London Plays

An ‘enchantingly comic’ (Independent) and ‘stylish revival’ (Guardian) from director Jonathan Church, Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband ‘dynamically re-mints a classic text’, exploring political corruption and morality in this ‘thought-provoking, richly enjoyable production’ (WhatsOnStage).

‘A delicious double act’ (Independent), the enchanting repartee between real-life father & son Edward and Freddie Fox is a joy to behold; and they’re joined on stage by the ‘marvellous’ Nathaniel Parker (Times), ‘brilliant’ Susan Hampshire (Guardian), ‘superb’ Sally Bretton, and ‘thrilling’ Frances Barber (WhatsOnStage).

‘Beautifully played and cast’ (London Theatre), Faith Omole’s ‘delightful’ Mabel Chiltern tops off an array of ‘masterful performances’ (Evening Standard) from a talented company.

YOU HAVE BEEN SUMMONED FOR JURY SERVICE...

Step inside the magnificent surroundings of London County Hall and experience the intensity and drama of Agatha Christie’s gripping story of justice, passion and betrayal in a unique courtroom setting.

If you love TV quiz shows, then this is the play for you! James Graham’s QUIZ transfer from Chichester Festival Theatre to the Noel Coward Theatre for just eleven weeks from 31 March 2018, examining the lengths that we will go to in order to win it big. Make sure not to cough or you’ll give away the plot!

Widely considered one of the funniest plays in English, Wilde’s much loved masterpiece throws love, logic and language into the air to make one of theatre’s most dazzling firework displays. Jack, Algy, Gwendolyn and Cecily discover how unsmooth runs the course of true love, while Lady Bracknell keeps a baleful eye on the mayhem of manners. ‘It is very romantic to be in love. The very essence of romance is uncertainty’

David Hare, one of Britain’s most celebrated playwrights, transfers The Moderate Soprano to the Duke of York’s Theatre from 5 April 2018. With Roger Allam and Nancy Carroll reprising their role as the founders of operatic powerhouse Glyndebourne, the show promises a summer treat for the theatre traditionalists out there.

Having captivated audiences around the globe, the sell-out, smash-hit show SOAP makes a splash on London's Southbank.

Featuring a highly skilled international ensemble, SOAP is a unique combination of world-class acrobatics, comedy and live opera performed in, on and around bathtubs.

Shakespeare’s final solo play The Tempest is this year’s enchanting opening to Iris Theatre’s outdoor summer season.

Taking place across the gardens of St Paul’s Church in the heart of the West End, and inspired by the courtly royal masques of the 17th century and the designs of Inigo Jones, The Tempest is an evening of pomp and promenade, of magic and illusion.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Playful Productions are delighted to announce the West End transfer for acclaimed, historical two-part thriller IMPERIUM - I: Conspirator andII: Dictator,running for a limited engagement at London’s Gielgud Theatre from 14 June to 8 September 2018.

Robert Harris’ best-selling Cicero trilogy is adapted for the stage by Mike Poulton as six one-act plays, presented in two performances, each with two intervals. Directed by RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, IMPERIUM transfers to London following its recent sold-out run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Matthew Warchus directs Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol in a joyous new adaptation by Jack Thorne.

On a bitter Christmas Eve night a cold-hearted miser is visited by four ghosts. Transported to worlds past, present and future, Ebenezer Scrooge witnesses what a lifetime of fear and selfishness has led to and sees with fresh eyes the lonely life he has built for himself. Can Ebenezer be saved before it’s too late?

A play about the drama and the psychodrama of making music by the writer of Sunny Afternoon and Blue/Orange, the world premiere of Mood Music by Joe Penhall is directed by Roger Michell. Mood Music stars Ben Chaplin as Bernard, a Producer.

In the mythical Forest of Arden, a world of transformation where anything is possible and anything permissible, two young people discover what it really means to be in love.

