By James Inverne
14 Nov 2003

The West End has seemed a rather static place in recent times, at least so far as many of the big musical-theatre venues are concerned. But the freeing up of the New London after 21 years of Cats is soon to be followed by some more venue-hopping.

  The Abba-musical, Mamma Mia, is due to close at the Prince Edward Theatre on May 22, 2004, after more than five years residence. But the show’s many fans need not despair. It opens the very next week (on May 27) at the Prince of Wales Theatre (fresh from its £7 million makeover).

Meanwhile the much-hyped Cameron Mackintosh – Disney co-production of Mary Poppins is expected to fly into the Prince Edward in the autumn. Casting is still unknown, though Joanna Riding seems to be favorite among the rumor-mongers (with Ruthie Henshall and emerging star Laura Michelle Kelly – who recently played Eliza Doolittle for Mackintosh and is set for Fiddler On The Roof on Broadway - also reportedly strong contenders).

Meanwhile, Les Miserables will finally leave its barricades at the Palace Theatre, to continue the fight at the Queen’s Theatre. And Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest musical, The Woman In White, will move into the Palace.