Words by Léna Fontaine

Picture : all rights reserved.

As summer waved goodbye, it’s time for brand new shows to open in the west end. If shows like Wicked, Hamilton or Waitress have already established their popularity, new-comers are always welcome. Theatre fans, buckle up, we’ve picked for you 5 shows you should see if you fancy a little trip down Shaftesbury Avenue.

Dear Evan Hansen – The Noel Coward Theatre

The heart-warming story of Even, a boy who is unable to connect with those around him. After the death of a classmate, nothing was meant to happen this way for the young boy. He fabricates a letter and a lie that will give him the thing he needed: being seen and fitting in. The multi-Tony Awards winning Broadway musical is coming to the West End’s Noël Coward Theatre this fall with preview starting on October 29, 2019 and an opening night on november 19, 2019.

The cast includes Sam Tutty in the title role, Lucy Anderson as Zoe Murphy and Doug Colling as Connor Murphy. Rebecca McKinnis will play Heidi Hansen, Lauren Ward will play Cynthia opposite Rupert Young as Larry Murphy, parents to Zoe and Connor. Finally, the roles of Jared and Alana will be respectively played by Jack Loxton and Nicole Raquel Dennis!

& Juliet – Shaftesbury Theatre

Irreverent and funny, & Juliet is THE musical the West End was waiting for. Following the path of “SiX”, the show is all about rewriting the story and making it all about girls. What if Juliet Capulet never died or what if her ending was truly just her beginning? She is choosing her own fate so don’t you dare telling her how it ends. Including pop anthem like “…Baby One More Time”, ‘Everybody (Backstreet”s Back)”, “Can’t Feel My Face” or “Love Me Like You Do”, & Juliet is as fierce as fun! Who thought there wasn’t a life after Romeo ? Not her!

Previews for this show will starts on november 2, 2019 and it will open at the Shaftesbury Theatre on Novembre 20, 2019.

The cast includes Miriam-Teak Lee as Juliet and Jordan Luke Gage as Romeo. Also in the cast are Grace Mouat, Cassidy Janson, Oliver Tompsett, Arun Blair-Mangat, Melanie La Barrie, Tim Mahendran, David Bedella, Jocasta Almgill, Alex Tranter, Alishia-Marie Blake, Ivan De Freitas, Rhian Duncan, Danielle Fiamanya, Kieran Lai, Josh Baker, Nathan Lorainey-Dineen, Jaye Marshall, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kerri Norville, Christopher Parkinson, Dillon Scott-Lewis and Kirstie Skivington.

Mary Poppins – Prince Edward Theatre

Oh, everyone’s favorite movie as a kid. Since its world premiere in 2004, Mary Poppins has delighted audiences around the world, so it meant only one thing: it was time for a grand return to the West End. Featuring music and lyrics by the Sherman Brothers, with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the show is based on the children’s book by P. L. Travers and the 1964 Disney film of the same name. The show with a book by Julian Fellows will open on november 13, 2019 with previews starting on October 23, 2019.

The cast includes Zizi Strallen as Mary Poppins, Charlie Stemp as Bert, Petula Clark as The Boird Woman, Joseph Millson as George Banks, Amy Griffiths as Winifred Banks, Claire Moore as Miss Andrew, Claire Machin as Mrs Brills, Jack North as Robertson Ay and Barry James as Admiral Bloom.

Soho Cinders – Charring Cross Theatre

Loosely based on the story of “Cinderella”, Soho Cinders is a modern musical fable that is set and celebrates the London district of Soho which mixes politics, sex-scandals and true love. The story is about impoverished student Robbie, who is paying for his college bills in a somewhat unorthodox way, falling in love with the engaged prospective mayoral candidate James Prince. Watch their story unfolds in this naughty and satirical twist of the classic fairytale from October 28, 2019.

The cast includes Luke Bayer, Millie O’Connell, Lewis Asquith, Tori Hargreaves, Ewan Gillies, Michaela Stern, Natalie Harman, Christopher Coleman, Ben Darcy, Luke Byrne, Danny Lane, Thomas Ball, Melissa Rose, Savannah Reed, Laura Fulgenzi, Jade Bailey.

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe – Bridge Theatre

Step into the wardrobe this winter and discover the magical world of Narnia on stage. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch. A once in a lifetime experience that shouldn’t be missed if you are a fans of the books and movies of the same name. Do yourself a favor and go meet those peculiar talking creatures. The show will run from november 9, 2019 to february 2nd, 2020.

The cast includes Femi Akinfolarin as Peter, Keziah Joseph as Lucy, John Leader as Edmund and Shalisha James-Davis as Susan. Also in the cast are Laura Elphinstone, Shalisha James-Davis, Wil Johnson and Stuart Neal as Mr Tumnus.