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.

RETURNING AND NEW PRODUCTIONS IN LONDON AND BEYOND
My weekly updated list of returning and new productions in London and beyond, including the week’s first nights, is here: shentonstage.com/november-1-update-latest-scheduled-new-returning-shows/

New entries include the return of the Jamie Lloyd Company’s productions of CYRANO DE BERGERAC, with James McAvoy in the title role, prior to a run in Glasgow and then New York; and Emilia Clarke in THE SEAGULL (pictured above) that was previously aborted during previews when COVID shut down theatres in March 2020. They will now play in succession at the Harold Pinter Theatre, instead of the Playhouse, which is this month to become the home of a new production of CABARET. Press contact: Freya Cowdry at  Kate Morley PR.

Also newly announced: casting for SHE LOVES ME at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, from December 11, opens December 16: Robert Hastie directs Alex Young as Amelia Balash, David Thaxton as Georg Nowarck and Kaisa Hammarlund as Ilona Ritter. One of the most perfect musicals ever written — and this casting seems perfect, too! Sign me up now! Press contact: James Lever at Jo Allan PR.

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

I’m at four of these this week — PRIDE & PREJUDICE * (* SORT OF), THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LINE, FOOTFALLS/ROCKABYE and (of course) Jenna Russell in concert at Cadogan Hall — plus two drama school musical productions (the first full student LES MISERABLES at Mountview, pictured below, and BANDSTAND at ArtsEd), catching up with NIGHT, MOTHER at Hampstead, and returning to see THE NORMAL HEART at the National on its last night on Saturday. (I’m also tempted to squeeze in a return visit to ANYTHING GOES at the Barbican that afternoon…..

All of this activity is ahead of a return to New York, at last, next week — the borders re-open (finally!) on Monday November 8, so I’m flying on Tuesday, and will be there for a fortnight….

OPENINGS

Tuesday November 2

• Indecent Proposal (Southwark Playhouse, October 22-November 27, press night November 2). A new musical (book and lyrics by Michael Conley with music by Dylan Schlosberg), based on the novel by Jack Engelhard that became a 1993 film. Press contact: Madelaine Bennett at the Gingerbread Agency. https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/indecent-proposal/

Wednesday November 3

• Pride & Prejudice * (* Sort of) (Criterion Theatre, Previews from October 15, opens November 3) Isobel McArthur’s retelling of Jane Austen comes to the West End, after originally premiering at Glasgow’s Tron Theatre. The production features performances of such pop classics as Every Day I Write the Book, Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, I Got You Babe and You’re So Vain. Press contact: Amanda Malpass. https://prideandprejudicesortof.com

Thursday November 4

• The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Duke of York’s), October 26-April 23 (extended from the originally announced February 12), opens November 4. Delayed transfer for the National’s hit production adapted from Neil Gaiman’s book. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane/duke-of-yorks-theatre/

Friday November 5

• Footfalls / Rockaby (Jermy Street Theatre, November 3-20, press night November 5, then Bath’s Ustinov Studio, November 24-December 4) The great Dame Siân Phillips and Charlotte Emmerson star in Beckett double-bill, directed by Richard Beecham. Press contact: David Burns.

Sun November 7

• Jenna Russell solo concert (Cadogan Hall) November 7, 6.30pm. The Olivier winner — last seen in Piaf at Nottingham Playhouse — will perform a solo show, with musical director Nigel Lilley. Also in Fourth Wall Live’s season: Shoshana Bean (December 4, 7.30pm) and Jessica Vosk (February 27, 6.30pm) will appear. Press contacts: Simon Raw or Emily Webb at Raw PR. https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/jenna-russell-live-in-concert-2021/

TODAY’S THEATRE BIRTHDAYS
Theatre Birthdays (NOVEMBER 2): Stefanie Powers, 79; David Schwimmer, 55 (pic: in SOME GIRLS, Gielgud Theatre, 2005);  Samantha Womack, 49 (pic: in SOUTH PACIFIC at Barbican Centre in 2011); Gary Yershon, film and theatre composer, 67