LAST UPDATED: May 12 2023

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from May 8 2023 onwards

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

• Tuesday May 9

LONDON: Operation Mincemeat (Fortune Theatre) March 29-July 8, press night May 9. SpitLip theatre company, comprising David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts (who are joined by Claire-Marie Hall and Jak Malone), bring their fringe hit, originally premiered at the New Diorama before going on to extended runs at Southwark Playhouse and then Riverside Studios earlier this year, to the West End, newly directed by Rob Hastie and choreographed by Jenny Arnold.  It is presented in the West End by Avalon in association with SpitLip. In press materials, the show is described thus: “The year is 1943 and we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.  Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Noel Coward meets Noel Fielding, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II. The question is, how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler?” Press contact: Victoria Wedderburn at Avalon, VWedderburgn@avalonuk.com. Website: https://www.operationmincemeat.com/

• Wednesday May 10

REGIONAL: 4000 Miles (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva) May 4-June 10, press night May 10. Eileen Atkins stars with Sebastian Croft in Richard Eyre’s production of Amy Herzog’s 2012 play, which Atkins was originally announced to do with Timothée Chalamet at the Old Vic in 2020, but was derailed by the pandemic). Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/4000-miles

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

• Wednesday May 17

LONDON: Once on this Island (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) May 10-June 10, press night May 17. Ahrens and Flaherty’s 1990 Broadway musical based on Rosa Guy’s novel My Love, My Love is revived in a new production by director Ola Ince to open this year’s summer season at Regent’s Park. The cast will be led by Gabrielle Brooks as Ti Moune with Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Daniel. Also in featured roles are Jonathon Grant, Emilie Louise Israel, Chris Jarman,  Anelisa Lamola, Natasha Magigi, Ashley Samuels and Lejaun Sheppard. Press contact; James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/once-on-this-island

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. The cast will be led by Ruthie Henshall as Dorothy Brock and Adam Garcia as Julian March, with Les Dennis as Bert Barry, Nicole-Lily Baisden as Peggy Sawyer and Sam Lips as Billy Lawlor. 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 May 18

LONDON: Bleak Expectations (Criterion Theatre) Previews from May 3, opens May 18. Mark Evans’s Dickens mash-up, adapted from the BBC Radio 4 comedy of the same name, transfers from Newbury’s Watermill to the West End, where a special guest star will take on the role of the narrator every week. Guests so far confirmed include Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller and Sue Perkins. Press contact: Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk, Andrea Gillespie andrea@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://bleakexpectations.com/

LONDON: Brokeback Mountain (@sohoplace) May 10-August 12, press night May 18. World premiere of a new play with music, written by Ashley Robinson with songs by Dan Gillespie Sells, based on Annie Proulx’s short story. Jonathan Butterell, who also directed the original production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie that was scored by Sells, directs a cast that includes Mike Faist, Lucas Hedges, Eddi Reader, Paul Hickey, Martin Marquez and Emily Fairs. Press contact: Kitty Greenleaf kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan jo@joallanpr.com, Freya Cowdry freya@joallanpr.com. Website: https://sohoplace.org/whats-on/brokeback-mountain

LONDON: The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare’s Globe) May 12-July 29, press night May 18. Globe associate artistic director Sean Holmes directs a cast that includes Matthew Broome as Antipholus of Ephesus, Michael Elcock as Antipholus of Syracuse, George Fouracres as Dromio of Ephesus and Jordan Metcalfe as Dromio of Syracuse. Press contacts: Claudia Conway claudia.c@shakespearesglobe.com, Alice Rickett: alice.r@shakespearesglobe.com Website: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/the-comedy-of-errors-2023/

• Friday May 19

LONDON: The Second Woman (Young Vic) From 4pm on Friday (May 19) to 4pm on Saturday (May 20), Ruth Wilson gives a one-off, 24-hour performance in which 100 different men are invited to star opposite her as she performs over and over a scene between a man and a woman in a relationship that has lost its creativity and romance. None of the 100 different Martys will have met or rehearsed with Ruth Wilson’s Virginia and most of them are non-actors. inspired by John Cassavetes’ film Opening Night, it is created by Anna Breckon and Nat Randall, and presented in a collaboration between LIFT and the Young Vic. In a press statement, Wilson has commented, “I have a feeling that The Second Woman will challenge all norms of what it means to be actor and audience, to be performer and observer. I’m interested in what happens in that space between us all; if we form a bond as we watch and anticipate the next play partner. This is a one-off, 24-hour experience of pure, spontaneous interaction. It will never happen again.” Tickets will be available for the full 24 hours, for allocated time slots and on-the-door.  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-second-woman-0

