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FUN HOME Leads June's Top 10 New London Shows

FUN HOME Leads June'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 ground-breaking musical to a mighty modern classic, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld reviews, interviews and features!

1. Fun Home, Young Vic

Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron's Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's graphic novel, about her complex relationship with her father and gradual coming out, arrives in the UK. Sam Gold directs Jenna Russell, Ashley Samuels, Cherrelle Skeete, Kaisa Hammarlund, Eleanor Kane and Zubin Varla.

18 June-1 September. Book tickets here

2. Killer Joe, Trafalgar Studios

Orlando Bloom returns to the stage to lead Tracy Letts's blackly comic thriller about a police detective hired to do a contract killing (Matthew McConaughey starred in the 2011 film version). Simon Evans' production also features Adam Gillen, Neve McIntosh, Sophie Cookson and Steffan Rhodri.

Until 18 August. Book tickets here

3. Translations, National Theatre

Brian Friel's mighty modern classic, about a local lad returning home with British soldiers to map County Donegal in 1833, is revived by Ian Rickson. It features Colin Morgan, Ciarán Hinds, Rufus Wright, Aoife Duffin, Dermot Crowley, Aidan Dooley, Judith Roddy, Steve Cash, Michelle Fox and Niamh McGowan. Read our interview with Dermot Crowley

Until 11 August. Book tickets here

FUN HOME Leads June's Top 10 New London Shows 4. The King and I, London Palladium

Lincoln Center Theater's hit revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Golden Age musical comes to London, complete with Broadway stars Kelli O'Hara, Ken Wanatabe and Ruthie Ann Miles. They're joined by Takao Osawa, Dean John-Wilson and Na-Young Jeon in Bartlett Sher's production.

21 June-29 September. Book tickets here

5. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Donmar Warehouse

David Harrower supplies a new adaptation of Muriel Spark's novel, marking the 100th anniversary year of her birth, and Lia Williams takes on the iconic titular teacher. Polly Findlay directs a cast that also features Sylvestra Le Touzel, Rona Morison, Angus Wright, Emma Hindle, Helena Wilson and Edward MacLiam.

4 June-28 July. Book tickets here

6. Kiss Me, Kate, London Coliseum

Opera North's production of Cole Porter's sublime Shakespeare and showbiz-riffing musical comes to London for the first time. Jo Davies directs Stephanie Corley, Quirijn de Lang, Zoë Rainey, Alan Burkitt, Joseph Shovelton and John Savournin, and James Holmes conducts. Read our interview with Stephanie Corley

20-30 June. Book tickets here

7. Imperium, Gielgud Theatre

A welcome transfer for the RSC's two-part version of Robert Harris's trilogy about Roman statesman Cicero in the final days of the Republic. Gregory Doran directs Mike Poulton's adaptation, and the cast includes Richard McCabe, Joseph Kloska, Christopher Saul, Peter de Jersey, Joe Dixon, Oliver Johnstone, Siobhan Redmond and Eloise Secker.

14 June-8 September. Book tickets here

8. The Sleeping Beauty, London Coliseum

English National Ballet revives Kenneth MacMillan's ravishing version of the dark fairy tale, set to Tchaikovsky's indelible score. Principals include Alina Cojocaru, Joseph Caley, Erina Takahashi, Aitor Arrieta, Jurgita Dronina, Isaac Hernández, Shiori Kase, Cesar Corrales, Aaron Robinson and Bolshoi superstar Maria Alexandrova.

6-16 June. Book tickets here

FUN HOME Leads June's Top 10 New London Shows 9. Julie, National Theatre

Following her breakout turn as Princess Margaret in The Crown, Vanessa Kirby now takes on Strindberg's class divisions and dangerous power games - or rather a contemporary London version of them by Polly Stenham. Carrie Cracknell directs, and the cast also features Eric Kofi Abrefa and Thalissa Teixeira.

31 May-8 September. Book tickets here

10. My Name is Lucy Barton, Bridge Theatre

Rona Munro adapts Pulitzer-winning Elizabeth Strout's powerful novel about a New York writer coming to terms with her desperate rural childhood, and reconfiguring her difficult relationship with her mother. Richard Eyre directs American star Laura Linney - making her London stage debut - in this one-woman show.

2-23 June. Book tickets here

Want more recommendations? Find previous Top 10 lists here



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Marianka Swain was UK Editor-in-chief of BroadwayWorld. A London-based theatre critic and arts journalist, she also contributes to other outlets such as the Telegraph, The i Paper, Ham & H... (read more about this author)


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