Fry is perhaps better known as a TV presenter than an actor today, but I still remember him from Blackadder, Gosford Park and Wilde. And I’m thrilled he’s going to be performing alongside Mark Rylance and Samuel Barnett in Twelfth Night from September. It’s been rather a struggle to secure tickets online today, but if, like me, you were lucky enough to bag some, I think his Malvolio will be a real treat.

Details of other exciting casting comes from Les Mis this week. Three leading men will take the part of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables in 2012. Ramin Karimloo will continue to play the powerful lead until 31 March, when he’ll be replaced by a returning star: David Shannon (3 April to 16 June). The role will then be taken by West End newcomer Geronimo Rauch. Rauch may be new to the London production, but he’s played Valjean in Barcelona and previously played Marius in his native Argentina. He starts a year-long contract from 18 June.

My final piece of casting news for this week is Christopher Eccleston and Jodie Whittaker appearing at the National. Eccleston is one of my favourite actors, so I’m really excited to hear he’ll be playing Creon in Antigone from May this year. Whittaker plays the young niece, Antigone, doomed to be buried alive. It’s just one in a long list of exciting appearances at the National Theatre this summer: look out for Adrian Lester, Julie Walters, Cillian Murphy and Rory Kinnear take leading roles at the venue in coming months.

Elsewhere, the Young Vic has announced details of its upcoming season. From June, the theatre will offer Simon Stephens’ new updated version of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, directed by Carrie Cracknell. A Doll’s House will be followed by another updated classic, Three Sisters (from September), directed by Australian director Benedict Andrews. For more details of the venue’s forthcoming season, head to their website.

Happy 1000th performance to smash-hit musical Grease for last night!

Since its premiere in 2007, this production of Grease has been seen by nearly 900,000 theatregoers at London’s Piccadilly Theatre. It celebrated its second birthday this July, and is now the longest running show in Piccadilly Theatre’s history; tickets for the production are currently on sale until September 2010.

Marking the occasion, the show has announced a new class coming to Rydell High in January, including Siobhan Dillon as Sandy. You’ll remember Siobhan from the BBC’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? in 2006. (She came third.)

Siobhan’s been in Grease before, playing the wonderful Patty Simcox in 2007. Since then, she’s been in Cabaret and recorded a couple of albums. She’ll be playing Sandy alongside another talent show success story, Noel Sullivan as Danny, from 25 January.

In other cast news, a third former talent show star is coming to the West End next year. Niamh Perry, who came fifth in I’d Do Anything, is to appear in the eagerly anticipated Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new musical. Other cast members already announced include Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Joseph Millson, Liz Robertson and Summer Strallen. Can’t wait.

Finally, fans of Morecambe currently playing in the West End can pick up tickets to a similarly dad-pleasing, old-fashioned-variety-inspired show. If gags like “I got a new car for the wife yesterday… Not a bad swap” tickle your funny bone, don’t miss Jus’ Like That! A Night Out With Tommy Cooper in the new year. Actor Clive Mantle will be playing the legendary Tommy Cooper on a six-month tour beginning on 8 February.

London venues for Jus’ Like That include Beck Theatre, the Tabard Theatre, Fairfield Halls, the Rose Theatre and Queens Theatre. Altogether now: I’m on a whisky diet – I’ve lost three days already. Boom, boom.

Favourite Tommy Cooper gag? Let us know in the comments below…