April was a special month for Shakespeare lovers - the 23rd marked both his birthday and death anniversary, which made it a month to celebrate all that we love about Shakespeare, even after 461 years.
Artwork by Shakespeare's Globe.
So why are Shakespeare’s plays still so popular four centuries later? Why do we continue to see sold-out shows of the same works performed over and over? There’s a universality in Shakespeare’s stories and characters that continues to appeal to us, and which allows the plays to be retold and reframed in fresh and insightful ways, with as much to say about the world we live in as they did when Shakespeare was writing them.
So on that note, happy belated birthday to the Bard and here are ten Shakespeare plays we’re most excited to see in London this year:
Richard II at the Bridge Theatre
Artwork of RICHARD II. Image provided by production.
It’s the last week to catch Jonathan Bailey as Richard II in Nicholas Hytner’s production of Richard II. Staged in a modern day setting, Shakespeare’s history play charts the tragic fall of an incompetent king beset on all sides by usurpers. Bailey’s portrayal of the charismatic, hedonistic party-boy king of misrule Richard II has left audiences charmed and heartbroken.
Richard II is currently playing at the Bridge Theatre until May 10th.
Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe
Artwork of ROMEO AND JULIET. Image provided by production.
It’s not summer without the summer season at Shakespeare’s Globe, which opened with the classic story of two star-crossed lovers torn apart by their feuding families - now transported to the Wild West in this production by Sean Holmes. Full of gun-toting cowboys and pistols at dawn, this show captures the tragic violence of Romeo and Juliet in a way you’ve never seen before.
Romeo and Juliet is currently playing at Shakespeare’s Globe until August 2nd.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre
Artwork of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Image provided by production.
Take a breather from the tragedies and step into one of Shakespeare’s most delightful comedies. The wildly popular and critically acclaimed revival of Nicholas Hytner’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream returns to the Bridge Theatre after six years. In this immersive production, audiences are (often literally) thrust into the dreamy, mercurial world of trickster fairies, lost lovers, and bumbling actors.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream opens at the Bridge Theatre on May 31st.
A Midsummer Night's Dream Tickets
The Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe
Artwork of THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Image by Shakespeare's Globe.
Sean Holmes directs Shakespeare’s raunchy, outrageous comedy about a lecherous knight’s attempt to seduce two wealthy housewives, staged in the gloriously open-air Globe Theatre. Choose the standing seats and you might find yourself becoming a part of the action - or possibly getting sprayed by confetti or beer.
The Merry Wives of Windsor opens at Shakespeare’s Globe on July 4th.
The Merry Wives of Windsor Tickets
Romeo and Juliet at Wilton’s Music Hall
Artwork of ROMEO AND JULIET. Image by Wilton's Music Hall.
It’s a popular summer for Romeo and Juliet. Produced by Flabbergast Theatre at the beautiful Wilton’s Music Hall, this production promises to embrace physicality through intricately choreographed sword fights and dance sequences in an intimate retelling of Shakespeare’s most violent love story.
Romeo and Juliet opens at Wilton’s Music Hall on June 10th.
Hamlet at the National Theatre
Artwork of HAMLET. Image by the National Theatre.
Just announced as part of Indhu Rubasingham’s first season at the National Theatre, Hamlet will be directed by Robert Hastie and will star Hiran Abeysekera as the tragic Prince of Denmark seeking to avenge his father’s murder. Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most human tragedy and each performance always seems to say something new about the play, so we’re excited to see how this one will unfold.
Hamlet will open at the Lyttelton Theatre on September 25th.
Twelfth Night at Shakespeare’s Globe
Artwork of TWELFTH NIGHT. Image by Shakespeare's Globe.
Shakespeare’s sly, irreverent comedy about twins swapping places, mistaken identities, and confused lovers falling for the wrong people is the quintessential summer play. Robin Belfield directs this tale of midsummer madness, perfect for a sun-drenched afternoon at the Globe.
Twelfth Night opens at Shakespeare’s Globe on August 8th.
Richard III at the New Wimbledon Theatre
Artwork of RICHARD III. Image by Carlton Theatre Group.
Carlton Theatre Group presents this darkly turbulent history play featuring Shakespeare’s most delightfully memorable villains. Power-hungry and ruthless Richard III plots to usurp his brother’s throne in the intimate space of the New Wimbledon Theatre.
Richard III opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre on May 13th
Shitfaced Shakespeare: Hamlet at Leicester Square Theatre
Artwork of SHITFACED SHAKESPEARE: HAMLET. Image provided by production.
If you’re in the mood for something a bit more tongue in cheek, Shitfaced Shakespeare returns for their 15th anniversary with another booze-fuelled take on Shakespeare, this time tackling his gloomiest and most famous tragedy, Hamlet.
Shitfaced Shakespeare: Hamlet opens at Leicester Square Theatre on August 7th.
Born With Teeth at Wyndham’s Theatre
Artwork of BORN WITH TEETH. Image provided by production.
And finally - although this isn’t a Shakespeare play, any lover of Shakespeare would be remiss not to catch this new original play about the fraught and often flirtatious relationship between Shakespeare and his literary rival and collaborator, Christopher Marlowe. Edward Bluemel and Ncuti Gatwa star as Shakespeare and Marlowe in this witty, sexy play about theatre and espionage.
Born With Teeth opens at Wyndham’s Theatre on August 13th.
We’re lucky here in London to have a staggering variety of Shakespeare to enjoy this year. So whether you’re in the mood for a cozy indoor show or an open-air production, a tragedy or a comedy, history or romance, a cheeky but loving parody or a chance to see Shakespeare himself onstage, - make sure to catch one of these shows to celebrate 461 years of Shakespeare.
