All the West End shows you can see in Step Three from 17 May

Which London theatres shows are opening in Step Three?

West End theatres over the past year have suffered a great deal to say the least. But thankfully, the light at the end of the tunnel is in sight. We've had 17 May marked down in our calendars for months, as it's the day that indoor theatres are allowed to reopen with socially distanced performances under Step Three of Coronavirus guidelines. On 10 May, Boris Johnson confirmed that theatres can open from 17 May and we're excited. 

Explore all of the West End and off West End shows that will be starting performances with social distancing regulations from 17 May as part of Step Three of the reopening plan. Currently, Step Three is set to last from 17 May. As confirmed in previous reports, Step Three may be extended for a further four weeks.. Learn more about what the reopening plan means for theatres here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 17 May?

There's a few shows opening on 17 May, including the world's longest-running production The Mousetrap starring Danny Mac and Cassidy Janson at St Martin's Theatre. 

The Vaudeville Theatre will also reopen from 17 May, as RuPaul's Drag Race queens The Vivienne, Tia Kofi, and Veronica Green begin a three-night stint. While at the Fortune, the Jane Austen improv show Austentatious returns.

Away from the West End, Phoebe Eclair-Powell's Harm, starring Kelly Gough is at the Bush Theatre from 17 May - 26 June. The Bridge Theatre will also reopen with Flight, a co-production with the Barbican.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 18 May?

After ten days of streaming, Jack Holden's Cruise will receive its in person premiere at the Duchess Theatre. Cruise is based on a true story told to Holden while volunteering, exploring the impact of the AIDS crisis on individuals. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 19 May?

Forced to close at the end of 2020, Death Drop returns to the Garrick Theatre, now starring Willam and Latrice Royale. Death Drop will run for its second time from 19 May - 11 July.

Love Letters joins Death Drop as another production reopening after it had to shut in December. Martin Shaw and Jenny Seagrove reprise their roles in the two-hander at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 19 May - 13 June.

Shakespeare's Globe will also be home to live performances from 19 May, with the Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream running on selected dates from 19 May - 30 October. 

The Almeida Theatre will reopen its door for a series of international plays. Six Artists in Search of a Play will be performed twice a week for three weeks. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 20 May?

There's a trio of West End musicals either opening or reopening from 20 May. At the Criterion, the West End transfer of Amelie begins, starring Audrey Brisson in the title role. Last seen at The Other Palace in 2019, Amelie now runs from 20 May - 25 September.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie resumes performances at the Apollo too, starring Shane Richie as Hugo/Loco Chanelle once more.

Ahead of Les Miserables returning in full, Les Miserables: The Staged Concert returns at the Sondheim for another summer run. Casting is slightly different this year, with Lucie Jones now playing Fantine from 20 May - 5 September. Les Miserables: The Staged Concert tickets are on sale now.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 21 May?

Six will resume performances at the Lyric Theatre from 21 May, continuing their London reign in their largest West End venue to date. Before & Juliet reopens, the Shaftesbury Theatre will bring the spirit of ABBA to London again. ABBA Mania is at the Shaftesbury from 21 May - 6 June.

The off-West End venue the Kiln Theatre also reopens from 21 May, with Amy Trigg's debut play Reasons You Should(n't) Love Me receiving its debut. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 22 May?

The RE:EMERGE season at the Harold Pinter Theatre begins with Gemma Arterton in Walden from 22 May - 12 June. Over at the Vaudeville, concert series Roles We'll Never Play runs for two nights, with over 30 cast members taking part. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 24 May?

A new concert series at the Apollo, starring Lucie Jones and Cedric Neal will begin from 24 May. Monday Night at the Apollo will run on selected dates through to July, and we can't wait to discover more about our favourite stars. Matt Forde will also present his Political Party at the Garrick Theatre for three nights with political juggernauts taking to the stage, while Intermissions Live brings more concert fun to the Vaudeville Theatre.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 25 May?

Strictly Come Dancing stars will also light up the London Palladium, as Here Come The Boys begins a two-week run from 25 May - 9 June. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 26 May?

Before Witness for the Prosecution reopens, London County Hall will stage The Money. Find out more about The Money here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 27 May?

After an online run at Southwark Playhouse last year, Public Domain will now be presented in front of an audience. The social media inspired musical runs at the Vaudeville Theatre from 27 - 30 May. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 28 May?

Hampstead Theatre is one of the first off-West End theatres to reopen in the capital, with performances from 28 May. Dawn Walton will direct Alfred Fagon's The Death of a Black Man as part of the theatre's 60th anniversary celebrations.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 2 June?

The National Theatre will have audiences returning to the Dorfman first, with Jack Thorne's After Life being the first show to open. The world premiere will run from 2 June - 24 July, in a reconfigured Dorfman space. 

The Show Must Go On finally goes on at the Palace Theatre, supporting the Theatre Support Fund that's raised over £500,000 to theatre charities. 

Theatre Royal Stratford East will reopen in June, with Nadia Fall's The Sun, The Moon, And The Stars. Find out more here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 7 June?

The Showstoppers return to the Garrick as Showstopper! The Improvised Musical resumes on select Mondays from 7 June. Meanwhile RuPaul's Drag Race star Alyssa Edwards makes her West End debut in Alyssa, Memoirs of a Queen for one week at the Vaudeville Theatre. Pride at the Palace will also celebrate the brightest LGBTQ+ artists for one night only at the Palace Theatre.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 10 June?

