LAST UPDATED: September 8 2022

Upcoming openings in London, the regions, and on Broadway from September 5 onwards

THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

• Tuesday September 6:

REGIONAL: Family Album (Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough) September 2-October 1. Press night October 6. Alan Ayckbourn directs and writes his 87th play at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where he was formerly a long-time artistic director. The new play chronicles the trials, tribulations and temptations of three generations of one family across 70 years in the same home. Set in a moving-in day in 1952, a birthday party in 1992 and a moving-out day in 2022, it revolves around RAF veteran John and housewife Peggy as they proudly move into the first home they can really call their own; daughter Sandra, frantically negotiating the challenges of a 10-year-old’s birthday party without her AWOL husband; and grandaughter Alison, finally escaping the house she has somewhat unwillingly inherited. Press contact: Jennie Swales, jeannie.swales@sjt.uk.com. Website: https://sjt.uk.com/events/family-album

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

• Tuesday September 7:

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

• Wednesday September 8:

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

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

• Friday September 9

LONDON: Walking with Ghosts (Apollo Theatre) September 6-17, press night September 9. Gabriel Byrne makes his West End debut in a solo show that he has written himself, adapted from his own best-selling memoir, directed by Lonny Price. Prior to London, it played at Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre as part of the Edinburgh International Festival; and after the West End, it will transfer to Broadway’s Music Box Theatre for a run of 75 performances from October 18, opening October 27. Byrne has starred in more than 80 feature films including Excalibur, Miller’s Crossing, Into the West, The Point of No Return, Little Women, Spider, The Usual Suspects, Dead Man, The End of Violence, The Man in the Iron Mask, Vanity Fair, Jindabyne and Wah-Wah. On Broadway, he received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in Eugene O’Neill’s A Moon for the Misbegotten.  He won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Actor for his performance in another O’Neill play, A Touch of the Poet.  In 2016, he starred opposite Jessica Lange in O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Press contact: Ben Chamberlain at Bread and Butter PR, ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/walking-with-ghosts/. Broadway press: DKC/O&M, Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com; Broadway website: https://gabrielbyrneonbroadway.com/

OPENINGS FURTHER AHEAD

• Monday September 12:

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

• Tuesday September 13:

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

REGIONAL: The Color Purple (Birmingham Hippodrome) September 13-17, then touring. Tinuke Craig’s production of the Broadway musical , originally premiered at Curve in Leicester in 2019 in a co-production with Birmingham Hippodrome, now launches a new UK tour at the latter, before going on to visit Plymouth, Northampton, Salford, Cardiff, Southampton and Norwich. The cast will feature Me’sha Bryan as Celie, with Bree Smith as Shug Avery,  Aaliyah Zhané as Celie’s sister Nettie, Ahmed Hamad as Harpo and Jimand Allotey as Squeak.  Based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel, it is adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray, Press contact: Arabella Neville-Rolfe, arabella@anrpr.co.uk; website: https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/calendar/the-color-purple-2/

LONDON: The Snail House (Hampstead Theatre) September 7-October 15, press night September 14. Richard Eyre directs the world premiere of his own first completely original play. In the play, Sir Neil Marriot had a ‘good pandemic’, becoming familiar to millions from his TV appearances as a government medical advisor.  His service even earned him a knighthood, and he is now rewarding himself with a lavish birthday party in the hallowed surroundings of his son’s alma mater.  But, amidst the oak panelling, the champagne and the silver service, his family are at one another’s throats again, and he thinks there’s something familiar – and somehow unsettling – about one of the catering staff. Press contact: Clare McCormack, ClareM@HampsteadTheatre.com  Website: https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/whats-on/2022/the-snail-house/

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

• Thursday September 15:

 

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

Wednesday September 21: 

