LAST UPDATED: August 22 2022

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from August 17 2022 onwards

UPDATED: August 17, 2022

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

• Monday August 22:

LONDON: Treason the Musical in concert (Theatre Royal Drury Lane) New musical by Ricky Allan and Kieran Lynn, previously seen in a streamed lockdown concert, is now presented in a live  concert performance, with Hannah Chissick directing a cast that includes   Carrie Hope Fletcher, Bradley Jaden, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Les Dennis, Emilie Louise Israel, Rebecca Lachance, Daniel Boys, Cedric Neal, Waylon Jacobs and Adam Pearce. Press contact: Didi Ralph at Emma Holland PR,  didi@emmahollandpr.com; Website: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/treason-the-musical-in-concert/

Tuesday August 24

REGIONAL: All’s Well That Ends Well (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) August 16-October 8, press night August 23. Blanche McIntyre’s directs a contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s play that is described as a production for “the social media generation” that explores “themes of romantic fantasy, toxic masculinity and consent.” It will be designed by Robert Innes Hopkins. Press contact: Kate Evans at the RSC. https://www.rsc.org.uk/alls-well-that-ends-well

• Thursday August 25:
  

REGIONAL: Into the Woods (Theatre Royal, Bath) August 19-September 10, 2022, press night August 25. Terry Gilliam co-directs Sondheim and Lapine’s 1987 Broadway fairytale musical that was originally due to be staged at the Old Vic, co-produced by Scenario Two, but cancelled after Gilliam’s remarks on transexuals caused theatre staff there to protest at his presence in the building. In a press statement, John Berry — co-director of Scenario Two with Anthony Lilley — commented, “Stephen Sondheim‘s recent death has led to a worldwide outpouring of love and appreciation for his unique genius. We feel privileged to be working on this wonderful work and we are extremely grateful to Steve and James Lapine for their support as we searched for a new home for this production.” The cast features Nicola Hughes as the Witch, Rhashan Stone as the Baker, Alex Young as the Baker’s Wife, Audrey Brisson as Cinderella and Julian Bleach as Mysterious Man, joined by Gillian Bevan, Nathanael Campbell, Maria Conneely, Lauren Conroy, Phoebe Fildes, Samuel Holmes, Charlotte Jaconelli, Henry Jenkinson and Barney Wilkinson. Press contact: Mark Borkowski at Borkowski PR. https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/into-the-woods/

• Sunday August 28:

LONDON: The Secret Garden (London Palladium) One-night concert performance of  Lucy Simon and Masha Norman’s 1991 Broadway musical version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel. Nick Winston directs a cast that includes Mark Feehilly, Hadley Fraser, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Alex Thomas-Smith and Emma Williams. Press contact: About Grace PR, laura@aboutgracepr.com; https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-secret-garden-in-concert

• Wednesday August 31:

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

REGIONAL: The Narcissist (Chichester’s Minerva Theatre) August 26-September 24, press night August 31 Josh Seymour directs Harry Lloyd and Claire Skinner in the the premiere of Christopher Shinn’s new play about personal and political communication in the internet age. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison at Chichester. https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-narcissist

• Thursday September 1:

LONDON: Joan (Shakespeare’s Globe) August 25-October 22, press night September 1. Written by Charlie Josephine and directed by Ilinca Radulian, this new play rediscovers the story of the unexpected leader, Joan of Arc. Press contact: Claudia Conway, Jessica Strawson at the Globe. https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/the-tempest-2022/

LONDON: A Different Stage with Gary Barlow (Duke of York’s), August 30-September 25, press night September 1, then resuming national tour. Pop icon Gary Barlow — a singer-songwriter who came to fame when he was part of Take That, and has since evolved as solo artist and theatre composer brings his solo show to the West End. Created with his long-time friend and collaborator Tim Firth, who directs it, he tells the story of his life and career in this autobiographical show that was launched in February. After London, he will return to the road, visiting Truro’s Hall for Cornwall, Salford’s Lowry, Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre, Aylesbury’s Waterside, Dublin’s Gaiety, Southend’s Palace, Portsmouth’s New Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse.  Press contact:  Amanda Malpass,  amanda@amandamalpass.com. Website: http://adifferentstage.show/

LONDON: Horse-Play (Riverside Studios) August 30-September 24, press night September 1. A new comedy by actor-turned-playwright Ian Hallard premieres under the direction of Andrew Beckett. In a press statement, Hallard commented, “If you’ve ever been tempted to spend the evening in a sex dungeon surrounded by handcuffs, bananas, spandex bodysuits, and a big tub of gunge, it may well be just the thing for you…” The cast comprises David Ames, Jake Maskall, Matt Lapinskas, Stephanie Siadattan and Nick Sampson. Press contact: Arabella Neville-Rolfe, arabella@anrpr.co.uk; Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/horse-play-33461/

• Friday September 2:

REGIONAL: Mrs Doubtfire (Manchester Opera House) September 2-October 1, 2022. This new musical, which opened on Broadway in December, is based on the 1993 film; it will receive its UK premiere in Manchester. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storyhouse PR. https://www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk/

