Features

Carey Mulligan, The York Realist and Still Alice make our top openings of the week

Find out our hottest openings from across the UK

Alex Wood

| London |

12 February 2018

Phil Daniels and Ben Jones in Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde — Phil Daniels and Ben Jones in *Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde*
© Mark Douet

5. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde

Rose Theatre Kingston until 17 February, then UK tour

Actor Phil Daniels plays both parts of the terrible twosome in David Edgar's adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel. Opening at Rose Theatre Kingston ahead of a lengthy UK tour, the show promises to have all the thrills and scares that made the text so successful. Edgar's version debuted at the Barbican in 1991 with Roger Allam and Simon Russell Beale playing each half of the tormented man – it'll be an intriguing prospect to see Daniels tackle both by himself.

Find out more about the Rose Theatre Kingston's plans for 2018

Sharon Small rehearsing for Still Alice — Sharon Small rehearsing for *Still Alice*
© Anthony Robling

4. Still Alice

West Yorkshire Playhouse, until 3 March

Julianne Moore won an Oscar when she starred as the titular part in the film adaptation of Lisa Genova's novel, a role that TV star Sharon Small now takes on in the West Yorkshire Playhouse production of the same novel. The piece follows Alice, and those around her, as she's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 50. Directed by David Grindley, the show opens West Yorkshire Playhouse's pioneering festival Every Third Minute, dedicated to reflecting on modern consequences of dementia in the UK.

See the full cast of Still Alice

The cast rehearsing for The Shadow Factory — The cast rehearsing for *The Shadow Factory*
© NST City

3. The Shadow Factory

NST City, until 3 March

Here at WhatsOnStage, the prospect of a new theatre space opening always excites us. So the opportunity to get a first look at Southampton's NST City is a tantalising one, and we can't wait to see what Howard Brenton's new play, set in wartime Southampton, has in store. Touting a cast including Anita Dobson, Daniel York, Catherine Cusack and Lorna Fitzgerald, and new video projection from 59 Productions, the piece taps into the town's history while also highlighting the wealth of talent amongst its performers.

Find out more about The Shadow Factory

Ben Batt, Lesley Nicol and Jonathan Bailey in rehearsals for The York Realist — Ben Batt, Lesley Nicol and Jonathan Bailey in rehearsals for *The York Realist*
© Johan Persson

2. The York Realist

Donmar Warehouse, until 24 March

Peter Gill's The York Realist was a sensation when it premiered in 2001, transferring to Bristol Old Vic, the Royal Court and the Novello all within the next year. Based on the clash between regional and London culture, the show will transfer up to Sheffield Crucible after opening at the Donmar this week. Jonathan Bailey, Lesley Nicol and Ben Batt lead the cast in the show.

See the cast announcement for The York Realist

Carey Mulligan in Girls & Boys — Carey Mulligan in *Girls & Boys*
© Johan Persson

1. Girls & Boys

Royal Court, until 17 March

Carey Mulligan seems to be all over the screen and stage at the moment, with her new TV show, Collateral opening on BBC Two this evening. But she can also be seen live on stage in the world premiere of this new monologue from Dennis Kelly (Matilda, DNA), directed by Lyndsey Turner. Following a couple that meets in an airport before events take a disturbing turn, the show marks Mulligan's return to the British stage since her performance opposite Bill Nighy in the West End production of Skylight.

See Carey Mulligan in rehearsals for Girls & Boys

Last chance to see: The Brothers Size (Young Vic), Collective Rage (Southwark Playhouse), Rothschild and Sons (Park Theatre)