New musicals festival MTFESTUK 2026 announces casting

Stars include Omari Douglas, Jodie Steele, Jasper Talbot, Bronté Barbé, Anjali Bhimani & Felicia Day

The festival for new musical theatre, MTFestUK, has announced full casting for the six new musicals to be featured in London.

MTFestUK 2026 is running at The Other Palace theatre in London from 27 January to 15 February 2026.

Each workshop performance is one hour long, and the six shows cover stories from digital-age communities and hotel-bound suspense, to witch-hunting, influencer pitfalls, a charming deceiver, and a new queer legend.

The festival started in 2019, and has championed bold, original musical theatre, with many works reaching full productions in the UK and beyond.

Casting for this year includes Bronté Barbé (Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder, Newsies), Jasper Talbot (The Line of Beauty, Inter Alia), Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Bombay Dreams), Felicia Day (Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Omari Douglas (Cabaret, It’s a Sin), Cheeyang Ng (MĀYĀ: The Musical), and Jodie Steele (Heathers The Musical).

MTFestUK 2026 – Line-up of shows

Shining in Misery: A King-Size Parody

Music: Andrew Abrams
Book & Lyrics: Mark-Eugene Garcia
Book: Colleen DuVall

Cast includes: Dominic Andersen (Heathers The Musical) as Danny Torrance / Tony Torrance / Orphan; Bronté Barbé (Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder) as Wendy Torrance / Twin Two / Rose The Hat; David-Michael Johnson (The Creakers) as Dick Halloran / Lloyd The Bartender / Randall Flag / Orphan; Aaron Pryce Lewis (The Phantom of the Opera) as Paul Sheldon / Barlow The Vampire; Catherine Millsom (Freaky Friday) as Nanny Annie Wilkes; Rachel Rawlinson (SIX The Musical) as Cujo / Orphan / Twin One; Steven Serlin (Heathers The Musical) as Andy Dufresne / Pennywise / Orphan; Jonathan Wagner (School of Rock, Broadway) as Jack Torrance.

Tuesday 27 January: 7pm
Wednesday 28 January: 5pm and 7pm
Thursday 29 January: 7pm

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Legendary

Book, Music & Lyrics: Cheeyang Ng

This one-person show stars award-winning singer-songwriter Cheeyang Ng (MĀYĀ: The Musical).

Saturday 30 January: 5pm and 7pm
Sunday 1 February: 5pm

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Tristan

Writer: Matt Jones
Composer: Kele Okereke

Cast includes: Aretha Ayeh (Romeo and Juliet) as Philly; Nicola Blackman (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice) as Cassandra; Ashley J. Daniels (Hamilton) as Tristan / Brandon; Ross Harmon (Get Down Tonight) as Drew; Jasper Talbot (The Line of Beauty) as Nick.

Tuesday 3 February: 7pm
Wednesday 4 February: 5pm and 7pm
Thursday 5 February: 7pm

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That Witch

Book, Music & Lyrics: Billy Cullum & Robert Tregoning

Cast includes: Omari Douglas (Cabaret); Bobbie Little (The Witches); Jenny O’Leary (Titanique); Keith Ramsay (Shucked).

Friday 6 February: 7pm
Saturday 7 February: 5pm and 7pm
Sunday 8 February: 5pm

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The Guild: The Musical

Based on the original series by Felicia Day
Book: Allison Frasca
Music: Mark Schenfisch
Lyrics: Sam Balzac

Cast includes: Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Bombay Dreams) as Avinashi; Cavin Cornwall (Andor) as Vork; Felicia Day (Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as Codex; Iván Fernández González (Heathers The Musical) as Bladezz; Emma Lindars (Robin Hood) as Clara; Emily Ooi (Just For One Day) as Tink; Nuwan Hugh Perera (The Lord of the Rings) as Zaboo.

Tuesday 10 February: 7pm
Wednesday 11 February: 5pm & 7pm
Thursday 12 February: 7pm

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GLIMMER

Book & Lyrics: Frankie Bunce
Music & Lyrics: Kat Kleve

Friday 13 February: 7pm
Saturday 14 February: 5pm and 7pm
Sunday 15 February: 5pm

Cast includes: Melanie-Joyce Bermudez (Bacchae) as Billie; Philippa Carson (Jack and the Beanstalk) as Gem / Gemma / Suzie; Shem Omari James (Dreamgirls) as Callum; Bridie Shine (Shakespeare N’ Love) as Rae; Jodie Steele (Heathers The Musical) as Anakiss / Thea

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Main photo: MTFest 2026 - Cast announced. Top L-R Jodie Steele, Omari Douglas,Bronté Barbé, Bottom L-R Jasper Talbot, Cheeyang Ng, Felicia Day (Photos via PR)