*The Choir of Man* will return to the Arts Theatre in the West End for a five-month engagement next year, after changes to the timeline of the venue's proposed redevelopment.

The venue will close for 10 weeks for preparatory work ahead of the redevelopment on 31 December, as planned, but will reopen for performances from 12 March until 31 August.

Casting is yet to be announced.

On behalf of the producers, Nic Doodson said, “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to go into our fourth year at...

'The Choir of Man' to return for five-month run in 2025

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*The Choir of Man* opened at the Arts Theatre in October 2021, and has welcomed more than 280,000 audience members over 1000 performances.

Paul Mescal will reprise his Olivier Award-winning turn as Stanley in Rebecca Frecknall's production of Tennessee Williams’s *A Streetcar Named Desire* in the West End next year. The play will run for three weeks only from 3-22 February 2025 at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Known for his roles in *Gladiator II, Normal People*, and *All Of Us Strangers*, Mescal will be joined by Patsy Ferran (*Summer & Smoke*) as Blanche, Anjana Vasan (*We Are Lady Parts*) as Stella, and Dwane Walcott (*One Night in...

'A Streetcar Named Desire' starring Paul Mescal to return to the West End for limited run

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Paul Mescal is best known for his roles in *Gladiator II, Normal People*, and *All Of Us Strangers* alongside Andrew Scott. Patsy Ferran will also star.

Ryan Calais Cameron's *Retrograde* will transfer to the West End next March. His thriller about the actor and activist Sidney Poitier will open at the Apollo Theatre for a strictly limited run from 8 March to 14 June.

Calais Cameron recently had success in the West End with two runs of *For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy*. *Retrograde* transfers to the Apollo from the Kiln Theatre and follows a young Sidney Poitier on the cusp of signing a career-defining...

Ryan Calais Cameron's 'Retrograde' to transfer to the West End

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Ryan Calais Cameron recently had success in the West End with two runs of *For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy*.

Jon M. Chu’s movie adaptation of beloved international musical phenomenon *Wicked* has gone down a storm (or should that be a tornado), becoming the highest grossing movie based on a Broadway musical of all time. Two of the leads, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey, started their careers in theatre (and pop sensation and acting newcomer Ariana Grande is also terrific – simply airiness personified). Not only was the film made locally at Sky Studios Elstree, Hertfordshire — much of the film's...

All the West End actors in the 'Wicked' movie

Wicked movie 

The wonderful *Wicked* movie is filled with cameos from West End actors such as Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey – can you spot them all?

“Queen of Rock’n’roll” Tina Turner was a true diva with an extraordinary life. Born Anna Mae Bullock and raised in the rural community of Nutbush, Tennessee, she began working as a cotton picker at an early age. Through singing in nightclubs, she met Ike Turner and joined his band the Kings of Rhythm in 1956. They married in 1962 and divorced in 1978 following many years of domestic abuse.

Turner staged a remarkable comeback as a solo artist in 1980. She is one of the best-selling recording...

Make a day out of 'Tina: The Tina Turner Musical' in London

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Rock out in London with an iconic pop-themed restaurant, a themed walking tour, and a museum celebrating two musical legends.

The third Monday of January is often known as Blue Monday, which falls on 20 January 2025. Typically considered to be the saddest day of the year, Blue Monday can feel hard to beat. But with an incredible variety of West End shows taking place, treat yourself this January with a trip to the theatre.

Book [West End shows](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/) on London Theatre.

## West End shows on Blue Monday

There are numerous West End shows taking place on 20 January. Here's some of our top...

Beat the blues with West End shows to watch on Blue Monday

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Further casting has been announced for Ella Hickson's adaptation of Sophocles's *Oedipus* at London's Old Vic. The play will co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter in a strictly limited run from 21 January 2025.

Joining the previously announced Rami Malek (*Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die*) as Oedipus and Indira Varma (*Present Laughter, Game of Thrones*) as Jocasta are Nicholas Khan as Creon, Joseph Mydell as Corinthian, Cecilia Noble as Tiresias, and Nicholas Woodeson as...

Further cast announced for 'Oedipus' at the Old Vic

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Indira Varma (*Present Laughter, Game of Thrones*) and Rami Malek (*Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die*) will play mother and son Jocasta and Oedipus.

