There’s a lot to look forward to this October! As the transition from summer into fall solidifies, a slew of new shows will be opening. Here is a summary of all the new shows opening up next month.

High School Musical

It’s hard to believe it’s been twenty years since High School Musical first played on television. This newest revival spent a few weeks playing in Manchester, and is now ready to make it’s London debut! The show will open on October 12th and will be playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

Join Troy, Gabriella, and the students of East High as they navigate first love, friendships, and self-discovery. All this while juggling classes, basketball games, auditions, and the expectations of their peers.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has just celebrated their ten year anniversary on the West End, but that doesn’t mean it’s old news. The show has been closed for the last few weeks- reconfiguring into a traditional, single part show. The newly imagined show will open at the Palace Theatre on October 9th.

19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, they’re back on a most extraordinary new adventure. This time, they’re joined by a brave new generation that’s only just arrived at the legendary Hogwarts School. Prepare for spectacular spells, a mind-blowing race through time, and an epic battle to stop mysterious forces, all while the future hangs in the balance.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Jesus Christ Superstar had a phenomenal run this summer at the London Palladium, and now prepares to start the second leg of the run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. This show features Eurovision star Sam Ryder as Jesus. This is alongside Tyrone Huntley as Judas, Desmonda Cathabel as Mary Magdalene, and a selection of actors rotating through the role of King Herod.

Jesus Christ Superstar follows the events of the last days Jesus’ life, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Reflecting the rock roots that defined a generation, the score includes ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and the iconic title number ‘Superstar’.

The Cherry Orchard

A classic piece of theatre, Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard will debut at the Harold Pinter Theatre on October 3rd.

When Ranevskaya returns to her childhood estate after years abroad, she finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat. As old loyalties falter and new ambitions rise, a world of privilege begins to crumble. Can she embrace the future, or will the pull of memory prove impossible to escape?

The Lives of Others

This highly anticipated show will open on October 14th, though tickets are already scarce! The Lives of Others stars Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane, and Luke Thompson. This show will be playing at the Adelphi Theatre for a strictly limited run.

1984. East Germany. A writer and an actor are placed under state surveillance. From the attic above their apartment, their Stasi man listens for evidence of subversion. But to observe a life is to risk changing your own.

And this is only part of the list!

Also opening this month is:

From the Heart– Garrick Theatre
Cirque Berserk– Garrick Theatre
Franz & Marie– Charing Cross Theatre

Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe are set to star in the upcoming Robert Icke’s production of Romeo and Juliet. Furthermore new rehearsal room photos have just been released! The show starts on the 12th of March and will then play 12 weeks on a strictly limited run.

Alongside Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe is a talented supporting cast. This features Jamie Ankrah as Peter, Dylan Corbett-Bader as Benvolio, Eden Epstein as Lady Capulet, Clark Gregg as Capulet, Alex Felton as Abraham, Kasper Hilton-Hille as Friar John/Mercutiom Aruna Jalloh as Tybalt, Lewis Shepherd as Paris, Alexander Uzoka as Gregory, John Marquez as Friar Laurence, Clare Perkins as the Nurse , Ada Grey in the ensemble, Caroline Moroney as the Second Servant and David Shelley doubling as Montague and the Apothecary.

The show is directed by Robert Icke who is making a return to Shakespeare after his incredible critically acclaimed stagings of Player Kings as well as Hamlet with Ian McKellen and Andrew Scott respectively.

Moreover one of his more recent works was Oedipus featuring Mark Strong which transferred to Broadway after a successful West End run at the Wyndhams.

The creative team for this production has also been completed with casting by Julian Horan and Jim Carnahan. Voice work is supported by Penny Dyer and Nick Trumble. The set and costume designer is Hildegard Bechtler with Sabia Smith as costume supervisor abd Lily Mollgaard as pros supervisor. The rest of the teram includes Jon Clark as lighting designer, Giles Thomas as sound designer and Ash J. Woodward as the video designer. The production manager is Kate West who is working alongside Wabriya King as the production drama therapist.

Book tickets now to see Romeo and Juliet this Spring!

