CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF Leads July'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 Tennessee Williams and Bob Dylan to royal politics and Adrian Mole, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...

1. Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre

The casting of Sienna Miller and Jack O'Connell makes this a very hot ticket indeed, and, following his hit Streetcar, theatre buffs will be keen to see acclaimed director Benedict Andrews' latest take on Tennessee Williams. The company also features Colm Meaney, Lisa Palfrey, Brian Gleeson and Hayley Squires.

13 July-7 October. Book tickets here

2. Mosquitoes, National Theatre

It's science and sisters in Lucy Kirkwood's new play, directed by Rufus Norris, which centres on a hotshot boffin working on the Large Hadron Collider and her fraught relationship with her sibling. Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams star, and the supporting cast includes Amanda Boxer, Paul Hilton, Vanessa Emme and Yoli Fuller.

18 July-28 September. Book tickets here

3. Girl from the North Country, Old Vic

Award-winning Irish playwright Conor McPherson dips into the songbook of Bob Dylan for his new drama - which he also directs - about a guesthouse in Depression-era Minnesota. The stellar company of actors and musicians includes Ciaran Hinds, Shirley Henderson, Ron Cook, Bronagh Gallagher, Arinzé Kene, Sheila Atim and Stanley Townsend.

12 July-7 October. Book tickets here

4. Queen Anne, Theatre Royal Haymarket

Helen Edmundson's play examines the complex power dynamics between the titular 18th-century monarch and close friend the Duchess of Marlborough - played, respectively, in this RSC transfer by Emma Cunniffe and Romola Garai. Directed by Natalie Abrahami, the cast also features Jonathan Christie, Michael Fenton Stevens, Daisy Ashford, Sheena Bhattessa and Jonny Glynn.

Until 30 September. Book tickets here

5. The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾, Menier Chocolate Factory

Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary's musical version of the beloved Sue Townsend novel, about the romantic travails of a 1980s intellectual wannabe, comes to London after a hit Leicester run. Luke Sheppard directs a cast that includes Dean Chisnall, Lara Denning, and Benjamin Lewis, Ilan Galkoss and Samuel Menhinick alternating as Adrian.

14 July-9 September. Book tickets here

6. Road, Royal Court

Thirty years after its Court premiere, John Tiffany revives Jim Cartwright's seminal play about a deprived northern town in the Thatcherite 1980s; expect some searching political and social parallels. A cracking ensemble cast features Michelle Fairley, Faye Marsay, Mark Hadfield, Liz White, Lemn Sissay, June Watson and Shane Zaza.

21 July-9 September. Book tickets here

7. The Tempest, Barbican

Gregory Doran's groundbreaking RSC production boasts wizard special effects, including motion-capture technology, but just as big a draw is the reliably excellent Simon Russell Beale as Prospero. The cast also includes Mark Quartley, Joe Dixon, Jenny Rainsford, Daniel Easton, Joseph Mydell, Simon Trinder, Jonathan Broadbent and James Hayes.

Until 18 August. Book tickets here

8. The Mentor, Vaudeville Theatre

Academy Award-winning F. Murray Abraham (currently gracing Homeland) leads Christopher Hampton's version of German playwright Daniel Kehlmann's sharp comedy ­- exploring art, ego and the perils of literary mentorship. Laurence Boswell's production, well received in Bath earlier this year, also features Daniel Weyman, Naomi Frederick and Jonathan Cullen.

Until 2 September. Book tickets here

9. The Ferryman, Gielgud Theatre

Jez Butterworth's triumphant epic has just extended its run, so there's more time to catch his tale of clan, thwarted love and the iron grip of history, plus Sam Mendes's mammoth production, featuring a live baby, goose and rabbits. Paddy Considine, Laura Donnolly and Genevieve O'Reilly star.

Until 6 January, 2018. Book tickets here

10. A Tale of Two Cities, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Matthew Dunster adapts Charles Dickens' classic novel set in French Revolution-era Paris and London - with likely emphasis on contemporary concerns like social inequality. Timothy Sheader directs a cast that includes Nicholas Karimi, Marième Diouf, Jude Owusu, Patrick Driver, Lydia Bradford, Claire-Louise Cordwell and Tim Samuels.

7 July-5 August. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

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