While we here at Love London Love Culture adore going to London theatres, there is also plenty of shows touring to regional theatres for you to keep an eye out for. Here’s a guide to a selection of them to catch in your own local theatres…
Beautiful The Carole King Musical: opening at the Leicester Curve on the 28th February, this hit musical recounts the career of the singer and her relationship with husband and song-writing partner Gerry Goffin as well as their close friendship with fellow song-writing duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It includes songs such as Will You Love Me Tomorrow, You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, Take Good Care of my Baby, You’ve Got a Friend and So Far Away. Check out our interview with Molly Grace-Cutler, who is set to play Carole King here.
Cluedo: who knew that transforming a classic board game into a hilarious stage play would be possible – but thanks to a fantastic creative team and a cast who are clearly having a great time – this is worth seeing no matter what your age! The six famous characters from the game are summoned to Boddy House by its mysterious owner – but it doesn’t take long for the body count to start going up – will they all make it out alive and solve the murder? Read our review here.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: to celebrate the 10th anniversary since this production premiered at Sadler’s Wells, New Adventures will be embarking on a brand new tour of the UK with this gothic re-telling of the classic ballet and fairytale. It will open at the Theatre Royal Plymouth from the 12th to the 19th November, then will play at The Lowry from the 22nd to the 26th November before heading to Sadler’s Wells from the 29th November for a festive run. Tour dates for 2023 and casting for the production has yet to be announced.
South Pacific: the critically acclaimed Chichester Festival Theatre production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical will be embarking on a UK and Ireland tour, opening at the Manchester Opera House on the 16th July. The production will see Julian Ovenden reprising his role in the production as Emile de Becque at the Manchester Opera House and Sadler’s Wells Theatre, while Gina Beck is also returning to the production as Nellie Forbush at Sadler’s Wells Theatre and at all other UK & Ireland tour venues. Further casting has yet to be announced.
The Mirror Crack’d, Original Theatre Company: if it is some detective work that you enjoy – then you will not want to miss this production of Agatha Christie’s story adapted for the stage by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Philip Franks. Susie Blake will star in the production as Miss Marple with further casting to be announced soon. The production is set to open at Devonshire Park from the 8th to the 17th September.
Anything Goes: following its successful run at the Barbican last year, Kathleen Marshall’s production of Cole Porter’s musical will embark on a UK tour from the 11th April, opening at the Bristol Hippodrome. The cast is set to include: Kerry Ellis, Denis Lawson Bonnie Langford and Simon Callow. With classic songs ‘I Get A Kick Out of You’, ‘You’re the Top’ and the show stopping ‘Anything Goes’ – there is plenty to enjoy about this show. Catch up with what we thought of the musical with last year’s cast here.
The Cher Show: with the three leading ladies who will play Cher at different stages in her career having just been announced, it is not long to go before this show makes its UK premiere – opening at the Leicester Curve on the 15th April. Filled with all Cher’s biggest hits, the show will reveal how she went from a young child with big dreams, the shy daughter of an Armenian American truck driver, to the dizzying heights of global stardom.
This is just a small selection of shows that you can catch in your local theatre this year – so please check out what is on where you are and show your support for Regional Theatre – there is plenty to be excited about this year!
By Emma Clarendon