Joe Locke’s West End debut will be in Clarkston, a play by Samuel D Hunter. Clarkston follows a young man named Jake who is traveling west across America. He crosses paths with Chris on his search for meaning in a small American Town. The play explores their relationship and the future they imagine together. The play was first stages at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre back in 2018. This will be the UK premiere for it.

The show has finally announced it’s venue, The Trafalgar Theatre following the early closure announcement from Clueless The Musical. The play has won a New Play Award from the Edgerton Foundation, with previous winners including Next to Normal.

Hunter’s other work involves The Whale, A Bright New Boise and A Case for the Existence of God. The play will be directed by Jack Serio and this would be the second collaboration between Hunter and Serio as they also collaborated on Grangeville which played in New York. Locke is most well-known for his role as Charlie in Heartstopper alongside Kit Connor’s Nick.

It’s been a busy couple years for the Heartstopper stars as Locke made his Broadway debut last year in Sweeny Todd. Where he received high praises and his professional stage debut was at the Donmar Warehouse in 2022 for The Trials. For this he was nominated and won the WhatsOnStage award for Best Professional debut. Kit Connor also debuted on Broadway last year in Romeo + Juliet opposite Rachel Zegler (Evita). Locke is one of the most exciting young stars in the theatre industry and his debut it sure to draw many eyes and visitors.

General on-sale tickets are on sale now, the show is running a limited nine-week season so make sure to book before it’s too late!

The Woman in Black (Fortune Theatre, Closing 4th March) 

The Woman in Black is the second-longest running play on the West End after Agatha’s Christie’s classic ‘Who Dunnit’ The Mousetrap. After playing in London for over 33 years and more than 3000 performances, the spine-chilling horror is officially closing. 

Based on the book by Susan Hill, this spooky ghost story comes to life on stage in this adaptation by Stephen Mallatratt. 

The play tells the story of Arthur Kipps as he recounts his ghostly visit to the remote Eel Marsh House when he visited to deal with the affairs of the recently deceased owner and as the tale unfolds things start to get creepier and creepier. 

Filled with clever special effects, strange happenings and many a jump scare, there’s no wonder that this show has been playing to sold out audiences for over 30 years! 

The Woman in Black will play its final performance on the 4^th March 2023 at The Fortune Theatre. 

&Juliet (Shaftesbury Theatre, Closing 25th March)

The remixed version of the greatest love story of all time is officially coming to a close in London’s West End. 

From the writers of Schitt’s Creek, &Juliet is a pop musical celebrating the legendary songwriter, Max Martin. Bursting with classic hits we all know and love, including Britney’s ‘Baby One More Time’, Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ and The Backstreet Boy’s ‘I Want It That Way’, this show is one of the best nights out the West End has to offer. 

This clever and witty retelling of Shakespeare’s most well-known tale is taking its final bow on the 25^th March 2023 at The Shaftesbury Theatre. 

Dirty Dancing at (Dominion Theatre, Closing 29th April) 

‘Nobody puts baby in the corner!’ 

Based on the iconic film from 1987 starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, the stage musical Dirty Dancing is yet again coming to a close on The West End after its short run back at The Dominion Theatre. Including the classic hits from the movie such as ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’, ‘Do You Love Me’ and ‘Hungry Eyes’. 

It’s the summer of 1963 and 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is about to learn some major life lesson as well as a thing or two about dancing.

Dirty Dancing will be closing on the 29^th April 2023 at The Dominion Theatre. 

Only Fools and Horses the Musical (Theatre Royal Haymarket, Closing 29th April) 

Based on the record-breaking TV series that still has many watchers today, the critically acclaimed home-grown British musical has made audiences laugh out loud night after night for the past 3 years. 

You could say it’s ‘Lovely Jubbly!’ 

Featuring all the cherished moments that you know and love from the TV series (along with all the dodgy dealings too) but this time with a soundtrack full of catchy songs! The brilliant musical numbers include the iconic theme song, the show has all you need for a right good knees up!

You’d be a plonker to miss this hilarious musical before it closes on the 29^th April at The Theatre Royal Haymarket.