We had so much fun seeing the incredible shows that opened in London in 2016 – Funny Girl, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Dreamgirls and People, Places and Things to name just a few!

With so many new shows to look forward to in this year, here’s our show guide to help you plan the next few months leading up to Spring 2017. How many shows will you see?

January

Death Takes A Holiday – Danielle Tarento‘s production of Death Takes A Holiday (the original story inspiration for Meet Joe Black) is a beautiful period love story coming to the Charing Cross Theatre. Death decides to dress as a young prince in order to understand humanity better, but gets more than he expected after falling in love.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Amaluna – The stunning interpretation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Cirque Du Soleil’s Amaluna finally comes to London’s Royal Albert Hall. Featuring aerial acrobatics, gymnastics, live music, circus acts and comedy, don’t miss this incredible show!

Dirty Great Love Story – The Fringe First Award-winning romantic comedy arrives at the Arts Theatre this month. Dirty Great Love Story is a hilarious show that asks, is a one-night stand able to grow into a real relationship, or is it always doomed to fail?

Promises, Promises – With the music of Burt Bacharach, Promises, Promises, is a sweet, feel-good love story, between Chuck, who’s head over heels, and Fran, who’s oblivious. See it this month at the Southwark Playhouse.

The Glass Menagerie – Cherry Jones stars in the Tennessee Williams play The Glass Menagerie, directed by John Tiffany (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) at the Duke of York’s Theatre. A frustrated matriarch takes drastic steps to marry off her reclusive daughter in this classic family drama.

Escaped Alone – Returning to the Royal Court, Caryl Churchill‘s Escaped Alone is a tale of tea and catastrophe. Delivered mostly in monologues, four women sun themselves in a back garden, contemplating the apocalypse.

The White Devil – In the flickering candlelight of the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, The White Devil tells a thrilling story of love and jealousy. An obsessed Duke murders his wife so as to possess another woman, sending the characters spiralling into a world of violence.

The Girls – Based on the hit movie, Calendar Girls, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth have teamed up to create a new musical, The Girls at the Phoenix Theatre. A Women’s Institute group come up with a novel way of raising money for charity – a nude calendar!

Sex With Strangers – Starring Emilia Fox and Theo James, Sex With Strangers at the Hampstead Theatre, is a romantic drama that explores how ambition can put the most passionate of affairs in danger.

February

hamletalmeida — Photo Credit: The Almeida

Hamlet – Directed by Robert Icke, Shakespeare‘s Hamlet opens at the Almeida with Andrew Scott as the Danish prince. Juliet Stevenson will take on the role of Gertrude with Downton Abbey‘s Jessica Findlay Brown as Ophelia.

The Boys In The Band – Mark Gatiss (Sherlock) stars in the the revival of 60s classic, The Boys In The Band, playing a strictly limited run at the Vaudeville Theatre. A group of gay men in New York host a party for their friend, but the more they all drink, the more tense the party becomes.

Othello – At the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Othello is Shakespeare’s ultimate story of manipulation, betrayal and jealousy, playing out in a beautiful candlelit venue.

Twelfth Night – Tamsin Greig takes on a gender-swapped role as Malvolia in a joyous new production of Twelfth Night at the National Theatre.

The Wild Party – Frances Ruffelle stars as Queenie, one half of a Vaudevillian pair who decide to salvage their relationship by throwing the party to end all parties. Things take a tense and tragic turn and the guests must sober up and face reality. Olivier Award-winning director and choreographer Drew McOnie will helm The Wild Party as it premieres at The Other Palace (St. James Theatre).

Rosencrantz And Gildenstern Are Dead – Tom Stoppard‘s comedy Rosencrantz And Gildenstern returns to the Old Vic, 50 years after its first premiere. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Joshua McGuire (Lovesick) will star as the two minor characters in Hamlet who play out their own storylines from the sidelines of the action.

Travesties – Another Tom Stoppard play, Travesties will run at the Apollo Theatre, starring Tom Hollander (In The Loop) and Freddie Fox (Pride). Set in Zurich, elderly British diplomat Henry Carr misremembers his role in history as he interacts with the likes of James Joyce and Lenin.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? – After her Olivier Award-winning role in Gypsy, Imelda Staunton will star in Edward Albee’s classic play, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Alongside her will be Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) and Luke Treadaway (The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time).

