Here’s a guide to some of the productions opening in London this week…
No’s Knife, Old Vic Theatre – this selection of Samuel Beckett’s Texts for Nothing has been conceived and will be performed by Lisa Dwan. It will take audiences into the heart of Beckett and his work, forcing us to ask who are we? Co-directed by Joe Murphy and Lisa Dwan, this is the world premiere production and is playing at the Old Vic Theatre until the 15th October.
The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s Globe: following a national and international tour, Jonathan Munby’s production arrives in London for a limited run from the 4th until the 15th October. It is a revival of the 2o15 production and stars Jonathan Pryce as Shylock.
Murder Ballad, Arts Theatre: Kerry Ellis, Ramin Karimloo, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt and Norman Bowman star in this production of love, desire and obsession written by Julia Jordan with music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Juliana Nash. Already generating an early buzz, it is becoming clear that this is a production that would be criminal to miss! Booking until the 3rd December.
This Little Life of Mine, Park Theatre: the world premiere of this musical by Michael Yale with music by Charlie Round-Turner, will take place at the Park Theatre from the 4th to the 29th October. The story follows Izzy and Jonesy who seem to have it all – but do they? Would having a baby be the final piece of the puzzle? It is a musical that looks at what happens when we can’t have everything we want.
Ragtime, Charing Cross Theatre: having led the way in the 1998 Tony Awards with 12 nominations, winning 4 including Best Book by Terrence McNally and Best Original Score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, Ragtime comes to London for a limited run from the 8th October until the 10th December.