When I wrote my 26 before 26 bucketlist back in December, I decided against adding ‘watch a show in the West End’ to the list for fear I might not complete it, opting instead to watch 20 theatre productions in the next 12 months, which felt like a more attainable challenge.
But by the end of April, I’ll have already made it to 12 shows just a third of the way into the year – and have been to not one, but TWO West End shows.
April is a particularly busy month for theatre – one day, I’m even going to see two shows in two different cities within 12 hours, with plans to see seven shows throughout the month, including a London musical.
Already this year I’ve had the opportunity to watch Life of Pi in London, while back home in Staffordshire I’ve seen The Shawshank Redemption and The Bodyguard at The Regent Theatre, with Quality Street and Ladies’ Day at the New Vic.
Looking ahead, these are the seven shows I can’t wait to see in April 2023.
The Mousetrap – The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent – April 3-8
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the world’s longest-running play, and the genre-defining murder mystery from the best-selling novelist of all time.
Starring Todd Carty (EastEnders, The Bill) and Gwyneth Strong (Only Fools and Horses, EastEnders) a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse as news spread of a murder in London. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover that a killer is in their midst.
Audience members are invited to try and work out which one is the murderer, who will be their next victim and to try and solve this world-famous mystery for themselves.
Tickets start at £13 and can be purchased here.
Mother Goose – The Lowry, Salford – April 5-9
Hilarious musical comedy Mother Goose sees Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop join forces to bring fairytale fun and frolics to Greater Manchester’s Lowry theatre.
The story sees a woman befriend a magical goose that provides her with Golden Eggs, with a deeper moral story about how beauty and wealth fail to bring happiness.
The show has been described by critics as ‘a total hoot’ that will make you honk out loud, promising ‘fairies with hefty vocal chords, puppets with tap dance qualifications and impeccably constructed mayhem’ perfect for all ages.
Tickets to see Mother Goose are priced from £10 and can be found here.
Abigail’s Party – The New Vic, Staffordshire – April 5-15
Abigail’s Party is said to be an ‘achingly funny examination of 1970s British life’. Set in 1977, Beverly prepares for the arrival of her guests for a gathering in her suburban living room. She and husband Laurence will play host to neighbours Angela, Tony and Sue.
As the alcohol flows and the ‘nibbles’ are handed around, Mike Leigh takes aim at the decade that gave us skin-tight polyester, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Saturday Night Fever, and The Sex Pistols.
Directed by Michael Cabot, ticket prices begin at £20 and can be found on the New Vic website.
Heathers – The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent – April 11-15
I’ve practically seen Heathers in its entirety solely on social media as it appears to be the latest musical phenomenon taking over the UK. The show will stop off in Stoke-on-Trent for five days as it continues to dominate the world of theatre.
The musical follows Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer – another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful but cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. But teen rebel JD teaches her that ‘it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody’.
Based on the eponymous 1988 film, Heathers has already seen two smash hit West End seasons, a record-breaking run at The Other Palace and has won the WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical.
So, Honey, what you waiting for? Tickets are available from £13 here.
Back To The Future – Adelphi Theatre, London – April 15
One of my all-time favourite movie series is the Back To The Future Trilogy, and so, when Jake suggested a trip to London this Easter, there was only one show we knew we had to see.
The 2020 stage musical is adapted from the original screenplay of the 1985 film, and features original music, as well as songs from the film, such as “The Power of Love” and “Johnny B. Goode”.
For those unfamiliar with the iconic 80s movie, the story sees Marty McFly transported back to 1955 in a DeLorean time machine built by Doc Emmett Brown. The teenager accidentally changes the course of history and has to race against the clock to fix the present, escape the past and send himself back to the future.
The show is currently being staged at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End, where it’s run since September 2021. The production received 7 Laurence Olivier Award nominations that year, including Best New Musical which it won, as well as Best Original Score or New Orchestrations.
Tickets cost upwards of £20, with some costing over £200. You can find out more about the West End hit here.
Titanic the Musical – The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent – April 24-29
Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, Titanic The Musical is said to be ‘a stunning and stirring production’ focusing on the hopes, dreams and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded with stories and personal ambitions of their own.
We’re all aware of this landmark historical moment that occurred on April 14, 1912, during which the liner collided with an iceberg and ‘the unsinkable ship’ slowly sank. It was one of the most tragic disasters of the 20th Century. 1517 men, women and children lost their lives, and I think the musical will be a beautiful tribute to their story – nearly 101 years to the day later.
The original Broadway production of Titanic The Musical won five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book.
Tickets are priced at £13, and can be purchased on the ATG website.
The Killing of Sister George – The New Vic, Staffordshire – April 21 – May 13
The Killing of Sister George is a dark comedy shot through with ‘surprising moments of tenderness’. Famously adapted into a film in 1968 with Beryl Reid in the title role, the New Vic and Told by an Idiot will aim to life this bittersweet play with a unique visual flair and an ‘audacious blend of raucous humour and compelling drama’.
The description reads: “A much-loved character on Applehurst – a BBC soap opera – Sister George is a cheerful nurse who cycles around the countryside singing hymns and doing good. But, in reality June Buckeridge, the actress who plays her, is a swaggering, foul mouthed loose cannon who has very little in common with her radio persona.
“Due to low ratings, cut backs and June’s own bad behaviour, the BBC decides “Sister George” has to go…for good!”
The show premieres at the Staffordshire in-the-round at the end of the month, with tickets from £20 here.
