July has come and gone with more theatres reopening their doors and a sense of normality slowly creeping in. As August approaches, there is more reason to celebrate as more major West End shows return as well as some fantastic shows up and down the country and even a handful of streams to enjoy. Here are 40 highlights for the month ahead:
Now - August 8th: TUCK SHOP WEST END
The first ever Drag season live on the West End. Highlights include Baga and the Broads and a big musical theatre celebration on August 8th called Drag Me to the Musicals. Tickets for all events available from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/tuck-shop-west-end/
Now - August 21st: JOHN & JEN
Southwark Playhouse plays host to this new musical from Andrew Lippa. An emotional rollercoaster of a musical that explores the dynamics of family relationships. It stars Rachel Tucker and Lewis Cornay. Tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Now - August 29th: THE CANCELLATION OF CRISPIN COX
Michael Conley writes and stars in this new one-man stream documenting an actor preparing for the role of a lifetime, only to find himself cancelled. Watch it on demand from https://www.crispincox.com/
August 1st - 14th: THE GARDEN THEATRE SUMMER FESTIVAL
Following last year’s amazing pop-up season in Vauxhall, The Garden Theatre returns this summer with a festival of exciting and eclectic work in a new pop-up theatre at St. Gabriel’s Halls in Pimlico. Tickets for all titles available from http://www.gardentheatre.co.uk/
Now - September 4th: JUST SO
A concert of the Stiles and Drewe musical at the Watermill theatre. The cast includes two 2021 graduates both making their professional debuts. Tickets from watermill.org.uk
August 2nd: I COULD USE A DRINK
Drew Gasparini's music makes the leap from stream to stage in this one night only production at the Garrick Theatre. With a cast including Luke Bayer, Billy Nevers and Maiya Quansah-Breed, tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
August 2nd - October 9th: THE WINDSORS: ENDGAME
Harry Enfield is the Prince of Wales at the Prince of Wales for this limited run production based on the TV series. Watch all your favourite Royals as they are portrayed hilariously in this soap opera spoof. Tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/the-windsors-endgame
August 3rd - October 16th: 2:22 A GHOST STORY
A new ghost story heads to the Noel Coward Theatre with a cast comprising of Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser and Jake Wood. Tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/two-twenty-two-a-ghost-story
From August 5th: HEATHERS
While its West End production continues, the first UK tour finally kicks off this month playing in Leeds from 5th-14th, Liverpool 17th-28th and Nottingham from August 31st. See https://www.heathersthemusical.com/ for dates and ticket details.
From August 5th: TINA
The smash musical about the legendary Tina Turner returns to the Aldwych Theatre to continue its sold out run. With Aisha Jawando returning as Tina, tickets are available from tinathemusical.com
August 5th - 11th: THE DISTANCE YOU HAVE COME
Recently staged in the West End, this song cycle by Scott Alan boasts a cast including Alice Fearn, Adrian Hansel and Emma Hatton. Now streaming online, catch it at https://www.stream.theatre/season/156
August 6th: VIVO
Lin Manuel Miranda and Gloria Estefan star in this new animated musical comedy movie. It will be released on Netflix today.
August 6th - September 19th: RENT
Last years fantastic production of RENT returns to the Hope Mill Theatre for an encore. With a cast including Luke Bayer, Dom Harley-Harris, Millie O'Connell and Alex Thomas Smith. Tickets from https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/rent
Saturdays from August 7th: ALL THAT JAZZ
Cassidy Janson hosts a West End brunch at Ronnie Scott's every Saturday morning with guests Cedric Neal on the 7th, David Bedella on the 14th, Amy Lennox on the 21st and Daniel Boys on the 28th. Tickets from https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/performances/view/6680-all-that-jazz-ronnies-saturday-cabaret-brunch-includes-2-courses-2-cocktails
August 7th - October 30th: LEOPOLDSTADT
Tom Stoppard's sold out play returns to the Wyndhams Theatre after having its run cut short last year. Tickets available from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/leopoldstadt
From August 7th: MARY POPPINS
The most supercalifragilisticexpialadocious show in town returns after a long 17 months with Zizi Strallen, Charlie Stemp and Petula Clark all returning. Tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/mary-poppins
August 8th: ROLES WE'LL NEVER PLAY
Following sold out shows in the West End, Roles We'll Never Play heads to the Turbine Theatre for their second season on the Jetty. Expect some of your West End favourites to perform songs you would never expect them to sing usually. Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whatson
August 10th - 14th: LOOK NO HANDS
An uplifting story of hope and survival, this new one-person play explores the female cycling experience and the phenomenon known as Post Traumatic Growth. Playing the Pleasance Theatre, tickets from https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/look-no-hands#overview
August 10th & 21st: MARIO: A SUPER MUSICAL
Everyone's favourite plumber is the subject of a new musical that forms part of this years Camden Fringe festival. Get tickets from https://www.thecockpit.org.uk/show/mario_a_super_musical
August 13th - 15th: JOHN OWEN-JONES
