Help is on the way, dears! Everyone’s favourite Scottish nanny – first inhabited in the 1993 comedy film by Robin Williams, playing a divorced dad who disguises himself as Mrs Doubtfire so he can see his children – is now a West End star.

The inventive, heartfelt and raucously funny stage musical adaptation has become a new audience favourite, packed with gags, big musical numbers, and a touching reflection on how family can come in different forms, as long as there is love.

As you prepare for...

Make a day out of 'Mrs Doubtfire' in London

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Make your family visit to West End musical comedy *Mrs Doubtfire* a sure-fire hit by adding even more fun activities to your London trip.

Further casting has been announced for the Brie Larson-led production of Sophocles’s [*Elektra*,](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/42608-elektra) which begins performances at the Duke of York’s Theatre in the West End on 24 January, 2025.

Larson, who is making her West End debut, will be joined by Stockard Channing (*The West Wing, The Good Wife*), Marième Diouf (*Romeo and Juliet*), Greg Hicks (*Grapes of Wrath, Coriolanus*), and Patrick Vaill ([*Stranger Things: The First...

Further casting revealed for Brie Larson-led 'Elektra' in the West End

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Stockard Channing, Marième Diouf, Greg Hicks, and Patrick Vaill will join Brie Larson in Anne Carson's translation of Sophocles's great tragedy.

The full cast has been announced for William Shakespeare's *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*, which opens at the Barbican in London on 3 December, running until 18 January, 2025.

Joining Mathew Baynton (*Ghosts, Wonka*) as Bottom, is Andrew Richardson (*Guys and Dolls*) as Oberon/Theseus and Katherine Pearce (*Waterloo Road*), who returns to the RSC as Puck.

New company members also include Alexander Bellinfantie (Moth), Eliza Smith (Mustardseed), and Natalie Thomas (Peaseblossom).

They join...

'A Midsummer Night's Dream' announces full cast at the Barbican

midsummer nights dream cast 1200 LT

Joining Mathew Baynton as Bottom, is Andrew Richardson as Oberon/Theseus and Katherine Pearce as Puck. Eleanor Rhode directs Shakespeare's play about love, magic, appearance, and jealousy.

Lead casting has been announced for new musical *Hercules*, which opens in the West End next summer. Performances will begin at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 6 June, 2025.

Luke Brady will play the title role in the musical next year. His stage credits include *As You Like It* (RSC), *SuperYou* (Lyric Theatre), *Assassins* (Chichester Theatre), *The Prince of Egypt* (Dominion Theatre), *Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice,* and *The Taming of the Shrew* (Shakespeare’s Globe), while on screen he...

'Hercules' reveals lead casting in the West End

1200 LT Luke Brady to play Hercules in Disney-s Hercules - Photo by Phil Hill © Disney

*Hercules* has music by Alan Menken and lyrics by David Zippel, and a new book by Robert Horn and Young Vic outgoing artistic director Kwame Kwei-Armah.

There’s no better way to escape those dark winter nights than with a trip to the theatre. Happily, November is serving up plenty of exciting London shows to keep any winter blues at bay, with some major openings in the West End and beyond. 

Those who can't wait for *The Greatest Showman* musical to arrive in London can whet their appetities with [*Come Alive!*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/37379-come-alive), a spectacular circus show based on the music of the hit 2017 film, with an...

Top theatre to see in London in November

1200 LT Álvaro Morte & Lily Collins - Barcelona - The Duke of York-s Theatre - Photo Credit Marc Brenner .1

West End

Find out the best shows to see in London in November 2024, from *Barcelona* with Lily Collins and Álvaro Morte, to *Dr. Strangelove* with Steve Coogan.

Additional shows have been announced in the Bush Theatre's line-up for 2025, including a new play starring Olivier Award nominee and *It's a Sin* actor Omari Douglas.

He has been cast in Coral Wylie's new play *Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew*, which follows 19-year-old Pip as they dig into their family's past, unearthing old secrets. Directed by Debbie Hannan (Overflow), the cast also includes Wil Johnson, Pooky Quesnel, and writer Wylie. The show will run from 8 February to 22 March.

Making...

Bush Theatre announces new shows in 2025 season

1200 LT Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew

Work by Coral Wylie, babirye bukilwa, and Mohamed-Zain Dada will continue the Bush Theatre's programming in 2025, with Olivier Award nominee Omari Douglas returning to the stage.

