LAST UPDATED: December 4 2023

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from December 4 2023 onwards

Please note that this list is not intended to be comprehensive, but highlights noteworthy or newsworthy openings. Not all press agents supply information for inclusion here; I do not receive communications from Kevin Wilson or Neil Reading’s operations, so unless the venue provides them, shows represented by either are not included.

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

• Monday December 4

LONDON: Pacific Overtures (Menier Chocolate Factory) November 25-February 24, press night December 4. Matthew White directed a new production of Stephen Sondheim’s and John Weidman’s 1976 musical in a co-production with Umeda Arts Theater in Japan, where it has already been a huge success in Tokyo and Osaka.  Press contact: Kate Morley <kate@katemorleypr.com> Website: https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com/tickets/pacific-overtures/

Tuesday December 5

LONDON: The Homecoming (Young Vic) November 27-January 27, 2024, press night December 5. Matthew Dunster directs the Harold Pinter classic for the Young Vic. The cast comprises David Angland, Joe Cole, Lisa Diveney, Robert Emms, Jared Harris, and Nicolas Tennant. In a press statement, Dunster has commented, “I’ve always loved Pinter’s work. He can take working class situations and hone them into something really poetic, crystalized and potent. His plays are about patriarchal force and what it takes to resist that, whether at home or in the state. The Homecoming encapsulates this and poses big, universal questions about power. I’m excited by the challenge of this play and I can’t wait to return to the Young Vic.” Press contact: Su-Ann Chow-Seegoolam, Su-AnnChow-Seegoolam@youngvic.org, Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Karllydie@youngvic.org   Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/the-homecoming

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

• Tuesday December 12

LONDON: Rock ’n’ Roll (Hampstead Theatre) December 6-January 27, press night December 12. Nina Raine directs a new production of Tom Stoppard’s 2006 play, originally premiered at the Royal Court. Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, ClareJH@hampsteadtheatre..com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/rock-n-roll/

LONDON: Cold War (Almeida Theatre) November 30-January 27, press night December 12. The Almeida’s artistic director Rupert Goold directs Conor McPherson’s new stage adaptation of Paweł Pawlikowski’s  2018 Oscar-nominated film, with music by Elvis Costello. The cast includes Anya Chalotra, Elliot Levey and Luke Thallon. Press contact: Zoe Innis, zinnes@almeida.co.uk. Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/cold-war/

• Wednesday December 13

LONDON: Peter Pan (London Palladium) December 9-January 14, press night December 13. Julian Clary is Seaman Smee and Jennifer Saunders is Captain Hook in this year’s Palladium panto, also featuring regulars Paul Zerdin as Starkey, Nigel Havers as Pirate Nigel, Gary Wilmot as Mrs Henrietta Hook, and Rob Madge as Tink. Michael Harrison returns to direct and produce his eighth Palladium panto, with set designs by Mark Walters and costume designs by Hugh Durrant created especially for The London Palladium and choreography by Karen Bruce. Saunders, who is making her panto debut, comments, “I could not be more delighted to be doing my first panto ever at the Palladium. I am a huge fan of panto and The Palladium always delivers. I wouldn’t want to be in Peter Pan’s tiny soft shoes let me tell you, because I am going to give Hook my all!”  Press contacts: David Bloom, david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk, Rebeccas Byers, rebecca.byers@storyhousepr.co.uk at Storyhouse PR. Website: https://palladiumpantomime.com/

LONDON: Ulster American (Riverside Studios) Jeremy Herrin directs Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Louisa Harland in David Ireland’s social satire, first seen at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre in 2018 during the Edinburgh Fringe, when it won a Fringe First from The Scotsman. Press contacts:  Kate Hassell kate@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://www.ulsteramericanplay.com/

• Thursday December 14

LONDON: Stranger Things: The First Shadow (Phoenix Theatre) Previews from November 17, press night December 14. Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin co-direct the world premiere of a new play by Kate Terry, a writer and co-executive producer of the Netflix series of the same name, that is being brought to the stage by Netflix and Sonia Friedman. The series, created by the Duffer Brothers, has run to four series so far; the fourth one scored a record breaking 13.5billion hours viewed. The cast includes Shane Attwooll, Kemi Awoderu, Chase Brown, Christopher Buckley, Ammar Duffus, Gilles Geary, Florence Guy, Max Harwood, Michael Jibson, Oscar Lloyd, Louis McCartney,Isabella Pappas, Matthew Pidgeon, Calum Ross, Maisie Norma Seaton, Patrick Vaill, Lauren Ward, and Ella Karuna Williams. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://uk.strangerthingsonstage.com/

