A brace of theatrical blockbusters head to Edinburgh this month along with a couple of classic titles and an exciting new piece of writing, but which will you see?
The West End beckons. I love the challenge of cramming as many shows as possible into a London review trip and this month I’ve some exciting shows on my list, all up for a review on MustSeeTheatre.com – if you’ve not paid my website a visit yet, please do.
My London marathon, six shows in four days, begins with an invitation to meet the spirits, sprites and magical creatures of My Neighbour Totoro (Gillian Lynne Theatre), a title I admit meant little to me but has sparked excitement amongst pals familiar with the original 1988 Japanese animation. Consequently, I’m now expecting great things… a review shall follow.
Clarkston (Trafalgar Theatre) is next on my list. A new play by Samuel D Hunter, the cast brings together Joe Locke, the star of Netflix comedy-drama Heartstopper, with Sophie Melville and, Edinburgh’s very own Ruaridh Mollica, a Broughton High FP and one time member of the capital’s Strange Town Youth Theatre. Having hosted the Edinburgh launch of his latest film, Sebastian, at The Cameo not that long ago, it’s great to see another local talent being recognised. It will certainly be interesting to see one of Screen International’s 2024 Rising Stars on a stage rather than a screen.
Another star who boasts Edinburgh as an adopted home is recent Doctor Who, Ncuti Gatwa, and he too is currently treading the London boards, in Born With Teeth (Wyndham’s Theatre), so he too makes my Must See list, as does Witness For The Prosecution (City Hall), a site-specific production of Agatha Christie’s courtroom whodunnit.
Reeve Carney, I last saw as Spider-Man in Turn Off The Dark on Broadway. This month he comes to the UK to lead the Cabaret (Kit Kat Club) company, and should prove a suitably mercurial Emcee in what will be my final show in the West End before rounding off my four day trip slightly further out, seeing the new production of Jonathan Harvey and Pet Shop Boys cabaret musical, MUSIK (Wilton’s Music Hall), starring the glorious Frances Barber. Hard to believe six years have passed since I attended its World Premiere at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe.
Again, you’ll find coverage of my travels on MustSeeTheatre.com along with my reviews of this month’s Edinburgh highlights all of which, bar one, are old favourites.
October’s choices start at the Festival Theatre with the return of War Horse (2-11 October), in which spellbinding puppetry will once again transport audiences back to the horrors of the First World War for the story of Joey, a bay Irish Hunter bought by the British Army to help the war effort. Breathtaking in it’s scope, if you’re going, don’t forget your hankie, it’s a sad one.
Running time 2 hours and 50 minutes including interval. Tickets here
The other big-hitter this month is Miss Saigon (28 October-1 November), which lands back on The Playhouse stage for the first time in a number of years. This smash hit musical has been reborn, the posters promise, but be assured it still features Boublil and Schönberg’s soaring score including The Heat is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, Last Night of the World and The American Dream.
A bittersweet tale that starts in the last days of the Vietnam War. When 17-year-old Kim meets and falls in love with American GI, Chris, the pair are quickly torn apart by the fall of Saigon, forcing Kim to embark on a three year journey of survival to find her lover, who has no idea he’s fathered a son. Running Time 2 hours 40 minutes including interval. Tickets here
Exciting new writing is the order of the day at The Traverse this month, where Black Hole Sign (8-18 October), by practising NHS critical care nurse Uma Nada-Rajah, explores the realities and politics of our National Health Service. When a hole appears in the roof of a crumbling and understaffed A&E department, patients, porters and nurses do what they must to make it through the night.
Running time 90 minutes. Tickets here
Around the corner on Grindlay Street, the Royal Lyceum welcomes Men Behaving Badly and Blue Murder star Caroline Quentin to lead an ensemble company in the first production from new artistic director James Brining, The Seagull (9 October-1 November).
A fading actress. A restless writer. A family estate simmering with desire, ambition, and regret. All three collide in this darkly comic reimagining of Chekhov’s classic; Once-celebrated actress Arkadina (Quentin) leaves little chance for anyone else to shine. Her playwright son, Konstantin, yearns to escape her shadow and win the heart of Nina. But when Nina’s gaze turns instead to Arkadina’s lover, celebrated writer Trigorin, egos clash with devastating consequences.
Running Time to be confirmed. Tickets here
Finally, another classic enjoying an airing right now stops off at the Festival Theatre, Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird (21-25 October). Actor Richard Coyle returns to this production as Atticus Finch, reprising his role from the 2022 West End Production.
Running time 2 hours 50 minutes including interval. Tickets here
Until next month, happy theatre-going, Liam