New play *The Last Laugh* will run at the Noël Coward Theatre in the West End from 25 February to 22 March next year, ahead of a season in New York and a UK tour. 

Written and directed by Paul Hendy, the show re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's greatest comedy heroes: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse. *The Last Laugh* played at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer. 

Bob Golding, Damian Williams, and Simon Cartwright will all reprise their roles as Eric Morecambe,...

'The Last Laugh' to transfer to the West End

1200 LT THE LAST LAUGH. Bob Golding (Eric Morecambe), Damian Williams (Tommy Cooper) and Simon Cartwright (Bob Monkhouse). Photo Pamela Raith (1)

Written and directed by Paul Hendy, the show re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's greatest comedy heroes: Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe, and Bob Monkhouse.

Something wicked this way comes… and London is packed with spook-tacular shows and activities that are perfect for Halloween 2024. The annual fright night falls on 31 October, which is a Thursday this year, and if you just love everything about this spine-tingling holiday, then you’ll want to start thinking about your plans now.

One ghoulishly great way to celebrate Halloween is with a play or musical – perhaps one that centres on witches, like...

Top shows and attractions in London for Halloween

The Phantom of the Opera - 1200 - LT - 310522

Trick or treat! Discover a wide variety of fun activities and events to book for Halloween in London, ranging from spine-chilling shows to eerie attractions.

It’s Halloween, duh! [*Mean Girls*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/35503-mean-girls) has announced it will be extending performances at the Savoy Theatre in the West End until 8 June, 2025. 

Tina Fey's hit musical, which is based on the 2004 film of the same name, follows student Cady Heron as she attempts to fit into North Shore High after being home schooled in Africa. But when she gets involved with popular girl group The Plastics, she learns that there are few things more dangerous...

'Mean Girls' tickets now available through June 2025

Mean Girls - LT - 1200

Tina Fey's hit musical, which is based on the 2004 film of the same name, follows student Cady Heron as she attempts to fit into North Shore High after being home schooled in Africa.

I dreamed a dream! West End star Lucie Jones (*Wicked, Waitress, Pippin, Ghost, The Baker’s Wife*) will return to the London production of [*Les Misérables*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/300-les-miserables-tickets) for eight weeks this December. She will play Fantine from 23 December to 15 February 2025.

Katie Hall, who is currently playing Fantine in the West End, will perform the role in the World Tour of *Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular* from 26 December, in Manchester,...

Lucie Jones to return to 'Les Misérables' in the West End for eight weeks 

1200 LT Lucie Jones as -Fantine-. Photo by Johan Perrson

This October, *Les Misérables* entered its 40th year in London and is celebrating with its first world tour: *Les Misérables The Arena Spectacular*.

Laura Wade's new play <a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons</a>, adapted from the unfinished novel by Jane Austen, is set for a West End run at the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> following its runs in Chichester and at the <a href="/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier Chocolate Factory</a>.Directed by Samuel West, <a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons</a>&nbsp;centres on Emma Watson - the central character of Austen's abandoned book The Watsons. Emma has been cut off by her wealthy aunt, and is on the look out for a wealthy suitor at the risk of being left in a life of poverty. The original novel ends with two possible boyfriends on the table: socialite Tom Musgrave, and the rich by awkward Lord Osborne.Wade's witty play continues the story, imagining what might have been. It will transfer to the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> with previews from 8th May, an official opening night on 19th May and a final performance on 26th September.The playwright's last production to run in the West End was the Olivier Award-winning comedy <a href="/show/home-im-darling">Home, I'm Darling</a>. While she's also written Tipping the Velvet (<a href="/theatres/lyric-hammersmith-theatre">Lyric Hammersmith</a>), Posh (<a href="/theatres/royal-court-theatre">Royal Court</a>) and Kreutzer vs. Kreutzer (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse).Samuel West's previous directional credits include After Electra at the Tricycle, Waste at the Almeida and Dealer's Choice at the <a href="/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier</a>. He was the artistic director of Sheffield Theatres from 20005 to 2007.In a <a href="/reviews/review-the-watsons-at-the-menier-chocolate-factory">four-star review</a> of the <a href="/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier Chocolate Factory</a>&nbsp;production - which ends on Saturday - Mark Shenton hailed the play one that "celebrates Austen and teases her into embracing new contemporary thoughts and ideas with refreshing vigour".The cast of the Menier production featured Grace Molony and Louise Ford, while casting for the West End transfer is yet to be confirmed.<a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons</a> has designs by Ben Stones, lighting by Richard Howell, sound design by Gregory Clarke, movement by Mike Ashcroft, music by Isobel Waller-Bridge and casting by Charlotte Sutton.<a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons</a> transfers to the <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> on 8th May.<a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons tickets</a> go on sale tomorrow.Photo credit: Johan Persson

