April Preview: 100+ Shows To Watch This Month

April is here and what a month it is for theatre. Venues may not be opening their doors for another month yet but there is a lot to keep us going. Here are a whopping 105 shows to check out over the next 30 days:

Thursday 1st April: SHREK THE MUSICAL

The original Broadway cast of Shrek is available to view in the UK for the first time. Starring Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Daniel Breaker and Christopher Sieber, it was professionally filmed with ten cameras and is available on Netflix UK from today.

Thursday 1st - Saturday 24th April : LEAVE A LIGHT ON

39 concerts from both series of Leave A Light On are streaming again this month, with two shows each night. Relive concerts from some of the biggest names in the West End. The full schedule is as follows:

Thursday 1st April, 5pm - Sarah O'Connor

Thursday 1st, 8pm - Sophie Isaacs

Friday 2nd, 5pm - Layton Williams

Friday 2nd, 8pm - Alice Fearn

Saturday 3rd, 5pm - Lucie Jones

Saturday 2rd, 8pm - Lauren Drew

Sunday 4th, 5pm - Dave Willetts

Sunday 4th, 8pm - Ashford Campbell

Monday 5th, 5pm - Hannah-Grace Lawson

Monday 5th, 8pm - David O'Reilly

Tuesday 6th, 5pm - Evelyn Hoskins

Tuesday 6th, 8pm - Lauren Drew

Wednesday 7th, 5pm - Sabrina Eloueche

Wednesday 7th, 8pm - Kelly Mathieson

Thursday 8th, 5pm - Katie Rowley Jones

Thursday 8th, 8pm - Lauren Byrne

Friday 9th, 5pm - Caroline Kay

Friday 9th, 8pm - Alistair Brammer

Saturday 10th, 5pm - Lauren Samuels

Saturday 10th, 8pm - Jodie Steele

Sunday 11th, 5pm - Jamie Lambert

Sunday 11th, 8pm - Danielle Steers

Monday 12th, 5pm - Billy Nevers

Monday 12th, 8pm - Vicky Vox

Tuesday 13th, 5pm - The Grad Fest

Tuesday 13th, 8pm - Nick McLean

Wednesday 14th, 5pm - Chelsea Halfpenny

Wednesday 14th, 8pm - Tim Mahendran

Thursday 15th, 5pm - Rachel John

Thursday 15th, 8pm - Simon Bailey

Friday 16th, 5pm - Joel Harper Jackson

Friday 16th, 8pm - Declan Egan

Saturday 17th, 5pm - Christine Allado & Luke Brady

Saturday 17th, 8pm - Daniel Koek

Sunday 18th, 5pm - Nathaniel Morrison

Sunday 18th, 8pm - Zoe Birkett

Thursday 22nd, 8pm - Evie Rose Lane

Friday 23rd, 8pm - Daniel Boys

Saturday 24th, 8pm - Velma Celli

Tickets for all shows can be purchased from https://www.stream.theatre/season/57

Thursday 1st April: NOW OR NEVER

Now Or Never is the most ambitious stream from The Barn Theatre yet. This song cycle written by Matthew Harvey follows 7 people as they each take a defiant act of positivity and will be filmed and streamed completely live. Get your tickets from barntheatre.org.uk/barn-at-home.

Thursday 1st - Saturday 3rd April: OPEN MIC

This live, interactive online celebration of community, storytelling, music, comedy and talent. You can either get a participant ticket and share your own stories and songs or sit back and watch the others do it. Get your ticket at http://www.sohotheatre.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/openmic

Thursday 1st - Thursday 8th April: CAN WE TALK ABOUT IT?

Can We Talk About It? is an exploration of human thoughts, feelings, memories, relationships and experiences in a touching collection of monologue performances. Catch it at https://www.stream.theatre/season/80

Friday 2nd April: SOME GIRL I USED TO KNOW

Denise Van Outen's one woman show sees her reminisce on lost love and all the what ifs and maybes those memories can bring. It streams on demand from today. Tickets cost £10 including a donation to Make A Difference Trust and are available from https://somegirl.co.uk/

Friday 2nd April: MOVIES TO MUSICALS DUET CONCERT

Movies To Musicals brings the West End to the stars of tomorrow with this duet concert pairing young performers with West End stars including Luke Bayer and Emma Kingston. Money raised will be split between Acting For Others and Glasgow Philharmonia SCIO. The concert will be shown on YouTube. To donate, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/movies-to-musicals-duet-concert

Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th April: FRANKIE'S GUYS

If you're a fan of Jersey Boys you'll love this tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Frankie's Guys is streaming live from The Marina Theatre in Lowestoft. Tickets cost £12 and are available from https://www.frankiesguys.com

Friday 2nd - Sunday April: LIVE IN LONDON

This series of Live in London concerts took place late last year and was filmed at the Hippodrome Casino. The season comprises of 12 concerts which are available to view on multiple occasions throughout April. The full schedule is as follows:

Friday 2nd & Friday 16th April - Shappi Khorsandi

Friday 2nd, Sunday 4th & Sunday 11th April - Julie Atherton

Saturday 3rd, Friday 9th & Sunday 18th April - Courtney & Eloise

Saturday 3rd & Saturday 17th April - Vocal Xtr3me

Saturday 3rd, Friday 9th & Saturday 10th April - Sooz Kempner

Sunday 4th & Sunday 11th April - Ryan Molloy

Friday 9th & Friday 16th April - Kim Ismay

Saturday 10th, Friday 16th & Sunday 18th April - Anna-Jane Casey

Saturday 10th April - Rock of Ages Reunion

Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th April - Sarah O'Connor

Saturday 17th April - Aaron Sidwell

Tickets can be purchased from https://stream.theatre/season/69

Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th April: AMOUR

A virtual Broadway musical revival featuring Derrick Baskin, Drew Gehling, Kara Lindsay and Adam Pascal, Amour is a magic fantasy about love, self-worth and dreams coming true, it streams from America for three performances only. Tickets from https://www.stellartickets.com/o/art-lab-llc/events/amour-the-virtual-broadway-revival

Friday 2nd - Sunday 18th April: AN ELEPHANT IN THE GARDEN

et against the backdrop of the 1945 Dresden bombings, this adaptation by long-time Michael Morpurgo collaborator Simon Reade brings Morpurgo’s vivid, moving story to life performed by Alison Reid and is an Easter treat for all the family. Tickets from https://barntheatre.org.uk/elephant-in-the-garden

Saturday 3rd - Sunday 18th April: SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

The MTA's flagship revue show features the whole college but devised around the graduating class of 2021. Catch it at https://www.stream.theatre/season/91

Sunday 4th April: ROMEO & JULIET

The Shakespeare classic gets the National Theatre treatment in a brand new production premiering on TV on both sides of the Atlantic. Starring Jessie Buckley and Josh O

Connor, the cast also includes Tamsin Greig and Adrian Lester. Catch it at 9pm on Sky Arts with more showings throughout the week.

Every Sunday from 4th April: THE SETH CONCERT SERIES

Make a date in your diaries every Sunday night as Seth Rudetsky continues his series bringing us the best Broadway stars direct to our homes. Each show takes place live on the Sunday at 3pm ET which is 8pm in the UK and is repeated that evening at 8pm ET which is 1am in the UK . This months lineup is:

Sunday 4th April: Matt Doyle

Sunday 11th April: Ali Stroker

Sunday 18th April: Stephanie J. Block & Sebastian Arcelus

Sunday 25th April: Mandy Gonzalez

Tickets from thesethconcertseries.com

Monday 5th - Friday 9th April: TALKING GODS

Arrows & Traps' digital festival features give plays that reimagine classic Greek myths to examine vital contemporary issues from gender identity to isolation to artificial intelligence. Tickets from www.arrowsandtraps.com/talkinggods

Monday 5th - Sunday 11th April: THE CEREMONY

Another chance to see this work in progress comedy starring Catherine Tyldesley, Sue Johnston, Samantha Giles and Jodie Prenger as an evening where Donna attempts to contact the spirit world descends into chaos. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/34

Wednesday 7th April: JERSEY BOYS BROADWAY CAST REUNION

The Broadway Cast Reunion Series gives audiences a chance to do what they may never have done before: visit “backstage” with the cast and even ask questions via the chat feature. Tonights features the cast of Jersey Boys. Tickets from https://www.stellartickets.com

Friday 9th April: SOOZ KEMPNER LIVE IN LONDON

Catch singer, comedian and viral sensation Sooz Kempner who performs live from the Phoenix Arts Club. If you can't catch it live, it will be available to watch for 48 hours after the performance. Tickets from https://phoenixartsclub.com/product/sooz-kempner/

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th April: DISENCHANTED

Revamping the tales of ‘happily ever after’ in an empowering all-female musical romp, Disenchanted unites princesses for an all star cast including Jodie Steele, Sophie Isaacs, Grace Mouar, Aisha Jawando and Courtney Bowman. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/96