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

LONDON: Cages (Riverside Studios) September 13-January 1, press night October 1. The Los Angeles hit show comes to London. According to the press release, the show is “a mind-bending, technologically innovative visual spectacle, the like of which is rarely seen in the West End let alone in off-west end theatre. Masterfully weaving state-of-the-art 3D video and animation with live performance and original songs that pulse with an addictive pop energy. Cages, pulls out all the stops to conjure a rock opera for the modern age.”  It is created by CJ Baran and Ben Romans with video animation and holograms by Ryan Richardson. Producers and co-directors, Scenario Two Anthony Lilley and John Berry commented: “When we first saw Cages – even on a shaky video taken in Los Angeles in the final days before lockdown in 2020 – we were pretty sure it was something special.  The pandemic meant that it took almost a year and a half before we were able to travel to the US to see it in person and then we were in absolutely no doubt. It blew us away. This was an amazing live show, like nothing we had ever seen or heard. Full of heart and soul, beautiful music, and state-of-the-art technology, spectacularly done. And so, as soon as we possibly could, we have brought it to London to introduce UK audiences to Woolf and the Wondershow’s ground-breaking combination of live performance, cinematic effects, holographic and immersive sound. We couldn’t be more excited.” Press contact: Kiran Dhillon, kiran.dhillon@dawbell.com Website: https://cageslondon.com/

• Thursday September 22:

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

• Friday September 23:

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

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

• Tuesday September 27:

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

• Wednesday September 28:

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

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

• Thursday September 29:

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

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

• Friday September 29

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

• Sunday October 2

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

• Monday October 3

BROADWAY: The Cost of Living (Samuel J Friedman Theatre) Previews from September 13, opens October 3. Martyna Majok’s play, which won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for drama, transfers to Broadway after originally premiering at Manhattan Theatre Club’s off-Broadway space at City Center in 2017, with the original stars Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan reunited in Jo Bonney’s production. Press contacts: Chris Boneau, Amy Kass,  Michelle Farabaugh, Kenya Williams at Bonneau/Bryan-Brown.  Website: https://www.manhattantheatreclub.com/shows/2022-23-season/cost-of-living/

• Wednesday October 5

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

• Thursday October 6

LONDON: The Band’s Visit (Donmar Warehouse) September 24-December 3, press night October 6. David Yazbek and Itamar Moses’s 2017 Tony winning musical, based on the 2007 Oscar-winning film of the same name, comes to London, in a new production that will be directed by the Donmar’s artistic director Michael Longhurst. The cast is led by  Alon Moni Aboutboul and Miri Mesika. They are joined by cast and onstage band of Sharif Afifi, Jason Alder, Marc Antolin, Harel Glazer, Levi Goldmeier, Ido Gonen, Michal Horowicz, Emma Kingston, Shira Kravitz, Nitai Levi, Yali Topol Margalith,Ashley Margolis, Carlos Mendoza de Hevia, Peter Polycarpou, Ant Romero, Idlir Shyti, Maya Kristal Tenenbaum, Sargon Yelda and Baha Yetkin. Press contact: Kate Morley, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://booking.donmarwarehouse.com/events/1647527967

BROADWAY: 1776 (American Airlines Theatre) September 16-January 18, opens October 6. Revival of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone’s musical, co-directed by Jeffrey L Page and Diane Paulus, transfers to Broadway in a co-production with American Repertory Theatre. The cast includes multiple representations of race, ethnicity, and gender; they identify as female, transgender and nonbinary. Following the Broadway run, 1776 will begin a national tour in February 2023 at Philadelphia’s Forrest Theatre.  1776 was previously revived on Broadway by Roundabout Theatre Company in 1997 before transferring to a commercial run at the Gershwin Theatre. Press contacts: Polk & Co, Matt Polk, Jessica Johnson, Jeffrey Fauver, Alana Karpoff, Chaliece Dillon. Website: https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

• Sunday October 9:

BROADWAY: Death of a Salesman (Hudson Theatre) Previews from September 17, opens October 9. Wendell Pierce and Sharon D Clarke reprise their performances as Willy and Linda Loman that they first performed in Arthur Miller’s classic play at the Young Vic in 2019, before it transferred to the West End’s Piccadilly Theatre. Directed by Miranda Cromwell, who co-directed it in London with Marianne Elliott, Pierce and Clarke are newly joined by Khris Davis as Biff, McKinley Belcher III as Happy, and André De Shields as Willy’s brother, Ben. Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Pete Sanders / Ellie Detweiler at O&M/DKC, rick@omdkc.com / pete@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com. Website: https://www.salesmanonbroadway.com/

• Monday October 10

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

• Wednesday October 12:

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

• Thursday October 13:

