May Preview: 50 Shows To See You Through The Month

Guess what? It’s gonna be May and this month is especially amazing for new theatre. Returning favourites and new sensations in the West End and all over the UK. It’s so packed, I’ve had to put even more shows in than usual so here are a whopping 50(+) shows to enjoy over the next month:

CAPTAIN AMAZING (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

1st – 25th May

The show returns after a decade reuniting the original cast and creatives in this story of of the transformative power of fatherhood, everyday acts of courage and how even the invincible aren’t immune to tragedy.

Tickets from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/captain-amazing

A WORD FOR MOTHER (Upstairs at the Gatehouse)

1st – 26th May

Reunited by their mother’s unexpected passing, the bond between the three sisters begins to strain: emotions boil over and childhood lies are revealed. Inspired by writer Tim McArthur’s upbringing, revolves around the intertwined history of four women, sisterly relationships, and motherly love.

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

DUGSI DAYZ (Royal Court)

1st – 18th May

Sabrina Ali’s riotous and authentic comedy explores Somali, Muslim culture and female friendship, inspired by the 1985 movie The breakfast Club.

Tickets from www.royalcourttheatre.com

PARTY GAMES! (UK Tour)

2nd May – 29th June

Set in the UK in 2026, Matthew Cottle, John Waggner and Debra Stephenson star in this hilariously acerbic new comedy-drama by political insider Michael McManus. The tour kicks off at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.

Guildford tickets from www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 

THE DEEP BLUE SEA (Theatre Royal Bath)

2nd May – 1st June

Tamsin Greig and Oliver Chris star in this new production of Terrence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love.

Tickets from theatreroyal.org.uk

THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR (Marylebone Theatre)

3rd May – 15th June

Vicki Pepperdine, Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Dan Skinner star in a brand new production of Gogol’s satirical masterpiece.

Tickets from www.marylebonetheatre.com

BETWEEN THE LINES (New Diorama Theatre)

3rd May – 1st June

A gripping new play that looks at the strength of community through one of Britain’s most celebrated subcultures of rebel music – pirate radio.

Tickets from https://newdiorama.com

SAPPHO (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)

3rd – 25th May

Wendy Beckett’s satirical play inspired by the famous Greek poet integrates the original poetry with contemporary music and dance in this UK premiere.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

TWELFTH NIGHT (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)

3rd May – 8th June

Regent’s Park summer season kicks off with Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities, directed by Owen Horsley and set against the heart of the Mediterranean sun.

Tickets from www.openairtheatre.com

THE HOUSE PARTY (Minerva, Chichester Festival Theatre)

3rd May – 1st June

Spinning Strindberg’s Miss Julie into intense, fizzing life for today’s generation in a co-production with Headlong and in association with Frantic Assembly.

Tickets from www.cft.org.uk

BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY (Hampstead Theatre)

3rd May – 15th June

Danny Sapani stars in the UK premiere of Stephen Adly Guirgis’ fast-moving Rabelasian tragicomedy, directed by Michael Longhurst.

Tickets from www.hampsteadtheatre.com 

PASSING STRANGE (Young Vic)

4th May – 6th July

Giles Terera and Keenan Munn-Francis star in the European premiere of this Tony Award-winning rock musical

Tickets from www.youngvic.org

PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS (Trafalgar Theatre)

3rd May – 10th August

Duncan Macmillan’s intoxicating play makes a triumphant return to the West End with Denise Gough reprising her Olivier Award-wining role as Emma.

Tickets from www.peopleplacesandthingsonstage.com

WITHNAIL & I (Birmingham Rep)

3rd – 25th May

The world premiere of a new stage adaptation of the cult film classic stars Robert Sheehan, Adonis Siddique and Malcom Sinclair.

Tickets from www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY (Apollo Theatre)

4th May – 28th September

Nearly 50 years since it first hit our TV screens, the sitcom that has been voted the greatest of all time gets a new stage play adapted by John Cleese and featuring favourite scenes from the show.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com 

CHRISTINA BIANCO: HER NAME IS BARBRA (Crazy Coqs)

6th May

The world-renowned singer, actor and impressionist celebrates the icon that is Barbra Streisand, using her words from her two self-penned books using the voices of Christina, Barbra and a few other celebrities of the audiences choice.

Tickets from www.brasseriezedel.com

ENGLISH (The RSC)

9th May – 1st June

The Pulitzer Prize winning play gets its European premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon before transferring to London’s Kiln Theatre in June.

