Top ten theatre shows opening in September 2017

September makes up for a fairly quiet summer with a parade of theatre stars, including Imelda Staunton, Gina McKee, Robert Lindsay, Juliet Stevenson, Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig. And that’s not to mention the arrival of the hottest new play from New York, the latest political probe by James Graham and the start of Ellen McDougall’s tenure at the Gate Theatre.

Follies at the National Theatre

Stephen Sondheim’s haunting rumination on age and regret is all set for a full-blooded revival at the National Theatre. Dominic Cooke, last seen on the Southbank with his marvellous Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directs a cast that includes such Oliver-winning luminaries as Philip Quast, Janie Dee, Tracie Bennett and (be still my beating heart) Imelda Staunton.

Follies is at the National Theatre from 22^nd August 2017 until 3^rd January 2018, with a press night on 6^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

Me & Robin Hood at the Royal Court Theatre

After a well-received run in Edinburgh Shôn Dale-Jones brings his inequality-exploring Me & Robin Hood to the Royal Court. The show is seeking to raise money for Street Child United, so audience members are encouraged to bring a bit of extra cash when they attend.

Me & Robin Hood is at the Royal Court Theatre from 4^th until 16^th September 2017. For further information or to book visit here. 

OSLO at the National Theatre

Play’s don’t arrive with more pedigree than this. Coming direct from Broadway – and carrying best new play gongs from the Tony Awards, Drama Desk Awards and New Yok Critics’ Circle – OSLO is the tale of the two Norwegian diplomats who laid the ground for the 1993 Peace Accords between Israel and Palestine. Better be quick, as it’s not at the National long – JT Rogers’s play has a three-week stint on the Southbank before heading to the West End in October.

OSLO is at the National Theatre from 5^th until 23^rd September 2017, with press nights on 15^th, 16^th and 18^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

Photo: Brinkhoff Mögenberg

Doubt at Southwark Playhouse

John Patrick Shanley’s Doubt – as acclaimed on film as it was on stage – arrives at Southwark Playhouse this month. Stella Gonet takes the lead as Sister Aloysius Beauvier, a Catholic school principal who questions the relationship between a priest (Jonathan Chambers) and a troubled student.

Doubt is at Southwark Playhouse from 6^th until 30^th September 2017, with a press night on 8^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

Boudica at Shakespeare’s Globe

The final play of Emma Rice’s “Summer of Love” season, Boudica is a new play from Tristan Bernays dealing with one of Britain’s most infamous women. Gina McKee stars as the warrior queen, and as with all of Rice’s Globe run it’ll be fascinating to see how much the play riles the traditionalists out there.

Boudica is at Shakespeare’s Globe from 8^th September until 1^st October 2017, with a press night on 13^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

Prism at Hampstead Theatre

Continuing a star-studded month of theatre, Robert Lindsay comes to Hampstead Theatre in Prism, the story of legendary cinematographer Jack Cardiff. The play’s written and directed by Terry Johnson, back with something new after reviving Dead Funny in the West End last year.

Prism is at Hampstead Theatre from 8^th September until 14^th October 2017, with a press night on 14^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

This Is How We Die at the Almeida Theatre

Twitter was abuzz with excitement when the Almeida announced Christopher Brett Bailey’s This Is How We Die was coming to the theatre. There are only four performances – two on the 10^th, two on the 24^th – so you’ll want to move fast to make sure you don’t miss out.

This Is How We Die is at the Almeida Theatre on 10^th and 24^th September 2017. For further information or to book visit here.

The Unknown Island at the Gate Theatre

Ellen McDougall kicks off her tenure as artistic director at the Gate Theatre with an adaptation of José Saramago’s The Tale of the Unknown Island. Zubin Varla and Yerma’s Thalissa Teixeira star in a version by McDougall herself and dramaturg Clare Slater.

The Unknown Island is at the Gate Theatre from 11^th September until 7^th October 2017, with a press night on 18^th September. For further information or to book visit here. 

Wings at the Young Vic

Juliet Stevenson and Natalie Abrahami reunite for Arthur Kopit’s Wings, the story of an aviator and wing walker who suffers a reality-shattering stroke. The pair’s version of Beckett’s Happy Days was an absolute joy – if that’s the right term for something so stressful – and all the signs are there for another Young Vic hit.

Wings is at the Young Vic from 14^th September until 4^th November 2017, with a press night on 20^th September. For further information or to book visit here.

Labour of Love at the Noël Coward Theatre

As Ink transfers from the Almeida to the Duke of York’s Theatre, James Graham is set to skip the middle man and head straight to the West End with Labour of Love. The play looks at 25 years of the Labour Party, and has seen a last minute cast-switch, with Tamsin Greig joining Martin Freeman after Sarah Lancashire was forced to pull out on doctor’s orders.

Labour of Love is at the Noël Coward Theatre from 27^th September until 2^nd December 2017. Book your tickets here.

Connor Campbell