OTHELLO Leads August's Top 10 New London Shows

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From starry Shakespeare and a new musical to family entertainment, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

1. Othello, Shakespeare's Globe

Taking a break from being Steven Spielberg's new muse, the great Mark Rylance returns to the Globe. He's playing Iago opposite Moonlight star André Holland's Othello, and Claire van Kampen's sterling cast also features Sheila Atim, Jessica Warbeck, Aaron Pierce, Steffan Donnelly, Catherine Bailey and William Chubb.

Until 13 October. Book tickets here

2. The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre

Dominic Dromgoole's year-long Wilde Season reaches the playwright's social comedy masterpiece. This Classic Spring production stars Sophie Thompson as Lady Bracknell, plus Jeremy Swift, Fiona Button, Pippa Nixon and Stella Gonet, with Michael Fentiman on directing duties. Read our interview with Jeremy Swift

Until 20 October. Book tickets here

3. Broken Wings, Theatre Royal Haymarket

An exciting new prospect, Middle Eastern duo Nadim Naaman and Dana Al Fardan have adapted Lebanese-born poet Kahlil Gibran's account of his first romance into a stage musical. Naaman also leads this semi-staged production, which features Rob Houchen and Nikita Johal, directed by Bronagh Lagan. Read our interview with Nadim Naaman

1-4 August. Book tickets here

4. Hello, I'm Darling, National Theatre

Following an acclaimed premiere at Theatr Clwyd, Laura Wade's new play - about social roles, feminism, and taking Fifties nostalgia to extremes - arrives at the National. Tamara Harvey directs Katherine Parkinson, Richard Harrington, Sian Thomas, Barnaby Kay, Kathryn Drysdale and Sara Gregory.

Until 5 September. Book tickets here

5. Little Shop of Horrors, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's beloved musical about Seymour and his unusual plant comes to Regent's Park - an appropriately green setting. Maria Aberg's cast includes Marc Antolin, Jemima Rooper, Vicky Vox, Forbes Masson, Seyi Omooba, Christina Modestou, Renée Lamb and Matt Willis. Read our interview with Marc Antolin

3 August-15 September. Book tickets here

6. Horrible Histories: Barmy Britain - Part Four, Apollo Theatre

The celebrated Horrible Histories team unveil a new instalment - just in time for the school holidays - featuring everything from the Romans and Elizabeth I to the Tudors, Samuel Pepys and Georgian detectives. Creator and director Neal Foster leads the cast, and the age suggestion is 5+.

2 August-1 September. Book tickets here

7. Bring It On, Southwark Playhouse

A belated UK premiere of this musical adaptation of the hit coming-of-age film about competitive cheerleaders. It features a book by Jeff Whitty, music by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Tom Kitt, and lyrics by Miranda and Amanda Green. Ewan Jones helms this British Theatre Academy production.

2 August-1 September. Book tickets here

8. Swan Lake, London Coliseum

The internationally acclaimed St Petersburg Ballet Theatre return with their classic production - accompanied by the Orchestra of the English National Opera, doing full justice to Tchaikovsky's indelible score. The big names include prima ballerina Irina Kolesnikova, Bolshoi Ballet's Denis Rodkin and Yulia Stepanova, and the Mariinsky Theatre's Kimin Kim.

22 August-2 September. Book tickets here

9. Romeo + Juliet, Secret Cinema

Just a few tantalising details about Secret Cinema's latest venture: a five-hour, open-air festival and film screening, packed with fierce feuds, high-octane cars, immersive theatre, glorious music and the most beautiful love story ever told. Find out more in our interviews with founder Fabien Riggall and creative director Matt Bennett

8-25 August. Book tickets here

10. Silk Road, Trafalgar Studios

Alex Oates's urgent new piece about a Geordie teenager who gets sucked into the Dark Web - inspired by interviews with real online drug vendors - gets a West End run following its Vaults premiere earlier this year. Dominic Shaw directs Josh Barrow in this one-man show. Read BroadwayWorld's five-star review

7 August-1 September. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

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