APOLOGIA Leads August's Top 10 New London Shows

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

1. Apologia, Trafalgar Studios

Jamie Lloyd is back at Trafalgar with a revival of Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny family drama. Stockard Channing (Grease, The West Wing) is the firebrand liberal matriarch vigorously defending her choices, and the cast also features Freema Agyeman, Laura Carmichael, Desmond Barrit and Joseph Millson. Read our interview with Freema

Until 18 November. Book tickets here

2. Evita, Phoenix Theatre

Wicked star Emma Hatton takes on Eva Peron and "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", as Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical returns to the West End following a UK tour. Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright direct, and Gian Marco Schiaretti plays Che. Read our interview with Emma Hatton

Until 14 October. Book tickets here

3. Jesus Christ Superstar, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Want to make it a Lloyd Webber/Rice double? Timothy Sheader's acclaimed 2016 revival of their rock opera is back for an encore run at Regent's Park, along with stars Declan Bennett, Tyrone Huntley, David Thaxton and Peter Caulfied, plus Drew McOnie's thrilling choreography. Just keep an eye on the weather forecast...

11 August-23 September. Book tickets here

4. Against, Almeida Theatre

Ben Whishaw leads this intriguing new play by American writer Christopher Shinn about an aerospace billionaire in Silicon Valley who believes he's been contacted by God. Ian Rickson directs a cast that also includes Amanda Hale, Adelle Leonce, Naomi Wirthner, Martin McDougall, Emma D'Arcy and Nancy Crane.

12 August-30 September. Book tickets here

5. King Lear, Shakespeare's Globe

Artistic Director of Shared Experience Nancy Meckler makes her Globe debut at the helm of Shakespeare's mighty tragedy, which will be the first production broadcast from the open-air venue. Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean) stars as Lear, and the cast also features Burt Caesar, Loren O'Dair, Saskia Reeves and Emily Bruni.

6. Gangsta Granny, Garrick Theatre

Family-friendly fun galore in Neal Foster's stage version of David Walliams' popular children's book, presented by Birmingham Stage Company (whose Horrible Histories is also playing at the Garrick). Ashley Cousins and Gilly Tompkins star, and the cast also includes Rachel Stanley, Ben Martin, Devesh Kishore and Louise Bailey.

Until 3 September. Book tickets here

7. Late Company, Trafalgar Studios

Following its critically acclaimed European debut at Finborough Theatre earlier this year, Jordan Tannahill's powerful play - about parenting, grief and the horrors of cyberbullying - gets a West End run. Michael Yale's original cast makes the transfer: Lucy Robinson, David Leopold, Todd Boyce, Alex Lowe and Lisa Stevenson.

21 August-16 September. Book tickets here

8. The Majority, National Theatre

How are you feeling about democracy at the moment? Rob Drummond is here to help navigate some of the most significant decisions of our age, from Scottish Independence to Brexit and Trump, with the show changing every time depending on how the audience votes. David Overend directs.

11-28 August. Book tickets here

9. 13 The Musical, Ambassadors Theatre

Jason Robert Brown, Dan Elish and Robert Horn's coming-of-age rock musical picks apart the typical social labels of an American middle school. Ewan Jones directs, and the company - drawn from British Theatre Academy - are all actual teenagers, which should give them a vividly direct connection to the material.

16-23 August. Book tickets here

10. Knives in Hens, Donmar Warehouse

Yaël Farber directs David Harrower's haunting 1995 play set in pre-industrial Britain. It follows a ploughman and his wife, embroiled in a fraught love triangle with the hated local miller, and the liberation granted by knowledge and language. This Donmar revival stars Christian Cooke, Judith Roddy and Matt Ryan.

17 August-7 October. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

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