Summer is over. Did it ever really arrive? While half of the theatre world are resting up from an intense Edinburgh Fringe, theatre shows no signs of stopping with a particularly busy month for new show openings.
Here’s a special bumper offering for the top 40 new shows to catch in September:
GOD OF CARNAGE (Lyric Hammersmith)
1st – 30th September
Yasmina Reza’s Olivier and Tony Award-winning dark comedy returns to London in a new production starring Freema Agyeman as Veronique Vallon.
Tickets from www.lyric.co.uk
LIZZIE (Hope Mill theatre/UK Tour)
1st – 30th September/On Tour from 5th October
Based on the infamous murder case of Lizzie Borden, the punk rock musical begins performances in Manchester this month before touring the UK from October to December. Lauren Drew, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Shekinah McFarlane, Mairi Barclay and Ayesha Patel star.
Tickets from http://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/
NEVER HAVE I EVER (Chichester Festival Theatre Minerva)
1st – 30th September
The world premiere of this explosive, savagely funny play by Deborah Frances-White skewers the contradictions of contemporary society, and the shifting sands of power and sexual politics.
Tickets from cft.org.uk
THE LITTLE BIG THINGS (@SohoPlace)
2nd September – 24th November
The world premiere of a new uplifting, colourful and life-affirming British musical based on Henry Fraser’s best-selling memoir, this is an extraordinary true story about an ordinary family whose lives change over a single moment.
Tickets from http://www.sohoplace.org/
REBECCA (Charing Cross Theatre)
4th September – 18th November
The English language premiere of the critically acclaimed musical based on Daphne Dy Maurier’s 1938 novel, it stars Richard Carson, Lauren Jones and Kara Lane.
Tickets from http://www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk/
FOR TONIGHT (Adelphi Theatre)
5th September
This brand new musical gets a concert premiere for one night only with Amy Di Bartolomeo, Jacob Young, Dale Evans, Emily Burnett, Charlie Claphan and Rakie Ayola starring. A stirring journey exploring the power and meaning of home, inspired by true events.
Tickets from https://www.fortonightmusical.com/
IN OTHER WORDS (Arcola Theatre)
5th – 30th September
Matthew Seager’s deeply affecting and celebrated play returns to London prior to a UK tour. A powerful love story, it explores the transformative power of music to help reconnect those living with dementia to their loved ones and the world around them.
Tickets from http://arcolatheatre.com/
WHY AM I SO SINGLE? (Lilian Baylis Studio, Sadler’s Wells)
6th – 10th September
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss debut their new musical with a ticketed workshop presentation. About two perpetually single best friends who can’t figure out why they are so single, it features Christina Bennington, Millie O’Connell, Noah Thomas and Ryan Wilkinson in the cast.
EVERYBODY’S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE (UK and Ireland Tour)
From 7th September
The much loved musical returns for an extensive new tour. Starring Ivano Turco as Jamie alongside a cast including John Patridge, Hayley Tamaddon, Rebecca McKinnis, Shobna Gulati and Ralia Palamathanan.
Full dates and tickets from https://everybodystalkingaboutjamie.co.uk/
ANTHROPOLOGY (Hampstead Theatre)
7th September – 14th October
The world premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s new play is directed by Anna Ledwich and sees Merril deal with the disappearance of her younger sister. A virtual version of her offers her solace and then starts to reveal new details about what might have happened.
Tickets from https://www.hampsteadtheatre.com/
BEAUTIFUL THING (Theatre Royal Stratford East)
8th September – 7th October
The 30th anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic coming out and coming of age story is a touching, urban love story full of warmth and humour.
Tickets from http://www.stratfordeast.com/
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (Octagon Theatre)
8th – 30th September
Arthur Miller’s classic is revived in a new production by Headlong. Starring Jonathan Slinger, it kicks off at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre this month before playing in Chichester and Kingston in October.
Tickets from http://octagonbolton.co.uk/
THE FATHER AND THE ASSASSIN (Olivier Theatre)
8th September – 14th October
Hiran Abetsekera and Paul Bazely star in this play about Gandhi and the man who murdered him as the show that returns to London after a critically acclaimed run last year.
Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk
POLICE COPS: THE MUSICAL (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
8th September – 14th October
Following their performances at this years Edinburgh Fringe, the globally acclaimed comedy company transfer their musical to London for a limited run,
Tickets from www.policecopsmusical.co.uk
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (UK Tour)
From 11th September
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic returns in a brand new extensive tour, kicking off in Manchester this month and touring through to August 2024. Starring Julian Clary, Ian McIntosh and Shem Omari Jones.
Dates and tickets at https://uktour.jesuschristsuperstar.com/tickets/
THE BOOK THIEF (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry/Curve Theatre, Leicester)
11th – 16th September /29th September – 14th October
A mesmerising new musical based on Markus Zusak’s international bestselling novel, it will star Obioma Ugoala, Mina Anwar, Jack Lord and Daniel Krikler.
Tickets from www.thebookthiefmusical.com
IT’S HEADED STRAIGHT TOWARDS US (Park Theatre)
13th September – 20th October
Written by Adrian Edmonson and Nigel Planer, this quirky, surprisingly tender, laugh out loud comedy stars Rufus Hound, Nenda Neururer and Samuel West.
Tickets from www.Parktheatre.co.uk
DEEPER AND DEEPER (Union Theatre)
13th September – 7th October
A new comedy drama by Tim McArthur sees friendships and love tested over 15 years by secrets, lies and betrayal.
MYRA DUBOIS: BE WELL (Peacock Theatre)
13th – 16th September
As part of her biggest tour to date, Myra DuBois returns to the West End with a four day residency before heading off on her live tour with her take-no-prisoners brand of rapid-fire comedy.
Tickets from www.myradubois.co.uk
SORRY WE DIDN’T DIE AT SEA (Park Theatre)
13th – 30th September
A first translation of Italian playwright Emanuele Aldrovandi’s satirical, absurdist play darkly refracts Europe’s migration crisis.
Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk
MILMA’S TALE (Kiln Theatre)
14th September – 21st October
The UK premiere of Lynn Nottage’s play stars Gabrielle Brooks, Pul Fan Lee, Brandon Grace, Natey Jones and Ira Mandela Siobhan.
Tickets from www.kilntheatre.com
BATTERSEA BARDOT (New Wimbledon Theatre Studio)
14th – 23rd September
This new one-woman musical tells the wild, exciting and tragic true-life story of the forgotten star of Swinging London who found herself lost in a Hollywood nightmare.
Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/battersea-bardot-a-new-musical/studio-at-new-wimbledon-theatre/
THE WHITE FACTORY (Marylebone Theatre)
14th September – 4th November
This heart-wrenching new play by acclaimed author Dmitry Glukhovsky is inspired by rea; events with a haunting contemporary resonance and stars Adrian Schiller.
OPERATION EPSILON (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
15th September – 21st October
Alan Brody’s award-winning play gets a UK premiere with a cast including Jamie Bogyo, Nathaniel Parker, Simon Chandler and Gyuri Sarossy.
Tickets from operationepsilon.com
OLD FRIENDS (Gielgud Theatre)
16th September – 6th January 2024
Following last years one-off Stephen Sondheim tribute show, it returns to the West End for a 16 week run starring musical theatre royalty Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.
Tickets from sondheimoldfriends.com
SCHWARTZ AT 75 (Lyric Theatre)
17th September
The work of Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz is celebrated in two concerts. Works such as Wicked, Godspell, Pippin and The Prince of Egypt will be performed by a star cast with an appearance from the legendary composer himself.
Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
CLOSE-UP – THE TWIGGY MUSICAL (Menier Chocolate Factory)
18th September – 18th November
The world premiere of this new musical by Ben Elton stars Elena Skuye as Twiggy alongside a cast including Matt Corner, Darren Day, Beth Devine and Aoife Dunne.