Friday 9th April: WAITING IN THE WINGS

West End stars including Danny Whitehead, Jenna Boyd and Jacqueline Hughes perform live from the Tyne Theatre and Opera House a night of songs from the movies. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/47

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th April: BARROW AND IRELAND & FRIENDS

An online concert showcasing the work of musical theatre writers and performers Ben Barrow and Lucy Ireland features performances from a cast including Evie Rose Lane and Kyle Birch. Get your tickets from https://www.redpianoproductions.co.uk/

Friday 9th - Sunday 11th April: SUPERYOU

The new musical filmed as a drive-in presentation last year tells the story of a woman and her superheroine creations that ssuddenly come to life reminding her of the power of her own voice. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/82

Friday 9th & 23rd April: TAP THAT!

Following the success of the pilot last month, Amy Hart and Paul Taylor-Mills return for a mini-series of the International hit dating show. A voting audience makes the match in real time. Get your tickets at www.TapThat.live

Saturday 10th April: SECOND CHANCES

Second Chances is an online fundraising concert raising funds for Sophia Moore to receive the hip replacement she needs to follow her dream of becoming a musical theatre performer. Performing alongside Sophia are West end performers Sophie Evans, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Hiba Elchikhe, Sharon Rose,Grace Mouar, Christina Modestou and Olivia Moore. To watch, donate more than £5 to http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-me-have-life-changing-surgery.

Sunday 11th April: CHARLEY'S AUNT

Gyles Brandreth and Gary Wilmot star in an online reading of this popular farce to raise money for the Equity Charitable Trust. Live streaming on Youtube for a week, the cast also includes Hamilton star Karl Queensborough. The reading will be streamed here.

Wednesday 14th - Saturday 17th April: THE LORAX

Dr Seuss's The Lorax will be performed and streamed live from The Old Vic stage in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication. With a cast including Jamael Westman, Audrey Brisson and Melanie La Barrie, get tickets from https://www.oldvictheatre.com

Thursday 15th - Saturday 17th April: OUTSIDE

Following their three plays Inside last month, three more world premiere short plays by emerging and established writers form Outside over three days in April. Get your tickets from orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Thursday 15th April - Saturday 31st July: A SPLINTER OF ICE

Ahead of a UK tour later this year, Ben Brown's new political drama starring Oliver Ford Davies and Stephen Boxer is about a novelist travelling into the heart of the Soiet Union to meet with his old MI6 boss. Tickets from originaltheatre.com

Thursday 15th - Sunday 18th April: WEST END ACOUSTIC

Filmed at Riverside Studios in December, this concert features Sam Tutty, Nicholas McLean, Tyrone Huntley, Maiya Quansah-Breed and Renée Lamb performing some musical theatre favourites acoustically. Tickets available from https://www.stream.theatre/season/86

Thursday 15th April: LOVE IN THE LOCKDOWN

The online self-isolation play series continues with the release of its fifth episode of nine today. All episodes will be available on YouTube. For more information, see https://www.thetelling.co.uk/litl

Thursday 15th April: JEW...ISH, VESPERTILIO, ILLUSIONS OF LIBERTY

King’s Head Theatre launches its first ever digital season "Plays on Film' with the first three of five titles.

JEW...ish is a quickfire romantic comedy xploring sex, polamory and Jewish identity

Vespertilio is an atmospheric tale of love, loneliness, bats and the unlikely connection between two gay men

Illusions Of Liberty is a searing exploration of invisible illmess against the backdrop of a deeply hostile environment

All titles are available to watch on demand until Wednesday 5th May with tickets from https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on

Thursday 15th - Sunday 25th April: CRUISE

The true story of what should have been Michael Spencer's last night on Earth gets an online premiere ahead of a West End run in May. Written and performed by Jack Holden and featuring an irresistible 80s soundtrack, Tickets are from https://www.stream.theatre/season/61

Saturday 17th April: EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT JAMIE CAST REUNION

The Broadway Cast Reunion Series gives audiences a chance to do what they may never have done before: visit “backstage” with the cast and even ask questions via the chat feature. Tonight we head to the West End to reunite Everybody's Talking About Jamie including Bianca Del Rio, Layton Williams, Noah Thomas, Melissa Jacques and Hiba Elchikhe. Tickets from https://www.stellartickets.com

Sunday 18th April: THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS

An all-star event featuring Patti LuPone, Audra McDonald, Chita Rivera, Lilias White and many more. Structured in five acts, each of which parodies another musical style, it is free to watch from https://yorktheatre.org/

