The new musical based on 80’s movie The Karate Kid has announced casting.
The Karate Kid – The Musical is embarking on its first UK tour this year, starting at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 28 April 2026, and then visiting Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Sheffield, Sunderland, Birmingham, and Cardiff, with further dates to be announced.
See all dates and tour info. The show is also off to Toronto from September to November 2026, ahead of a planned West End run.
The show is based on the classic 1984 Columbia Pictures film, with the new stage adaptation reimagining Daniel LaRusso’s journey of friendship, discipline and self-belief. Through his mentor Mr Miyagi, Daniel learns that karate isn’t about fighting – it’s about balance, respect and perseverance.
The Karate Kid The Musical – Casting announced. Photo by Matt Crockett
The cast of The Karate Kid
The cast of The Karate Kid The Musical is led Adrian Pang (Salesman in China), who will lead the company as Mr Miyagi, with Gino Ochello (Roles We’ll Never Play) as Daniel LaRusso, and Abigail Amin (Ink) as Ali Mills
The principal cast also features Joe Simmons (Cruel Intentions) as Johnny Lawrence, Matt Mills (MJ The Musical) as John Kreese, Sharon Sexton (Bat Out of Hell The Musical) as Lucille LaRusso, and Finley Oliver (Get Down Tonight) as Freddie Fernandez.
The ensemble includes Ambra Caserotti, Johndeep More, Ria Tanaka, Elena Breschi, Aden Dzuda, Elliott Evans, El Haq Latief, Isaac J Lewis, Emily Rose-Davis, Aaron Archer, Dylan Blake-Colbet, Serenar Douch, Esme Rothero and Sok-Ho Trinh.
More about The Karate Kid
- The hugely successful Karate Kid franchise includes five movies, plus Karate Kid: Legends last year, and the current hit Netflix show Cobra Kai.
- Expect to see iconic moments from the film in the new stage show, including the “wax on, wax off” lessons and thrilling tournament sequences, brought to the stage with cinematic flair.
- The musical features a book by Robert Mark Kamen, who wrote the original screenplay inspired by his own life, and music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini (We Aren’t Kids Anymore).
- The Karate Kid is directed by Amon Miyamoto.
- The musical’s wider creative team includes choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, set design by Derek McLane, costume design by Ayako Maeda, lighting design by Bradley King, sound design by Kai Harada, projection design by Peter Nigrini, orchestrations by John Clancy, music supervisor and arrangements by Andrew Resnick, wigs and hair design by Tommy Kurzman.
- The Karate Kid The Musical is produced by Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore, Kenny Wax, Michael Wolk, Jack Lane and Leo Stages.
- Browse more shows based on film & TV shows here
- Looking for more shows on tour? Browse all West End shows on tour across the UK.
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