October is wrapping up and the talk of the festive season arriving is upon us so let's round up this month!
Ulster American, The Hills of California and Ocean at the End of the Lane.
This month brought us the news of some exciting new shows that will be heading to London in 2024, including the stage adaptation of a 2004 cult-classic film! We also were shocked to hear the news that one of our favourite West End shows will be closing in January. Here’s our October monthly roundup for you:
Exciting theatre news this month
World premiere of new musical Just For One Day
LIVE AID at Wembley Stadium London 13 July 1985 - Pictorial Press Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo.
A musical inspired by one of the greatest music events in history? JUST FOR ONE DAY is based on the story of Live Aid, the multi-venue benefit concert held in 1985. Heading to The Old Vic for a limited run from 26 January 2024, the new musical will tell the story of the 70 artists who came together to raise millions of pounds for famine relief.
- Booking Until 30 March 2024
- Playing at The Old Vic
Mean Girls Musical heading to the West End
Mean Girls West End artwork
Broadway’s smash-hit musical MEAN GIRLS has confirmed it will be heading to the West End next summer. Brought to the stage by an award-winning creative team, including director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde), and writer Tina Fey. The stage adaptation of the cult classic film will open at the Savoy Theatre from June 2024.
- Booking Until 31 August 2024
- Playing at Savoy Theatre
Woody Harrelson to star in Ulster American
Woody Harrelson, Louisa Harland and Andy Serkis.
Woody Harrelson joins Andy Serkis and Louisa Harland for a limited 8-week run of ULSTER AMERICAN at Riverside Studios. This pitch-black comedy from award-winning playwright David Ireland, tells the story of an Oscar-winning American actor, an English director and a Northern Irish playwright who are about to begin rehearsals for a new play that could transform each of their careers. It turns out they’re on the stage page and the night threatens to spiral out of control. ULSTER AMERICAN begins performances at Riverside Studios from 4 December 2023.
- Booking Until 27 January 2024
- Playing at Riverside Studios
New play from writer Jez Butterworth
The Hills of California artwork.
A new play from writer Jez Butterworth, following on from his multi-award-winning triumph The Ferryman resumes his partnership with Sam Mendes to bring you THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA. Set in Blackpool 1976, the play follows the Webb Sisters who return to their mother’s run-down guest house to find her dying upstairs. THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA heads to the Harold Pinter Theatre from 27 January 2024.
- Booking Until 15 June 2024
- Playing at Harold Pinter Theatre
The Hills of California Tickets
Jersey Boys announces West End closure
Jersey Boys production image. Photo: Marc Brenner.
The West End will say goodbye to one of its biggest jukebox musicals at the start of 2024 as it was announced this month that JERSEY BOYS would be closing. The original Grammy, Tony and Olivier-Award winning musical goes behind the music and explores the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, with some of their biggest hits such as “Sherry” and “Walk A Man” being integrated into it. You have until 4 January 2024 to see the musical so get booking!
- Booking Until 28 January 2024
- Playing at Trafalgar Theatre
Shows closing in November
Do you want to get your hands on some last-minute tickets to see the shows closing in November? Here are the productions you need to see before it's too late:
Rebecca
Richard Carson and Lauren Jones in REBECCA at the Charing Cross Theatre. Photo by Mark Senior
The critically acclaimed musical REBECCA has been presenting its English language premiere at the Charing Cross Theatre. Inspired by the classic thriller by Daphne Du Maurier’s 1938 novel, REBECCA tells the story of the wealthy Maxim De Winter who brings his naive new wife home, to the dismay of his housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers. She was incredibly loyal to his first wife, Rebecca, who perished in a drowning accident, with tragic results.
- Booking Until 18 November
- Playing at Charing Cross Theatre
Flowers For Mrs Harris
Flowers For Mrs Harris production image. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Catch the Olivier Award-winning legend Jenna Russell in the London premiere of FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS. The critically-acclaimed production is performing at the Riverside Studios and is a “glorious musical of grief, friendship & self-discovery” (The Stage).
- Booking Until 26 November
- Playing at Riverside Studios
The Ocean At The End Of The Lane
The Ocean At The Lane production image.
Neil Gaiman’s novel has been adapted into a spectacular and thrilling theatrical event of the year. Adapted for the stage by Joel Horwood, audiences will explore self-identity and the “disconnect between childhood and adulthood”. With over 60 five-star reviews already credited to this production, it's one of the biggest events of the year and you do not want to miss it.
- Booking Until 25 November
- Playing at Noel Coward Theatre
Shows opening in November.
Whilst shows are closing in November, there’s also some new productions heading into London including The Enfield Haunting and The Witches. If you’re beginning to feel festive, Elf The Musical also opens next month at the Dominion Theatre. We’ve got a post of the 9 Shows Opening in November on our website to help you decide what to see next month!
What we reviewed in October..
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Jeremy Secomb and the Company of Old Friends. Photo by Danny Kaan
One of the most highly anticipated theatrical events of the year has arrived at the Gielgud Theatre. STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS celebrates the extraordinary work and life of the American composer and lyricist. The event has an impressive pool of talent at its helm, including Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and Bonnie Langford.
- Booking Until 6 January 2024
- Playing at Gielgud Theatre
Read our review of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Iolanthe, English National Opera
The Cast of ENO’s Iolanthe 2023 © Craig Fuller
English National Opera are presenting a revival of the 2018 production IOLANTHE over at the London Coliseum. The production is a blast of energy, irreverence, and fun, from start to finish. Directed by Cal McCrystal, catch the production quick because it finishes on 25th October.
October Top 5 Sellers.
We are thrilled to announce our 5 best-selling shows of October! This month our customers have been loving Tina, Grease, Jersey Boys, Crazy For You and Back To The Future.
We are committed to bringing you the very best in London theatre, and we can't wait to continue delighting you with even more captivating shows in the months to come.
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