TOP PICKS OF
SHOWS TO SEE
CHECK OUT OUR WHAT'S ON PAGES HERE for more shows at London pub theatres
See our selection of shows for April and May including our pick of the month, The Summer After Dad Died at The Hen & Chickens Theatre 22 - 26 April.
Drama SISTERS by David Storey at Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley 8 - 26 April
When Adrianne arrives unexpectedly at her sister Carol’s marital home, she realises nothing is quite what it seems or what she expected. She is forced to question who these people are, and what goes on upstairs? Carol has questions too. What has happened to Adrianne’s successful career in London, & why has she decided to visit after eighteen years? The sisters’ search for the truth has shocking consequences for both. Sisters is set in a large council estate in the industrial North of England. It is a remarkable, unsettling play about unrealised ambition, love, morals & madness. It was first presented at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, in 1978.
Musical LAMBCO Productions Presents Supersonic Man by Chris Burgess at Southwark Playhouse 9 Apr - 3 May
“So – you’re becoming a cyborg?”
Fun-loving influencer Adam and the love of his life, Darryl, are having the time of their lives. They’re young, they’re thriving, they’re carefree. But life is about to throw them a curveball.
This joyous and moving new musical set amidst the LGBTQI+ community of Brighton, asks how we find new ways to survive and love when faced with cataclysm. Inspired by the true-life story of Peter Scott-Morgan, as depicted in the Channel Four documentary: ‘Peter – The Human Cyborg’, Supersonic Man.
Comedy Drama THE SUMMER AFTER DAD DIED at Hen & Chickens Theatre, Islington 22 - 26 Apr
It is summer in Denmark, and the year is 1985. The country is in a deep financial crisis, and the world seems to be offering nothing but bad news. Following the death of their father, three sisters and their families get together in their old family summer house for a week of vacation – but emotions run high, and it is hard not to slip into old patterns. Soon, the tension starts growing, and the warm summer air tightens as secrets and betrayal rise to the surface. The Summer After Dad Died is a dark comedy about a torn-up family facing the hardships of the past, with a portrait of 1980’s Denmark as the backdrop. It examines themes such as generational trauma, identity, parenthood, love and betrayal.
Musical ORDINARY DAYS, Music and lyrics by Adam Gwon, at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in Highgate 22 - 27 April
Ordinary Days tells the story of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love, and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life.
Ordinary Days is an original musical for anyone who's ever struggled to appreciate the simple things in a complex place. With equal doses of humor and poignancy, it celebrates how 8.3 million individual stories combine in unexpected ways to make New York City such a unique and extraordinary home. A Life affirming and heartfelt musical that will leave audiences laughing one second and weeping uncontrollably the next.
Directed by Karl Steele (Artistic Director of The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham)
Comedy GRAVE MISTAKE at The Hope Theatre, Islington 27th May - 7th June
“Rule Number One: Funerals are spiritual, we are not.”
Burke & Sons Family Funerals are in crisis!
This funeral directorship has been established for over a hundred and fifty years, being safely handed down through the generations - Right up to the point Regina got hold of it!
Her latest in a long line of life ambitions is to open Jolly Gina’s Gin Bar & Spa, in the intimate yet spacious area of the building between the second floor and the roof, which the unimaginative might call… the loft.
Harriet, Regina’s sister and business partner, is left with a seemingly impossible task - save the business from bankruptcy!
The solution?
Do more funerals, obviously!
Harriet and Regina, together with hapless new intern, Malcolm, plan to run two funerals at once.
The first for Mrs Clarke, an unfortunate widow with a bit of a crush on Malcolm.
The second for Mrs Farrington, an ambitious social climber with an eye on the Burke’s family business.
Chaos descends as they wade their way through sandwich mix ups, mistaken identities, quite a lot of gin and… wait… was it Vivaldi or Frankie Valli?!
Can they pull off the impossible or have they made a…*clears throat… Grave Mistake?!
Matthew Ballantyne & Toby Hampton reunite to write this fast-paced & witty new comedy after their 5-star, award-nominated run of ‘21 Round For Christmas’ at Park Theatre in 2023.
Produced by the award-winning in-house team at The Hope Theatre, Grave Mistake is sure to be a hilarious, chaotic treat!
Press by Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller, presented by Black Bat Productions at Jack Studio Theatre, Lewisham 17 June - 5 July
It’s the big day. The announcement is in a few hours’ time, and film producers David and Kate anticipate their prestigious Civil War epic Catch Me Some Freedom will be nominated for plenty of Goldies. Until, however, they learn that the film’s heroic lead role, played by a white actor, was in real life actually Black. Fearing an intense and career-jeopardizing backlash, David and Kate frantically try to avoid public scrutiny, and keep the film from getting any attention whatsoever. Featuring award-winning writer and performer Nathaniel Brimmer-Beller as David, and the acclaimed Rosie Hart as Kate, this “comedic yet poignant” Hollywood satire returns, acclaimed as “genius” (★★★★★ Broadway Baby) with “a wonderful set-up” that “delivers in every manner” (★★★★★ Violet Curtain).
Psst ... more shows being added each week
We are very proud to announce that LONDON PUB THEATRES MAGAZINE is now an OFFIE AWARD WINNING publication
A ONEOFF Special Award (February 2024) has been awarded to London Pub Theatres Magazine and Editor Heather Jeffery for providing a vital forum for highlighting the excellent work that happens in rooms in pubs, with sensitive editing, and an acute sense of the importance of tiny fringe venues to the health and development of British Theatre
London pub theatres magazine is published in Rickmansworth by London Pub Theatres Magazine Ltd ISSN 2977-6724