Laura Wade’s Jane Austen play The Watsons to transfer to Harold Pinter Theatre

The Watsons

The Watsons [19683]

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The Watsons - Hero

The Watsons [19683] Product Media

[Poster] The Watsons 19683

Laura Wade's play The Watsons, which ingeniously concludes Jane Austen's abandoned novel of the same name, is set to transfer to the West End's <a href="/theatres/harold-pinter-theatre">Harold Pinter Theatre</a> following its critically-acclaimed runs at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Chichester Festival Theatre.Austen's story follows Emma Watson, who is forced to assess her options when her wealthy aunt cuts her off. She decides to find a new suitor to avoid a life of poverty, and settles on a dashing socialite, and a rich Lord.That's where Austen got to before deciding - for reasons unknown - not to continue the story. Wade's witty play imagines how it could have ended.Laura Wade's last play to open in the West End was the Olivier Award-winning comedy <a href="/show/home-im-darling">Home, I'm Darling</a>, which ran at the <a href="/theatres/duke-of-yorks-theatre">Duke of York's Theatre</a> after a premiere run at the National Theatre and Theatr Clwyd in Wales. He other work includes Posh at the <a href="/theatres/royal-court-theatre">Royal Court</a>.The play is directed by Samuel West, who has previously directed&nbsp;After Electra&nbsp;at the Tricycle,&nbsp;Waste&nbsp;at the Almeida and&nbsp;Dealer's Choice&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier</a>.This transfer follows the Menier's other recent West End transfers including <a href="/show/funny-girl">Funny Girl</a> starring Sheridan Smith, <a href="/show/travesties">Travesties</a> starring Tom Hollander, and <a href="/show/fiddler-on-the-roof">Fiddler on the Roof</a>, which starred Andy Nyman and Judy Kuhn.In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/review-the-watsons-at-the-menier-chocolate-factory">four-star review</a>&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier Chocolate Factory</a>&nbsp;production - which ends on Saturday - Mark Shenton hailed the play one that "celebrates Austen and teases her into embracing new contemporary thoughts and ideas with refreshing vigour".

The Watsons - LT

The Watsons [19683] - TodayTix

Jane Austen only wrote six finished novels before dying at the age of just 41. But an entire industry has developed around her endlessly popular fiction, including multiple film and television versions and plenty of literary (and some not-so-literary) spin-offs inspired by her characters and stories (including one called Pride and Promiscuity, which helpfully provides us with "the lost sex scenes of Jane Austen").She died before completing what would have been her seventh novel Sanditon; it was adapted for a television series earlier this summer by TV writer Andrew Davies. She also left behind another uncompleted novel <a href="/show/the-watsons">The Watsons</a> that she began writing around 1803, but abandoned after writing some 7,500 words for reasons that are unknown. Though others have sought to complete it -- including her own niece and another great-great-niece - it has now been brought to the stage for the first time, in a highly meta-theatrical version by playwright Laura Wade in which she inserts herself into the narrative of what becomes an increasingly convoluted attempt to write this new version. In other words, it is a work of creative imagination about the harnessing of the creative imagination itself, in which the characters step out of their scenes to urge directions that their stories might take to the authorial voice of a character that's also called Laura. &nbsp;The usual shorthand term for this kind of theatrical endeavour is Pirandellian, after the Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello whose work frequently saw the fictional and stage lives of the actors and the characters they are playing become intertwined. But however clever it is, I typically find his plays make my patience wear thin; since everything and everyone is up for constant dramatic reinterpretation, the stakes paradoxically dwindle, and I stop believing in them at all.Though Wade does not entirely avoid this pitfall, there's an agility, playfulness and knowingness in her version that casts it in a constantly shifting focus. Much as Broadway composer Rupert Holmes once brilliantly finished Dickens's unfinished novel The Mystery of Edwin Drood with a musical that provided multiple possible endings, decided on the night by audience vote, so this version offers a number of different possibilities, too.In a production that was first premiered at Chichester's Minerva Theatre last November, director Samuel West provides a fast and fluid route through its changing perspectives and interventions, and a large ensemble cast rise to its frequently hilarious changes of tone and direction.It's a play that both celebrates Austen and teases her into embracing new contemporary thoughts and ideas with&nbsp;refreshing vigour.<a href="/show/the-watsons">The&nbsp;Watsons</a> is at the <a href="/theatres/menier-chocolate-factory">Menier Chocolate Factory</a> until 16th November.&nbsp;<a href="/show/the-watsons">The&nbsp;Watsons tickets</a>&nbsp;are available now.&nbsp;

