London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From Shakespeare and Rattigan to new musicals and an Edward Snowden play, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...
Sheffield Theatres today announces the appointment of Robert Hastie as the company's new Artistic Director. Hastie takes up the position in July 2016, taking over from Daniel Evans who steps down as Artistic Director at the end of June to join Chichester Festival Theatre. This appointment sees Hastie return to Sheffield Theatres, where he began his professional theatre career as an actor in Edward Bond's Lear in 2005.
New work by Lee Hall, David Hare, Bryony Kimmings, Lucy Kirkwood, Nina Raine, Gillian Slovo and Alexander Zeldin, and contemporary revivals of two of the NT's most celebrated 20th century premieres - Amadeus and Angels in America - are among the forthcoming productions at the National Theatre announced today by Rufus Norris.
This Valentine's Day, Sunday 14 February, leading names in British theatre will come together to perform a benefit show for the UNHCR at the National Theatre. The afternoon performance in the NT's Lyttelton Theatre will see actors including Juliet Stevenson (Truly, Madly, Deeply), David Morrissey (Hangmen), Andy Nyman (Hangmen), Rufus Hound (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), James Bolam (New Tricks), Noma Dumezweni (Linda), Ray Fearon (Coronation Street), Adjoa Andoh (Dr Who) and Zubin Varla (Dara) perform brand new work and much loved work by Richard Bean, Staten Cousins-Roe, Stephanie Dale, David Edgar, Phil Porter, Michelle Terry, Jenifer Toksvig and Matthew Woodyatt (with further cast and creative names to be announced).
In the opulent drawing room of the Presidential Palace, a Western photojournalist awaits the return of the dictator. She is here to take his portrait. The dictator's wife, her best friend and an interpreter wait with her. Prada shoes, vodka glasses and light fingers tap out the time. He is late, very late…
The Donmar Warehouse has confirmed the full cast for The Vote. Joining the previously announced cast, Eddie Arnold, MyAnna Buring, Stavros Demetraki, Tommy French, Joanna Griffin, Gerard Horan, Chukwudi Iwuji, Stephen Kennedy, Beverley Longhurst, Andrew McDonald, Bhasker Patel, Penny Ryder and Michael Shaeffer complete an ensemble of actors who will represent the team of polling station volunteers, polling officers, and the diverse array of characters that are the voting public.
Full casting is announced for Christopher Luscombe's productions of Love's Labour's Lost and Love's Labour's Won (also known as Much Ado About Nothing). As part of a season marking the centenary of the First World War, both productions will play in repertoire in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon with a joint press day on Wednesday 15 October. They will also be broadcast live into cinemas worldwide and streamed free into schools.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will host 22 theatrical offerings from 20 different countries during WORLD STAGES: International Theater Festival 2014 that will run for three weeks March 10-30, 2014 throughout the Center. The international festival features contemporary theater works offering 13 fully staged productions, 4 theater-focused installations, 3 readings of new works, and 2 forums. From Olivier and Tony Award-winning puppetry to innovative perspectives on old classics, a diverse showcase of theatrical expression will be represented by countries spanning the globe including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, England, France, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Pakistan, Palestine, Scotland, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, and the United States.
As part of a season marking the centenary of the First World War, Christopher Luscombe returns to the Royal Shakespeare Company to direct a single company of actors in a fresh pairing of two of Shakespeare's most sparkling comedies, set in the shadow of war.
From Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead to The History Boys, from The Mysteries to Angels in America, from Guys and Dolls to London Road - join us for a thrilling evening of live performance and rare glimpses from the archive, featuring many of the most celebrated actors who have performed on our stages over the past five decades and directed by Nicholas Hytner.
The longlist for the annual Evening Standard Theatre Awards has been announced, and includes Dame Judi Dench, Dame Helen Mirren, James McAvoy and Dominic West.