REGIONAL: Family Album (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough) September 2-October 1. Alan Ayckbourn directs and writes his 87th play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where he was formerly a long-time artistic director. The new play chronicles the trials, tribulations and temptations of three generations of one family across 70 years in the same home. Set in a moving-in day in 1952, a birthday party in 1992 and a moving-out day in 2022, it revolves around RAF veteran John and housewife Peggy as they proudly move into the first home they can really call their own; daughter Sandra, frantically negotiating the challenges of a 10-year-old’s birthday party without her AWOL husband; and grandaughter Alison, finally escaping the house she has somewhat unwillingly inherited. Press contact: Jennie Swales, jeannie.swales@sjt.uk.com. https://www.sjt.uk.com/event/1324/family_album.

• Tuesday September 6:

LONDON: Silence (Donmar Warehouse) September 1-17, press night September 6. Abdul Shayek, artistic director of Tara Theatre, directs a co-production of his company and the Donmar in a new play adapted from Kavita Puri’s Partition Voices: Untold British Stories, co-written by Sonali Bhattacharyya, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Ishy Din and Alexandra Wood. It is inspired by the remarkable personal testimonies of people who lived through the last days of the British Raj. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com.

• Tuesday September 7:

LONDON: Rehab the Musical (Playground Theatre) September 1-17, press night September 7. A new musical, with music and lyrics by Grant Black (son of Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black) and Murray Lachlan Young, based on Grant Black’s own experience in rehab 35 years ago. It has a book by Elliot Davis and is directed and choreographed by Gary Lloyd, with a cast that features Keith Allen, Jonny Labey, Gloria Oniitri and John Barr.  Press contact: Kevin Wilson, kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: https://theplaygroundtheatre.london/events/rehab-the-musical/

• Wednesday September 8:

LONDON: Who Killed My Father (Young Vic) September 7-24, press night September 8. Ivo van Hove adapts Édouard Louis’s letter to his father for the stage, making its UK premiere in an International Theater Amsterdam production that is also directed by van Hove, and peroffmred as a monologue by Hans Kesting. Press contacts: Kate Hassell, Interim Head of Press kate@breadandbutterpr.uk; Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Press Officer KarlLydie@youngvic.org. Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/who-killed-my-father

REGIONAL: Kinky Boots (New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, then Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch) September 1-24, press night September 8; then Hornchurch, September 28-October 22, press night September 29. Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein’s hit 2013 Broadway stage version of the 2005 film is revived in a new production, directed by Tim Jackson, that is being co-produced by Ipswich and Hornchurch. Douglas Rintoul, who is departing Hornchurch to become chief executive at Ipswich, comments, “I can’t think of a better way to mark the start of my new role at the New Wolsey Theatre than with this very special regional premiere. Made by my favourite theatres, and directed by a supremely talented director, Kinky Boots is going to be a smart and gloriously uplifting night out.” Press contact: Aeron James, aeron@aeronjames.com

• Monday September 12:

LONDON: The Clinic (Almeida Theatre) September 3-October 1, press night September 12. .Dipo Baruwa-Etti’s new play, written during a year-long residency at the Almeida as part of Channel 4’s Playwright’s bursary, receives its world premiere in a production directed by Monique Touko. Described as a fiercely political and lyrical play, it is the portrait of a woman with a hunger for change, a family on fire and how to rise from the ashes of a broken world. Press contact: Alexander Milward at Almeida; amilward@almeida.co.uk; Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/the-clinic/3-sep-2022-1-oct-2022

LONDON: A Journey to the Past (Lyric Theatre) Originally scheduled for June 6, but now rescheduled for September 12, Maria Friedman directs a West End celebration of the work of the Broadway theatre writing team Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, whose shows have included Ragtime (for which Maria Friedman won an Olivier in its West End premiere), Once on this Island, Seussical, My Favourite Year and Anastasia (first as an animated feature and subsequently seen on Broadway). In a press statement, lyricist Ahrens commented, ““After two long years of uncertainty, what a wonderful way to celebrate the return to theater. I’m honored to have my work back on the boards in London!”  In addition to Friedman, who will reprise ‘Back to Before’ from Ragtime, the company was previously due to feature Carrie Hope Fletcher, Rob Houchen, Cedric Neal, Lucy St Louis and Summer Strallen. Casting for the new date is still to be confirmed. Press contact: Arabella  Neville-Rolfe, Arabella@anrpr.co.uk; Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/a-journey-t

• Tuesday September 13:

LONDON: The Cherry Orchard (The Yard) September 5-October 22, press night September 13. James Macdonald directs Chekhov’s play in a new adaptation by Vinay Patel that reimagines the play for 2022 and beyond. An old starship travels through space, almost at the speed of light, searching for a home billions of miles from earth. Like their ancestors before them, the crew were born on this ship, this voyage is all they’ve ever known. And then—A planet is spotted, in a habitable zone! In a press statement, Patel commented,”It’s safe to say that when I started out writing I never thought I’d get to set The Cherry Orchard on a spaceship. So this is a properly delightful, fever dream of a production, one that connects fifteen-year old me – marooned in the suburbs, looking for escape through science fiction – with my older self who adores Chekhov’s ability to speak with profound playfulness about what it means to find yourself stuck between worlds (in every sense) and how our hopes for the future flow inescapably along the contours of the past.” The production is co-produced by the Yard with English Touring Theatre and Manchester’s HOME (where it will run after London, from November 2-19). Press contact; Susie Safavi, susie.safavi@theyardtheatre.co.uk. Website: https://theyardtheatre.co.uk/theatre/events/the-cherry-orchard/

• Wednesday September 14

LONDON: Walking with Ghosts (Apollo Theatre) September 6-17, press night September 14. Gabriel Byrne makes his West End debut in a solo show that he has written himself, adapted form his own best-selling memoir, directed by Lonny Price. Prior to London, it will play at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre from August 24-28 as part of the Edinburgh International Festival. Byrne has starred in more than 80 feature films including Excalibur, Miller’s Crossing, Into the West, The Point of No Return, Little Women, Spider, The Usual Suspects, Dead Man, The End of Violence, The Man in the Iron Mask, Vanity Fair, Jindabyne and Wah-Wah. On Broadway, he received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in Eugene O’Neill’s A Moon for the Misbegotten.  He won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his performance in another O’Neill play, A Touch of the Poet.  In 2016, he starred opposite Jessica Lange in O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Press contact: Ben Chamberlain at Bread and Butter PR, ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/walking-with-ghosts/. Edinburgh dates: https://www.eif.co.uk/events/walking-with-ghosts

LONDON: The P Word (Bush Theatre) September 9-October 22, press night September 14. Waleed Akhtar’s play, a Bush commission, charts the parallel lives of two gay Pakistani men. It is directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike. Press contact: Martin Shippen, martinshippen@bushtheatre.co.uk. https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/the-p-word/

• Thursday September 15:

 

LONDON: Handbagged (Kiln Theatre) September 9-October 22, press night September 15. Indhu Rubasingham directed a revival of Moira Buffini’s comedy that was originally premiered at the Kiln in 2013 before going on to a West End run, starring Marion Bailey, reprising her role as Queen Elizabeth II, and Kate Fahy as Margaret Thatcher. Press contact: Kate Morley,  kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/handbagged/

• Monday September 19:
  

NEW YORK: The Piano Lesson (Ethel Barrymore Theatre) From September 19 for 17 weeks; opening night to be announced. LaTanya Richardson Jackson directs a cast headed by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Dainielle Brooks in a new Broadway production of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, that originally premiered on Broadway in 1990. In a press statement, the director has commented, “August Wilson dedicated his life and devoted his talent to dramatizing our stories and our experience. In doing so, he forever changed what it means to be Black in America. His plays built empathy, created community, and showed us the power of representation. The Piano Lesson is one of his most enduring, profound and consequential masterpieces, and I am reveling in this opportunity to present it to Broadway audiences for the first time since its premiere.” Press contact: Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards at DKC O&M. rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com
Website: https://pianolessonplay.com/

Wednesday September 21: 

LONDON: The Crucible (National’s Olivier Theatre, September 14- November 5; press night September 21). Lyndsey Turner directs Arthur Miller’s play with Brendan Cowell as John Proctor and  Erin Doherty as Abigail. The company also includes Fisayo Akinade, Rachelle Diedericks, Nick Fletcher, Karl Johnson, Gracie McGonigal, Matthew Marsh and Eileen Walsh. Press contact: Sophie Wilkinson, at National Theatre. sowilkinson@nationaltheatre.org.uk; Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-crucible

• Thursday September 22:

LONDON: The Wonderful World of Dissocia (Theatre Royal Stratford East) September 16-October 15, * press night September 22. Emma Baggott directs a revival of Anthony Neilson’s play, originally premiered at the Royal Court in 2007, that is described as “a poignant and comical delve into the nature of mental illness. “ Press contact: Freya Cowdry, freya@joallanpr.com

• Friday September 23:

LONDON: Eureka Day (Old Vic) September 6-October 31, press night September 23. Katy Rudd directs the European premiere of Jonathan Spector’s play, seen off-Broadway in 2019. Helen Hunt will star. It is co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions.  In a press statement, Matthew Warchus, artistic director of the Old Vic, commented, “Following on from our enjoyable collaboration on The 47th earlier this year, I’m very happy to be working with Sonia Friedman again on this brilliantly wince-inducing, laugh-out-loud, timely and volatile satire. Written in 2017, incredibly, before the Covid pandemic, Jonathan Spector’s Eureka Day is a very funny, clever and thought-provoking new play set amidst the panic of a highly contagious virus. I had the privilege of working with Helen Hunt almost 20 years ago on the Broadway transfer of Yasmina Reza’s Life x 3 – it’s truly a joy welcoming her to The Old Vic for this spectacular production.” Press contacts: Katie Marsh,Armani Ur-Rub at Old vic.armani.ur-rub@oldvictheatre.com. Website: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/eureka-day

