LAST UPDATED: July 10 2023

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from July 10 2023 onwards

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

• Tuesday July 11

LONDON: Dr Semelweis (Harold Pinter Theatre) June 29-October 7, press night July 11. Mark Rylance reprises his performance in Tom Morris’s production, originally premiered at Bristol Old Vic. In a press statement, Rylance comments, “Here is a person who makes one of the most important discoveries in modern medicine – what we now call ‘Bacteria’ – and yet he is pretty much unknown because for forty years, until Louis Pasteur and Dr Lister make the same discovery, no one will listen to him.  Why? I was intrigued. The inspiration to act our story with a chorus of ballet dancers and a quartet representing the many thousands of mothers who perished unnecessarily, makes this a very powerful piece of theatre for me. I am thrilled to be reviving it in London at the Harold Pinter Theatre.” Press contact: Kate Morley,  kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://drsemmelweistheplay.com/

• Wednesday July 12

REGIONAL: In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre) July 3-August 5, press night July 12. New musical structured around the back catalogue of Roy Orbison, written by David West Read, who also wrote the book for the Max Martin jukebox musical & Juliet, and reunites him with Luke Sheppard, who also directed & Juliet. The cast will be led by Broadway star Lena Hall (a Tony winner for the revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and Oliver Tompsett; the cast will also include Manuel Pacific, Gabriela Garcia, Sian Reeves-Williams and Noël Sullivan. According to the press release, the show explores legacy and how we would like to be remembered. Read has commented, “When I was growing up in Canada, the iconic music of Roy Orbison was playing on repeat in my household, and it has been a lifelong ambition of mine to build a contemporary musical around his classic songs. To bring this show to the Leeds audience, in this theatre, in this moment, is quite literally a dream come true.” Press contact: Rachel Marriner rachel.marriner@leedsplayhouse.org.uk. Website:  https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/in-dreams/

LONDON: Cuckoo (Royal Court Theatre Downstairs) July 6-August 19, press night July 12, then at  Liverpool Everyman from September 6-23. Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone directs Michael Wynne’s new dark comedy that explores the safety of home and the different ways we cope in our increasingly uncertain world.  The cast comprises Michelle Butterly, Emma Harrison, Sue Jenkins and Jodie McNee. Press contact: Maisie Lawrence maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ella Gold, EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com    Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/cuckoo

• Thursday July 13

REGIONAL: Miss Saigon (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield) July 8-August 12, press night July 13. First regional non-replica production of the 1989 Boublil and Schönberg’s musical retelling of Madame Butterfly set during the Vietnam war, originally produced by Cameron Mackintosh and premiered at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where it ran for a decade. This new production is reimagined by Crucible artistic director Robert Hastie and RTYDS Associate Director Anthony Lau. It will star Jonanna Ampil, who previously played the role of Kim in the West End, Australia and on a UK tour, will play the Engineer. In a press statement, Anthony Lau has commented, “Robert Hastie and I are thrilled to be directing a new version of the musical, Miss Saigon. With one of the most extraordinary scores in musical theatre history, we are looking forward to offering a fresh perspective on a musical that so many people have an opinion on. We want this project to ignite conversation and Cameron [Mackintosh] has encouraged us to be bold and original in our approach. The subject matter compels us to delve sensitively and deeply into the complications of two cultures entwined. At a time when it feels like there is more division than ever in society, epic stories like this give us the opportunity to embrace nuance and complexity in exploring the human experience.” Press contacts: James Lever  james@joallanpr.com, Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan jo@joallanpr.com. Website: https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/Mis miss-saigon

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

• Monday July 17

REGIONAL: The Sound of Music (Chichester Festival Theatre) July 10-September 3, press night July 17. Gina Beck, who last starred as Nellie Forbush in Chichester’s South Pacific, returns to star as Maria von Trapp in another Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.  It will be directed by Adam Penfold, artistic director of Nottingham Playhouse. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website:  https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-sound-of-music

