August Preview: 40 Shows To See You Through The Summer

We’re approaching the end of summer but it’s not going anywhere quietly. While most of the attention falls to Edinburgh for this year’s Fringe, there are still plenty of big openings in London and all over the UK. I’ve not included any of the Fringe shows here though it is worth checking listings for plenty of exciting shows. Here are some of the best shows you can see outside of the Fringe this month:

POLICE COPS IN SPACE (Underbelly festival)

31st July – 18th August

Announced too late to be included in July but the multi award-winning Police Cops return with their sell-out low-fi sci-fi comedy blockbuster.

Tickets from www.underbellyfestival.com

Tickets from www.underbellyfestival.com

BEDROOM FARCE (The Mill at Sonning)

1st August – 21st September

Alan Ayckbourn’s play is revived in a new production featuring his signature blend of charm and chaos in a roller-coaster ride of laughter, love, and lunacy.

Tickets from http://www.millatsonning.com/ 

ZOG AND THE FLYING DOCTORS (Cadogan Hall)

1st – 31st August

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler,  Joe Stilgoe provides the music for this modern take on a classic fairy tale.

Tickets from www.cadoganhall.com

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY (Theatre Royal Bath)

2nd August – 31st August

Harold Pinter’s classic comedy of menace has a heads to Bath with a cast including Tony Award and BAFTA nominee Jane Horrocks.

Tickets from www.theatreroyal.org.uk

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Greenwich Theatre)

2nd – 25th August

A new adaptation of the classic tale featuring an astonishing cast of actor-musicians and an unforgettable original score with its roots planted firmly in English folk and blues.

Tickets from www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk

MISCHIEF MOVIE NIGHT (The Other Palace)

3rd August – 1st September

The original Mischief gang return to London and their comedy roots to present their hilarious improvised show where each night is determined by audience members suggesting a genre, location and title.

Tickets from www.mischiefmovienight.co.uk

DAVID HUNTER: NIGHT SHIFTS (Lafayette)

3rd August

The West End favourite with leading roles in shows including Kinky Boots, Waitress and The Time Traveller’s Wife is back! Bigger, louder and better than ever before, expect a mix of his original music and Musical Theatre hits.

Tickets from www.lafayette.seetickets.com

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA (Shakespeare’s Gl;obe)

4th August – 15th September

Shakespeare’s epic story of love, duty and power unfolds in a ground-breaking bilingual production using Spoken English and British Sign Language.

Tickets from www.shakespearesglobe.com

SOMETHING ROTTEN IN CONCERT (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

5th & 6th August

The UK premiere of the hit Broadway musical comedy takes to the West End for two nights only with a cast including Jason Manford, Gary Wilmot, Richard Fleeshman, Marisha Wallace and Evelyn Hoskins.

Tickets from http://www.somethingrottenconcert.com/

FRANK SKINNER: 30 YEARS OF DIRT (Gielgud Theatre)

5th – 24th August

Back in the West End following two sold out runs, the comic legend is coming home with his acclaimed new stand up show

Tickets from http://www.frankskinnerlive.com/

FIRST DATE (Old Joint Stock)

7th – 25th August

The Multi-Award Winning comedy musical riot gets its UK premiere in a limited engagement in Birmingham. Focused on a date unfolding in real time, can a dating disaster turn into something special before the check arrives?

Tickets from https://www.designmynight.com/birmingham/pubs/city-centre/the-old-joint-stock-theatre/first-date?t=tickets 

FARM HALL (Theatre Royal Haymarket)

7th – 31st August

The best-selling show in the history of Jermyn Street Theatre gets a West End transfer, bringing an extraordinary story to life inspired by the true events that took place at Farm Hall between July 1945 and January 1946.

Tickets from www.trh.co.uk 

I RAN WITH THE GANG (Stage Door Theatre)

7th – 13th August

The story of original Bay City Roller, Alan Longmuir, comes to London for the first time in this week long run. Telling the story of Alan’s life before he became famous, through the hysteria of Rollermania and of how he returned to life as a ‘plumber from Edinburgh’ when the screaming stopped.