• Friday December 15

LONDON: Macbeth (Donmar Warehouse) December 8-February 10, press night December 15.  Max Webster directs David Tennant returns to the Donmar, where he previously appeared in Lobby Hero, to star in the title role of Shakespeare’s tragedy, directed by Max Webster, associate director of the theatre where he has directed Henry V. Tennant is joined by Cush Jumbo as Lady Macbeth. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/12601ADHGSMRHJGRGJSDPTNTCRCGQHPQN?_ga=2.106030659.156140400.1683278146-271324096.1681127119&_gl=1%2aw3j0%2a_ga%2aMjcxMzI0MDk2LjE2ODExMjcxMTk.%2a_ga_74MLL7KHM5%2aMTY4MzI3ODE0NS4yLjEuMTY4MzI3ODE3OS4yNi4wLjA

• Tuesday January 9

LONDON: The Unfriend (Wyndham’s Theatre) December 16-March 9, press night January 9. Steven Moffatt’s dark comedy returns to the West End, after its original transfer from Chichester’s Minerva Theatre previously played at the Criterion. Directed by Mark Gatiss (Moffat’s co-writer on TV’s Sherlock and Dracula), Lee Mack joins the cast to replace Reece Shearsmith, with Frances Barber reprising her performance in the title role. Also in the cast are Sarah Alexander and Nick Sampson. Press contacts: Ben Wooldridge benw@breadandbutterpr.uk,Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk,Matthew Sedman  matthew@breadandbutterpr.ukWebsite:  https://theunfriend.com/

• Wednesday January 10

LONDON: The Enfield Haunting (Ambassadors Theatre) November 30-March 2, press night January 10 (moved from December 6). Catherine Tate and David Threlfall star in Paul Unwin’s new play, based on a famous poltergeist event. It will be directed bye Angus Jackson. In a press statement, the original press night of December 6 was moved to January 10: “Over the last few weeks the production has had to contend with cast illness, which significantly interrupted the rehearsal process, and as such the show is not yet ready to formally open to the press.” Press contact: Nada Zaukula at Storyhouse,  nada.zakula@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website: https://enfieldhauntingplay.com

• Monday January 15

LONDON: Plaza Suite (Savoy Theatre) January 15-March 31. Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker reprise their Broadway roles in John Benjamin Hickey’s revival of Neil Simon’s classic comedy, playing three different couples occupying the same New York hotel suite. Press contact: Press contact: Simon Raw, Emily Webb, Daniel O’Carroll at Raw PR, simon@rawpr.co.uk,  daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: http://plazasuiteuk.com/

• Monday January 22

LONDON: Dana H.  (Royal Court Theatre Downstairs) January 16-March 9, press night January 22. Lucas Hnath’s play, adapted from interviews with his mother, who was a psych ward chaplain who was held captive by a patient in a series of Florida motels for five months, receives its UK premiere, with Deirde O’Donnell reprising her 2022 Tony award winning performance in the title role, in which she meticulously lip-synchs to the actual interviews.  This Goodman Theatre / Center Theatre Group / Vineyard Theatre production is directed by former Royal Court associate director Les Waters. Press contact: Maisie Lawrence maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ella Gold, EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com    Website:https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/dana-h/

• Thursday February 8

LONDON: The Hills of California (Harold Pinter Theatre) January 27-June 15, press night February 8. Sam Mendes directs the world premiere of Jez Buterworth’s latest play, set in a  Blackpool guest house in 1976 where the Webb sisters return to as she lies dying upstairs. Co-produced by Sonia Friedman Productions and Neal Street Productions.  Press contact: Divya Cota divya@emmahollandpr.com Website: www.hillsofcaliforniaplay.com

• Tuesday February 13

LONDON: Just for One Day (Old Vic) January 26-March 30, press night February 13. Luke Shepherd directs the world premiere of a musical by John O’Farrell, who also wrote the books for Mrs Doubtfire and Something Rotten, about the day that rock ’n’ roll changed the world — when Live Aid saw 70 leading artists performing for free in front of a global audience of 1.5m at Wembley Stadium, raising £127m for famine relief. The musical, featuring the songs of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more. In a press statement, Old Vic artistic director Matthew Warchus has commented, “’For those of us who were around in the ‘80s, Saturday 13 July 1985 I’m sure will be one of those days that is forever etched in our memories. We all remember where we watched Live Aid, who we watched it with, and the pure amazement at the feat that was unfolding before our eyes. It’s these memories and individual stories that are the beating heart of Just For One Day, and I can’t wait for audiences to share in a moment that galvanised the globe once again.” Bob Geldof, whose idea it was, adds: “From seeing Just For One Day throughout its development, if this musical encourages just one person to have a positive impact for the better, then it will be a job well done. I’m looking forward to seeing it at The Old Vic… it better not be shit!” The cast will include Julie Atherton, Ashley Campbell, Jackie Clune, Craige Els, James Hameed, Naomi Katiyo, Hope Kenna, Freddie Love, Emily Ooi and Rhys Wilkinson with further casting to be announced. Press contact: David Bloom david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk Lewis Jenkins: lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/just-for-one-day

