Cast News Archives - Matinee Musicals

Harry Judd heads to London with High School Musical after Lowry performance

Updated 21-09-26 Harry Judd has officially joined the cast of Disney’s High School Musical, with the McFly star now heading to London after making his debut in the role of Coach Bolton at Lowry. Judd appeared in the final two Salford performances of the production on Saturday 19 September, taking over from Jason Donovan as Troy Bolton’s basketball coach and father. And next stop, London! The production now transfers to Troubadour […]

September 21, 2026 31

Cast News

Cast News: How Soon Is Now

18-04-26 A brand new musical powered by the sound of 90s indie is heading to Salford, with the full cast now confirmed for the world premiere of How Soon is Now?. Written by award-winning playwright Siân Owen, the new musical opens at Lowry’s Quays Theatre from 1 to 3 October before embarking on a UK tour. Bethan McLean, whose credits include BBC’s The One That Got Away, will play Jean, […]

September 14, 2026 28

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Cast News

Love Never Dies returns to London next month with Jamie Muscato and Celinde Schoenmaker

Updated 12-09-26 Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies is heading back to London next month for five performances only at the London Palladium from 16 to 18 October 2026. with Muscato taking on the Phantom opposite Schoenmaker as Christine Daaé. They are joined by George Blagden as Raoul, Courtney Stapleton as Meg Giry and Mazz Murray as Madame Giry. Newly announced casting sees Holly James play Fleck, Nic Greenshields as Squelch and […]

September 12, 2026 41 2

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Cast News

First look at Rory Kinnear and Natalia Osipova in The Standard of Living rehearsals

07-09-26 Rehearsal images have been released for the world premiere of James Graham's new play The Standard of Living, ahead of its West End opening later this month. Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear stars as economist John Maynard Keynes, with Royal Ballet Principal Natalia Osipova making her West End debut as his wife, celebrated ballerina Lydia Lopokova. Written by three-time Olivier Award winner James Graham, whose work includes Dear England, […]

September 7, 2026 73 6 2

Cast News

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

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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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

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Cast News

FIRST LOOK: Jason Donovan and cast in rehearsals for High School Musical

14-08-26 The Wildcats are getting their heads back in the game as first-look rehearsal images have been released from the new UK production of Disney’s High School Musical. Jason Donovan is pictured rehearsing alongside the company ahead of the show opening at Lowry in Salford on 22 August 2026, where it runs until 19 September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkCdr4cUo-o The production, the first UK non-replica staging of the Disney musical, will then transfer to […]

August 14, 2026 68 16