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.
Violence and Son @ Royal Court Theatre (3 June-11 July)
After the loss of his mother, 17 year old Liam moves to Wales to live with a father he's never met and whose nickname is Violence. £20, booking in advance suggested
The Diary of a Hounslow Girl @ Ovalhouse (3-6 June)
The debut play of Ambreen Razia, a British Pakistani writer and actress. She describes the challenges of being a 16 year old girl growing up in a traditional Muslim family in London. £5, booking in advance suggested
Turn Back The Clock @ St James Studio (8-11 June)
A show dedicated to Joyce Grenfell, beloved actress and entertainer. One for lover of old-fashioned funny shows.£25/£20, booking in advance suggested
The Dead Monkey @ Park Theatre (9 June-4 July)
A dark comic play which examines modern life from within a particularly twisted marriage. Written by acclaimed American playwright Nick Darke. £18/£15, booking in advance suggested
I And The Village @ Theatre 503 (9 June-4 July)
The story of a troubled teenager in small town America that asks pointed questions about conformity, dissent and America's devotion to guns. £15/£12/Pay What You Can Sundays, booking in advance suggested
Luna Gale @ Hampstead Theatre (13 June-18 July)
Caroline Cox has been working in The Department of Human Services for 25 years. She finds herself in an unexpected situation when she meets Peter and Karlie, teen parents of newborn Luna Gale. £35-£10, booking in advance suggested
Chef @ Soho Theatre (15 June-4 July)
Listen to the story of a woman who went from being head chef in a restaurant to a convicted inmate running a prison kitchen — Orange Is The New Black meets Come Dine With Me. £16-£10, booking in advance suggested
A Single Act by Jane Bodie @ Theatro Technis (16-20 June)
A volatile drama inspired by the events of 9/11, which explores the consequences of terrorism. £15, booking in advance suggested
Becoming Mohammed @ The Space (16-18 June)
Director Annemiek van Elst transforms personal experiences into confrontational theatre. She explores the emotional journey she undertook when her brother decided to convert to Islam three years ago. £14/£10, booking in advance suggested
The Baker’s Wife @ The Drayton Theatre (16 June-4 July)
Rural France, 1930s and a small bickering village has been struggling without bread since the death of its baker, until Aimable and his young wife Genevieve arrive to re-open the bakery... £16/£12, booking in advance suggested
Festivals
Udderbelly Festival @ Southbank Centre (on until 19 July)
The big purple cow is back on 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 recommend popping in at random to see what you get. £10 per double bill
Incoming Festival 2015 @ New Diorama Theatre (1-10 June)
Ten days showcasing works of the best emerging theatre companies from all around the country. Alongside the performances, there will be a full programme of workshops, talks and one-off events: see full programme here. Shows and events priced individually
Talawa Firsts @ Talawa Theatre Company (8-26 June)
This season of new work by emerging Black theatre artists is now in its fourth year. The studio near Old Street will be used to showcase three new writers and three new theatre-makers. The work covers issues about discrimination and responsibility and features performance, dance and movement — there are also workshops.
Short Cuts 8 @ Hen and Chickens Theatre (9-13 June)
Five nights of twisted comedy fun, choose your favourite one from these short plays. All dark, all comic and all downright weird — full programme here. £10 each show
Slapdash @ The Miller (10-13 June)
Now in it's sixth year, this improvisation comedy and theatre festival promises to be anything but predictable with shows and workshops over four days. Day tickets £8/festival pass £20
Face to Face Festival @ White Bear Theatre (29 June-12 July)
This festival of solo theatre celebrates its fourth anniversary by bringing back the best shows from previous years. Tickets £12/£10
GOlive Dance and Performance Festival @ Lion and Unicorn (1-20 June)
A playful mini-festival of physical performances designed for small spaces, it promises to be quite different. Tickets £8-£10
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/
