The Son

After totting up rave reviews at Kiln Theatre, Florian Zeller’s powerfully affecting play The Son transfers to the West End, with Amanda Abbington reprising her central role. The final instalment in a trilogy that began with The Mother and The Father, The Son depicts a teenage boy’s struggle with depression following the breakdown of his parents’ marriage. It is translated from the original French by Christopher Hampton and directed by incoming Donmar Warehouse Artistic Director, Michael Longhurst. Described as “devastating” and “visceral” by The Independent, this gut-punch of a play opens at the Duke of York’s Theatre in August for a limited 10-week run.

Hairspray

Big hair, big dreams, and big dance moves: Michael Ball reprises his award-winning turn as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray next year. Playing at the London Coliseum, the show follows wannabe dancer Tracy Turnblad as she shimmies her way to social change and fights for equality. Hairspray is the ultimate feel-good musical full of classic hits including “You Can’t Stop The Beat” and direction from Jack O’Brien. Ball starred in the show’s West End debut back in 2007, earning an Olivier Award for his work. Don’t miss this second chance to see a legendary, infectious and larger-than-life performance from April 2020.