Monday 19th April - Tuesday 4th May: THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

A new production of the iconic Oscar Wilde play with a cast including Gurjeet Singh, Mina Anwar, Dicina De Campo and Harriet Thorpe. Tickets are available from importanceofbeingearnest.com

Monday 19th April - Sunday 2nd May: PRIVATE PEACEFUL

Another chance to see this production which relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. Tickets from https://barntheatre.org.uk

Monday 19th April - Sunday 16th May: LITTLE WARS

Another chance to see the digital reading of Little Wars starring Linda Bassett and Juliet Stevenson leading al all-female cast of British talent. Available to watch from https://www.stream.theatre/season/22

Monday 19th April: CELLS

Clive Rowe and Lem Knights star in this new musical film released episodically daily for a week with the full series available to view from the 26th. More information at https://www.mettatheatre.co.uk/cells

Thursday 22nd April: I WISH MY LIFE WERE LIKE A MUSICAL, SACRAMENT

The last two of five titles for Kings Head Theatre's "Plays on Film" season lands today. They are:

I Wish My Life Were Like A Musical is a sparkling revue show about the tumultuous world of musical theatre, on stage and off

Sacrament is a powerfully funny monologue about a young Irish Catholic woman questioning her sexuality

Both titles are available until Wednesday 12th May with tickets from https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on

Friday 23rd April - Sunday 2nd May: SOFT SESSIONS LIVE

Due to the popular demand of the YouTube series Soft Sessions, you can now catch 6 Musical Theatre Stars live in concert from the comfort of your own home! Catch performances from Grace Mouat, Jake Halsey-Jones, Courtney Stapleton, Martha Kirby, Danielle Fiamanya and Eloise Davies. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/89

Friday 23rd - Monday 26th April: IN PIECES

This brand new musical by Joey Contreras boasts a cast including Jordan Luke Gage, Danielle Steers and Hiba Elchikhe. A New York love story which talks about our love lives constantly being in pieces, stream it from https://www.stream.theatre/season/83

Saturday 24th April: SHOWSTOPPER

A brand new livestream from The Showstoppers, making up a musical on the spot based on the virtual audiences suggestions. Always predictable but always unmissable, get your tickets from https://showstopperthemusical.com/

Saturday 24th April: ROCK OF AGES LIVE

An all star reunion concert featuring some of the greatest 80s hits like you've never heard them before. The cast includes Kerry Butler, James Snyder, Dot-Marie Jones and Tom Lenk. Tickets from stellartickets.com

Monday 26th April - Sunday 23rd May: A KILLER PARTY

This side-splitting new musical features a cast including Jason Manford, Cedric Neal, Rachel Tucker and Oscar Conlon-Morrey and is available to stream on demand as a series of 9 episodes. Catch it at https://www.stream.theatre/season/66

Thursday 29th April: THE BALLAD OF ANNE & MARY

A musical adventure based on the lives of Anne Bonny and Mary Read starts today as a 5-part podcast series with a cast including Christina Bianco, Karl Queensborough and Sooz Kempner. Subscribe to it at https://pod.link/1552629052

Friday 30th April & Saturday 1st May: BEING MR WICKHAM

Adrian Lukis stars in this one-man play about one of Jane Austen's most charmingly roguish characters. Live streamed from the stage of the Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds for 3 performances only. Tickets from originaltheatreonline.com

Friday 30th April - Monday 10th May: EUROBEAT

An online version of the cult West End musical that is a homge to Eurovision, this production features Christine Allado, Aisha Jawando, Matt Croke, Joanne Clifton and Tia Kofi. Tickets from https://www.stream.theatre/season/85

Friday 30th April: SUDDENLY

A brand new short musical arrives on YouTube today. Go to http://suddenlymusical.com/linkinbio to subscribe to the YouTube channel to watch it when it lands.

PLUS THE RETURN OF LIVE THEATRE

Theatres may not be reopening until May 17th but there is one piece of outdoor theatre to go to this month:

Saturday 17th & 24th April: WEST END MUSICAL DRIVE IN

The return of the fantastic series where West End stars perform for you in your cars. The lineup has not been confirmed for each one yet but it will play every Saturday from April 17th. Tickets from https://www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk/

What a month it is shaping up to be - and that doesnt take into account all the new things that will inevitably be added through the month. Look out for weekly posts with updates every Sunday and then my May preview at the end of APril which will see the long awaited return of theatre!

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