Tuesday July 18

REGIONAL: The Empress (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) July 7-November 18, press night July 18, with season at the Lyric Hammersmith fro October 4-28, press night October 10. Pooja Ghai, Artistic Director of Tamasha, directs the world premiere of a play by Tanika Gupta, set in 1887, as Queen Victoria celebrates her Golden Anniversary. Spanning 13 years over the ‘Golden Era’ of Empire, it blends the experiences of Indian ayahs and lascars who worked on the ships carrying trade goods, alongside the first Indian politician to be elected as a Member of Parliament. This epic story reveals how socially diverse the Asian presence was in nineteenth century Britain. Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/the-empress/

• Wednesday July 19

LONDON: The Crown Jewels (Garrick Theatre) July 7-September 16, press night July 19. Sean Foley directs the West End premiere of a new comedy by Simon Nye, with an all-star comedy cast including Al Murray, Mel Giedroyc and Neil Morrisey, and also featuring Carrie Hope Fletcher, Aidan McArdle, Joe Thomas and Tanvi Virmani. Following its West End season, it will tour to Salford, Canterbury and Cardiff. Press contacts: Rebecca Byers, rebecca.byers@storyhousepr.co.uk; David Bloom, david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://crownjewelsplay.com/

• Thursday July 20

BROADWAY: Here Lies Love (Broadway Theatre) Previews from June 17, opening night July 20. David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s immersive disco pop musical, first seen at the Public Theatre in 2013 and then receiving its UK premiere at the NT’s Dorfman, transfers to Broadway at last. Charting the rise and fall of Philippines’ first lady Imelda Marcos, it is directed by Alex Timbers and choreographed by Annie-B Parson. Jose Lllana will reprise his off-Broadway performance as Ferdinand Marcos, the 10th President of the Philippines who presided over a 20-year dictatorship there, with Conrad Ricamore also returning to reprise his performance as opposition leader Benigno ‘Ninoy’ Aquino, who was Marcos’s primary critic and was assassinated in 1983. It will transform the venue’s traditional proscenium floor space into a dance club environment, where audiences will stand and move with the actors. A wide variety of standing and seating options will be available throughout the theatre’s reconstructed space. Press contact: : Adrian Bryan-Brown / Michelle Farabaugh at Boneau/Bryan-Brown. Website: https://herelieslovebroadway.com/

• Friday July 21

REGIONAL: Annie Your Gun (Lavender Theatre, Epsom) July 17-August 5. A brand-new, purpose-built summer outdoor theatre, located on a lavender farm in Banstead, Surrey, is launched with a new production of the Irving Berlin classic musical, directed and choreographed by Simon Hardwick. Press contact: Press contact:  Kevin Wilson,  kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com. Website: http://lavendertheatre.com/

• Monday July 24

BROADWAY: The Cottage (Helen Hayes) July 7-October 29, opening night July 24. Jason Alexander makes his Broadway directorial debut with Sandy Rustin’s comedy, starring Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy and Lilli Cooper. inspired by the works of Noel Coward, the play is set in the English countryside in 1923. It follows what happens when Sylvia decides to expose her affair to both her husband and to her lover’s wife. Alexander comments, “To be a Broadway director doing a new and delicious comedy with a team and cast I adore is the definition of a dream come true. I am incredibly excited to bring this hysterical play to an audience that is ready to laugh and have a fantastic time.”  Press contacts: Chris Boneau/Jackie Green/ Faith Maciolek at Boneau/Byan-Brown. Website: https://thecottageonbroadway.com/

• Wednesday July 26

LONDON: Word-Play (Royal Court Theatre Upstairs) July 20-August 26.  Nimmo Ismail directs Rabiah Hussain’s new play that explores how language seeps into public consciousness and reverberates with far reaching consequences that will last for generations. Press contact: Maisie Lawrence maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ella Gold, EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com    Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/word-play

• Monday July 31

REGIONAL Rock Follies (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  July 24-August 26, press night July 31. Dominic Cooke directs a cast that includes Carly Bawden, Zizi Strallen, Samuel Barnett, Tamsin Carroll and Fred Haig in a new musical, with a a book by Chloë Moss and original songs from the ground-breaking TV series by Howard Schuman and Andy Mackay. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/rock-follies