LONDON: The Choir of Man (Arts Theatre) October 1-March 5, press night October 13. The international musical sensation that previously played at the Arts Theatre returns for another season, after an Edinburgh run, with a cast that comprises Michael Baxter, Ben Norris, Levi Tyrell-Johnson, Owen Bolton, Jordan Oliver, Lemuel Knights , Matt Beveridge, Matt Nalton and Matt Thorpe, performing songs by Queen, Luther Vandross, Sia, Paul Simon, Adele, Guns & Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry. In a press statement, Norris — who wrote the show’s monologues and originated the role of The Poet that he reprises now — has commented, “I’m delighted that The Choir of Man is returning to the West End, and I’m delighted to be returning with it! Watching this show grow from the charmingly ramshackle Edinburgh Fringe gamble it started life as 5 years ago, into the Olivier-nominated cult hit it has become has been one of the greatest privileges and surprises of my career so far, and one of the greatest joys. The show is so unapologetically feel-good that whatever kind of mood you arrive in at the theatre, it’s impossible not to leave with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. And that goes for the cast as well as the audience!”  Press contact: Arabella  Neville-Rolfe. arabella@anrpr.co.uk  Website: https://www.choirofmanwestend.co.uk/

NEW YORK: The Piano Lesson (Ethel Barrymore Theatre) Previews from September 19, opening October 13. LaTanya Richardson Jackson directs a cast headed by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Brooks in a new Broadway production of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, that originally premiered on Broadway in 1990. In a press statement, the director has commented, “August Wilson dedicated his life and devoted his talent to dramatizing our stories and our experience. In doing so, he forever changed what it means to be Black in America. His plays built empathy, created community, and showed us the power of representation. The Piano Lesson is one of his most enduring, profound and consequential masterpieces, and I am reveling in this opportunity to present it to Broadway audiences for the first time since its premiere.” Press contact: Rick Miramontez / Marie Bshara / Kendall Edwards at DKC O&M. rick@omdkc.com / marie@omdkc.com / kendall@omdkc.com
Website: https://pianolessonplay.com/

Monday October 17:

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

Tuesday October 18:

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

• Wednesday October 19:

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

• Thursday October 20:

LONDON: Marvellous (@sohoplace) October 15-November 26, press night October 20. The brand-new @sohoplace theatre — the West End’s first brand-new theatre in half a century, a flexible 602 seater auditorium that will open in an in-the-round configuration with a transfer from Stoke’s New Vic Theatre — the oldest purpose-built, in-the-round theatre in the UK. Theresa Heskins’s production of Marvellous is based on the true story of Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin, that he wrote with Malcolm Clarke and has adapted for the stage himself with Heskins. In a press statement, Nica Burns — owner of the theatre — has commented, “Marvellous is precisely that, marvellous. A wonderful production of a heartwarming and uplifting tale about an extraordinary man who decided he would lead an exceptional life. And against all the odds, he has and does. The New Vic in North Staffordshire, led by its brilliant director Theresa Heskins, is an absolute jewel of a regional theatre, the cultural beacon of the area and the beating heart of its community. As we open our new theatre in-the-round, we are honoured to be collaborating with and learning from the expertise of the New Vic’s amazing team.” Press contacts: Jo Allan PR, Kitty Greenleaf  kitty@joallanpr.com, Jo Allan Jo@joallanpr.com.  Website: https://sohoplace.org/ 

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

• Friday October 21:

LONDON: My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?) Garrick Theatre, October 21-November 6. Rob Madge stars in their autobiographical play about their childhood as a stage struck kid, from child actor (appearing as Artful Dodger in Oliver! at Drury Lane, and as Gavroche in the 25th anniversary Les Miserables at the 02). Originally premiered at Battersea’s Turbine Theatre in 2021, it has just completed a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run at the Underbelly. It is directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet). PR: Emma Holland, emma@emmahollandpr.com. Website: https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/my-sons-a-queer/

• Wednesday October 26:

LONDON: Tammy Faye (Almeida Theatre) October 13-December 3, press night October 26. World premiere of a musical, based on a true story about television evangelism, with music by Elton John,  lyrics by Jake Shears (of the Scissor Sisters), and book by James Graham. Almeida artistic director Rupert Goold directs a cast that will feature Katie Brayben (Olivier winner for playing Carole King in the London premiere of Beautiful) as Tammy Faye, Andrew Rannells (original co-star of The Book of Mormon on Broadway as Jim, and Olivier Award-nominee Zubin Varla as Jerry Falwell. The cast is completed by Kelly Agbowu, Amy Booth-Steel,, Ashley Campbell, Peter Caulfield, Danny Collins, Richard Dempsey, Fred Haig, Georgia Louise, Robyn Rose, Nicholas Rowe, Martin Sarreal, Steve John Shepherd and Gemma Sutton. Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk; Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/tammy-faye/11-oct-2022-3-dec-2022