LONDON: The Upstart Crow (Apollo Theatre) September 23-December 3, 2022. After having its original West End run curtailed by the theatre closure during the pandemic after it opened in February 2020 at the Gielgud Theatre, Ben Elton’s stage version of his TV comedy about Shakespeare returns to the West End, now playing at the Apollo across the street, with David Mitchell reprising his performance as the Bard and Gemma Whelan as Kate. Sean Foley directs a limited 10-week season. In a press statement, Mitchell comments, “A whole pandemic later, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to continue my West End debut as history’s most famous balding dramatist and escape back to 1605 through the amazing comic imagination of Ben Elton. We aim to bring Shakespearean London back to life in every way apart from the smell.” Press contacts: Joe Brett / Neil Reading at Nei Reading PR, Joe@neilreadingpr.com; Website: https://upstartcrowthecomedy.com/

• Saturday September 24:

LONDON: The Band’s Visit (Donmar Warehouse) September 24-December 3 (press night to be announced). David Yazbek and Itamar Moses’s 2017 Tony winning musical, based on the 2007 Oscar-winning film of the same name, comes to London, in a new production that will be directed by the Donmar’s artistic director Michael Longhurst. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/1647527967

• Tuesday September 27:

LONDON: Blues for an Alabama Sky (National’s Lyttelton Theatre). September 20-November 5, press night September 27. Lynette Linton, artistic director of the Bush, makes her NT directing debut with Pearl Cleague’s play. Set in 1930 during the Harlem renaissance, t is about four friends whose lives and passions collide when a newcomer from Alabama arrives. The cast comprises Samira Wiley (pictured), Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, Osy Ikhile, Sule Rimi and Giles Terera.  Press contact: Louisa Terry, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk; Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/blues-for-an-alabama-skyfnationaln

• Wednesday September 28:

REGIONAL: Woman in Mind (Chichester Festival Theatre) September 23-October 15, press night September 28. Jenna Russell stars in a new production of Alan Ayckbourn’s play about a woman undergoing a nervous breakdown. It was originally premiered in Scarborough in 1985 and subsequently transferred to the West End in 1986, where the cast was led by Julia McKenzie. A 2008 revival of the play at Scarborough, starring Janie Dee, also transferred to the West End in 2009. It will be directed by Anna Mackmin, replacing the originally announced Justin Martin, who has withdrawn due to a scheduling conflict. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison at Chichester. https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/woman-in-mind

REGIONAL: Noises Off (Bath Theatre Royal) September 21-October 1, press night September 28. Felicity Kendal stars in Lindsay Posner’s revival of Michael Frayn’s backstage comedy, which will play in Bath, Richmond, Brighton and Cambridge before a planned return to the West End. Lindsay Posner, who directed the last London revival of the play at the Old Vic in 2011 that subsequently transferred to the Piccadilly, will direct. He previously directed Kendal in a revival of Coward’s Hay Fever. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storyhouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk

• Thursday September 29:

LONDON: John Gabriel Borkman (Bridge Theatre) September 24-November 26, press night September 29. Simon Russell Beale plays the title role in a new production of Ibsen’s play, presented in a new version by Lucinda Croxon, that will be directed by Nick Hytner. Beale was previously seen at the Bridge in A Christmas Carol and Bach & Sons, both also directed by Hytner. He is joined by Clare Higgins as Gunhild Borkman and Lia Williams as Ella Rentheim. Press contact: Janine Shalom at Premier PR. Janine.shalom@premiercomms.com or grace.barber@premiercomms.com Website: https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/john-gabriel-borkman/

REGIONAL: The Famous Five (Theatr Clwyd) September 23-October 15, press night September 29, then Chichester Festival Theatre, October 21-November 12, press night October 25). New musical based on the books of Enid Blyton will be directed by Clwyd’s artistic director Tamara Harvey, in a co-production with Chichester Festival Theatre where it will play after Clywd. Music and lyrics are by Theo Jamieson, with book by Elinor Cook. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison at Chichester. https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-famous-five

• Friday September 29

REGIONAL: The Time Traveller’s Wife (Storyhouse, Chester) September 30-October 15. Bill Buckhurst directs a cast led by David Hunter and Joanna Woodward in the world premiere of a new musical with a book by Lauren Gunderson and music and lyrics by Joss Stone & Dave Stewart, based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin. The run in Chester is expected to be ahead of a West End transfer. Press contact: Amanda Malpass, amanda@amandamalpass.com Website: https://www.storyhouse.com/event/the-time-travellers-wife

