Top theatre to see in London in October
Find out the best shows to see in London in October 2023.
Autumn in London is finally here, and with it marks a new season of West End theatre to enjoy. October theatre is filled with fan favourites returning to the capital, as well as world premieres and European debuts guaranteed to take over the London theatre landscape. As the nights draw in and we enter a West End spooky season in time for Halloween on 31 October, here’s all the London theatre you need to see in October.
Even though there’s a cold chill coming in, let the West End theatres warm you up with their October offerings. Discover the charm behind the Olivier-nominated show, The Choir of Man, as it returns to the Arts Theatre. Plus, there’s a return for My Son’s A Queer now at the Garrick Theatre, as well as the two-year belated opening of David Tennant in Good. See West End theatre in October.
Book tickets to London Theatre in October.
Dear England
Direct from the National Theatre, Dear England will enter extra time at the Prince Edward Theatre for a limited engagement. See Joseph Fiennes star as Gareth Southgate as he tries to change the mentality of the men's England national football team and inspire a nation.
In a Dear England London Theatre review, our critic said: “It’s coming home! James Graham hits the back of the net with this absolute corker of a show – part paean to Gareth Southgate and the radical culture shift that he has engendered as England manager, part stealth state-of-the-nation treatise. For the football indifferent (like me), fear not: though Dear England brilliantly draws on the inherent drama of sport, you don’t need to know the offside rule to have a stupendously entertaining night out.”
Prince Edward Theatre, from 9 October.
Book Dear England tickets on London Theatre.
Hamnet
After two years of postponed performances, David Tennant finally returns to the West End to star in Good at the Harold Pinter Theatre. C. P. Taylor's seminal Holocaust drama follows John Halder, a literary professor living in Frankfurt in the 1930s. As the play progresses, Halder is inevitably swept up in the idolatry of Nazi Germany ideals, and finds himself making disturbing decisions. Dominic Cooke directs Tennant as well as Olivier Award-winner, Elliot Levey, and Sharon Small, in this powerful play.
Garrick Theatre, from 3 October.
The Time Traveller's Wife
It’s not very often that a new West End theatre opens in London. And now, Marvellous gets the marvellous honour of christening @sohoplace. Marvellous tells the real life story of Neil Baldwin as he defied the odds to create a thrilling life for himself. Not everyone gets a BAFTA award and becomes Stoke City’s kit man, but for Neil Baldwin, anything is possible. Don't forget to explore @sohoplace too: there’s a flexible, 602-seat auditorium, purpose built and in-the-round staging meaning every seat guarantees a close-up view.
Apollo Theatre, from 7 October.
Book The Time Traveller's Wife tickets on London Theatre.
Lyonesse
Direct from the National Theatre, Dear England will enter extra time at the Prince Edward Theatre for a limited engagement. See Joseph Fiennes star as Gareth Southgate as he tries to change the mentality of the men's England national football team and inspire a nation.
Harold Pinter Theatre, from 9 October.
Book Lyonesse tickets on London Theatre.
Noises Off
In 2021, Rob Madge premiered their solo play at the Turbine Theatre. A year later, they’ve won awards, enjoyed a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and are now taking the show to the West End. My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is the joyous autobiographical story of someone who sets out to recreate their childhood Disney parades into adulthood, as well as sharing the joys of raising queer children.
Theatre Royal Haymarket, from 3 October.
Book Noises Off tickets on London Theatre.
The Empress
Enjoy the very best of half term theatre in the West End with Magical Merlin. Set in ancient Britain, Magical Merlin sees the titular wizard as they attempt to save the day. Can Merlin rescue King Arthur from Arthur's older sister, Morgan Le Fay? Or will King Arthur become an animal? Discover bewitching theatre and introduce younger ones to the magic of live entertainment with Magical Merlin.
Lyric Hammersmith, from 5 October.
Book The Empress tickets on London Theatre.
Elephant
Enjoy the very best of half term theatre in the West End with Magical Merlin. Set in ancient Britain, Magical Merlin sees the titular wizard as they attempt to save the day. Can Merlin rescue King Arthur from Arthur's older sister, Morgan Le Fay? Or will King Arthur become an animal? Discover bewitching theatre and introduce younger ones to the magic of live entertainment with Magical Merlin.
Bush Theatre, from 14 October.
Book Elephant tickets on London Theatre.
The Interview
Enjoy the very best of half term theatre in the West End with Magical Merlin. Set in ancient Britain, Magical Merlin sees the titular wizard as they attempt to save the day. Can Merlin rescue King Arthur from Arthur's older sister, Morgan Le Fay? Or will King Arthur become an animal? Discover bewitching theatre and introduce younger ones to the magic of live entertainment with Magical Merlin.
Park Theatre, from 27 October.
Book The Interview tickets on London Theatre.
Photo credit: The Choir of Man (Photo courtesy of production)
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