A new month is upon us and October looks set to be another stellar one for theatre with more shows reopening their doors after a long 19 months, some huge new shows opening in the West End and around the UK and some brilliant digital productions to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. Here are just some of the highlights in October:
LONDON & THE WEST END
From October 1st: ONLY FOOLS AND HORSES
The first big West End show to reopen this month is the musical version of Only Fools and Horses which returns for an open-ended run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with writer Paul Whitehouse returning to the show. Tickets from trh.co.uk
From October 1st: MAMMA MIA! THE PARTY
The musical may be back open in the West End but you can never get too much of ABBA which is why this party is reopening at the o2 from October. This four hour event includes a four course Greek feast while a show plays out in front of you... and of course the opportunity to dance and jive. Tickets from http://www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk/
From October 1st: GET UP, STAND UP!
This major new musical tells the story of the life of Bob Marley and features a soundtrack of his legendary songs. Playing the Lyric Theatre, tickets available from http://getupstandupthemusical.com/
October 3rd: CHILDREN OF EDEN
The Stephen Schwartz classic comes to life in two special concerts at Cadogan Hall to celebrate the shows 30th anniversary with a cast including Rob Houchen, Alice Fearn, Ruthie Henshall and Shan Ako. Tickets from https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/children-of-eden-in-concert-2020/
October 4th: CHAMBER MUSICAL SESSIONS
15 of the most talented writing teams in the UK showcase new songs from the chamber musicals they are writing. The writers will be joined by some of the West End’s biggest stars and a house band at the Garrick Theatre to share an evening of unexpected, exhilarating and extrordinary new musical theatre. Tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/shows/the-chamber-musical-sessions/
October 5th - 23rd: FOXES
Interrogating the foundations of family and community when beliefs are suddenly disrupted, FOXES explores the complexities of sexual identity and the search for acceptance and joy. Playing at Theatre 503, tickets from https://theatre503.com/whats-on/foxes/
October 5th - November 13th: WHITE NOISE
The European premiere of Suzan Lori-Parks' White Noise arrives at the Bridge Theatre. Taking an unflinching look at race in the 21st Century from both a black and white perspective, tickets from http://www.bridgetheatre.co.uk/
October 7th - November 27th: LOVE AND OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE
Re-opening the Donmar Warehouse, Cordelia Lynn’s new play is a subversive and intimate love story about inheritance and the cycles of politics and history. Tickets from donmarwarehouse.com
October 9th - January 15th: THE SHARK IS BROKEN
The Ambassadors Theatre hosts this brilliantly funny play revealing the hilarious
and moving behind-the-scenes drama on Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie JAWS. Tickets from thesharkisbroken.com
October 9th - November 13th: RICE
The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond is home to the UK premiere of Michele Lee's Rice about an ambitious and headstrong woman determined to become the first female Indian CEO in Australia. Tickets from orangetreetheatre.co.uk
October 11th: SHOWSTOPPER
The Showstoppers play their final show at the Garrick Theatre before they move down the road to the Lyric for their monthly shows. Watch in awe as the group create a brand new musical in front of you based on audience suggestions. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
October 11th: BAYER AND PARIS
Luke Bayer and Natalie Paris join forces for a night of songs and laughter at Brassier Zedel. For two performances in the evening, expect a setlist of songs you know and others you won't as well as some amazing guests. Tickets from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/bayer-and-paris/
October 12th - 16th: LINDA MARLOWE
Stage icon Linda Marlowe returns to one of her greatest roles as the world’s oldest circus artist, aged 100, and re-enacts scenes from her many careers through music, mime, monologue...and trapeze! Playing Hoxton Hall, tickets from http://www.hoxtonhall.co.uk/
October 13th - November 6th: BROKEN LAD
The world premiere of Robin Hooper’s new drama which is a comic and moving examination of masculinity in distress, directed by Richard Speir. It is Arcola
Theatre’s second production at their new venue, Arcola Outside. Tickets from http://www.arcolatheatre.com/
October 13th - November 13th: GRENFELL: VALUE ENGINEERING
Playing at the recently renovated Tabernacle in Notting Hill, this is based entirely on the words of those involved in the current Inquiry, and sets out to discover why the devastating fire of 14 June 2017 happened. Tickets from http://grenfellvalueengineering.com/
October 13th - November 6th: YELLOWFIN
Marek Horn’s brand new politically charged drama arrives at Southwark Playhouse this month. Set in a world where all the fish have inexplicably vanished, Yellowfin is a deep dive into a dystopian future. Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk.
