WhosOnTrend: the most viewed Stage Names in February 2026

February may well be the shortest month, but there was no shortage of theatre news!

From casting announcements to new West End transfers and extra tour stops – there were plenty of exciting updates that we were pleased to report on.

For those unfamiliar, each month we collate the most-viewed performers, directors, and more, viewed in our ever-growing Stage Names directory. Here they are, in alphabetical order…

Vivienne Carlyle

It’s true – Vivienne Carlyle is on our WhosOnTrend list once more! The Blood Brothers star has signed up for spring dates of the tour.

Richard Coyle

Since 2022, Richard Coyle has played one of the most iconic characters in literary history – small-town lawyer Atticus Finch, in To Kill A Mockingbird. Following a massive tour of the UK, he’ll be returning to the West End in the role for a limited season.

Marianne Elliott

The multi-award-winning director has endless credits to her name – think War Horse, think Company, think The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time! – and we’re all excited to see how she tackles Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre, and THAT revival of Sunday in the Park with George starring Jonathan Bailey and Ariana Grande.

Joel Harper-Jackson, Ana Villafañe and Phoebe Panaretos

These three are doing it their way! They’ll lead the West End staging of Sinatra the Musical, a new piece that charts the life of Frank Sinatra, tracing his early rise in the 1940s, his personal relationships, and the challenges that shaped his career. It’ll play at the Aldwych Theatre from June!

All six of the Herods

What’s better than one Herod?! Six! Half a dozen superstars: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams and Julian Clary will play the infamously camp but lethal King Herod at The London Palladium this summer. Who will you plan your visit to see?

Scott Karim

Oh, what fantastic news! Scott Karim will be joining the West End cast of Oh, Mary! in the role of Mary’s Husband! His wife? Well, it’s only going to be none other than Catherine Tate.

The cast of Little Shop of Horrors

We are certainly being fed with Little Shop revivals this year, and the cast announcement for Carrie-Anne Ingrouille’s Manchester and Liverpool stagings has had our readers excited! Maisie Smith will play Audrey in Manchester, with Jessie Elland taking over for Liverpool, opposite Jed Berry as Seymour.

Molly McFadden

John Proctor is the Villain arrives in the UK next month and Molly McFadden will be playing Bailey Gallagher, the school’s guidance counselor.

Meow Meow

The upcoming revival of Sweeney Todd revealed its Mrs Lovett! Australian stage performer and cabaret star Meow Meow will be baking the worst pies in Birmingham opposite Ramin Karimloo‘s Sweeney.

David Moorst

Considering this is a list of trending Stage Names, we are tickled to see Olivier Award nominee David Moorst appear! He was last seen on stage last year at the Bridge in the return of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In the meantime, you can find him in the latest series of Bridgerton, playing a new character named Alfie – who is obviously making quite the impression.

Tahra Zafar

This WhatsOnStage nominee has over 30 years of experience designing some of the theatre’s most iconic costumes! She is part of the team responsible for bringing Paddington Bear to life on stage and we imagine that massive feat has attracted many to find out more about the masterful mind behind that design.