Lou Wood News

2020 is already shaping up to be an incredible year of theatre. Here are some of our picks for the best new London shows to see in the new year. Some shows are already running, some start before Christmas, and some are already on sale, so you can get booking before ringing in 2020.

Sonia Friedman Productions have today released a new show image for Conor McPherson's (The Weir, Girl from the North Country) new adaptation of Uncle Vanya directed by Ian Rickson (Jerusalem, The Seagull) which begins previews in eight weeks' time.

Sex Education is about Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), a socially awkward high school student who lives with his sex therapist mother, Jean (Gillian Anderson). In season 1 Otis and friend Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey) set-up a sex clinic at school to capitalize on his intuitive talent for sex advice...

Sonia Friedman Productions today announced further casting for Conor McPherson's (The Weir, Girl from the North Country), new adaptation of Uncle Vanya directed by Ian Rickson (Jerusalem, The Seagull).

In a co-production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris' fiery, provocative new play Downstate, comes to the NT direct from its debut at Steppenwolf, Chicago. Let's see what the critics had to say.

Pulitzer-winner Bruce Norris once again challenges audiences with a play built around a difficult topic – in this case, asking whether paedophiles are irredeemable, how they should be punished, the distinction between justice and vengeance, and whether an empathetic response betrays our support of their victims.

In a co-production with Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris' fiery, provocative new play Downstate, comes to the NT direct from its debut at Steppenwolf, Chicago. 

London is never short of temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a starry Pinter and tasty musical treat to a portrait of grief, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews!

This January, viewers across the globe fell in love with Sex Education and the students of Moordale High School, with the series tracking to be a huge hit (estimated over 40 million households watching the title within the first 4 weeks). Following high fan demand for a second season, Netflix announced that the series has been renewed for 8 new episodes of the frank, heartfelt, honest and hilariously awkward series.

The National Theatre has announced its upcoming lineup for the first half of 2019.

Due to popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Downstate by Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. A co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain, Downstate  transfers to London in spring 2019 and features an American and British cast and creative team.  In a ? ? ? ? (out of 4) star review, The Chicago Tribune calls the play, "a must-see…one of the more incendiary and thus important productions in the illustrious history of the Steppenwolf" and The New York Times makes Downstate a Critic's Pick, calling it "a great, squirmy moral-thrill-ride of a play."

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

The National Theatre has today announced its new season

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

 Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain. This exciting collaboration will premiere at Steppenwolf in fall 2018 and transfer to the National Theatre in spring 2019 featuring an American and British cast and creative team. Previews begin September 20, 2018, opening is September 30 at 6pmand the production runs through November 11, 2018 in the Upstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Single tickets ($20-$99) are now on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company opens its 43rd season with a fiery, provocative new work from Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award winner Pam MacKinnon. Downstate is a co-commission and co-production with the National Theatre of Great Britain.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the complete casting and directors for the first four shows of its 2018/19 season: Downstate by Pulitzer Prize-winning ensemble member Bruce Norris; Familiar by Danai Gurira; La Ruta by Isaac Gomez; and A Doll's House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath. Directors Danya Taymor (Familiar) and Robin Witt (A Doll's House, Part 2) are added to the 2018/19 director lineup. Single tickets for Downstate and Familiar will go on sale Friday, August 10 at 11am. Single tickets for La Ruta and A Doll's House, Part 2 will go on sale Friday, October 19 at 11am. Classic, Black Card, Red Card and Directors Circle Memberships are currently on sale through Audience Services at 312-335-1650 or steppenwolf.org.

Following a critically-acclaimed, sold-out season at the National Theatre and in London's West End, People, Places & Things will head to the Exeter Northcott Theatre in October.

Broadway may have its Tony Awards, but New Jersey does itself proud in honoring excellence in community theater across the state each fall. On Sept. 17, the New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) hosted the Perry Awards to recognize community theater productions from the past theater season.

Jeremy Herrin will direct Lisa Dwyer Hogg as Emma in the much anticipated UK revival of Duncan Macmillan's highly acclaimed People Places & Things. Following a critically acclaimed, sold-out season at the National Theatre and in London's West End, People, Places & Things, a co-production between Headlong, the National Theatre, HOME, and the Exeter Northcott Theatre, opens its 2017 UK tour at HOME in Manchester, Fri 22 Sept - Sat 7 Oct.