A slew of screen stars have made appearances on London’s West End over the years.
And while many actors and actresses have launched their careers in theatre, some have been seen making a return and others have surprised fans with their recent debuts.
One star set to make his return is Tom Holland as he prepares to feature in a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet after his success as Spider-man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Meanwhile, Cara Delevingne, Felicity Huffman and Sarah Jessica Parker are making their theatre debuts as they also trade the bright lights of Hollywood for live productions.
Here, takes a look at some famous faces who will be gracing the West End in 2024.
From Tom Holland’s return to the stage to Cara Delevingne, Felicity Huffman and Sarah Jessica Parker’s stage debuts. takes a look at some famous who will grace the West End (Tom pictured this month)
Tom Holland
Tom Holland has announced his return to the West End in a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo And Juliet.
The film and TV star, 27, best known for playing Peter Parker in the latest Spider-Man movies, will portray Romeo Montague in the Jamie Lloyd Company’s version of the romantic tragedy.
Director Lloyd, 43, said: ‘Tom Holland is one of the greatest, most exciting young actors in the world.
‘It is an honour to welcome him back to the West End.’
Tom made his stage debut as a child when he starred in Billy Elliot The Musical at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London in 2008.
Romeo And Juliet will mark his first West End role as an adult.
Romeo And Juliet is a story that has been staged hundreds of times on the West End and The Crown actor Josh O’Connor and Irish star Jessie Buckley appeared in a version of the play, filmed for TV inside the National Theatre in 2021.
Other actors to have played Romeo on stage include Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch, The Lord Of The Rings actor Sir Ian McKellen, Game Of Thrones’ Sean Bean and Bodyguard actor Richard Madden.
Romeo And Juliet will run at the Duke Of York’s Theatre from May 11 to August 3.
Further casting is yet to be announced and general booking opens to the public on February 13 at 12pm.
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne is set to make her stage debut in London’s famed West End Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre next month in a role made famous by Liza Minnelli
Cara Delevingne is set to make her stage debut in London’s famed West End Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre next month.
The actress and model, 31, will appear alongside Olivier award-winning Luke Treadaway – who will star as The Emcee.
She is taking on the role of Sally Bowles – made famous by Liza Minnelli in the 1972 film version – during a 12-week run, starting next month.
And thrilled to grace the iconic stage, Cara has said ‘there are no words to explain her excitement’.
The duo will be performing for three whole months from March 11 right up until June 1 2024.
Cara and Luke will be taking over from Jake Shears and Rebecca Lucy, who are currently performing until March 9.
Speaking about her exciting new stint, Cara said: ‘There are no words to explain the excitement I have to return home to make my stage debut in such an iconic role.
‘I am so inspired by the brilliant actors who have played Sally in past productions around the world and in this one in the West End.
‘I cannot wait to be a part of this brilliant cast and production.’
Luke added: ‘I can’t wait to become a member of the Kit Kat Club and join this extraordinary production. It’s a huge thrill to be asked to take this on and I’m very excited to get started.’
Felicity Huffman
Felicity Huffman, 61, is set to make her UK stage debut Hir at London’s Park Theatre as she makes a comeback following her conviction as part of a college admissions scandal
The Desperate Housewives star said she is ‘still processing’ after serving 11 days in prison for fraud in 2019, but is preparing to star in a revival of the Taylor Mac comedy (pictured at federal court in Boston in 2019)
Felicity Huffman is set to make her UK stage debut as she makes her acting comeback following her conviction for a college admissions scandal.
The Desperate Housewives star, 61, said she is ‘still processing’ after serving 11 days in prison for fraud in 2019, but is preparing to star in a revival of the Taylor Mac comedy play titled Hir at London’s Park Theatre.
Felicity will play Paige, the radical and liberated mother of a transgender son, marking one of her first acting roles since the Varsity Blues scandal.
‘I did a pilot for ABC recently that didn’t get picked up. It’s been hard,’ she told The Guardian.
‘Sort of like your old life died and you died with it. I’m lucky enough to have a family and love and means, so I had a place to land.’
She nominated for an Academy Award in 2006 for playing a trans woman in the drama Transamerica, a role she said she ‘wouldn’t be able to do now’ amid the debate around authentic casting.
