We've been seeing an increase in theatre returning over the past few weeks but this week it is well and truly back with a bang. We have a wealth of theatre to look forward to in person including the first indoor theatre opening (No need to worry about that pesky weather) as well as a few standout titles to stream online. So without further ado, let's delve in to all the fantastic titles available over the next 7 days.
ONLINE
WHAT?
The biggest title online this week is without a doubt the new concert of Stephen Schwartz's classic Godspell, celebrating the shows 50 anniversary. The concert has been filmed in isolation with each performer filming their parts at their respective homes. It features Ruthie Henshall and Darren Day reprising their roles from the 1993 production of the show as well as Sam Tutty, Jenna Russell, Jodie Steele, Danyl Johnson and Ria Jones.
WHEN?
The show is streaming for three nights from Thursday 27th August to Saturday 29th August. Rather than have a set time on the day to watch it, each day you buy a ticket for you will be sent the link to watch the show at 10am and will have 24 hours to watch it before it expires. So if you fancy an early morning show, a matinee, evening or a late night show, the choice is yours.
WHERE?
Tickets cost £15 and can be purchased from https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/. All proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Hope Mill Theatre, Acting For Others and the National AIDS Trust.
WHAT?
If you love comedy, improv and musicals, Showstopper! is the show for you. Each show is made up on the spot by a highly skilled group who create original songs and a plot based on audience suggestions. Who knows what will be in store this time? One thing is for sure, it's bound to be hilarious and a stroke of genius!
WHEN?
The 90 minute show will be streamed live on Saturday 28th August at 7.30pm. If you can't catch it live, it will be available to stream for 48 hours afterwards.
WHERE?
Tickets are from £7.46 and are available from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/showstopper-the-socially-distanced-improvised-musical-tickets-116417683425
WHAT?
This weeks installment of Seth Rudetsky's weekly concert series features Tony award winner Rachel Bay Jones. Rachel originated the role of Heidi in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and has also appeared in Hair and Pippin.
WHEN?
The concert will go out live on Sunday 23rd August at 8pm ET which is 1am in the UK on Monday morning. It will be repeated on Monday 24th August at 3pm ET (8pm in the UK)
WHERE?
Tickets cost $25 and can be purchased from https://events.broadwayworld.com/
IN PERSON
WHAT?
This is the big one! Finally, after more than five months, indoor theatres are reopening. The first to take advantage of this is the new Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park which will host the world premiere of the new musical Sleepless. Based on the timeless Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie Sleepless In Seattle, the show originally previewed for 3 performances at the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park in December and was due to open for a limited run in March this year. The show stars Kimberley Walsh and Jay McGuinness, reuniting after recently appearing in an adaptation of another Tom Hanks movie, BIG. Safety measures will be in place at the venue including social distancing, temperature checks and face coverings must be worn during the performance.
WHEN?
The show opens on Tuesday 25th August and runs at the theatre until 27th September.
WHERE?
Tickets can be purchased through https://www.troubadourtheatres.com/wembley-park/whats-on/sleepless-a-musical-romance. The theatre is a stones throw away from Wembley Park station, only 10 minutes on the train from central London.
WHAT?
The Barn Theatre are continuing their festival Barnfest this week with The World Goes 'Round. The show is a celebration of the music of John Kander and the lyrics of Fred Ebb from their hits Chicago, Cabaret, The Rink, Kiss of a Spiderwoman, Liza with A Z and more. Among the cast are Ryan Carter from Motown (and joint organiser of the recent brilliant Turn Up! concert), Jenny Fitzpatrick from TINA and Nick Barstow.
WHEN?
The show runs from Monday 24th August until Saturday 5th September at 6pm every day with no performance on a Sunday.
WHERE?
The theatre is in Cirencester. Tickets can be purchased from https://barntheatre.org.uk/the-world-goes-round-booking
WHAT?
Alistair Brammer will be appearing at a couple of concerts this week to perform 'A Night At The Musicals'. The west end actor has played lead roles in such productions as Les Miserables, Miss Saigon and Wicked. The date at the Minack on Monday 24th is already sold out but tickets are still available for his date at the Arches Theatre.
WHEN?
Catch him on Thursday 27th August at 7pm.
WHERE?
Tickets cost £19.50 and are available from https://thelittleboxoffice.com/thearchestheatre/event/view/125236. The venue is in Olney, near Milton Keynes.
WHAT?
This week features another West End Musical Drive In, and everybody's talking about this one in particular as it features not one Jamie New but two of them. Layton Williams will be joined by the current West end Jamie Noah Thomas for an evening of unforgettable performances. Also appearing on the line up are Shan Ako and Maiya Quansah-Breed
WHEN?
The show is taking place on Saturday 29th August at 6.30pm.
WHERE?
The drive in is located at the Trobadour Meridian Water near Enfield. Tickets can be purchased from https://westendmusicaldrivein.seetickets.com/tour/west-end-musical-drive-in
WHAT?
The recently announced season of the Turbine Theatre on the Jetty has been nothing short of a triumph. Tickets for the entire sold out run of next weeks Hair sold out in a heartbeat. This week, the season opens with two family friendly titles. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain and One Duck Down.
WHEN?
Horrible Histories is playing from Wednesday 26th to Saturday 29th August, with One Duck Down quacking on Sunday 30th August.
WHERE?
The events take place on the jetty next to the theatre in Battersea. Tickets are available from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/whats-on
WHAT?
The fantastic New Normal Festival continues this week with a line up including three sold out shows from Mischief Movie Night. Tickets are still available for this production of Shakespeare's As You Like It. It was originally set to be performed at the London College of Music as the final year showcase for the graduating students. It has been revived by director Rachel Heyburn to give the students the opportunity to perform it.
WHEN?
The show will play on Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th August at 7.30pm
WHERE?
Tickets can be purchased at  https://newnormalfest.co.uk/
WHAT?
The Bridge Theatre becomes the second London venue to open its doors this week. A season of monologues from some of the West ends finest awaits over the next two months. First is a one person play from David Hare, starring Ralph Fiennes. Beat The Devil is about David Hare's own experience with contracting Covid-19.
WHEN?
The show opens the theatre on Thursday 27th August (performances at both 5pm at 8pm) running until Saturday 12th September before returning for another run in late October.
WHERE?
The theatre is located in London Bridge. Tickets can be purchased at https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/beat-the-devil/
Well, that is a pretty fantastic week for theatre! There's no sign of it slowing down either so expect more exciting titles every week for the foreseeable future.