• Monday May 22

LONDON: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (Southwark Playhouse Elephant) May 22-July 1, press night to be announced) Jethro Compton and Darren Clark’s musical adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald’s story returns to Southwark Playhouse, where it was originally premiered in 2019 , but this time to its new space at Elephant and Castle, with a cast led by Jamie Parker and Molly Osborne. In a press statement, Compton has commented, “I’m thrilled to be bringing this story back to London. Southwark Playhouse has been a home to me for almost fifteen years, and to have the chance to return with this new production of Button, in their new venue, feels like the perfect homecoming. It’s a show about time, and home, and love – things that I’m sure have new meaning for most of us after these years of uncertainty. I have so much love for the 2019 production. It was a scrappy little show, produced on a shoestring, with an enormous amount of heart.  The last four years have given us time to let the story and the music grow and develop. But for those who loved what we made in 2019, don’t worry – the heart of that scrappy little show is very much alive.” Press contact: Raw PR (simon@rawpr.co.uk,  emily@rawpr.co.uk,  daniel@rawpr.co.uk) Website: https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button/

• Thursday May 25

LONDON: Aspects of Love (Lyric Theatre) Previews from May 12, press night May 25. Michael Ball reunites with director Jonathan Kent, who previously collaborated on a Chichester revival of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, for a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1989 musical Aspects of Love, based on the novel by David Garnett and featuring lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart. Ball starred in the original production as the young romantic lead Alex; now he will play the older man George. Meanwhile, his original role — who sings “Love Changes Everything” — will be played by Jamie Bogyo, who made his professional theatre debut in the lead role of Christian in the original London company of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Also in the cast are Laura Pitt-Pulford as Rose, Danielle de Niese as Guiletta, Rosemary Ashe as Elizabeth and Michael Matus as Marcel. Press contact: David Bloom at Storyhouse,  david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk.. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/aspects-of-love/

• Friday May 26

LONDON: Rose (Ambassadors Theatre)  May 23-June 18, press night `May 26. Maureen Lipman reprises her role in Martin Sherman’s solo play that she previously performed at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre and London’s Park Theatre. The play, originally premiered at the National in 1999 with Olympia Dukakis, follows a woman whose tumultuous journey through anarchic times takes her from the devastation of Nazi- occupied Europe to the allure of the American dream. Through the life of one woman, Rosetells the story of a century where everything changed except the violence of the strong against the weak.  It is directed by Scott Le Crass. In a press statement, the playwright has commented,  “Maureen Lipman’s performance as Rose is the greatest gift a playwright could ever dream of. Performance is perhaps the wrong word; she totally inhabits the role, the woman, the space, the language, the times, the events. I’m so happy that her astonishing alchemy has the opportunity to be witnessed again, for four weeks (only!) at the Ambassadors Theatre.”  Press contact: Arabella Neville-Rolfe Arabella@anrpr.co.uk Website: http://roseonstage.co.uk/

• Tuesday May 30

BROADWAY: Grey House (Lyceum Theatre) April 29-September 3, opening night May 30. New York premiere for Levi Holloway’s thriller, previously seen in Chicago. Joe Mantello directs a cast that features Laurie Metcalf, Tatiana Maslany, Paul Sparks, Sophia Anne Caruso and Millicent Simmonds.  The play, which is the first new Broadway production of the 2023-24 season, is being produced by Tom Kirdahy and Robert Ahrens, who have commented, “The moment we encountered Levi Holloway’s Grey House, we knew we had to produce this exciting, sophisticated, and terrifying new play. We are thrilled to bring the horror genre to Broadway.” Press contacts: Matt Polk, Jeffrey Fauver, Alana Karpoff, Chaliece Dillon at Polk & Co. Website: https://greyhousebroadway.com/