Directed by Max Webster, with beautiful new music by Charlie Fink (former frontman of Noah and the Whale), this warm, open-hearted production promises adventure, sibling rivalry, mistaken identity and romance – Shakespeare comedy as you like it.

Knightmare Live is back!

The critically-acclaimed comedy stage-adaption of the TV classic offers you the chance to wear the iconic Helmet of Justice and brave Lord Fear's evil lair.

There will be magic, mayhem and special guests.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and Playful Productions are delighted to announce the West End transfer for acclaimed, historical two-part thriller IMPERIUM - I: Conspirator and II: Dictator, running for a limited engagement at London’s Gielgud Theatre from 14 June to 8 September 2018.

Robert Harris’ best-selling Cicero trilogy is adapted for the stage by Mike Poulton as six one-act plays, presented in two performances, each with two intervals. Directed by RSC Artistic Director, Gregory Doran, IMPERIUM transfers to London following its recent sold-out run at the Swan Theatre in Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Over a million people have experienced the sensation that is Circa . . . "the rockstars of the circus world" (The List). Now they are delighted to present for your pleasure their latest masterpiece – Peepshow.

Peepshow turns cabaret on its head, literally. Join Circa as they embark on a seductive dance through the hall of mirrors that is your imagination, Peepshow lurches from the thrillingly acrobatic to the comically playful. Expect teetering towers of balanced bodies, extreme bending and devilishly precarious aerials.

Based on the book by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort, adapted & directed by Adam Bampton-Smith

Aliens love underpants

Of every shape and size

But there are no underpants in space

So here's a big surprise!

This zany and hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is wonderfully brought to life on stage for the very first time. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) this fantastically fresh and funny production will delight the whole family.

‘Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?’

Patrick Ness’s piercing novel A Monster Calls is brought to The Old Vic stage in a powerful new adaptation by visionary director Sally Cookson.

Seen by over 9 million people in more than 250 cities around the world, Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, is back. Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return before your eyes.

Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s The Wipers Times tells the true and extraordinary story of the satirical newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the Somme. Following a sell-out season at the Arts Theatre The Wipers Times returns for seven weeks only.

In a bombed out building during the First World War in the Belgian town of Ypres (mis-pronounced Wipers by British soldiers), two officers discover a printing press and create a newspaper for the troops. Far from being a sombre journal about life in the trenches, they produced a resolutely cheerful, subversive and very funny newspaper designed to lift the spirits of the men on the front line.

We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! So it's time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage with a brand new show featuring all new scenes in Barmy Britain – Part Four! 

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and English National Opera rediscover Benjamin Britten's The Turn of the Screw.

Back with astonishing spontaneity, side-splitting characters and brand new surprises, Nina is experimenting with new ideas and some old favourites as she works out her new show.

British Comedy Award winner Nina Conti improvises unforgettable puppetry, using live audience members, with the help of cartoonish masks and her simian sidekick, Monkey.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea returns to the West End, to the Piccadilly Theatre, for another season. 

When Mark Styler, a writer of glossy ‘true crime’ paperbacks, tries to get an interview with Easterman, a notorious serial killer, he has no idea what he’s walking into. First he has to get past Dr Farquhar, the quixotic head of Fairfields – the asylum where Easterman is kept.

It’s just another day. People are eating ice cream, getting married, shopping in the sunshine. Then it all turns upside down. Bombs, bloodshed and a battlefield. Would we carry on with our normal activities? Would we even notice anymore, given the mess of today’s society? That’s the question that Pity poses at the Royal Court this summer.

Seen by over 9 million people in more than 250 cities around the world, Walking with Dinosaurs - The Arena Spectacular, is back. Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth return before your eyes.

The multi-award-deserving Frenchman returns with a live band and some magnificent guests. Expect bawdy chansons, louche poetry and a soupçon of Gallic disdain. The cult hit from festivals all over the world. As seen on Comedy Central, Sky Atlantic's Set List and BBC1’s The John Bishop Show.

