The West End-bound revival of hit Broadway musical Something Rotten! has announced full casting for its Manchester run.
West End and Broadway star Marisha Wallace (Cabaret, Waitress, Dreamgirls, Guys & Dolls) is reprising her performance as leading lady Bea, having starred in the London concert production.
In a full-circle moment, Marisha also performed in the ensemble of the show on Broadway at the beginning of her stage career.
Marisha joins the already-announced stars Jason Manford (Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Nick Bottom, and Richard Fleeshman (Company, Ghost the Musical, The Sandman, Riot Women) as William Shakespeare.
Something Rotten! Manchester. Marisha Wallace. Photo via production
All three were in the UK premiere concert production at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 2024.
Full casting announced
The show will also feature recent West End star Cory English (Back to the Future) as Nostradamus, and Cassius Hackforth (Something Rotten!) as Nigel Bottom.
The cast also includes Carla Dixon-Hernandez as Portia, Gareth Davies as Shylock, Chad Saint Louis as Troubadour, Paul Ryan as Brother Jeremiah and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure as Lady C. The Troupe features Andrew Davison, Dylan Collymore, Jordan Cambridge-Taylor, Richard James-Neale and Paul Kemble.
The Something Rotten! company is completed by Stephanie Costi, Robert Donnelly, Zac Frieze, Samuel How, Bailey Johnson, Jessica Keable, Rhys Lambert, Sara Morley, Indiya Payne, Hannah Petley, and Rina Punwani.
The musical comedy is opening at Manchester Opera House this summer, for a strictly limited run from 16 June to 19 July 2026.
“I’m beyond thrilled to have been cast in the UK premiere of Something Rotten! It was pure joy to be a part of this hilarious musical on Broadway a decade ago – so now, to be joining this incredible company for the first time that UK audiences will get to see it, is a full-circle moment in the best way. I can’t wait to dive back in!” – MARISHA WALLACE
Producers of the show have also previously teased a West End run for the show, although there are currently no details of venue, dates or casting.
More about Something Rotten!
Something Rotten! is a riotous mash-up of Elizabethan drama and showbiz satire, following brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom as they attempt to out-write Renaissance rockstar Will Shakespeare by inventing an entirely new theatrical form: the musical!
This new UK production is directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson (Merrily We Roll Along, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York), and produced by Broadway and West End impresario Kevin McCollum (Avenue Q, Rent) and Joshua Andrews (JAS Theatricals).
Something Rotten! is written by John O’Farrell (Mrs Doubtfire The Musical) and Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, James and the Giant Peach) with music and lyrics by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick (Change the World, Every Heartbeat).
Set in the 1590s, Something Rotten! centres on two playwright brothers struggling to compete with Shakespeare’s superstardom. When a soothsayer predicts a revolutionary future in which actors sing, dance and act at the same time, the Bottom brothers set out to create the world’s first musical — with chaotic, glittering consequences.
Book tickets to Something Rotten! in Manchester
Plan your visit
- Theatre: Manchester Opera House, Manchester, UK
- Manchester Dates: 16 June to 19 July 2026
- London Dates: There are currently no details about the London run of the show – sign-up for alerts.
Post updated: 27 April 2026 with full casting details; First published: 20 April 2026, with news of Marisha Wallace.
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