LONDON: Re-Member Me (Hampstead Theatre) May 25-June 17, press night  May 30. Dickie Beau brings his solo show in which he lip-synchs to various Hamlets, taking recordings of great Hamlets from the past to channel into an epic one-man lip-sync show. Described as “part documentary theatre, part 21st century séance, and a unique theatrical eulogy to the greatest Hamlet almost never seen”, it is directed and co-devised by Jan-willem van den Bosch. Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, clarejh@hampsteadtheatre.com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/re-member-me

• Friday June 2

LONDON: We will Rock You (London Coliseum) June 2-August 27. The jukebox musical constructed out of the back catalogue of Queen, featuring some 24 of their greatest hits and a script by Ben Elton which ran for over 12 years at the Dominion from 2002, returns to London for a summer season. Brenda Edwards will reprise the role of Killer Queen that she has previously played on tour and in the West End, and Lee Mead will play Khashoggi. Press contact: Emma Harlen at Neil Reading PR Emma@neilreadingpr.com; Website:  https://wewillrockyoulondon.co.uk/

• Tuesday June 6

LONDON: Patriots (Noel Coward Theatre) May 26-June 19, press night June 6. Peter Morgan’s play, originally premiered at the Almeida, transfers to the West End, with Rupert Goold directing a cast that has Tom Hollander reprising his performance as Boris Berezovsky, the ‘kingmaker’ behind Vladimir Putin, with Will Keen also returning to play Putin and Luke Thallon as Abramovich. Press contact: Emma Holland, emma@emmahollandpr.com. Website: http://patriotstheplay.com/

• Thursday June 8

LONDON: Groundhog Day (Old Vic Theatre) May 20-August 12, press night June 8. The 2017 musical based on the 1993 film returns to the London theatre where it originally premiered before transferring to Broadway in 2018. With music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Danny Rubin, who also wrote the original film, it is directed by Matthew Warchus, and will have Andy Karl reprising his Olivier Award winning performance as Pittsburgh television weatherman Phil Connors. Press contact: Armani r-Rub at Old Vic, armani.ur-rub@oldvictheatre.com, Katie Marsh, katie.marsh@oldvictheatre.com Website: https://www.oldvictheatre.com/

LONDON: All of It (Royal Court Theatre Downstairs) June 6-June 17, press night June 8, Kate O’Flynn performs Alistair McDowall’s trilogy of short plays, co-directed by Vicky Featherstone and Sam Pritchard.  O’Flynn will play three women whose ordinary lives mask extraordinary internal worlds. It includes all of it, first seen at the Royal Court for a short run performed by Kate O’Flynn in 2020, and two brand new pieces Northleigh, 1940 and In Stereo. Press contact: Maisie Lawrence maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ella Gold, EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com    Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/allofit/

• Friday June 9

REGIONAL: Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre) June 3-24, press night June 9. Polly Findlay directs a new production of Sondheim and Weidman’s modern classic about the men and women who’ve attempted or succeeded in assassinating presidents of the United States. The cast includes Danny Mac as John Wilkes Booth, Nick Holder as Jim Byck, Harry Hepple as Charles Guiteau, Amy Booth-Steel as Sara Jane Moore,  Carly Mercedes Dyer as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, Luke Brady as Giuseppe Zangara, Jack Shalloo as John Hinckley, Samuel Thomas as Lee Harvey Oswald and Peter Forbes as The Proprietor.  Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website:  https://www.cft.org.uk/events/assassins

LONDON: Hope Has a Happy Meal (Royal Court Theatre Upstairs) June 3-July 8, press night June 9. Lucy Morrison directs a new play by Tom Fowler that follows a surreal and frenetic quest through a hyper-capitalist country. Press contact: Maisie Lawrence maisie@breadandbutterpr.uk, Ella Gold, EllaGold@royalcourttheatre.com    Website: https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/hope-has-a-happy-meal

