RED Leads May's Top 10 New London Shows

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From meaty revivals to the open-air theatres opening their doors, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

1. Red, Wyndham's Theatre

Alfred Molina reprises his critically acclaimed performance as Abstract Expressionist artist Mark Rothko - once again directed by Michael Grandage, who helmed the 2009 Donmar Warehouse premiere of John Logan's play. Alfred Enoch joins them as Rothko's assistant. Read our interviews with Alfred Molina and Alfred Enoch

4 May-28 July. Book tickets here

2. As You Like It/Hamlet, Shakespeare's Globe

All eyes are on new Artistic Director Michelle Terry as she opens her debut season. Terry is also tackling the title role in Hamlet, and the actor-led rep company for these two opening plays includes Jack Laskey, James Garnon, Helen Schlesinger, Bettrys Jones, Shubham Saraf, Nadia Nadarajah and Pearce Quigley.

Until 26 August. Book tickets here

3. Consent, Harold Pinter Theatre

Nina Raine's blistering play about the legal system, and the murky unknowability of truth, justice and love, gets a welcome encore following its National Theatre premiere (read our review). Roger Michell directs Claudie Blakley, Stephen Campbell Moore, Clare Foster, Adam James, Lee Ingleby, Sian Clifford and Heather Craney.

18 May-11 August. Book tickets here

4. Mood Music, Old Vic

Joe Penhall's new play tackles the complex legal, psychological and artistic process of songwriting - along with some timely discussion of gendered power dynamics and creative ownership. Ben Chaplin replaces original star Rhys Ifans, and Roger Michell's cast also features Jemma Redgrave, Neil Stuke, Seána Kerslake, Pip Carter and Kurt Egyiawan.

Until 16 June. Book tickets here

5. Peter Pan, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

It's almost summer now (in theory), which means Regent's Park is back - and opening its season with a returning family favourite. Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel's World War One-set Peter Pan features spellbinding puppetry, and the cast includes Sam Angell, Dennis Herdman, Cora Kirk, Elisa de Grey and Caroline Deyga.

17 May-15 June. Book tickets here

6. Nightfall, Bridge Theatre

Barney Norris's latest work focuses on a Hampshire farming family, struggling to deal with the loss of the father in a tragic accident. Laurie Sansom directs a cast that features Ophelia Lovibond, Claire Skinner, Ukweli Roach and Sion Daniel Young. Read our interview with Barney Norris

1-26 May. Book tickets here

7. An Ideal Husband, Vaudeville Theatre

The latest entrant in Dominic Dromgoole's West End Wilde season features the draw of real-life father and son Edward and Freddie Fox, plus Frances Barber, Nathaniel Parker, Sally Bretton and Susan Hampshire. Jonathan Church directs this timeless comedy of corruption, morality, ambition and romantic entanglements.

Until 14 July. Book tickets here

8. Lessons in Love and Violence, Royal Opera House

Written on Skin collaborators George Benjamin and Martin Crimp reunite for this hotly anticipated world premiere. The opera is inspired by an Elizabethan drama about a king forced to choose between love and political expediency, and Katie Mitchell's cast includes Barbara Hannigan, Peter Hoare and Gyula Orendt.

10-26 May. Book tickets here

9. Fatherland, Lyric Hammersmith

Playwright Simon Stephens collaborated with Frantic Assembly's Scott Graham and Underworld's Karl Hyde on this ambitious look at contemporary fatherhood. Inspired by real conversations with inhabitants of their home towns, the trio has created an ensemble collage of words, music and movement, exploring identity, nationality and masculinity.

25 May-23 June. Book tickets here

10. Tartuffe, Theatre Royal Haymarket

Christopher Hampton updates Molière's comic masterpiece, giving us a media tycoon seduced by a radical American evangelist in contemporary LA. The West End's first ever dual-language production, directed by the former dramaturg of the French People's National Theatre Gerald Garutti, stars Paul Anderson, Audrey Fleurot and Sebastian Roché. Read our interview with Sebastian

25 May-28 July. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

Photo credit: Sarah Lee, Marc Brenner

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