From dark comedies to dramatic retellings, these are the London theatre shows to book now for November
By Abbie Schofield
& Juliet
From 2 November
Shaftesbury Theatre
This ambitious production retells the story of Juliet Capulet, imagining the Shakespearean heroine’s famous ending as just her beginning. With the music of acclaimed songwriter Max Martin, a dazzling set design and eclectic choreography, & Juliet is a joyous remix of the most famous love story of all time.
Sydney and the Old Girl
Until 30 November
Park Theatre
Sydney and the Old Girl, by up-and-coming playwright Eugene O’Hare and starring Miriam Margoyles, follows mother and son Nell and Sydney Stock, who are at war – and it’s mutually assured destruction. After 50 years cooped up in the same shabby east London house where ghosts of a hard life still linger, the points scored in never-ending arguments continue to bind the pair together.
Fiji
19-24 November
Omnibus Theatre
Fiji is a dark comedy about the relationship between Nick and Sam, who are bearing a huge secret so taboo it could never be acted upon. Asking how far two consenting adults will go for desire, this gruesome, gorgeous and unorthodox love story is horrifying, yet enticing.
Lungs
Until 9 November
The Old Vic
The ice caps are melting, there’s overpopulation, political unrest; everything’s going to hell in a handcart – why on earth would someone bring a baby into this world? Lungs, starring Clare Foy and Matt Smith, interrogates the true impact of having a child.
oldvictheatre.com
My Brilliant Friend
From 12 November
National Theatre
Based on the celebrated novels by Elena Ferrante, which have been published in over 50 countries, My Brilliant Friend is an epic story of love, violence, ambition and self-destruction. Niamh Cusack and Catherine McCormack star as lifelong friends Lenu and Lila; when Lila goes missing, Lenu must look back on their tumultuous 60-year friendship.
There are more cultural happenings and unmissable events to book now in our round-up of London’s best-kept secrets.