• Thursday August 3

BROADWAY: Back to the Future: The Musical (Winter Garden Theatre) Previews from June 30, opening night August 3. The current West End hit stage version of the 1985 film, now running at the Adelphi, transfers to Broadway, in John Rando’s production. Press contacts: Matt Polk / Colgan McNeil / Alex Seeley / Nicolette Cacaldi at Polk & Co. Website: https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com/new-york/

LONDON: 24 (Day) (Almeida Theatre) August 3-5. Jack Nurse directs Annie Jenkins’ play that is the first in a trilogy of plays bringing together local artists, community performers and professional creatives to explore what it means to live, work, love, pray, celebrate and mourn in Islington. It will be followed by 81 (Life) and 1000 (Millennia)in the next two years. Press contact: amilard@almeida.co.uk. Website:  https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/24-day/

• Tuesday August 8

LONDON: La Cage Aux Folles (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) July 29-September 16, press night August 8. Harvey Fierstein and Jerry Herman’s 1983 musical, based on the play by Jean Poiret, is revived at Regent’s Park by artistic director Timothy Sheader.  Press contact: James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/la-cage-aux-folles

• Wednesday August 9

LONDON: The Effect (National’s Lyttelton Theatre) August 1-September 28, press night August 9. Jamie Lloyd directs a new production of Lucy Prebble’s play about two volunteers in a clinical trial for antidepressants, with a cast led by Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell. Press contact:  Louisa Terry lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-effect/

REGIONAL: Alone Together (Theatre Royal, Windsor) August 4-19, press night August 9. A new play by actor-turned-playwright Simon Williams is premiered as part of this year’s summer season at Windsor. Sean Mathias directs a play in which a woman is driven by the loneliness of a dismal marriage to finds comfort in a chance meeting with a young novelist. Each have secrets to protect and pasts to work through, but was it really a chance encounter? Press contract: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com.Website: https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/alone-together/

• Thursday August 10

BROADWAY: The Shark is Broken (Golden Theatre) July 25-November , opening night August 18. Ian Shaw, son of Jaws star Robert Shaw, brings his play, co-written with Joseph Nixon, to Broadway, playing his own father in a behind-th-scenes story of the filming of the 1974 film Jaws. It previously had an Olivier-nominated run in the West End. Press contacts: Matt Polk / Wayne Wolfe / Lilly Claar, Nina Chae-Gordon at Polk & Co. Website: https://thesharkisbroken.com/

• Tuesday August 15

REGIONAL: Falkland Sound (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) August 5-September 16, press night August 15. Aaron Parsons directs Brad Birch’s new play about the invasion of the Falkland Islands, by Argentine forces, that tells the story of a small community plunged into the middle of an international crisis. It is described in press materials as “a play about empire, community, and what it means to live in someone else’s metaphor.” Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/falkland-sound

• Tuesday August 22

LONDON: Next to Normal (Donmar Warehouse) August 12-October 7, press night August 22. Donmar artistic director Michael Longhurst directs the UK premiere of Tom Kitt and Michael Yorkey’s 2009 Broadway musical, which won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, that revolves around a suburban wife and mother living with bipolar disorder. The cast will be led by Caissie Levy, seen on Broadway playing the lead role of Anna in the original cast of Frozen and more recently there in Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt. She is joined by Trevor Dion Nicholas, Jack Ofrecio, Jamie Parker, Jack Wolfe and Eleanor Worthington-Cox.  Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9601AVDDJDNPPDCBTDGNSVVJSTBLBSPNQ?_ga=2.234789657.649449794.1665478808-973653908.1665478808

• Wednesday August 23

LONDON: A Mirror (Almeida Theatre) Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Reynolds and Micheal Ward feature in the world premiere of a new play by Sam Holcroft, directed by Jeremy Herrin, that interrogates censorship, authorship and free speech. Press contact: Zoe Innis, zinnes@almeida.co.uk; Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/a-mirror/

Wednesday August 30

REGIONAL: Macbeth (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) August 19-October 14, press night August 30. Wils Wilson, associate director at Edinburgh’s Lyceum, makes her RSC directorial debut. Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/

