September Preview: 50 Shows To See This Month
- All That Dazzles
- Aug 30
- 10 min read
Summer lovin’ happened so fast, and as we now get ready for the start of Autumn (or Fall for any American readers), the start of the colder and darker days isn’t all bad news, as September comes with it a particularly bumper set of new shows to fall in love with,
Usually, I keep these monthly recaps to a top 40 shows, but as there are so many new shows opening this much and I hate an initial list of 80, here are a massive 50 shows to check out in September:
HAYWIRE - A NOT SO EVERYDAY STORY OF HOW THE ARCHERS WAS BORN (Barn Theatre)
1st September - 11th October
Licensed by the BBC, this new play celebrates the 75th anniversary of the radio drama and the widespread pride it brought the nation.
Tickets from https://barntheatre.org.uk/haywire
BLACK POWER DESK (Brixton House)
1st September - 28th September
This powerful reimagining and exploration of what it means to love and fight for freedom is a moving story of sisters who need to reconnect for the sake of their community. But will the fight for their community be worth the damage to their sisterhood?
INVASIVE SPECIES (King’s Head Theatre)
3rd September - 3rd October
The New York cult hit invades London this autumn in this dark comedy and true story about Maia, an immigrant actor who will stop at nothing to achieve her dream of being in the American movies, even if that means having to act her way out of a youth psychiatric ward.
ENDGAME (Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath)
4th September - 4th October
Douglas Hodge, Clive Francis, Mathew Horne and Selina Cadell star in Samuel Beckett’s macabre comedy.
Tickets from https://www.theatreroyal.org.uk/events/endgame/
THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY (UK Tour)
4th September - 22nd November
Ed McVey and Maisie Smith star in the first major stage adaptation marking the 70th anniversary of Patricia Highsmith’s iconic, gripping novel. The tour kicks off in Cheltenham and heads to Edinburgh and Birmingham later this month.
Dates and tickets at https://thetalentedmrripleyplay.com/
DR FREUD WILL SEE YOU NOW, MRS HITLER (Upstairs At The Gatehouse)
4th - 28th September
The new play from Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran offers a new perspective on whether the 20th century's greatest psychoanalyst could have saved humanity from the era’s greatest psychopath.
Tickets from https://upstairsatthegatehouse.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173663994/events/428721789
COW | DEER (Royal Court)
4th September - 11th October
Co-created by Katie Mitchell, Nina Segal and Melanie Wilson, this new experiment in performance uses only sound and no words as a quartet of performers and Foley artists evoke the lives of two animals.
Tickets from https://royalcourttheatre.com/
SEAGULL: TRUE STORY (Marylebone Theatre)
5th September - 11th October
Inspired by true events, this bold and playful theatrical experience transfers to London after a hugely successful Off-Broadway run. Alexander Molochnikov leads a stellar cast in a story of love, betrayal, and the struggle to make meaningful art in a world where the truth depends on who’s in charge.
TITUS ANDRONICUS (Hampstead Theatre)
5th September - 11th October
Transferring to London after a run at the RSC earlier this year, Simon Russell Beale reprises the title role in this production that examines Shakespeare’s bloodiest play through the lens of 21st century aggression.
NOT YOUR SUPERWOMAN (Bush Theatre)
6th September - 1st November
Lynette Linton directs this world premiere from Emma Dennis-Edwards, starring Golda Rosheuvel and Letitia Wright
CREDITORS (Orange Tree Theatre)
6th September - 11th October
Charles Dance, Nicholas Farrell and Geraldine James star in this darkly glittering masterpiece; a devastating comic thriller about marriage and manipulation.
Tickets from https://orangetreetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/creditors/
HAMLET (Minerva Theatre)
6th September - 4th October
Giles Terera stars in the title role of Justin Audibert’s production of Shakespeare’s tragedy, the first time the story has been seen in Chichester Festival Theatre.
Tickets from www.cft.org.uk
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (UK & Ireland Tour)
8th September - 23rd May 2026
The first ever UK & Ireland tour of Aaron Sorkin’s riveting stage adaptation of the Harper Lee classic, with Richard Coyle reprising the role of Atticus Finch from the West End production.
Dates and tickets at mockingbirdplay.com
(GOD SAVE MY) NORTHERN SOUL/VERMIN (Park Theatre)
9th - 20th September
A double bill at London’s theatre sees a new dark comedy play about love, loss and Northern Soul music written and performed by Natasha Cottriall, followed by a sardonic horror story of love, loss and obsession
Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk
INSIDE NO 9 STAGE/FRIGHT (UK Tour)
9th September - 29th November
Following a sold out West End season, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith bring the acclaimed stage production of their cult TV show around the UK, kicking off in Milton Keynes and playing around the country until November.