Originally scheduled as a Christmas event, West End Musical Celebration will now take place at the Palace Theatre from 10 - 13 June. Stars taking part include Layton Williams, Sophie Evans and Shanay Holmes. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 11 June?

The Hampstead Theatre will be presenting two shows concurrently, as Raya begins performances from 11 June, starring Claire Price and Bo Poraj.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 13 June?

Last summer, the Turbine Theatre presented Hair concerts on a jetty. Now, Hair is going to the Palladium. The concerts will take place for one night only, starring Luke Bayer and Nicole Raquel Dennis. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 14 June?

West End Live Lounge: The Greats will be held in concert at the Lyric Theatre on 14 June. Performers taking part are from shows such as Six, Wicked and Heathers.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 15 June?

One of Britain's finest comedians, Jimmy Carr will present his latest stand-up show Terribly Funny at the Palace Theatre from 15 - 20 June. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 16 June?

The second of three shows in the RE:EMERGE season at the Harold Pinter Theatre begins on 16 June. J'Ouvert will run from 16 June - 3 July, but is also being presented on BBC Arts as part of their new initiative. 

The National's Olivier Theatre will finally reopen too, as Under Milk Wood starring Michael Sheen begins. 

The award-winning play seven methods of killing kylie jenner will reopen the Royal Court from 16 June. Find out more information here.

The Almeida Theatre also opens its doors too with and breathe... Find out more about the Almeida's season here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 17 June?

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre begins its summer season with a new adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Meanwhile, Amanda Wilkin's play Shedding A Skin starts its month run at Soho Theatre.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 18 June?

Mischief Theatre's The Play That Goes Wrong resumes its West End run at the Duchess Theatre. For upcoming performances, some scenes have been reworked to allow for Covid-safe staging.

The Donmar Warehouse will present a West End revival of Constellations from 18 June - 12 September, with four casts taking part. The eight cast members at the Vaudeville include Chris O'Dowd and Anna Maxwell Martin. 

Lyric Hammersmith Theatre will once again reopen its doors this summer with a trio of world premiere plays. Collectively titled Out West, the plays will change how we live, running from 18 June. 

The West End premiere of Lady Chatterley's Lover also runs at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 18 June for two nights. Find out more here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 21 June?

Go back to school this summer, as Heathers returns to Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 June. Christina Bennington and Jordan Luke Gage lead the company, with more Heathers information here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 22 June?

Following a year of postponements, Hairspray will finally begin performances at the London Coliseum. Currently, Hairspray performances will be socially-distanced to a maximum of 1,000 audience members until 18 July. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 23 June?

The world premiere of Nina Raine's Bach & Sons, starring Simon Russell Beale will begin performances at the Bridge Theatre from 23 June. The Bridge's artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, was part of the Events Research Programme, testing pilot events. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 25 June?

Cinderella is expected to receive its world premiere at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 25 June. However, Cinderella performances are currently at full capacity, which is not allowed as part of Step Three restrictions. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 26 June?

The second of two Romeo and Juliet's to open in London, Shakespeare's Globe is home to the tragic love story from 26 June. Read more about Shakespeare's Globe reopening season here.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 30 June?

After a short run at The Other Palace, Be More Chill will now open at the Shaftesbury Theatre from 30 June, starring the original London cast. Pippin will also return to London, following outdoor performances at the Garden Theatre in 2020. It's coming to the Charing Cross Theatre from 30 June.

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Macbeth is at Leicester Square Theatre from 30 June, featuring an intoxicated cast member who'll star in the Shakespeare classic.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 1 July?

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will return to the London Palladium. The Prince of Egypt will resume at the Dominion Theatre from 1 July. Performances will remain socially distanced to 4 September, with the Dominion opening at full capacity after.

The Underbelly Festival at Cavendish Square begins from 1 July, accommodating social distancing in all its productions. Find out more about the Underbelly Festival here.

Mischief Theatre's Mischief Movie Night returns from 1 July too, this time at Riverside Studios. Audiences can view performances either in person, or via online live streams. The Invisible Hand returns to the Kiln Theatre from 1 July, following acclaimed performances in 2016. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 5 July?

Wish you could decide which Shakespeare play to watch? Now you can! Audience Choice begins at Shakespeare's Globe from 5 July. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 7 July?

After performances were cut short in 2020, The Comeback returns to the Noel Coward Theatre from 7 - 25 July.

The Turbine Theatre will be home to a revival of Kevin Elyot's My Night With Reg, starring Stephen K Amos.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 9 July?

The Young Vic will reopen from 9 July with Changing Destiny. As part of the season, all productions will be streamed. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 10 July?

Emma Corrin will make her West End debut in Anna X, beginning performances at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 10 July. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 12 July?

Entertaining young audiences once more, The Tiger Who Came to Tea is back at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 12 July. 

Which London theatre shows can I see from 15 July?

What The Ladybird Heard is at the Palace Theatre from 15 July.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 16 July?

Looking for a touch of magic this summer? Wonderment: Magic and Illusion is at the Palace Theatre from 16 July.

Which London theatre shows can I see from 17 July?

Billionaire Boy is at the Garrick Theatre from 17 July, bringing the David Walliams story to life. 

^{Photo credit: Shan Ako in Les Miserables and cast of Six (Photos by Michael Le Poer Trench and Eleanor Howarth respectively)}

^{Article originally published: 19 April 2021}