This is London Magazine New Year Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 16
DITA VON TEESE RETURNS TO UK
The ever-reigning queen of
burlesque, Dita Von Teese, is set to
return to the UK’s grand stages this
month, captivating audiences with her
most enchanting show to date:
Nocturnelle, which will be hosted by
drag icon BenDeLeCreme.
With Nocturnelle, Dita unveils a
bewitching new vision – an exquisite
blend of old-Hollywood allure, theatrical
magic, and the high-art ‘Stripscapes’
Dita is known for. Inspired by the
magicians of the 19th century, this
production conjures a world of wonder
where sensuality meets magic.
The Nocturnelle tour follows Dita’s
record-breaking Glamonatrix tour which
remains the biggest touring burlesque
show of all time, spanning multiple
continents over a five-year period.
Renowned for producing the most lavish
touring burlesque shows in history, Von
Teese raises the bar yet again with a
production that is opulent, and richly
imaginative.
Often imitated but never duplicated,
Dita remains in a class of her own.
Dita said: ‘Nocturnelle is my most
glambitious show yet, It’s where
sophisticated striptease meets the
spellbinding art of illusion. Learning
from master magicians and diving into
the secrets of vintage magic, I set out to
create something uniquely enchanting...
it’s the art of the Teese, plus a little
trickery, and a whole lot of glitz.’
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
MCG Productions will present Once
On This Island in a dazzling one-nightonly concert at the iconic Theatre Royal
Drury Lane, on 8 February.
This star-studded evening features
Tony Award–winner Alex Newell
(Shucked, Chicago) reprising their role
as Asaka, Cedric Neal (Guys & Dolls,
Hadestown) as Agwe, WhatsOnStage
Award–winner Melanie La Barrie
(&Juliet, Wicked) as Papa Ge and
Dujonna Gift (Hamilton, Two Strangers)
as Ti Moune. Marisha Wallace (pictured
below) will play the role of Erzulie
having recently led the cast of Cabaret at
the Kitkat Club in the West End and on
Broadway and starring in many hit
musicals. Written by the Tony and
Olivier-winning team of Lynn Ahrens and
Stephen Flaherty, this is musical theatre
at its most electrifying.
Once on This Island bursts to life with
Caribbean colour, driving rhythms, and
the unstoppable pulse of folklore. The
story follows Ti Moune, a bold and
hopeful peasant girl who saves – and
falls in love with – Daniel, a boy from a
world far beyond her own. When destiny
shifts, she makes a daring pact with the
island gods, embarking on a journey of
love, loss, faith, and fearless hope.
A sweeping celebration of passion,
sacrifice, and the magic of community,
Once on This Island returns in this
unforgettable concert event – vibrant,
heart-stirring, and utterly unmissable.
www.lwtheatres.co.uk
LUCIE JONES RETURNS AS FANTINE
IN LES MISÉRABLES
Actress, singer and presenter
Lucie Jones will return to Boublil and
Schönberg’s musical sensation Les
Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre in
London’s West End from 19 January to
11 April. Jones will play Fantine, a role
she has already performed to great
acclaim in the West End and more
recently on the World Tour Arena
Spectacular.
Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent
iconic score of Les Misérables with
lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer includes the
classic songs, I Dreamed a Dream, On
My Own, Stars, Bring Him Home, Do
You Hear the People Sing?, One Day
More, Empty Chairs at Empty Tables,
Master Of The House and many more.
Several of its songs have become real
life anthems of revolution wherever in
the world people are fighting for their
freedom.
Les Misérables, which celebrated its
record-breaking 40th Birthday in the
West End last October, has been seen by
over 150 million people worldwide in
55 countries, 452 cities, and has been
translated into 22 languages. It has won
over 270 major awards around the
world, among which 5 Olivier Awards
(including a special recognition award in
April 2025), 8 Tony Awards and
5 Helpmann Awards.
Les Misérables is the longest running
and indisputably one of the most
popular musicals in the world.
T H I S I S L O N D O N M A G A Z I N E • T H I S I S L O N D O N O N L I N E • w w w. t i l . c o m • @ t h i s i s l o n d o n m a g
Photo: Johan Persson
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