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.
Secret Theatre Project @ secret location, East London (1 August-1 September)
Describing a secret show is never easy, but we're told this one — held on an east London island — looks to challenge social extremes that face east Londoners. £28 (£19.50 concessions)
Bears In Space @ Soho Theatre (3-22 August)
See Joffrey from Game Of Thrones (aka Jack Gleeson) with his theatre troupe Collapsing Horse in a madcap play about ursine cosmonauts featuring puppets. What? Exactly. £10-£16
Henry V @ The Loft, Bermondsey (3-5 August)
Celebrate the 600th anniversary of the battle of Agincourt with this candle-lit performance of Shakespeare’s classic using original accents. The show takes place in a loft in Bermondsey. £20-50 (£10 concessions)
A Naughty Night with Noël Coward @ Old Red Lion Theatre (4-29 August)
Two sparklingly hilarious one act plays We Were Dancing and The Better Half recreate the louche world of Noel Coward. £13.50/£11
Letter to Larry @ Jermin Street Theatre (4-22 August)
Behind the bedroom doors of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh — expect love, lust, regret and high thesping. £23/£18
Crossing Jerusalem @ Park Theatre (4-29 August)
This gripping drama takes place over 24 hours during the intifada in Jerusalem in 2002. £12.50-£18
Down and Out in Paris and London @ New Diorama Theatre (5-30 August)
George Orwell's eye-opening book about getting lost in the underclass of two 1920s cities is brought to vivid and witty life. £8.50-£12.50
Fucking Men @ King’s Head Theatre (5-29 August)
This updated male-oriented version of Schnitzler's La Ronde explores the sex lives of 10 men. £15-£25
Bruises @ Tabard Theatre (11-29 August)
The friendship between a prostitute and a gymnast is explored in this frank play about getting by in difficult circumstances. £17/£15
Homegrown @ NT part of National Youth Theatre (12-27 August)
A cast of over 100 take over UCL Academy in an immersive show that seeks to understand why young people leave Britain to join Islamic State. £10-£17.50
Absent @ Shoreditch Town Hall (24 August-25 October)
This intriguing promenade installation recounts the Duchess of Argyll’s residence in London in the 1970s. £12.50-£15
You Won't Succeed on Broadway If You Don't Have Any Jews @ St. James Theatre (25 August - 5 September)
A witty musical tour of some of Broadway's best composers. £15-£35
Family Fare
Adventures in Wonderland @ Waterloo Vaults (until 30 August)
Little adventurers aged between five and 10 have a month left to fall down the rabbit hole in this roaming, interactive performance with characters from the Lewis Carroll classic. £12.50-£18.50
Annie Jr. @ Arts Theatre (29 July-31 August)
Yes, that Annie — the one with the hard knock life and the dog. Kids will lap it up. £10-£25
Aliens Love Underpants @ Dominion Theatre (1 August-5 September)
The popular children's book is brought to life on stage with special effects, madcap action, original music and y-fronts. £16.25-£24.55
Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom @ New Wimbledon Theatre (11-12 August)
A magical musical adventure from the makers of Peppa Pig about a fairy who has trouble flying and her best friend Ben the elf. £16-£18
Festivals
Grimeborn Opera Festival @ Arcola Theatre (4-29 August)
The Dalston theatre hands its main space over to host a dozen operas. This is the ninth year of the festival and it gets stronger each time. Includes Falstaff, La Boheme, Madama Butterfly and more. £12-15 (with passports available for special discounts)
Camden Fringe @ venues all over Camden (3-30 August)
This annual jamboree is simply too whopping to cover here, so look out for our weekly picks of the best shows.
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/
