Theatre
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What’s happening this February in theatre
Everything happening on the West End this month that you need to know about
It’s a busy month for the West End theatre world, with tons of new openings and a couple of familiar faces arriving on the Mamma Mia! stage. Here’s all the theatre news you need to know this February.
New West End openings
It’s an exciting month for new musicals, with Just For One Day arriving at The Old Vic and Standing At The Sky’s Edge coming to the Gillian Lynne Theatre. Just For One Day tells the story of Live Aid, set to the music of many of the era’s greatest musicians, whilst Standing At The Sky’s Edge uses the music of singer songwriter Richard Hawley to send a love letter to the people of Sheffield’s Park Hill Estate.
Also new on the West End is Hadestown, the mythological Broadway smash that’s finally making its way across the pond.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is back for its fourth London run, exploring what Blackness and masculinity means in today’s Britain.
We’re also getting some visionary new productions of classic theatre. Matt Smith stars in Ibsen’s An Enemy Of The People at The Duke Of York’s Theatre from 6 February, whilst Tracey-Ann Oberman reimagines Shylock in The Merchant Of Venice 1936.
And London favourite Everybody’s Talking About Jamie lands at the Peacock Theatre for a very limited three week run in February.
Currently touring the UK, the cast – lead by Ivan Turco in the titular role – bring a unique style and finesse to the true story about the boy from Country Durham who dreamed of going to his prom in drag.
With a score by Dan Gillepsie Sells that feels more like a pop record, than musical theatre, this is the perfect show to lift our spirits whilst the skies are still grey.
Tickets on sale now
Following the success of The King of I, director Bartlett Sher is set to revive another golden age musical when Cole Porter’s classic Kiss Me, Kate comes on sale this month. A lose retelling of The Taming Of The Shrew, the musical follows a husband and wife bickering as they attempt to stage a musical version of the Shakespeare play.
If you’ve not had a chance to catch the West End and Broadway sensation Hamilton yet, then don’t worry – they’re coming to you. Tickets are now on sale for the UK tour.
And if you’re a fan of magic tricks that go spectacularly wrong (who isn’t?), then you might want to secure your tickets for Mind Mangler: Member Of The Tragic Circle, brought to you by the minds behind The Play That Goes Wrong.
Last chance shows
Sadly, all of our favourite shows can’t stick around on the West End forever. We’d run out of theatres. Also, the actors would get tired. Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet has its final performances on 17 February, so bring your tissues and head to the Garrick Theatre before then to catch the Shakespeare family at home.
Also heading off soon are The Enfield Haunting with Catherine Tate and David Threlfall and The King And I with Helen George – both productions close on 2 March.
Other West End theatre news
Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream winners have their debut performances
It’s an exciting month for fans of ITV’s Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream. The competition show saw newcomers Stevie Doc and Toby Turley win the roles of Sophie and Sky, and this week they took to the stage at the Novello Theatre for their Mamma Mia! debuts. Catch a sneak peek of the pair in rehearsal below:
Dear Evan Hansen to find their next stars on TikTok
Casting directors for the UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen are searching for the next generation of theatre stars, in collaboration with TikTok. The open casting call posted to the platform last week invites hopefuls to post themselves performing any song from the show with the hashtag #YouWillBeFound in the caption, and then to submit their entry formally via evanontour.com/tiktok.
