What to watch: best shows to see this week
As the sun comes out across the UK, so do the stars with lots of celebrity-led productions opening over the next few days. Take a look below for our top opening this week, others to take a look at include Paterson Joseph's Sancho at Wilton's, The Strange Death of John Doe at Hampstead and the West End transfer of David Haig's Pressure.
© Ray Jefferson
5. Summer Holiday
Bolton Octagon, until 23 June
The Octagon presents a new site-specific version of the musical which starred Cliff Richard and the Shadows in the '60s. This immersive version will see audiences ride double-decker buses and witness a 'bus crash' outside Bolton Town Hall, and features songs including "In the Country", "Summer Holiday", "Travellin' Light" and "Living Doll".
© Manuel Harlan
4. A Monster Calls
Bristol Old Vic until 16 June, Old Vic from 7 July to 26 August
Sally Cookson directs the stage adaptation of Patrick Ness' novel. It tells the story of a young boy, Conor, dealing with the imminent loss of his mother and a tempestuous time at school, when a big tree monster arrives. It runs in Bristol before transferring to the Old Vic.
Check out our rehearsal photo gallery
© David Gordon
3. My Name is Lucy Barton
Bridge Theatre, until 23 June
Love Actually star Laura Linney makes her London stage debut in the stage adaptation of Elizabeth Strout's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which has been adapted into a monologue by Rona Munro and directed by Richard Eyre. It sees the titular character wake after an operation to find her mother, who she hasn't seen in years, sat at the foot of her bed.
13 screen stars on stage in London this year
© Marc Brenner
2. Killer Joe
Trafalgar Studios, until 18 August
Orlando Bloom plays a policeman-cum-hitman in Tracy Letts' piece. Upon arriving in a trailer park for a job he encounters a young woman called Dottie. The play was adapted into a film in 2011 starring Matthew McConaughey.
Have a look at the production images for Killer Joe
© Richard Hubert Smith
1. Julie
National Theatre, until 8 September
Fresh from playing Princess Margaret in Stephen Daldry's Netflix smash hit, The Crown, Vanessa Kirby stars in Polly Stenham's adaptation of Strindberg's Miss Julie. Directed by Carrie Cracknell, the classic play, set during a late night party, is reimagined and set in contemporary London.
