What You May Have Missed in London Theatre

From Quentin Tarantino’s stage debut to David Tennant’s first Almeida role, London theatre delivered several major announcements between 2 and 16 October 2026. Here are six stories worth catching up on.

Sacha Baron Cohen to lead Quentin Tarantino’s The Popinjay Cavalier

Quentin Tarantino will make his debut as a stage writer and director with The Popinjay Cavalier, a new swashbuckling comedy starring Sacha Baron Cohen.

Set in 1830s Europe, the play follows celebrated actor Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr. as a journey to Paris takes a dangerous turn. Previews begin at the Phoenix Theatre on 23 February 2027, with opening night on 18 March. The limited season is currently booking until 13 June, and further casting has yet to be announced.

Find out more about Tarantino and Baron Cohen’s West End debuts.

One Day – The Musical completes its West End cast

The complete company has been announced for One Day – The Musical, which begins performances at the Garrick Theatre on 17 November 2026.

Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose return as Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley. They are joined by a cast including Dan Buckley as Ian, Dougie Carter as Callum, Anna-Jane Casey as Alison Mayhew and Romona Lewis-Malley as Tilly.

Adapted from David Nicholls’ novel, the musical follows Emma and Dexter across two decades of friendship, love and missed opportunities. David Greig has written the book, with music and lyrics by Abner and Amanda Ramirez and direction by Max Webster.

Meet the complete West End cast of One Day – The Musical.

Glenn Close joins Jesus Christ Superstar as King Herod

Glenn Close will play King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 4 to 9 January 2027.

The role is being shared by a changing line-up of guest performers during the London season, including Matt Bomer, Rob Brydon, Reece Shearsmith, Michael Ball, Simon Russell Beale and Layton Williams. Sam Ryder stars as Jesus.

Because each King Herod appears for selected performances, audiences hoping to see Close—or another particular guest—should check the casting schedule before choosing a date.

See when Glenn Close is appearing in Jesus Christ Superstar.

Nanny McPhee The Musical is heading to the West End

Nanny McPhee The Musical will receive its world premiere at the Aldwych Theatre in November 2027.

Emma Thompson, who wrote and starred in the original film, has written the musical’s book. Gary Clark provides the music, with original lyrics by Thompson and Clark.

The production will be directed by Katy Rudd, whose credits include The Ocean at the End of the Lane, with choreography by Ellen Kane and set and costume design by Rob Howell. Casting and exact performance dates have not yet been announced.

Russell Tovey’s The Guilty transfers to the West End

After a sold-out run at the Donmar Warehouse, The Guilty will transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre for a limited season ending on 3 April 2027.

Russell Tovey returns as Joe, a police officer on desk duty who receives a desperate emergency call from a woman in danger. The one-person thriller unfolds in real time as Joe attempts to understand what is happening from a series of fragmented clues.

Chloë Moss adapted the play from Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen’s film Den Skyldige, with Felix Barrett returning to direct.

David Tennant will make his Almeida Theatre debut

David Tennant will play Archie Rice in a new production of John Osborne’s The Entertainer, directed by Dominic Cooke.

Scheduled for early 2028, the revival will be Tennant’s first production at the Almeida Theatre. It forms part of Cooke’s inaugural season as artistic director, which brings together new plays, major revivals and site-specific work.

Exact performance dates have not yet been announced, and the Almeida says tickets will go on sale in 2027.