• Wednesday September 6

REGIONAL: Never Have I Ever (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva) September 1-30, press night September 6. Emma Butler directs Alexandra Roach, Greg Wise and Susan Wokoma in the world premiere of a play by Deborah Frances-White, the comedian, screenwriter and host of The Guilty Feminist podcast. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/never-have-i-ever

• Tuesday September 12

REGIONAL: A View From the Bridge (Octagon Theatre, Bolton) September 8-30, press night September 12; then at Chichester Festival Theatre, October 6-28, press night, October 10; and then Rose Theatre, Kingston, October 31-November 11. Headlong co-produce a revival of Arthur Miller’s play with Bolton’s Octagon, Chichester Festival Theatre and Kingston’s Rose. Jaz Woodstock-Stewart directs. Press contact: Kate Hassell at Bread and Butter PR: kate@breadandbutterpr.uk.  

• Wednesday September 13

LONDON: Private Lives (Ambassadors Theatre) August 31-November 25, press night September 13. Nigel Havers and Patricia Hodge star in Noël Coward’s comedy, in a Theatre Royal Bath production directed by Christopher Luscombe. Also in the cast are Dugald Bruce-Lockhart and Natalie Walter.  Press contact: Lewis Jenkins lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk  Website:  https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/private-lives/ambassadors-theatre/

• Thursday September 14

LONDON: Beautiful Thing (Theatre Royal Stratford East) September 8-October 7, press night September 14. Jonathan Harvey’s 1994 play about coming out and coming of age, originally premiered at the Bush, gets a 30th anniversary revival, directed by Antony Simpson-Pike. Press contact: Tom Kershaw-Green tom@joallanpr.com Website: https://www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/beautiful-thing

LONDON: The Little Big Things (@sohoplae) September 2-November 24, press night September 14. World premiere of a British musical, with music by Nick Butcher and lyrics by Butcher and Tom Ling, based on the best-selling inspirational memoir by Henry Fraser. Luke Sheppard directs a cast that features Ed Larkin as Henry Fraser, with Linzi Hateley and Alasdair Harvey as his parents Fran and Andrew. In a press statement Harvey has commented, “Henry Fraser is an extraordinary young man and it’s a privilege be part of the team bringing his story to the stage in a brand-new British musical in London’s newest theatre. Placing disability at the centre of a musical, without wallowing in sentiment is no mean feat, but our wonderful writers and brilliant creative team have developed a remarkable piece of theatre about an incredibly powerful true story. Henry’s fight for survival and new identity following life changing injuries is an inspiration and I’m thrilled to be playing his father Andrew.” It is directed by Luke Sheppard, currently represented on Broadway by the transfer of his West End production of & Juliet. Press contacts: Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan Jo@joallanpr.com, Freya Cowdry freya@joallanpr.com Website: https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/the-little-big-things

LONDON: The Father and the Assassin National’s Olivier Theatre) September 8-October 14, press night February 14. Return season for Anupama Chandrasekhar’s play about Nathuram Godse, the man who murdered Mahatma Gandhi, originally premiered at the NT in 2022. Hiran Abeysekera, who starred in the original proaction of Life of Pi, will play Godse, with Paul Bazely reprising his role as Mahatma Gandhi. Press contact: Louisa Terry lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-father-and-the-assassin/

• Friday 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

• Saturday September 16

LONDON: Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud Theatre) September 16-January 6. The Sondheim celebration gala — staged last year at the Sondheim Theatre — returns for a limited run to the adjoining theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, the Gielgud, with a cast led by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, with Christine Allado, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford, Beatrice Penny-Toure, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb and Jack Yarrow among the cast. It is produced and devised by Cameron Mackintosh, and directed by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie (one of the original quartet of Mackintosh’s first Sondheim revue, Side by Side by Sondheim, that he took to the West End and to Broadway). In a press sratement, Mackintosh has commented, “Steve was always a Broadway Baby at heart, so I’m delighted that I have been able to put together one last great hurrah for my old friend, containing many of the greatest songs ever written for the musical theatre, in one ‘great big Broadway show’ – just as he wanted.” Press contact: theatre@premiercomms.com. Website: https://sondheimoldfriends.com/

