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1,296 events
Sorted by popularity / date & time
Agatha Christie's Go Back for Murder
Agatha Christie Theatre Company present the Queen of Mystery's classic thriller, packed with red herrings and suspense til the very end.
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Thu 6 Jun
£10–£32.50 / 0870 060 6620
Sat 8 Jun
£10–£32.50 / 0870 060 6620
Connaught Theatre & Ritz, Worthing
Wed 12 Jun
£14.50; £19.50 / 01903 206206
- 14:00
Sat 15 Jun
£14.50; £19.50 / 01903 206206
- 14:00
Harrogate Theatre
Wed 19 Jun
£22 / 01423 502116
- 14:30
Sat 22 Jun
£22 / 01423 502116
- 14:30
Also on at:
The Sash
Hector MacMillan's nailbiting story about families pitted against each other due to conflicting beliefs.
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 22 May
£11–£30 / 0844 871 7648
Sat 25 May
£11–£30 / 0844 871 7648
Milkshake! Live: Channel 5 And Premier Stage Productions
Children's show starring presenters from the TV channel, plus familiar characters including Little Princess, Scruff, Noddy, Tessie Bear, Roary, Big Chris, FiFi and Bumble.
Baths Hall, Scunthorpe
Mon 22 Jul
£12 (Children £10; £40) / 0844 854 2776
- 13:00
- 15:30
Beck Theatre, Hayes
Fri 2 Aug
£13 (Children £11; £44) / 020 8561 8371
- 13:00
- 15:30
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Tue 28 May
£14 (Children £12; £48) / 01702 351135
- 13:00
- 15:30
Also on at:
Ghost
Musical based on the Oscar-winning movie about a man trapped between this world and the next who's trying to communicate with his heart-broken girlfriend through a psychic.
Bristol Hippodrome
Wed 28 Aug
£10–£35 / 0844 847 2325
Sat 31 Aug
£15–£45 / 0844 847 2325
Wed 4 Sep
£10–£35 / 0844 847 2325
The Edinburgh Playhouse
Wed 22 May
£10–£35 / 0844 871 3014
Sat 25 May
£15–£45 / 0844 871 3014
Wed 29 May
£10–£35 / 0844 871 3014
Sat 1 Jun
£15–£45 / 0844 871 3014
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 2 Oct
0844 871 7648
Sat 5 Oct
0844 871 7648
Wed 9 Oct
0844 871 7648
Also on at:
Soul Sister
Musical telling the life stories of Ike and Tina Turner, with all the classic hits, from 'River Deep Mountain High' to 'Simply the Best'.
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Wed 22 May
£13.50–£29.50 (£11–£27) / 01274 432000
- 14:00
Sat 25 May
£13.50–£29.50 (£11–£27) / 01274 432000
- 14:30
Bristol Hippodrome
Wed 3 Jul
£10–£35 / 0844 847 2325
Sat 6 Jul
£10–£35 / 0844 847 2325
Churchill Theatre, Bromley
Thu 29 Aug
£10–£35 / 0870 060 6620
Sat 31 Aug
£10–£35 / 0870 060 6620
Also on at:
- Liverpool Empire Theatre
- The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
- New Victoria Theatre, Woking
- New Wimbledon Theatre, London SW19
- Perth Concert Hall
- Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent
- Sunderland Empire
- Theatre Royal, Brighton
Pitmen Painters
Award-winning play about a group of Ashington miners in 1934, who hire a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class and then begin to paint their own work. Written by Lee Hall (of Billy Elliott fame) and presented here by Bill Kenwright.
