Thursday, 5 February 2026

Theatre Shows Launch Thomas Hopkins Productions - Launch 2026 Century Club, London


February 4th 2026 saw the casting announcements for new and exciting productions from award-winning film, theatre, television and radio producer Thomas Hopkins Productions. The upcoming UK stage productions are Allegra, The Jonathan Larson Project, Glorious and Little Shop of Horrors.

Dame Maureen Lipman who is touring in this title role for the first time in 20 years, launches the world premier of Allegra by Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow, Glorious!) also in time to be celebrating her 80th birthday, which also feels pivotal in celebrating her life, happy moments and milestones. Allegra opens at Theatre Royal Brighton on 12th May in a co-production with SAMS entertainment. Further casting announcements includes John Middleton as Ronen, Elizabeth Bower as Anna and Bailey Patrick as PC. Directed and choreographed by Stephen Mear, who is back reuniting with Lipman  after working together on the 1998 National Theatre revival of Oklahoma. I was privileged to hear from Lipman herself at the launch what this new production means to her, 

" When this play came along I just thought, well, my late husband Jack used to say about me, if she's not singing watch out! Although I can't really sing, I can if necessary!" 

Allegra tours the UK from Tuesday 12th May, 2026 and there is the exciting prospect of a West End run in the pipeline. The production is a moving comedy with spectacular song and dance sequences, but is also a touching and emotional examination of how, sometimes, the most beautiful of minds can start to disappear. I also managed to catch up briefly with Middleton (Ronen) who is best known for playing Rev Ashley Thomas in ITV's Emmerdale from 1996 to 2017 and who recently took on the role of resident baddie, Fraser "Froggy" Black Sr. in Hollyoaks. We spoke about the acting world and how it feels to be playing this new role in Allegra. Middleton shared his excitement and also how proficient he is at line learning - a real skill as I myself have experienced in the past when I have been in plays. Being off book on day one of rehearsals is no mean feat as Middleton said he tends to be. I sensed Emmerdale played a big part in his life, how could it not, him being almost part of the scenery for so many years. Relationships formed and his pivotal and emotional demise to his character. We spoke about the emotional aspect of acting and stepping into roles helping us feel emotions that perhaps as ourselves can be a little more challenging and I am really looking forward to seeing Middleton's portrayal of Ronan on stage. 

Quilter said, 

"Maureen is one of the greatest theatrical treasures of this country, and to have her bring Allegra to life is a joy and an honour." 

Next, making its UK premier is The Jonathan Larson Project, a show about a young man following his heart in New York City trying to change the world. The show offers a rare and exhilarating window into Larson’s creative world, featuring previously unheard songs from the late composer’s archives. They illuminate the artistry, activism, and restless imagination of one of musical theatre’s most influential voices. The 2026 London production holds special significance, marking 30 years since Jonathan Larson’s death in January 1996 from an aortic dissection just one day before Rent’s first performance in New York.
Jonathan Larson’s family said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring Jonathan’s lesser-known music to a British audience. His spirit is very much alive in all these songs and, although written long ago, the work remains more relevant now than ever"
Conceived by Jennifer Ashley Tepper, directed by John Simpkins with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, castings have been announced with Max Harwood, Marcus Collins. Michael Mather, Grace Mouat and Imelda Warren-Green. The producers alongside the productions Emmy nominated casting director, Rob Kelly also announced an open application search for two cover roles, inviting performers to audition. The production, directed by Simpkins, begins performances on Thursday 9th July at Southwark Playhouse, Borough SE1, in a strictly limited season through 22nd August to commemorate 30 years since the composer’s death. Simpkins said,
“Jonathan Larson changed the face of musical theatre. It is an enormous honour to be entrusted with directing this new production in the UK following our success off Broadway.”
Wendi Peters and Eastenders' Matthew James Morrison will star in the 20th anniversary UK tour of the hit West End comedy, Glorious! By Peter Quilter.  It follows the true story of American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins (Peters), dubbed 'the worst singer in the world' and Florence’s journey as she prepares for her concerts, and builds an unlikely friendship with her accompanist, Cosme, where she defies her critics to follow her dreams. In this 20th anniversary production, the hilarious production played to rave reviews at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre and is the feel-good comedy we’ve been waiting for. I caught up with stage and screen star Peters who is best known for her long-running role as Cilla Battersby in the ITV soap Coronation Street. Peters is so enthusiastic about playing Florence Foster Jenkins and I really heard her excitement when she talks about the role. One aspect she has found interesting and challenging all at once is the singing. Now Peters is a musically trained actress and singing well comes easily to her, but singing badly not so much. New vocal and unused muscles have been sharpened and its been a really learning curve singing in a way Peters has not done before. Peters warmth as a person shone through and I am looking forward to seeing this 2oth anniversary production. Glorious! wowed audiences in its original Olivier-nominated West End long-running production starring Maureen Lipman in 2005, before coming to the silver screen, starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant in the film version of the play that critics simply called “GLORIOUS!” The show has since been seen by millions of people around the world, translated into 25 languages, and performed in 36 countries. Glorious runs from 10th February until 6th June at various venues with more Theatres to be announced.
A further cast announcement was made for Little Shop Of Horrors, directed by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and is based on a 1960 film. It features songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman and was adapted into a 1986 movie. The horror-comedy rock musical follows a florist who raises a man-eating plant from space. It premiered Off-Off-Broadway in 1982, then Off-Broadway, and became a cult hit, with a new off-Broadway revival continuing to this day. The new production, co-produced by Hope Mill Theatre and Thomas Hopkins, will run in Manchester and Liverpool in the autumn of 2026. The casting director is Rob Kelly. Casting has been announced as Maisie Smith to star as Audrey at Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre from Friday 25th September 2026 - Sunday 29th November 2026. Jessie Elland will also star as Audrey at Liverpool Playhouse from Thursday 3rd December 2026 - Saturday 9th January 2027. The all-star cast also includes Jed Berry, Michael Starke, and Benjamin Yates. 
Hopkins said, 
“I have loved Little Shop of Horrors from the first moment I heard of Howard Ashman and Alan Menkens’ opening bars of music, and producing this rival is a lifelong dream. I can’t wait for the world to see our new and exciting production!” 
Joseph Houston, artistic director of the Hope Mill Theatre said, “At Hope Mill theatre we are thrilled to be bringing the classic Little Shop of Horrors to our stage and to Manchester. Over the past decade we have produced many exciting musical premieres and revivals, and Little Shop has long been on our bucket list of musicals to bring to life in our space, and the time has never felt more right. Once again working alongside our producing partner Thomas Hopkins, this is sure to be a special collaboration on an equally special musical production.”
So, some wonderful, new and exciting productions around  the corner to see and I was delighted to witness the coming together of many creatives to announce casting and tickets are selling fast. 
Full tour details and websites below:
Reporter/Reviewer - Mary Fogg 
On - 4th February  2026

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