• Sunday October 2

BROADWAY: Leopoldstadt (Longacre Theatre)  Previews from September 14, opening night October 2. Tom Stoppard’s play, which premiered at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre in January 2020 and had its original run interrupted by the theatre shutdown precipitated by Covid but returned to complete its run later, now transfers to Broadway, with Patrick Marber reprising his directorial duties. Set in the Jewish quarter of Vienna,  this drama of love and endurancebegins in the last days of 1899 and follows one extended family deep into the heart of the 20^th Century. In a press statement, producer Sonia Friedman comments, “Any new Stoppard play is something to treasure, but Leopoldstadt is truly a gift and our greatest living playwright’s most intensely personal piece. Leopoldstadt is a passionate drama of enduring love and familial bonds that asks us to bear witness to our pasts, no matter how painful that might be. I so look forward to bringing Patrick Marber’s epic and truly extraordinary production to North America at a moment when it feels more necessary than ever.” Marber adds: “It was my great pleasure to direct a revival of Tom’s early play Travesties on Broadway in 2018. At the time he mentioned that he was just beginning to write something new. And here it is, his mighty Leopoldstadt. I’ve loved Tom’s plays since boyhood. I studied his work at university, he inspired me as a fledgling playwright. To be the director of his new play is one heck of an honour. We are so thrilled to be bringing this moving and beautiful play to life once more.” Casting of a company of 38 actors is still to be announced. Press contacts: Adrian Bryan-Brown, Michelle Farabaugh at Boneau/Bryan-Brown, abrown@bbbway.com/ mfarabaugh@bbbway.com. Website: https://leopoldstadtplay.com/

• Wednesday October 5

LONDON: Heather (Lyric Hammersmith) September 29-October 29, press night October 5. Ola Ince directs Roy Williams’s new version of Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.  Press contact: Su-Ann Cow-Seegoolam at Lyric Hammersmith, su-ann.chow-seegoolam@lyric.co.uk; Website: https://lyric.co.uk/shows/heather/

LONDON: The Boy with Two Hearts (National’s Dorfman Theatre) October 1-November 12; press night October 5. Previously seen at Cardiff’s Millennium Centre, Phil Porter’s stage version of the book of the same name by Hamed and Hessam Amiri transfers to the National. Drawing on real-life experiences, it is a powerful story of hope, courage, and humanity – and a heartfelt tribute to the NHS. The original cast of Afghan and Iranian performers will return to their roles in Amit Sharma’s production, including Shamail Ali, Dana Haqjoo, Farshid Rokey, Ahmad Sakhi and Géhane Strehler as well as the award-winning Afghan vocalist and composer, Elaha Soroor. Press contact: Louise Terry at National Theatre, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk; Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-boy-with-two-hearts

• Monday October 10

LONDON: The Doctor (Duke of York’s) September 29-December 11, press night October 10. Robert Icke’s production of his own play, very freely adapted from Shnitzler’s Professor Berhardi, finally transfers to the Duke of York’s, two and a half years after it was originally due to in 2020. First seen at the Almeida in August 2019, Juliet Stevenson reprises her performance that won her a Critics’ Circle Award for Best Actress. Prior to the West End, the production will visit Brighton Theatre Royal (September 5-10), Bath Theatre Royal (September 13-17) and Richmond Theatre (September 19-24). In a press statement, Stevenson has commented, “I am beyond thrilled that The Doctor is travelling to Brighton, Bath and Richmond and then onto the West End. So much has happened in the last two years since we first played the show – I am so excited to share these new resonances and conversations with audiences, everywhere we go. Never has this debate been more needed.” Press contact: Emma Holland/ Didi Ralph at EHPR, emma@emmahollandpr.com;  didi@emmahollandpr.com. Website: https://thedoctorwestend.co.uk

• Wednesday October 12:

LONDON: Good (Harold Pinter Theatre) October 6-December 24, press night October 12. CP Taylor’s 1981 play, originally premiered at the Donmar Warehouse under the auspices of the RSC, returns to the West End, in a new production that will star David Tennant and be directed by Dominic Cooke, in a debut for his own new company Fictionhouse, an independent producing company he has established with Kate Horton, his former executive director when he was at the helm of the Royal Court. Co-produced with Playful Productions, it was originally due to premiere in 2020 but was delayed by the pandemic. Tennant will be joined by Elliot Levey, currently starring in Cabaret in the West End. In a press statement, Tennant has commented, “Dominic is one of the UK’s all-time great theatre directors. I am really inspired and delighted to finally… FINALLY… get a chance to work with him, and especially on a wonderful play like C. P. Taylor’s GOOD – a fantastic bit of writing that is more pertinent and resonant now than it has ever been”.  Press contacts: James Lever james@joallanpr.com, Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan jo@joallanpr.com. Website: https://www.goodtheplay.com/

Monday October 17:

REGIONAL: Local Hero (Chichester’s Minerva Theatre) October 8-November 19, press night October 17. Chichester artistic director Daniel Evans directs a new musical based on Bill Forsyth’s 1983 film, with a book by David Greig, and songs by Mark Knopfler (formerly of pop group Dire Straits). Press contact: Lucinda Morrison at Chichester. https://www.cft.org.uk/whats-on/event/local-hero

Tuesday October 18:

