WOYZECK Leads May's Top 10 New London Shows

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From new takes on Brecht and Büchner to Jez Butterworth's latest and a classic musical, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews...

1. Woyzeck, Old Vic

John Boyega, who's rocketed to megastar status thanks to his role in Star Wars, leads Jack Thorne's version of Georg Büchner's extraordinary incomplete play about a young soldier driven to desperate acts. Joe Murphy directs a cast that also includes Nancy Carroll, Stefan Rhodri, Ben Batt and Darrell D'Silva.

15 May-24 June. Book tickets here

2. Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, Duke of York's Theatre

Lee Hall's Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Alan Warner's novel The Sopranos, about teenage choristers let loose on Edinburgh, comes to the West End following a hit tour; its talented female ensemble, directed by Vicky Featherstone, was also Olivier-nominated. Read our interview with actress Dawn Sievewright

9 May-2 September. Book tickets here

3. Lettice and Lovage, Menier Chocolate Factory

Trevor Nunn is back at the Menier, reviving Peter Shaffer's 1987 comedy - originally a star vehicle for Maggie Smith - with Felicity Kendal and Maureen Lipman as the stately home tour guide who can't resist embroidering facts and her disapproving supervisor. The cast also features Sam Dastor and Petra Markham.

4 May-8 July. Book tickets here

4. On the Town, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

Regent's Park kicks off its 2017 season with a crowd-pleasing classic musical: Three Sailors using their New York shore leave to pursue romance, accompanied by Leonard Bernstein's indelible score. Drew McOnie directs and choreographs, and the cast includes Strictly Come Dancing finalist Danny Mac, Fred Haig, Jeremy Taylor and Lizzy Connolly.

19 May-1 July. Book tickets here

5. The Ferryman, Royal Court

Sam Mendes is at the helm for Jez Butterworth's highly anticipated new play, about a fraught family gathering in 1980s rural Northern Ireland; Paddy Considine, Genevieve O'Reilly and Laura Donnolly star. It's returns only for the Court run, but a West End transfer follows immediately afterwards.

Until 20 May, then 20 June-7 October at Gielgud Theatre. Book tickets for the Royal Court here, and West End here

6. Salome, National Theatre

Yaël Farber puts her contemporary spin on the Old Testament tale. Best known as a seductress who caused the death of John the Baptist, this Salome is at the centre of a political revolution in an occupied desert nation. The cast includes Paul Chahidi, Philip Arditti, Roseanna Frascona and Theo TJ Lowe.

10 May-15 July. Book tickets here

7. The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Donmar Warehouse

Brecht's satirical Hitler allegory, about the rise to power of a ruthless mobster in Thirties Chicago, may also have Trump echoes in Bruce Norris's version, directed by Simon Evans. Lenny Henry stars, and the cast also features Michael Pennington, Gloria Obianyo, Giles Terera, Tom Edden and Lucy Ellinson.

Until 17 June. Book tickets here

8. Occupational Hazards, Hampstead Theatre

Stephen Brown adapts British diplomat Rory Stewart's memoir about his time in post-Saddam Iraq, chronicling the moral conflicts, dangers and comic absurdities of trying to build a new civil society. Simon Godwin directs a cast that includes Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Amy Cudden, Waj Ali and Silas Carson.

Until 3 June. Book tickets here

9. Life of Galileo, Young Vic

Joe Wright directs Brecht's play, in which a revolutionary discovery made via telescope leads to battle between science and the Catholic Church. Brendan Cowell stars, and the production also features original music from The Chemical Brothers' Tom Rowlands, an in-the-round design by Lizzie Clachan, and projections from 59 Productions.

6 May-1 July. Book tickets here

10. Three Comrades, Piccadilly Theatre

Moscow's acclaimed Sovremennik Theatre begins their West End season with an adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel (author of All Quiet on the Western Front) about three mechanics trying to make a living in 1920s Germany; the company's artistic director Galina Volchek directs. Performed in Russian with English subtitles.

3-6 May. Book tickets here

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