Tickets from http://www.stagedoortheatre.co.uk/ 

PEANUT BUTTER & BLUEBERRIES (Kiln Theatre)

8th – 31st August

In the world premiere of her debut play, author, poet and educator Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan explores how to love when the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Tickets from www.kilntheatre.co.uk 

THE FABULIST (Charing Cross Theatre)

12th August – 21st September

The hazards of love, the wonder of magic, and the mysteries of the universe collide in the world premiere of this joyous and fast-paced feast of musical comedy.

Tickets from http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/ 

BERNADETTE PETERS (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

12th August

Broadway’s brightest stars returns to London for a new show as she performs an evening of song from the Broadway shows that have earned her critical acclaim, as well as tracks from her Grammy Award winning and nominated albums.

Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/bernadette-peters/ 

SHIFTERS (Duke of York’s Theatre)

12th August – 12th October

Benedict Lombe’s hit play transfers to the West End for a strictly limited run following a sell-out run at Bush Theatre. This epic and universal love story is about the enduring power of memory and young love as Dre and Des struggle to navigate the shifting borders that threaten to rewrite their past and reshape their future. 

Tickets from http://www.shifterstheplay.co.uk/ 

COCKFOSTERS (Turbine Theatre)

13th – 31st August

After three sold out runs in a year, London’s smash hit comedy rides again this summer. This screamingly funny off-the-rails comedy about the London Underground is a brilliantly surreal take on the tube journey we’re all familiar with and love (subject to delays…) that will change the way you think about your commute forever.

Tickets from http://www.theturbinetheatre.com/ 

NORTHBOUND BOY (King’s Head Theatre)

13th August – 1st September

A new queer comedy exploring love and what we consider valuable, this follows 43-year-old Ken as he picks up a younger man at the service station only to realise the hitchhiker Rory is looking for a different type of ride.

Tickets from http://www.kingsheadtheatre.com/

THERE’S A MONSTER IN YOUR SHOW (Riverside Studios)

14th August – 1st September

Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations, based on the beloved “Who’s In Your Book?” series is a high-energy 50 minute featuring original music from the McFly star and Barrie Bignold.

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

THE WIZARD OF OZ (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

15th August – 8th September

The smash hit production concludes its massive UK and Ireland Tour with a return to the West End starring Aviva Tulley as Dorothy joined by a cast including Aston Merrygold and The Vivienne.

Tickets from www.wizardofozmusical.com

THE 39 STEPS (Trafalgar Theatre)

16th August – 28th September

Returning to the West End following a UK tour, this wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

Tickets from www.love39steps.com 

PRIDE & PREJUDICE (Jermyn Street Theatre)

18th August – 7th September

Abigail Pickard Price returns to Jermyn Street Theatre with her hilarious, inventive adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved romantic comedy. Three actors bring a host of Austen’s unforgettable characters to life in the London premiere of Guildford Shakespeare Company’s sparkling production.

Tickets from http://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/ 

OKLAHOMA IN CONCERT (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

19th & 20th August

The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic returns to its original West End home for a special concert starring Phil Dunster, Zizi Strallen, Jordan Shaw, Christina Bianco, Joanna Riding, Nicole-Lily Baisden, Sebastian Torkia, Irvin Iqbal and Tosh Wanogho-Maud.

Tickets from http://www.oklahomaconcert.co.uk/

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (UK Tour)

From 19th August

Richard O’Brien’s classic musical returns for a new UK tour starring Jason Donovan as Frank N Furter. It kicks off at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, before moving to High Wycombe ahead of a 2 week run in the West End next month.

Dates and tickets at www.rockyhorror.co.uk

A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN (Peacock Theatre)

20th August – 28th September

The UK premiere of this Tony Award-nominated Broadway hit stars Mary Bridget Davies and Sharon Sexton sharing the role of Janis Joplin in this musical journey celebrating her legacy and her biggest musical influences.

Tickets from www.anightwithjanisjoplin.com

THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Shakespeare’s Globe)

21st August – 27th October

Shakespeare’s wild comedy about rival cities, long-lost siblings and mistaken identities returns to the Globe after rave reviews.

Tickets from www.shakespearesglobe.com

GHOST THE MUSICAL (UK Tour)

22nd August – 5th April

The musical adaptation of the classic movie returns for a brand new UK tour, kicking off at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre before touring all over the country into 2025.

