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Theatre in October: What’s on online and in person

If you’re looking to get your theatre fix this month, here’s what’s on in October 2020.

From in person and online productions to the first indoor shows in months, here are our top picks…

In person

Last Five Years – Southwark Playhouse from October 1
After its run in the Spring was cut short due to the theatre lockdown, The Last Five Years returns to Southwark Playhouse for a socially distanced run. Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson reprise their roles as Cathy and Jamie. Tickets available here through November 14.

The Last Five Years Rehearsals Southwark Playhouse
Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson star in The Last Five Years at Southwark Playhouse

West End Musical Drive In Concerts – The Drive In, Troubadour Meridian Water, London, September 5, 12, 19 and 26
A host of West End performers will appear in concert on Saturdays with line ups including the stars of musicals We Will Rock You, Godspell’s 50th anniversary concert and Wicked. Tickets and full line up here.

Sunday at the Musicals – The Actors’ Church, London, October 4
A host of West End stars will be performing at a charity concert at The Actors’ Church, London. Sunday at the Musicals will return on Sunday, October 4 for a one night only event to raise funds for Acting For Others. Tickets online here.

Nottingham Playhouse Unlocked – from October 21
Nottingham Playhouse Unlocked will feature a line up of both productions which can be watched both in person and online with a line up including West End stars Jodie Prenger, Rosalie Craig and Sandra Marvin; East Midlands based writer Naomi Obeng’s new work about mixed race identity, Mark Gatiss reading ghost stories on Halloween, and a new work from playwright James Graham. More information and tickets.

songs for a new word palladium
Songs For A New World cast

Songs For A New World – The London Palladium, October 11
David Hunter (Waitress), Rachel John (Hamilton), Cedric Neal (Motown The Musical) and Rachel Tucker (Come From Away) and recent graduate Shem Omari James star in this socially distanced production of Jason Robert Brown’s song cycle. Get tickets here.

The Great Gatsby – Immersive LDN, 56 Davies St, London, from October 1
Immersive Everywhere’s production of The Great Gatsby is to reopen on October 1, re-imagined and re-set the production as an Art Deco Masquerade Ball, with audience members wearing compulsory face coverings to complement their fabulous attire. Tickets can be booked via www.immersivegatsby.com.

Marry Me A Little – The Barn Theatre, Cirencester, October 16 to November 8
Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker are to star in The Barn Theatre’s revival production of Stephen Sondheim musical Marry Me A Little from October 16 through to November 8. Get tickets here

Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker Marry Me A Little
Rob Houchen and Celinde Schoenmaker in rehearsals for Marry Me A Little

Sunset Boulevard, Alexandra Palace Theatre, October 25
A concert production of Sunset Boulevard will play at the Alexandra Palace Theatre on October 25 at 3PM an 6:30PM for a socially distanced audience of 300 for each show. The cast will include Mazz Murray, Kayi Ushe, Laura Baldwin, Alex Bourne, Sharif Afifi, Chris Howell and David Shaw-Parker. Get tickets here.

A Night At The Musicals – Southwark Playhouse, Sundays from October 11
Christina Modestou is to star in new concert series A Night At The Musicals at the Southwark Playhouse taking place on Sunday nights between October 11 and November 1. Tickets are available online here.

Online

First Dates – October 22-24
A virtual production of Broadway musical starring Samantha Barks and Simon Lipkin, filmed at Crazy Coqs. Buy tickets to watch online here.

first date musical
First Dates will stream online

Tonight at the London Coliseum – Friday nights
A series of online concerts from stars of the West End, streaming every Friday. Featuring Cassidy Janson, Kerry Ellis, Sharon Sexton, Rob Fowler and Ramin Karimloo. Get tickets and more information here.

The Theatre Channel – from October 2
Launching October 2, The Theatre Channel is a new musical theatre-based web series. Each 30 minute episode will showcase well-known musical theatre classics; performed by some of the industry’s most beloved performers on location at The Theatre Café. The first episode released on October 2 will feature Tarinn Callender, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Olivier Award Winner Matt Henry MBE, Lucie Jones, Oliver Ormson, Olivier Award Winner Jenna Russell and Jodie Steele. Book tickets to watch here

The Reunion – October 10
Original stars of Six in the West End Aimie Atkinson, Alexia McIntosh, Grace Mouat, Jarneia Richard-Noel, Maiya Quansah-Breed, Millie O’Connell and Natalie May Paris reunite for an online concert. Get tickets to watch online here. Limited in person tickets are also available to buy here.

six reunion concert
The Reunion

In The Wings – FREE
In the Wings features a lineup of West End performers and 2020 graduates performing new British musical theatre on-stage at the Arts Theatre, London, accompanied by a live band. New episodes are published Fridays on the show’s YouTube channel.

The Shows Must Go On – every weekend – FREE
The Shows That Must Go On is back, making a new show available to stream via YouTube for free every weekend. Shows in the new season include Fame the Musical, tours from Michael Ball & Alfie Boe, and Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of The Worlds: Alive on Stage! filmed live at London’s O2 Arena. Subscribe on YouTube here.

About the author: Josh Darvill

Josh is Stageberry's editor with over five years of experience writing about theatre in the West End and across the UK. Prior to following his passion for musicals, he worked for more than a decade as a TV journalist.