• Tuesday June 13

LONDON: When Winston Went to War with the Wireless (Donmar Warehouse) June 2-July 29, press night June 13. Katy Rudd directs the world premiere of a play by Jack Thorne about the birth of the BBC. Stephen Campbell Moore will play John Reith, and Adrian Scarborough will play Winston Churchill. The cast also incudes Kitty Archer, Ravin J Ganatra, Haydn Gwynne, Mariam Haque, Kevin McMonagle, Luke Newberry, Seb Philpott, Elliott Rennie, Laura Rogers and Shubham Saraf. Press contacts: Georgie Grant georgie@katemorleypr.com, Kate Morley  kate@katemorleypr.com Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/10601APSKMRRDLKDGKBKNPNLTDRGCSHLR?_ga=2.121301384.1609915185.1674812781-60412746.1674812781

• Wednesday June 14

LONDON: Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image The Musical (Phoenix Theatre) May 24-August 26, press performance June 14. First seen at Birmingham Rep in February, where it was called Spitting Image Live: Featuring the Liar King, the show is now called Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical, and transfers to the West End. Written by Al Murray, Matt Forde and director Sean Foley,  Forde has commented, “Nothing can prepare you for what you’re about to see, it’s the wildest show in the West End. I don’t want to give anything away, but you’ll never look at Suella Braverman in the same way again.” Press contact:Nada Zaukula at Storyhouse,  nada.zakula@storyhousepr.co.uk,  Dan Lloyd/ Perrine Davari at Avalon dlloyd@avalonuk.com or pdavari@avalonuk.com. Website: https://www.spittingimagethemusical.com/

LONDON: Romeo and Juliet (Almeida Theatre) June 6-July 29, press night June 14. Rebecca Frecknall returns to the Almeida, where she last directed A Streetcar Named Desire that has now transferred to the Phoenix, to stage a new production of Shakespeare’s play, with Toheeb Jimoh (best known for starring in Ted Lasso) and Isis Hainsworth amongst the cast.  Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk. Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/romeo-and-juliet/

REGIONAL: Frank and Percy (Theatre Royal, Windsor) June 9-July 22, press night June 14. Ian McKellen and Roger Allam star in Ben Weatherill’s new play, presented by Bill Kenwright and directed by Sean Mathias as part of this year’s Theatre Royal Windsor Summer Season.The play is described as “a poignant and witty take on the unexpected relationship that blossoms between two men” who meet on a park bench. Press contract: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com.Website: https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/frank-and-percy/

• Thursday June 15

LONDON: The Crucible (Gielgud Theatre) June 7-September 2, press night June 15. Lyndsey Turner’s revival of Arthur Miller’s play, first seen at the National Theatre last year, returns for a West End season at the Gielgud, where a previous RSC production — that time with Iain Glen — also transferred to in 2006. The cast is led by Brian Gleeson as John Proctor, Caitlin FitzGerald as Elizabeth Proctor, Ron Cook as Giles Corey and Milly Alcock as Abigail Williams. Press contacts: Clare McCormack & Holly Nicholls, Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-crucible/

• Monday June 19

LONDON: The Third Man (Menier Chocolate Factory) June 10-September 9, press night June 19. Trevor Nunn returns to the Menier, where he previously directed A Little Night Music (that went on to the West End and Broadway) as well as Fiddler on the Roof and Love in Idleness (both of which tnrasferred to the West End) to direct a new musical based on Graham Green’s story,  with a book by Christopher Hampton and lyrics by Don Black.  The cast includes Edward Baker-Duly, Simon Bailey, Natalie Dunne, Derek Griffiths, Jonathan Andrew Hume, Rachel Izen, Gary Milner, Harry Morrison, Sam Underwood, and Alan Vicary. Press contact: Kate Morley <kate@katemorleypr.com> Website: https://www.menierchocolatefactory.com/tickets/the-third-man/. 