Curve Theatre, Leicester
Wed 12 Jun
£14.50–£22.50; £15 Ages 16-26; £16.50–£24.50; £15 Ages 16-26 ( £14–£22; £14–£22; £14–£22; £14–£22; Children £10 under 16s; Children £10 under 16s) / 0116 242 3595
- 14:15
Sat 15 Jun
£14.50–£22.50; £15 Ages 16-26; £16.50–£24.50; £15 Ages 16-26 ( £14–£22; £14–£22; £14–£22; £14–£22; Children £10 under 16s; Children £10 under 16s) / 0116 242 3595
- 14:15
Derby Theatre
Wed 29 May
£10–£25 (£11–£23) / 01332 255800
- 14:30
Thu 30 May
£10–£25 (£11–£23) / 01332 255800
- 14:30
Sat 1 Jun
£10–£25 (£11–£23) / 01332 255800
- 14:30
Richmond Theatre
Wed 7 Aug
£10–£29.50 / 0870 060 6651
Sat 10 Aug
£10–£29.50 / 0870 060 6651
Also on at:
Cantina: LIMBO
- Directed by: Scott Maidment
- Written by: Sxip Shirey
Modern circus-theatre is mixed with cabaret, acrobatics and live music in this show featuring a host of international performers including illusionist Paul Kieve, acrobat and aerialist Jonathan Nosan from the US, Australian acrobat-dancer Hilton Denis and the head balancer Danik Abishev. Directed by Scott Maidment, LIMBO…
The London Wonderground Spiegeltent, SE1
Sat 25 May
£10–£17 / 0844 545 8282
- 15:00
Sat 1 Jun
£10–£17 / 0844 545 8282
- 15:00
Sat 8 Jun
£10–£17 / 0844 545 8282
- 15:00
The Flying Theatre
Fully functioning theatre based on a bus, travelling the continent with unique storytelling sessions. Suitable for all ages.
Riverside Museum, Glasgow
Sun 19 May
Free / 0141 287 2660
- 10:00 – 16:00
Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales
Brand new show from award-winning Scamp Theatre (Stick Man). Adapted from the bestselling books written by Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo). A magical collection of Julia Donaldson’s most popular titles including Tiddler, The Smartest Giant in Town and A…
Underbelly Bristo Square, Edinburgh
Thu 1 Aug
Fri 2 Aug
£11 (£10) / 08445 458252
Sat 3 Aug
£10 (£9) / 08445 458252
The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular
The return of the UK's finest Rat Pack tribute night, with classic tunes including 'Under My Skin' and 'Come Fly with Me' and plenty of entertaining between-song patter.
Bristol Hippodrome
Thu 25 Jul
£17–£21 / 0844 847 2325
Liverpool Empire Theatre
Sat 12 Oct
£17–£21 / 0870 606 3536
Milton Keynes Theatre
Thu 1 Aug
£17–£21 / 0870 060 6652
Also on at:
- New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
- New Wimbledon Theatre, London SW19
- Opera House, Manchester
- Sunderland Empire
James And The Giant Peach: The Birmingham Stage Company (Over 4s)
- Written by: David Wood (adaptation)
David Wood's adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's story in which a little boy embarks on an extraordinary journey as a result of some powerful magic.
Curve Theatre, Leicester
Wed 5 Jun
£10.50–£14.50 / 0116 261 6893
- 10:30
- 13:30
Thu 6 Jun
£10.50–£14.50 / 0116 261 6893
- 10:30
- 13:30
Fri 7 Jun
£10.50–£14.50 / 0116 261 6893
- 10:30
Sat 8 Jun
£10.50–£14.50 / 0116 261 6893
- 14:30
Derby Theatre
Wed 3 Jul
£15 / 01332 255800
- 10:30
- 13:30
Thu 4 Jul
£15 / 01332 255800
- 10:30
Fri 5 Jul
£15 / 01332 255800
- 10:30
Sat 6 Jul
£15 / 01332 255800
- 14:30
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Wed 22 May
Phone for prices / 01242 572573
- 10:30
Thu 23 May
Phone for prices / 01242 572573
- 14:00
Fri 24 May
Phone for prices / 01242 572573
- 10:30
Sat 25 May
Phone for prices / 01242 572573
- 14:00
Also on at:
Spot's Birthday Party
Songs, stories and games in this fun-packed birthday party for Spot and his friends Steve the Monkey, Tom the Crocodile and Marco the Rabbit Magician who'll be performing a few tricks. Ages 2+.
Dundee Rep
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Thu 13 Jun
£12 / 01224 641122
Zippos Circus: Carnaval
The newest show from the well-travelled circus, featuring horse rider Nicky de Neumann, a bunch of motorbikes in a giant ball known as the 'Globe of Death' and the flying acrobats of Havana Troupe, among many other circus favourites.
