London theatre: best plays to see in August 2021
Curtains are rising above an enticing cluster of new shows, both on and off the West End. Here are the best new plays to see in London this August
Paradise, National Theatre
Performance poet, recording artist and playwright Kae Tempest turns their lyrical talents to the story of Philoctetes in a power new take on the Greek myth. Paradise premieres at the National's Olivier Theatre with Ian Rickson directing.
Read more ...Carousel, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Travel back in time and across the Atlantic for a story of love and loss on the Maine coast. Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1945 hit musical Carousel comes to life at the Open Air Theatre in a new revival by artistic director Timothy Sheader and Olivier-winning choreographer Drew McOnie.
Read more ...2:22 – A Ghost Story, Noël Coward Theatre
Popstar Lily Allen makes her West End debut in 2:22 – A Ghost Story, a new play by award-winning writer Danny Robins (BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist). The production is premiering at the Noël Coward Theatre this August under the direction of Matthew Dunster (Hangmen, A Very, Very, Very Dark Matter).
Read more ...Anything Goes, Barbican Theatre
Last seen in London some 16 years ago, the multi-award-winning musical Anything Goes is full of joy, fun and excitement, and as such the ideal show to celebrate audiences' release from Covid-19 lockdown… fingers crossed!
Read more ...Constellations, Vaudeville Theatre
Constellations, Nick Payne’s celebrated two-hander that draws on advanced physics to illustrate the infinite possibilities facing a relationship, has returned to the West End with four diverse and starry casts portraying the focal couple. Stepping into the roles this month are Omari Douglas (It’s a Sin) and Russell Tovey (Being Human, Years & Years), who will embody the story as a same-sex couple until Saturday 11 September. Anna Maxwell Martin (Line of Duty) and Chris O’Dowd (Bridesmaids) are also playing the couple, from Friday 6 August to Sunday 12 September.
Read more ...Disney's Frozen, Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Elsa told us to 'Let it go,' but we simply can't. We're still obsessed with Frozen. Now, along with watching the two Frozen films on repeats, Londoners can experience the icy magic live as Disney's musical theatre version of the tale transfers to London after impressing on Broadway.
Read more ...Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's Globe
With Sean Holmes's colourful production of A Midsummer Night's Dream already a certified success, there's reason to feel excited for his take on the Bard's Twelfth Night, starring the Globe's artistic director Michelle Terry as the disguised protagonist Viola.
Read more ...Kids' Week 2021
Kids' Week is the ultimate godsend for busy mothers, fathers, sisters and aunts desperate to keep their kids entertained (and educated) throughout the long month of August, whereby all under-16s get to go free to many of the best shows that London has to offer.
Official London Theatre has announced the official programme for Kids' Week 2021, which runs from 1-31 August. Amélie the Musical, David Walliams' Billionaire Boy, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Everybody's Talking About Jamie are just some of the many, many shows taking part in the scheme. And Dinosaur World Live, Doctor Who: Time Fracture and Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain are among the experiences.
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