• Tuesday June 20

LONDON: Dear England (National’s Olivier Theatre) June 10-August 11, press night June 20. Joseph Fiennes stars as England football manager Gareth Southgate in the world premiere of a play by James Graham. In a press statement, Graham has commented, “To tell this story of the national game on the stage of the National Theatre is just the greatest thrill, if an intimidating responsibility. The experience of working on This House at the National Theatre 10 years ago changed my life as an emerging writer. Now, with Dear England, to be given the opportunity to shine a light on another public institution in the form of the England men’s football team is, I know, an exciting opportunity.  What Gareth Southgate has attempted in his quiet cultural reform of England football I find epic and deeply moving. And I’m so grateful to be surrounded by some of British theatre’s most exciting creative talent to unite around this new show.” The play will be directed by Rupert Goold, who previously directed Graham’s Ink and Tammy Faye (both at the Almeida, where Goold is artistic director, and from where Ink subsequently transferred to the West End and Broadway).  Press contact: Louisa Terry, lterry@nationaltheatre.org.uk. Website: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dear-england/

REGIONAL: Roman Holiday (Theatre Royal Bath) June 10-July 1, press night July 20. Jeremy Sams directs Michael Xavier in a stage version of the Academy award winning film that made a star of Audrey Hepburn, featuring songs by Cole Porter including Easy To Love, You Do Something To Me, In The Still Of The Night, Just One Of Those Things and Night and Day. It has been adapted for the stage by Kirsten Guenther and Paul Blake, who co-wrote the stage version of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins |at Storehouse PR, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website: https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/roman-holiday/

• Wednesday June 21

LONDON: The Pillowman (Duke of York’s) June 10-September 2, press night June 21. Martin McDonagh’s Olivier winning play, first seen at the National Theatre in 2003 and subsequently on Broadway in 2005, is revived in a new production. Matthew Dunster directs a cast led by Lily Allen and Steve Pemberton, joined by Paul Kaye and Matthew Tennyson. Press contact: David Bloom  david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk and Lewis Jenkins | lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk at Storyhouse PR. Website: https://pillowmanplay.com/

REGIONAL: Mom, How Did You Meet the Beatles?  (Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva)  June 16-July 8, press night June 21. Adrienne Kennedy, the 91-year-old playwright whose Ohio State Murders recently received its Broadway debut, and her son Adam P Kennedy’s play about her journey to London in the 60s to adapt John Lennon’s book “In His Own Write” for the stage. It will be directed by Dylan Zora, winner of the 2021 Genesis Futures Award. Press contact: Lucinda Morrison, lucinda.morrison@cft.org.uk. Website: https://www.cft.org.uk/events/mom-how-did-you-meet-the-beatles

• Thursday June 22

LONDON: Mrs Doubtfire (Shaftesbury Theatre) Previews from May 12, opens June 22. The fast Broadway flop version of the 1993 film comes to the West End, after a try-out at Manchester’s Opera House earlier this year, with Gabriel Vick starring in the Robin Williams role of Daniel Hillard, who — engaged in a custody battle with his ex-wife — disguises himself as a Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay in his children’s lives.  The cast will also feature Carla Dixon-Hernandez, Cameron Blakely, Marcus Collins and Ian Talbot, under the direction of Jerry Zaks. Press contact: Lewis Jenkins at Storehouse, lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk/

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: Diana Whitehead at Fourth Wall diana@fourthwallpr.co.uk

BROADWAY: Once Upon a One More Time (Marquis Theatre) Previews from May 13, opening night June 22. An original musical “empowered by the hits of Britney Spears”, scripted by Jon Hartmere. Press contact: Vivacity Media, hello@vivacityny.com. Website: https://onemoretimemusical.com/

• Friday June 23

LONDON: Robin Hood: The Legend. Re-Written (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park) June 17-July 22, press night June 23. Melly Still directs Carl Grose’s new take on the classic tale, told (according to the press release) with epic storytelling, stirring songs, and absolutely no green tights (well, maybe just a flash). Press contact; James Lever, james@joallanpr.com. Website: https://openairtheatre.com/production/robin-hood

• Monday June 26

BROADWAY: Just For Us (Hudson Theatre) June 22-August 19, opening night June 26. Alex Edelman stars in his own solo show, previously seen off-Broadway and subsequently at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, directed by Adam Brace. Press contacts: Vivacity Media Group, Leslie Papa, leslie@vivacityny.com, Whitney Holden Gore, whitney@vivacityny.com, Macy Sullivan, macy@vivacityny.com Website: https://www.justforusshow.com/

