Barbican Theatre News

Now in its 8th year, SPINE Festival transforms libraries into creative hubs, introducing children aged 5 – 11 to the joys of their local library, to different art forms and to all the wonderful ways that words can be used. 16 London boroughs will be hosting their own programmes of free workshops and performances supported by leading spoken word poetry organisation Apples and Snakes and a team of 16 Artists in Residence.

Sutton Foster's return to the cabaret stage will be a little longer than planned, thanks to an extension.

Concord Theatricals has secured exclusive worldwide stage licensing rights to Michael R. Jackson’s Best Musical Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning A Strange Loop.

Hailed as the West End’s favourite leading Lady, Kerry was catapulted to fame in 2002 when she landed the role of Meat in the original London cast of We Will Rock You. She has gone onto star in a range of acclaimed productions on both Westend and Broadway, including Les Misérables, Wicked, Oliver! And Cats.

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, was celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall on 2 April. Hosted by renowned stage and screen actor Hannah Waddingham, a three-time Olivier Award nominee herself, the Olivier Awards celebrate the world-class status of London theatre, and are Britain's most prestigious stage honours. Here are this year's award winners!

The supremely talented Kerry Ellis has released Battlefield, the first single taken from her upcoming album Kings & Queens, out on 12 May. Featuring the legendary Sir Brian May on guitar, the track is available to stream and download now, while the album can be pre-ordered via Westway Music.

​​​​​​​Samantha Womack will star as Dorothy Brock, alongside Michael Praed as Julian Marsh, Faye Tozer as Maggie Jones, Les Dennis as Bert Barry and Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer in the UK tour of 42nd STREET.

Mercury Theatre has announced the full cast for their upcoming production of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. Adapted by Gale Childs Daly, McBryde directs Stanton Wright as Pip, alongside Bessy Ewa, Jim Fish, Gareth Kennerley, Sam Lupton and Emily Pollet.

The record-breaking production of Studio Ghibli's My Neighbour Totoro will return to the Barbican Theatre for a strictly limited run in Autumn 2023.

April has some truly exciting theatre in store. From Ryan Calais Cameron's new play about Sidney Poitier to a revival of Brian Friel's Olivier Award-winning play and one of Noël Coward's darkly comic masterpieces, BroadwayWorld has some brilliant recommendations for your theatrical delectation.

For all the gleeful whimsey and creative flare, this stage adaptation of Olga Tokarczuk’s critically acclaimed eco-thriller lacks bite

Giles Terera’s boldly inventive debut play The Meaning of Zong will make its London premiere at Barbican Theatre in April 2023, following its world premiere at Bristol Old Vic and visits to Liverpool and Edinburgh last year.

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, is nearly upon us. BroadwayWorld UK's editor Aliya Al-Hassan and reviewers Kerrie Nicholson and Cheryl Markosky discuss the main nominations: who should win, who will win and who missed out!

Exclusive presale: A Strange Loop, the ground-breaking and critically acclaimed winner of every ‘Best Musical’ award on Broadway and the Pulitzer Prize, bursts onto the stage of the Barbican this June for a one time only, limited season.

Returning to London with their double bill, Pioneers, Ballet Black continue to enhance their reputation as Britain’s most diverse and daring ballet company.  

Top stories: Happy opening night to A Doll's House, and happy First Preview to Life of Pi and Camelot, which begin on Broadway tonight!

A Strange Loop is headed to London this summer! The production will make its premiere at the Barbican Theatre 17 June - 9 September, running for a limited 12-week season.

​​​​​​​Olivier Award-winning actress Ruthie Henshall will star as Dorothy Brock, alongside Olivier-nominee Adam Garcia as Julian Marsh, stage and TV personality Les Dennis as Bert Barry and Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer in 42nd STREET at Curve, Leicester and Sadler's Wells.

A Doll's House is officially back on Broadway! This all new revival is led by Jessica Chastain, taking on the iconic role of 'Nora Helmer' in Henrik Ibsen's landmark drama. While Chastain is the latest star to portray Nora, many have done so before her. Here is a list of 10 actors you may not have known played Nora in A Doll's House!

The biggest night in theatre, the Olivier Awards, celebrates the brightest and best of London's world-leading theatre industry with a starry ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 2 April. Check out a full list of nominations!