Dates and tickets at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/ghost-the-musical/

BLOOD BROTHERS (UK Tour)

20th August - 7th December

Bill Kenwright Ltd’s legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit

musical continues to tour across the UK with the latest dates kicking off in Wales Millennium Centre this month.

Dates and tickets at https://www.kenwright.com/productions/blood-brothers-uk-tour/

DEATH OF ENGLAND: CLOSING TIME (@SohoPlace)

22nd August – 28th September

The third part of the trilogy joins the other two shows playing in rep as Sharon Duncan-Brewster and Hayley Squires star in this thought-provoking drama exploring family dynamics, race, colonialism and cancel culture.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

THE REAL THING (Old Vic)

22nd August – 26th October

James McArdle, Susan Wakoma and Oliver Johnstone star in Tom Stoppard’s kaleidoscope comedy of love, infidelity and the stories we tell.

Tickets from www.oldvictheatre.com

G (Royal Court)

22nd August – 21st September

A bold, visceral play from Tife Kusoro takes an urban legend and asks if it is a God, ghost or trick of the light when the spirit of Baitface the Gullyman rears its head.

Tickets from www.royalcourttheatre.com

SPRING AWAKENING (Phoenix Arts Club)

22nd – 25th August

The much-loved Tony Award-winning musical returns to London in a new production from Taylor Jay as the angsty rock musical exploring the journey from adolescence to adulthood fuses morality and sexuality with rock & roll.

Tickets from www.phoenixartsclub.com 

JOE TRACINI – 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT ME (Apollo Theatre)

25th August

The beloved actor and comedian presents his one-man show for one-night-only as he delivers a candid and entertaining show based on living with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS (Battersea Park)

25th August

Cassidy Janson hosts a celebration of musical theatre with West End performers joined by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Tickets from www.batterseaparkinconcert.com

BITTER LEMONS (Park Theatre)

27th August – 14th September

Following a sold-out run at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe,  Lucy Hayes’ explosive and humorous play makes its London premiere, challenging the misunderstood and heavily politicised narratives that surround abortion and women’s access to it.

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk/event/bitter-lemons

WHY AM I SO SINGLE? (Garrick Theatre)

From 27th August

The new big fancy musical from Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is a celebration of friendship and love, starring Jo Foster, Leesa Tulley and Noah Thomas.

Tickets from www.whyamisosingle.com

RHYTHM & RUSE (Waterloo Vaults)

From 29th August

A night of magic and revelry as a society of magicians perform intimate illusions up close while sultry cabaret and live jazz fill the air. Discover the magic of the Jazz Age where unmarked doors and whispered passwords unlock a world of mystery and glamour.

Tickets from www.rhythmandruse.com

CHRISTINA BIANCO & VELMA CELLI: DIVALLUSION (Crazy Coqs)

30th August

10 years after their smash hit Edinburgh debut, this high voltage show filled with high comedy, high drama, high glamour, high belt, high kick and high hair is revived for one night only.

Tickets from www.brasseriezedel.com

AN INSPECTOR CALLS (UK Tour)

30th August – 31st May 2025

JB Priestley’s classic kicks off a new tour in London with a short season at Alexandra Palace before visiting 25 further venues all over the UK.

Dates and tickets at https://aninspectorcalls.com/

As well as all these new openings, it is also your last chance to see some favourites with the following playing their final performances (for now at least) this month:

STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE (Gillian Lynne Theatre) – ends 3rd August

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Theatre Royal Haymarket) – ends 3rd August

BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF (Garrick Theatre) – ends 3rd August

2:22 A GHOST STORY (Gielgud Theatre) – ends 4th August

PEOPLE, PLACES & THINGS (Trafalgar Theatre) – ends 10th August

THE CONSTITUENT (Old Vic) – ends 20th August

SKELETON CREW (Donmar Warehouse) – ends 24th August

TWO STRANGERS (Carry A Cake Across New York) (Criterion Theatre) – ends 31st August

SISTER ACT (Dominion Theatre) - ends 31st August

What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on all of them, and look out for reviews of many of them on the website over the next month.

To have your show included in the September 2024 preview or any other monthly post, send me an email with details of your show and I’ll include as many as possible.

See you in the theatre!