Theatre
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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
There’s lots of new theatre to get excited about this month, catering for a real spread of tastes. A new musical from the writer’s of Six lands at the Garrick Theatre, an extraordinary historical drama arrives at Theatre Royal Haymarket, and the RSC bring a classic Shakespearean comedy to the globe. Plus, there’s a whole host of offers on some of London’s biggest shows, making this summer of theatre that much more accessible. Here’s your full guide to the West End this August.
New West End openings
We’re welcoming back a true classic this month as The Wizard of Oz arrives at the Gillian Lynne Theatre on 12 August, starring Ashton Merrygold and The Vivienne. A Night with Janis Joplin The Musical comes to the Peacock Theatre for a limited run from 21 August, celebrating the life, legacy and discography of a one-of-a-kind artist. There’s also some very exciting new musical theatre writing heading to the Garrick Theatre from 27 August, as Six writers Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss unpack an age-old question in Why Am I So Single?
We’re celebrating some great returning plays. Olivier-winning comedy The 39 Steps returns to the West End from 16 August at the Trafalgar Theatre to bring Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller to life. The RSC can always be counted on for a fantastic summer show – they’re staging The Comedy of Errors from 21 August at Shakespeare’s Globe. Also not to be missed is Tom Stoppard’s classic The Real Thing, which brings its musings on love and fidelity to The Old Vic from 28 August.
If you’re after new playwriting, there’s two particularly exciting openings to be aware of. Farm Hall tells an incredible true story from the tail end of the Second World War – it transfers to the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 7 August, following the most successful run in the history of the Jermyn Street Theatre. On 12 August, the Duke of York’s Theatre welcomes Shifters, a new romance from Benedict Lombe described by The Times as “laugh-out-loud funny and tears-to-the-eyes moving.”
Tickets on sale now
August is a huge month for discounts, with big savings on shows like The Rocky Horror Show, Sister Act and Fawlty Towers now live. Head over to our theatre guide to find great tickets at lower prices this month.
Last chance shows
This month begins with a few sad losses, as Standing At The Sky’s Edge and Boys From the Blackstuff both depart the West End on 3 August, with 2:22: A Ghost Story following on 4 August. There’s only a couple of performances left for all of the above, so sneak in to one if you can.
We’re also saying goodbye to Duncan Macmillan’s wonderful People, Places & Things with Denise Gough, which leaves the Trafalgar Theatre on 10 August. Make sure to catch Gough in her Olivier-winning turn as Emma before then. This is also the final month that audiences will be able to experience Disney’s Frozen at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the magical musical heads off on 8 September.
Other West End theatre news
Cirque du Soleil announce their return to Royal Albert Hall
Celebrating 40 years of dazzling productions, Cirque du Soleil have announced that they will be returning to the Royal Albert Hall in January 2025. They’ll be bringing one of their most acclaimed productions, Corteo, to the stage for 55 incredible performances.
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival returns for 2024
The UK’s biggest celebration of new comedy and theatre kicks off in Scotland this month, taking place between 2 – 26 August. Ahead of the Fringe, we spoke to the cast of Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder, the hilarious new West End musical that garnered quite a bit of buzz at last year’s festival. Read our interview here.