Tickets from www.rsc.org.uk

THE TAILOR MADE MAN (Stage Door Theatre)

9th May – 3rd August

The powerful true story of the Hollywood studio system in its heyday, its hypocrisy and the star who gave up everything for the man he loved. It plays on select dates

Tickets from stagedoortheatre.co.uk

A SONG OF SONGS (Park Theatre)

9th May – 15th June

The award-winning show gets its European premiere as Ofra Daniel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes star in this epic, poetical musical theatre experience

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

NOW, I SEE (Theatre Royal Stratford East)

10th May – 1st June

The second instalment in a trilogy by Lanre Malaolu that excavates and celebrates the truth of being a Black man in contemporary Britain.

Tickets from www.stratfordeast.com

ROMEO & JULIET (Duke of York’s Theatre)

11th May – 3rd August

Jamie Lloyd directs a pulsating new version of Shakespeare’s immortal tale of wordsmiths, rhymers, lovers and fighters starring Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers.

Tickets are sold out but keep an eye on www.romeoandjulietLDN.com if anything becomes available

HERE YOU COME AGAIN (UK Tour)

11th May – 7th December

All of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits come together for the first time in this UK premiere starring Tricia Paoluccio, Aidan Cutler, Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke and Steven Webb.

Dates and tickets from www.hereyoucomeagain.co.uk 

THE ARTIST (Theatre Royal Plymouth)

11th – 25th May

The world premiere of the stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning film stars Robbie Fairchild as silent movie icon George Valentin as he has to decide whether to find his voice in a brave new world or lose everything he holds dear to a bygone era.

Tickets from www.theatreroyal.com

IT'S STARKID INNIT (London Palladium)

12th May

The musical theatre sensation make their UK debut for two performances. Expect some of their most loved musical comedies and parodies from a series of StarKid legends.

Tickets (are sold out but keep an eye out for returns) from www.lwtheatres.com 

LUCIE JONES (Cadogan Hall)

12th May

The West End favourite will play two London concerts. Expect her unmistakable vocals as she revisits songs from her career so far which has included leading roles in Waitress, Les Miserables and Wicked.

Tickets from www.cadoganhall.com 

CHOOSE HAPPY! ALEX LODGE: INTIMATE & LIVE (Crazy Coqs)

13th May

The star of The Time Traveller’s Wife, The Osmonds and The Book of Mormon returns to Crazy Coqs for one night only with his one man show named after a cushion. Join Alex and some special guests for a fun-filled evening that’s part cabaret, part stand-up and part therapy session.

Tickets from www.brasseriezedel.com

COLD WATER/SNIFF (MAKE MINE A DOUBLE) (Park Theatre)

14th May – 1st June

It’s two for one at Park Theatre as Cold Water interweaves extracts from Chekhov’s The Seagull explores themes of ambition and what really drives us, while Sniff is a dark comedy about two people from different walks of life who meet in a pub toilet.

Tickets from  www.parktheatre.com 

THE GREAT PRIVATION (Theatre 503)

14th May – 1st June

Set in Pennsylvania and shifting between the early 1800s and the present day, this profound play explores the impact of grave robbing for medical science, and the historical disruption of Black bodies that never got their rest.

Tickets from www.theatre503.com 

VIOLA’S ROOM (One Cartridge Place, Woolwich)

14th May – 16th June

Punchdrunk present an intimate, sensory labyrinthe journey guided by light and sound. Barefoot, and wearing headphones, small groups of up to six at a time feel their way through a maze-like installation as an unseen narrator guides them on a sensory journey to reveal a story of innocence lost and obsession unleashed.

Tickets from http://punchdrunk.com/work/violas-room/

LADY DEALER (Bush Theatre)

15th May – 15th June

The Edinburgh Fringe hit play by Martha Watson makes its London debut with Alexa Davies reprising her role as Charly.

Tickets from www.bushtheatre.co.uk

THE BOOK OF GRACE (Arcola Theatre)

16th May – 8th June

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Tony nominee Suzan-Lori Park, this is a fierce family drama set against the Mexico-United States border, reflecting on society’s hostility towards immigrants with timely new resonance as the world watches its own borders.

Tickets from www.arcolatheatre.com 

BLUETS (Royal Court)

17th May – 29th June

Ben Whishaw stars in this  story about depression and desire, pleasure and pain, and a person possessed by a lifelong obsession with the colour blue. Communing with artists like Joni Mitchell, Derek Jarman, Andy Warhol and Billie Holiday, blue is their constant companion as they navigate the devastating pain of a life-altering heartbreak.

Tickets at www.royalcourttheatre.com 

THE ENORMOUS CROCODILE (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre)

17th May – 8th June

A snaptastic musical extravaganza based on Roald Dahl’s wickedly funny story features a menagerie of inventive puppets, unforgettable toe-tapping tunes and mischievous audience interaction.

Tickets from www.openairtheatre.com

THE HARMONY TEST (Hampstead Theatre)

17th May – 22nd June

The world premiere of Richard Molloy’s hilarious comedy explores life’s positives and negatives, from starting families, to ending marriages, and everything that comes in between. 

