We are past the halfway point of 2022. As we head into the peak of summer (or as summer as we get in Britain) there are some great openings this month. New West End shows, new tours and regional productions around the UK. This month I tried to get an even more versatile mix of shows than usual. it was hard to narrow it down to a top 25 but here are some of the highlights this month:
THE SOUTHBURY CHILD (Bridge Theatre)
July 1st - August 2nd
Stephen Beresford's new play arrives in London, following a short run in Chichester. Starring Alex Jennings, this is a deeply humane exploration of family, faith, tradition and tolerance in a rapidly changing world. Tickets from www.bridgetheatre.co.uk
JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN (National Theatre)
July 2nd - September 3rd
Originally due to play the National in April 2020, this rollicking new comedy by Richard Bean and Oliver Chris stars Caroline Quentin, Laurie Davidson, Natalie Simpson and Kelvin Fletcher. Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/jack-absolute-flies-again
BUGSY MALONE (UK Tour)
July 2nd - 23rd
A revival of Lyric Hammersmiths production of this classic kicks off a UK tour with a season at Theatre Royal Bath until July 23rd before heading to Birmingham Rep from July 27th with further dates over the coming months. Tickets for Bath from theatreroyal.org.uk
PATRIOTS (Almeida Theatre)
July 2nd - August 20th
Tom Hollander stars as Berezovsky, the kingmaker behind Vladimir Putin in this new play from Peter Morgan. An unflinching story of ambition and the dangers of loyalty and love, tickets from http://almeida.co.uk/
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (National Theatre)
July 7th - September 10th
Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy of new beginnings is back on the London stage starring Katherine Parkinson and John Heffernan. Directed by Simon Godwin, tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/much-ado-about-nothing
MILLENNIALS (The Other Palace)
July 8th - August 7th
After being teased as part of MTFest, this new British musical from Elliot Clay gets its fully staged premiere in this immersive production. Starring Georgina Onuorah, Luke Bayer, Hiba Elchikhe, Rob Madge, Hannah Lowther and Ivano Turco, tickets from http://www.theotherpalace.co.uk/
CRAZY FOR YOU (Chichester Festival Theatre)
July 11th - September 4th
Charlie Stemp and Carly Anderson star in this new production of the musical comedy featuring music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwins classic musical. Tickets from cft.org.uk
101 DALMATIANS (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)
July 12th - August 28th
Douglas Hodge and Johnny McKnight present this new musical based on the classic featuring Kate Fleetwood as Cruella de Vil alongside song brilliant looking puppetry. Tickets from http://openairtheatre.com/
PENNYROYAL (Finborough Theatre)
July 12th - August 6th
Madison Clare and Lucy Roslyn will star as sisters Daphne and Christine, whose relationship starts to shift once Daphne is diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency. Tickets from http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/
BILLY ELLIOT (Curve Leicester)
July 13th - August 20th
Curve Leicester will stage the first new UK production of this iconic musical starring Sally-Ann Triplett, Joe Caffrey, Luke Baker and Jessica Daley.. With new choreography, Tickets from www.curveonline.co.uk
BAD JEWS (Arts Theatre)
July 14th - September 25th
Returning to London for 11 weeks, Joshua Harmon's comedy stars Danny Becker alongside a talented young company making their West End debuts. Tickets from badjews.co.uk
CLOSER (Lyric Hammersmith)
July 14th -August 13th
The 25th anniversary of the Olivier award winning play brings together a quartet of actors. Exploring passion with surgical precision and the cost of risking it all for intimacy, tickets are from https://lyric.co.uk/
JEAN PAUL GAULTIER FASHION FREAK SHOW (Roundhouse)
July 15th - August 28th
The legendary designer will take up a residency for 52 shows in this explosive combination of revue and fashion show. Tickets from www.roundhouse.org.uk
SOUTH PACIFIC (Sadlers Wells & UK Tour)
July 16th - November 19th
Chichester Festival Theatre's incredible revival of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic comes to London for a month run at Sadlers Wells from July 27th after a UK tour starting in Manchester on July 16th. Starring Julian Ovenden, Gina Beck, Rob Houchen and Joanna Ampil, tickets from www.southpacificshow.com
CHASING HARES (Young Vic)
July 16th - August 13th
A new play by Sonali Bhattacharyya is set between the UK and West Bengal and considers the power of storytelling in the struggle for a fairer world. Tickets from Youngvic.org
THE LION THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE (Gillian Lynne Theatre)
July 18th - January 8th 2023
C.S Lewis' classic story heads for the West End following a well received UK tour. Starring Samantha Womack, it plays a limited season. Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/
SISTER ACT (Eventim Apollo)
July 19th - August 28th
After being delayed multiple times, the new production of SIster Act heads to London for a summer run starring Beverley Knight, Jennifer Saunders, Lesley Joseph, Keala Settle and Lizzie Bea. Tickets from https://www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk/london/
THE DARKEST PART OF THE NIGHT (Kiln Theatre)
July 21st - August 13th
Nancy Medina directs Zodwa Nyoni's gripping and heartfelt drama that explores the complexities and beauty of what it really means to care for one another. Tickets from www.KilnTheatre.com
YEAST NATION: THE TRIUMPH FOR LIFE (Southwark Playhouse)
July 22nd - August 27th
The writers of Urinetown bring the European premiere of this bio-historical musical set over 3 and a half billion years ago. The second part of a planned trilogy, tickets from http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/the-large/yeast-nation
TASTING NOTES (Southwark Playhouse)
July 27th - August 27th
A new musical by Richard Baker and Charlie Ryall is played out within a seemingly normnal 24 hours, highlighting the things we don't see when we're not looking. Tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/
WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND (Watermill Theatre)
July 22nd - September 10th
Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical is revived in this new production in Newbury. Directed by Tom Jackson Greaves, it stars Chrissie Bhima and Lewis Cornay. Tickets from watermill.org.uk
GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF - THE MUSICAL (Everyman Theatre)
July 22nd - August 6th
Inspired by the TV series, this musical has an original score by Jake Bringer and Pippa Cleary and will star John Owen-Jones and Rosemary Ashe. Tickets from https://www.everymantheatre.org.uk/
THE TEMPEST (Shakespeare's Globe)
July 22nd - October 22nd
Shakespeare's classic returns in a new production directed by Sean Holmes. A tumultuous tale of reckoning and redemption, tickets from shakespearesglobe.com
THE WESTWAY SESSIONS (Piano, Smithfield)
July 24th - August 21st
The second series of intimate concerts from West End stars kicks off with Natalue May Paris. This month you can also see Aimie Atkinson on the 25th, Cedric Neal on the 26th and Rob Houchen on July 31st. Tickets from https://www.westwaymusic.com/tickets
IDENTICAL (Nottingham Playhouse)
July 26th - August 14th
Trevor Nunn directs this world premiere musical based on the novel The Parent Trap. With music from Stiles and Drewe, catch it at Nottingham before it moves to Salford next month ahead of a planned West End run. Tickets from http://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/
Another great month of theatre awaits. Let me know in the comments, on twitter or instagram what you're looking forward to seeing in July. And if you have or know of any shows opening in August, feel free to message or email me to get them included.