It’s almost a new month, and with it comes a whole host of brand new theatre. Whether you’re looking for Shakespeare, new musicals, plays based on beloved TV shows or something a little more fringe, May 2024 has a huge variety of new theatre, with something for everyone. Here’s a list of our top picks for what to see in the upcoming month:
Spirited Away: London Coliseum, 30 April-24 August
Just squeezing in at the end of April but largely open through May till the summer, this is the much anticipated European premiere of the stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s Oscar Award winning film which follows a ten year old girl, Chihiro “Sen” Ogino who inadvertently enters a world full of spirits when she moves to a new neighbourhood. The production will be performed in Japanese with English subtitles viewable from all seats. The entire original Japanese cast will return for the London production.
Dugsi Dayz: Royal Court Theatre, 1-18 May
Inspired by the 1985 cult classic The Breakfast Club, Dugsi Dayz explores Somali and Muslim culture and female friendship as it follows four Somali girls in Saturday detention, but when a power outage occurs at their mosque, they tell Somali folktales to pass the time and in doing so discover deeper parallels between them that might just lead to friendship. This sounds like a really fun, different and inventive take on the 1980s classic and has already won great acclaim from their award winning Edinburgh Fringe run and sold-out National Tour, so this is not one to be missed during its short run in London.
Twelfth Night: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, 3 May-8 June
The summer season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre starts this year with Shakespeare’s classic tale of mistaken identities, so if you enjoy a bit of Shakespeare and want to see it in a beautiful outdoor setting, then this may be the one for you.
People, Places & Things: Trafalgar Theatre, 3 May-10 August
People, Places & Things returns to the West End this Spring after previously having a West End run in 2016 at the Wyndham’s Theatre, for which actress Denise Gough won an Olivier for her performance in the leading role as Emma. Gough returns to the production this year to reprise her role as Emma, a struggling actress whose journey through rehab is followed throughout the play. Given the critical acclaim the last time the show was in town, this is likely to be an exciting one.
Sappho: Southwark Playhouse Elephant, 3 May-25 May
Southwark Playhouse is always a great place to see exciting new work in London and this is sure to be no exception. The play follows famous Ancient Greek poet Sappho and combines Ancient Greek poetry with modern music, Greek chorus and contemporary dance. The plot revolves around Sappho, who has fallen in love with a woman, and must decide whether to remain true to her heart or marry a man for the advancement of her society. This will definitely be one for the Ancient Greek history lovers to check out.
Fawlty Towers: The Play: Apollo Theatre, From 4 May
Fans of the sitcom rejoice, for Fawlty Towers comes to the stage this May! Adapted by original writer John Cleese, the play adapts three of his favourite episodes of the show for the stage, and brings them together for a “huge finale” ending. In the year of the show’s 50th anniversary, bringing it to the stage for the first time seems like a very fitting celebration.
Boys from the Blackstuff: National Theatre, Olivier, 22 May-8 June
James Graham’s new adaptation of Boys from the Blackstuff comes to London this May. This run follows the current run of the play in Liverpool’s Royal Court which ends on 11 May. Boys from the Blackstuff is a stage adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s 1982 television series which follows five young Liverpudlian men as they struggle to find work in 1980s Liverpool. Given this will be the play’s second of three runs in a single year, this is bound to be popular.
A View From The Bridge: Theatre Royal Haymarket, 22 May-3 August
The previous run of this show in Bath sold out within an hour and with Dominic West starring in the West End transfer, it is sure to be a hot ticket in London as well. Arthur Miller’s classic play follows Eddie, a Brooklyn longshoreman who succumbs to sexual jealousy when his niece Catherine falls for his wife’s cousin Rodolpho.
Kathy & Stella Solve A Murder!: Ambassador’s Theatre, 25 May-14 September
Fresh off a Fringe run and runs in Manchester and Bristol last year, Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder! is a new British musical making its London debut this Spring. Kathy & Stella follows two best friends who run a fairly unsuccessful true crime podcast but get thrust into their own murder case when their favourite author is killed. It has been a great 12 months for new British musicals with shows like Operation Mincemeat being a huge success and Two Strangers recently transferring to the West End, along with a clutch of others yet to open in the rest of the year, so here’s hoping Kathy & Stella follows in that success.
Babies The Musical: The Other Palace, 31 May-14 July
Just squeezing in right at the end of May, Babies is another new British musical getting its first full staged production after a series of concert runs last year. The show follows a group of nine Year 11 students who are tasked with keeping a fake baby alive for a week as a school project after a rise in teenage pregnancies in the year above. The concert series at the Lyric last year sold out, so this is definitely one to keep your eyes on.
Words By Jo Elliott
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