Filmed at his recent concert at Cadogan Hall, join the West End leading man as he celebrates his 50th birthday performing some iconic songs with his distinct vocals. Stream it from https://www.stream.theatre/season/184
From August 14th: MONOPOLY LIFESIZED
A brand new attraction opens in central London this month. Grab some friends and prepare to play this classic game in a way you've never played before. Book it at https://www.monopolylifesized.com/
From August 14th: BEDKNOBS & BROOMSTICKS
The much loved Disney classic is brought to life on stage as the UK tor kicks off. Catch it in Newcastle from 14th - 21st August and then in Canterbery from 25th - 29th. Tour dates and tickets from https://www.bedknobsonstage.com
August 16th: DISNEY...ISH
The Union Theatre plays host to an evening of nostalgia, where a cast of West End performers and new graduates come together to celebrate the music of the lesser known animated movies. Tickets from http://www.uniontheatre.biz/disney-ish.html
August 17th - 21st: TELL ME STRAIGHT
An explosive one-act play which forms part of the Kings Head Theatre's Queer season of new writing. Written by and starring Paul Bradshaw, tickets from https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/queer-season-tell-me-straight
From August 17th: EDUCATING RITA
Willy Russell's British comedy stars Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Jones. It continues its UK tour this month with a run at the Rose Theatre in Kingston from 17th - 21st and the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from 21st - 24th. Tour dates and tickets from https://www.educatingrita.co.uk/
From August 18th: CINDERELLA
Take two! After being forced to close on opening night, Andrew Lloyd Webber's new musical starring Carrie Hope Fletcher hopes to open for good this time. Tickets available from lwtheatres.com
August 18th: VISION OF YOU
Sharon Sexton and Rob Fowler bring their show back to the Turbine on the Jetty in Battersea for one night only. Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/vision-of-you
August 18th - September 4th: WHEN DARKNESS FALLS
A new spine-chilling ghost story opens at the Park Theatre for a limited season ahead of a short UK tour in September. Tickets from whendarknessfalls.co.uk
From August 19th: HAMILTON
It's time to return to the room where it happens as the hottest ticket in the world reopens its doors at the Victoria Palace after a long 17 months. Tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/hamilton
August 19th - 21st: MARGARET THATCHER - QUEEN OF SOHO
Following five sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Iron Lady comes home to Soho, more fabulous than ever. Playing the Garrick Theatre, tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/margaret-thatcher-queen-of-soho/
From August 20th: BACK TO THE FUTURE
The much loved movie finally sees its musical adaptation arrive in the West End. Starring Olly Dobson and Roger Bart, get ready to change musical theatre history. Tickets from https://www.backtothefuturemusical.com
August 22nd: IN PIECES
Following a well received stream, Joey Contreras In Pieces hits the Turbine Theatre on the Jetty for one night only with cast members including Jordan Luke Gage and Danielle Steers reprising their roles. Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on/in-pieces
From August 25th: MAMMA MIA!
Here we go again! The much loved long-running classic full of ABBA hits returns to the West End after a long 17 months with Mazz Murray returning to the role of Donna Sheridan. Tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/whats-on/mamma-mia
August 25th - September 11th: SALOME
Oscar Wildes outrageously provocative Salomé comes to Southwark Playhouse after a ★★★★★ run at Greenwich Theatre in 2019. Tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/salome/
From August 25th: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
The much loved Disney movie finally has a new stage adaptation hit the UK as a new tour kicks off this month at the Bristol Hippodrome with further tour dates over the coming months. Tickets from atgtickets.com
From August 27th: FROZEN
It's suffered delay after delay but it's finally time to open up the gates as Samantha Barks and Stephanie McKeon lead the West End premoere of the much loved Disney movie. Tickets from lwtheatres.com
August 28th - October 2nd: STATEMENTS AFTER AN ARREST UNDER THE IMMORTALITY ACT
Orange tree theatre in RIchmond continue their Recovery season with this play from Diane Page. Tickets from http://www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk/
August 31st - September 29th: FEVER PITCH
A new theatrical adaptation of Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel, will open at The Hope Theatre in Islington for a limited season. Tickets from http://www.thehopetheatre.com/
From August 31st: DIAL M FOR MURDER
Diana Vickers and Tom Chambers lead a new tour of this genre defining thriller. Kicking off at Curve Leicester, tickets from curveonline.co.uk
August 31st - September 11th: THE GOOD DAD
This haunting drama is told from the perspectives of mother, daughter and sister, and asks the question what it means to be a family. Playing at the Hope Theatre in Islington, tickets from http://www.thehopetheatre.com/
August 31st: 13
Cadogan Hall plays host to a new production of Jason Robert Brown's 13 put together by the British Theatre Academy. Tickets from https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/jason-robert-browns-13/
Looks like another great month. To get something included in the September preview, message me at twitter.com/ATDazzles or email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com