• Monday September 18

LONDON: anthropology (Hampstead Theatre) September 7-October 14, press night September 18. Hampstead opens its new season of eight productions with one of three world premieres, a new play by Lauren Gunderson (whose play I and You was staged at Hampstead in 2018) that will be directed by Anna Ledwich. Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, ClareJH@hampsteadtheatre..com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/anthropology/

• Tuesday September 19

BROADWAY: Merrily We Roll Along (Hudson Theatre) September 19-January 21, opening night to be announced.. Maria Friedman’s production, originally premiered at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory in 2012, returns to Broadway for the first time since the original production ran for just 16 performances in 1981. This staging was given its New York premiere at New York Theatre Workshop last year; stars Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez reprise their leading roles. Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com. Website: https://www.merrilyonbroadway.com/

• Thursday September 21

LONDON: Mlima’s Tale (Kiln Theatre) September 14-October 21, press night September 21. Miranda Cromwell directs the UK premiere of Lynn Cottage’s play about the ivory trade and its corruption. Press contact: Georgie Grant georgie@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/mlimas-tale/

Saturday September 23

REGIONAL: Sinatra The Musical (Birmingham Rep) September 23-October 28, press night to be announced) The world premiere of the first official musical to focus on the life and work of iconic entertainer Frank Sinatra, presented by Birmingham free in association with Universal Music Group Theatrical and Frank Sinatra Enterprises. Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs, with a book provided by Joe DiPietro. In a press statement, DiPietro has commented, “Growing up, there were two pictures hanging in my grandmother’s kitchen — The Pope and Frank Sinatra. So to sit down with Tina Sinatra and hear stories of her father which no one else knows, and then to be able to put those stories on stage – well I think it’ll make for an unexpected and thrilling new musical. We’ll be showing you how the man became the legend and how the legend was — at the end of the day — just a man. And I couldn’t be more excited that our world premiere is at Birmingham Rep, where I had such a phenomenal time working on What’s New, Pussycat?” Press contact: Ben Wooldridge, ben.wooldridge@birmingham-rep.co.uk. Website: https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/sinatramusical/

• Wednesday September 27

LONDON: Close Up — The Twiggy Musical (Menier Chocolate Factory) September 18-November 18, press night September 27. Ben Elton directs and writes a new musical biography of fashion model and icon of the sixties Twiggy, who has had an enduring career to become an actress, singer, writer, designer, presenter, producer and activist, as well as continuing to model. Kate Morley <kate@katemorleypr.com> https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com/tickets/close-up-the-twiggy-musical/.

• Thursday September 28

REGIONAL: Quiz (Chichester Festival Theatre) September 22-30, press night September 28. James Graham’s play about the conviction of Charles Ingram, ‘the Coughing Major’, his wife Diana and accomplices, for duping the world’s most popular TV quiz show, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, returns to Chichester, where it was originally premiered in 2017,  but this time to the main house ahead of a UK tour. It stars Rory Bremner as presenter Chris Tarrant; it is directed by Daniel Evans and Seán Linnen. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/quiz

• Thursday October 5

LONDON: Sunset Boulevard (Savoy Theatre) September 18-January 6, press night October 5. Jamie Lloyd directs Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond in a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s musical version of the Billy Wilder film. The Jamie Lloyd Company production is produced by Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, Gavin Kalin Productions and Wessex Grove. Press contact: Freya Cowdry at Jo Allan PR, freya@joallanpr.com. Website: https://sunsetboulevardwestend.com/

LONDON: Flowers for Mrs Harris (Riverside Studios) September 30-November 26, press night October 5. Bronagh Lagan directs Jenna Russell in the London premiere of Richard Taylor and Rachel Wagstaff’s musical, originally premiered at Sheffield’s Crucible in 2016 and subsequently seen at Chichester Festival Theatre, that will now play a nine-week season in this new production. Press contactP Arabella Neville-Rolfe, Arabella@anrpr.co.uk; Website: https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/flowers-for-mrs-harris-76122/

