Susan Sarandon & Whoopi Goldberg Star in Fall 2025’s Top Theatre and Dance Shows!

Theatre Productions

Small Acts of Love

Exploring the emotional aftermath of the 1988 Lockerbie disaster, this musical drama celebrates the unexpected friendships between the townspeople of Lockerbie and the grieving American families of Pan AM flight 103 victims. A collaborative production with the National Theatre of Scotland, it marks the reopening of the refurbished Citizens Theatre and features a cast of 14 actor-singers accompanied by a roots band. Will this become the next theatrical phenomenon like Come from Away?

Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, 9 September-4 October

Bacchae

“This ain’t no classic play, b*tches.” With these bold words, the modern reimagining of Euripides’s Bacchae introduces a spoken-word version of the ancient drama, focusing on a group of women who dismember a king. Written by newcomer Nima Taleghani, this production is the first under the direction of the National Theatre’s new artistic director, Indhu Rubasingham.

National Theatre, London, 13 September-1 November

Mary Page Marlowe

Esteemed Hollywood star Susan Sarandon takes the stage in the UK, promising a noteworthy theatrical event. In Tracy Letts’s drama, the focus is on the intricate dynamics between a mother and daughter over the years, with Andrea Riseborough sharing the stage with Sarandon.

Old Vic, London, 23 September-1 November

Cyrano de Bergerac

Adrian Lester excels once more in his portrayal of Cyrano in this Royal Shakespeare Company production. Known for his roles in Shakespearean drama, Lester now embodies the poetic, brave, and romantic Cyrano in a version co-adapted by grime poet Debris Stevenson and director Simon Evans.

Swan Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon, 27 September-15 November

Rohtko

Polish director Łukasz Twarkowski returns with a drama centered around the infamous forgeries of Mark Rothko paintings. Known for his grand, multimedia spectacles, Twarkowski’s latest promises to be a feast for the senses with its pulsating techno soundtrack and arresting visuals.

Barbican, London, 2-5 October

Small Hotel

A real-life former couple, Ralph Fiennes and Francesca Annis, reunite on stage in this new drama by Rebecca Lenkiewicz. Fiennes plays a troubled TV star, Annis his controlling mother, in a production directed by Holly Race Roughan of Headlong theatre company, marking the end of a Fiennes-focused season.

Theatre Royal Bath, 3-18 October

The Maids

Following his innovative staging of The Picture of Dorian Gray, Australian director Kip Williams tackles Jean Genet’s 1947 play about a pair of sisters engaged in a twisted game of identity and power. Translated and directed by Williams, this production is keenly anticipated.

Donmar Warehouse, London, 13 October-29 November

The Fight

This production from Theatr na nÓg explores the life of Cuthbert Taylor, a Welsh athlete of Caribbean descent who was barred from competing for a British title due to racial discrimination, despite representing Britain in the 1928 Olympics.

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, 16-22 October

Paddington: The Musical

Capitalizing on the success of the beloved bear, this musical adaptation of Michael Bond’s stories and the popular films features new music by Tom Fletcher. It promises to be a delightful treat for fans of Paddington’s marmalade-filled adventures.

Savoy Theatre, London, 1 November 2025-25 May 2026

All My Sons

Arthur Miller’s classic drama is revived with a star-studded cast including Paapa Essiedu, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Bryan Cranston. Directed by Ivo van Hove, who previously reimagined Miller’s A View from the Bridge to great acclaim, this production is set to capture audiences anew.

Wyndham’s Theatre, London, 13 November 2025-7 March 2026

Comedy Highlights

Whoopi Goldberg

The legendary Whoopi Goldberg returns to the UK with a unique blend of stand-up and candid conversation, sharing insights from her expansive career in showbiz.

Hammersmith Apollo, London, 4 September, and Utilita Arena Cardiff, 5 September

Tim Key

Fresh off the cinema success of The Ballad of Wallis Island, Tim Key delves into middle age with his new show Loganberry, blending poetry with his trademark offbeat humor.

Wilton’s Music Hall, London, 10-22 November

Joe Kent-Walters

Joe Kent-Walters brings his character Frankie Monroe, a devil-dealing MC, to life in a show that has already impressed at two consecutive Edinburgh Fringe festivals. Now, he’s taking Frankie on tour.

Soho Theatre, London, 17-29 November, then touring

Stevie Martin

After proving her mettle online and on Taskmaster, Stevie Martin transforms her virtual popularity into a dynamic and humorous stage show, Clout, which enjoyed success at Edinburgh last summer and is now touring.

Soho Theatre, London, 22-27 September, then touring

Josie Long

Josie Long presents an alternative view of history with her new show, Now Is the Time of Monsters, exploring themes from prehistory to the present, focusing on discovery, wonder, and extinction.

Mull Theatre, Tobermory, 6 September, then touring

Dance Performances

The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella

In a bold and shocking performance, Brazilian artist Carolina Bianchi confronts the issue of sexual violence by consuming a date rape drug on stage, allowing the performance to unfold as she loses consciousness.

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 17-18 September

Shobana Jeyasingh Dance: We Caliban

Choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh revisits Shakespeare’s The Tempest from the perspective of the enslaved Caliban, blending contemporary themes with her own life experiences in a tale of power and redemption.

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh, 20 September, then touring

Jaivant Patel Company: Astitva

Exploring the intersection of South Asian dance and queer identity, Jaivant Patel’s new work premieres at the newly renovated Bradford Arts Centre, promising a blend of personal narrative and cultural expression.

Bradford Arts Centre, 9-10 October, then touring

The Sleeping Beauty

The English National Ballet presents a lavish production of The Sleeping Beauty, showcasing the demanding choreography of Kenneth MacMillan, based on Marius Petipa’s original work, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

Liverpool Empire, 23-25 October; Palace Theatre, Manchester, 19-22 November; Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, 26-29 November

Wayne McGregor: Infinite Bodies