LONDON: My Neighbour Totoro (Barbican Theatre) October 8-January 21, 2023, press night October 18. The 1988 animated feature by Hayao Miyazaki, exploring the fantasy world of childhood and the transformative power of imagination, is adapted for the stage by its original composer Joe Hisaishi in an RSC adaptation, written by Tom Morton-Smith, and to be directed by Phelim McDermott (co-founder of Improbable Theatre). It is designed by Tom Eye, with puppetry created by Basil Twist. In a press statement, Hisaishi, who is also the show’s executive producer, has said, “In Japan, many people are passionate about theatre and musicals, but there are no original Japanese shows or musicals performed in the world. Totoro is a Japanese work famous throughout the world, and so this stage adaptation could have the potential to reach global audiences. That’s what I thought, and I told Mr Miyazaki ‘I want to see such a show’ and he said ‘yes, only if you are going to do it’.Press contact: Bethany Arnold at the RSC, bethany.arnold@rsc.org.uk;  Website: https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2022/event/royal-shakespeare-company-my-neighbour-totoro

• Wednesday October 19:

LONDON: A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain (Gate Theatre) October 19-November 5. The Gate Theatre, originally founded above a pub in Notting Hill which it has occupied for over 43 years, relocates to a new home in Camden, sharing the space at 26 Crowndale Road, operated by Teatro Technis. Last hear the Gate presented Dear Elizabeth there; it will now debut its new relationship there with Sami Ibrahim’s A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain, directed by Gate Associate Director Yasmin Hafesji, and produced in association with Paines Plough and Rose Theatre. This poetic fable tells a story of an impenetrable immigration system that mirrors our own. Press contact: Cliona Roberts, cliona@crpr.co.uk Website:  https://www.gatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/a-sudden-violent-burst-of-rain/

• Thursday October 20:

REGIONAL: Dido and Aeneas (Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio) October 14-November 5, press night October 20. Isabelle Kettle directs Purcell’s opera about Dido, the widowed Queen of Carthage, and her lover the Trojan prince, Aeneas, shipwrecked on his way to Italy, where he will found a new Troy. The musical director will be Michael Papadopoulos. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storyhouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/dido-and-aeneas/

• Wednesday October 26:

REGIONAL: A Christmas Carol (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) October 26 to January 1, press night to be announced. The RSC’s adaptation of Dickens’s story, originally premiered in 2017 and revived the following year, returns. It is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and written by David Edgar, the RSC’s most produced living playwright whose history with the company spans some four decades, from Destiny in 1976 and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby in 1980 (also adapted from Dickens) to Written the Heart in 2011 and his own solo one-man show Trying it On in 2019. Press contact: Dean Asker at the RSC, dean.asker@rsc.org.uk. Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/a-christmas-carol/

Tuesday November 1:

NEW YORK: Parade (New York City Center) November 1-6. Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond star in a gala production of Jason Robert Brown and Alfred Uhry’s musical that was originally premiered at Lincoln Center’s Beaumont Theatre in 1998, winning Brown a Tony for Best Original Musical Score and Uhry the Tony for Best Book of a musical. https://www.nycitycenter.org/events-tickets/

• Thursday November 3:

BROADWAY: Almost Famous (Bernard B Jacobs Theatre) Previews from October 3, opens November 3 (changed from September 13/October 11). New musical version of Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film, featuring book and lyrics by Crowe, with music and lyrics bye Tom Kitt. Jeremy Herrin will direct a cast that includes Chris Wood, Anika Larsen, Solea Pfeiffer, Drew Gehling and Casey Likes. In a statement, Crowe commented, “Broadway fans and rock fans have so much in common. We obsess over the music, we pore over every possible recording we find, and we treasure those moments when an artist stands on a stage, opens their heart in that most personal way, and creates real magic.  Suddenly everything seems possible. Almost Famous has always been about the power of that connection: hearing a piece of music for the first time, looking into a person’s eyes and feeling the electricity, finding your tribe. The line ‘it’s all happening’ has always been so key to the show, and now that we’re heading to Broadway, it’s finally come true.  It actually is… all happening.” It received its world premiere at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 2019.  Press contacts Rick Miramontez / Amanda Meyer / Ellie Detweiler at DKC/O&M,  rick@omdkc.com / amanda@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com. Website: http://www.almostfamousmusical.com/

• Sunday November 6:

REGIONAL: Cinderella (Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester) November 1-December 11, press night November 6. The revised 2013 Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1950s television musical Cinderella is to receive its UK premiere at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre. Venue founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton will direct and choreograph respectively, with Whelton also co-directing.Press contact: Kate Goerner KateGoernerPR@outlook.com. Website: https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/cinderella