Tickets from www.menierchocolatefactory.com
SUNSET BOULEVARD (Savoy Theatre)
18th September – 6th January 2024
Andrew Lloyd Webbers classic returns to the West End in a new production from Jamie Lloyd. Starring Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond (with Rachel Tucker guest starring on some performances) joined by Tom Francis, Grace Hodgett Young and David Thaxton.
Tickets from sunsetboulevardwestend.com
UNTITLED F**K MISS SAIGON PLAY (Young Vic)
18th September – 4th November
Kimber Lee’s Award-winning satire jumps through time, wriggling inside of and then exploding lifetimes of repeating Asian stereotypes, wrestling history for the right to control your own narrative in a world that thinks it can ell you who you are.
Tickets from https://www.youngvic.org/
STRANGERS IN BETWEEN (Golden Goose Theatre)
19th September – 7th October
An unflinching look at the highs and lows of growing up gay in modern Australia, it stars
Australian Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham making his UK acting debut.
Tickets from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/strangers-in-between
CAKE: THE MARIE ANTOINETTE PLAYLIST (Lyric Theatre)
20th – 24th September
The brand-new musical, come gig, come ballet lights up the West End for one week as a taster of what is to come for this exciting production. Starring Zizi Strakken and Renee Lamb who reprise their roles from a tour earlier this year.
Tickets from thelyrictheatre.co.uk
QUIZ (Chichester Festival Theatre)
22nd – 30th September
James Graham’s hit play returns for a brand new tour starring Rory Bremner. Kicking off at Chichester Festival Theatre where the show debuted from 22nd September before embarking on a 9 week tour.
Full dates and tickets from www.quiztheplay.co.uk
SINATRA THE MUSICAL (Birmingham Rep)
23rd September – 28th October
The world premiere of a new musical based on the life and career of the legendary Frank Sinatra stars Matt Doyle, Ana Villafane and Phoebe Panaretos.
Tickets from https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/sinatramusical/
IMPOSTER22 (Royal Court)
23rd September - 14th October
Royal Court collaborate with Access All Areas for this new play in co-creation with seven learning disabled and autistic artists who also perform in the piece. Created with the sensory needs of neurodivergent audience members in mind with all performances relaxed.
Tickets from royalcourttheatre.com
NOISES OFF (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
27th September – 16th December
Returning to the West End for a 12 week season with a cast including Felicity Kendal, Mathew Horne and Tamzin Outhwaite, this classic farce celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Tickets from www.trh.co.uk.
BLOODY ELLE/BOY OUT THE CITY (Lyric Theatre)
27th – 30th September
Two new pieces of work which received race reviews at this years Edinburgh Fringe Festival hit the West End as part of A Queer Season. First it’s Lauryn Redding’s one-woman semi-autobiographical gig musical featuring original music created live on stage. The other is Declan Bennett’s hilarious, revealing and deeply tender play created out of writing from his own private journals.
Tickets from thelyrictheatre.co.uk
TROMPE L’OEIL (The Other Palace)
28th September – 15th October
Cabaret, musical theatre songs, politics, queer theatre and circus combine with the trompe l’oeil illusionary art form in this stunning new musical.
Tickets from theotherpalace.co.uk
THE CHANGELING (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
28th September – 28th October
Lazarus Theatre reinterpret one of the most tragic Jacobean plays in a thrilling and theatrical staging that will not be for the faint-hearted. With an intense and toxic love-hate relationship that turns murderous, Lazarus Theatre will immerse audiences in the surreal and violent journey of an innocent get-rid-quick plot gone wrong!
Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
HAMNET (Garrick Theatre)
30th September – 6th January
After a sell-out run at The Swan, the adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel by Lolita Chakrabarti transfers to the West End.
Tickets from https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/hamnet/
FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS (Riverside Studios)
30th September – 26th November
The London premiere of the critically acclaimed musical stars Jenna Russell as Mrs Harris. Based on the novel by Paul Gallico, this is a celebration of kindness, friendship and carrying on in the face of grief.
Tickets from https://riversidestudios.co.uk/
What a huge month for theatre! What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on all of them.
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 always include as many as possible.
See you in the theatre!