Ewan McGregor will return to the London stage for the first time in 17 years in a new play by US playwright and screenwriter Lila Raicek. *My Master Builder* will open at Wyndham’s Theatre on 29 April 2025, with previews from 17 April.

Directed by Michael Grandage, *My Master Builder* is inspired by the work of playwright Henrik Ibsen and follows publishing magnate Elena Solness as she prepares to throw a party in celebration of her architect husband, Henry, in the Hamptons. But when his former...

Ewan McGregor to return to the London stage in 'My Master Builder'

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*My Master Builder* reunites McGregor and Grandage following their previous collaborations on *Othello* and *Guys and Dolls* for the Donmar Warehouse.

“Don't waste your pucker on some all-day sucker / And don't try a toffee or cream / If you seek perfection in sugar confection / Well there's something new on the scene”, sings candy inventor Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. While his “Toot Sweets” that last forever have yet to be invented, we think it’s more fun trying out lots of different options and there’s no shortage of imaginative offerings in London's West End.

From ice cream to cinnamon buns to French patisserie, read on...

Best places to get dessert in the West End

London Dessert

Satisfy your sweet tooth with London's finest ice cream, cakes, brownies, and more.

“In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came…” The most romantic show in the West End since 1986, *The Phantom of the Opera* continues to captivate with its lush Andrew Lloyd Webber score and unforgettable designs by the late Maria Björnson. Telling the story of young opera singer Christine, torn between the mysterious “Angel of Music” (the titular Phantom) and her aristocratic suitor Raoul, it’s a real feast of Victoriana at its most glamorous and gothic.

London is filled with beautiful and...

Make a day out of 'The Phantom of the Opera' in London

Phantom 2024

Enjoy a romantic and artistic day out inspired by "The Music of the Night", visiting the Royal Opera House, Tate Britain, and Maison Bertaux.

Mischief Theatre's <a href="/show/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery">The Comedy About A Bank Robbery</a> has set its final performance date in the West End.The comedy, which was the sequel to the company's original <a href="/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong">The Play That Goes Wrong</a>, has been running in London at the <a href="/theatres/duchess-theatre">Duchess Theatre</a> for the last three years.While it was booking until 1st November, it has now been announced that the show will close on Sunday 3rd May. Those with tickets beyond those dates should contact their point of purchase for more information.It comes as the company's latest show <a href="/show/magic-goes-wrong">Magic Goes Wrong</a>, which is part of a year-long season of new shows at the <a href="/theatres/vaudeville-theatre">Vaudeville Theatre</a>, has announced an extension through to September, rounding out its year-long stint at the venue.The company's original <a href="/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong">The Play That Goes Wrong</a> continues to play at the <a href="/theatres/duchess-theatre">Duchess Theatre</a> in the West End, while the festive <a href="/show/peter-pan-goes-wrong">Peter Pan Goes Wrong</a> recently played the Alexandra Palace Theatre.<a href="/show/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery">The Comedy About A Bank Robbery</a> will close on Sunday, 3rd May.<a href="/show/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery">The Comedy About A Bank Robbery</a><a href="/show/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery"> tickets</a>&nbsp;are available now.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery to close in the West End in May

Comedy About A Bank Robbery

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The Comedy about a Bank Robbery [1198]

Genre: Comedy 

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The Comedy About a Bank Robbery&nbsp;closed at the&nbsp;<a href="/theatres/criterion-theatre">Criterion Theatre</a>&nbsp;on 15th March, finishing early due to the global pandemic. For more information, <a href="/covid-19">please read here</a>.Mischief Theatre's hit comedy show The Comedy About A Bank Robbery sent audiences into fits of laughter at the <a href="/theatres/criterion-theatre">Criterion Theatre</a>, as the hilarious theatre company are cementing their reputation as the funniest outfit in the West End and beyond.The smash-hit follow-up to the company's debut The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is set in the summer of 1958, as the Minneapolis City Bank has been entrusted to take care of a precious diamond. A dangerous escaped convict is on the loose and determined to steal the priceless jewel with the help of his sidekick, girlfriend, and the maintenance man.Join the company on a wildly funny farce, where mistaken identity, love triangles and hidden agendas mean everything is on the line for these screwball characters.The Comedy About A Bank Robbery opened at the <a href="/theatres/criterion-theatre">Criterion Theatre</a> in London in March 2016, following the smash-and-grab success of Mischief Theatre's hit original <a href="/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong">The Play That Goes Wrong</a>.A favourite for families of all ages, the traditional British, slapstick humour of The Comedy About A Bank Robbery guarantees side-splitting laughs, dynamite comedy and a memorable night at the theatre.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery - LON - London Theatre

