Jamie Griffiths, Author at Matinee Musicals

Cast News: The Hunger Games: On Stage

07-09-26 A new group of tributes is heading into the arena as The Hunger Games: On Stage announces its second-year company. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnqhByu5MUc Elizabeth Anderson will take over as Katniss Everdeen from 23 October 2026 at the purpose-built Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, alongside Vinnie Copeland as Peeta Mellark and Nathan Stokes as Gale Hawthorne. The new cast also brings two familiar faces from television to Panem, with EastEnders actor Neil McDermott […]

September 7, 2026 53

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Cast News

Teri Hatcher to play Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada

07-09-26 Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher is swapping Wisteria Lane for Runway magazine as she joins the West End cast of The Devil Wears Prada. The Golden Globe-winning actress will take over as Miranda Priestly at the Dominion Theatre from 20 October 2026, following Vanessa Williams' departure from the musical on 19 September. Debbie Kurup will step into Miranda's designer heels for the interim period, playing the role from Williams' departure […]

September 7, 2026 121 9

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Reviews

Review: Burlesque UK Tour

01-09-26 Wales Millennium Centre by Jamie Griffiths Having seen Burlesque the Musical in its original Manchester incarnation and again during its West End run at the Savoy last year, I went into this new touring version with plenty to compare it with. Taking something this big on the road is no small undertaking, but Burlesque absolutely stands up. This remains a bold, loud and unapologetically glamorous musical, but there are changes […]

September 2, 2026 110 30

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General

Michael Ball to play Willy Wonka in new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

02-09-26 Michael Ball is heading back to the London Coliseum to take on one of musical theatre’s most famous roles, Willy Wonka. The double Olivier Award winner will lead a brand-new production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, opening for a strictly limited London season from 4 June to 18 September 2027. The production will originate at Curve, Leicester before transferring to the London Coliseum, with Curve Artistic Director Nikolai […]

September 2, 2026 31 6

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Releases

Heathers releases global Candy Store video as UK tour continues into 2027

01-09-26 The Heathers have gone global, with nine versions of Westerberg High's most fearsome trio joining forces for a new Candy Store video filmed across London, New York and Sydney. Released to celebrate Heathers Day, the video brings together the current Heathers from the UK & Ireland, New York and Australian productions of Heathers the Musical, as the show's international expansion continues. Representing the UK & Ireland are Liberty Stottor […]

September 1, 2026 21 5

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Reviews

Review: Disney’s High School Musical

27-08-26 at Lowry, Salford Quays by Georgia Cook & Fio Tretheway ★★★★ It’s always handy attending shows and writing these reviews as a pair, especially when watching a screen-to-stage musical adaptation, because inevitably one of us will be intimately familiar with the source material, while the other one will be going in completely blind. It was much the same this time, when last night we went to see the Gala […]

August 27, 2026 72 3

Cast News

Alexa Lopez joins Gaten Matarazzo in West End cast of Rent

24-08-26 Alexa Lopez will make her West End debut as Mimi in the eagerly awaited new production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent. She joins the previously announced Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo as Mark, alongside Travis Ross as Roger, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny. Lopez takes over the role of Mimi from Bella Brown, […]

August 24, 2026 75

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General

Self Esteem’s Teeth ’N’ Smiles is coming to National Theatre at Home

Updated 22-08-26 Missed Rebecca Lucy Taylor in Teeth ’N’ Smiles in the West End? The acclaimed production is heading to National Theatre at Home this September. The Self Esteem star takes centre stage as Maggie Frisby in the 50th anniversary production of David Hare's play with original music, which was filmed live during its run at the Duke of York's Theatre. It will be available to stream from 8 September 2026 […]

August 22, 2026 54 8

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Cast News

Matt Rawle steps onto the tightrope as Barnum continues UK and Ireland tour

20-08-26 Matt Rawle has returned to the role of P.T. Barnum as the major new touring production of Barnum continues its journey across the UK and Ireland. Rawle, whose West End credits include Cabaret, Evita and Les Misérables, began performances on 11 August and will lead the company through to the tour's final performance at Malvern Theatres on 31 October 2026. He reprises a role he previously played to critical […]

August 20, 2026 67 10