Guess what... it's gonna be May. Well, it is May already but never mind.
This is the month we've ALL been looking forward to. As well as some more fantastic shows and concerts to stream, this is the month when theatres reopen their doors and some of the biggest shows return to the West End.
Here are some of the many shows you can enjoy over the next 31 days split into two categories: Online and In Person.
ONLINE
Saturday 1st - Sunday 16th May: BLONDE THE MUSICAL
With music and lyrics by Adam Howell and a book by Paul Hurt, Blonde is a musical about Marilyn Monroe. Tickets from https://www.livetickets.org/
Sunday 2nd May: JULIAN OVENDEN
Catch Bridgerton star Julian Ovenden as he performs his new show 'Can't Help Singing' live from Zedel in central London. Tickets from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/julian-ovenden-cant-help-singing/
Sunday 2nd May: THE SETH RUDETSKY CONCERT SERIES
Make a date in your diaries every Sunday night as Seth Rudetsky continues his series bringing us the best Broadway stars direct to our homes. Each show takes place live on the Sunday at 3pm ET which is 8pm in the UK and is repeated that evening at 8pm ET which is 1am in the UK . This months lineup is:
Sunday 2nd May: ANDREA McCARDLE
Sunday 9th May: CHRISTINE PEDI
Sunday 16th May: LAURA & LINDA BENANTI
Sunday 23rd May: LESLIE UGGAMS
Sunday 30th May: GEORGE SALAZAR
Tickets from thesethconcertseries.com
Monday 3rd - Sunday 30th May: A KILLER PARTY
This side-splitting new musical features a cast including Jason Manford, Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker and Oscar Conlon-Morrey and is available to stream on demand as a series of 9 episodes. Catch it at https://www.stream.theatre/season/66
Monday 3rd - Sunday 16th May: SCARAMOUCHE JONES
Another chance to see Shane Ritchie as the 100 year old clown in this unique and riveting one man play. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/54
Wednesday 5th - Saturday 8th May: SPRING AWAKENING
Emil Dale Academy presents their version of the controversial musical which caused a sensation in both the West End and Broadway. Featuring a 7 piece West End band, tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/105
Wednesday 5th - Monday 31st May: THE SORROWS OF SATAN
Filmed in the ballroom at Brocket Hall, this musical reimagines the story of Faust at the heart of 1920s London. It stars Luke Bateman, Michael Conley, Stefan Nednarczyk and Molly Lynch. Tickets from www.thesorrowsofsatan.com
Thursday 6th - Thursday 27th May: JEREMY JORDAN
The Broadway star of Newsies, Waitress and The Last Five Years not to mention cult TV classic Smash debuts a new concert which will be broadcast live on the 6th and then available on demand for 3 weeks after that. Tickets from https://54below.com/events/54-below-premieres-jeremy-jordan/
Friday 7th April: THE THEATRE CHANNEL EPISODE - SHOWSTOPPERS
After a short break, The Theatre Channel is back. Episode 6 is called Showstoppers and features performances from Layton Williams, Danny Mac and Kerry Ellis. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/107
Friday 7th - Sunday 16th May: I COULD USE A DRINK
Drew Gasparini’s ‘I Could Use A Drink is an eclectic mix of poignant, hilarious, and progressive contemporary musical theatre, celebrating the chaos and beauty of youth. Starring Ahmed Hamad, Billy Nevers, Caroline Kay, Luke Bayer, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Olivia Lallo and Tom Francis, tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/98
Friday 7th - Saturday 8th May: PRELUDES IN CONCERT
A musical based on the life of legendary composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, Preludes returns to Southwark Playhouse in a live-streamed concert version after premiering in 2019 to critical acclaim. Tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-homepage/preludes-in-concert/
Monday 10th - Saturday 15th May: SUNSET BOULEVARD
Another chance to see Curve Leicester's fantastic streamed production of Andrew Lloyd Webbers classic. One of the virtual highlights of 2020, this production sees Ria Jones reprise her role as the iconic Norma Desmond. Tickets from https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/sunset-boulevard-at-home/
Wednesday 12th - Tuesday 23rd May: ROMEO & JULIET
Creation Theatre have partnered with Watdord Palace Theatre to launch an innovative choose your own adventure style adaptation of the Shakespeare classic. Putting the audience at the heart of the action, tickets are from https://www.creationtheatre.co.uk/
Thursday 13th May: MY FAIR LADY BROADWAY CAST REUNION
The Broadway Cast Reunion Series gives audiences a chance to do what they may never have done before: visit “backstage” with the cast and even ask questions via the chat feature. Tonights features the cast of My Fair Lady. Tickets from https://www.stellartickets.com
Friday 14th May: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES
The second series of HSMTMTS premieres today with episodes landing on Disney+ each Friday.