Buy The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Tickets showing at the Criterion Theatre, London. Choose your own seats, best availability from London Theatre Guide.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery Tickets | London, UK - London Theatre

From the team behind the award-winning show “The Play That Goes Wrong” and the smash-hit “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” “The Comedy About a Bank Robbery” brings back Mischief Theatre’s brand of humor. Now breaking into its third year in London, The Daily Telegraph calls this Olivier-nominated production “the funniest show in the West End”, with Time Out describing it as “The best new comedy to open straight into the West End in decades”.

The scene is set in 1950s Minneapolis, where an expensive diamond, owned by a Hungarian prince, has been entrusted to the city bank. An escaped convict, joined by one of the corrupted prison guards who helped him escape, attempts to deceive the bank manager, Robin Freeboys, and steal the precious gem for himself. Aided by Freeboys’s money-hungry daughter, this fast-paced theatrical treat is full of puns and slapstick hilarity. A pickpocket pretending to be a doctor. Numerous characters posing as the bank manager. A confused maintenance man. What could possibly go wrong?
## What to watch for
Comedies are not often remembered for their set designs, but this production is an exception. Look out for the innovative scene featuring an aerial view of the office, where ropes produce a gravity-defying effect.

In one scene, Freeboys hides behind every piece of furniture in the room. Using physical comedy, he keeps getting caught up in the fold-up bed with hilarious results.

Mischief Theatre, led by artistic director Henry Lewis and company director Jonathan Sayer, was formed in 2008 by a group of graduates from The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

The show opened in the West End in 2016, before embarking on a tour around the UK in 2018.

The Comedy about a Bank Robbery [1198] - TodayTix

The appropriately named Mischief Theatre have been making merry mischief with the West End since 2014 when their fringe-born hit <a href="/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong">The Play That Goes Wrong</a> transferred to the <a href="/theatres/duchess-theatre">Duchess</a>, which went on to win last year's Olivier Award for best comedy and is still running, and is now Broadway-bound. Their second show <a href="/show/peter-pan-goes-wrong">Peter Pan Goes Wrong</a>, which ran at the <a href="/theatres/apollo-theatre">Apollo</a> last Christmas, was also Olivier nominated. That, too, was honed via a pre-London tour; but now for the first time they are even more ambitiously not only creating a fully-fledged play, rather than a sequence of expertly choreographed mishaps, but also have opened the show 'cold' in the West End without a try-out first.In an interview in the programme with Londontheatre.co.uk's <a href="/info/writers/dom-ohanlon">Dom O'Hanlon</a>, co-writer and actor Henry Shields says of the added responsibility, "There's pressure because it's so big and it's all new material - we have no idea if it's funny really, it's all completely new stuff, a brand new play opening directly in the West End."They can rest easy: it is funny — very. Admittedly, there were times when I thought they might be enjoying their own jokes just a bit too much; some go on a bit too long. But it's a nice problem to have, and this show had me — and the rest of the audience — laughing merrily throughout.And if it seems far-fetched, too, that a pair of crooks can plan a bank raid from their prison cell -- and then conscript most of their jailers as collaborators — we only have to think of the recent audacity of the Hatton Gardens safe deposit company heist, carried out by four elderly career criminals, to know that this stuff can and does happen.But the only crime that Mischief would be guilty of is not making audiences have a good time, and they're determined to avoid any chance of being convicted of failing to achieve that. The show is one long blast of laughter, ricocheting around the auditorium and barely making it all the way around before another round is set off. Some of it is the script; a lot of it is the inspired lunacy and physical daring of Mark Bell's production; most of it is the stunning ensemble of company members who fearlessly execute it.Like the Reduced Shakespeare Company, an American-formed troupe who took a had a nine-year West End run with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) — that also played at the Criterion — and later added 8 other 'abridged' shows including The Complete History of America (Abridged) and The Bible (Abridged) to their repertoire to create a comedy franchise. I doubt Mischief Theatre will be leaving the <a href="/theatres/criterion-theatre">Criterion</a> anytime soon.<a href="/show/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery">Comedy about a Bank Robbery Tickets</a> are now on sale.&nbsp;&nbsp;"Is this a show that says smart things about the banking crisis? Not a jot. Does it deliver swag-loads of pleasure and thoroughly deserve to make a mint? Absolutely." Dominic Cavendish for The Telegraph"In visual gags and physical slapstick ... the show is thrillingly and daringly inventive. There is also an astonishing perspective gag, in which actors remain vertical but are suddenly seen from above." Mark Lawson for The Guardian"The first half of Mark Bell's production is laboured set-up; the second sees some slightly more fruitful mayhem in the bank." Fiona Mountford for The Evening Standard"The entire cast is bang on the money, but Mischief Theatre's own Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer are the standouts as booming bank manager Robin Freeboys and hapless loser (and eternal intern) Warren Slax." Stewart Pringle for Time Out"The cast produces a display of physical comedy and inspired wordplay that never flags for a second. The choreography of the set pieces is masterly, full of invention and surprises. Just when you think you've seen the highlight, they go and top it." Tony Peters for Radio TimesExternal links to full reviews from popular press <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/quite-simply-this-is-the-funniest-show-in-the-west-end/" target="Top">Telegraph</a> - <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2016/apr/22/the-comedy-about-a-bank-robbery-review-criterion-theatre-london" target="Top">Guardian</a>