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

Tuesday November 1:

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

• Thursday November 3:

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

• Sunday November 6:

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

• Tuesday November 8

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

• Thursday November 10

BROADWAY: Kimberly Akimbo (Booth Theatre). Previews from October 12, opens November 10. New musical, featuring book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire based on his 2000 play of the same name, with music by Jeanine Tesori. Victoria Clark reprises her performance in the title role that she first gave in the musical’s premiere at Atlantic Theatre in November 2021.  Press contact: Polk & Co, Matt Polk / Tom D’Ambrosio /Lauren Duffy / Emma Bird. Website: https://kimberlyakimbothemusical.com/

• Saturday November 12

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

• Thursday November 17

BROADWAY: & Juliet (Stephen Sondheim Theatre) Previews from October 28, opens November 17. The current London hit musical based on the back catalogue of pop composer Max Martin (running at the Shaftesbury)d transfers to Broadway, with a cast that includes Stark Stands as Shakespeare, Betsy Wolfe as Anne, Paulo Szot as Lance, Ben Jackson Walker as Romeo and Lorna Courtney as Juliet, with Melanie La Barrie reprising her London performance as Nurse. Website: https://andjulietbroadway.com/

• Sunday November 20

BROADWAY: KPOP (Circle in the Square) Previews from October 13, opens November 20. K-pop idol Luna leads a cast that also features BoHyung (formerly of SPICA and half of the duo KEEMBO), Min (formerly of Miss A), and Kevin Woo (formerly of U-KISS). It is the first musical on Broadway celebrating Korean culture, and features19 members of the company making their Broadway debuts. It has a book by Jason Kim, who co-conceived the show with Woodshed Collective. It features music, lyrics, music production and arrangements by Helen Park; and music and lyrics by Max Vernon. An earlier version of the show, produced by Ars Nova in association with Ma-Yi Theater and Woodshed Collective, was seen off-Broadway in 2017. Press contacts: DKC/O&M Rick Miramontez / Pete Sanders / Ellie Detweiler rick@omdkc.com / pete@omdkc.com / ellie@omdkc.com; Website: https://kpopbroadway.com/

• Tuesday November 22:

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

• Wednesday November 23:

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

Thursday November 24:

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

Monday November 28:

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

LONDON: Best of Enemies (Noel Coward Theatre) November 14-February 18, 2022, press night November 28. James Graham’s play, first seen at the Young Vic in December 2021, transfers to the West End, with David Harewood reprising his original role as William Buckley Jr newly joined by Zachary Quinto, making his West End debut as Gore Vidal. The play, inspired by the documentary by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon,  replays the 1968 television debates between Vidal and Buckley ahead of the presidential election that opened up a new frontier in American politics. Jeremy Herrin directs; it is co-produced by Second Half Productions (his own production company), with Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Wessex Grove, the Young Vic and Headlong.  Press contacts: Kate Hassell kate@breadandbutterpr.uk; Samantha Montague samantha@breadandbutterpr.uk; Ben Chamberlain ben@breadandbutterpr.uk. Website: www.bestofenemiesplay.com

• Thursday December 1

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

• Sunday December 4

BROADWAY: A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical (Broadhurst Theatre) Previews from November 2, opens December 4. Michael Mayer directs a new jukebox musical based on the songs and career of pop legend Neil Diamond, with choreography by Steven Hoggett and a book by Anthony McCarten. The cast features Will Swenson as Diamond. He is joined in principal roles by Mark Jacoby, Robyn Hurder and Linda Powell. Press contacts: Rick Miramontez / Aaron Meier / Briana Sanchez / Timmy Boyko rick@omdkc.com / aaron@omdkc.com / briana@omdkc.com / timmy@omdkc.com. Website: https://abeautifulnoisethemusical.com/

