March Preview: 40 Cracking Shows To Check Out This Month

Another month awaits us and March has plenty of reasons to be excited - not just that it ends with Easter. Special one night only concerts, huge new West End musicals and amazing shows to enjoy up and down the country. Here are 40 of the top shows to check out in March:

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (UK Tour)

1st March – 8th June

A brand new production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s cult mobster musical features a cast of nine actors including Laura Jane Matthewson as Audrey, Oliver Mawdsley as Seymour and Anton Stephans as Audrey II. The tour kicks off at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.

Tickets from https://www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/news/

PLAYER KINGS (New Wimbledon Theatre/Manchester Opera House)

1st March – 9th March/14th March – 23rd March

Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2 is adapted by Robert Icke, featuring Ian McKellen as Falstaff. Ahead of a West End run from 1st April, you can catch the show in previews at Wimbledon and Manchester in March.

Tickets from www.playerkingstheplay.co.uk

POLICE COPS THE MUSICAL (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)

1st March – 20th April

One of the best damn musicals of 2023 returns for another run at Southwark Playhouse, this time moving down the road to their bigger space. Prepare for a lot of madness, comedy and lucky eggs.

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

COME FROM AWAY (UK Tour)

1st March – 5th January 2025

After wrapping up their West End run last year, the Newfoundlanders are back to spread this moving true story to the masses on their first tour of the UK and Ireland.

Full dates and tickets from comefromawaylondon.co.uk

UNCLE VANYA (Orange Tree Theatre)

2nd March – 13th April

Trevor Nunn adapts Chekhov's classic with a cast led by James Lance and Andrew Richardson.

Tickets from www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk

THE CRUCIBLE (Sheffield Crucible)

2nd – 30th March

The Crucible plays at The Crucible as Arthur Miller’s timeless masterpiece based on the events of the infamous Salem witch trials returns in a production directed by Anthony Lau.

Tickets from https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/crucible

PRISCILLA THE PARTY (Here @ Outernet)

From 3rd March

The joyous musical returns in a new form in this new all-singing, all-dancing immersive party and musical theatre extravaganza. The cast includes Trevor Ashley who was in the original production in Sydney and Melbourne.

Tickets from www.priscillatheparty.com

SIDESHOW (London Palladium)

3rd March

Louise Dearman and Rachel Tucker star as Daisy and Violet in this musical based on the true story of the legendary conjoined twins who rose to fame during the depression.

Tickets from www.lwtheatres.com

THE IMPROVISED PLAY (Arcola Theatre)

5th – 9th March

A comedy show entirely made up on the spot meaning no two shows are ever the same. CharlieKemp and Lola-Rose Maxwell take direction from the audience to create the play.

Tickets from www.arcolatheatre.com 

MACBETH (Leeds Playhouse)

5th – 23rd March

Ash Hunter stars as the title character in Amy Leach’s thrilling take on Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy.

Tickets from www.leedsplayhouse.co.uk

CASSEROLE (Arcola Theatre)

5th – 30th March

Actors East, an acting studio turned theatre company, present their first production written and directed by co-star James Alexandrou. This one-act, intimate play examines how people can hide from each other in the wake of grief.

Tickets from https://www.arcolatheatre.com/whats-on/casserole/

FRANK’S CLOSET (Union Theatre)

6th – 30th March

The off-West End cult hit of 2009 gets its first London revival with additional new material by writer and composer Stuart Wood, directed by Sasha Regan.

Tickets from www.uniontheatre.biz

MJ THE MUSICAL (Prince Edward Theatre)

From 6th March

One of the biggest musicals of the year is the Broadway transfer of the Michael Jackson musical. Myles Frost reprises his Tony award-winning role as Michael for West end audiences.

Tickets from www.mjthemusical.com

OPENING NIGHT (Gielgud Theatre)

6th March – 27th June

Sheridan Smith stars in this world premiere of the new musical featuring a book and direction by Ivo Van Hove and music by Rufus Wainwright.

Tickets from www.openingnightmusical.com

LONDON ZOO (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

7th – 30th March

Set during the dawn of a new millennium, this play explores the prejudices of the modern workplace in a satirical fast-paced production.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.xom

THE KITE RUNNER (UK Tour)

From 7th March

Direct from an acclaimed Broadway season, this haunting tale of friendship based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel returns to the UK.

Full dates and tickets from www.thekiterunnerplay.com 

WEST END MUSICAL LOVE SONGS (Apollo Theatre)

8th – 9th March

The celebration of all things theatre returns with a love songs themed concert. Host Shanay Holmes will be joined by Cassidy Janson, Aimie Atkinson, Georgina Castle, Glenn Adamson, Natalie Kassanga, Grace Mouat and Michael Xavier.

Tickets from www.westendmusicallovesongs.co.uk

HARRY CLARKE (Ambassador’s Theatre)

9th March – 11th May

Emmy and Tony award winner Billy Crudup makes his West End debut in the UK premiere of David Cale’s critically acclaimed play.

Tickets from www.harryclarketheplay.com

HIDE AND SEEK (Park Theatre)

12th – 30th March

This drama about a teenage boy who disappears to a secluded cave to escape social discrimination and bullying in a small Italian town transfers after its UK premiere at VAULT festival last year.

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

IN CLAY (Upstairs at the Gatehouse)

13th March – 7th April

A new musical set in 1930s Paris based on the real life of female ceramicist Marie-Berthe Cazin. Sculpting a story of an artist plagued by near misses, this musical immediately impressed me at VAULT last year and now gets its first fully staged production.

