Whether you’re after a family-favourite, an open air production or a fresh new take on a classic Shakespeare play, this summer is packed out with loads of exciting new, old and reworked theatre productions.
From period novels-turned-theatre productions to children’s favourites including 101 Dalmatians, we’ve rounded up the best things to see this summer in London.
The Tempest
See Shakespeare’s greatest comedy come to life on the big stage this summer. The Tempest will be running at Shakespeare’s Globe for a limited summer season, offering Londoners the chance to follow the turbulent tale of family, power, reckoning and redemption.
Directed by Sean Holmes, see the shipwrecked journey of Prospero who was once the rightful Duke of Milan before his brother Antonio casts him and his daughter Miranda adrift at a deserted island. Prospero the sorcerer uses the island’s magical inhabitants to invoke revenge…
Production Date: 22nd July – 22nd October
Where: Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DT
Website: www.londontheatredirect.com
My Fair Lady
Arriving at the London Coliseum for a limited 16 week run is My Fair Lady, the lovable musical that tells the story of Eliza Doolittle.
Arriving in London in May, the production will follow the young cockney lass who happens to meet Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who thinks he can teach anyone to speak in the proper way. As they get to work, we soon wonder who it is that’s actually doing the teaching…
PRODUCTION DATE: 7TH MAY – 27TH AUGUST
WHERE: LONDON COLISEUM, 33 ST MARTIN’S LANE, WC2N 4ES
WEBSITE: WWW.THEATRETICKETSDIRECT.CO.UK
Legally Blonde
In the words of Elle Woods, I don’t think I’ve been this excited since Gucci became a publicly-traded company… Legally Blonde The Musical has returned to the London stage!
This new production, directed by Six creator Lucy Moss, will be making its way to Regent’s Park’s Open Air Theatre, one of the biggest and most popular theatres in the capital. Moss will provide a fresh take on the musical, adding her award-winning touch to the loveable Legally Blonde to keep it up-to-date and relevant in today’s world. This new production stars Courtney Bowman (previously Anne Boleyn in Six) as Elle Woods.
Based on the original novel by Amanda Brown and made even more successful by the film starring Reese Witherspoon, the musical first opened on Broadway in 2007 before heading to London’s West End in 2009. Its return is hugely anticipated and we can’t wait to get back to Harvard and see how Elle Woods proves everyone wrong.
PRODUCTION DATE: 13TH MAY – 2ND JULY
WHERE: REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, NW1 4NU
WEBSITE: WWW.OPENAIRTHEATRE.COM
Grease The Musical
Grease is the word that’ll be on everyone’s lips this summer as Grease The Musical is set to return to the West End! Everyone’s favourite summer romance, this special production will be landing at the Dominion Theatre and directed by Curve’s artistic director, Nikolai Foster.
Fall back in love with Danny and Sandy’s story and prepare to sing-along to all of your favourite hits, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, Hopelessly Devoted to You and You’re the One That I Want.
Dan Partridge stars as Danny Zuko, Olivia Moore stars as Sandy Dumbrowsi and randomly Peter Andre stars as Vince Fontaine…
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PRODUCTION DATE: 3RD MAY – 29TH OCTOBER
WHERE: DOMINION THEATRE, 269 TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD, W1T 7AQ
WEBSITE: WWW.THEATRETICKETSDIRECT.COM
A-Typical Rainbow
Taking over Battersea Power Station’s Turbine Theatre this summer is A-Typical Rainbow, an narrative centred around the life of a queer autistic person from 1995 – 2020.
Created by JJ Green, the Aria Entertainment Production delves into a mix of themes, from pop culture and fantasy to friendship and love in a suppressive society. Expect a touching story that’s raw and honest.
Production Date: 30th June – 7th August
Where: Turbine Theatre, Arches Lane, Circus West, SW11 8AB
Website: www.theturbinetheatre.com
South Pacific
Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed , South Pacific is landing in London this summer, bringing the powerful love story to centre stage.
Set on a South Pacific island during WWII, the production is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener. Expect a truly memorable score from Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II to shine through, with songs including I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and Some Enchanted Evening.
Production Date: 27th July – 28th August
Where: Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, EC1R 4TN
Website: www.theatreticketsdirect.co.uk
Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch
Once the villain, Disney’s Ursula gets a revival in the critically acclaimed parody musical, Unfortunate. Taking place at the Underbelly Festival, we get a chance to see what really happened all of those years ago underwater, complete with a pop soundtrack and filth humour.
Cruella had her moment, now it’s Ursula’s time to villainously shine…
Production Date: 21st June – 16th July
Where: Underbelly Festival Earls Court, Empress Place, SW6 1TT
Website: www.theatreticketsdirect.co.uk
101 Dalmatians
This one has been in the works for a while having been cancelled twice due to Covid-19, but we can finally confirm that Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s adaptation of Dodie Smith’s loveable novel, The Hundred and One Dalmatians will finally be making its way onto the stage this summer.
Set to be a family favourite, the production, spearheaded by director Timothy Sheader, will follow Pongo, Perdi and their litter of puppies as they find themselves on a survival journey as it’s rumoured that Curella de Vil has her heart set on a new Dalmatian fur coat…
Production Date: 12th July – 28th August
Where: REGENT’S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE, NW1 4NU
Website: www.openairtheatre.com
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Mad House
Strangers Things’ David Harbour and The Sinner’s Bill Pullman join forces for a short run of Mad House, a dark comedy written by Theresa Rebeck.
The play follows Michael as he returns to his childhood home to look after his dying father. His two siblings soon arrive to deal with the assets left and see what they are left to deal with…
Production Date: 15th June – 4th September
Where: The Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, WC2H 9ND
Website: www.theatreticketsdirect.co.uk
The Glass Menagerie
We never thought we’d see Academy Award-nominated Amy Adams making her West End debut but here we are…
See Adams star in The Glass Menagerie, a play that follows Amanda Wingfield following the breakdown and abandonment of her marriage and husband. Instead of dwelling on the past, she’s determined to provide a good life for her two children, but they aren’t so happy about it. See Tennessee Williams’ story brought to life in a fresh new way.
Production Date: 23rd May – 27th August
Where: Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG
Website: www.theatreticketsdirect.co.uk