March

AAIP_TTX_Hero_640x200 — Photo Credit: An American In Paris

An American In Paris – Set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, this gorgeous production of An American In Paris comes to us straight from Broadway. A young GI has a chance encounter with a beautiful woman, sparking a beautiful romance between the two.

Stepping Out – A group of novice tap dancers are just finding their feet at their local class when they’re asked to perform at a charity gala, but will they be ready in time? Stepping Out will star TV talents Amanda Holden, Angela Griffin, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Tamzin Outhwaite.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – In a darker interpretation of Shakespeare’s comic romance A Midsummer Night’s Dream, manipulation and sexuality are the focus of Joe Hill-Gibbins’ production at the Young Vic.

a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) – Three couples reminisce about what was, what might have been and dream of what could be in debbie tucker green‘s play at the Royal Court.

Edward Albee’s The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? – Martin risks everything, a happy family life and great career, for an ill-advised love affair, now he has to face the consequences. Damian Lewis (Homeland) and Sophie Okonedo appear together in this darkly comic piece at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

The Miser – Making his West End debut, comedian Lee Mack stars alongside Mathew Horne and Griff Rhys Jones in The Miser. Based on Molière‘s classic comedy, a wealthy but miserly old man attempts to offload his children onto rich partners in order to protect his money from his own kids.

42nd Street – Peggy is a fresh-faced young performer who sees her chance to step into the spotlight when her leading lady is injured. Featuring iconic songs like ‘We’re In The Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’, 42nd Street is set to be a huge all-singing, high-kicking show!

Don Juan In Soho – Another Molière adaptation, Patrick Marber‘s Don Juan In Soho follows the debauched seducer around contemporary London, starring David Tennant (Doctor Who).

April

Angels in America Part 1 (Millennium Approaches) and 2 (Perestroika) – Tony Kushner‘s iconic journey through the New York AIDS epidemic comes to the National Theatre. Religion, sexuality, love, betrayal and disease are explored in two parts, starring Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Denise Gough and Russell Tovey.

Carousel – Katherine Jenkins and Alfie Boe bring Rodgers and Hammerstein‘s Carousel to the London Coliseum in a semi-staged production. 15 years after an armed robbery changed his life, Billy gets a second chance to redeem himself and restore his family’s reputation.

Alice’s Adventures Underground – There’s magic in the Vaults at Waterloo as Alice and her friends from Wonderland guide you through the classic story. Join the Un-Birthday Party, spot the Cheshire Cat and avoid the Queen of Hearts!

Nuclear War – Making her directorial debut, Imogen Knight (The Crucible) brings a ‘series of suggestions on desire, death and time’ to the Royal Court.

Sara Pascoe – Animal – The hilarious Sara Pascoe (Mock The Week) brings her stand-up show to the Duchess Theatre. Sara takes on big picture questions about, life, death and RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The Ferryman – Award-winning film and theatre director, Sam Mendes makes his Royal Court debut with Jez Butterworth‘s new play, The Ferryman. In 1980s Derry, a town prepare for harvest festivities, only to be surprised by an unexpected visitor.

Whisper House – After his father’s plane is shot down in WWII, Christopher moves in with his Aunt in her eerie lighthouse. See the dark and thrilling Whisper House at the Other Palace Theatre, with music and lyrics by Spring Awakening‘s Duncan Sheik.

May

Killology – A multi-millionaire has created a gaming environment, where players can act out their darkest fantasies. But while their actions aren’t real, the consequences are. See Gary Owen‘s new play at the Royal Court, directed by Rachel O’Riordan.

La Strada – Based on the iconic movie of the same name by Federico Fellini, La Strada follows the life of a young woman who’s sold into the circus. Directed by Olivier Award-winning director, Sally Cookson, this much-anticipated show comes to the Other Palace Theatre.

Nell Gwynn – Jessica Swale‘s award-winning comedy, Nell Gwynn comes to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. In 1660, aspiring actress Nell (Laura Pitt-Pulford), impresses a royal audience one fateful night and launches herself into the spotlight of London’s newly revitalised theatre scene.

Woyzeck – Star War‘s John Boyega will make his debut in Woyzeck at the Old Vic. Written by Harry Potter and the Cursed Child‘s Jack Thorne, the play is a dark look at the cost of freedom through the eyes of a young soldier in 1980s Berlin.

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Killology

A London Theatre Guide To Spring 2017

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