Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
London is a city that never ceases to surprise and delight theatre lovers, with a rich and diverse offering of shows, from classics to new works, from musicals to plays, from West End to fringe. Whether you are looking for a night of laughter, drama, romance, or spectacle, you will find something to suit your taste and mood in the capital. Here are some of the new shows that are opening in London in 2024, in no particular order.
Hadestown If you missed Hadestown when it played at the National Theatre in 2018, you have another chance to catch this acclaimed musical by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin. Based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, the show blends folk, jazz, and blues to create a captivating and original musical theatre experience. The show follows the young lovers as they journey to the underworld and back, facing the wrath of Hades and the temptation of Persephone. The show features a talented and diverse cast, including Dónal Finn, Grace Hodgett Young, Zachary James, Melanie La Barrie, and Gloria Onitiri. Hadestown won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Don’t miss this chance to see it at the Lyric Theatre, starting from February 10.
Player Kings Sir Ian McKellen is one of the greatest living actors, and he returns to the West End with a new take on Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. McKellen plays Sir John Falstaff, the roguish companion of Prince Hal, who must choose between his friendship and his duty as the future king. The play is adapted and directed by Robert Icke, who has previously created innovative and acclaimed versions of Oresteia, The Doctor, and Hamlet. Icke’s Player Kings condenses the two plays into one, and gives Falstaff a more prominent and sympathetic role. The play also features Steven Berkoff, Sinead Cusack, and Danny Lee Wynter. Player Kings opens at the Noël Coward Theatre on March 5.
MJ The Musical The King of Pop lives on in this musical tribute to his life and legacy, featuring his iconic songs and dance moves. MJ The Musical follows Michael Jackson as he prepares for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and looks back on his journey from child star to global phenomenon. The show is directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, and stars Myles Frost, who won the Tony Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Jackson on Broadway. The show features hits such as “Billie Jean”, “Smooth Criminal”, “Beat It”, and “Thriller”. MJ The Musical transfers from Broadway to the Prince Edward Theatre on April 14.
An Enemy of the People Henrik Ibsen’s classic drama about a whistleblower who faces the wrath of his community is more relevant than ever in the age of fake news and climate change. Matt Smith, best known for his roles in Doctor Who and The Crown, plays Dr. Stockmann, a scientist who discovers that the water supply of his town is contaminated, and tries to expose the truth. However, he soon realizes that the people are more interested in their economic interests and political agendas than in his scientific facts. The play is directed by James Macdonald, and also features Pippa Bennett-Warner, Adam James, and Prasanna Puwanarajah. An Enemy of the People opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre on May 7.
Standing at the Sky’s Edge After a successful run at the Sheffield Crucible in 2019, this musical by Richard Hawley and Chris Bush makes its West End debut at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. The show is set in Park Hill, a council estate in Sheffield that was built in the 1960s as a utopian vision of social housing, but later became a symbol of urban decay and regeneration. The show follows the lives of three families who live in the same flat in different decades, and how they cope with the changes in their community and society. The show features the songs of Richard Hawley, a Sheffield-born singer-songwriter, who also performs live on stage. Standing at the Sky’s Edge opens on May 18.
Plaza Suite Neil Simon’s comedy about three couples who stay in the same hotel room at the Plaza Hotel in New York is revived with a starry cast. Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, who are married in real life, play the three couples, who are facing different challenges in their relationships. The first couple are a bored married couple who try to rekindle their romance, the second couple are a Hollywood producer and his old flame who meet after years apart, and the third couple are the parents of a bride who has locked herself in the bathroom on her wedding day. The play is directed by John Benjamin Hickey, and was a hit on Broadway in 2020. Plaza Suite opens at the Savoy Theatre on June 3.
Hello, Dolly! Imelda Staunton, one of the most versatile and acclaimed actresses in Britain, stars in the classic musical by Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart, based on the play The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder. Staunton plays Dolly Levi, a widowed matchmaker who travels to Yonkers, New York, to find a wife for the wealthy and grumpy Horace Vandergelder. However, she soon realizes that she wants him for herself, and sets out to win his heart. The musical is directed by Dominic Cooke, who previously collaborated with Staunton on the Olivier Award-winning revival of Follies at the National Theatre. The musical features songs such as “Hello, Dolly!”, “Before the Parade Passes By”, and “Put On Your Sunday Clothes”. Hello, Dolly! opens at the London Palladium on August 11.