• Tuesday November 8

LONDON: From Here to Eternity (Charing Cross Theatre). October 29-December 17, press night November 8. Tim Rice and Stuart Brayson’s musical, adapted from the novel by James Jones, which premiered at the West End’s Shaftesbury Theatre in 2013, returns in its first London revival in a newly revised production, developed by director Brett Smock at New York’s The REV Theatre Company and at Maine’s Ogunquit Playhouse, that has been designed specifically for the Charing Cross Theatre. In a press statement, Rice has commented, “It’s wonderful to have From Here To Eternity back in London. Since its world premiere in the West End in 2013, there have been two excellent productions in North America, both directed by Brett Smock, and I’m delighted he’s bringing the latest iteration of the show back across The Pond. Katy Lipson and her team are the perfect partners: young, dynamic and energetic – like the fighting men of G Company. It’s been a treat to get back to the writing desk with Stuart, too.If you like your musicals soft and fluffy, this show is not for you. We have nothing to offer but danger, betrayal, heart-break, hope, blood, sweat and tears!” It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Bill Kenwright and Heartaches Limited. Press contact: Kevin Wilson. kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: https://charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/theatre/from-here-to-eternity

• Saturday November 12

REGIONAL: White Christmas the Musical (Hall for Cornwall, Truro) November 12-19, then touring to Nottingham, Sunderland and Liverpool. New tour for a production of Irving Berlin’s musical first seen in the UK at Curve, Leicester, will star Jay McGuiness, Lora Luft and Michael Starke newly joining Dan Burton, Jessica Daley and Monique Young who return to the show. Press contact: Daniel O’Carroll, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://www.whitechristmasthemusical.co.uk/uk-tour/

• Tuesday November 22:

REGIONAL: ¡SHOWMANISM! (Bath Theatre Royal’s Ustinov Studio) November 11-December 10, press night November 22. Billed as “a concise histrionic of performance”, Dickie Beau devises and performs a show that stretches across a haunted landscape of performance for thousands of years, tracing its roots and branches across unexpected realms. The dramaturg is former Daily Telegraph opera critic Rupert Christiansen. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storyhouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/ishowmanism/

• Wednesday November 23:

LONDON: A Christmas Carol (Old Vic) November 12-January 7, press night November 23. Presented in Jack Thorne’s version that was first seen at the Old Vic in 2017 and has made annual returns ever since, this stage adaptation of Dickens’s seasonal tale returns once again for a run from November 12. Matthew Warchus directs, with Ebenezer Scrooge this year played by Owen Teale. Press contacts: Katie Marsh, Armani Ur-Rub at Old Vic,  armani.ur-rub@oldvictheatre.com. Website: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/whats-on/2022/watch-at-the-theatre/a-christmas-carol-6

Thursday November 24:

LONDON: Elf The Musical (Dominion Theatre) November 14-January 7, press night November 24. Return season for a stage version of the 2003 film, with book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin and songs by Matthew Sklar and Chad Beguelin, running at the Dominion for an 8-week Christmas run. This new staging is directed by Philip Wm McKinley, with sets and costumes by Tim Goodchild and choreography by Liam Steel. Press contact: Amanda Malpass,  amanda@amandamalpass.com. Website: https://elflondon.com

Monday November 28:

LONDON: Disney’s Newies (Troubadour Wembley Park), from November 28. Matt Cole directs and choreographs the UK professional premiere of the stage version of the Disney live-action film. It was originally seen on Broadway in 2012; it received its British premiere in a student production at ArtsEd that starred Jac Yarrow in 2019; he went on to make his professional debut in the title role of Joseph and the Amazing Techicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium later the same year!   Press contact: Alexandra Buchanan alex@amandamalpass.com Website: https://newsiesthemusical.co.uk/

• Thursday December 1

LONDON: Mother Goose (Hackney Empire) November 19-December 31, press night December 1. Clive Rowe directs and stars in Hackney’s annual pantomime, where he has become a fixture. In a press statement, he commented, “I’m incredibly proud, in Hackney Empire’s 120th birthday year, to be directing and playing Mother Goose, which was first created for music hall legend Dan Leno 120 years ago. Big shoes to fill but I will do my very best to make the walls shake with the love and laughter we’ve come to expect from Hackney’s pantomime.” Press contact: Laura Myers/Alice Rickett at About Grace PR, laura@aboutgracepr.com  / alice@aboutgracepr.com. Website: https://hackneyempire.co.uk/whats-on/mother-goose/

• Thursday December 8

LONDON: Mandela (Young Vic) November 28-February 4, 2021, press night December 8. World premiere of a biographical musical ab out the late Nelson Mandela, presented “in proud partnership” with the Mandela family. With a book by Lalona Michelle and music and lyrics by Greg Dean Borowsky and Shaun Borowsky, Nandi Mandela — granddaughter of Mandela — comments, “As my grandfather once said, music has the power to free us to dream, to unite people as one voice, and we hope that our musical will do just that. We are so proud to be bringing his story to the stage, with our brilliant creative team led by Greg and Shaun Borowsky, Laiona Michelle, Bongi Duma, Gregory Maqoma and Schele Williams in a way that honours and celebrates Madiba, for who he was – a grandfather, a father, a man who tried to do the best that he could during his journey on earth. We hope that my grandfather’s story, of a man from humble beginnings who pulled himself up by his bootstraps, will resonate with audiences far and wide, and communicate his message of hope – that we are all capable of doing great things, as long as we are true and authentic to ourselves.” The title role is played by Michael Luwoye, with Danielle Fiamanya as Winnie Mandela.  Press contacts: Kate Hassell, Interim Head of Press kate@breadandbutterpr.uk; Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Press Officer KarlLydie@youngvic.org. Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/mandela

