Features

Top 5 theatre openings: 14 – 21 August

”Crazy For You” goes out on tour and the final Shakespeare production in Emma Rice’s last season is staged at the Globe

Charlotte Wakefield and Tom Chambers in rehearsals for Crazy for You
Charlotte Wakefield and Tom Chambers in rehearsals for Crazy for You
© The Other Richard

5. Crazy For You

Theatre Royal Plymouth then tours

After its critically acclaimed run at the Watermill Theatre, Paul Hart's production of the Gershwin brothers' musical returns with a cast including Tom Chambers, Charlotte Wakefield and Caroline Flack. Our review from last year's run said the show was a "crazy summer cocktail that sends you home on a high".

Check out our gallery of the cast in rehearsals.


Ophelia Lovibond in rehearsals for The Stepmother
Ophelia Lovibond in rehearsals for The Stepmother
© Catherine Ashmore

4. The Stepmother

Chichester Festival Theatre, until 9 September

Set in Surrey in 1924, Githa Sowerby's play is about an orphan (played by W1A's Ophelia Lovibond) who accepts a marriage proposal from an older man (The Crown's Will Keen). The play reunites Keen with director Richard Eyre following their work on Ibsen's Ghosts.

Read our cast announcement article.


Rob Drummond and the community in rehearsals for The Majority
Rob Drummond and the community in rehearsals for The Majority
© Ellie Kurttz

3. The Majority

Dorfman, National Theatre, until 28 August

Scottish playwright Rob Drummond returns to the National after his 2013 show Bullet Catch with this new interactive piece about the Scottish Independence Referendum, Brexit and Trump. Audience members will be able to change the show with the click of a button, each night will be different, depending on the majority.

Find out more about the National Theatre's current season.


Kevin R McNally as Lear and Burt Caesar as Gloucester
Kevin R McNally as Lear and Burt Caesar as Gloucester

© Marc Brenner

2. King Lear

Shakespeare's Globe, until 14 October

Shared Experience artistic director Nancy Meckler makes her Shakespeare's Globe debut. The last Shakespeare peace in Emma Rice's final season stars Kevin R McNally in the title role. Whether sunshine or rain, a trip to the Globe this season is an absolute must.

Learn more about Emma Rice's final season as artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe.


Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach
© Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

1. From Page to Stage

The Other Palace, until 3 September

The long-running new musical festival moves to The Other Palace this year with highlights including Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater's Some Lovers, Gemma Sutton in XY and Rob Houchen in Rebel Song.

Read our article on further casting for From Page to Stage.