Soaring, flying – the most searched Stage Names of May 2026

This May, it wasn’t only the weather that was hotting up!

These stage stars were getting a lot of heat on our website, with readers interested in learning more about them and their talents.

For those unaware, we are curating an ever-growing directory of who’s who in the West End and beyond – check out our progress so far here!

Without further ado, in alphabetical order, here are the top Stage Names from this month.

Katie Bird

The WhatsOnStage website was alive with the sound of music! We revealed the full cast for Opera North’s production of the classic musical, based on Nikolai Foster’s Christmas treat, which played at Curve last year. Katie Bird will take on the role of Maria at Leeds Grand Theatre from 9 July to 1 August 2026.

Paddy Bever

Meet the West End’s newest Henry Creel! Paddy Bever will join the cast of Stranger Things: The First Shadow as the WhatsOnStage Award-winning play continues to turn the Phoenix Theatre upside down.

Vivienne Carlyle

Forget Marilyn Monroe, for yet another month, Blood Brothers star Vivienne Carlyle has made our top ten!

Killian Donnelly

Les Misérables is continuing its 40th birthday celebrations with an epic arena tour and an all-star cast recording, featuring the one and only Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean. By the time you read this, you’ll be able to listen to the recording in full!

Daisy Harrison

It’s showtime for newcomer Daisy Harrison, who has joined the West End cast of Beetlejuice as standby Lydia Deetz!

The cast of High School Musical

They’re all in this together as the cast of the UK’s first-ever revival of High School Musical will first play at the Lowry before soaring, flying, across to London for a season. The cast features musical theatre faves, as well as a pop star and an original star of the film… They are McFly’s Harry Judd as Coach Bolton, alongside Tobias Turley, Leonor Correia, Caitlin Tipping and Luke Bayer as Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay and Ryan respectively, and KayCee Stroh as Ms Darbus.

Matty J

A massive month for Matty J, who not only received the golden buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent, but was revealed to be playing Annas in Jesus Christ Superstar this summer. Also ranking well are co-stars Desmonda Cathabel and Tyrone Huntley.

John Partridge

Ewe surely won’t want to miss John Partridge star as Hannibal Lecter in the world premiere stage play of The Silence of the Lambs! The show will open at Curve, Leicester ahead of a UK and Ireland tour.

Sidonie Smith

This queen of the night is unstoppable! Dancing with audiences across the UK as Rachel Marron in a new tour of The Bodyguard, Sidonie Smith is a regular on these lists.

Gabriel Vick

A Mrs Doubtfire tour is on the way, dears! Gabriel Vick will reprise his acclaimed role in the first-ever UK tour, kicking off later this year.