2023

• Saturday January 28

REGIONAL: The Bodyguard (King’s Theatre, Glasgow) January 28-February 4, then touring. Melody Thornton – formerly with The Pussycat Dolls — is set to play Rachel Marron in a new tour for the stage version of the hit film, kicking off in Glasgow. She has previously played the role when the show toured China. Press contacts: Simon Raw, Emily Webb or Daniel O’Carroll at Raw PR, simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Full tour dates: https://www.thebodyguardmusical.com/uk-tour-dates/

• Wednesday February 1:

REGIONAL: Spitting Image Live: Featuring The Liar King (Birmingham Rep) February 1-March 12. Sean Foley, artistic director at Birmingham Rep, directs and co-writen with Al Murray and Matt Forde, a new live show based on the Spitting Image puppets. According to the press release, “Join the circle of lies and see the puppets live on stage for the first time ever. Witness a monstrous cast of stars including The Liar King himself, Boris Johnson. Plus Tom Cruise & Michael Gove (together on stage for the very first time), Adele, Tyson Fury, Harry and Meghan, Stormzy, Beyoncé, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, and many more.” Press contact: Ben Wooldridge  ben.Wooldridge@birmingham-rep.co.uk. Website: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/spitting-image-live/

• Friday February 17:

LONDON: Bat out of Hell – The Musical (Peacock Theatre) February 17-April 1, 2023. Previously seen in London at the Coliseum and Dominion Theatres in 2017-2019, Bat out of Hell returns to London as part of its current UK and Ireland tour that began in September 2021. This tour is dedicated to the memory of its composer Jim Steinman, who sadly passed away on April 19 2021, and its original star Meat Loaf, who passed away on January 20, 2022.  The production is directed by Jay Scheib, with choreography adapted by Xena Gusthart, and set and costume design by Jon Bausor. Press contact: Sarah Wharton at Amanda Malpass PR, sarah@amandamalpass.com. Website: https://www.batoutofhellmusical.com/uk-tour

Thursday March 9:

LONDON: Guys and Dolls (Bridge Theatre) February 27-September 2, 2023, press night March 9. Nicholas Hytner is to direct a new “immersive” production of the Broadway classic Guys and Dolls, based on Damon Runyon’s stories and characters, with a score bye Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows. The production will be choreographed by Arlene Phillips, with designs by Bunny Christie. Tickets go on public sale from June 23. Press contacts: Janine Shalom/Grace Barber at Premier Communications. Janine.shalom@premiercomms.com or Grace.barber@premiercomms.com  Website: https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/guys-and-dolls/

• Wednesday April 19:

LONDON: Village Idiot (Theatre Royal Stratford East) April 13-May 6, press night April 19. Nadia Fall directs Samson Hawkins’s play, set in a South Northamptonshire village, about family feuds. It is co-produced with Nottingham Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon. Press contact: Freya Cowdry, freya@joallanpr.com

• Wednesday May 17

42nd Street (Curve, Leicester) May 17-June 3, then Sadler’s Wells, June 7-July 2, then touring. Jonathan Church will direct a new production of the Broadway classic, co-produced by Curve and Sadler’s Wells. Choreography will be by Bill Deamer, with design by Rob Jones. Press contact: Simon Raw, Emily Webb, Daniel O’Carroll simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk

• Thursday June 22

LONDON: Tambo & Bones (Theatre Royal Stratford East) June 16-July 15, 2023, press night June 22. Matthew Xia directs the UK premiere of Dave Harris’s off-Broadway play about two characters trapped in a minstrel show, co-produced by Stratford East with Actors Touring Company that Xia leads. According to the press release, the play – part distorted clown-show, part spectacular hip-hop concert, part absurdist Afro-futuristic lecture (with robots!) – interrogates the commodification and commercialisation of Black pain in a satirical roller coaster of a show. Press contact: Freya Cowdry, freya@joallanpr.com

• Thursday September 15

REGIONAL: Boys from the Backstuff (Royal Court, Liverpool) September 15 to October 28. 40 years on from Alan Bleadale’s ground-breaking TV series, James Graham adapts it for the stage in a new production that will be directed by Stockroom artistic director Kate Wasserberg. In a press statement, Graham has commented, “Alan Bleasdale is one of the reasons I became a writer. Watching his work as I was growing up, hearing those voices and seeing those worlds, meant a lot to someone from my background. I could never have dared dream that years later I would be working with him, and on his most famous, heartbreaking, hilarious masterpiece. But Alan is the most generous and supportive of collaborators and it’s been one of the honours of my writing life thus far to work on this show.” Press contact: David Burns, david@davidburnspr.com