• Wednesday February 14

LONDON: The King and I (Dominion Theatre) January 20-March 2, press night February 14. Bartlett Sher’s production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, originally revived at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont in 2015, and subsequently seen at the London Palladium in 2018, returns to London, to play a limited season at the Dominion Theatre following its current UK national tour. Darren Lee and Call The Midwife’s Helen George star in the title roles, as the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens respectively. Press contact: Hannah Tollman at Neil Reading PR Hannah@neilreadingpr.com Website: https://kingandimusical.co.uk/

Thursday February 15

LONDON:  King Lear (Almeida Theatre) February 8-March 30, press night February 15. Yaël Farber, who last directed Macbeth at the Almeida, directs Danny Sapani in the title role of Shakespeare’s epic play. Press contact: Zoe Innis, zinnes@almeida.co.uk; Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/king-lear/

• Monday February 19

LONDON: Double Feature (Hampstead Theatre) February 8-March 16, press night February 19. Jonathan Kent directs a new play by John Logan (whose previous plays include Red and Peter and Alice, and the book for Moulin Rouge). Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, ClareJH@hampsteadtheatre..com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/double-feature/

• Tuesday February 20

LONDON: An Enemy of the People (Duke of York’s) February 6-April 6, press night February 20. Ibsen’s play revived in a production conceived and directed by Thomas Ostermeier, in a version by Ostermeier and Florian Borschmeyer, that was originally produced by Schaubühne Berlin. Matt Smith will return to the London stage to play Dr Stockmann, whose discovery that the healing waters in his local baths are contaminated is rejected by his fellow, self-interested citizens.  Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com, Katie McDonagh katiemd@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://anenemyofthepeople.co.uk/

• Wednesday February 21

LONDON: Hadestown (Lyric Theatre) Previews from February 10, press night February 21. The Anaïs Mitchell-scored musical returns to London, where it was first seen in 2018 at the National Theatre, for a West End run. In a press statement, she has said, “We’re all thrilled to be bringing Hadestown back to London!  We truly loved our time at the National Theatre in 2018 and felt so welcomed by your city that it feels like a homecoming to be returning (to the West End)!  I’m excited to work in and with the fantastic theatre community of London, and to share the newest version of our show, as there was a great deal of development pre-Broadway based on things we learned at the National!  And it’s always a curious gift to witness how this epic myth vibrates differently in different places and times.  That is, West End Hadestown will be its own world- born of London and the now- and we can’t wait to discover it.” Rachel Chavkin directs again, joined by her Broadway creative team including choreographer David Neumann and designers Rachel Hauck (sets), Michael Krasss (costumes), Bradley King (lighting), and Kevin Steinberg and Jessica Paz (sound).  Casting is to be announced. Press contact: David Bloom david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk, Lewis Jenkins lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk  Website: https://uk.hadestown.com/

• Thursday February 22

LONDON: The Big Life (Theatre Royal Stratford East) February 16-March 30, press night February 22. Tinuke Craig directs a 20th anniversary revival of the musical that was originally premiered at Stratford East before transferring to the West End. It has a book by Paul Sirett and Tameka Empson, lyrics by Siren and music by Paul Joseph. Press contact: Tom Kershaw-Green tom@joallanpr.com Website: https://www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/the-big-life

• Tuesday February 27

LONDON: Nachtland (Young Vic) February 20-April 20, press night February 27. Patrick Marber directs the UK premiere of Marius von Mayenburg’s satire about marriage, legacy, and the rise of the new right. In a press statement, Marber has commented, “Nachtland is a jagged, modern satire but when the laughter stops, there’s a haunting disquiet underneath. I want the show to be thrilling and surprising, the kind of theatre I love.” Press contact: Su-Ann Chow-Seegoolam, Su-AnnChow-Seegoolam@youngvic.org, Karl-Lydie Jean-Baptiste, Karllydie@youngvic.org   Website: https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/nachtland

