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.
Grounded @ Park Theatre (27 October-21 November)
George Brant's award winning play is about a fighter pilot whose career changes when she becomes pregnant. Put on drone detail, she finds her life split between tracking down terrorists and looking after her family. Deafinitely Theatre's production uses actors to creatively combine sign language, visual storytelling and spoken word. £18/£15/£12.50
Classified @ The Space (27-31 October)
The Twilight Zone meets Tales From The Crypt as the unexplained gets immersive in this creepy Halloween production.£12/10
The State Vs John Hayes @ Kings Head Theatre Pub (28 October-22 November)
It's Texas, 1959 and Elyese Dukie is on death row for murdering her husband and her lover. As she prepares for her final court date we learn that she believes someone is with her in her cell. Roslyn’s well-researched psychological thriller is laced with tension and dark humour. £10
The Screenwriter’s Daughter @ Leicester Square Theatre (28 October-29 November)
This comedy drama depicts the real life clash between iconic Hollywood writer Ben Hecht and his free-spirited daughter Jenny who went against her father’s wishes and joined avant garde troupe The Living Theatre. £19.50/15
Piaf @ Bridewell Theatre (30 October-14 November)
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Édith Piaf, this musical tells the turbulent true story of ‘the little sparrow’. The play charts her rise and fall and incorporates her legendary wobbly-voiced singing. £15/£12.50
Baddies The Musical @ Unicorn Theatre (3 November-24 December)
One to confuse the kids: this puts fairy tale villains like the Big Bad Wolf centre-stage and asks you to put yourself in their shoes for a change. £12-£24
By The End Of Us @ Southwark Playhouse (3-7 November)
Experimental and immersive, this one describes itself as "a live video game with two experiences" — you can try single player or multiplayer as you help guide assassin Mia Culper on a secret mission. £10/£20
Vampire Hospital Waiting Room @ Above the Arts Theatre (9 -21 November)
This shlocky comedy musical sees handsome billionaire Arty Baldwin caught in a horrific car accident, only then to be treated by Dr Bloom who is convinced his new patient is the long-prophesised Vampire Lord. £14/£12
Staying Alive @ The Pleasance (10-29 November)
Developed with bereavement charity SLOW, this dark comedy drama about a dinner party following the loss of a child shows how people can come to terms with interminable loss. £12/£10
Rent @ Bridewell Theatre (17-21 November)
The Broadway favourite drops into Bridewell to sing and shout about love, loss, illness and gay rights in NYC. £12.50 - £17
The Knight From Nowhere / The Bells @ Park Theatre (24 November-19 December)
This affectionate homage to the greatest actor of the 19th century Sir Henry Irving, sees the man come on stage dressed for the wrong play only to discover he is dead. Irving then gives us a tour of his life, loves and memorable roles. £18/£15/£12.5o
Around The World In 80 Days @ St. James Theatre (26 November-17 January)
Family fun as Phileas Fogg wagers his life’s fortune on circumnavigating the globe in just 80 days. A cast of eight plays over 50 characters in this high-spirited escapade. £15-£30
Festivals
Staging A Revolution Festival @Secret Venues (2-14 November)
Banned in their home country, the Belarus Free Theatre celebrates their 10th anniversary with a festival of 10 productions. Run by the Young Vic, the performances will be staged at secret venues each nights — just as they have been in Minsk to avoid detection by the authorities. After each performance there will be a discussion with political activists over Belarusian food and drink. Tickets £10/£19.50/£25
Voila! @ The Cockpit Theatre (4-14 November)
This annual French-language festival covers 10 days and unites troupes from francophone countries including Canada, Belgium, Switzerland and France itself. Tickets range from £5-14, with Festival Passes available — £34 if you're quick.
RADAR @ Bush Theatre (11-26 November)
This well-regarded annual festival of new writing aims to shine a spotlight on our emerging talent. £10/£15
Marhaba Maghreb @Sutton Theatres (21-29 November)
This festival of contemporary north African theatre and dance aims to investigate people and politics of the Maghreb in the wake of the Arab Spring. Ticket prices vary with some free events.