Saturday 15th May: SHOWSTOPPERS ALTERNATIVE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST
Following the success of last year’s glitterfest, The Showstoppers are presenting the ‘Alternative Eurovision Song Contest’ for a second year, joined by an all-star cast of celebrities including actor Les Dennis, comedian Russell Kane, comedian London Hughes and cabaret star Le Gateau Chocolat as judges. Featuring new songs parodying Eurovision genres, catch it live at https://showstopperthemusical.com/alternative-eurovision-2021/
Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd May: HERDING CATS
Jassa Ahluwalia, Greg Germann and Sophie Melville unite in this chillingly funny play about a generation negotiating intimacy and independence in the 21st century. Playing live at the Soho theatre, it is also streaming from https://www.stellartickets.com/o/herding-cats/events/herding-cats
Friday 21st - Sunday 30th May: FOR ONE KNIGHT ONLY
Following the success of the live Q&A in November 2020, For One Knight Only there is another chance to see living legends Dame Judi Dench, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Maggie Smith hosted by Sir Kenneth Branagh in an evening of intimate conversation. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/116
Saturday 22nd May: YOU ARE HERE
Streaming live from Southwark Playhouse, You Are Here is the UK premiere of an intimate, hilarious and heart-breaking tour-de-force musical that will leave you cheering for the resilience of the human spirit. Tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/you-are-here/
Monday 24th May: MONDAY NIGHT AT THE APOLLO
This new series at London's Apollo theatre kicks off with performances from Aimie Atkinson, Cassidy Janson, Lucie Jones, Cedric Neal and Julian Ovenden. Stream it live from the Apollo from thespie.com
Wednesday 26th - Saturday 29th May: TOUCHING THE VOID
Returning to Bristol for one week for a global broadcast, Touching The Void tells the story of a breathtaking struggle for survival. Tickets from https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/touching-the-void
Thursday 27th May: COME FROM AWAY BROADWAY CAST REUNION
The Broadway Cast Reunion Series gives audiences a chance to do what they may never have done before: visit “backstage” with the cast and even ask questions via the chat feature. Tonights features the cast of Come From Away. Tickets from https://www.stellartickets.com
Saturday 29th May: THE MAD ONES
Mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved... 18-year-old Samantha Brown sits in a hand-me-down car with the keys clutched in her hand. Caught between a yearning for the unknown and feeling bound by expectation, she telescopes back to a time before her world had fallen apart. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/109
Saturday 29th May: SHOWSTOPPER
A brand new livestream from The Showstoppers, making up a musical on the spot based on the virtual audiences suggestions. Always predictable but always unmissable, get your tickets from https://showstopperthemusical.com/
IN PERSON
Monday 3rd May: SEVEN @ THE DRIVE IN
Catch the new girlgroup made up of seven Queens from Six perform their favourite Girl Power anthems as well as the debut of two original songs. The lineup consists of Aimie Atkinson, Millie O'Connell, Natalie May Paris, Grace Mouat, Alexia McIntosh, Jarneia Richard-Noel & Maiya Quansah-Breed. Catch the show at The Drive In in Enfield. Tickets from https://www.thedrivein.london/
Saturday 8th May: HAMILTON @ THE DRIVE IN
West End Musical Drive In continues every Saturday this month. The 8th May sees a Hamilton special with Trevor Dion Nicholas, Karl Queensborough and Dom Hartley-Harris reuniting for some special performances. Catch it in Enfield with tickets from westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk
Monday 17th May - Tuesday 22nd June : YOU ARE HERE
The UK premiere of an intimate, hilarious and heart-breaking tour-de-force musical that will leave you cheering for the resilience of the human spirit stars Wendi Peters. Reopening Southwark Playhouse, tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/you-are-here/
From Monday 17th May: THE MOUSETRAP
