We might be edging closer to Summer, but the theatre season in London is also beginning to heat up. Here’s a guide to some of the shows to look out for next month…
1. Hamlet, Harold Pinter Theatre: following its successful run at the Almeida, Robert Icke’s production of Shakespeare’s play will open for previews at the Harold Pinter Theatre on the 9th June . The transfer will also see Andrew Scott returning to the title role. ( ATG Tickets, Discount Theatre.com, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com, UK Tickets.co.uk. )
2. The Kite Runner, The Playhouse Theatre: following its successful West End run at the Wyndham’s Theatre earlier this year, Giles Croft’s production of Khaled Hosseini’s best selling novel will fly into the West End once more from the 8th June. ( ATG Tickets.)
3.The Ferryman, Gielgud Theatre: following its sold out run at the Royal Court Theatre, Jez Butterworth’s new play transfers to the West End for a limited season from the 20th June. The production is directed by Sam Mendes and is set to star Paddy Considine, Laura Donnelly and Genevieve O’Reilly. (Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Last Minute.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, UK Tickets.co.uk and Theatre People.com. )
4. Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Wyndham’s Theatre: having been postponed, Audra McDonald is set to star as Billie Holiday in this production that recounts the singer’s life through her songs. The production opens for previews at the theatre from the 17th June.
5.The Wind in the Willows , London Palladium: arriving just in time for the Summer holidays, this new musical production of the classic story will see Rufus Hound playing the fantastic Mr Toad alongside Denise Welch, Gary Wilmot, Craig Mather and Simon Lipkin. The production opens for previews on the 17th June. ( Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, UK Tickets.co.uk and Theatre People.com. )
6.Queen Anne, Theatre Royal Haymarket: the Royal Shakespeare Company production transfers to London for a limited season, starring Romola Garai as Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough and Emma Cunniffe as Queen Anne.
1702. William III is on the throne and England is on the verge of war. Princess Anne is soon to become Queen, and her advisors vie for influence over the future monarch. Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, a close friend with whom Anne has an intensely personal relationship, begins to exert increasing pressure as she pursues her own designs on power.
Contending with deceit and blackmail, Anne must decide where her allegiances lie, and whether to sacrifice her closest relationships for the sake of the country.
(Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk. )
7.The Mentor, Vaudeville Theatre: Laurence Boswell’s production transfers to London following a successful run at the Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio earlier this year. Opening for previews on the 24th June , the production will see Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham reprising his role as Benjamin Rubin. ( Ticketmaster.co.uk, Discount Theatre.com, Theatre Tickets Direct.co.uk, Love Theatre.com, Theatre People.com and UK Tickets.co.uk.)
8. Blondel, Union Theatre: Tim Rice’s musical will arrive in London from the 21st June having originally premiered in the West End back in 1983. Sasha Regan’s production is set to star Connor Arnold who will be taking on the title role of Blondel.
9. The Quentin Dentin Show, Tristan Bates Theatre: the show returns to London following previous runs at the Edinburgh Festival and the capital – this time as a fully staged Off-West End production. It opens for previews on the 20th June and will continue to play at the theatre until the 29th July.
10. King Kong, The Vaults: from the 22nd June prepare to meet King King in this new comedy from Daniel Clarkson – based on the original story that has been told many times through film. In this unique retelling, the production will feature a cast of five and no special effects…