Theatre News

Opening: Old Vic Cause, Moon, Smash!, Iolanthe

Editorial Staff
London's West End Off-West End

Amongst the major London openings, in the West End and further afield, this week are:
OPENING TUESDAY, 29 March 2011 (previews from 17 March), Anne-Marie Duff returns to the stage in Thea Sharrock’s revival of Terence Rattigan’s Cause Celebre at the Old Vic. Running until 11 June, the play, which is one of a number being staged this year to mark Rattigan’s centenary, is based on the true story of Alma Rattenbury (Duff) who was put on public trial in 1935 with her 18-year-old lover for violently killing her husband.

OPENING WEDNESDAY, 30 March 2011 (previews from 23 March), Angus Jackson revives Clifford Odets’ 1938 play Rocket to the Moon in rep at the National’s Cottesloe, with a cast led by Keeley Hawes and Joseph Millson.

OPENING THURSDAY, 31 March 2011 (previews from 29 March), Polly Pen’s off-Broadway musical Bed and Sofa, centring on a “ménage-a-trois with a twist”, gets its UK premiere at the Finborough Theatre, running until 23 April.

ALSO ON THURSDAY (previews from 26 March), Jack Rosenthal’s  Smash!, which takes a comic look at the journey to get a musical from page to stage, gets its London premiere at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Starring Tom Conti, Natalie Walter and the West Wing’s Richard Schiff, it continues until 8 May 2011.

OPENING FRIDAY, 1 April 2011, Tennessee Williams’ previously unperformed one-act play A Cavalier for Milady is staged by the Cock Tavern Theatre as part of the venue’s short season celebrating the American playwright’s centenary. Until 23 April 2011.

ALSO ON FRIDAY (previews from 30 March), the Union Theatre’s all-male production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe follows in the footsteps of the venue’s Whatsonstage.com Award-winning revival of The Pirates of Penzance by transferring to Wilton’s Music Hall, where it plays a limited run until 7 May 2011.

** DON’T MISS our Whatsonstage.com Outing to IOLANTHE on 13 April, including a top ticket, FREE programme, FREE drink & EXCLUSIVE post-show cast reception – all for just £20! – click here for details! **