• Wednesday October 11

LONDON: The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Noel Card Theatre), October 11-November 25. Stage version of Neil Gaiman’s novel, first seen at the National Theatre before a previous West End run at the Duke of York’s, returns to London as part of its current national tour for a seven-week season at the Noel Coward. Adapted by Joel Horwood and directed by Katy Rudd, the 17-strong company comprises Charlie Brooks, Daniel Cornish, Trevor Fox, Emma-Jane Goodwin, Paolo Guidi, Millie Hikasa, Lewis Howard, Kemi-Bo Jacobs, Jasmeen James, Ronnie Lee, Aimee McGoldrick, Laurie Ogden, Keir Ogilvy, Domonic Ramsden, Joe Rawlinson-Hunt, Risha Silvera and Finty Williams.  Press contact: Holly Nicholls, honicholls@nationaltheatre.org.uk; Website: https://oceanonstage.com/

• Thursday October 12

LONDON: Hamnet (Garrick Theatre) September 30-January 6, with a press night on October 12 (following run at Stratford-upon-Avon’s Swan Theater, April 1-June 17, press night April 12) World premiere of Lolita Chakbrabarti’s stage adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Shakespearean novel transfers to London, after reopening the newly restored Swan Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. Tom Varey plays Shakespeare, with Madeleine Mantock as Agnes Hathaway and Peter Wight as John/Will Kempe. Erica Whyman, acting artistic director, directs her 12th production for the company. Press contact:  Kate Evans, Kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/hamnet/

• Tuesday October 17

REGIONAL: The Inquiry (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  October 13-November 4, press night October 17. Harry Davies, a writer and investigative reporter for The Guardian, writes his first play, about an MP who is also Secretary of State for Justice, and a rising star of his party. But an inquiry is about to publish its findings about a public health disaster that happened on his watch as Environment minister. It is directed by Joanna Bowman, who directed Sing Yer Heart out for the Lads in the Minerva in 2022. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/the-inquiry

• Thursday October 19

LONDON: Clyde’s (Donmar Warehouse) October 13-December 2, press night October 19. Lynette Linton directs the UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s play, seen on Broadway in 2021, that’s set in the kitchen of a truck stock cafe, where the staff are people who have been formerly incarcerated and are given a second chance by proprietor Clyde. Linton previously directed Nottage’s Sweat at the Donmar that subsequently transferred to the West End. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/12201AVGSVDJSKHNLNDGDHCNLJPBPLMHR?_gl=1%2a3vnqw9%2a_ga%2aMjcxMzI0MDk2LjE2ODExMjcxMTk.%2a_ga_74MLL7KHM5%2aMTY4MzI3ODE0NS4yLjAuMTY4MzI3ODE0NS42MC4wLjA.&_ga=2.172740195.156140400.1683278146-271324096.1681127119

Tuesday October 24

REGIONAL: Cowbois (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) October 14-November 18, press night October 24. A queer cowboy show written by Charlie Josephine, and co-directed by Josephine and Sean Holmes. kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/cowbois

• Wednesday October 25

LONDON: Lyonesse (Harold Pinter Theatre) October 17-December 23, press night October 25. Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James star in the world premiere of Penelope Skinner’s play, directed by Ian Rickson. Thomas plays a  a reclusive and talented actress, who long ago disappeared in mysterious circumstances. 30 years later, she finally feels ready to tell her story – summoning Kate, a young film executive (Lily James), to her remote Cornish home to assist with her glorious comeback. But who really controls the stories we tell, and how we get to tell them? Will these women own their narrative, or will it be swept away from them at any given moment? Press contact: Chloe Pritchard-Gordon Chloe@aboutgracepr.com,  Laura Myers laura@aboutgracepr.com. Website: https://lyonesseonstage.com/

• Thursday October 26

LONDON: To Have and to Hold (Hampstead Theatre) October 20-November 25, press night October 26.  Richard Wilson directs the world premiere of a new comedy by Richard Bean, about ageing parents who just don’t want to be dealt with.  Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, ClareJH@hampsteadtheatre..com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/to-have-and-to-hold/