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery review of new comedy at the Criterion Theatre

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) - LON [38626]

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

A new British musical from writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan.

The Criterion Theatre is a gem of Victorian architecture located in the bustling heart of London, nestled within the world-famous Piccadilly Circus. Hidden away underground, this grand and storied venue brims with rich history and elegance. Built in 1874 by architect Thomas Verity, and designed in a striking Italian Renaissance style, the theatre seats 588 people across three levels. Notably, it is constructed predominantly from concrete, a characteristic unusual for its time. The theatre's magnificent gilded interior and treasured Criterion Bar sublimely enhance the overall patron experience.

Over the years, the Criterion Theatre has been the host to a variety of productions spanning several genres, including comedies, dramas, thrillers, musical concerts, and matinees. Its 'Criterion New Writing Programme' reflects its commitment towards nurturing potential playwrights and encouraging new work.

### How to Get There

The Criterion Theatre is conveniently served by several modes of public transportation. The nearest Tube station is Piccadilly Circus, served by the Piccadilly and Bakerloo lines, a mere two-minute walk away. Numerous bus routes run along Piccadilly, Regent Street, and Shaftesbury Avenue, making the venue easily accessible. However, due to its central location, parking is limited and it's advisable to use public transportation if possible. The venue is within London’s Congestion Charge Zone, and for those choosing to drive, nearby parking is available at Q Park Chinatown in Newport Place.

Criterion Theatre - LON

Criterion Theatre LON 

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When the Criterion Theatre first opened in 1873, the space was designed as a concert hall. The Criterion Theatre is the only West End theatre to be situated almost entirely underground — even the Upper Circle is not at street level. 

The Criterion Theatre housed comic opera in its early years, including works by W. S. Gilbert and George Grossmith. A decade after opening, the theatre had to be renovated to meet the Metropolitan Board of Works standards for ventilation. This work also saw the installation of electricity to the theatre. The building surrounding the theatre was extensively rebuilt between 1989 and 1992, but the Victorian auditorium was well-preserved and still stands today. 

Notable shows at the Criterion Theatre include *The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)* by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, the long-running play *The 39 Steps* and Mischief Theatre's *The Comedy About A Bank Robbery*.

## Criterion Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has three levels – Stalls, Dress Circle and Upper Circle.

The front rows of the Stalls offers good views of the stage, though the seating is not raked steeply. 

The Dress Circle has specifically designated ‘restricted view’ seats due to the number of pillars supporting the Upper Circle in Row C.

The Upper Circle offers unrestricted theatre views.

Criterion Theatre - London Theatre

The Criterion Theatre, opened in 1873, situated underground, had comic operas in early years. Later renovated with installed electricity, preserved Victorian auditorium remains. Notable shows include Shakespeare's works.

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The Criterion Theatre is a historic Victorian theatre in London's Piccadilly Circus, easily accessible by tube and bus services.

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery to close in the West End in May

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