The world's longest runnimng play returns to its home of the St Martin's Theatre to become the first West End show to reopen. With two star casts alternating performances including Cassidy Janson and Danny Mac, find out for yourself whodunnit but don't tell anyone else. Tickets from https://uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk/
Monday 17th May - Sunday 27th June: CHISWICK PLAYHOUSE RECHARGED
Chiswick Playhouse will reopen with a socially distanced festival of magic, musicals, comedy and more. Highlights include 'A Night At The West End', 'Sunday Soul' and a new song cycle 'Another Life'. Tickets from chiswickplayhouse.co.uk
Monday 17th May - Tuesday 29th May: MTFEST
After a delay, MTFest returns to The Turbine Theatre in Battersea to showcase some brand new titles. This years offerings are Far From Heaven, #50Days, The Man In The Ceiling, Cake, HouseFire, Millennials, Proud and Tony! (A Tony Blair Rock Opera). Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/
Tuesday 18th May - Sunday 13th June: CRUISE
The recently streamed one-man play about a gay mans experience with his diagnosis in the 80s hits the West End for a limited four week run. Written and performed by Jack Holden, this was an obvious 5 star review from me so seeing how it translates on stage will be one my theatre highlights of the month. Catch it at the Duchess Theatre. Tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/
Tuesday 18th May - Saturday 12th June: A RUSSIAN DOLL
Rachel Redford will star as Masha in the world premiere of Cat Goscovitch’s new one woman play, Reopening The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, it will move to the Arcola in London following this run. Tickets from barntheatre.org.uk
Wednesday 19th May - Sunday 11th July: DEATH DROP
The new murder mystery returns to the West End after its original run got cut short last year. Now starring Drag Race superstars Willam and Latrice Royale, it plays at the Garrick Theatre until July. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
Wednesday 19th May - Sunday 13th June: LOVE LETTERS
Returning to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Love Letters stars Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove in this tender, tragi-comic story of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities, and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends. Tickets from https://trh.co.uk/whatson/love-letters/
Wednesday 19th - Saturday 22nd May: HERDING CATS
Jassa Ahluwalia, Greg Germann and Sophie Melville unite in this chillingly funny play about a generation negotiating intimacy and independence in the 21st century. Playing live at the Soho theatre, get tickets from https://sohotheatre.com/shows/herding-cats/
Thursday 20th May - 5th September: LES MISERABLES - THE STAGED CONCERT
The longest running show in the West End returns for another limited season of its socially distanced staged concert production. Now starring Jon Robyns, Bradley Jaden, Lucie Jones, Shan Ako, Harry Apps, Gerard Carey and Josefina Gabrielle, Catch it at the Sondheim Theatre with tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/
From Thursday 20th May: EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
The only show on Shaftesbury Avenue reopening in its original venue with its full production in May, Jamie is back starring Noah Thomas, Melissa Jacques and for a limited time Shane Ritchie as Loco Chanelle. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
Friday 21st May - 29th August: SIX
The Queens are back for an extended run in their temporary home of the Lyric Theatre. Hear them tell their side of herstory in a show which has gone on to rule the world. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
From Friday 21st May: MAGIC MIKE LIVE
Returning to its Lonon home in the Hippodrome Casino, Magic Mike Live has been rvamped featuring new songs and dance sequences in a Covid-secure environment with a socially distanced audience. Tickets from www.magicmikelondon.co.uk
Friday 21st May: REASONS YOU SHOULDN'T LOVE ME
For the first time in over a year, the Kiln Theatre will re-open its doors to share a season of work including three world premieres. First up is this new play by Amy Trigg - a hilarious, heart-warming tale about how bad our wonderful lives can be. Tickets from https://kilntheatre.com/
From Friday 21st May: AMELIE
