UK Theatre News Round-Up: 8th February – 14th February

This is your weekly UK theatre news round-up, covering everything that’s been happening on and off stages across the country from 8th to 14th of February. From casting announcements and new adaptations to returning musicals and some wonderfully chaotic productions, it’s been another packed week for UK theatre lovers.

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Casting announcements across major UK productions

It’s been a busy week for casting teams, with several major productions revealing their casts. Full casts have now been announced for the UK tour of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, as well as for Choir Boy at Stratford East, A Doll’s House at the Almeida Theatre, Magic at Chichester Festival Theatre, and Public at Leicester Curve.

Billy Elliot confirms UK tour and West End return

The beloved musical Billy Elliot is officially returning to UK stages. A new UK tour will launch in autumn 2026, before the production returns to the West End in 2027. While details remain under wraps, industry expectations suggest the production will likely revive the original staging and choreography that made it such a long-running success.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo opens in Nottingham

A stage adaptation of The Beekeeper of Aleppo has opened at Nottingham Playhouse. The production runs in Nottingham until 28th February, then travels to venues across the country. Based on the bestselling novel, the play explores displacement, love, and resilience, and my review is that it’s one of the most emotionally affecting productions currently touring.

New adaptations and original musicals in development

A stage version of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House will begin a UK tour this autumn, opening on 11th September at Salisbury Playhouse. With gothic horror remaining popular in theatre programming, the timing of this tour aligns neatly with the autumn season.

Meanwhile, Ian McEwan’s Atonement is being adapted for the stage and will premiere at Chichester Festival Theatre in May, directed by Adam Penford. Chichester and Penford have a strong reputation for high-quality theatre, so expectations for this premiere are high.

A musical adaptation of Practical Magic is also in development, co-written by the novel’s author and featuring an original score by Norah Jones.

New musical Bliss will play at the Pleasance Courtyard during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. With an experienced creative team attached and early industry buzz building, it’s already being tipped as a potential transfer candidate beyond Edinburgh.

Screen and stage crossovers

Netflix has confirmed it will film Stranger Things: The First Shadow for release on the platform. While no release date has been announced, the move shows growing interest in filmed theatre content reaching mainstream audiences.

On the West End, Paranormal Activity continues to prove popular. Following an extension, the production is currently running at the Ambassadors Theatre until April 2026. Producers have now confirmed it will return from 8th August after a short break.

Closing Notice

Disney’s Hercules has announced it will close in the West End on 5th September 2026. Leaving audiences wondering what’s next for the Theatre Royal Drury Lane… Death Becomes Her? Sea Witch? Or something completely different?

Ben Platt heads to London

Tony Award winner Ben Platt will star in the London premiere of Midnight at the Never Get at the Menier Chocolate Factory. With Menier’s intimate capacity and Platt’s global fanbase, tickets are expected to be in extremely high demand when booking opens.

Drag Macbeth arrives this spring

Finally, one of the more unexpected announcements of the week: an all-drag production of Macbeth is coming this spring. Produced by TuckShop, the show will run at the Emerald Theatre and promises a bold, high-camp take on Shakespeare’s tragedy. With drag performance continuing to influence theatre aesthetics and audience engagement, this production is likely to attract significant attention when it opens.