We’re well into the year now and after a relatively quiet month in April, May is here with a bang with some absolutely huge new shows opening in the West End and around the UK. Here’s a pick of some of the amazing offerings opening in May:
THE WESTWAY SESSIONS (Crazy Coqs)
From 1st May
An intimate series of performances at the beautiful Crazy Coqs located in the heart of London. Catch Shellyann and Allie Daniel on 1st May, Roger Paterson on 9th, Sejal Keshwala on 15th and Jenna Lee Lames on 16th.
Tickets from www.brasseriezedel.com
BLEAK EXPECTATIONS (Criterion Theatre)
3rd May – 3rd September
Mark Evans mash up of Dickens transfers to the West End for a limited season featuring a special celebrity guest each week. Names for the first month are Nina Wadia, Dermot O’Leary, Sally Phillips and Robert Lindsay.
Tickets from www.bleakexpectations.com THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Peacock Theatre)
3rd May – 10th June
As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, the iconic show returns to London for a limited season starring Ore Oduba as Brad.
Tickets from www.sadlerswells.com 4000 MILES (Chichester Festival Theatre)
4th May - 10th June Chichester Festival Theatres season continues with the long awaited revival of 4000 Miles, originally due to play the Old Vic in 2020. It stars Sebastian Croft and Eileen Atkins.
Tickets from www.cft.org.uk
GREATEST DAYS - The Official Take That Musical (UK and Ireland tour)
5th May - 25th November
Ahead of the movie of the same name, the Take That musical returns to the UK in the form of a new tour. Now retitled Greatest Days, it tells the story of a group of best friends obsessed with their favourite boyband – to the soundtrack of some of Take That’s many classic hits with a cast including Kym Marsh and Regan Gascoigne.
Full dates and tickets from greatestdaysmusical.com
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)
10th May - 10th June The story of love, grief, faith and hope against the heat of the Caribbean sun and destruction of tropical storms. Can Ti Moune settle the wager of the Gods and prove that love is more powerful than death? Tickets from openairtheatre.com
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO IN CONCERT (London Palladium)
7th May
The sensational Broadway musical plays one night only starring Ramin Karimloo and Celinde Schoenmaker.
Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/doctor-zhivago
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (@sohoplace)
10th May - August 12th
The world premiere of a stage adaptation of the well-loved movie. A play with music it features songs by Dan Gillespiue Sells and stars Mike Faist, Lucas Hedges and Eddi Reader.
Tickets from www.sohoplace.org
CHRISTINA BIANCO – IN DIVINE COMPANY (Menier Chocolate Factory)
11th – 18th May
Witness all your favourite divas on stage as the ridiculously talented Christina shows her note-perfect impersonations and own stunning vocals in this acclaimed show, playing 11 shows only.
Tickets from www.menierchocolatefactory.com
HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
12th May – 17th June
Tracie Bennett stars in the comic gem that took Broadway by storm in 1961 – a satire of big business and all it holds sacred.
Tickets from www.souithwarkplayhouse.co.uk
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (Shakespeare’s Globe)
12th May – 29th July
Shakespeare’s madcap comedy about long-lost siblings and mistaken identities continues the Globes 400th anniversary celebrations of the First Folio.
Tickets from www.shakespearesglobe.com
ASPECTS OF LOVE (Lyric Theatre)
12th May - 11th November
The West End revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber revival sees Michael Ball return to the show, this time in the role of George. Reimagined for the 21st Century to allow Michael to still perform the classic ‘Love Changes Everything’ the show also stars Laura Pitt-Pulford, Jamie Bogyo and Danielle de Niese.
Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com
MRS DOUBTFIRE (Shaftesbury Theatre)
From 12th May
Following a run in Manchester, the musical adaptation of the classic film heads to the West End with Gabriel Vick leading the production.
Tickets from www.mrsdoubtfiremusical.co.uk
KERRY ELLIS (UK Tour)
14th – 16th May
To promote her new album ‘Kings & Queens’ Kerry hits the road for three shows in Salford, Birmingham and London.
Dates and tickets at www.kerryellis.com
LIZA PULMAN & JOE STILGOE – A COUPLE OF SWELLS (Duchess Theatre)
15th May
A musical match made in theatrical heaven, this brand new show features some of their favourite standards as well as some classic duets sprinkled with heaps of panache.
Tickets from www.lizaandjoe.com 42ND STREET (UK Tour)
17th May – 28th October A new production of the classic musical opens at Curve Leicester before heading to London for a season at Sadlers Wells ahead of a UK tour. Starring Ruthie Henshall, Adam Garcia and Les Dennis for the Leicester and London runs. Full dates and tickets at 42ndstreettour.com CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER – AN OPEN BOOK (UK Tour)
18th May – 11th June
One of the most talented stars of the West End embarks on her first UK tour. Expect songs from her incredible career where she has wowed audiences in fantastic shows including Les Miserables, Heathers and The Addams Family.
Full dates and tickets from www.cuffeandtaylor.com
GROUNDHOG DAY (The Old Vic)
20th May - 12th August No you’re not seeing things. This isn’t a repeat of the 2016 preview – Groundhog Day is BACK in London, with Andy Karl reprising his Olivier award winning role as Phil Connors. Tickets from oldvictheatre.com THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
22nd May - 1st July After an acclaimed limited run in 2019, this new musical returns in a new production starring Jamie Parker and Molly Osborne.
Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk ROSE (Ambassadors Theatre)
23rd May - 18th June Following sold out runs at the Hope Mill and Park Theatres, the critically acclaimed production transfers to the West End for 28 performances only. Starring Maureen Lipman telling the story of the century where everything changed except the violence of the strong against the weak.
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Tickets from www.atgtickets.co.uk IDIOTS ASSEMBLE: SPITTING IMAGE THE MUSICAL (Phoenix Theatre)
24th May – 26th August
Following a run in Birmingham earlier this year, the musical adaptation of the satirical TV show heads to the West End for a limited season. Expect to see celebrities including Tom Cruise, Greta Thunberg and whoever happens to be Prime Minister at the time like you’ve never seen them before.
Tickets from www.atgtickets.co.uk THE SHAPE OF THINGS (Park Theatre)
24th May – 1st July
The first major revival of Neil Labutes acclaimed play in 20 years, this dark comedy about the drama of human relationships asks how far you would go for love and art?
Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk
GYPSY (The Mill at Sonning)
24th May – 15th July
The classic by Stephen Sondheim and Jule Styne takes over the picturesque Mill at Sonning in this new production starring Rebecca Thornhill and Evelyn Hoskins.
Tickets from www.millatsonning.com PATRIOTS (Noel Coward Theatre)
26th May - 19th August After a sellout run at the Almeida Theatre, Tom Hollander returns to play Vladimir Putin for a limited 12 week run in the West End. Tickets from patriotstheplay.com SAMANTHA BARKS (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
30th May
No stranger to the Drury Lane stage as she plays Elsa there nightly, Samantha Barks remains there for her night off to treat audiences to a huge concert demonstrating her immeasurable talents.
Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk
Lots of theatre to get us through the month before summer arrives. Let me know at twitter.com/ATDazzles or in the comments what you’re most looking forward to seeing this month.
To be included in future monthly previews, send an email to site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com before the middle of each month and I’ll include as many as possible each time.