Mean Girls The cult film by Tina Fey, which spawned a whole generation of quotable lines and memes, is adapted into a musical, with music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and a book by Fey herself. The musical follows Cady Heron, a naive teenager who moves from Africa to Illinois, and tries to fit in at her new high school. She soon becomes part of the popular clique of “The Plastics”, led by the ruthless Regina George, but also falls for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, Aaron Samuels. The musical is a hilarious and smart satire of high school life, friendship, and identity, featuring songs such as “Apex Predator”, “Revenge Party”, and “I’d Rather Be Me”. Mean Girls opens at the Savoy Theatre on September 10.
Long Day’s Journey Into Night Eugene O’Neill’s masterpiece, widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, is revived with a stellar cast. Brian Cox and Lesley Manville play James and Mary Tyrone, a dysfunctional couple who struggle with addiction, illness, and family secrets, over the course of one long and harrowing day. The play is directed by Richard Eyre, who previously directed Cox and Manville in The Crucible at the Old Vic in 2014. The play is a devastating and realistic portrait of a family in crisis, featuring powerful performances and dialogue. Long Day’s Journey Into Night opens at the Wyndham’s Theatre on October 6.
Opening Night
The musical adaptation of John Cassavetes’ film, featuring music by Duncan Sheik and lyrics by Amanda Green, premieres at the Gielgud Theatre. The musical follows Myrtle Gordon, a Broadway star who is haunted by the death of a young fan, and spirals into a breakdown as she prepares for the opening night of her new play. The musical is directed by Ivo van Hove, and stars Audra McDonald, who won the Tony Award for Best Actress for her role on Broadway. The musical is a dark and gripping exploration of fame, art, and madness, featuring songs such as “The End of the World”, “I’m Afraid”, and “Nothing Matters”. Opening Night opens on November 3.
The Hills of California
The new play by Amy Herzog, one of the most acclaimed playwrights of her generation, stars Eileen Atkins and Tim Roth, two of the finest actors in Britain. The play explores the lives of two generations of a family, who reunite in their old home in the hills of California, and confront their past and present. The play is directed by Sam Gold, who won the Tony Award for Best Director for his work on A Doll’s House, Part 2. The play is a poignant and humorous drama of family, memory, and identity, featuring sharp dialogue and complex characters. The Hills of California opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on December 1.
The Devil Wears Prada
The musical adaptation of the novel and film, featuring music by Elton John and lyrics by Shaina Taub, arrives at the Dominion Theatre. The musical follows Andy Sachs, a young and aspiring journalist who lands a job as the assistant of Miranda Priestly, the ruthless and glamorous editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine. Andy soon learns that working for Miranda is not as glamorous as it seems, and has to balance her career, her personal life, and her morals. The musical is directed by Anna D. Shapiro, and stars Samantha Barks as Andy and Christine Baranski as Miranda. The musical is a fun and fierce satire of the fashion industry, featuring songs such as “The Devil Wears Prada”, “The Job That Ate My Brain”, and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. The Devil Wears Prada opens on December 15.
Just For One Day
The musical by David Bowie and Enda Walsh, based on Bowie’s album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, debuts at the Old Vic. The musical tells the story of Ziggy Stardust, an alien rock star who comes to Earth to save it from destruction, but becomes corrupted by fame and drugs. The musical is directed by Ivo van Hove, who also directed Bowie’s last musical, Lazarus, and features a live band and projections. The musical features Bowie’s songs such as “Starman”, “Moonage Daydream”, and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide”. Just For One Day is a tribute to Bowie’s genius and legacy, and a celebration of his music and vision. Just For One Day opens on December 31.
These are some of the new shows that are opening in London in 2024, and there are many more to choose from. Whether you are a fan of musicals, plays, or both, you will find something to enjoy and remember in the London theatre scene. So, book your tickets now, and get ready for a year of theatre magic.