Tickets from www.upstairsatthegatehouse.co.uk

FAITH HEALER (Lyric Hammersmith)

14th March – 13th April

Rachel O’Riordan directs this major revival of Brian Friel’s powerful stage mystery, interrogating truth, identity and the strength of storytelling.

Tickets from www.lyric.co.uk

THE MIND MANGLER (Apollo Theatre)

14th March – 28th April

Mischief Comedy bring their riotous new comedy to the West End ahead of a new UK tour and following a run in New York. Witness hilarious feats of mentalism spiral into chaos as the Mind Mangler attempts to read your mind.

Tickets from www.mindmangler.com

THE 39 STEPS (UK Tour)

14th March – 3rd August

The Tony and Olivier award-winning comedy returns for a new UK tour with Tom Byrne staring as Richard Hannay. The tour kicks off in Hornchurch this month before moving to Richmond in April.

Full dates and tickets from www.love39steps.com 

SISTER ACT (Dominion Theatre)

15th March – 31st August

A bit of musical theatre heaven returns to the West End with Beverley Knight back in the habit as Deloris Van Cartier joined by Ruth Jones, Lesley Joseph, Lemar, Clive Rowe, Lizzie Bea, Alison Jiear and Carl Mullaney.

Tickets from www.sisteractthemusical.co.uk/london

RED PITCH (@SohoPlace)

15th March – 4th May

Tyrell Williams’ hit play transfers from Bush Theatre to the West End with Kedar Williams-Stirling, Emeka Sesay and Francis Lovehall reprising their roles

Tickets from www.sohoplace.org

MADE IN DAGENHAM (London Palladium)

16th March

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the musical, a one night only concert is taking place led by Killian Donnelly, Pixie Lott and Bonnie Langford.

Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk

THE GLASS MENAGERIE (UK Tour)

16th March – 1st June

Atri Banerjee’s acclaimed reimagining of Tennessee Williams’ classic embarks on a new tour, kicking off at Belgrade Theatre in Coventry before moving to Malvern Festival Theatre, Rose Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Theatre Royal Bath and Alexandra Palace.

Tickets for Belgrade at https://www.belgrade.co.uk/events/the-glass-menagerie/

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A TEENAGE ARMAGEDDON (Garrick Theatre)

17th March – 28th April

Bridgerton’s Charithra Chandran stars in this one-woman-show which plays performances on Sundays for 6 weeks only.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

LONG DAY’S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (Wyndham’s Theatre)

19th March – 8th June

Emmy award-winner Brian Cox stars in Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer prize winning piece depicting a summer day in the life of the Tyrones, closely based on his own dysfunctional family.

Tickets from www.longdaysjourneylondon.com

POWER OF SAIL (Menier Chocolate Factory)

20th March – 18th May

The European premiere of Paul Grellong’s play sees all hell break loose when Harvard professor Charles Nicholas invites a contentious white nationalist to his yearly symposium.

Tickets from www.menierchocolatefactory.com

THE DREAM OF A RIDICULOUS MAN (Marylebone Theatre)

21st March – 20th April

Greg Hicks stars in this solo show adapted and directed by Laurence Boswell exploring climate change, nationalist politicians and the impact of humans on the world around us.

Tickets from www.marylebonetheatre.com

COMING CLEAN (Turbine Theatre)

21st March - 20th April

The Turbine kick off their season celebrating Queer love with the debut play from celebrated gay playwright Kevin Elyot.

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

BREEDING (King’s Head Theatre)

21st March – 14th April

The critically acclaimed drama about adopting as Queer parents returns to the King’s head Theatre in their new space, following their acclaimed debut last year.

Tickets from www.kingsheadtheatre.com

THE DIVINE MRS S (Hampstead Theatre)

22nd March – 27th April

Rachael Stirling stars as Sarah Siddons aka the Queen of Drury Lane in this new play by April De Angelis, directed by Anna Mackmin.

Tickets from www.hampsteadtheatre.com

BEAR SNORES ON (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)

23rd March – 21st April

The world premiere stage adaptation of Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman’s story has a book by Cush Jumbo and Katy Sechiari and music and lyrics by Harry Blake. The first ever show outside of the summer season at Open Air Theatre, it invites audiences of 4+ to a new and specially created indoor pop-up space within the theatre grounds.

Tickets from www.openairtheatre.com

JASON ROBERT BROWN (London Palladium)

24th March

For one night only, the musical theatre legend comes to the Palladium performing selections from his groundbreaking compositions, joined by Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo.

Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk

WILD ABOUT YOU (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

25th – 26th March

The world premiere of this brand new musical starring Will & Grace;s Eric McCormack alongside Oliver Tompsett, Jamie Muscato and Rachel Tucker plays for two concert performances only.

Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk

WHODUNNIT 3 (Park Theatre)

27th March – 4th May

The hugely popular farcical murder mystery returns for a fundraising run featuring a surprise celebrity guest at each performance.

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

UNDERDOG: THE OTHER OTHER BRONTË (Dorfman Theatre)

27th March — 25th May

Sarah Gordon’s new play is an irreverent retelling of the life and legend of the Brontë sisters, and the story of the sibling power dynamics that shaped their uneven rise to fame.

Tickets from https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/underdog-the-other-other-bronte/

JOHANNES RADABE: HOUSE OF JOJO (UK & Ireland Tour)

29th March – 2nd June

TV Dance sensation is joined by a host of eclectic characters in this brand-new theatrical celebration jam-packed with roof-raising music, dazzling costumes and world class dance.

Dates and tickets at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/johannes-radebe-house-of-jojo

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 April 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!