Review - The Watsons at the Menier Chocolate Factory

Your Lie in April - LON [40886]

Your Lie in April

Due to phenomenal demand, critically acclaimed Your Lie in April will transfer to the Harold Pinter Theatre for 12 weeks only. 

The Harold Pinter Theatre, established and adorned with Victorian architecture in 1881, is one of the most notable theatre venues in the heart of London. Originally known as the Royal Comedy Theatre, it later adopted the name of 'Harold Pinter', honouring the famous playwright. The theatre is situated conveniently in the centre of the bustling West End, an ideal location for tourists and locals alike. The interior is decorated with an impressive array of original features aligned with its historical era of inception, creating an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for theatre-goers. The theatre has an audience capacity of 796 people across four levels, with the seats divided into Stalls, Dress Circle, Royal Circle and Balcony. Over time, it has been home to many outstanding performances, including shows like 'The Homecoming', 'Moonlight', and 'Betrayal'. The Harold Pinter Theatre undoubtedly offers a memorable and culturally enriching experience for all those who visit.

### How to Get to the Venue 

Harold Pinter Theatre is accessible and well-connected, located at Panton Street in the City of Westminster. The closest Underground stations are Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square, both within a short 5-minute walk. Numerous buses service the area regularly, making it straightforward to reach using public transport. For those driving, the MasterPark at Whitcomb Street and NCP at Denman Street are the nearest parking options.

Harold Pinter Theatre - LON

Harold Pinter LON

Harold Pinter Theatre

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Harold Pinter Theatre - TodayTix

The Harold Pinter Theatre opened on 15 Oct. 1881 as a comic opera house. Its name on opening was the Royal Comedy Theatre, though its ‘Royal’ epithet was dropped in 1884.

The Comedy Theatre helped establish the New Watergate Club in 1956, a society which helped overturn the stage censorship enforced by the Lord Chamberlain’s Office. The formation of the Club meant that the plays banned by the Government could be performed at this venue as it was now being run as a private club rather than a commercial entity. Notable plays in this category include Arthur Miller’s *A View from the Bridge* and Tennessee Williams’ *Cat On A Hot Tin Roof*. The censorship was finally overturned in 1968. 

Harold Pinter's works were often performed here: *The Homecoming*, *The Caretaker*, *Moonlight*, *No-Man’s Land* and *The Hothouse* all enjoyed successful runs, and Pinter directed a production of *The Old Masters* here in 2004. After his death, it was thought fitting to bestow the honour of naming a theatre after him, and the name was officially changed on 13 Oct. 2011 to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The Ambassador Theatre Group own the Harold Pinter Theatre.

## Harold Pinter Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has four levels – Stalls, Dress Circle, Royal Circle and Balcony. The top three levels are a horseshoe shape around the stalls.

The Stalls is a single block of seats, and offers good sightlines. Some seats are impaired by supportive pillars and the overhang of the Dress Circle.

The Dress Circle doesn’t offer a great raking in the seating, but the view is not affected by the overhang of the Royal Circle. 

The Royal Circle seats curve towards the stage more noticeably than the Dress Circle.

The Balcony feels very high in this theatre.

Harold Pinter Theatre - London Theatre

Opened in 1881 as the Royal Comedy Theatre, it became the Harold Pinter Theatre in 2011. It features four seating levels and hosted notable uncensored plays.

HaroldPinter-SeatingMap-700 x1284 px

The Harold Pinter Theatre is a historic venue in London's West End, known for hosting many notable performances. Convenient and easily accessible by public transit.

Laura Wade’s Jane Austen play The Watsons to transfer to Harold Pinter Theatre

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