Features

Theatre highlights of the week: Martin Freeman opens Richard III and Curious Incident is back

A busy week for openings and several Off-West-End closures

Monday 7 July


Daytona opens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Following its world premiere at London’s Park Theatre last year, Daytona transfers to the West End this Summer for 8 weeks only.

Set in New York in 1986, Joe and Elli share a love of ballroom dancing and are practising their routines for the next big competition. Despite constant bickering, the love they have shared for nearly fifty years is clear. Then one night, out of the blue, Joe’s long-lost brother Billy bursts back into their lives with an extraordinary story to tell.

Starring theatre legend Maureen Lipman, alongside Harry Shearer (known to many as the voice of several characters from The Simpsons, including Mr Burns). They are joined by the writer of Daytona, Oliver Cotton as Billy.

Tuesday 8 July


The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time opens at the Gielgud Theatre

The award-winning production resumes its West End run at the Gielgud Theatre, following the ceiling collapse that forced its closure in December.

The National Theatre’s acclaimed adaptation of Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel is adapted by Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott. The production won 7 Olivier Awards including Best Play in 2013.

Wednesday 9 July


Richard III opens at Trafalgar Studios

Richard III stars BAFTA Award-winning Martin Freeman (Clybourne Park, The Hobbit, Sherlock, Love Actually) and Gina McKee (Di & Viv & Rose, King Lear, Ivanov, Our Friends In The North, Notting Hill) in the first production of director Jamie Lloyd's brand new season for Trafalgar Transformed.

Thursday 10 July


Let It Be opens at the Garrick Theatre

Following a tour of UK and Ireland, Let It Be returns to London for a strictly limited summer season at the Garrick Theatre. Seen by over 700,000 people worldwide, Let It Be is jam-packed with over forty of The Beatles’ greatest hits.

Miss Julie and Black Comedy double bill opens at the Minerva Theatre

© Manuel Harlan

Rosalie Craig and Shaun Evans lead the cast of Miss Julie/Black Comedy at Chichester, a new production of an acclaimed double bill which celebrates a key moment in this Theatre's history, and its long association with playwright Peter Shaffer.

Perseverance Drive opens at The Bush Theatre

Exploring the joys and frustrations of loving our loved ones, Perseverance Drive tells an epic family story that stretches from the sunny shores of Barbados to the grey skies of Leytonstone. This new play by acclaimed writer and actor Robin Soans (Talking to Terrorists, Life After Scandal), directed by Madani Younis, artistic director of the Bush Theatre.

Friday 11 July


The Events opens at the The Young Vic

When Claire, a priest, survives an atrocity she sets out on a quest to answer the most difficult question of all; ‘Why?’. It’s a journey that takes her to the edge of reason, science, politics and faith.

David Greig‘s daring play explores our destructive desire to fathom the unfathomable and asks how far forgiveness can stretch in the face of brutality.

Following a sold-out run in 2013, The Events returns to the Young Vic this summer before heading to New York in 2015.

Saturday 12 July


Last chance to see:

Jodie McNee in Hobson's Choice at the Open Air Theatre
Jodie McNee in Hobson's Choice at the Open Air Theatre

Hobson's ChoiceWhatsOnStage review

The Art of DyingWhatsOnStage review

The Valley of AstonishmentWhatsOnStage review

Dream of Perfect SleepWhatsOnStage review

My Girl 2WhatsOnStage review

East of BerlinWhatsOnStage review

Sunday 13 July


Last chance to see:

Titus AndronicusWhatsOnStage review