Following rave reviews from its limited run at The Other Palace in 2019, Amelie transfers to the West End with the original cast reprising their roles including Audrey Brisson in the titular role. Experience this beautiful story inspired by this imaginative dreamer. Tickets from https://ameliethemusical.com/
Friday 21st May - Sunday 6th June: ABBAMania
Returning to the West End for the first time in 20 years, ABBAMANia plays a limited run at the Shaftesbury Theatre and stars Rhiannon Porter, JoJo Desmond, Edward Handoll and Loucas Hajiantoni. Tickets from shaftesburytheatre.com
Saturday 22nd May - Saturday 26th June: SHAW SHORTS AND OVERRULED
Two short plays by Bernard Shaw reopens the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond. The plays can be seen separately or as a double bill. Tickets from orangetreetheatre.co.uk
Saturday 22nd May: ROB HOUCHEN IN CONCERT
Musical theatre star Rob Houchen plays two concerts today at Cadogan Hall with special guests Alice Fearn and Cedric Neal. Tickets from https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/rob-houchen-in-concert/
Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd May: ROLES WE'LL NEVER PLAY
Two concerts featuring massive lineups of some of the biggest and best stars of West End performing numbers you would never usually see them doing on stage. Playing at the Vaudeville Theatre, tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
Saturday 22nd May - Saturday 12th June: WALDEN
The first of three shows making up the Reemerge season at the Harold Pinter Theatre, Walden stars Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson. Tickets from https://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/walden
Monday 24th May: INTERMISSIONS LIVE
Alice Fearn's online series moves to the Vaudeville theatre for a show featuring performances from Nicole Raquel Dennis, Lauren Samuels, Emma Kingston, Molly Lynch and Blake Patrick Anderson. Tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/intermissions-live/
Monday 24th May: MONDAY NIGHT AT THE APOLLO
This new series at London's Apollo theatre kicks off with performances from Aimie Atkinson, Cassidy Janson, Lucie Jones, Cedric Neal and Julian Ovenden. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
Tuesday 25th May - Wednesday 9th June: HERE COME THE BOYS
Following a sold-out UK national tour, dance superstars Aljaž Škorjanec, Pasha Kovalev, Graziano di Prima, Robin Windsor, along with Strictly finalist Karim Zeroual, will be joined by Nadiya Bychkova for a celebration o dance at the Palladium. Tickets from lwtheatres.co.uk
Wednesday 26th May - Sunday 18th July: THE MONEY
Running for 8 weeks at County Hall, The Money invites theatregoers to consider how they'd spend a pot of money. Tickets from https://themoney.live/
Wednesday 26th May & Sunday 30th May: CRAZY COQS
The Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel reopens its doors this month for socially distanced in person shows. Highlights this month include Alison Jiear on the 26th and Steph Parry on the 30th. Full lineup and tickets at https://www.brasseriezedel.com/crazy-coqs/
Thursday 27th - Sunday 30th May: PUBLIC DOMAIN
A dark, funny verbatim about the musical moves to the Vaudeville for a limited run following its recent livestream. Written and performed by Francesca Forristal and Jordan Paul Clarke, tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/public-domain/
Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th May: AM DRAM
Reopening the Curve in Leicester is this hilarious new musical about friendship, theatre and community. It will be performed by a cast including Janie Dee, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Raj Ghatak, Debbie Chazen, Sharan Phull, Jordan Lee Davies and Wendy Ferguson. Tickets from https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/amdram-a-musical-comedy/
Lots of opportunities to enjoy theatre in person and online this month. With a lot more theatres due to reopen next month, it's just going to keep getting better from here on out.
As always, if you have anything you would like included in my weekly or monthly posts, tweet or message me at twitter.com/atdazzles or email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com
Also look out for a massive preview later this week of all the shows opening or reopening in 2021.