UK Theatre News Round-Up: 25 January – 1 February 2026

This is your weekly UK theatre news round-up. This article covers everything that’s been happening on and around UK stages between 25 January and 1 February, from West End shake-ups and major casting announcements to new musicals, regional premieres, and slightly unhinged future projects. Whether you’re booking ahead or just like to know what’s going on, here’s what you need to know.

Watch the Weekly Theatre News Round-Up Video

Good news for anyone who thought Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was a bit long. From 6 October 2026, the West End production at the Palace Theatre will officially become a single, condensed 175-minute performance, replacing the current two-part format. This streamlined version has already proven successful in the US, Germany, and Japan, and promises to deliver the full story without requiring audiences to sacrifice an entire day. Same magic, significantly less time.

The Royal Shakespeare Company has confirmed that Placebo will compose the music for its upcoming production of Brecht’s The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. The production stars Mark Gatiss and premieres on 11 April. A politically charged satire scored by a British alternative rock band feels like either inspired chaos or absolute genius, and it’s already shaping up to be one of the RSC’s most talked-about projects this year.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts has premiered this week in Oxford, adding another chapter to Britain’s enduring love affair with cosy murder. If atmospheric crime drama with familiar IP is your thing, this one is firmly on the radar.

The hit Broadway musical The Outsiders has officially been confirmed for a West End transfer. While dates and a venue are still to be announced, the move feels inevitable given its success in New York. Expect emotional storytelling, soaring harmonies, and a fanbase already preparing to descend on London in force once tickets are released.

Looking ahead to next year, Leeds Playhouse has announced it will produce How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical in 2026. A festive favourite with broad family appeal, the show feels well-placed in a venue known for high-quality large-scale productions. File this one away early; it’s almost certainly going to sell well.

Casting news that feels genuinely inspired, Tom Allen has been cast as Ruth in Titanique! Anyone familiar with the show knows that this role requires razor-sharp comic timing and a fearless performance style, both of which Tom Allen has in abundance. It’s a casting decision that makes complete sense and should be an absolute highlight.

Claire Sweeney will take over the role of Miss Hannigan in the UK tour of Annie from 7 July. It’s a role with huge comic potential, and one that benefits from a strong, characterful performer at its centre.

Carrie Hope Fletcher has announced a new tour for October, titled The Ghost Light Tour. The tour, described as an evening of music and storytelling, will visit a range of venues, mostly cathedrals. If you’re a fan, it might be worth checking your local listings now; she could genuinely be coming to a very large, echoey building near you.

A major new adaptation is heading to the south coast later this year. The Pianist will receive its world premiere at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre this September. The production is set for a limited run, making it one to watch for anyone interested in literary adaptations and new large-scale drama.

New artwork, trailers, and behind-the-scenes footage have been released for Sylvia, the musical starring Beverley Knight. The production opens in Leicester on 24 September before transferring to the Royal Albert Hall for its final performances. Visually and thematically bold, this is one that’s building momentum well ahead of its opening.

For fans of new writing and fringe theatre, Flyology will premiere at the Union Theatre on 5 May. Described as part sci-fi, part feminist riot, the show is exactly the kind of experimental new musical that smaller venues do best — and one to keep firmly on your radar.

The Traitors has announced plans to become a theatre production in 2027. Whether this turns into a genuinely gripping psychological thriller or a slightly hollow piece of IP-driven theatre remains to be seen. Either way, it’s happening, and people will absolutely buy tickets.

The stage adaptation of Burlesque has announced a UK tour, bringing the high-glamour, high-energy musical to audiences beyond London. With its built-in fanbase and bold aesthetic, it’s likely to become a major touring draw once dates and venues are fully revealed.

Casting has been announced for the upcoming UK production of Sweeney Todd, adding fresh momentum to one of musical theatre’s darkest and most beloved titles. With strong creative interest already building, this production is shaping up to be a significant moment for fans of classic, operatic musicals.

That’s your UK theatre news round-up for the week.

Remember, you can save money on tickets by purchasing through our affiliate link:

Discount Tickets