It's finally here! After a long 5 months, theatres can finally reopen their doors. Here is a rundown of the shows you can catch this week mainly in person though there are still a few streams to check out this week:
WHAT?
Seth Rudetsky continues his long running series bringing some of the biggest stars from Broadway direct to your home. This week it's the turn of My Fair Lady star Laura Benanti who teams up with her mother Linda for a special concert.
WHEN?
The show takes place live on Sunday 16th May at 3pm ET which is 8pm in the UK and is repeated that evening at 8pm ET which is 1am in the UK .
WHERE?
Streaming online, watch it at thesethconcertseries.com
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
It opens on Monday 17th May running until Tuesday 22nd June. There will also be two performances streamed online on Saturday 22nd May
WHERE?
Reopening Southwark Playhouse, tickets for both in person and online can be ordered from https://www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show-whats-on/you-are-here/
WHAT?
The world's longest running play becomes 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.
WHEN?
The show reopens on Monday 17th May with performances daily.
WHERE?
Returning to its home of the St Martin's Theatre, tickets are on sale from https://uk.the-mousetrap.co.uk/
WHAT?
A Night At The West End stars Scott Sutcliffe (Wicked) and Claudia Kariuki (Priscilla Queen of the Desert). This feel-good concert will celebrate the best of musical theatre with irresistible songs from hit shows such as Little Shop of Horrors, Dreamgirls, Wicked and Les Misérables.
WHEN?
It plays for two performances on Monday 17th May and Thursday 27th May at 8pm
WHERE?
Kicking off the Re-charged season at Chiswick Playhouse. Tickets are on sale from chiswickplayhouse.co.uk
WHAT?
After a delay, MTFest returns showcasing some brand new titles. This week you can catch four of the titles: This years offerings are Far From Heaven, #50Days, The Man In The Ceiling and Cake
WHEN?
Far From Heaven and #50Days play from Monday 17th until Wednesday 19th May while The Man In The Ceiling and Cake plays from Thursday 20th until Saturday 22nd May.
WHERE?
Located at the Turbine Theatre in Battersea, Tickets are from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/
WHAT?
Philip Ridley’s thrilling new play Tarantula is a startling exploration of identity, memory, love, and the lengths it takes someone to free themselves from the web of their past.
WHEN?
Stream it from Tuesday 18th until Wednesday 30th May
WHERE?
Catch it online at https://www.stream.theatre/season/124
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
It plays from Tuesday 18th May until Sunday 13th June
WHERE?
Catch it at the Duchess Theatre. Tickets from https://www.nimaxtheatres.com/
WHAT?
Rachel Redford will star in the world premiere of Cat Goscovitch’s new one woman play. A true story following twenty-something Masha as she becomes embroiled in the world of data and deceit as a member of Russia’s disinformation campaigns during the EU referendum.
WHEN?
It plays from Tuesday 18th May until Saturday 12th June
WHERE?
Reopening The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, it will move to the Arcola in London following this run. Tickets from barntheatre.org.uk
WHAT?
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 and Britain's Got Talent's Myra DuBois.
WHEN?
It runs from Wednesday 19th May until Sunday 11th July
WHERE?
It plays at the Garrick Theatre. Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
It runs from Wednesday 19th May until Sunday 13th June
WHERE?
Returning to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Tickets from https://trh.co.uk/whatson/love-letters/
WHAT?
Jassa Ahluwalia, Greg Germann and Sophie Melville unite in this chillingly funny play about a generation negotiating intimacy and independence in the 21st century.
WHEN?
It plays from Wednesday 19th until Saturday 22nd May
WHERE?
Catch it in person at the Soho theatre with tickets from https://sohotheatre.com/shows/herding-cats/ , you can also stream it online from https://www.stellartickets.com/o/herding-cats/events/herding-cats
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
The concert production runs from Thursday 20th May until Sunday 5th September with the full staged production due to return later that month
WHERE?
Catch it at the Sondheim Theatre with tickets from https://www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk/
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
It returns from Thursday 20th May
WHERE?
Coming home to the Apollo Theatre, Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
WHAT?
The Queens are back for an extended run in their new temporary home. Hear them tell their side of herstory in a show which has gone on to rule the world.
WHEN?
It plays from Friday 21st May until Sunday 29th August
WHERE?
Playing the Lyric Theatre, Tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
WHAT?
Magic Mike Live has been revamped featuring new songs and dance sequences in a Covid-secure environment with a socially distanced audience.
WHEN?
It plays from Friday 21st May
WHERE?
Returning to its London home in the Hippodrome Casino, Tickets from www.magicmikelondon.co.uk
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
From Friday 21st May until Saturday 12th June
WHERE?
The Kiln Theatre is located in Kilburn. Tickets from https://kilntheatre.com/
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
Opening on Friday 21st May
WHERE?
Playing the Criterion Theatre, Tickets from https://ameliethemusical.com/
WHAT?
Returning to the West End for the first time in 20 years, ABBAMANia plays a limited run and stars Rhiannon Porter, JoJo Desmond, Edward Handoll and Loucas Hajiantoni.
WHEN?
From Friday 21st May until Sunday 6th June
WHERE?
At the Shaftesbury Theatre, Tickets from shaftesburytheatre.com
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
From Friday 21st until Sunday 30th May.
WHERE?
Streaming online, Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/116
WHAT?
This week there's another outdoor concert from West End Musical Drive In. This weeks lineup is to be announced.
WHEN?
The concert takes place on Saturday 22nd May at 2.30pm
WHERE?
Located in Enfield, tickets are available from https://www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk/
WHAT?
Two short plays by Bernard Shaw reopen the Orange Tree Theatre: How He Lied To Her Husband and Overruled.
WHEN?
From Saturday 22nd May until Saturday 26th June
WHERE?
Located in Richmond. The plays can be seen separately or as a double bill. Tickets from orangetreetheatre.co.uk
WHAT?
Musical theatre star Rob Houchen plays two concerts with special guests Alice Fearn and Cedric Neal.
WHEN?
Saturday 22nd May at 3pm and 6.30pm
WHERE?
Playing Cadogan Hall, Tickets from https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/rob-houchen-in-concert/
WHAT?
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.
WHEN?
Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd May
WHERE?
Playing at the Vaudeville Theatre, tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
WHAT?
The first of three shows making up the Reemerge season, Walden stars Gemma Arterton, Fehinti Balogun and Lydia Wilson.
WHEN?
Saturday 22nd May until Saturday 12th June
WHERE?
At the Harold Pinter Theatre, Tickets from https://www.haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/walden
An exciting week awaits us with even more fantastic shows launching in the coming weeks. As always, if you know of or have any shows you would like included in my weekly or monthly posts, please tweet or message me at twitter.com/ATDazzles or email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com