• Monday December 5

LONDON: Orlando (Gielgud Theatre) November 25-February 25, press night December 5. Michael Grandage directs Emma Corrin in the title role of Neil Bartlett’s new stage version of Virginia Woolf’s novel.  Corrin recently appeared in Grandage’s new film My Policeman for Amazon.  Continuing their commitment to accessible ticket prices across their productions, MGC will have over 10,000 £10 tickets available across the run. Press contract: Kate Morley PR, kate@katemorleypr.com. Website: https://www.michaelgrandagecompany.com/

• Thursday December 8

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

BROADWAY: Ohio State Murders (James Earl Jones Theatre, formerly the Cort) Previews from November 11, opens December 8. Kenny Leon directs a cast led by Audra McDonald in the Broadway premiere of Adrienne Kennedy’s play.  It plays at the newly re-named and renovated James Earl Jones Theatre (formerly the 110-year-old Cort). McDonald plays writer Suzanne Alexander who returns to her alma mater as a guest speaker. As she explores the violence in her works, a dark mystery unravels. Press contact: Polk & Co, Matt Polk / Alana Karpoff / Alex Seeley / Nicolette Carcaldi. Website: https://ohiostatemurdersbroadway.com/

• Sunday December 11

BROADWAY: Some Like It Hot (Shubert Theatre) Previews from November 1, opens December 11. Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, who previously turned Hairspray into a hit Broadway musical, now write the score for another famous film featuring cross-dressing leads, Billy Wilder’s 1959 Some Like It Hot for the stage. The book is by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin; it is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon). Press contact: Polk & Co, Matt Polk / Jessica Johnson / Lilly Claar / Nina Chae-Gordon. Website: https://somelikeithotmusical.com/

• Tuesday December 20

LONDON: A Streetcar Named Desire (Almeida Theatre) December 10-February 4, press night December 20. Rebecca Frecknall, whose production of Tennessee Williams’s Summer and Smoke transferred from the Almeida to the West End, returns to Islington to direct another Williams play, starring Lydia Wilson as Blanche, with Paul Mescal as Stanley, Anjana Vasan as Stella and Dwane Walcott as Mitch.Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/a-streetcar-named-desire/10-dec-2022-4-feb-2023

2023

* Tuesday January 17

LONDON: George Takei’s Allegiance (Charing Cross Theatre) January 7-April 8, press night January 17. The Star Trek star George Takei (famous for playing Mr Sulu) stars in the London premiere of the 2015 Broadway musical inspired by his own true childhood experience, when as a child he and his family were placed in internment camps along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour during the Second World War. Takei reprises his Broadway role, as does Telly Leung (best known as Wee from Glee), who plays Takei’s character’s younger self, in this entirely new production, specially conceived for the Charing Cross Theatre, directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield Wilkinson. The musical has a book by Marc Acito, Jay Kuo and Lorenzo Thione with music and lyrics by Jay Kuo. In a press statement, Takei has commented,  “Allegiance is a story from America’s past, but it has great relevance today. Once again, fascism is on the march, and whole communities are under attack. Again, the freedoms so many take for granted are gravely imperilled. Allegiance is my legacy. We must learn the lessons of our past so that we may never repeat them. That’s why we tell our story. That’s why I’ve dedicated my life to ensuring we collectively honour the commitment, ‘Never again’.”  Press contact:  Kevin Wilson,  kevinwilsonpr@gmail.com Website: https://allegiancemusical.com/

• Saturday January 28

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

• Wednesday February 1:

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

• Friday February 17:

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

• Wednesday February 22:

LONDON: Women, Beware the Devil (Almeida Theatre) February 11-March 25, press night February 22. Rupert Goold directs the world premiere of a play by Lulu Raczka, described as a “deadly new play of treachery and trickery.” Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website:  https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/women-beware-the-devil/11-feb-2023-25-mar-2023

• Thursday March 9:

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

• Tuesday April 4: 

LONDON: The Secret Life of Bees (Almeida Theatre) April 4-May 27, press night to be announced. UK premiere of a musical, originally premiered at New York’s Atlantic Theatre, with a book by Lynn Nottage, music by Duncan Sheik, and lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd. Set in South Carolina in 1964, it is about a group of women ignited by rebellion and longing for acceptance. It will be directed by Whitney White. Press contact: Alexander Milward, amilard@almeida.co.uk Website: https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/the-secret-life-of-bees/4-apr-2023-27-may-2023

• Wednesday April 19:

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

• Wednesday May 17

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

• 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 22

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

• Thursday September 15

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