This does mean there’s space for the excellent Abigail’s Party to transfer from the Menier Chocolate Factory, where it had a sold out run, to the larger Wyndham’s Theatre. Starring Jill Halfpenny, Joe Absolom and Natalie Casey (who’s hilarious), this is a brilliant new version of Mike Leigh’s classic comedy and should continue to make audiences cringe and chortle in equal measure now it’s in the West End.

Other new shows heading to London in the coming weeks are Six Actors In Search Of A Director, a new comedy written and directed by Steven Berkoff at the Charing Cross Theatre from 16 May; and Democracy, Sheffield Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Michael Frayn’s 2003 hit, at the Old Vic from 15 June.

Finally, have you ever fancied yourself as one of The Beatles? New West End theatrical concert, Let It Be, is running open auditions to find actor-musicians to play the fab four. Head to the Gielgud Theatre on 8 May to show off your talents; successful applicants will join the cast of Let It Be when it opens at the Prince of Wales Theatre in September this year.

London Cast News:

Star of American hit series Smash, Raza Jaffrey is to play the sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago from 16 May to 14 July this summer. He’ll then be replaced by Olympic gold medallist and Dancing On Ice judge Robin Cousins.

Lisa Dillon will star alongside Stephen Mangan in the Royal Court’s forthcoming production of Birthday, from 22 June. Joe Penhall’s tense new comedy is about a couple waiting for the arrival of their new baby.

You can find out all you need to know about London theatre, book tickets and read about all the shows on offer on our main website: visitlondon.com/events/theatre

Sad news to start this week: Million Dollar Quartet is closing. After nearly a year in the West End, the musical which celebrates the four greats of rock’n’roll (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins) will close on 14 January at the Noel Coward Theatre. (The producers are planning to take the production on a tour of the UK, so this isn’t necessarily the end for this show!)

Are you a fan of The Kings Speech? The Oscar-winning film actually started life as a play by David Seidler, which is happily being produced at the Richmond Theatre next March. The Kings Speech is directed by former RSC Artistic Director Adrian Noble and stars Charles Edwards as King George VI. I think it’ll make a fantastic play; can’t wait to see it!

And now this week’s cast news:

• Ugly Betty star America Ferrera will swap her trademark poncho and braces for fishnets next month when she makes her West End debut in Chicago at the Garrick Theatre as Roxie Hart
• Joely Richardson will become the third member of her incredible family to play Ellida in Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea, when she takes on the role at the Rose Theatre in Kingston next year
• The cast of Noises Off at the Old Vic has been announced: Celia Imrie, Janie Dee, Robert Glenister and Amy Nuttall are just some of the big names gracing the Old Vic stage this Christmas

More next week!

Last night I went to the preview of the Start Sustainable Pop Up Restaurant at Lancaster House, which opens today. We spotted a few celebrities there including Barbara Windsor, Jeff Banks and a man who used to be in Hollyoaks (we think!)

Start Pop Up Restaurant aims to offer sustainable dining in every aspect – from locally-sourced ingredients to reclaimed furniture and organic wine.

The most exciting aspect is its location in the beautiful Lancaster House which isn’t usually open to the public but may look familiar if you’ve seen The King’s Speech (it stood in for Buckingham Palace in the film). Lancaster House felt just as grand as the palace and it was a real treat just to walk through a small part of it.

The chance to dine in the Grand Hall at Lancaster House has proved so popular that reservations for lunch and dinner are almost fully booked, but there’s still the option to enjoy a sharing platter on the terrace overlooking the garden or drinks at the garden bar.

We really enjoyed having a nosey round the gardens and wondering whether Prince Charles would pop in from next door (Clarence House).  

The restaurant is only open until 31 July and is well worth a look. If you’re desperate to eat there, a few lunchtime slots are still available (book now!), or head over to the terrace or bar which don’t require a reservation.

Start Pop Up Restaurant, Lancaster House, 27-31 July, 11am-10.30pm

We asked our Facebook followers which London film locations they’ve visited.

Harry Potter film locations such as King’s Cross Station (Platform 9 3/4) and Charing Cross Road (the Leaky Cauldron pub) were popular, as well as sites from romantic comedies Notting Hill (the Travel Bookshop) and Bridget Jones’s Diary (Borough Market).

We also found out that The May Fair hotel features in Matt Damon’s new film, Hereafter – catch it in cinemas now.

Check out Film London’s map for more London movie locations and let us know which ones you’ve visited in the comments below.