Features

Theatre highlights of the week: Let the Right One In, Birdland and A View from the Bridge

Screen stars James Alexandrou, Andrew Scott and Mark Strong dominate the theatre highlights this week

Ben Hewis

06 April 2014

Monday 7 April

Let the Right One In reopens the Apollo Theatre

The National Theatre of Scotland's production of Jack Thorne's adaptation, Let the Right One In has the honour of reopening the Apollo Theatre following the incident that dominated the news at the end of last year.

Directed by Tony and Olivier Award-winning John Tiffany (Black Watch, Once), this adaptation of the 2008 Swedish horror film won plaudits from the critics during its run at the Royal Court, including our four-star review which can be read here.

Tuesday 8 April

Three Sisters opens at the Southwark Playhouse

Paul McGann, Holliday Grainger, Olivia Hallinan and Emily Taaffe star in this new version of Chekhov's most haunting masterpiece, reworked for the 21st century by Anya Reiss. The production reunites the team behind, critically acclaimed, The Seagull at Southwark Playhouse in 2012 and is co-produced by Danielle Tarento, producer of the WhatsOnStage Award-winning, Titanic.

Othello opens at the Leicester Square Theatre

Annabel Bates as Desdemona and James Alexandrou as Iago in rehearsals for Othello — Annabel Bates as Desdemona and James Alexandrou as Iago in rehearsals for *Othello*

The only Shakespearean production playing in the West End on the Bard's 450th birthday, Grassroots London present Othello starring James Alexandrou (Martin Fowler from EastEnders).

Grassroots aims to present Shakespeare as it should be, using old methods during rehearsal and production including a very short, two week notice period with no director.

Check out our video "Dot Cotton or Shakespeare" with James Alexandrou and keep your eye out for our full interview later this week.

A Small Family Business opens at the Olivier (National Theatre)

Alan Ayckbourn's A Small Family Business premiered at the National Theatre in 1987 and won the Evening Standard Drama Award for Best Play in the same year.

Starring Nigel Lindsay, the play asks "What do you do when your in-laws are outlaws?"

Wednesday 9 April

Birdland opens at the Royal Court – Jerwood Theatre (Downstairs)

With Benedict Cumberbatch appearing in Hamlet at the Barbican next year, Martin Freeman taking on Richard III as part of the next Trafalgar Transformed, Andrew Scott's performance in Birdland makes it a Sherlock hatrick for London theatre.

Simon Stephens' (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) new play follows rock star Paul (Andrew Scott) at the height of his fame, looking at empathy, money and fame.

Thursday 10 April

Handbagged opens at the Vaudeville Theatre

Clare Holman, Stella Gonet, Marion Bailey and Fenella Woolgar
© Tristram Kenton

Moira Buffini's WhatsOnStage Award-nominated Handbagged transfers to the Vaudeville Theatre, marking Tricycle Theatre's first West End transfer under Indhu Rubasingham's tenure as artistic director.

Handbagged is Buffini's take on the relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher, based on her short play from Women, Power & Politics.

Friday 11 April

A View From the Bridge opens at the The Young Vic

Mark Strong (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Sherlock Holmes) returns to the stage, following a 12 year hiatus, opposite Nicola Walker (Last Tango in Halifax, Spooks) in Arthur Miller's classic tale of love, ambition and revenge.

Keep an eye out for our video interview with Strong, filmed at the Young Vic, coming to WhatsOnStage this week.