Theatre News

Opening: Barking in Essex, Grandage's Midsummer Night's Dream and Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones in Much Ado

Opening this week, in the West End and further afield, include Lee Evans, Sheila Hancock and Keeley Hawes in ”Barking in Essex”, Michael Grandage’s ”Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Rory Kinnear’s ”The Herd”, Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones in ”Much Ado About Nothing”, and more

Lee Evans and Keeley Hawes in rehearsal for Barking in Essex
Lee Evans and Keeley Hawes in rehearsal for Barking in Essex
© Alastair Muir

Opening Monday


Barking in Essex

16 September 2013

(Previews from 6 September)

Clive Exton's new comedy about a family of dysfunctional Essex criminals starring Lee Evans, Sheila Hancock and Keeley Hawes runs at the Wyndham's Theatre until 4 January.

Scenes from a Marriage

16 September 2013

(Previews from 11 September)

A love story which follows the marriage of Johan and Marianne is directed by Tony-Award winning Trevor Nunn and runs at the St James Theatre until 9 November.

Opening Tuesday


A Midsummer Night's Dream

17 September 2013

(Previews from 7 September)

In this new production of one of Shakespeare's greatest comedies, Sheridan Smith plays Titania and David Walliams plays Bottom. The fourth production in Michael Grandage's West End season, it runs at the Noel Coward Theatre until 16 November.

Opening Wednesday


The Lightning Child

18 September 2013

(Previews from 14 September)

Written by Che Walker and Arthur Darvill and running at Shakespeare's Globe until 12 October, worshippers gather in ancient Thebes to honour Dionysus, God of Saturday night, while woman-hating Pentheus seeks to put a stop to the fun.

The Herd

18 September 2013

(Previews from 13 September)

Olivier award-winning actor Rory Kinnear's debut play follows the events of Andy Griffin's 21st birthday, where it runs at Bush Theatre until 12 October.

Opening Thursday


Much Ado About Nothing

19 September 2013

(Previews from 7 September)

James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave, who recently starred together in Driving Miss Daisy reunite on the Old Vic stage in this Shakespeare's comedy directed by Mark Rylance until 30 November.

Love N Stuff

19 September 2013

(Previews from 13 September)

After 45 years of a loving marriage, Mansoor has vowed to swap the cold streets of Stratford for a sun soaked Delhi, which plays at Theatre Royal Stratford East until 5 October.

Opening Friday


Storm in a Flower Vase

20 September 2013

(Previews from 14 September)

A brand new play from Anton Burge tells the story of iconic floral designer and cookery writer Constance Spry at Arts Theatre until 12 October.