17 must-see plays and musicals in 2024

By | December 25, 2023

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick at the Plaza Suite – Joan Marcus

January 9: Friendless

Steven Moffat’s hilariously silly comedy, about a suspicious American widower returning to the West End who invites her to stay with the British couple she met on a cruise, is a quirky comedy that casts Frances Barber alongside Lee Mack and Sarah Alexander as reluctant landladies. keeps him in the role of collaborator.
Wyndham Theatre, London WC2 (theunfriend.com), in previews now through March 9

January 24: The Most Valuable of All Goods

Solo adaptation/translation by director Nicolas Kent of Jean-Claude Grumberg’s best-selling novella “Holocaust Tale”, about the discovery of an abandoned Jewish child by a lumberjack’s wife.
Marylebone Theatre, London, NW1 (mostpreciousgoods.com) until February 3; Previews starting January 22

January 28: Plaza Suite

While there have been poor reviews for the 2022 New York revival of Neil Simon’s 1968 comedy, demand will be high for Sarah Jessica Parker to star opposite husband Matthew Broderick in her West End debut as three couples in a hotel room. .
Savoy Theatre, London WC2 (plazasuiteuk.comUntil March 31; Previews starting January 17

Summon Midwife's Helen George in The King and ISummon Midwife's Helen George in The King and I

Call Midwife’s Helen George in The King and I – Johan Persson

January 31: The King and I

Call the Midwife’s Helen George joins forces with Asian-American actor Darren Lee to reimagine the relationship between English governess Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam, as Rodgers and Hammerstein musicalized it. Bartlett Sher directs this six-week West End run.
Dominion Theatre, London W1 (nederlander.co.ukUntil March 2; Previews starting January 20

February 1: A Mirror

Jonny Lee Miller plays the minister of culture in an authoritarian regime trying to train new playwrights in Sam Holcroft’s play on slippery ideas about truth and censorship, transferred from the Almeida. Jeremy Herrin directs.
Trafalgar Theatre, London, SW1 (almeida.co.ukUntil April 20; Previews starting January 22

February 6: Metamorphosis

The climax of Lemn Sissay’s UK tour of the reliable and zany Frantic Assembly, in which he adapted Kafka’s story of a man who wakes up one morning to find himself “turned from a breadwinner into a burden”.
Lyric Hammersmith, London W6 (lyric.co.uk), until March 2; Previews starting February 1

Webb Brothers in the California HillsWebb Brothers in the California Hills

The Webb Brothers in the California Hills – Oliver Rosser

February 6: California Hills

The latest from Jez ‘Jerusalem’ Butterworth is heading straight to the West End. “Blackpool, 1976. Sweltering back streets… The Webb Brothers return to their run-down guest house when their mother is dying.” Sam Mendes directs. Cast includes Laura Donnelly (The Ferryman).
Harold Pinter Theatre, London SW1 (hillsofcaliforniaplay.com), until June 15; Previews starting January 27

February 13: Just For One Day

John O’Farrell relives that July day in 1985 when a star-studded rock concert called Live Aid changed hearts and minds; It features music by David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Elton John and, of course, The Boomtown Rats. Directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet).
The Old Vic, London SE1 (oldvictheatre.comUntil March 30; Previews starting January 26

February 15: The Picture of Dorian Gray

Succession star Sarah Snook plays 26 characters in the acclaimed adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s Faustian tale of beauty and debauchery, adapted by the Sydney theater company’s artistic director Kip Williams.
Theater Royal Haymarket, London SW1 (doriangrayplay.com), until May 11; Previews starting February 6

Matt Smith returns to the stage in Enemy of the PeopleMatt Smith returns to the stage in Enemy of the People

Matt Smith returns to the stage in Enemy of the People – Oliver Rosser

February 19: Double Feature

US playwright (Red) and Bond screenwriter John Logan splits his attention between Hitchcock’s filming of Marnie in a replica Suffolk cottage and the troubles at a real-life Suffolk cottage between Vincent Price and director Michael Reeves in Witchfinder General. Jonathan Kent directs.
Hampstead Theatre, London NW3 (hampsteadtheatre.com), until March 16; Previews starting February 8

February 20: Enemy of the People

Matt Smith returns to the stage for the first time since Lungs at the Old Vic to star in German director Thomas Ostermeier’s acclaimed version of Ibsen’s drama about an informer who takes over an entire town. We expect audience participation and explosions of rock music.
Duke of York Theatre, London WC2 (anenemyofthepeople.co.ukUntil April 6; Previews starting February 6

February 21: Hadestown

Anais Mitchell’s heartfelt, charming, multi-Tony award-winning musical interpretation of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice debuted off-Broadway, opened to critical acclaim at the National in 2018, and is now picking up West End honors in addition to its run on Broadway. is shown.
Lyric Theatre, London W1 (uk.hadestown.com), until August 4; Previews starting February 10

Hadestown: Anais Mitchell's multiple Tony-winning musical interpretation of the story of Orpheus and EurydiceHadestown: Anais Mitchell's multiple Tony-winning musical interpretation of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice

Hadestown: Anais Mitchell’s multi-Tony award-winning musical interpretation of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice – Helen Maybanks

February 27: Human Body

Lucy Kirkwood’s (Chimerica, Mosquitoes) new film stars Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport in a drama set in 1948 Shropshire, where a struggling Labor councilor meets a local boy headed for Hollywood and finds his world changing. drama. The final production for Michael Longhurst as the Donmar’s AD.
Donmar Warehouse, London WC2 (frostmarwarehouse.comUntil April 13; Previews starting February 16

February 13: A Leap in the Dark

Stage premiere of Ron Hutchinson’s play, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the UK’s first radio play; Eight actors play multiple roles to pay homage to the Beeb at its best and backstab it at its worst.

New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme (newvictheatre.org.uk), until March 2; Previews starting February 9

February 28: Standing on the Edge of the Sky

transfer for the Olivier-winning musical from singer-songwriter Richard Hawley and Sheffield creator Chris Bush; It tells the story of the Park Hill social housing project experienced over three generations, from the 60s to the present day.
Gillian Lynne, London WC2 (skysedgemusical.com), until August 3; Previews starting February 8

Sheridan Smith on Opening NightSheridan Smith on Opening Night

Sheridan Smith – Oliver Rosser on Opening Night

March 6: New

Michael Sheen stars as Nye Bevan in “this surreal and spectacular journey into the life and legacy of the man who transformed Britain’s welfare state.” The film is directed by Rufus Norris, whose script was written by Tim Price.
The National’s Olivier Theatre, London, SE1 (nationaltheatre.org.uk), until May 11; Previews starting February 24

March 26: Opening Night

Sheridan Smith stars in Ivo van Hove’s celluloid adaptation of John Cassavetes, which deals with the backstage drama of a new play on Broadway, with music by Rufus Wainwright.
Gielgud Theatre, London W1 (OpeningNightMusical.comUntil July 27; Previews starting March 6

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *