The Best Plays in London | reviews, news & interviews
The Best Plays in London
The Best Plays in London
From Hogwarts to that brief encounter at Milford station : theartsdesk's stage tips
Wednesday, 29 August 2018
Fifties fantasy: 'Home, I'm Darling' at the National Theatre until 5 September © Marc Brenner
London is the theatre capital of the world, with more than 50 playhouses offering theatrical entertainment. From the mighty National Theatre to the West End, the small powerhouses of the Donmar Warehouse and the Almeida and out to the fringe theatres, it's hard to know which to turn. Our guide is here to help you sort the wheat from the chaff. Below is our selection of the best plays on in London right now, with links to our reviews for further elucidation.
London is the theatre capital of the world, with more than 50 playhouses offering theatrical entertainment. From the mighty National Theatre to the West End, the small powerhouses of the Donmar Warehouse and the Almeida and out to the fringe theatres, it's hard to know which to turn. Our guide is here to help you sort the wheat from the chaff. Below is our selection of the best plays on in London right now, with links to our reviews for further elucidation.
Allelujah!, Bridge Theatre ★★★★ Alan Bennett's black comedy is a howl against the privatisation of death. Until 29 Sept
Brief Encounter, Empire Cinema ★★★★ Poignant, hilarious revival of Emma Rice's lauded stage version returns with charm and inventiveness intact. Until 2 Sept
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre ★★★★★ The continuing story of JK Rowling's witches and wizards works its magic onstage
Home, I'm Darling, National Theatre ★★★★ Katherine Parkinson in career-best form as a Fifties fantastist. Until 5 Sep
Homos, or Everyone in America, Finborough Theatre ★★★★★ Jordan Seavey's picture of New York gay life is as moving as it is witty. Until 1 Sept
King Lear, Duke of York's ★★★★ A towering Shakespeare swansong for Ian McKellen in a fast-paced, modern-dress production. Until 3 Nov
Othello, Shakespeare's Globe ★★★★ André Holland shines in Claire van Kampen's big and bold production, but her Mark Rylance's Iago misses the mark Until 13 Oct
Pressure, Ambassador's Theatre ★★★★ David Haig is terrific in his own documentary drama about the weather on the eve of D-Day is a success. Until 1 Sep
The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★ Sophie Thompson stars in Oscar Wilde's best-loved comedy with extra homo-erotic innuendo. Until 20 Oct
The Jungle, Playhouse Theatre ★★★★ Young Vic/National Theatre/Good Chance hit collaboration transfers to a redesigned West End house Until 3 Nov
The Lehman Trilogy, National Theatre ★★★★ A newly-minimalist Sam Mendes guides an expert cast to sublime heights. Until 20 Oct
The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Noel Coward Theatre ★★★★ Aidan Turner's magnetic West End debut in gun-blazing Martin McDonagh revival Until 8 Sept
more Theatre
'You won't be able to handle this lady': remembering Fenella Fielding
The vampish comic actress has died at 90 not long after receiving an OBE
Holy Shit, Kiln Theatre review - what's in a name?
The old Tricycle Theatre is transformed with a name change and a great opening play
Unexpected Joy, Southwark Playhouse review - fully predictable fun
New all-female musical might not be entirely unexpected, but it’s a solid enough evening
Underground Railroad Game, Soho Theatre review - scratching the American wound
A furious, darkly comic riff on race, this frenetic two-hander dazzles
Square Rounds, Finborough Theatre review - the science behind warfare, told in verse
Didactic theatre piece stronger on facts than drama
The Humans, Hampstead Theatre review - a riveting family portrait
Stephen Karam uses domestic drama to tell a contemporary American horror story
Dance Nation, Almeida Theatre review - a tarantella through the convulsions of the teenage psyche
Humour used too often as a substitute for perception
Love's Labour's Lost, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse review - in praise of a fantastical Spaniard
The ladies of France shine in a production that otherwise makes over-emphatic weather
The Best Plays in London
From Hogwarts to that brief encounter at Milford station : theartsdesk's stage tips
theartsdesk at bOing! International Family Festival - the best of European children's theatre
Visual and aural adventures at well-programmed weekend introduce the young to the arts
Neil Simon: 'I don’t think you want it really dark'
The great technician of stage comedy, who has died at 91, recalls writing the likes of Sweet Charity and The Odd Couple
Pericles, National Theatre review - a fizzingly energetic production
Celebrates multicultural diversity with a zing
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