• Friday March 15

LONDON: Sister Act – the Musical (Dominion Theatre) March 15-August 31. Sister Act — the Musical is returning to London yet again, with a reprise for the 2022 production that played at Hammersmith Apollo; it will now play at the more central Dominion Theatre, with Beverley Knight returning to the role of Deloris Van Cartier that she first played in 2022 for the first part of the run, from March 15 to June 8, and then succeeded by Alexandra Burke, ahoy returning to the role that she previously played in the 2016 tour, from June 10 to August 31.  The musical, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Glenn Slater, has a book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, with additional material by Douglas Carter Beane. It is directed by Bill Buckhurst, and produced by Jamie Wilson, Gavin Kalin, Kevin McCollum and Leicester’s Curve Theatre. Press contacts: Simon Raw, Emily Webb or Daniel O’Carroll simon@rawpr.co.uk, emily@rawpr.co.uk, daniel@rawpr.co.uk. Website: https://www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk/london/

• Wednesday March 27

LONDON:  MJ – The Musical (Prince Edward Theatre) Previews from March 6, press night March 27. Myles Frost reprises his Tony winning performance as Michael Jackson in the London transfer of MJ, directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, with a book by Lynn Nottage. Press contact: David Bloom david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk, Lewis Jenkins lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk  Website: https://london.mjthemusical.com/?_gl=1*mkmkgn*_ga*OTAwMzIyMzk1LjE2ODQ3NDg1MDA.*_ga_19T79CV6QG*MTY4NDc0ODUwMC4xLjEuMTY4NDc0ODc5NC4wLjAuMA..&_ga=2.183079077.285530715.1684748500-900322395.1684748500

• Tuesday April 2

LONDON: Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Wyndham’s Theatre) March 19-June 8, press night April 2. Jeremy Herrin directs a cast led by patriarch James Tyrone in Eugene O’Neill’s classic family of family dysfunction, with Patricia Clarkson as his wife Mary, and Alex Lawther and Daryl McCormack as his sons Edmund and James Jr respectively. Louise Harland completes the cast as Cathleen. The last London revival of the play, in 2018, also played at Wyndham’s, with a cast led by Jeremy Irons and Lesley Manville. In a press statement, Herrin — whose company Second Half Productions is producing it — has said, “A great play is always relevant and Long Day’s Journey Into Night is, it’s often argued, the greatest play of the 20th Century. With its searing honesty and blistering depth of emotion, it must be up there. What is impossible to argue with is that we have the best cast and, in Lizzie Clachan, one of the most exciting designers in the country, to discover what makes O’Neill’s masterwork relevant for now.” Press contact: Kate Hassell at Bread and Butter PR, .kate@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://longdaysjourneylondon.com/

• Saturday May 11

REGIONAL: The Artist (Thatre Royal, Plymouth) May 11-25. Drew McOnie directs and choreographs the world premiere stage production of Michel Hazanavicius’s Oscar-winning film. Robbie Fairchilf will star as silent movie icon George Valentin, in a cast that also features Gary Wilmot and Briana Craig. Press contact: Jo Allan jo@joallanpr.com, Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com Website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/the-artist/

• Wednesday June 26

LONDON: Next to Normal (Wyndham’s Theatre) June 18-September 21, 2024, press night June 26. The Donmar Warehouse recent production of Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s 2009 Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway musical transfers to the West End. It is directed by Michael Longhurst, currently artistic director of the Donmar, but who is stepping down soon. Casting for the transfer is still to be announced; at the Donmar, the company was led by Caissie Levy and Jamie Parker. Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse, david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk; Website: https://www.nexttonormal.com/

• Tuesday October 29

LONDON: Dr Strangelove (Noel Coward Theatre) October 8-December 21, press night October 29. Steve Coogan stars in the first-ever stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film, brought to the stage by Armando Iannucci and Sean Foley (the latter also directs). In a press statement, Coogan comments, “The idea of putting Dr Strangelove on stage is daunting. A huge responsibility. It’s also an exciting challenge, an opportunity to bring this timeless classic to a new audience. Knowing that I will be part of a creative team led by Sean Foley and Armando Iannucci means I will be working with the best people. Sean is a master of stage comedy and Armando and I started working with each other over 30 years ago. We made some memorable comedy together so it’s great to be collaborating with him once again.” Press contacts: David Bloom David.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk, Nada Zakula nada.zakula@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website:  https://drstrangelove.com/