
THEATRE
Our top picks for the best theatre this autumn
There’s so much great theatre on this autumn, that you really are spoilt for choice. Here are our favourites (unfortunately Travesties which we told you about here is already sold out):
No Man’s Land, Wyndham’s Theatre, 9 September – 17 December 2016
Best friends Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart star in a double bill (again), this time in Pinter’s classic tale.
Female Shakespeare Trilogy, King’s Cross Theatre, 23 September – 17 December 2016
Phyllida Lloyd completes her trilogy of much-lauded all female Shakespeare plays starring Harriet Walter with The Tempest. Staged in a temporary King’s Cross Theatre (rather than the Donmar Theatre), you can either see just the The Tempest or all three plays played back to back.
The Barn, Lyttelton Theatre, from 6 October 2016
David Hare’s new play is based on La Main, a psychological thriller by author Georges Simenon, directed by Robert Icke and the cast is headed by Mark Strong and Hope Davis.
Amadeus, Olivier Theatre, from 19 October 2016
Peter Schaffer’s play made it’s premiere at the National Theatre in 1979 before being made into an award-winning film. This new production directed by Michael Longhurst will have a live orchestral accompaniment by Southbank Sinfonia. Tickets for this autumn are almost sold out but you can purchase tickets for January performances from 8.30am, Thursday 29th September.
King Lear, Old Vic, 25 October – 2 December 2016
Glenda Jackson takes on the mantle of King Lear directed by Deborah Warner with Celia Imrie and Jane Horrocks as Goneril and Regan, and Rhys Ifans as the Fool.
Lazarus, King’s Cross Theatre, from 25 October 2016
Inspired by the sci-fi novel and movie, The Man Who Fell to Earth, about Thomas Newton, a man unable to die and haunted by a past love, this musical was written by David Bowie and Enda Walsh. Originally a hit in NYC, this version features new songs specially written by Bowie.
Buried Child, Trafalgar Studios, 14 November 2016 – 11 February 2017
Ed Harris makes his West End debut in Sam Shepard’s play about a dysfunctional American family in the 1970’s. The production is transferring from NYC where it was a huge critical hit.
Nice Fish, Harold Pinter Theatre, 15 November 2016 – 21 January 2017
Oscar winner Mark Rylance stars in this absurdist comedy about two men ice fishing in Minnesota. Dress up as a fish or fisherman (complete with your rod) and you could win a complimentary ticket in a private box.
Mary Stuart, Almeida Theatre, 2 December 2016 – 21 January 2017
Juliet Stevenson and Lia Williams play the roles of rival queens Mary and Elizabeth in Schiller’s classic play, switching parts at the flip of a coin.
Hedda Gabler, National Theatre, 5 December 2016 – 11 February 2017
Starring Ruth Wilson, Henrik Ibsen’s classic is rewritten in a contemporary setting by Patrick Marber and directed by man-of-the-moment, Ivo van Hove. Tickets go on sale to the public, 8.30m on Thursday 29th September.
Saint Joan, Donmar Warehouse, 9 December 2016 – 18 February 2017
Taking the lead eponymous role is Gemma Arterton, who most recently played Nell Gwynn on the West End stage, in Josie Rourke’s highly anticipated reworking of Bernard Shaw’s 1924 play.