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What’s happening this August in theatre
Everything happening on the West End this August that you need to know about
August is here and whilst the weather outside may be fickle, one thing we can depend on is a month of great theatre. This August the West End welcomes Shakespeare (both as a playwright and a character), celebrates the return of some celebrated classics, and invites you to experience brand new stories. There’s also lots of great theatre leaving our stages this month, so be sure to make the most of your last chance to see some of the year’s best shows. Here’s everything you need to know this month about what’s happening on the West End.
New West End openings
Opening right at the end of July and continuing throughout the month of August, Saving Mozart is the brand new musical on the block this month, celebrating those who helped shape the life of the great composer. Don’t wait – you have until 30 August to catch this one at the Other Palace. There are also a couple of major returning shows to see. The celebrated adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe returns to Sadler’s Wells for a limited run beginning 20 August, offering a magical experience for the whole family. The irreverent classic The Producers is also officially making a return to London on 30 August, following a sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Attempting to stage the biggest flop in theatre history, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom experience unlucky success with their roundly offensive show, heading for the Garrick Theatre.
A starry cast including Lenny Henry, Ambika Mod and Sue Perkins heads to @sohoplace from 1 August with Every Brilliant Thing. The worldwide phenomenon has garnered stacks of five-star reviews and may just send you home with a new perspective on life. Speaking of highly celebrated shows, War Horse returns to London for just 15 shows at the New Wimbledon theatre this month, beginning 5 August. If you haven’t seen it before, this is not an opportunity to let slide. Also this month, Robert Bolt’s award-winning new play A Man For All Seasons sees Martin Shaw star as Sir Thomas More at the Harold Pinter Theatre. When friend King Henry VIII demands a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, Thomas is forced to choose between his Catholic faith or his loyalty – a test which may see him pay the ultimate price…
The Globe revive one of Shakespeare’s most popular comedies this month when Twelfth Night hits the stage, playing a strictly limited run from 8 – 14 August. And Shakespeare himself treads the boards this month, brought to life by Edward Bluemel in Born With Teeth at Wyndham’s Theatre. He’ll play opposite Ncuti Gatwa’s Kit Marlowe as the two rivals are forced together in creative union, from 13 August.
Tickets on sale now
Brendan Gleeson takes to the stage at the Harold Pinter Theatre later this year in Conor McPherson’s The Weir, the play that first launched McPherson as a generational writing talent. Gleeson, known for projects like The Banshees of Inisherin and Harry Potter, will be making his West End stage debut on 12 September, with tickets on sale now.
Tickets are also on sale for The Spy Who Came In From The Cold, the new adaptation of the novel by the masterful John Le Carré, which heads to @sohoplace on 17 November. Another beloved work of literature hitting the stage in November is Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which comes to Riverside Studios from 15 November.
If the sun won’t stop you planning ahead to the festive season, you’ll be pleased to know that the funny folks behind The Play That Goes Wrong have announced Christmas Carol Goes Wrong. Their holiday caper will begin 6 December at the Apollo Theatre, with tickets on sale now. Even further in the future but definitely worth planning ahead for is the return of Cirque du Soleil: OVO, the bug-themed acrobatic spectacular inspired by the wonders of nature, which comes to the Royal Albert Hall on 9 January.
Last chance shows
There’s a lot of great theatre moving out and making space for new shows this month, so here’s what you’ll want to catch in the next few weeks. John Lithgow ends his run as Roald Dahl in Giant on 2 August, so be sure to head to the Harold Pinter Theatre to see him before then. The Comedy About Spies, from the team who brought The Play That Goes Wrong to life, ceases hijinks at the Noël Coward Theatre on 3 August, whilst Imelda Staunton will play her last show in Mrs Warren’s Profession at the Garrick Theatre on 16 August.
There are three fantastic productions leaving us on 23 August. Sing Street, the uplifting celebration of 80s music and young love adapted from John Carney’s beloved coming of age film, leaves the Lyric Theatre on this date, whilst Conor McPherson’s acclaimed musical Girl From The North Country departs from the Old Vic. Rough Magic, the RSC’s summer family show, heads off too – if you’re after a summer holiday activity, head to the Globe to catch it before it goes.
The end of the month sees 101 Dalmations: The Musical departing from the Eventim Apollo, with Sydnie Christmas’ Cruella de Vil and all her four-legged costars playing their last show on 30 August. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical leaves the Other Palace on 31 August, giving fans of the beloved book series one more month catch it in action, whilst the spoof Jurassic Park show Hold On To Your Butts will also stomp out of the Arts Theatre on the last day of the month.
Other West End theatre news
Rachel Zegler continues to perform for the masses at Evita
Jamie Lloyd’s experimental take on Evita has made a lot of headlines since the show opened in London. Whilst the decision to have star Rachel Zegler sing the show’s most famous song from the balcony of the Palladium each night wasn’t without controversy, it’s proved a fascinating choice, allowing crowds to gather on the street below the star and providing a ready-made chorus to cheer for her. Here’s how to see Zegler sing ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ for free. Read the full story.
70s rock ‘n’ roll drama Stereophonic opens in the West End
Stereophonic examines the egos and excesses of a rock band making their second album under the stifling spotlight of fame, but sings with humour and heart in its West End debut. Here’s the scene, man: it’s Sausalito, California, it’s 1976, it’s the era when rock ‘n’ roll ruled the airwaves. And “everyone’s f*cking insane”. Read the full story.
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