It's a new month which means a whole lot of new theatre to enjoy. While August is a quieter month for theatre in compar/ison to recent ones, it still promises some exciting premieres and some brilliant one-off concerts.
While there is obviously a lot going on with the Edinburgh Fringe this month, I have only included a couple of those shows in this, otherwise it would be a veeeeery long read. But if you are heading up there, there is plenty of stagey goodness to keep you entertained.
So here are some of the highlights for August:
CHESS THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
August 1st - 2nd
The first of three eagerly anticipated concert productions at Drury Lane this month accompanied by the London Musical Theatre Orchestra, this production stars Samantha Barks, Frances Mayli McCann, Hadley Fraser, Joel Harper-Jackson and Ako Mitchell. Tickets are selling well but there are a few left at https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/chess-the-musical-in-concert/
HAMLET (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
August 2nd - 28th
Sir Ian McKellen stars in a world première at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, performing with the Edinburgh Festival Ballet Company. Performing Hamlet’s famous speeches, soliloquies and more - he will share the role of Hamlet with lead dancer Johan Christiansen, and will be on stage throughout the 75-minute production. Tickets from https://www.citizenticket.co.uk/events/edinburgh-festival-ballet/hamlet-with-sir-ian-mckellen/
BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! (King’s Head Theatre)
August 2nd – September 10th
A summer season of writer/performer plays focused on male experience but produced or directed by women with the majority performed or produced by LGBTQ+ creatives. Bi Bi Baileigh, Mediocre White Male, Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Jarman and Brawn are the shows taking part. Tickets from kingsheadtheatre.com
MISCHIEF COMEDY (Edinburgh Festival Fringe)
August 3rd – 27th/28th
Mischief return to their comedy roots with 3 shows at the 7th Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The well loved improv show Mischief Movie Night runs at the Pleasance at EICC while two brand new shows premiere – Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle at Pleasance Courtyard (Beyond), while Charlie Russell Aims To Please at Pleasance Courtyard (Below). Tickets from mischiefedfringe.com
KINKY BOOTS IN CONCERT (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
August 8th - 9th
Returning to London for two nights as part of the LMTO concerts, this production stars Joel Harper-Jackson, Cedric Neal and Courtney Bowman among others. Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/kinky-boots-the-musical-in-concert/
WONDERVILLE: MAGIC & CABARET
August 9th - October 30th
After thrilling audiences last summer, Wonderville returns in its own West End venue mixing magic and cabaret. Featuring a revolving cast, tickets for this first season are available from www.wondervilleUK.com
THE TRIALS (Donmar Warehouse)
August 12th - 27th
The UK premiere of Dawn Kings explosive new play about the climate crisis boasts a cast including Heartstopper stars Joe Locke and Will Gao. Tickets from www.donmarwarehouse.com
CRUISE (Apollo Theatre)
August 13th - September 4th
The Olivier-nominated play returns to the West End for a limited run. Written and performed by Jack Holden, this moving show was one of my top 20 shows of 2021. Can't wait to see it again. Tickets from www.cruisetheplay.co.uk
BLIPPI THE MUSICAL (Apollo Theatre)
August 16th - September 4th
With one billion views per month, global TV and internet sensation childrens entertainer and educator Blippi heads to the West End for the UK premiere of this musical. Tickets from www.blippithemusical.co.uk
DIVA: LIVE FROM HELL (Turbine Theatre)
August 17th - September 3rd
Finally debuting in London after its UK premiere got cancelled thanks to Covid in 2020, Luke Bayer stars as Desmond Channing in this one-person show inspired by All About Eve. Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com
YOU KNOW WE BELONG TOGETHER (Southbank Centre)
August 18th – 20th
The UK premiere of this award-winning play from Julia Hales is a deeply personal presentation of living with Down syndrome. Tickets from https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/performance-dance/you-know-we-belong-together You can also catch it in Edinburgh from August 24th – 27th.
INTO THE WOODS (Theatre Royal Bath)
August 19th - September 10th
Having had its planned run at the Old Vic cancelled, the new adaptation of Sondheim's classic takes place in Bath. With a cast including Julian Bleach, Audrey Brisson and Alex Young, tickets from https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/event/into-the-woods/
TO THE STREETS! (Birmingham, Wolverhampton & Coventry)
August 19th – 28th
Thos uplifting new musical is inspired by te 1963 Bristol Bys Boycott, a pivotal moment in the UK’s civil rights history. Special concert performances will take place in Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. Tickets from www.birminghamhippodrome.com and www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
TREASON THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
August 22nd - 23rd
The final of 3 concerts with the London Musical Theatre Orchestra sees new British musical Treason hit the stage with a cast including Carrie Hope Fletcher, Bradley Jaden. Simon-Anthony Rhoden and Les Dennis. Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/treason-the-musical-in-concert/
RIDE (Charing Cross Theatre)
August 25th – September 17th
The world premiere of the award-winning new musical Ride is written by Freya Catrin Smith and Jack Williams. Charting Annie Londonderrys radical act as the first woman to cycle around the world, tickets from www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
I, JOAN (Shakespeares Globe)
August 25th – October 22nd
The premiere of this powerful and joyous new play that tells Joan of Arc’s story, tickets from https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/joan-2022/
THE SECRET GARDEN THE MUSICAL IN CONCERT (London Palladium)
August 28th
A concert of the Tony award-winning musical based on the classic novel heads to London for one night only. Starring Mark Feehily, Hadley Fraser, Alex Thomas-Smith, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Emma Williams, tickets from lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-secret-garden-in-concert/
JEREMY JORDAN LIVE IN LONDON (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
August 29th - 30th
The legendary star of stage and screen is always a delight to see in concert, and his latest shows in London are his biggest yet. Expect highlights from his varied career to date as well as some surprises, as he always delivers. Tickets from www.fw-live.com/jeremy
GARY BARLOW – A DIFFERENT STAGE (Duke of Yorks Theatre)
August 30th – September 25th
The acclaimed singer and songwriter from Take That brings his theatrical one man stage show to the West End following sell-out dates around the UK. Over an intimate evening, Gary will recount his life story along with some music performances, of course. Tickets from http://www.adifferentstage.show/
HORSE-PLAY (Riverside Studios)
August 30th - September 24th
The premiere of this new comedy by Ian Hallard explores the kinkier side of life. Starring David Ames, Jake Maskall, Matt Lapinskas, Stephanie Siadatan and Nick Sampson, tickets from https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/horse-play-33461/
Another great month of theatre awaits. Let me know in the comments, on twitter or instagram what you're looking forward to seeing in August. And if you have or know of any shows opening in September, feel free to message or email me to get them included.