, an outsider environmentalist, is racing against time to figure out The Project.

Isaac will be played by Max Raphael (The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes), with Molly Hanly (A Very Expensive Poison) starring as Meredith.

Written by Hudson, the production is brought to life by director Lydia McKinley (One of the Boys) and designer Rhiannon Binnington (The Hound of the Baskervilles). It previously played at London’s Pleasance Theatre and Bristol Old Vic in 2024.

855-FOR-TRUTH will run at The Hope Theatre from Tuesday, February 11-Saturday, February 22. Tickets: www.thehopetheatre.com

English National Opera gets hitched (again) to The Marriage of Figaro

English National Opera will present Joe Hill-Gibbins’ acclaimed production of The Marriage of Figaro at the London Coliseum this February.

The seven performances between February 5-22 mark the first revival of Hill Gibbins’ take of Mozart’s comic opera, which is described as a bold, contemporary staging.

It also marks the show’s return to the Coliseum after opening for one performance in March 2020 before the Covid pandemic shut all theatres.#

The comedic story is set in a single crazy day – the wedding of Figaro and Susanna. A whirlwind of mistaken identities, deception and general mayhem, the couple try to elude their employer – a philandering and promiscuous Count – teaching him a lesson in fidelity he’ll never forget.

It was originally based on La folle journée, ou le Mariage de Figaro, preceded by Il barbiere di Siviglia, both by Pierre Beaumarchais. This opera is a sequel of The Barber of Seville, composed by Gioachino Rossini.

Directed by Hill-Gibbins,  conductor Ainārs Rubiķis makes his ENO debut and leads the orchestra. Tess Jackson conducts on Wednesday, February 12. 

In the titular role of Figaro is British bass-baritone David Ireland. He will be joined by British soprano Mary Bevan as Susanna.

Dr Bartolo will be performed by Welsh bass-baritone Neal Davies, Welsh soprano Rebecca Evans returns to ENO in the role of Marcellina and Polish mezzo-soprano Hanna Hipp reprises her role from March 2020 as Cherubino.

Ireland-based Australian tenor Hubert Francis performs the roles of Don Basilio/Don Curzio. British soprano Nardus Williams is Countess Almaviva. Performing alongside her as Count Almaviva, American baritone Cody Quattlebaum makes his house debut. 

Completing the cast is Canadian bass Trevor Eliot Bowes performing as Antonio, and Irish soprano Ava Dodd as Barbarina. 

Johannes Schütz is the set designer, Astrid Klein is the costume designer, Matthew Richardson is the lighting designer, Jenny Ogilvie is the associate director and movement director, and the translation is by Jeremy Sams.

A coproduction with Oper Wuppertal, The Marriage of Figaro opens on Wednesday, February 5 for seven performances: February 5, 7, 12, 14, 17, 20. Tickets: www.eno.org

The Old Vic takes in The Brightening Air

Chris O’Dowd, Brian Gleeson, Rosie Sheehy, Seán McGinley and Hannah Morrish will come together for The Brightening Air, an entrancing tale of fate, family and unseen forces in 1980s Ireland. 

From writer and director Conor McPherson (The Weir, Girl from the North Country), the play will have its world premiere at The Old Vic.

Dermot (O’Dowd) returns home to County Sligo with hidden aims. His siblings (Gleeson and Sheehy) are desperate to hold on to the family home but with an ex-clergyman uncle and sister-in-law (McGinley  and Morrish respectively) looking for their own answers, plans soon go awry.

The full cast features Derbhle Crotty (Portia Coughlan), Eimhin Fitzgerald Doherty (Juno and the Paycock), Gleeson (Bad Sisters), Aisling Kearns (Juno and the Paycock), McGinley (A Whistle in the Dark), Morrish (The Merchant of Venice 1936), O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) and Sheehy (Machinal). They are joined by understudies Ella Maria Carmen, Callum Cronin, Joseph McCarthy and Amy Vicary-Smith.

Set & costume is by Rae Smith, lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Gregory Clarke, movement & intimacy by Lucy Hind, casting by Serena Hill, voice by Charlie Hughes-D’Aeth, dialect by Danièle Lydon and fights by Kate Waters.

The associate director is Anastasia Osei-Kuffour, associate set is Niall McKeever, the costume supervisor is Poppy Hall, the props supervisor is Fahmida Bakht and the music associate is Benjamin McQuigg.

The Brightening Air is at The Old Vic from April 10-June 14, 2025. Tickets are on sale now: oldvictheatre.com