BETRAYAL Leads March's Top 10 New London Shows

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, interviews and features!

1. Betrayal, Harold Pinter Theatre

Jamie Lloyd's spectacular season of Pinter shorts gets a star-cast, full-size bonus. Tom Hiddleston, Zawe Ashton and Charlie Cox play the tangled trio whose lies, self-deceptions and infidelities are gradually revealed via this gripping reverse-chronology tragicomedy (loosely inspired by Pinter's own romantic travails). Lloyd directs.

5 March-1 June. Book tickets here

2. Waitress, Adelphi Theatre

Sara Bareilles and Jessie Nelson's hit musical adaptation, about a small-town waitress whose baking skills offer a way out, is directed by Diane Paulus - a rare all-female lead creative team. The cast features Katharine McPhee, Jack McBrayer, Laura Baldwin, Peter Hannah, David Hunter and Marisha Wallace. Watch our video interview and sneak peek

Until 19 October. Book tickets here

3. Admissions, Trafalgar Studios

Incendiary American playwright Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews) returns with this comic look at the admissions head of a private school, whose liberal outlook on diversity is challenged by a personal setback. The West End cast includes Alex Kingston, Sarah Hadland, Andrew Woodall, Ben Edelman and Margot Leicester; Daniel Aukin directs.

Until 25 May. Book tickets here

4. Grief is the Thing with Feathers, Barbican

Enda Walsh adapts Max Porter's award-winning novel about two young boys trying to cope with their mother's sudden death. Fortunately, the winged creature Crow visits their London flat to help the boys and their father heal. Cillian Murphy leads Walsh's production, acclaimed during its Irish run last year.

25 March-13 April. Book tickets here

5. Fiddler on the Roof, Playhouse Theatre

Trevor Nunn's powerful revival of Sheldon Harnick, Joseph Stein and Jerry Bock's classic musical gets a West End encore following its sell-out Menier run. Andy Nyman and Judy Kuhn once again lead the cast, which also features Nicola Brown, Louise Gold, Harriet Bunton and Molly Osborne. Read our interview with Andy and Judy

21 March-15 June. Book tickets here

6. Downstate, National Theatre

A co-production with Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, Bruce Norris's provocative new play centres on four men convicted of sex crimes against minors who are confronted by the past. Pam MacKinnon directs Francis Guinan, Glenn Davis, K. Todd Freeman, Tim Hopper, Eddie Torres, Matilda Ziegler, Cecilia Noble and Aimee Lou Wood.

12 March-27 April. Book tickets here

7. Richard II, Shakespeare's Globe

Adjoa Andoh and Lynette Linton make history by directing the first ever company of women of colour in a Shakespeare play on a major UK stage. This post-Empire, Brexit-infused examination of Britishness features Andoh herself as Richard, plus Sarah Niles, Dona Croll, Shobna Gulati, Leila Farzad and Ayesha Dharker.

Until 21 April. Book tickets here

8. The Twilight Zone, Ambassadors Theatre

Anne Washburn's adaptation of the cult sci-fi TV show hits the West End after its wonderfully chilling run at the Almeida. Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Adrianna Bertola and Neil Haigh reprise their roles, joined by Natasha J Barnes, Matthew Steer, Nicholas Karimi, Alisha Bailey, Dan Crossley, Lauren O'Neill and Dyfan Swyfor.

4 March-1 June. Book tickets here

9. Richard III, Alexandra Palace

Another Shakespearean monarch, and another intriguing production, as Headlong visit the palace's restored theatre space. John Haidar directs Tom Mothersdale as the titular villain, and the cast also features Stefan Adegbola, Derbhle Crotty, Heledd Gwynn, Tom Kanji, Michael Matus, Leila Mimmack, Eileen Nicholas, Caleb Roberts and John Sackville.

13-31 March. Book tickets here

10. The Bay at Nice, Menier Chocolate Factory

Richard Eyre directs David Hare's play (the first London revival since its 1986 National Theatre opening) about choices made in life and art, and a mother and daughter's fight for their ideals and responsibilities, set in Fifties Leningrad. The production stars Ophelia Lovibond, Penelope Wilton, David Rintoul and Martin Hutson.

14 March-4 May. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here

Photo credit: Charlie Gray