April Preview: 30 Cracking Treats For Easter

Spring has arrived and Easter is approaching. With it comes a wealth of new theatre to enjoy - from one night only events to big new shows, here are 30 of the best shows opening in April:

ARIANA DEBOSE (London Palladium)

1st April

The Oscar winner heads to London to do the thing for one night only. With musical director Benjamin Rauhala, expect a variety from the world of musical theatre and other genres.

Tickets from lwtheatres.co.uk

HAMNET (Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon)

1st April - 17th June

West End bound later this year, be the first to catch this stage production of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel, adapted for the stage by Lolita Chakrabarti

Tickets from https://www.rsc.org.uk/hamnet/

THE OLIVIER AWARDS (Royal Albert Hall)

2nd April

The biggest night in the stagey calendar. See if your favourites will win a highly coveted Olivier in a year with so much to celebrate in theatre.

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES (Almeida Theatre)

4th April - 27th May

This captivating new musical about a group of women ignited by rebellion and longing for acceptance is based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

Tickets from Almeida.co.uk

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL (UK and Ireland tour)

From April 5th

The UK premiere tour of this Tony award nominated Broadway musical tours the UK and Ireland kicking off in Southampton this month before heading to Birmingham.

Full dates and tickets from www.spongebobstage.com

THE WOMAN WHO TURNED INTO A TREE (Omnibus Theatre)

6th - 22nd April

A new play based on an ancient myth about obsession and isolation fusing movement and striking visuals with live sound and original music.

Tickets from www.omnibus-clapham.org

RICHARD III (Liverpool Playhouse/Rose Theatre, Kingston)

6th April – 13th May

A new production of the Shakespeare play heads to both Liverpool and London with Adjoa Andoh directing and starring as the iconic antihero.

Tickets from https://rosetheatre.org/whats-on/richard-iii

DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Olivier Theatre)

6th April - 27th May

The award-winning drama from the writer of Translations is an astonishing evocation of a family’s world on the brink of change.

Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk

VARDY V ROONEY: THE WAGATHA CHRISTIE TRIAL (Ambassadors Theatre)

6th April - 20th May

After wowing audiences with several performances last night, it's..... back for a West End run ahead of a UK tour.

Tickets from https://wagathaplay.com/

PRIVATE LIVES (Donmar Warehouse)

7th April - 27th May

This fiercely intimate revival of Noël Coward’s dark comedy stars Stephen Mangan, Rachael Stirling, Laura Carmichael and Sargon Yelda

Tickets from donmarwarehouse.com

ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (London Palladium)

7th April

For one night only, Rachel Tucker, Oliver Savile and Matt Henry star in a special concert production of the classic at the iconic Palladium.

Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk

BLACKOUT SONGS (Hampstead Theatre)

8th April - 6th May

Transferring to Hampstead’s main stage for a limited run of four weeks following its premiere at Hampstead Downstairs studio last year.

Tickets from https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/

SNOWFLAKES (Park Theatre)

12th April - 6th May

Taking cancel culture to an extreme, this dystopian black comedy combines the technological nihilism of Black Mirror with the dark comedy and horror of Inside No.9

Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/snowflakes

MUSICALS BY CANDELIGHT (The Actors Church)

13th April - 26th May

A beautiful and enchanting new event invites you to sit back, relax and experience the world’s most beloved musical theatre compositions performed by a live string quartet in the heart of London’s West End.

Tickets from https://www.todaytix.com/london/shows/25037-musicals-by-candlelight

VILLAGE IDIOT (Theatre Royal Stratfird East)

13th April - 6th May

This audacious comedy sees family feuds kick off around a country fair heads to London after visiting Nottingham and Ipswich last month.

Tickets from https://www.stratfordeast.com/

DIXON AND DAUGHTERS (Dorfman Theatre)

15th April - 10th June

Róisín McBrinn returns to direct this powerful story of family and forgiveness by Deborah Bruce. The cast includes Brid Brennan, Liz White and Andrea Lowe

Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/dixon-and-daughters/

T.O.N.Y! [THE TONY BLAIR ROCK OPERA] (Leicester Square Theatre)

15th April - 21st May

Harry Hill and Steve Brown’s hilarious musical tells the story of how one man went from peace-loving, long-haired hippy and would-be pop star to warmongering multimillionaire in just a couple of decades. Following the London run, it embarks on a UK tour.

