If, like me, your social media feed is filled with stagey news and gossip you’ll know that there have been some amazing announcements lately regarding the UK theatre scene. From Broadway transfers, to brand new adaptions, 2022 is looking set to be a fantastic year for theatre in the UK. Here are just a few of the shows I’m most excited to see make their mark on the UK theatre scene this year:
Jagged Little Pill
It’s been confirmed that the Broadway hit Jagged Little Pill will mark its UK premiere in the West End this Autumn. The musical, featuring the hits of multi-award winning Alanis Morissette, first wowed audiences in America in 2019. The show has since gone on to win two Tony awards in 2021. Navigating issues such as racism, substance abuse and gender identity, the show has not gone without its controversies. As long as the same mistakes are not repeated during a UK run (there is certainly plenty of incredible appropriate talent for the casting directors to choose from), this won’t be a show to miss.
Passion
The Olivier Award-winning Ruthie Henshall is set to star in a reimagining of the late, great Stephen Sondheim’s Passion at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester. I’m particularly excited for this production as the Hope Mill is a fantastic local venue and Ruthie Henshall is a personal favourite performer. The show, cited one of Sondheim’s most romantic works, will be directed by Michael Strassen whose previous works include Assassins and the Godspell 50th Anniversary Concert. Described as a “ravishing and thought-provoking look at the lengths people go for desire”, Passion explores the repurcussions of Fosca’s (Henshall) obsessive love for a young soldier. Performances of Passion at the Hope Mill begin on May 5th. This is certainly one of many theatre shows I can’t wait to see in 2022!
Newsies
I feel like this is the news that all musical theatre fans have been waiting a long time for: Newsies is coming to the UK! Inspired by the Newsboys Strike of 1899, the fan favourite follows Jack Kelly, a news boy who dreams of being an artist somewhere far away from New York. With music from the acclaimed Alan Menken, reports have confirmed that the show will mark its professional debut in London by the end of the year. Can’t wait that long? You can watch the Broadway show, starring Jeremy Jordan, on Disney Plus now.
Legally Blonde
Making a comeback in 2022, this new production of Legally Blonde directed by Lucy Moss (co-writer and co-director of SIX) is set to kick off the 2022 season at Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre. The musical, with music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin (Heathers and Mean Girls), is based on the iconic 2001 flick starring Reese Witherspoon. Following Elle Woods, a stereotypical blonde sorority sister from Malibu, the musical tells the story of how her determination proves her doubters wrong at the prestigious Harvard Law School. The show previously ran successfully in London’s West End, opening at the Savoy Theatre in 2009 with Sheridan Smith taking on the iconic role of Elle Woods. Subsequent professional UK productions followed, including two national tours with the most recent, starring Lucie Jones, ending in 2018. As one of my favourite musicals, I’m very excited to see what Moss will bring to the new 2022 revival of this modern classic.
Billy Elliot
A brand new production of the smash hit Billy Elliot The Musical is set to take the stage at Leicester’s Curve Theatre. Directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Lucy Hind (Girl from the North Country) the show will play a limited run between 7 July to 14 August 2022. Based on Stephen Daldry‘s acclaimed 2000 film, with music by Elton John and book and lyrics by Lee Hall, the show tells the tale of a boy from 1980s Durham with a talent for ballet. Featuring incredible songs such as Solidarity, The Letter, He Could Be a Star and the show-stopping Electricity, the musical, which first debuted at London’s Vicoria Palace Theatre in 2005, will get a new look for 2022 in this ‘Made At The Curve’ production.
Above are just a handful of the wonderful productions premiering in the UK throughout 2022. After a tough few years for the industry, it is promising to see so many new and returning shows exploding on to the UK theatre scene. What shows are you most excited about in 2022? Leave a comment below if you plan to see any of the shows mentioned, or perhaps you’re off to see another show to be excited about in 2022!