Our pick of London’s best theatre, dance and opera opening this week. Plus a reminder of those that are closing at the weekend.
THEATRE
Tonight's starry opening is The Audience at the Gielgud Theatre, with Helen Mirren reprising her role as Her Maj in a play penned by Peter Morgan and directed by Stephen Daldry.
Also opening tonight is The Boy Who Kicked Pigs at Jacksons Lane. Written by ex-Doctor Who Tom Baker, the play promises to be inventive, clever, gruesome and hilarious. Other theatre openings this week include Paper Dolls at the Tricycle Theatre from tomorrow (a true story of a group of Filipino immigrants in Tel Aviv who work as live-in carers for elderly orthodox Jewish men, but perform in a drag act once a week); Longing at the Hampstead theatre from Thursday, an adaptation of Chekhov stories by novelist William Boyd; and Mydidae at the Trafalgar Studios. (Which we reviewed last time it was in town, and thought it was "not particularly satisfying".)
KIDS' THEATRE
Coming to the Polka Theatre from Saturday, and suitable for kids aged 6 to 11, Grimm Tales is performed by the award-winning Theatr lolo and features the magical stories of Ashputtel (the original Cinderella story), Hansel And Gretel and Snow White.
DANCE
Following a sell-out run last year, Ballet Revolución returns to the Peacock Theatre tomorrow, with their explosive fusion of ballet, contemporary dance and hip hop, performed by a company of talented Cuban dancers to a soundtrack by artists including Usher, Beyoncé and J-Lo. On Friday, the BalletBoyz - The Talent 2013 are back at Sadler's Wells, performing a double bill by from Sadler's Wells' Associate Artist Russell Maliphant and First Artist at the Royal Ballet, Liam Scarlett.
LAST CHANCE
Saturday is your last chance to see Bitch Boxer and Bottleneck and Lady Rizo at the Soho Theatre; Money The Game Show at the Bush Theatre; If You Don't Let Us Dream, We Won't Let You Sleep at the Royal Court; and Stop Kiss at the Leicester Square Theatre. It's also the last night for Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory, but this last show is transferring to the West End later in the year, so you will be able to catch it again. Enjoy.