The critically acclaimed character comic and creator of the award winning international sell-out It's Got To Be Perfect presents Bitchelors. Four characters compete for the Woman of the Year Awards, hosted by Georgina the Bride (YouTube: Comic Relief's Bride Aid, Georgina's Wedding Blogs) and judged by you.

We’ve running out of time to progress – change is coming whether we like it or not. Its patience has run out and it’s rushing up on us. But are we ready? No, of course not. Writer and director debbie tucker green brings ear for eye to the Royal Court – she is ready, she’s doing her thing with or without us.

After 45 years’ teaching, you would think that Edward would be looking forward to retirement. And he is – he’s a celebrated educator after all. Except, his house is now under siege and his daughter has returned with a set of suspicious questions. It seems as though Edward isn’t as popular as he originally believed.

Ida Barr - the people's pensioner and the Queen Mother of our hearts - is a former music hall singer turned rap star and Underbelly favourite. Her brand of Artificial Hip Hop has thrilled listeners globally from dope cribs to residential care homes.

Since 2005, the Comedy Club 4 Kids has been getting the best stand-ups and sketch acts from the international circuit to do their thing for an audience of children (aged 6+) and their families… but without the rude bits! A decade later, the company has expanded from one London residency to being countrywide, running shows and workshops all over the UK from Peebles to Portsmouth, even producing a book on how to write and perform stand-up. The show is family friendly, but without any patronising idiocy. In fact, it's just like a normal comedy club, but it's on in the day, kids are allowed in, and thus there is a higher than usual chance of the entire audience claiming to be called Bob.

Can you imagine what it would be like to be forced to leave your homeland and make a new life somewhere else? It's hard to picture, but thanks to The Jungle the torments and terrors, the boredom, the loneliness and the fear involved in living life in a refugee camp are made abundantly clear. Make your way to the Playhouse theatre for an extraordinary show played in the round.

You and your family are stuck inside a live-action video game! How will you escape?!

Pick options off the screen in this fun, fear-filled, text-based interactive adventure game. Will you: A) Find Light Switch? B) Scream? C) Kick a Pokemon?

If you win, there are REAL(ly terrible) PRIZES! But if you lose, The Dark Room keeps whichever of your parents you like less.

Fresh from a smash hit, Award winning, 5 star, SELL OUT season at the Edinburgh Fringe, Children are Stinky is a show to be seen. Set in the 90s (with all our favourite tracks) this extremely talented duo will astound with their incredible circus skills and laughing till your sides hurt.

Malia Walsh (Circus Trick Tease, Men of Steel) and Chris Carlos (Three High Acrobatics, Circus Quirkus) join forces to create a power house duo. Their first collaboration has wowed reviews and audiences a like with their focus on high skilled and entertaining circus mix with a fun accessible narrative.

Carlos and Walsh create a show with equal measures of high calibre circus, anarchy and hilarity to suit an audience of all ages.

Fresh from a West End run the "utterly enthralling" Shakespearience is back on the road in 2018!

Join Shakespeare's Men as they fly through classics Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet and Twelfth Night in a whirlwind hour of mischievous storytelling. With tons of audience interaction, more than a dash of mayhem and a star turn from one lucky adult (shhhhh don't tell!), Shakespearience is the perfect treat for all the family.

In a world of limited technology and government neglect, sharing information is near impossible.

By the time you realise, it's too late. Would you really want know?

Lonely Planet focuses on the friendship between Jody and Carl. Their struggle coming to terms with illness, their own mortality and the stigma associated with AIDS.

A strictly limited run, this wonderfully moving, funny and intimate play will transport you to 1980s America, where an unknown virus is quickly destroying the gay community.

Sponsored by Pasante and INSTI self-test kits, and playing at Trafalgar Studio 2 in the run-up to London’s iconic Pride parade, don’t miss this heartfelt and witty production.