Our top tips for the best theatre, opera and dance shows opening in London this week. Plus a reminder of those about to leave London's stages...
DANCE
Tonight, the Rambert Dance Company is at Sadler's Wells with a programme of works featuring the heart-breaking and humorous Labyrinth of Love, Merce Cunningham’s Sounddance, and Richard Alston’s sharp and witty creation Dutiful Ducks. Over at the Barbican from Thursday you can see Michael Clark Company present New Work 2012. It’s a double bill featuring a piece choreographed to music by Scritti Politti and another to music by Relaxed Muscle, who also performs live exclusively for the Barbican season.
THEATRE
New play Red Velvet opens at the Tricycle Theatre tonight. Starring Adrian Lester, Red Velvet is the true story of Ira Aldridge, a young black actor who took on the role of Othello in the 1830s, creating a revolution inside the theatre that matched the turmoil going on in the streets outside. Also opening tonight is the bleakly funny Stacey at the New Diorama; Joe Orton’s Loot Upstairs at the Gatehouse; and Matthew Lewis’ 1796 gothic masterpiece, The Monk, at Barons Court Theatre.
Tomorrow, a new British musical comes to the West End. Written by Elliot Davis and Busted's James Bourne, Loserville opens at the Garrick Theatre, telling the story of a group of geeky friends in 1970s America. (There's a sample in the video below.) From Friday, you can see Martina Cole's Dangerous Lady at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the publication of Cole's first novel, the Stratford theatre presents its third adaptation of a Cole novel.
Finally, on Monday, Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 The Musical comes to the New Wimbledon Theatre. A story of friendship, gossip and revenge, Dolly Parton - 9 to 5 The Musical stars Natalie Casey, Bonnie Langford, Ben Richards and Amy Lennox. Or you can catch Dr Faustus at the Pleasance Theatre presented by Scene Productions using stunning puppetry, live illusion and trickery to bring avenging angels and dastardly demons to life.
OPERA
Multi-award-winning director Rufus Norris directs Mozart’s most wickedly seductive opera, Don Giovanni at the London Coliseum from tomorrow.
LAST CHANCE
The Magic Flute closes at the London Coliseum on Thursday. Saturday is your last chance to see Insufficiency at the Riverside Studios; Sunset Baby at the Gate; Paul Merton at the Vaudeville Theatre; and Mudlarks at the Bush.