Tickets from hampsteadtheatre.com

JERRY’S GIRLS (Menier Chocolate Factory)

18th May – 29th June

This revival celebrating the life and legacy of legendary award-winning Broadway composer Jerry Herman stars Cassidy Janson, Jessica Martin and Julie Yammanee.

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

WEST END FLEA MARKET (St Paul’s Church)

18th May

The annual charity event returns raising money for Acting For Others. Expect stalls from all your favourite shows selling unique merchandise and memorabilia as well as appearances from West End stars.

See www.westendfleamarket.co.uk for more

HEATHERS (@SohoPlace)

21st May – 29th June

Not long after it took its final bow, Heathers is back once more kicking off their new UK tour with a limited run in London.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

STRATEGIC LOVE PLAY (Soho Theatre)

22nd May – 15th June

Returning to the stage after a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe last year, this takes place on an awkward first date, speaking uncomfortable truths about modern dating and romance with acid wit.

Tickets from sohotheatre.com/events/strategic-love-play-2/

BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF (Olivier Theatre)

22nd May – 8th June

Following its run at Royal Court and ahead of an immediate West End transfer next month, James Graham’s powerful adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s ground-breaking television series gets a limited run at National Theatre.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Theatre Royal Haymarket)

23rd May – 3rd August

After a sold-out engagement in Bath, this new production of Arthur Miller’s classic gets a West End transfer starring Dominic West, Kate Fleetwood and Callum Scott Howells.

Tickets from www.trh.co.uk

HAMLET (Riverside Studios)

23rd May – 30th June

Eddie Izzard performs all characters – men, women, ghosts, scholars, tyrants, courtiers, lovers, fools and poets in this new production of a Shakespeare classic.

Tickets from www.riversidestudios.co.uk

FUN AT THE BEACH ROMP-BOMP-A-LOMP (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

24th May – 22nd June

The world premiere of this brand new musical is a nostalgic pastiche of decades of American beach movies, describing itself as Grease meets Squid Game in an energetic parody featuring non-stop laughs, slapstick horror and explosive fun.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

CORAM BOY (Chichester Festival Theatre)

24th May – 15th June

Helen Edmundson’s adaptation of Jamila Gavin’s novel returns in a new production by Anna Ledwich. Angels and abandoned children, glorious music and murder most foul whirl through this enthralling, moving and richly colourful tale of 18th century England.

Tickets from www.cft.org.uk 

KATHY AND STELLA SOLVE A MURDER (Ambassador’s Theatre)

25th May – 14th September

It’s murder in the West End as award-winning musical comedy transfers for a limited season. The smash-hit murder mystery stars Bronté Barbé and Rebekah Hinds as the BFFs and hosts of the Hull’s least successful crime podcast.

Tickets from www.kathyandstella.com

2.22 A GHOST STORY (Gielgud Theatre)

25th May – 4th August

It’s back! The unstoppable show continues its West End tour with a return to its former home as a new cast solve the mystery of Jenny’s haunted new home.

Tickets from www.222aghoststory.com

JON ROBYNS (His Majesty’s Theatre)

26th May

The West End leading man looks back at his 20 year career revisiting some of his most iconic roles including Jean Valkean in Les Miserables, King George in Hamilton and his current role as  The Phantom of the Opera.

Tickets from www.jonrobyns.westendmusical.com

ROB MADGE – REGARDS TO BROADWAY (Garrick Theatre)

26th May

Award-winning actor and writer Rob Madge brings their brand new show to the West End for one night only as they recall packing to open on Broadway only to come home instead.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com 

BABIES (The Other Palace)

31st May – 14th July

After teasing West End audiences with a concert production last year, Babies gets its fully staged premiere for a limited run starring Ashley Goh and Heartstopper’s Bradley Riches.

Tickets from www.babiesmusical.com

CLOSER TO HEAVEN (Turbine Theatre)

31st May – 30th June

A new production of the adored club musical written by Jonathan Harvey and featuring the iconic sounds of the Pet Shop Boys.

Tickets from www.theturbinetheatre.com

PADDINGTON BEAR EXPERIENCE (County Hall)

From 31st May

A large-scale multi-sensory interactive adventure for all ages featuring Paddington and the beloved Brown family unfolds across multiple themed-rooms inspired by iconic locations from the stories. Meet your favourite characters as you participate in interactive games and activities.

Tickets from ww.paddingtonbearexperience.com.

WEDDING BAND: A LOVE/HATE STORY IN BLACK AND WHITE (Lyric Hammersmith)

31st May – 29th June

The UK premiere of Alice Childress’ powerful masterpiece depicts and intense interracial romance, set in the deep south of the United States in 1918.

Tickets from www.lyric.co.uk

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 June 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!