Theatre Shows to Book in 2025
The world is a stage, and we are merely actors...amateurs, compared to this lot.
You know that old adage that is rammed down our throats and maybe by accident but probably by design makes us all feel guilty: “you never, ever regret a workout”? Well I disagree. I have regretted many a workout, and as a result can add several gyms to the lengthy and varied list of “places I’ve cried” (now there’s a Substack post to be penned).
However…what I DO believe is true is that you never, ever regret a trip to the the theatre. Even if the production itself misses the mark, I still love so much about a trip to the theatre. I miss being able to book a same day ticket and take myself there, and I miss squeezing in a quick fire drink with friends before trotting there. In fact, second only to my friends, it is what I miss in London the most. I return to these words from a post last year:
There are some things in life that are special. The first drink at a wedding reception as guests arrive in their finery, ready for the high spirited evening ahead, for example. Being out and about at dawn, as the rest of the world is only just unfurling to life. Nights balmy enough to sit outside and drink wine and eat cheese in the darkness, to the sound of crickets. All on the list. Another one is the atmosphere of the crowd leaving the theatre. The mix of those folks stretching out their arms and legs. The couples snuggling into each other to begin the journey home. The colleagues heading onwards to the pub to debrief. Those on maybe 4th dates wondering if the other person really liked this show they booked?
The people on their own.
It’s a big enough crowd to feel really part of something but not so big to drown out your own feeling of significance in the magic. It’s something special.
So as I still grapple with working out the timetable for my return to the city, here is a list of shows that if I were still there, and what I would be booking, and that I will book when my obligations here are complete. You, dear reader, being like minded and all that, might be interested too. Links in the headings, if that’s not obvious. Let me know your thoughts…
In no particular order…
John Lithgow plays Roald Dahl in a play that tackles anti semitism, and the fallout of what happens when someone in a position of power is considered to be beyond reproach by those around them. Definitely top of my list.
This is a play by David Ireland, and I was sold at that, having seem a lot of his previous work (Ulster American, Cypress Avenue, Yes, So I Said Yes, to name a few), but when I noted that Jack Lowden from Slow Horses was in it, AND Martin Freeman, I went from sold to angsty to go. Ireland’s work is best described as provocative, and not for the faint of heart, but inevitably lingers in your mind for a long time after.
If you are a fan of the BBC series ‘The Split" (and why wouldn’t you be?) you’ll surely relish the opportunity to see Nicola Walker and Stephen Mangan reunited to perform. I certainly do. Curiously, it seems to be about a domestic arrangement gone awry, which has parallels to the much loved series, so it will be interesting to see if both actors manage to free themselves from any shackles of the characters so many of us hold dear.
A lovely latin turn of phrase frequently deployed in legal documents, so not surprising that this play comes to us from the writers of the one woman show starring Jodie Comer “Prima Facie”. This one stars the impossibly cool Rosamund Pike as a highfalutin life juggling mother, who is thrown one of life’s curveballs. This is on at the National Theatre, and they often live stream performances into cinemas Nationwide, so it is a good idea to subscribe to the National Theatre to make sure you are kept abreast if you aren’t London based.
Featuring Ewan McGregor, a play about ‘what happens when we leave ourselves open to love’. Having limited first hand experience (LOL!), I’m interested to know.
This one has had a great run on Broadway, and Sean Hayes, who stars, bagged a Tony Award for his performance, so it is surely worth seeing what all the fuss (A Tony Award is hardly a ‘fuss’ but you know what I mean) is about. The schtick mentions that it explores “the fragility of genius”, which I’m drawn to.
Another one coming to the National Theatre in the autumn, and while little has been released about it just yet, it strikes me that it will be a a delicate exploration of love later in life. Let’s see!
Steve Pemeberton and Reece Shearsmith bring the series to the stage. It immediately sold out, but one to set an alert for on the glorious Twickets website, where I have in the past picked up lots of last minute resells for face value. This one is sure to be something special.
Returning shows:
A special mention to some productions that are returning to the West End this year, that Ihave already seen and can heartily recommend: A Streetcar Named Desire (hello Paul. Mescal!), and Nye (for anyone who works in healthcare). A further honourary mention to Macbeth, in Hammersmith’s Lyric Theatre - probably my favourite of Shakepeare’s works, and a great venue with the delightful “The Gate” vegan restaurant nearby.
One further aside: Edinburgh Fringe is once again hosting “Trainspotting Live” again this summer. Tickets sell out quickly, and this adaption is utterly brilliant, in the most horrendous of ways. Sprint, don’t run, to that one.
I’d love to know if you decide to book - or what isn’t on my radar, that should be?
Back Wednesday
Until then
Big Love
Una
x
Ooh, I missed Nye the first time around. Glad to see it's coming back!