August is here, and it’s one of the busiest months for theatre in the UK. From various Fringe festivals up and down the country, including the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe, to family friendly shows to fill the long school holidays, there’s plenty to choose from. Here’s our list of upcoming theatre to see this month.
BYMT Choreomania. Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham. 29-31 August
British Youth Music Theatre have a few productions across the country this summer. Choreomania, in partnership with Birmingham Hippodrome, explores the mystery of the 1518 dancing plague, where the town’s residents cannot stop dancing. The show blends medieval singing with modern EDM music, so it will be interesting to hear how this works.
Theo In Between. Carriageway Theatre, Leeds. 22-23 August
Another offering from BYMT, Theo In Between is set in the Northern town of Dulberry, where everyone is preparing for the Harvest Festival. Theo, on the other hand, is focused on finding their absent father, in the hopes that he can help them understand what it means to be a man. It promises a heartwarming tale celebrating gender identity, community, and those who have felt “in-between”.
Choir. Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester. 2-30 August
Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s Choir will be performed in Chichester Festival Theatre’s Minerva Theatre this August. It follows Morgan and her community choir, who have been given the opportunity to perform on national TV to raise money for Freddie to attend music college. Packed with zany characters and contemporary songs, it’s bound to be an entertaining night out for all.
Nye. Wales Millenium Centre, Cardiff. 22-30 August
Michael Sheen is much loved in our household, and I’m sure we’re not alone! If you’re lucky enough to live close to Cardiff, or you have a few extra days of holiday to take, be sure not to miss him reprise his role of Nye Bevan in this celebration of the man who transformed the welfare state.
Rough Magic. Shakespeare’s Globe. Running until 23 August
Macbeth’s Weird Sisters are back, but not as you know them! In this co-production by Shakespeare’s Globe and Splendid Productions, are creating their own magical, silly adventure and they want you to join them. Nominated for an Olivier Award for the Best Family Show, it is an ideal way to introduce children to the magic of Shakespeare.
Brigadoon. Regent Park’s Open Air Theatre. Running until 20 September.
Take advantage of the beautiful weather (touch wood!) and enjoy Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon. Set in the Scottish Highlands, we follow fighter pilots Tommy and Jeff, who have crash-landed, and sisters Fiona and Jean, who are planning a wedding. We see their stories entwine, but in enchanting Brigadoon, things aren’t quite what they seem. This performance marks the first time the show has been staged in London in over 35 years, and is also Drew McOnie’s first performance as the theatre’s artistic director.
Words by Ellen Leslie
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