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Must-see winter theatre: the Christmas-free edit

By Lucy Brooks on 15/11/2016

A feminist martyr, nuclear apocalypse, rival queens... There's more to winter theatre than tinsel and tat. We round up 7 unmissable plays with plenty of talent and no hint of Christmas.

Art, Old Vic

Yasmina Reza's modern masterpiece returns to the London stage starring Rufus Sewell.

WHEN

10 Dec 2016 – 18 Feb 2017, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

WHERE

The Old Vic
The Cut, London, SE1 8NB

Hedda Gabler, National Theatre

Maverick director Ivo van Hove makes his National Theatre debut with a fresh take on Ibsen's classic starring Ruth Wilson.

WHEN

05 Dec 2016 – 11 Feb 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

National Theatre
South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

The Children, Royal Court

Chimerica playwright Lucy Kirkwood explores nuclear science and parenting in this world premiere at the Royal Court.

WHEN

17 Nov 2016 – 14 Jan 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Royal Court Theatre
Sloane Square, London, SW1W 8AS

Buried Child, Trafalgar Studios

The broken American dream takes centre stage in this timely revival of Sam Shepherd's breakthrough play, starring Ed Harris.

WHEN

14 Nov 2016 – 18 Feb 2017, Matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays; no shows on Sundays

WHERE

Trafalgar Studios
14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY

The Nest, Young Vic

Combing the talents of playwright Conor McPherson (The Weir) and musician P.J. Harvey, this new play explores the environmental impact of our nesting instincts.

WHEN

28 Oct 2016 – 26 Nov 2016, Monday – Saturday at 7.45pm | Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.45pm (except 29 October, 2, 5, 26 November)

WHERE

The Young Vic
66 The Cut , Waterloo, London, SE1 8LZ

Saint Joan, Donmar Warehouse

Gemma Arterton plays the original feminist and martyr in a visionary revival of Bernard Shaw's play Saint Joan at the Donmar Warehouse.

WHEN

09 Dec 2016 – 18 Feb 2017, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Donmar Warehouse
41 Earlham Street, Seven Dials, London, WC2H 9LX

Mary Stuart: Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams photographed by Miles Aldridge

Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre

Rival queens switch roles at the toss of a coin in director Robert Icke's bold, rule-breaking update of Mary Stuart.

WHEN

02 Dec 2016 – 21 Jan 2017, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Almeida Theatre
Almeida Street, Islington, London, N1 1TA

Must-see winter theatre: the Christmas-free edit

A feminist martyr, nuclear apocalypse, rival queens... There's more to winter theatre than tinsel and tat. We round up 7 unmissable plays with plenty of talent and no hint of Christmas.

Art, Old Vic

Hedda Gabler, National Theatre

The Children, Royal Court

Buried Child, Trafalgar Studios

The Nest, Young Vic

Saint Joan, Donmar Warehouse

Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre

Christmas 2016

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