What To Watch: On Stage November 2023
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Elephant
Date: 14 Oct - 04 Nov 2023 Location: Bush Theatre
About: Part gig, part musical love story, part journey through Empire, this all-new expanded production of Anoushka Lucas’ “exquisite” (Evening Standard) Elephant runs for just three weeks following its celebrated, sold-out run in the Bush’s Studio last year.
> More information here
Choir Boy
Date: 12 Oct – 11 Nov 2023 Location: Bristol Old Vic
About: From Academy Award-winning writer Tarell Alvin McCraney (Moonlight), comes the exhilarating story of Pharus, a young, black, gay student leading the legendary gospel choir at his elite, all-boys school in America.
> More information here
Meetings
Date: 14 Oct - 11 Nov 2023 Location: Orange Tree Theatre
About: Suited, booted, and stuffed with American burgers and fries, Hugh walks out of a meeting and buys a mango on the street. To the bemusement of his high-fl ying wife Jean, Hugh becomes obsessed with the foods of his Trinidadian childhood and hires a cook, Elsa, to indulge his nostalgic passion. Mustapha Matura’s razor-sharp comedy is about identity, belonging and the cost of progress.
> More information here
Death Of England: Closing Time
Date: 13 Sept - 11 Nov 2023 Location: National Theatre
About: Grieving the loss of the family shop and their dreams destroyed, Denise and daughter-in-law Carly are left to pick up the pieces of their relatives’ mistakes. Will all be forgiven?
> More information / book tickets here
Over The Garden Hedge by Lawrence Coke
Date: 08 - 16 Nov 2023 Location: Esher Theatre
About: Ken is looking forward to a quiet retirement but his dream is about to be shattered when the past comes knocking at the door.
> More information here
The Gift
Date: 08 - 18 Nov 2023 Location: Tower Theatre
About: Brighton, 1862. Sarah Forbes Bonetta, a Yoruba princess given as a ‘gift’ and adopted by Queen Victoria, apprehensively prepares to relocate to West Africa. But first, she must contend with unexpected guests who’ve dropped in for tea….
> More information here
a profoundly affectionate, passionate devotion to someone (-noun) by debbie tucker green
Date: 14 -18 Nov 2023 Location: South London Theatre
About: Written by Olivier Award-winning and BAFTA-nominated writer, debbie tucker green, this play explores the deep and confusing terrain of what it means to love someone.
> More information here
Ballet Black: Pioneers
Date: 16 - 19 Nov 2023 Location: Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House
About: Cassa Pancho’s Ballet Black returns to the Linbury Theatre with this thrilling and innovative selection of works.
> More information here
FLIP1 by Racheal Ofori
Date: 07 Nov - 25 Nov 2023 Location: Soho Theatre
About: Meet Carleen and Crystal. Two best friends with a lot to say, and a growing online following. Until their latest post sees them go too far…
> More information here
Brenda’s Got A Baby by Jessica Hagan
Date: 31 Oct - 02 Dec 2023 Location: New Diorama Theatre
About: An uproarious new comedy about Black womanhood, sisterhood, motherhood – and babyhood.
> More information here
Clyde’s
Date: 13 Oct - 2 Dec 2023 Location: Donmar Warehouse
About: In the bustling kitchen of a run-down Pennsylvania truck stop, the formerly incarcerated staff have been given a second chance. Under the tyrannical eye of their boss Clyde, this unlikely team strives to create the perfect sandwich, as they dream of leaving their past mistakes behind for a better life.
> More information here
TAMING WHO?
Date: 29 Nov - 16 Dec 2023 Location: Arcola Theatre
About: Taming Who? is a fast-paced, Shakespearean remix. Giving fresh relevance, the play challenges gender stereotypes presented in Shakespeare’s original and explores identity and coming of age through the lens of youth culture in London today.
> More information here
Refilwe
Date: 13 - 17 Dec 2023 Location: The Workshop Theatre
About: spired by Zukiswa Wanner’s southern African retelling of the classic fairy-tale Rapunzel, Refilwe is a family adventure about home, hair and connecting with your roots, for audiences aged seven and older, with all performances presented in a relaxed environment.
> More information here
Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz by Nathan Queeley-Dennis
Date: 28 Noc - 20 Dec 2023 Location: Royal Court Theatre
About: Nathaniel is a serious romantic who sees love as a fine art. He’s looking for the Mona Lisa to his da Vinci, and tonight is the night: his date with Destiny…’s Child.
> More information here
Dreaming And Drowning
Date: 28 Nov - 23 Dec 2023 Location: Bush Theatre
About: Dreaming and Drowning is an intimate and visceral deep-dive into the boundless mind of a young Black queer man wrestling with anxiety.
> More information here
Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York)
Date: 09 Nov - 23 Dec 2023 Location: Kiln Theatre
About: Dougal is a naive, impossibly upbeat Brit, flying to New York for his Dad’s second wedding. The Dad he’s never known. Waiting for him at the airport is Robin, the sister of the bride. She’s a native New Yorker, she’s late for work, and she doesn’t have time to stop and see the sights.
> More information here
Cinderella
Date: 23 Nov – 31 Dec 2023 Location: Lyric Hammersmith
About: Cinderella is a bonafide boss-lady who runs her own business at Shepherd’s Bush Market. One day the most handsome Prince Henry, who dreams of a life less spare, wears a disguise to the Market and falls instantly in love with Cinderella. With the paparazzi in hot pursuit the Prince is forced to flee. And so begins the quest to unite the unlikeliest of likely romances, Cinderella and the hapless Prince. But will Cinderella’s step-sisters Muffy and Gusset and step-mother Lady Jelly Bottom get in the way of their happily ever after? Of course they will, it’s panto.
> More information here
Dear England by James Graham
Date: 09 October— 13 Jan 2023 Location: Prince Edward Theatre
About: The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game? With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.
> More information here
Did you know these shows were happening or are they news to you? Let us know.