From October 14th: HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD PARTS 1 & 2
Returning to the Palace Theatre after a long 19 months away, this is now the only place to see the original two part Harry Potter play as the other productions around the world have reopened with a new one part play. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
From October 15th: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (SORT OF)
Isobel McArthur’s unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story opens at the Criterion Theatre this month. Tickets from http://www.prideandprejudicesortof.com/
October 17th: LIZZIE BEA AND FRIENDS
Fresh from her sensational run as Tracey in Hairspray, Lizzie Bea plays her own set at Crazy Coqs at Brasserie Zedel. Tickets from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/the-crazy-coqs-presents-lizzie-bea-intimate-live/
October 20th - November 20th: MUM
This provocative and unflinching portrayal of early motherhood and mental health, written by Olivier award-winning playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm will play a season at Soho Theatre following a run in Plymouth earlier in the month. Tickets from sohotheatre.com
October 20th - 30th: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW
Ore Oduba leads the cast in this new tour production which has a run at the Peacock Theatre in London this month as well as continuing its UK tour. Tickets from https://www.rockyhorror.co.uk/tour-dates
October 21st - February 27th: MAGIC GOES WRONG
After an extra long disappearing act, Magic Goes Wrong reappears to serve up more Mischief at its new home of the Apollo Theatre. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
October 22nd - 31st: VANARA - THE LEGEND
Playing a strictly limited London run at Hackney Empire before embarking on a UK-wide tour in 2022, Vanara features a cast including Matthew Croke, Glenn Carter and Joaquin Pedro Valdes. Tickets from https://hackneyempire.co.uk
October 22nd - November 27th: INDECENT PROPOSAL
The iconic 90s movie receives a new musical adaptation at Southwark Playhouse with a book and lyrics from Michael Conley, get your tickets from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/indecent-proposal/
From October 26th: DEAR EVAN HANSEN
Days after the movie adaptation gets its UK release, we can be reminded of a good version of this story with Sam Tutty returning to the title role. Catch it at the Noel Coward Theatre with tickets from delfontmackintosh.co.uk
October 26th - November 21st: THE FUNNY GIRLS
Uniting Barbra Streisand (Rosanna Harris) and Joan Rivers (Mia Tomlinson) in a fantastical showdown of ego. A fast-paced game of wit and wisecracks from two Jewish juggernauts in their prime, it plays a four week season at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. Tickets from https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com/
October 26th - April 23rd: THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE
The West End transfer of National Theatre's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's best-selling novel plays a season at the Duke of Yorks Theatre. Tickets from http://oceanwestend.com/
From October 29th: THE CHOIR OF MAN
The best trip to your local you'll ever have, it features amazing reinventions of folk, pop, Broadway and rock chart-toppers from artists including Guns 'N' Roses, Adele, Avicii and Sia. Playing at the Arts Theatre, tickets from http://choirofmanwestend.com/
October 31st: CHEER UP CHARLIE
Charlie Kristensen will hold his fundraising gala at The Actor’s Church in Covent Garden, London. with performances from West End stars including Lizzie Bea, Sophie Isaacs, Daniel Boys, Melissa Jacques, Oliver Savile, Nadim Naaman and Adrian Hansel. Tickets from https://actorschurch.ticketsolve.com/shows/873612837
REGIONAL SHOWS & UK TOURS
Now: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
The new UK tour of this much loved Disney classic continues its season in Liverpool until October 16th before moving to Edinburgh from October 21st. Tickets from https://www.beautyandthebeastmusical.co.uk/
October 1st - 16th: ANTIGONE
The UK premiere of Merlynn Tong's play heads to the Mercury Theatre in Colchester for a limited run. Tickets from https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/event/antigone/
October 1st - 23rd: THE LONG SONG
The world premiere of Suhayla El-Bushra’s adaptation of The Long Song by Andrea Levy will run at Chichester Festival Theatre this month, directed by Charlotte Gwinner. Tickets from http://cft.org.uk/
