Top theatre to see in London in March

From the West End return of For Black Boys, to Opening Night with Sheridan Smith and the UK premiere of MJ the Musical, here’s the top theatre picks in London this March.

The shortest month of the year has whizzed past us, and March is finally here. The sun shines a little brighter, the days are a little longer, and there’s plenty of exciting shows to look forward to. There’s dozens of new shows opening in the West End and across London in March 2024. Here’s our top picks for what to see in London in March.

MJ the Musical

Are you ready to be thrilled? Writer Lynn Nottage and director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s Tony Award-winning musical about the King of Pop and his 1992 Dangerous World Tour makes the much-anticipated journey to London’s West End. Global superstar-in-the-making Myles Frost will reprise the role of MJ, which he originated on Broadway, earning him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical at the age of 22 and making him the award’s youngest ever solo recipient. The musical includes some of Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5’s greatest hits, including “Smooth Criminal”, “Billie Jean”, “Beat It”, and “ABC”, bringing Jackson’s music to life on stage nearly 15 years after his death.

Book MJ the Musical tickets on London Theatre from 6 March.

Harry Clarke

The Morning Show and Almost Famous star Billy Crudup is heading to the West End with David Cale’s one-man show about a Midwestern barista who reinvents himself as a Cockney Englishman and charms his way into a wealthy New York family. Don’t miss your chance to see the Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor play 19 characters over 80 minutes.

Book Harry Clarke tickets on London Theatre from 9 March.

Opening Night

The show must go on for leading lady Sheridan Smith in this new musical adaptation of John Cassavetes’ 1977 film Opening Night, which follows an actress haunted by a deceased fan days before the opening night of her latest play. The Olivier Award-winner, known for West End roles including Legally Blonde and Little Shop of Horrors, is directed by the play’s writer Ivo van Hove (All About Eve, A Little Life). Music and lyrics are by singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright.

Book Opening Night tickets on London Theatre from 6 March.

Sister Act

Beverley Knight is back in the habit as Sister Act returns to the West End. She will reprise the role of Deloris Van Cartier this month, with Alexandra Burke taking over in June. But the starry cast doesn’t end there: Lesley Joseph, Clive Rowe, Lemar, and Gavin and Stacey’s Ruth Jones will all star in Alan Menken’s musical about a singer who joins a convent as part of a witness protection programme.

Book Sister Act tickets on London Theatre from 15 March.

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy

Ryan Calais Cameron’s show has been on an extraordinary journey from studio theatre, to the Royal Court, to the Apollo Theatre last year. Now the play about six young Black men, who convene for group therapy, is back in the West End for a limited nine-week run. A new cast including Dear England’s Albert Magashi and Fela Lufadeju (Standing at the Sky’s Edge) will take over from the play’s original cast.

Book For Black Boys tickets on London Theatre until 4 May.

Mind Mangler

Mischief Theatre is up to no good with new comedy Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle set to hit the West End. The show, which is based on a character originally created in Magic Goes Wrong (part of Mischief’s Go Wrong series), will star its creators Henry Lewis and Jonathan Sayer. If you’re a fan of The Play That Goes Wrong then this is one for you.

Book Mind Mangler tickets on London Theatre from 14 March.

An Enemy of the People

Doctor Who and House of the Dragon star Matt Smith is swapping the mythical worlds of Westeros and a time-travelling Tardis for Thomas Ostermeier’s production of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People. It follows Dr Thomas Stockmann as he fights to expose the truth about a polluted public bath despite facing opposition from people of the town. Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown Findlay co-stars.

Book An Enemy of the People tickets on London Theatre until 6 April.

Photo credit: Mind Mangler. (Photo courtesy of production)