Besides bringing you reviews of all the big shows each month, we also want you to know about the best fringe fare out there: those smaller shows and plays with brief runs which also deserve a look. If you see one, please tell us what you thought of it in the comments below.
Double Bill: Portia Coughan and The Verb 'To Love' @ Old Red Lion Theatre (28 April-23 May)
Enjoy a revival of haunting Irish tale Portia Coughan and the premiere of a newly-produced musical about love. £16-£12, prebook online suggested
Shh...Bang! @ Polka Theatre (1-3 May)
A playful dance-theatre performance exploring silence and noise for children (aged 3+) and their grown-ups. The show will be at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 and 27 May, too. £11.50/£9, prebook online suggested
One by One @ Tristan Bates Theatre (4-9 May)
One audience member is admitted to the show every 10 minutes: imagine your identity has been hacked and you must embark on a hunt around central London to track down your doppelganger. £17/£15, prebook online suggested
EleXion @ Theatre503 (5-9 May 2015)
Co-authored by emerging playwrights, this play explores a cross-section of British experiences — from a party in a chicken shop to a meeting at parliament — leading up to the General Election.
Abandoman: Hot Desk @ Udderbelly Festival (6-10 May)
Abandoman is Ireland’s top comedy hip hop improv team: this year they return to the Udderbelly for their biggest show to date. Expect an explosive mix of audience interaction and razor-sharp improvisation. £16/£15.50/£14, prebook online suggested
Greg Wohead: Ted Bundy @ Shoreditch Town Hall (6-9 May)
Writer and performer Greg Wohead takes his Ted Bundy Project to Shoreditch. He spent a lot of time listening to the confessions of the American serial killer. Listen to what he has to say. £12.50, prebook online suggested
When We Dead Awaken @ The Space (12-30 May)
Award-winning company Les Foules present their new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's final play. This psychodrama tells the story of couple Rubek and Maia, whose holiday in a mountain resort will change them inexorably. £12/£10, prebook online suggested
Arthur Smith - Oh Hazel @ Udderbelly on 14 May
Arthur Smith takes on the topic of dementia from a personal point of view, setting off an emotional and musical journey, based on the diaries of his mother, who suffers of this illness. Don't miss this performance, as it's set to be a one-off. £15.50/£14, prebook online suggested, 9pm
As You Like It? @ The Pleasance Theatre (14-16 May)
Purple Ostrich Productions takes Shakespeare's classic and transforms it with an LGBTQ focus. For the first time, the relationship between Celia and Rosalind takes the centre-stage. £7.50/£5, prebook online suggested
Battersea Odyssey @ Katherine Low Settlement (15-17 May)
Stories and memories of life in Battersea over the last century are woven together and presented by actors located all over the quirky and historic building of Katherine Low Settlement to paint a vivid portrait of the community.
Rock, Paper, Scissors @ Jack Studio Theatre (19-30 May)
Roma and Mihai are brothers sharing a tiny south London flat: they fight about everything, except the fact they don't want to be known as Romanian Gypsies. A play about immigration and identity, which has never been such a hot topic as now. £14/£12, prebook online suggested
O NO! by Jamie Wood @ Ovalhouse (20-23 May)
Jamie Wood performs an offbeat homage to the woman blamed for breaking up the Beatles. £10/£6, prebook online suggested
Also Try...
Udderbelly Festival @ Southbank Centre (on until 19 July)
The big purple cow returns to the Southbank for the annual festival which mixes circus with comedy, cabaret and diverse artistic performances. This year’s line-up includes comedians like Katherine Ryan and Sara Pascoe, cult alternative comedy from the Pajama Men and modern circus from A Simple Space, Bromance and Beta Testing. £17.50-£12.50, check website for shows and availability
Now '15 Festival @ The Yard Theatre (14 April - 20 June)
The brilliant little Yard Theatre is one of the places to spot up and coming talent and this festival is bound to throw up some great stuff. We saw the opening show Just Like Larry Walters which was an insane mix of Disney's Up and Agadoo. Tips for stuff coming up include new work by Sleepwalk Collective and Ponyboy Curtis, but we reccomend popping in at random to see what you get.
There's also a load of politically-themed plays to tie in with the election which you can find here.
Find more about what else is on by visiting Londonist’s Theatre & On Stage page where you'll find reviews, previews and more. We also have special offers on tickets at tickets.londonist.com/
