Top 5 Openings: 2 to 8 October
© Richard Davenport
5. Rita, Sue and Bob Too
Bristol Old Vic until 7 October, then UK tour
A collaboration between the Royal Court, Out of Joint and Octagon Theatre, Bolton, Rita Sue and Bob Too is Andrea Dunbar's 1982 biographical play, which originally debuted at the Royal Court. This new production is co-directed by Max Stafford-Clark, who directed the original, and newly announced artistic director of Out of Joint Kate Wasserberg. After Bristol it will continue touring the UK, coming to London in 2018.
Read about Stafford-Clark's imminent retirement from Out of Joint here.
© Steve Tanner
4. The Tin Drum
Liverpool Everyman until 14 October, then UK tour
Kneehigh, Liverpool Everyman and West Yorkshire Playhouse are kicking off a national tour this week with their production of Carl Grose's adaptation of the Gunter Grass 1959 novel of the same name. The plot, a musical satire, follows a young boy in WWII who decides not to bother growing up. Judging by previous Kneehigh productions, expect luscious ensemble work interwoven with music, this time provided by Charles Hazlewood.
Read about the Kneehigh season announcement here.
© Helen Murray
3. Victory Condition
Royal Court until 21 October
Chris Thorpe, writer of Confirmation, Am I Dead Yet? and The Milk of Human Kindness comes to the Royal Court with this bold new concept about everything in life happening simultaneously and our incapacity to keep up with all of it. The show will be directed by Royal Court artistic director Vicky Featherstone, and the cast will include Royal Court regular Jonjo O'Neill.
Read the full Royal Court casting for Victory Condition here.
© Manuel Harlan
2. The Norman Conquests
Chichester Festival Theatre until 28 October
In a Chichester first, the stage has been adapted for an 'in-the-round' production of Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests, composed of three different parts (though watchable as individual shows). The drama sees lechery, deception and hilarity unfurl within the confines of a single rural house.
The cast includes Jonathan Broadbent, Trystan Gravelle, Sarah Hadland, John Hollingworth, Hattie Ladbury and Jemima Rooper.
See production images from The Norman Conquests here.
© Marc Brenner
1. Labour of Love
Noel Coward Theatre until 2 December
James Graham's domination of the West End continues with the world premiere of his new play Labour of Love, starring national treasures Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig. The show follows a Labour Party in the midst of an identity crisis, trying to find an enticing message for constituents within their former Northern heartlands.
