Features

Top 5 theatre openings: 22 – 28 May

From a night under the stars to Finn from ”Star Wars”, we round up this week’s most exciting theatre openings

Ben Hewis

Ben Hewis

| London | London's West End | Off-West End |

22 May 2017

Harry Melling and Jasmine Hyde in Jam
Harry Melling and Jasmine Hyde in Jam
© Mathew Foster

5. Jam

Finborough, 25 May to 17 June

Harry Melling, Dudley in the Harry Potter film franchise, plays a pupil who ruins the life of his teacher – played by Jasmine Hyde. Ten years later, the teacher and pupil are reunited and forced to confront their prejudices and the shared history that has bound them together. A great opportunity to see Matt Parvin's debut full length play.

Read out announcement article


La Gateau Chocolat as Feste
La Gateau Chocolat as Feste

4. Twelfth Night

Shakespeare's Globe, 24 May to 5 August

It seems like everywhere we turn at the moment there's another production of Twelfth Night, not least the National's splendid take starring Tamsin Greig. But we'll make room in our schedule for one more, especially as this production, directed by outgoing Globe boss Emma Rice, stars La Gateau Chocolat as Feste. The fab cast also features the wonderful Carly Bawden as Maria, and again, there's five quid tickets.

Get up to date on Emma Rice's final season at the Globe


Samuel West as Brutus
Samuel West as Brutus

3. Julius Caesar

Sheffield Crucible, 23 May to 10 June

Another of Bill Shakespeare's plays that is getting a run for its money this year – with other productions at Bristol Old Vic, the RSC and the new Bridge Theatre – is the tale of Roman emperor Julius and the naughty Brutus, played in this production by Jonathan Hyde and Samuel West. There's also marked interest in this production as it is the first Robert Hastie is directing as new artistic director of the Sheffield venue.

Read our full casting announcement


Sarah Greene and John Boyega in Woyzeck
Sarah Greene and John Boyega in Woyzeck
© Manuel Harlan

2. Woyzeck

Old Vic, 23 May to 24 June

We're not sure how often the Star Wars and Georg Buchner fandoms cross over, but if there's any of you out there with a penchant for sci-fi and 20th century German theatre, then this will be right up your street. In all seriousness, this is an exciting one; the script – famously unfinished by Buchner when he died – has been adapted by Harry Potter writer Jack Thorne, and the cast includes John Boyega in his first major stage role since hitting the big time, as well as Nancy Carroll and Steffan Rhodri! Yep, the force is strong with this one.

Watch our interview with John Boyega


Lizzy Connolly and Drew McOnie
Lizzy Connolly and Drew McOnie
© Johan Persson

1. On the Town

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, 25 May to 1 July

Will nothing stop the theatrical juggernaut that is Drew McOnie? The Olivier Award-winning director and choreographer has just announced his Broadway debut helming a brand new production of King Kong. But before he jets off he's made time to return to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, following his superlative work on Jesus Christ Superstar, with this revival of Leonard Bernstein's musical. Strictly star Danny Mac takes the lead in a fab cast that also includes Lizzy Connolly and Maggie Steed.

Read our cast announcement

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