In the understated setting of the West End’s Century Club, around a hundred press and venue representatives gathered earlier this week to hear about the shows being planned this year by Thomas Hopkins Productions. The vast majority of these shows are being staged outside London (although he produced his first West End show at the age of 19).
The shows in focus at this event were Allegra (a new play starring Maureen Lipman), Glorious (a 20th anniversary revival of the story of Florence Foster Jenkins, starring Wendi Peters), Little Shop of Horrors (20 years after the last large professional production, 40 years after the release of the musical film), Taboo (in development with the in-demand Jack Holden of KENREX fame), The Talented Mr Ripley (touring until May 2026), and The Jonathan Larson Project.
The Jonathan Larson Project is coming over from the USA, presenting unheard songs from the oeuvre of the composer of Rent (who died very young on the night of that show’s first preview). We heard a song, “Love Heals” performed by Grace Mouat with singers from Guildford School of Acting. Inspirational and emotional, this show will run at Southwark Playhouse from 13 Jul to 22 Aug.
We heard a moving statement from Jonathan’s sister Julie, read by Thomas Hopkins (“This new celebration of my brother’s previously unheard music offers an intimate portrait of an artist who was truly ahead of his time, and we are deeply honoured to share it with you”). The Jonathan Larson Project will cast cover roles by open search – applicants must have no professional theatre credits and can apply via casting@robkellycasting.com with a CV.
Maureen Lipman, playwright Peter Quilter, and director/choreographer Stephen Mear all took to the stage to give a flavour of Allegra, a new comedy which will play on tour before it goes to the West End. Peter mentioned relatives living in residential homes as inspiration, while Maureen emphasied the need for “good things” to distract from the world outside: “a pretty scary and gloomy place”.
In Glorious (also written by Peter Quilter and previously starring Maureen Lipman), Wendi Peters plays Florence Foster Jenkins and Matthew James Morrison plays her accompanist, Cosmé McMoon. I spoke with both of them at the event in which Morrison describes Cosmé as “floored” by Florence’s (lack of) talent, and Peters emphasised the characters love of life, and the process of rehearsing songs straight and then performing them badly!
Little Shop of Horrors is long overdue a new production, and Thomas Hopkins told me of his excitement at Audrey “finally having power” in this version rather than portraying her as a victim, perhaps enhanced by having a female director, Carrie Anne Ingrouille. The production starts at Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester before moving to Liverpool Playhouse. Maisie Smith plays Audrey in Manchester, from 25 Sep to 29 Nov 2026, and Jessie Elland will take on the role in Liverpool, from 3 Dec 2026 to 9 Jan 2027. They are joined by Jed Berry as the unlikely hero, Seymour. All three gave a special performance of “Suddenly Seymour”, a “one morning only” experience.
This was a chance to network and celebrate what theatre has to offer. My thanks to the PR organisers, Kevin Wilson PR and Arabella Neville-Rolfe and team from ANR PR for organising such a slick event and allowing us ample time to watch, listen and create content.