With the first round of English reopenings starting on Monday 17 May this week’s ON TOUR is unusual.
BTN’s editor-in-chief took a walk last week from Covent Garden, through Chinatown and into Soho. He was impressed on how much of the area has been pedestrianised with heaps of dining out, many covered, and some with heaters too.
London is clearly ready to welcome back its workers, and more important the tourists. For out of towners now is the time to take a look at the hospitality centre of the capital. Either come by train, or fly, but leave your car at a convenient Tube station. Stay the night and see a show. The hotels can only be described currently as cheap (see BTN 3 May Hotel Week London).
Why was the editor-in-chief in town? To buy tickets for The Mousetrap for 17 May ‘With an all-star cast!’. It is now sold out!
SHOWS OPENING IN SPRING 2021
For the most up-to-date information on social distancing at shows pre- and post-21 June, we recommend checking the show or theatre’s website.
London shows opening indoors with social distancing from 17 May
| PLAYS | ||
| DATE | SHOW TITLE | VENUE |
| From 17 May | The Mousetrap | St Martin’s Theatre |
| 17 May - 26 June | Harm | Bush Theatre |
| 18 May - 13 June | Cruise | Duchess Theatre |
| 19 May - 13 June | Love Letters | Theatre Royal Haymarket |
| 19 May - 5 June | Six Artists In Search Of A Play | Almeida Theatre |
| 20 - 23 May | Herding Cats | Soho Theatre |
| 21 May - 12 June | Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me | Kiln Theatre |
| 22 May - 12 June | Walden (part of RE:EMERGE) | Harold Pinter Theatre |
| 28 May - 10 July | The Death Of A Black Man | Hampstead Theatre |
| 2 June - 24 July | After Life | National Theatre - Dorfman |
| 2 - 19 June | The Sun, The Moon And The Stars | Theatre Royal Stratford East |
| 11 June - 24 July | Raya | Hampstead Theatre |
| 16 June - 3 July | J’Ouvert (part of RE:EMERGE) | Harold Pinter Theatre |
| 16 June - 24 July | Under Milk Wood | National Theatre - Olivier |
| 18 June - 24 July | Out West (triple bill) | Lyric Hammersmith |
| From 18 June | The Play That Goes Wrong | Duchess Theatre |
| 18 June - 12 Sept | Constellations | Vaudeville Theatre |
| MUSICALS | ||
| DATE | SHOW TITLE | VENUE |
| 17 May - 12 June | You Are Here | Southwark Playhouse |
| 19 May - 11 July | Death Drop | Garrick Theatre |
| From 20 May | Everybody’s Talking About Jamie | Apollo Theatre |
| From 20 May | Les Miserables - The Staged Concert | Sondheim Theatre |
| From 20 May | Amelie The Musical | Criterion Theatre |
| From 21 May | Six | Lyric Theatre |
| 21 May - 6 June | ABBA Mania! | Shaftesbury Theatre |
| 27 - 30 May | Public Domain | Vaudeville Theatre |
| 7 June - 11 Oct | Showstoppers! | Garrick Theatre |
| ENTERTAINMENT | ||
| DATE | SHOW TITLE | VENUE |
| From 21 May | Magic Mike Live | Hippodrome Casino |
| 25 May - 9 June | Here Come The Boys | London Palladium |
| 26 May - 18 July | Kaleider’s The Money | The Chamber, London County Hall |
| 2 - 6 June | The Show Must Go On! | Palace Theatre |
| 7 - 13 June | Alyssa, Memoirs Of A Queen! | Vaudeville Theatre |
| OPERA AND DANCE | ||
| DATE | SHOW TITLE | VENUE |
| 17 - 23 May | La Clemenza Di Tito (Royal Opera) | Royal Opera House |
| 17 - 19 & 25 -30 May | Reunion (English National Ballet) | Sadler’s Wells |
| 18 - 30 May | 21st Century Choreographers (Royal Ballet) | Royal Opera House |
| 21 - 22 May | Overflow (Alexander Whitley Company) | Sadler’s Wells |
| 2 - 5 June | Draw From Within (Rambert) | Sadler’s Wells |
| 4 - 13 June | Balanchine and Robbins (Royal Ballet) | Royal Opera House |
| 8 - 10 June | Dangerous Liaisons (Northern Ballet) | Sadler’s Wells |
| 8 - 10 June | Contemporary Cuts (Northern Ballet) | Sadler’s Wells |
| 19 June - 6 July | La Boheme (Royal Opera) | Royal Opera House |