We're a quarter of the way into 2022 already, and in terms of theatre, it's just going to keep getting better. April looks set to be the biggest and best for new theatre with some huge new shows opening up in the West End and around the UK. Here are 20 of the most exciting ones to catch this month:
ANYONE CAN WHISTLE (Southwark Playhouse)
April 1st - May 7th
Alex Young, Chrystine Symone and Jordan Broatch star in Arthur Laurents’ and Stephen Sondheim’s 1964 musical. Set in a fictional town where the government controls everything, even the miracles, tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
ZORRO (Charing Cross Theatre)
April 2nd - May 28th
The newly re-imagined version of Zorro The Musical by Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson, featuring music by the Gipsy Kings and John Cameron ran for just two performances in March 2020 before Covid forced it to close. Tickets from zorrothemusical.co.uk
FIGHTING IRISH (Belgrade Theatre)
April 2nd - 16th
Set in Dublin in 1979, Fighting Irish follows Coventry's newest light-heavyweight cham[ion as he returns to Ireland to defend his title. Tickets from https://www.belgrade.co.uk/
THE AMERICANS IN LONDON SERIES (Crazy Coqs)
April 1st - May 28th
Crazy Coqs at Zedel is bringing together the best of music and cabaret from the USA in a new Americans in London series celebrating Hollywood, Broadway and beyond. The lineup includes:
Lorna Dallas’ Glamorous Nights and Rainy Days - April 3rd & 5th, 7pm Benjamin Scheuer: Elodie’s Mountain - April 5th, 9.15pm Lorna Luft: The Joy of Spring - April 9th - 12th - Various times Lillias White and Billy Stritch - April 14th - 23rd, Various times An Evening with Billy Stritch - April 14th & 18thThe season continues in May.
Full lineup and tickets at https://www.brasseriezedel.com/calendar/
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (Leeds and Manchester)
April 2nd - May 11th
After 15 years, Hedwig returns to the UK with Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo leading the production. You can catch it at two venues, first in Leeds until April 23rd and then in Manchester from April 27th until May 11th. Tickets from https://homemcr.org/production/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch/
JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED (Curve Leicester/Birmingham Hippodrome)
April 2nd - 9th/April 29th - 30th
The world premiere of Akram Khan's new work is a deeply personal interpretation based on the original story of Rudyard Kipling’s much-loved family classic. Tickets for Leicester at curveonline.co.uk and Birmingham at https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/
SPRINGBOARD FESTIVAL (King's Head Theatre)
April 5th - 23rd
The King's Head Theatre in Islington are putting on a festival for shows that lost a performance slot after the cancellation of VAULT Festival, and for companies that were impacted due to the pandemic. Shows include:
Baby Doll - April 5th - 9th
Grey Widow - April 5th - 9th
A Partnership - April 10th - 11th
Drag Queens V Zombies - April 12th - 16th
Drag Baby - April 17th - 18th
About 500 - April 18th - 23rd
Eating Myself - April 19th - 23rd
Full line up and tickets from https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on
I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW (Southwark Playhouse)
April 6th - 16th
This play by Flora Wilson Brown is about who we believe, who we brush under the carpet, and what happens when they claw their way out. It was inspired by the parade of headlines about famous musicians abusing their young fans, and the question of how you would react if your best friend was outed as one of them. Tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-little/i-know-i-know-i-know/
THE CORN IS GREEN (National Theatre)
April 7th - June 11th
Emlyn Williams' semi-autographical play is given a bold new staging, staring Nicolas as Miss Moffat. Lily arrives in rural North Wales determined to help young local miners out of poverty by teaching them to read and write but faces resistance from the community. Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/the-corn-is-green
BARRY HUMPHRIES - THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK (UK Tour)
April 7th - June 5th
Celebrated performer and the man behind Dame Edna Everage will take British audiences on a revelatory trip through his colourful life and theatrical career. The tour kicks off this month and includes a stop in the West End from May. Kicking off in Nottingham on April 7th, full dates and tickets from www.manbehindthemask.co.uk
BONNIE & CLYDE THE MUSICAL (Arts Theatre)
April 9th - July 10th
Following the incredible concert production earlier this year, Bonnie & Clyde returns fully staged for a three month season. Starring Frances Mayli McCann and Jordan Luke Gage, get your tickets from www.bonnieandclydemusical.com
OLIVIER AWARDS
April 10th
The highlight in the UK theatre calendar is back as we once again celebrate all the shows we've enjoyed over the last year. Be there in person at the Royal Albert Hall with tickets at https://www.priceless.com/arts-and-culture/product/169204/the-oliver-awards-2022-ticketing. Listen live on Magic Radio with TV highlights expected later that night.
ANYTHING GOES (UK Tour)
April 11th - June 18th
Before a return season at London's Barbican, Anything Goes embarks on a UK tour kicking off in Bristol on April 11th. With a new cast including Kerry Ellis and Bonnie Langford joined by the returning and soon to be Olivier award winning Carly Mercedes Dyer, if you missed it last year, get yourself to the theatre to find out why this was my favourite show of 2021. Full dates and tickets at anythinggoesmusical.co.uk
THE CHER SHOW (UK Tour)
April 15th - March 18th 2023
You better believe the Broadway show about the legendary Cher is heading to the UK. Its UK debut sees it launch an extensive tour around the country with Danielle Steers, Debbie Kurup and Millie O'Connell starring as the 3 Chers. Catch it at a mammoth 37 venues over a 12 month run. Full dates and tickets at www.cheronstage.com
PRIMA FACIE (Harold Pinter Theatre)
April 15th - June 18th
Emmy and BAFTA award winner Jodie Comer makes her West End debut in the UK premiere of Suzie Miller's award-winning play which takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Tickets from https://primafacieplay.com/
JERUSALEM (Apollo Theatre)
April 16th - August 6th
Ian Rickson's production of Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem returns to the West End for a limited 16 week engagement starring Mark Rylance and Mackenzie Crook. Tickets from www.jerusalemtheplay.co.uk
SAVING BRITNEY (The Other Palace Studio)
April 21st - 23rd
Ahead of a run off-Broadway in New York, the rave reviewed show returns to London for three nights only at The Other Palace. Tickets from https://theotherpalace.co.uk/saving-britney/
OKLAHOMA (Young Vic)
April 26th - June 25th
The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic is re-imagined for the 21st Century. Completely re-orchestrated, this version won a Tony award for its Broadway run. With a cast including Anoushka Lucas, Arthur Darvill, Patrick Vaill, Liza Sadovy and Marisha Wallace, tickets from https://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/oklahoma
MIDDLE (National Theatre)
April 27th - June 18th
The new play from the writer of Beginning, this is a raw, touching and funny portrait of a 21st Century marriage. Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/middle
LADIES OF LETTERS (UK Tour)
April 28th - July 2nd
Only Fools and Horses stars Tessa Peake-Jones and Gwyneth Strong reunite in this adaptation by Jonathan Harvey. Originally written for BBC Radio 4, it has also been an ITV series and now hits the stage. Tickets from https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/ladies-letters
OPERATION MINCEMEAT (Riverside Studios)
April 28th - July 9th
The unstoppable show returns to London in a brand new home for another sure to be sellout run. This fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II involving a well-dressed corpse. Tickets from OperationMincemeat.com
It's gonna be another fantastic month for theatre. Look out for reviews of some of these titles throughout the month and in early May. To be included in any future monthly posts, tweet me or message me at twitter.com/ATDazzles or send me an email.