Beddington Park, Wallington
Fri 24 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 17:00
Sat 25 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 15:00
Sun 26 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 15:00
Fairfield Park, Kingston upon Thames
Sun 19 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 11:00
- 15:00
Mon 20 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 17:00
The Pavilion, Perry Barr, Birmingham
Thu 30 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 15:00
Fri 31 May
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 15:00
Sat 1 Jun
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 15:00
Sun 2 Jun
£7–£16 (Children £5–£13) / 0871 210 2100
- 11:00
- 15:00
The 39 Steps
- Directed by: Maria Aitken
- Written by: Patrick Barlow
Patrick Barlow's ingenious adaptation of John Buchan's spy novel, in which four actors play 139 roles between them. Barlow's adaptation is heavily influenced by Hitchcock's 1935 film version. Directed by Maria Aitken.
Criterion Theatre, London W1J
Wed 22 May
£15–£50 / 0870 060 2313
Sat 25 May
£15–£52 / 0870 060 2313
Wed 29 May
£15–£50 / 0870 060 2313
Malvern Theatres
Wed 19 Jun
Festival Theatre
£12.50–£26.50; £8 under 26s ( £10.50–£24.50; £10.50–£24.50) / 01684 892277
- 14:30
Sat 22 Jun
Festival Theatre
£12.50–£26.50; £8 under 26s ( £10.50–£24.50; £10.50–£24.50) / 01684 892277
- 14:30
The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Thu 4 Jul
£14–£28 / 01227 787787
- 14:30
Sat 6 Jul
£14–£28 / 01227 787787
- 14:30
Calum's Road
The National Theatre of Scotland and Communicado Theatre Company present David Harrower's take on the true tale of a man on the Isle of Skye who, faced with council indifference to his remote village's isolated plight, built a two-mile stretch of road all by himself with nothing but a pick, a wheelbarrow and a shovel.
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh
Sat 8 Jun
£6–£17.50 / 0131 228 1404
The History Boys
- Written by: Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett's celebrated play about an unruly bunch of bright, funny sixth-form boys in pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university.
Sheffield Theatres
Sat 25 May
Crucible
£1 public dressed rehearsal; £19; £19; £15; £21; £9 / 0114 249 6000
- 14:30
Wed 29 May
Crucible
£1 public dressed rehearsal; £19; £19; £15; £21; £9 / 0114 249 6000
- 14:30
Sat 1 Jun
Crucible
£1 public dressed rehearsal; £19; £19; £15; £21; £9 / 0114 249 6000
- 14:30
Scottish Ballet: Highland Fling
Matthew Bourne's ballet inspired by La Sylphide, first performed in 1994, returns for a new Scottish tour. We follow the misfortunes of James, a young Scotsman whose taste for the wilder side of life brings him into the company of a strange and beautiful gothic fairy.
Edinburgh Festival Theatre
Thu 23 May
£12.50–£42.50 / 0131 529 6000
The 39 Steps
John Buchan's adventurous spy novel (or Hitchcock's classic film) is adapted into this stage version by Patrick Barlow and features only four actors playing 139 roles between them.
Eden Court Theatre, Inverness
Wed 29 May
£19–£26 (£17–£21; under 18s £11–£15; groups of 10+ £3 off) / 01463 234234
Sat 1 Jun
£19–£26 (£17–£21; under 18s £11–£15; groups of 10+ £3 off) / 01463 234234
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Thu 6 Jun
£18–£30.50 / 01224 641122
Sat 8 Jun
£18–£30.50 / 01224 641122
King's Theatre, Edinburgh
Wed 22 May
£14–£29.50 (Student standby £10) / 0131 529 6000
Sat 25 May
£14–£29.50 (Student standby £10) / 0131 529 6000
9 to 5: The Musical
Three office workers get their own back on their lying bigot of a boss and conspire to take over the company, all while singing along to 18 classic Dolly Parton numbers.
