The theatre has announced a new season offering a view of humanity at its best, looking at a different vision of humankind: both human and kind. Artistic Directors Steve Marmion and Max Roberts are commissioning writers to create new short plays challenging the vision of our future. More details will be announced in March. For now, just think of it as something nice to look forward to in gloomy January.

If, like me, you’re missing TV talent shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Over the Rainbow, you’ll be pleased to hear Andrew Lloyd Webber is back, looking for a new star. Superstar will be screened on ITV, and is looking for a new British actor to play the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar for a new arena tour of the rock opera. Can’t wait.

Just two pieces of cast news this week:

• Olivier-award winning actress, Samantha Spiro, is to play at the Almeida Theatre in the title role of Eduardo De Filippo’s Filumena from 15 March
• Simon Rouse, best-known as Jack Meadows in The Bill, leads the cast in the Tricycle Theatre’s The Bomb – A Partial History from 9 February.

I’m off to the National Theatre now to see Travelling Light with Antony Sher. Have you seen any exciting theatre in London this week? Let us know in the comments below.