The Best Theatre To Watch This Week

It's a big week for theatre with the return of The Shows Must Go On, some great online concerts, a TV performance from one of 2021's most exciting musicals and two brilliant shows in London finishing up their runs. Here's a rundown of some of the best theatre to check out this week:

WHAT?

After a long summer hiatus, the weekly series 'The Shows Must Go On' is returning. Each week a different title will be streamed from the vaults of musical classics. Details for the first four weeks of titles have been announced sharing the theme of "The Greats On Tour" starting with the recent anniversary production of Fame this week, Michael Ball's Past and Present tour next week, Alfie Boe's Bring Him Home concert on Friday 9th October and Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds on Friday 16th October.

WHEN?

Fame will be available from Friday 25th September at 7pm and will run until Sunday 18th October.

WHERE?

Catch it at https://www.youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon

WHAT?

Southwark Playhouse are presenting a brand new musical. Before After is a musical love story by Stuart Matthew Price and Tommy Knapman and stars real life husband and wife Hadley Fraser and Rosalie Craig. They will perform a rehearsed reading of the show for a virtual audience.

WHEN?

The show will be broadcast live for three performances only on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September at 7pm with a matinee on Saturday at 2pm

WHERE?

Streamed live from the Southwark Playhouse, tickets cost £15 and are available from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/before-after/

WHAT?

The 'Tonight At The London Coliseum' series continues this week with a concert from Carrie Hope Fletcher. Expect songs from her varied career including Les Miserables and Heathers and maybe something from her next starring role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella.

WHEN?

Filmed in August, the show is available on Friday 25th September at 7.30pm

WHERE?

Tickets cost £15 and are available from http://www.tonightatthelondoncoliseum.com/

WHAT?

Emma Rice's musical Romantics Anonymous will be performed live on stage at the Bristol Old Vic and streamed online as part of a "digital tour". The show tells the love story of a shy chocolate maker and the awkward boss of a chocolate factory.

WHEN?

The shows take place each night from Tuesday 22nd September until Saturday 26th September at 7.30pm

WHERE?

Tickets cost £15 and are available from www.wisechildrendigital.com

WHAT?

The Theatre Cafe are launching a new series of Night Caps. Hosted by Paul Taylor-Mills, the series sees West end performers present intimate conversations and performances online. The first installment features Hamilton star Cleve September.

WHEN?

The concert takes place on Thursday 24th September at 8pm.

WHERE?

Tickets cost £8 and are available here

WHAT?

Two of the best voices in the West end are joining forces for a one off concert. Wicked and Come From Away star Rachel Tucker is teaming up with Les Miserables legend John Owen-Jones for a concert at The Crazy Coqs. The event has sold out but will be available to stream online on the night.

WHEN?

The concert takes place on Wednesday 23rd September at 9.30pm

WHERE?

Tickets cost £12 and are available from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/

Seth Rusetsky

IN PERSON

WHAT?

The theme of this weeks West End Musical Drive In is pretty Wicked. Three former Elphabas are teaming up in the shape of Emma Hatton, Alice Fearn and Laura Pick. They are joined by recent Glinda Sophie Evans to perform songs from the show and more. Think of what they could do together?

WHEN?

Catch it on Saturday 26th September at 3.30pm

WHERE?

The drive in is located near Enfield and tickets are available from https://www.westendmusicaldrivein.co.uk/

WHAT?

The Bridge Theatre reopened last month with a season of socially distanced performances with one person plays. This week the series of Alan Bennett's Talking Heads continues with Monica Dolan and Lesley Manville in the double play The Shrine & Bed Among The Lentils and Rochenda Sandall and Kristin Scott-Thomas in The Outside Dog & The Hand of God

WHEN?

The Shtrine & The Bed Among The Lentils is running on Monday 21st and Tuesdsay 22nd September with The Outside Dog & The Hand of God running from Tuesday 22nd.

WHERE?

The Bridge Theatre is in London Bridge. Tickets are available from https://bridgetheatre.co.uk/performances/?event=talking-heads

LAST CHANCE TO SEE

WHAT?

Two of the first shows to spearhead the return of theatre this year are finishing their runs this week. Sleepless based on the classic movie Sleepless In Seattle has enjoyed rave reviews since opening at the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley Park last month (including a 5 star review from me). This is your last chance to see why it is so special!

WHEN?

The show plays its final performance on Sunday 27th September

WHERE?

Tickets are available from https://sleeplessthemusical.com/

Also finishing its run this week is Jesus Christ Superstar also playing its last show on Sunday 27th September. Tickets for the show are sold out but you can get tickets to view it on the lawn outside the theatre at http://openairtheatre.com/production/jesus-christ-superstar-the-concert

ON TV

WHAT?

A bit of a bonus one this week as the cast of the 2021 West end revival of Hairspray will be performing in public for the first time on Britain's Got Talent this week. Catch cast members including Michael Ball, Lizzie Bea, Rita Simons and Marisha Wallace.

WHEN?

It will be on Saturday 26th September at 8pm

WHERE?

ITV1.

Another great week for theatre! What are you planning to watch? Let me know on twitter.com/ATDazzles