TINA Leads April's Top 10 New London Shows

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a buzzy new musical to returning favourites, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

1. Tina, Aldwych Theatre

All the ingredients are there for this new musical based on the life of Tina Turner: a phenomenal back catalogue, a stirring story of survival, Phyllida Lloyd at the helm, and the blessing of Turner herself. Adrienne Warren plays the titular icon, opposite Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Ike.

Until 20 October. Book tickets here

2. Quiz, Noël Coward Theatre

James Graham's West End dominance continues with the arrival from Chichester of his latest play, based on the Charles Ingram Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? cheating scandal. Daniel Evans directs a cast that features Gavin Spokes, Keir Charles, Stephanie Street and Sarah Woodward. Read our interview with Sarah

31 March-16 June. Book tickets here

3. Strictly Ballroom, Piccadilly Theatre

Retooled since its first outing at West Yorkshire Playhouse in 2016, Drew McOnie's take on Baz Luhrmann's beloved film about competitive ballroom also features a promising new cast: Jonny Labey, Scarlet Strallen and Will Young star. Read our interview with Jonny and watch a video interview and preview

29 March-21 July. Book tickets here

4. Chess, London Coliseum

It's a welcome return for the 1984 musical from Tim Rice and ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus - the first major West End revival in over 30 years. Laurence Connor directs this ENO semi-staged revival, and he's landed some big names: Michael Ball, Alexandra Burke, Murray Head, Tim Howar and Cassidy Janson.

26 April-2 June. Book tickets here

5. The Writer, Almeida Theatre

Ella Hickson's female-led epic Oil was a major theatre highlight in 2016; now, she's back at the Almeida telling the story of a young writer attempting to challenge the status quo. Romola Garai stars, and the Blanche McIntyre-directed company also features Samuel West, Michael Gould and Lara Rossi.

14 April-26 May. Book tickets here

6. Chicago, Phoenix Theatre

Jazz hands at the ready! Kander and Ebb's deliciously caustic musical is back in town. This latest incarnation stars Cuba Gooding Jr, Ruthie Henshall, Sarah Soetaert, Josefina Gabrielle and Paul Rider, and features Anne Reinking's pristine Fosse-style choreography. Watch our video interview with the cast

Until 6 October. Book tickets here

7. The Moderate Soprano, Duke of York's Theatre

David Hare's play - which first appeared at the Hampstead in 2015 - delves into the extraordinary founding of Glyndebourne by John Christie. Roger Allam reprises his role as Christie, as does Nancy Carroll as his soprano wife, and Jeremy Herrin also directs Paul Jesson, Anthony Calf, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and Jade Williams.

6 April-30 June. Book tickets here

8. Instructions for Correct Assembly, Royal Court

Thomas Eccelshare makes his Court debut with this new play about the complications and challenges of parenthood. Hamish Pirie directs (though sadly no goats this time), and the cast features Jane Horrocks, Mark Bonnar, Michele Austin, Brian Vernel, Shaniqua Okwok and Jason Barnett.

7 April-19 May. Book tickets here

9. Absolute Hell, National Theatre

Joe Hill-Gibbins revives Rodney Ackland's play, whose frank post-war Soho hedonism scandalised audiences in 1952 - and whose critical panning all but ended Ackland's career. Since resurrected, this new National version features Charles Edwards, Kate Fleetwood, Joanna David, Prasanna Puwanarajah, Danny Webb, John Sackville, Sinéad Matthews and Jenny Galloway.

18 April-16 June. Book tickets here

10. Tonight at 8:30, Jermyn Street Theatre

Artistic Director Tom Littler directs these nine one-act plays by Noël Coward - the first complete London revival since 1936 - arranged into three handy trios. Certainly worth catching is Still Life, later to become Brief Encounter. There's also Tomorrow at Noon: three responses to Coward by contemporary female playwrights.

10 April-20 May. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

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