Top ten theatre shows to see in October 2019

There’s no time for Halloween this October – the month is just too busy with theatre, including new plays from a trio of the best writers around: Alice Birch, Clare Barron and Annie Baker.

Master Harold…and the Boys at the National Theatre

Photo: Helen Murray

Any show that puts Hammed Animashaun and Lucian Msamati – both regularly MVPs of whatever productions they star in – on stage together is worth seeing. That the director is Roy Alexander Weise, soon to be the joint Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange in Manchester, makes this production of Athol Fugard’s 1982 award-winner even more appealing.

Master Harold…and the Boys is at the National Theatre from 21^st September until 17^th December 2019, with a press night on Tuesday 1^st October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Vassa at Almeida Theatre

Though it’s not quite a new Mike Bartlett play, an Almeida-appearance from the King Charles III and Doctor Foster scribe is something to get excited about. An adaptation of Maxim Gorky’s Vassa, and directed by Tinuke Craig, the production stars Samantha Bond in the lead role.

Vassa is at Almeida Theatre from 5^th October until 23^rd November 2019, with a press night on Tuesday 15^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Baby Reindeer at Bush Theatre

Photo: Andrew Perry

Fresh off of a very well-received run in Edinburgh, Comedy Award-winner Richard Gadd’s debut play Baby Reindeer transfers to the Bush Theatre in the second production of the Lynette Linton era. Gadd performs, with direction from Rotterdam’s Jon Brittain.

Baby Reindeer is at Bush Theatre from 9^th October until 9^th November 2019, with a press night on Friday 11^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

A History of Water in the Middle East at the Royal Court Theatre

Unsurprisingly, the upstairs space at the Royal Court has been home to some of the best, and most interesting, productions of the year. Next up is A History of Water in the Middle East by Sabrina Mahfouz, who also performs in the piece alongside Laura Hanna, Kareem Samara and David Mumeni (recently of Stath Lets Flats).

A History of Water in the Middle East is at the Royal Court Theatre from 10^th October until 16^th November 2019, with a press night on Monday 14^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

[BLANK] at Donmar Warehouse

With the exquisite Anatomy of a Suicide, Alice Birch confirmed her status as one of the country’s best writers. That makes [BLANK] at the Donmar Warehouse – a production celebrating the 40^th anniversary of Clean Break by taking a look at the impact of the criminal justice system on women and their families – one of the month’s hottest tickets. 

[BLANK] is at Donmar Warehouse from 11^th October until 30^th November 2019, with a press night on Thursday 17^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Little Baby Jesus at Orange Tree Theatre

Misty maestro Arinze Kene’s early play Little Baby Jesus makes its way to the Orange Tree Theatre this month. Anyebe Godwin, Rachel Nwokoro and Khai Shaw star as the “three extraordinary young people” relaying the moments they “grew up”.

Little Baby Jesus is at Orange Tree Theatre from 18^th October until 16^th November 2019, with a press night on Tuesday 22^nd October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

The Antipodes at the National Theatre

A new Annie Baker play is a must-book. A new Annie Baker play with a cast including Conleth Hill, Arthur Darvill and Fisayo Akinade is unmissable. To add an extra layer of intrigue, the play is being directed by Baker herself and Chloe Lamford, the superstar stage designer responsible for the likes of John, 1984 and Amadeus.

The Antipodes is at the National Theatre from 21^st October until 23^rd November 2019, with a press night on Wednesday 30^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

On Bear Ridge at the Royal Court Theatre

Photo: Mark Douet

A co-production with the National Theatre Wales, Hinterland co-creator Ed Thomas brings On Bear Ridge to the Royal Court. Rakie Ayola, Jason Hughes, Sion Daniel Young and, most excitingly, Rhys Ifans fill out the four-person cast.

On Bear Ridge is at the Royal Court Theatre from 24^th October until 23^rd November 2019, with a press night on Monday 28^th October. Book your tickets here.

Dirty Crusty at Yard Theatre

Clare Barron’s Dance Nation at the Almeida Theatre was one of the best productions of 2018. It’s a pretty big coup, then, that the ever-intriguing Yard has snagged her next play on our shores, Dirty Crusty. The theatre’s artistic director Jay Miller is at the helm.

Dirty Crusty is at Yard Theatre from 24^th October until 30^th November 2019, with a press night on 29^th October. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Ghost Quartet at Boulevard Theatre

There’s a glut of recently opened and soon-to-be opening theatres in London. Boulevard Theatre throws its hat into the ring this month with Ghost Quartet, a new musical from Dave Malloy, the writer behind Broadway smash Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Just as excitingly, the show reunites the creative team that took their version of Sweeney Todd from a pie shop in Tooting to New York.

Ghost Quartet is at Boulevard Theatre from 24^th October 2019 until 4^th January 2020, with a press night on Thursday 31^st October. Book your tickets here.

Connor Campbell