Kit Harington, Glenn Close and Timothy Spall Lead April's Top 10 New London Shows
By: Marianka Swain Apr. 05, 2016
London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Kit Harington's Faustus and Glenn Close's Norma Desmond to Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winner and a new heist farce, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...
1. Doctor Faustus, Duke of York's Theatre
Game of Thrones' Kit Harington is back on stage in Jamie Lloyd's modern reinvention of Marlowe's classic morality tale, with Colin Teevan supplying two new acts. Jenna Russell is intriguing casting as Mephistopheles, and the soul-selling extravaganza also features Jade Anouka, Forbes Masson and Tom Edden.
2. X, Royal Court Theatre
Alistair McDowall's extraordinary Pomona heralded a revolution at the Orange Tree in 2014. His latest play is out of this world: a dizzying, philosophical sci-fi about the inhabitants of a stranded space station orbiting Pluto. The Royal Court's artistic director Vicky Featherstone is at the helm of this deep, dark space drama, and Jessica Raine stars.
3. Sunset Boulevard, London Coliseum
Glenn Close is ready for her close-up as she returns to the role that won her a Tony Award 22 years ago. As well as the draw of the legendary actress as fading diva Norma Desmond, Lonny Price's semi-staged version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical features lush ENO orchestration and support from Michael Xavier, Betty Shaeffer and Fred Johanson.
4. The Caretaker, Old Vic
Harold Pinter's seminal work, which rocked the London theatre world in 1960, returns in a highly anticipated production from Old Vic head honcho Matthew Warchus. Timothy Spall - in a rare appearance on stage - Daniel Mays and George Mackay play the trio caught in an enigmatic power struggle.
5. Funny Girl, Savoy Theatre
After an acclaimed run at Menier Chocolate Factory, Michael Mayer's Sheridan Smith-starring production takes up residence at the Savoy. Jule Styne, Bob Merrill and Isobel Lennart's show has some book revisions from Harvey Fierstein, and the supporting cast includes Darius Campbell, Marilyn Cutts and Joel Montague.
6. The Flick, National Theatre
Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about three underpaid employees in a fading Massachusetts movie theatre wowed critics and divided audiences in the States. How will her three-and-a-half-hour intimate epic fare here? Sam Gold directs Jaygann Ayeh, Sam Heron, Louisa Krause and Matthew Maher.
7. Show Boat, New London Theatre
A lauded Sheffield Crucible run earned Daniel Evans' revival of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein's ground-breaking musical a spot in the West End. Malcolm Sinclair and Chris Peluso join original cast members Gina Beck, Lucy Briers, Rebecca Trehearn, Emmanel Kojo, Sandra Marvin, Alex Young and Danny Collins.
8. The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Criterion Theatre
Mischief Theatre, the Olivier Award-winning team behind The Play That Goes Wrong, is back with more sublime silliness, this time centred around a heist. Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields are once again directed by Mark Bell, with a supporting cast including Dave Hearn, Charlie Russell and Nancy Wallinger.
9. Guys and Dolls, Phoenix Theatre
The hit Chichester revival of this beloved American musical stopped in at the Savoy and now comes to the Phoenix with new leads. Samantha Spiro, Richard Kind, Oliver Tompsett and Siubhan Harrison star, with Gordon Greenberg at the helm and choreography from Carlos Acosta and Andrew Wright. There's also a simultaneous national tour.
10. Elegy, Donmar Warehouse
Nick Payne's new play is set in a near future when scientific advances mean it's possible to extend life - but at what cost? Donmar artistic director Josie Rourke directs Zoe Wanamaker, Nina Sosanya and Barbara Flynn as three women torn between love and survival.
Photo credit: Marc Brenner, Paul Coltas
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