Our pick of London’s best theatre, dance and opera opening this week; plus a head's up so you don't miss out on those shows leaving town in the next seven days...
THEATRE
Opening tonight is Orpehus at BAC, a new hot jazz, opera and French chanson adaptation of the Greek classic. It’s also the first night of Othello at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre; and The Duke in Darkness at the Tabard Theatre: the first production of this brilliant, Patrick Hamilton play for nearly 70 years.
Tomorrow is the opening night for the revival of Beautiful Thing at the Arts Theatre; Jane Eyre comes to the Rosemary Branch Theatre; Backgammon For Beginners opens at the Roundhouse; and The Breadwinner opens at the Orange Tree Theatre. Also opening tomorrow is #aiww: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at the Hampstead Theatre, a surreal, hilarious and terrifying portrait of the artist in extreme conditions by Howard Brenton.
On Thursday, you can see Swedish Wallander star Krister Henriksson’s debut on the West End stage as the lead in Doktor Glas.
OPERA
See magic, comedy and philosophy in a perfect mix in Mozart’s delightful opera Die Zauberflote at the Royal Opera House from tonight. Or you can try something completely different as L'Elisir d'Amore pops up at Blacks on Dean Street from tonight.
DANCE
Ballet fans can see Romeo And Juliet at Sadler’s Wells, danced by the National Ballet of Canada – their first London appearance in 26 years. From Friday, the ENB bring Ecstasy And Death to the London Coliseum; and from Saturday, you can see Mayerling, Kenneth MacMillan’s dark tale of political intrigue at the Royal Opera House.
LAST CHANCE
Saturday is your last chance to see A Doll’s House at the Young Vic; Three Birds at the Bush; The Life And Sort of Death of Eric Argyle at the Soho Theatre; Sunken Garden at the Barbican; Pappy’s Last Show Ever at the Soho Theatre; Gibraltar at the Arcola; I Didn’t Always Live Here at the Finborough; and Ubu Roi at the Barbican. Enjoy.
