It was a Super Saturday last night, 3 August 2024, in London’s West End as a number of high-profile shows – and stars – exited the London stage.
Chief amongst them was the completion of Jamie Lloyd’s new production of Romeo & Juliet at the Duke of York’s Theatre, finishing its short, sold-out run at the Duke of York’s starring Spider-Man’s Tom Holland as Romeo, and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers (Bad Education) as Juliet.
Anyone trying to navigate St Martin’s Lane probably won’t miss the nightly crowds to catch a glimpse of Tom Holland leaving the Stage Door of the Duke of York’s Theatre. But at least we don’t have to wait long for Jamie Lloyd to bring us more Shakespeare.
The award-winning director is returning to London in December to present a new season of Shakespeare at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, including The Tempest starring Sigourney Weaver and Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell.
Also exiting the London stage on Saturday was hit new Sheffield Theatres and National Theatre musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge, featuring a stellar cast that included Lauryn Redding, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Elizabeth Ayodele, Joel Harper-Jackson, Sharlene Hector, Mel Lowe, Baker Mukasa, Alastair Natkiel, Samuel Jordan and Rachael Wooding.
Written as a love letter to Sheffield and the city’s iconic Park Hill Estate, this 2023 Olivier Award-winning ‘Best New Musical’ was directed by outgoing Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director Robert Hastie and features songs by the legendary Sheffield singer-songwriter Richard Hawley and a a book by Chris Bush.
The musical attracted a legion of mega-fans who saw the show multiple times, and there’s much speculation about whether Standing at the Sky’s Edge will eventually wind up back in Sheffield and at the National.
Another high-profile actor who finished up on Saturday was The Crown’s Dominic West, who completed his run as Eddie in A View From the Bridge at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
Lindsay Posner’s revival of Arthur Miller’s classic American drama originally sold out the Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath, and then transferred to the Haymarket, also starring Kate Fleetwood as Beatrice, and Callum Scott Howells (It’s A Sin, Cabaret) as Rodolpho.
Finally, Gavin and Stacey writer and star Ruth Jones completed her West End debut run in Sister Act The Musical at the Dominion Theatre in London.
Ruth played Mother Superior in the joyous show, alongside Beverley Knight, and now Alexandra Burke, as Deloris van Cartier. The part of Mother Superior has now gone back to Lesley Joseph, performing alongside a cast that includes Lee Mead as Eddie Souther.
Sister Act The Musical is playing at the Dominion Theatre in London until 31 August 2024.
Book tickets to Sister Act in London
Other shows closing last night included Shakespeare’s Globe’s controversial production of Richard III starring Michelle Terry; and James Graham’s new stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s acclaimed TV drama Boys From the Blackstuff, which also played the National Theatre.
Boys From the Blackstuff is heading out on a short UK tour next year.
Other shows closing this month include 2:22 A Ghost Story – which finishes up today at the Gielgud Theatre; plus Denise Gogh in People, Places and Things, James Corden in The Constituent, and new musical Your Lie in April – all closing next weekend; and later in the month, FANGIRLS at the Lyric Hammersmith (24 August), the Donmar’s Skeleton Crew (24 August), A Chorus Line at Sadler’s Wells (25 August), and Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), Shrek The Musical and Sister Act – all on 31 August.
Check out our guide to All Shows Closing in London
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