The Edinburgh Playhouse
Wed 5 Jun
£15–£45 / 0844 871 3014
Sat 8 Jun
£15–£45 / 0844 871 3014
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Thu 27 Jun
£15.50–£42.50 / 01224 641122
Sat 29 Jun
£15.50–£42.50 / 01224 641122
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 14 Aug
£14.50–£45 / 0844 871 7648
Sat 17 Aug
£15–£45 / 0844 871 7648
Also on at:
Confessions of a Justified Sinner Reconstructed
Untitled Projects and actor George Anton present an archive of Paul Bright's 1987 Scotland-spanning adaptation of the James Hogg novel.
Tramway, Glasgow
Sat 22 Jun
£14 (£10) / 0845 330 3501
Sat 29 Jun
£14 (£10) / 0845 330 3501
Dirty Dancing
See Baby not put in the corner in the musical based on the late Patrick Swayze's popular film. We can't promise you'll have the time of your life, but you'll probably leave singing as much.
Bristol Hippodrome
Fri 21 Mar
£10–£75 / 0844 847 2325
Sat 22 Mar
£10–£75 / 0844 847 2325
Fri 28 Mar
£10–£75 / 0844 847 2325
King's Theatre, Glasgow
Wed 27 Aug
£10–£75 / 0844 871 7648
Fri 29 Aug
£10–£75 / 0844 871 7648
Sat 30 Aug
£10–£75 / 0844 871 7648
Milton Keynes Theatre
Wed 22 Oct
£10–£75 / 0870 060 6652
Fri 24 Oct
£10–£75 / 0870 060 6652
Sat 25 Oct
£10–£75 / 0870 060 6652
Also on at:
Hairspray
Mark Benton takes on an iconic role, not to mention about a ton's worth of prosthetics in the feel-good musical romp through the changing values of the 1960s. Expect fabulous outfits, catchy songs and the requisite towering barnets.
Bristol Hippodrome
Wed 7 Aug
£15–£45.50 / 0844 847 2325
Sat 10 Aug
£18.50–£48.50 / 0844 847 2325
Sun 11 Aug
£18.50–£48.50 / 0844 847 2325
The Edinburgh Playhouse
Thu 5 Sep
£18.50–£45 / 0844 871 3014
Sat 7 Sep
£20–£48.50 / 0844 871 3014
Thu 12 Sep
£18.50–£45 / 0844 871 3014
Sat 14 Sep
£20–£48.50 / 0844 871 3014
His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen
Thu 19 Sep
£17–£55 / 01224 641122
Sat 21 Sep
£17–£55 / 01224 641122
The Lady Boys of Bangkok
Glamorous Amorous! The Lady Boys of Bangkok are back with a fabulous new show for 2013! Dripping with diamante and sizzling on stage with new songs and side splitting comedy. From J-Lo to Whitney, the stars and chart-topping hits just keep on coming. Party like there’s no tomorrow with The Lady Boys of Bangkok: Europe's…
The Sabai Pavilion, Victoria Gardens, Brighton
Sun 19 May
Sat 25 May
Sun 26 May
Sat 1 Jun
The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot
- Directed by: Antony Law
- Written by: Stephen Adly Guirgis
Stephen Adly Guirgis' courtroom-set comedy drama, a mix of betrayal, forgiveness, love and hope, based on the biblical tale, features evidence given by the likes of Mary Magdalene, Sigmund Freud, Mother Teresa and Satan. Directed by Antony Law. Contains strong language, parental discretion advised.
St Leonard's Church, London E1
Sun 19 May
£12–£18 / 020 7478 0100
- 15:00
Tiddler And Other Terrific Tales (Over 3s)
- Written by: Axel Scheffler
Scamp Theatre presents a new show adapted from the bestselling books by Children's Laureate, Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler (creators of The Gruffalo).
Burnley Mechanics
Tue 25 Jun
£7 (Children £6; £22) / 01282 664400
- 13:30
Mercury Theatre, Colchester
Mon 1 Jul
£12.50 (£10; Children £8.50 under 16s) / 01206 573948
- 16:30
Tue 2 Jul
£12.50 (£10; Children £8.50 under 16s) / 01206 573948
- 13:30
- 16:30
Wed 3 Jul
£12.50 (£10; Children £8.50 under 16s) / 01206 573948
- 10:30
- 13:30
Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple
Mon 17 Jun
£11 / 01271 324242
- 13:30
Tue 18 Jun
£11 / 01271 324242
- 10:30
- 13:30