LONDON: Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Theatre Royal, Haymarket) June 12-September 9, press night June 26. The Sheffield Crucible and Lyric Hammersmith production of Dario Fo and Franca Rame’s classic police farce transfers to the West End in a new version by Tom Basden. Daniel Raggett’s production stars Daniel Rigby and Tony Gardner. Press contacts: Chloe Heard chloe@breadandbutterpr.uk ,Andrea Gillespie andrea@breadandbutterpr.uk,  Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://anarchistwestend.com/

• Tuesday June 27

REGIONAL: As You Like It (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon) June 17-August 5, press night June 27. Omar Elerian’s production features a stage transformed into a simple rehearsal room, where the actors gather to conjure the memory of a long gone show, celebrating the magic of theatre and its unique power to make our imagination soar. Geraldine James makes her RSC debut as Rosalind in a cast that also includes Maureen Beattie as Celia, Oliver Cotton as Jacques, James Hayes as Touchstone, Malcolm Sinclair as Orlando, and Robin Soans as Duke Senior/Duke Frederick/Hymen). Press contact: kate.evans@rsc.org.uk Website: https://www.rsc.org.uk/as-you-like-it/

• Friday June 30

LONDON: Song from Far Away (Hampstead Theatre) June 28-July 22, press night June 30. Will Young reprises his performance in Simon Stephens and Mark Eitzel’s solo play that he first performed at Manchester’s Home, directed by Kirk Jameson, playing a man who returns to his estranged family’s home after the death of his brother. Press contact: Clare Jepson-Homer, clareh@hampsteadtheatre.com. Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2023/song-from-far-away

• Monday July 3

LONDON: Crazy for You (Gillian Lynne Theatre) Previews from June 24, press night July 3. Last summer’s Chichester Festival Theatre revival of the Gershwin musical makeover transfers to the West End, with its Chichester stars Charlie Stemp, Carly Anderson and Tom Edden reprising their roles. The production is directed and choreographed by Susan Stroman, who was also the show’s original choreographer. In a press statement, its co-producers Joey Parnes, Sally Horchow and Michael Harrison commented, “Susan Stroman’s exuberant production of Crazy For You was the most infectiously joyful show of the year. Charlie and Carly’s performances brought both great romance and spectacle to its heart, and Tom Edden was absolutely hilarious! We are so thrilled that London audiences will now be able to experience this dazzling musical in the superb setting of the Gillian Lynne Theatre.” Press contact: David Bloom/ Lewis Jenkins at Storehouse PR, david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk,  lewis.jenkins@storyhousepr.co.uk. Website: https://crazyforyoumusical.com/

REGIONAL: In Dreams (Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre) July 3-August 5, press night to be announced. 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. 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/

• Thursday July 6

LONDON: The Wizard Of Oz (London Palladium) Previews from June 23, opens July 6. The 2011 stage version of the iconic film that was originally premiered at the London Palladium, featuring additional new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, returns to the venue, in a new production directed by Nikolai Foster. Casting includes Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy, Jason Manford as the Cowardly Lion, Ashley Banjo as the Tin Man, Dianne Pilkington as the Wicked Witch of the West, Christna Bianco as Glinda the Good Witch and Louis Gaunt as the Scarecrow. Co-produced by Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group, who have recently announced a creative partnership, Harrison has commented, “The London Palladium is the home of the summer blockbuster musical, and there really will be no place like the Palladium for Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion, as they embark on their journey down the Yellow Brick Road. Nikolai Foster and his team have created a new and magical production of this beloved musical, and we can’t wait to open the doors to audiences from next June.”  Press contacts: David Bloom david.bloom@storyhousepr.co.uk and Rebecca Byers rebecca.byers@storyhousepr.co.uk Website: https://wizardofozmusical.com/

• 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

LONDON: Cuckoo (Royal Court Theatre Downstairs) July 6-August 19, press night July 12. Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherston directs Michael Wynne’s new dark comedy that explores the safety of home and the different ways we cope in our increasingly uncertain world.  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

• 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 currently there in Stoppard’s Leopoldstadt. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com; Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/9601AVDDJDNPPDCBTDGNSVVJSTBLBSPNQ?_ga=2.234789657.649449794.1665478808-973653908.1665478808

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.  

• 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 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/

• 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/

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 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

• 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/

• 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/

• 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/

• 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. 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/

• 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/

• 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/