‘I think we should reflect the audience and that’s got to include everybody. There has been such inequity for so long and now the pendulum must swing the other way. But I hope it leads to a situation where anyone can play anything,’ she said.
Felicity added in a statement to West End Theatre: ‘I’m honoured to get to work with Steve Kunis and to perform at the Park Theatre.
‘As an ardent fan of Taylor Mac I’m so thrilled I get to act in one of Taylor’s brilliant plays.
‘I studied in London back in the palaeolithic era and it has been a dream of mine to come back here and work someday. I’m a lucky gal.’
Hir will run at the Park Theatre from February 15 until March 16.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Just weeks ago Sarah Jessica Parker made her West End debut in Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre in London (pictured on stage)
Just weeks ago Sarah Jessica Parker made her West End debut in Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre in London.
The actress has been met with a slew of scathing two star reviews following the show’s debut in December.
Plaza Suite, in which Sarah features alongside her real life husband Matthew Broderick, was unveiled at the Savoy Theatre in front of a slew of stars in the wake of uproar over the obscenely priced tickets.
The revival of Neil Simon’s triptych of sketches, which the couple took to the Broadway stage previously, is directed by John Benjamin Hickey and helmed by the superstar couple, aged 58 and 61 respectively, who have been married since 1997.
The plays, all set in suite 719 in New York’s Plaza Hotel, are called Visitor From Mamaroneck, Visitor From Hollywood and Visitor From Forest Hills – and while the fusty stories were criticised, the couple were praised for carrying the play.
With top-end tickets reaching nearly £400, nearly every review gave a nod to the price tag, with a gaping divide among critics as to whether it is worth it for the SATC star and her spouse, who returns to the West End after The Starry Messenger in 2019.
The website for the play, originally performed on Broadway’s Plymouth Theatre in 1968, lists: ‘A delightfully witty exploration of love and marriage, Plaza Suite had New York City audiences enchanted with its charm and its starry cast….
‘Now, from January 2024, London’s West End gets the chance to witness two world-class performers and Hollywood icons transform into three unique couples, each finding themselves entangled in hilariously outlandish situations within the walls of the legendary Plaza Suite hotel room.’
The three stories go as followed: ‘Karen and Sam are a long-married pair whose relationship may be headed for an early checkout. Muriel and Jesse are former high school sweethearts who seem destined for an extended stay…
‘And Norma and Roy are the mother and father of the bride, ready to celebrate their daughter’s nuptials — if only they can get her out of the bathroom’.
The Daily Mail’s Patrick Marmion wrote: ‘You want showbiz? You want celebrity? You want reassuringly expensive A-lister stardust?..
‘Here it comes in the shape of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, with their hit Broadway production of Neil Simon’s Sixties comedy about marriages teetering on the brink in a New York hotel room…
‘With a few tickets retailing at an eye-watering £300 (decent seats are £75-125 and good ones £200), it’s pulling a notably well-heeled crowd – TV favourite Hannah Waddingham was among the guests at the gala performance last night…
‘And I’m not sure who’s stooping lower with the Moet & Chandon vending machines – the producers, the punters or the wine-makers. But John Benjamin Hickey’s production doesn’t scrimp on the stage set.’
Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage has transformed into Morticia Addams’ ahead of her performance on the West End
New pictures show Michelle in her costume and makeup, looking the spitting image of the Morticia character (pictured left and Anjelica Huston as Morticia in 1991 right)
Michelle Visage has transformed into Morticia Addams’ ahead of her performance on the West End.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star, 55, is set to star in The Addams Family: The Musical Comedy live in concert at the London Palladium next month.
She is appearing opposite Ramin Karimloo as Gomez Addams and Lesley Joseph in the role of Grandma.
New pictures show Michelle in her costume and makeup, looking the spitting image of the Morticia character.
She donned a long black witch-like dress, with flowing tattered sleeves and a plunging neckline, showing off her cleavage.
The play is based on the fictional family created by American cartoonist Charles Addams in the 1930s, who have a love for the macabre.
The musical was created by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice in 2009 and has been nominated for two Tony Awards.
The synopsis reads: ‘Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and has a shocking secret that only Gomez knows; she’s fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family!
‘Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before — keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia.
‘Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents.’
The RuPaul ‘s Drag Race star, 55, is set to star in The Addams Family: The Musical Comedy live in concert at the London Palladium next month alongside Ramin Karimloo