Dates and tickets at https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/inside-no-9-stage-fright/
ROMANS: A NOVEL (Almeida Theatre)
9th September - 11th October
Award-winning writer Alice Birch’s monumental, kaleidoscopic portrait of masculinity from the nineteenth century to the present day explores how male narratives have shaped the world we know, featuring Olivier Award winner Kyle Soller
Tickets from https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/romans/
MILITARY WIVES - THE MUSICAL (York Theatre Royal)
10th - 27th September
This new musical from writer/director Debbie Isitt is inspired by the true story of the Military Wives choir and is based on the hit 2019 film in a joyous celebration of female friendship, courage and ‘unsung’ heroes.
Tickets from yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
THE LADY FROM THE SEA (Bridge Theatre)
10th September - 8th November
A thrilling dissection of desire, loss and rebirth for the contemporary age stars Oscar winner Alicia Vikander alongside the return of Andrew Lincoln to the London stage.
DRACULA (Lyric Hammersmith)
11th September - 11th October
In this major new adaptation of Bram Stoker’s horror classic, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia) uncovers the female voices at the heart of the tale.
REUNION (Kiln Theatre)
11th September - 11th October
This funny and gripping family drama makes its UK debut following its critically acclaimed première at Galway International Arts Festival 2024.
THE CODE (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
12th September - 11th October
Tracie Bennett and John Partridge star in this new London production that lays bare the unspoken rules of Hollywood, then and now: a world where image still shapes opportunity, where authenticity is curated and identity remains politicized.
THE WEIR (Harold Pinter Theatre)
12th September - 6th December
Conor McPherson writes and directs this new production with Brenda Gleeson making his West End debut as Jack in this testament to the need for human connection, the possibility of hope, and the enduring power of storytelling.
THE HARDER THEY COME (Stratford East)
13th September - 25th October
The newly adapted reggae musical based on the cult Jamaican film of the same name, celebrates its UK premiere with a cast including Josie Benson, Madeline Charlemagne, Jason Pennycooke and Simon-Anthony Rhoden.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE (Royal Shakespeare Theatre)
13th September - 25th October
Emily Burns directs William Shakespeare’s razor-sharp thriller of hypocrisy and corruption, starring Isis Hainsworth as Isabella, Adam James as Duke Vincentio and Tom Mothersdale as Angelo.
Tickets from www.rsc.org.uk
DANCING AT LUGHNASA (Crucible Theatre)
13th September - 4th October
Brian Friel’s multi-award-winning drama is a powerful and moving exploration of reflection, memory and how the future will arrive no matter how much we resist.
FOLLIES (Grand Opera House, Belfast)
13th - 20th September
The first time this show has been performed professionally in Northern Ireland, the revival of Sondheim’s classic stars Anna-Jane Casey, Annette McLoughlin and Jacqueline Dankworth.
Tickets from https://www.goh.co.uk/whats-on/follies
BACCHAE (Olivier Theatre)
13th September - 1st November
Infused with anarchic energy and fuelled by spoken word and rhyme, this modern retelling of the ancient Greek story is written by Nima Taleghani after Euripides, and directed by Indhu Rubasingham in her first show as Director of the National Theatre,
Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk
50 FIRST DATES (The Other Palace)
14th September - 16th November
The stage adaptation of the popular rom-com gets its world premiere with Georgina Castle and Josh St. Clair leading the cast as an artist with short-term memory loss and the commitment-phobe who falls in love with her.
Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/musical/50-first-dates-the-musical-tickets
ENTERTAINING MR SLOANE (Young Vic)
15th September - 8th November
Jordan Stephens makes his stage debut alongside Christopher Fairbank, Tamzin Outhwaite and Daniel Cerqueira in Joe Orton’s queer cult classic - a ruthless, dark comedy that remains as provocative and shocking today as it was 62 years ago.
Tickets from www.youngvic.org
DEAR ENGLAND (National Tour)
15th September - 14th March 2026
After multiple runs in London, James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play will tour to 16 venues across England, starring David Sturzaker as England manager Gareth Southgate,
Tickets from https://dearenglandonstage.com
EMMA (Rose Theatre)
17th September -11th October
Ava Pickett’s new stage adaptation of the Jane Austen classic celebrates its world premiere in a reimagined production that tells the timeless story of romance, friendship, and the tricky business of figuring out what truly makes us happy.
Tickets from https://www.rosetheatre.org/whats-on/emma-djh9
THE SHADOW IN THE MIRROR (The Mill at Sonning)
18th September - 8th November
Dugald Bruce-Lockhart adapts Gerard Durrell’s haunting short story for the stage, telling the nsettling story of a bookseller who uncovers an ancient, hidden doorway in an old country house – and the ghostly terror that lurks behind it.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Noel Coward Theatre)
18th September - 10th January
The National Theatre’s sold out reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance transfers to the West End with a star cast including Olly Alexander, High Dennis, Shobna Gulati and Stephen Fry.
Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-importance-of-being-earnest-london-tickets
LORD OF THE FLIES (Chichester Festival Theatre)
19th September -11th October
Anthony Lau’s new production of William Golding’s classic takes us into the heart of darkness as a plane crash on a desert island abandons a group of young survivors to fend for themselves.
Tickets from www.cft.org.uk
THE BILLIONAIRE INSIDE YOUR HEAD (Hampstead Theatre)
19th September - 25th October
Will Lord's debut play is a biting satire questioning the value of motivation, and what it may end up costing you.
GET DOWN TONIGHT (Charing Cross Theatre)
19th September - 15th November
Packed with over twenty of KC and the Sunshine Band’s legendary hits, this brand new feel-good musical inspired by the early years of singer, songwriter, producer and musician Harry Wayne Casey makes its London premiere.
THE BODYGUARD (UK and Europe Tour)
20th September - 22nd August 2026
The stage musical based on the classic film returns for a brand new your of the UK and Europe, kicking off in Birmingham with Sidonie Smith starring as Rachel Marron alongside Adam Garcia in a show packed full of Whitney Houston’s classic songs.
Dates and tickets at www.thebodyguardmusical.com
13 GOING ON 30 (Manchester Opera House)
21st September - 12th October
The world premiere stage adaptation of the much-loved movie opens in Manchester with Lucie Jones, David Hunter and Grace Mouat starring in the story of an awkward 13 year old girl who wishes she could be thirty, flirty and thriving and finds it comes true.
Tickets from www.1330musical.com
SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Eventim Apollo)
21st September
Jason Robert Brown returns to London to conduct a concert of his loved song cycle to celebrate its 30th anniversary. An all-star Broadway cast of Shoshana Bean, Tituss Burgess, Jordan Fisher and Joy Woods will take on this collection of powerful songs examining life, love and the choices ordinary people make when faced with an extraordinary moment.
PUNCH (Apollo Theatre)
22nd September - 29th November
James Graham’s critically acclaimed, sold-out show transfers to the West End, inspired by the true story of Jacob Dunne who serves time in prison after an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. Finding himself lost, Jacob searches for answers, sparking a profound transformation in his life.
MARY PAGE MARLOWE (The Old Vic)
23rd September - 1st November
Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon makes her UK theatre debut alongside Andrea Riseborough in the UK premiere of this vivid time-jumping mosaic of one woman’s life, by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts.
(THE) WOMAN (Park Theatre)
24th September - 25th October
Fiercely funny and brutally honest, award-winning writer Jane Upton’s Bruntwood Prize shortlisted play shatters the glossy veneer of motherhood, exposing its raw, messy truth, and dares to question the definition of (her) self.
LEE (Park Theatre)
24th September - 18th October
Telling the story of Lee Krasner, artist and wife of American painter Jackson Pollock, Lee explores the life and artworks of the woman behind the great painter and the sacrifices she made for her partner.
Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/events/lee/
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (UK Tour)
24th September - 18th April 2026
Susan Hill’s iconic story is back in a brand new UK tour, kicking off in Chester. After a record-breaking 33 year run in the West End, find out what kept audiences terrified in Stephen Malatratt’s adaptation.
Dates and tickets at www.thewomaninblack.com
HAMLET (Lyttlelton Theatre)
25th September - 22nd November
Olivier Award-winner Hiran Abeysekera takes on the title role in this fearless, contemporary take on Shakespeare’s famous tragedy.
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA (Shakespeare’s Globe)
26th September - 26th October
Director Owen Horsley explores the cult of celebrity and the egos that propel wars forward in Shakespeare’s cynical, satirical study of appearance versus reality.
CYRANO DE BERGERAC (The Swan)
27th September - 15th November
Simon Evans presents a new version of Edmond Rostand’s thrilling, lyrical tale of love and lies, longing and disguise with Adrian Lester making his RSC debut in the lead role.
Tickets from www.rsc.org.uk
SALOME (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
30th September - 11th October
In a co-production with Gesher Theatre, a new production of Oscar Wilde’s lyrical one-act play will hit the West End for a two week run.
BLESSINGS (Riverside Studios)
30th September - 26th October
The world premiere of Sarah Sheldon’s darkly funny and moving new family drama is a blisteringly honest exploration of faith, family dysfunction and the lies we tell to keep everything from falling apart.
GHOST STORIES (Peacock Theatre)
30th September - 8th November
Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s supernatural sensation returns to the West End, more spine-tingling and terrifying than ever.
What are you most looking forward to seeing in September?
Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok, and look out for reviews of many of them on the website over the next month as well as conversations with the stars of some of these shows on my podcast All That Chat, returning with new episodes this month.
To have your show included in the October 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!