From October 4th: HAIRSPRAY
Brenda Edwards and Norman Pace are among the cast for the UK tour production which this month plays in Leicester (October 4th - 9th), Nottingham (11th - 16th), Wolverhampton (19th - 23rd) and Manchester (25th - 30th). Tickets at https://www.hairsprayuktour.com/tour-dates/
From October 4th: CHICAGO
Faye Brookes, Sinitta, Darren Day and Divina De Campo team up for this new UK tour of the iconic musical. This month it hits Northampton (October 4th - 9th), Bradford (11th - 16th), Nottingham (18th - 23rd) and Wolverhamptomn (25th - 30th). All dates and tickets at https://chicagothemusical.com/international-tour/
From October 4th: PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT
The UK tour continues this month with dates in Southampton (October 4th - 9th), Manchester (11th - 16th), Woking (18th - 23rd) and Bromley (25th - 30th). Tickets from https://priscillauktour.com/tour-dates/
From October 4th: WAITRESS
Continuing its long awaited debut UK tour, this month the diner heads to Milton Keynes (October 4th - 9th), Eastbourne (19th - 23rd) and Sunderland (25th - 30th) . Tickets from https://www.waitressthemusical.co.uk/
From October 5th: BLOOD BROTHERS
The latest UK tour of WIlly Russell's classic continues this month with dates in Glasgow (October 5th - 9th), Edinburgh (12th - 16th), Bradford (19th - 23rd) and Shrewsbury (26th - 30th). Tickets at https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/blood-brothers-the-musical
From October 5th: SCHOOL OF ROCK
The UK tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical continues in Sunderland (October 5th - 9th), Southend (12th - 16th), Stoke-on-Trent (19th - 23rd) and Bradford (25th - 30th) with all dates and tickets available at https://uktour.schoolofrockthemusical.com/tour-dates/
From October 5th: ROCK OF AGES
For those about to rock, the UK tour continues this month with a cast including Kevin Clifton. This month you can catch it in Manchester (October 5th - 9th), Exeter (19th - 23rd) and Dartford (26th - 30th). Tickets and all further dates at https://www.rockofagesmusical.co.uk/tour/
From October 5th: GREASE
The classic musical continues its tour around the UK, this month hitting Sheffield (October 5th - 9th), Manchester (11th - 23rd) and Belfast (26th - 30th). Tickets from https://greasethemusicalontour.com/tour-tickets/
From October 5th: HEATHERS
The UK tour continues this month with dates in Manchester (October 5th - 9th), Belfast (12th - 16th), Dublin (19th- 23rd) and Brighton (26th - 30th). Tickets for all dates at https://www.heathersthemusical.com/uk-tour
From October 5th: EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE
The UK tour continues this month with Layton Williams and Shane Richie at the helm. This month it plays Wolverhampton (October 5th - 9th), Canterbury (11th - 16th), Bristol (19th - 23rd) and Newcastle (25th - 30th). All dates and tickets at https://www.everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/2020-uk-tour/
From October 6th: SIX
The ex-wives continue their tour around the Queendom - this month stopping in Belfast (October 6th - 10th), Dublin (12th - 16th), Bromley (19th - 23rd) and Cheltenham (25th - November 6th) . Tickets from https://www.sixthemusical.com/uk-tour/tickets
From October 6th: BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS
The UK tour of the Disney classic continues this month with dates in Nottingham (October 6th - 10th), Eastbourne (13th - 17th), Manchester (19th - 24th and Sheffield (26th - 30th). Full dates and tickets at https://www.bedknobsonstage.com/tour-dates
From October 7th: THE GOOD LIFE
The brand new stage adaptation of the beloved British comedy begins a UK tour this month. Starring Rufus Hound and Preeya Kalidas, it kicks off at the Theatre Royal Bath until October 16th then heads to Cheltenham from the 19th - 23rd and Salford from the 26th - 30th. All dates and tickets from thegoodlifeonstage.com
October 8th - November 6th: HOME
Chichester Festival Theatre’s revival of David Storey’s award-winning 1970 play HOME, runs at the Minerva Theatre this month. Tickets from http://cft.org.uk/
October 8th - November 14th: WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT
The world premiere of this new musical freely inspired by the novel The History of Tom Jones, A Foundling, this romantic musical comedy reimagines Fielding’s classic tale in London’s swinging sixties and sets the story to the iconic hit music of Sir Tom Jones. It plays at Birmingham Rep ahead of a hopeful West End run. Tickets from https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/whats-new-pussycat.html