• Tuesday October 31

LONDON: King Lear (Wyndham’s Theatre) Previews from October 21, opens October 31, for a run of 50 performances. Kenneth Branagh directs and plays the title role in a new production of Shakespeare’s play that will subsequently transfer to New York’s The Shed Theatre in autumn 2024.  Press contact: Ben Chamberlain at Bread and Butter PR, ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://kinglearbranagh.com/

REGIONAL: Machinal (Bath’s Ustinov Studio) October 20-November 18, press night October 31. Richard Jones directs a new production of Sophie Treadwell’s 1920s play based on the true story of the committal and execution of Ruth Snyder, who with her lover Judd Gray had murdered her husband.  Press contact: Lewis Jenkind at Storehouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk;

• Wednesday November 1

LONDON: The Time Traveller’s Wife: The Musical (Apollo Theatre) Previews from October 7, opens November 1. The world premiere production of a musical, seen at Chester’s Storyhouse last October, transfers to the West End, with its Chester leads David Hunter and Joanna Woodward reprising their performances. The cast also includes Tim Mahendran, Hiba Elchikhe and Ross Dawes. Based on the best-selling novel by Audrey Niffenegger and the New Line Cinema film screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, it has a book by Lauren Gunderson, original music and lyrics by Joss Stone and Dave Stewart and additional music by Nick Finlow and additional lyrics by Kait Kerrigan. It is directed by Bill Buckhurst. Producer Colin Ingram comments, “After six years developing this show and an extremely successful try-out in Chester, we are so delighted to present the world premiere of a new British musical based on such a beloved book. This confident, clever and charming musical by British rock royalty Dave Stewart and Joss Stone shows off their musicianship and director Bill Buckhurst and his creative team have created an incredible world to tell this cherished story in the most powerful and emotional way.” Press contact: Amanda Malpass, amanda@amandamalpass.com. Website: http://timetravellerswife.com/

• Tuesday November 7

LONDON: Backstairs Billy (Duke of York’s) October 27-January 27, press night November 7. Michael Grandage directs the world premiere of Marcelo Dos Santos’s play, set in 1979, and revolving around the long-time relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant William “Billy” Tallon. Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans, the latter returning to the London stage for the first time in over 15 years, star. Press contact: Kate Morley <kate@katemorleypr.com> Website: https://www.michaelgrandagecompany.com/productions/theatre/backstairs-billy

• Monday November 13

BROADWAY: Harmony (Ethel Barrymore Theatre) Previews from October 18, opening night November 13. Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman’s musical, which has been in development and received a number of regional productions in the last quarter of a century, is to finally arrive on Broadway, directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle who staged the show’s New York premiere in 2022, presented by off-Broadway’s National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene at the Museum of Jewish Heritage. The show tells the true story of the Comedian Harmonists, who in the 1920s and 1930s sold millions or records and made dozens of films, catapulting its six members from singing in Berlin subway tunnels to international stardom. Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Pete Sanders / Amanda Meyer / Ellie Detweiler rick@omdkc.com / pete@omdkc.com / amanda@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com. Website: https://harmonyanewmusical.com/

• Thursday November 16 

LONDON:  Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) November 9-December 23, press night November 16. Tim Jackson directs and choreographs a new British musical by Jim Barne and Kit Buchan.. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com.

• Tuesday November 21

LONDON: The Witches (National’s Olivier Theatre) November 7- January 6, press night November 21.New musical version of Roald Dahl’s popular story about a band of witches determined to squalor every single stinking child in England. With a book by Lucy Kirkwood and songs and lyrics by Dave Malloy, Lyndsey Turner directs a cast that includes Katherine Kingsley as the Grand High Witch, Daniel Rigby as Mr Stringer. Choreography is by Stephen Mear.   Press contact:  Louisa Terry lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-witches/

• 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/

• Saturday December 9

LONDON: Peter Pan (London Palladium) December 9-January 14, press night to be announced. 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/

• Tuesday December 12

LONDON: Rock ’n’ Roll (Hampstead Theatre) December 6-January 27. 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/

• 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. 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

• 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/

• 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/

• 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/

• 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

• 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/