Welcome to today’s edition of ShentonSTAGE Daily that is e-mailed to subscribers every morning (to subscribe, send message to ShentonStageMailingList@gmail.com), and is also available online here

As I head to New York today (at long last!), the newsletter will not arrive in inboxes or online here until after 1pm UK time from tomorrow and thereafter, until I return to the UK on November 23……

MY LATEST REVIEWS ROUND-UP
My reviews round-up of (some of) the shows I saw last week is here: https://shentonstage.com/my-reviews-round-up-of-last-week/: featuring reviews of JENNA RUSSELL in concert at Cadogan Hall, student productions of LES MISERABLES at Mountview (pictured) and BANDSTAND at ArtsEd, ‘NIGHT MOTHER at @Hampstead Theatre, Beckett’s FOOTFALLS/ROCKABYE at Jermyn Street Theatre, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (SORT OF) at the Criterion and THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE at the Duke of York’s.

NEW SHOWS IN LONDON AND BEYOND
My regularly updated list of upcoming shows in the West End and beyond is here: https://shentonstage.com/november-8-update-latest-scheduled-new-returning-shows/ including the new musical version of the 1993 comedy MRS DOUBTFIRE, which is about to open on Broadway) coming to Manchester’s Opera House next September (pictured).

THIS WEEK’S LONDON OPENINGS

Tuesday November 9

• The Choir of Man (Arts Theatre) Previews from October 29, press night November 9. Edinburgh fringe hit and seen internationally at Sydney Opera House, created by Nic Doodson (who also directs) and Andrew Kay, this show features a cast of nine men in a celebration of the community and camaraderie of pub life, in which they perform covers of songs by Guns ‘N’ Roses, Fun!, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon, Sia and others. Press contact: Amanda Malpass. https://www.choirofmanwestend.com/

• Milk & Gall (Theatre 503), November 3-27, press night November 9. Theatre 503’s artistic director Lisa Spirling directs Mathilde Dratwa’s debut play that exposes the messy reality of new motherhood in the shadow of the 2016 American presidential election that brought Trump to power. Press contact: Nancy Poole. https://theatre503.com/whats-on/milk-and-gall/

Wednesday November 10

• Dick Whittington: A New Dick in Town! (Above the Stag), November 2-January 16, press night November 10. Briefly seen last year before it was shut down by the Covid lockdown, Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper’s 12th panto for the theatre returns. It is directed by Andrew Beckett. Press contact: Tom McGregor, at Above the Stag (tom.mcgregor@abovethestag.org.uk). https://abovethestag.org.uk/dick-whittington

PREVIEWING THIS WEEK

• The Drifters Girl (Garrick Theatre) Now previewing, opens November 25. Beverley Knight to star as Faye Treadwell, the legendary manager of The Drifters in Jonathan Church’s production. She is joined by Adam J Bernard, Tarinn Callender, Matt Henry and Tosh Wanogho-Maud as The Drifters (pictured above). Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse PR. https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-drifters-girl/
• Rare Earth Metal (Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, November 10-December 18, press night November 16) Al Smith, whose plays include Harrogate that was seen at the Royal Court, returns with what is described as a epic new play exploring risk, delusion and power.  Press contact: Anoushka Warden at the Royal Court. https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/rareearthmettle/
• Straight White Men (Southwark Playhouse, November 10-December 4, 2021, press night November 16) Korean American playwright Young Jean Lee’s play, seen on Broadway in 2018, comes to Southwark for a four-week run. Press contact: Anna Arthur. https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/straight-white-men/
• The Wife of Willeden (Kiln Theatre, November 11-December 24, press night November 17) Novelist Zadie Smith’s debut play based on Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath finally premieres, with Clare Perkins in the title role. IPress contact: Kate Morley. https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/the-wife-of-willesden/
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Piccadilly Theatre) Previews from November 12, press night December 8. The hit 2019 Broadway version of the iconic 2001 Baz Luhrmann film transfers to the West End. With a book by playwright John Logan, direction by Alex Timbers and choreography by Sonya Tayeh, the  cast is led by Liisi LaFontaine as Satine, and Jamie Bogyo as Christian. Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse PR. https://www.moulinrougemusical.co.uk/
• A Christmas Carol (Old Vic, November 13-January 8, 2022, press night November 24). Matthew Warchus’s now perennial stage version of Dickens returns once again. This year Stephen Mangan stars as Scrooge. Press contacts: Hannah Stockton, Kitty Greenleaf, Jo Allan at Jo Allan PR.https://www.oldvictheatre.com/whats-on/2021/watch-at-the-theatre/a-christmas-carol-5

TODAY’S THEATRE BIRTHDAYS