From October 11th: BAT OUT OF HELL
The first UK tour of this musical honouring Meat Loaf and the late Jim Steinman's greatest hits continues this month with dates in Oxford (October 11th - 16th) and Glasgow (19th - 30th). For all further dates and tickets, see http://www.batoutofhellmusical.com/
October 11th - November 6th: WUTHERING HEIGHTS
Based on the novel by Emily Brontë, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, Wuthering Heights plays at Bristol Old Vic ahead of a run at National Theatre next year. Tickets from https://bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/wuthering-heights
From October 12th: 9 TO 5
The UK tour of the feelgood Dolly Parton musical continues this month with dates in Bristol (October 12th - 16th), Wimbledon (19th - 23rd) and Nottingham (26th - 30th) with dates continuing until March 2022. With a cast including Louise Redknapp, tickets at https://9to5themusical.co.uk/tour/
October 14th - November 13th: BRIEF ENCOUNTER
A new production of Emma Rice’s stage adaptation of Noël Coward’s epic love story, based on the critically acclaimed 1945 film will play at The Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire. Tickets from watermill.org.uk
October 14th - 22nd: VESSEL
Arch 468 will embark on a UK tour with their politically charged play inspired by
Ireland’s abortion referendum, Writter and performed by Laura Wyatt O’Keeffe, full dates and tickets from https://www.arch468.com/
October 14th - 16th: SNOWFLAKE
The world premiere of Lewis Cornay's musical reeives its premiere as a semi-staged concert at The Lowry in Salford ahead of a digital stream later this month. Tickets from https://thelowry.com/whats-on/rewrites-snowflake/
October 16th - January 8th: TOP HAT
The Mill at Sonning hosts a new production of Irving Berlin's classic, complete with a two-course meal. Tickets from https://millatsonning.com/shows/top-hat/
October 25th - November 7th: THE BATTERSEA POLTERGEIST - LIVE!
The true story of Britain’s strangest ever house haunting, that became a worldwide podcast hit through an 8-part series on BBC Radio Four, is coming to theatres across the UK. For dates and tickets, head to http://www.batterseapoltergeistlive.com/
October 26th - 31st: TELL ME STRAIGHT
Following an acclaimed season in London and before it returns next month, Tell Me Straight heads to the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester for a week. Tickets from https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/
From October 28th: PRIVATE LIVES
Niger Havers and Patricia Hodge star in this new production of Noel Cowards comedy, touring around the UK from this month. It kicks off at the Theatre Royal Bath until November 6th. Tickets from http://theatreroyal.org.uk/
October 29th - November 13th: BLUE/ORANGE
Giles Terera and Michael Balogun star in this multi award-winning drama which opens at Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio until 13 November 2021 before heading out around the UK. Tickets from http://theatreroyal.org.uk/
ONLINE STREAMS AND CINEMA RELEASES
October 1st: DIANA, THE MUSICAL
Ahead of its return to Broadway, a filmed version of the brand new musical telling the story of Princess Diana makes its way to Netflix.
October 1st: THE THEATRE CHANNEL
Episode 8 of this brilliant series hoours Stephen Schwartz with performances from Alice Fearn, Louise Dearman, Christine Allado and Cedric Neal. Narrated by Schwartz himself, it also includes a performance from the current London production of Pippin.
Stream it from https://www.stream.theatre/season/107
October 4th - 17th: GOING THE DISTANCE
Shobna Gulati, Sarah Hadland and Matthew Fry star in this new digital production from the creators of What A Carve Up. Written by Henry Filloux-Bennett and Yasmeen Khan, stream it from https://goingthedistanceplay.com/
October 22nd: DEAR EVAN HANSEN
The movie adaptation of the Broadway and West End smash finally makes it to this sode of the Atlantic after opening in America last year. Catch it in cinemas just days before the West End production reopens.
October TBC: CONSTELLATIONS
All four casts of the West End production will be available to stream online from an as yet undetermined date in October. To find out when, sign up to https://ondemand.donmarwarehouse.com/
Looks like another great month in store for us all.
As always, please let me know in advance to be included in these monthly posts. Tweet or message me at twitter.com/ATDazzles or email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com