Tickets from www.tonyblairrockopera.co.uk

AT LAST IT'S SUMMER (London Palladium)

16th April

This brand new musical premieres with a West End Gala charity concert. The cast includes Louise Dearman, Rob Houchen, Katherine Kingsley, Cedric Neal, Gary Wilmot, Jac Yarrow and Alan Titchmarsh.

Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/at-last-its-summer/

LORD OF THE FLIES (Rose Theatre)

18th - 22nd April

A contemporary staging of the classic novel will be directed by Amy Leach, and is a Leeds Playhouse and Belgrade Coventry co-production in association with Rose Theatre.

Tickets from https://rosetheatre.org/

ANIMAL (Park Theatre)

19th April - 20th May

Following a run at the Hope Mill Theatre last month, Animal heads to London as part of a UK tour. Exploring how disability, sexuality and lust co-exist for people who require round-the-clock assistance.

Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/animal

THE MOTIVE AND THE CUE (Lylttleton Theatre)

20th April - 15th July

Sam Mendes directs a startling new play on the making of Burton and Gielgud’s Hamlet. This fierce and funny play by Jack Thorne offers a glimpse into the politics of a rehearsal room and the relationship between art and celebrity.

Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/the-motive-and-the-cue/

F**KING MEN (Waterloo East Theatre)

20th April - 18th June

Alex Britt, Charlie Condou, Derek Mitchell and Stanton Plummer-Cambridge star in this fascinating, funny and provocative story of sex, love and connection.

Tickets from https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk

RETROGRADE (Kiln Theatre)

20th April - 27th May

The world première of Ryan Calais Cameron’s explosive new play is based on a true event in the life of actor Sidney Poitier in 1950s Hollywood which explores identity, resilience, and integrity. It examines a moment in a career which paved ways and changed perceptions, cementing the legacy of a Hollywood icon.

Tickets from https://kilntheatre.com/whats-on/retrograde/

THE GOOD PERSON OF SZECHWAN (Lyric Hammersmith)

21st April - 13th May

For the 80th anniversary of Brecht’s play, it is brought up to date in a new version by Nina Segal

Tickets from www.lyric.co.uk

GLORY RIDE (Charing Cross Theatre)

22nd April - 29th July

Following a concert workshop last year, this new musical rides into London for the premiere of its fully staged production.

Tickets from www.Gloryridemusical.com

WUTHERING HEIGHTS (Royal and Derngate)

24th April - 6th May

This brand-new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel from Inspector Sands presents a retelling of the story of obsessive love and revenge in their boldly humorous and humane style.

Tickets from www.royalandderngate.co.uk

LOVE TALK (New Wimbledon Theatre)

26th - 29th April

Filled with laughs, tears and the entire back catalogue of the 'NOW! That's What I Call Music' collection, this is a new take comedy-drama on an age-old theme, following a couple over a ten year period.

Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/love-talk/studio-at-new-wimbledon-theatre/

LUCIE JONES AND THE FULLTONE ORCHESTRA (UK Tour)

27th April - 5th May

The star of Wicked, Waitress and Les Miserables is joined by an orchestra for dates in Reading, Bath, Bournemouth & Cardiff.

Tickets from https://fto.org.uk/lucie/

MAYFLIES (York Theatre Royal)

28th April - 13th May

Gus Gowland's new musical stars Nuno Queimado, Rumi Sutton and Emma Thornett in the story of a romantic relationship from its first flourish to its final goodbye.

Tickets from https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/mayflies/

THE VORTEX (Chichester Festival Theatre)

28th April - 20th May

Noël Coward’s brilliantly witty and stinging portrait of the darkness beneath the glittering surface of the Jazz Age kicks off the new season in Chichester and stars Lia Williams and Joshua James

Tickets from cft.org.uk

Some great things to get us through the month. Look out for reviews of most of these on the website throughout the month

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