New shows for September in the West End

1. PHOTOGRAPH 51 It’s always an event when a big Hollywood star appears in the West End so expect Theatreland to be buzzing with excitement as Nicole Kidman appears in this new play directed by superstar director, Michael Grandage with whom she’s recently been making a film. This unmissable dose of glamour arrives at The Noel Coward Theatre on September 14th

Photograph 51

2. FARINELLI AND THE KING Almost as exciting as seeing Nicole Kidman live is the chance to see Mark Rylance who made such an impact as Cronwell in the recent TV adaptation of Wolf Hall and had smash hits in the West End and on Broadway with his starring roles in Twelfth Night, Richard III and in gritty rural drama, Jerusalem. This transfer of an acclaimed production from Shakepeare’s Globe opens at The Duke of York’s Theatre on September 29th.

Farinelli and The King

3. KINKY BOOTS This riotous musical about a beleaguered British shoe factory that makes a fortune when it switches to making footwear for drag queens has been a big hit on Broadway. The only thing that spoilt it for me in New York were the American actors' appalling English accents. This won’t be a problem with the Brit cast appearing at the Adelphi Theatre from September 15th

Kinky Boots

4. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW The 70’s cult and campy haunted house favourite returns to the West End in an acclaimed production directed by Chris Luscombe with guest celebrity narrators in including its author Richard O’Brian who played butler Riff Raff in the film. Catch it at the Playhouse Theatre.

The Rocky Horror Show

5. ORESTEIA Arguably one of the greatest plays ever written this is an ancient Greek text which dramatises mankind’s emergence from superstition and a cycle of tyranny and revenge to democracy and enlightenment. London boasts two productions in September. A multi-media account at Trafalgar Studios starring Lia Williams & Jessica Brown Findlay and a more traditional performance at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Oresteia