DON'T MISS: Florian Zeller's The Truth Leads This Week's Top 10 New London Shows, March 7 2016
By: Marianka Swain Mar. 07, 2016
London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Florian Zeller's latest to Branagh farce and a new atomic musical, here are some of this week's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews, and if you need more ticket-booking inspiration, here is last week's round-up.
1. The Truth, Menier Chocolate Factory
Following acclaimed productions of THE MOTHER and THE FATHER, French playwright Florian Zeller adds a third London show, with his latest Christopher Hampton-translated work having its UK premiere at the Chocolate Factory before transferring to Bath. Tanya Franks, Alexander Hanson, Frances O'Connor and Robert Portal star, and Lindsay Posner directs.
2. German Skerries, Orange Tree Theatre
Up In Arms provides the first major revival of Robert Holman's richly resonant drama set in 1970s Teesside. Alice Hamilton directs Howard Ward, George Evans, Katie Moore and Henry Everett in a production that also tours to Reading Rep, Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, Dukes Theatre Lancaster and Hull Truck.
3. Miss Atomic Bomb, St James Theatre
Beauty pageants meet atomic testing in Adam Long, Gabriel Vick and Alex Jackson-Long's new musical, inspired by real events in Las Vegas in the 1950s. Catherine Tate, Dean John-Wilson, Daniel Boys and Florence Andrews star, co-directed by Long and Olivier Award-winning choreographer Bill Deamer.
4. Every One, Battersea Arts Centre
Renowned theatremaker Chris Goode directs Jo Clifford's intimate work, which filters the medieval morality play Everyman's journey to salvation through the devastating experiences of an 'ordinary' family. The cast includes Nigel Barrett and Eileen Nicholas.
5. The Painkiller, Garrick Theatre
The latest production in Kenneth Branagh's Garrick season is a reprisal of this darkly comic farce by Francis Veber, last seen at the Lyric Belfast in 2011. Stars Branagh and Rob Brydon return, accompanied by Claudie Blakley and Alex Mcqueen, and Sean Foley once again directs his adaptation.
6. If You Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Young Vic
This fascinating hybrid of theatre, gig and dance piece features Jane Horrocks sharing her soulful versions of New Wave music - everything from The Smiths and Joy Division to The Buzzcocks and Soft Cell - with dancers choreographed by Aletta Collins and a live band.
7. Don't Smoke In Bed, Finborough Theatre
Award-winning African-American playwright Aurin Squire returns to Finborough with another world premiere, this time looking at contemporary social issues through the prism of an interracial couple. Clare Latham and Greg Lockett are directed by Andrew Twyman.
8. NotMoses, Arts Theatre
Filmmaker Gary Sinyor directs his first effort for theatre, an irreverent comic spin on a familiar tale in the vein of Monty Python's Life of Brian. Greg Barnett stars as NotMoses, and the cast includes Thomas Nelstrop, Danielle Bird, Dana Hagjoo, Niv Petel and Jasmine Hyde.
9. Luce, Southwark Playhouse
Mel Giedroyc stars in this piercing examination of parenting, race and homegrown terrorism by American playwright JC Lee. It's helmed by director Simon Dormandy and designer Dick Bird, who collaborated on last year's hit adaptation of The Hudsucker Proxy.
10. Sprint, Camden People's Theatre
Highlights of the 20th cutting-edge Sprint festival include Conrad Murray's blend of Shakespeare and beatboxing in Denmarked, Hannah Sullivan tackling anger in With Force and Noise, and Ali Matthews and Leo Burtin collaborating on The Best of Both Worlds: A Busker's Opera.
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