New plays and musicals are opening in London all the time. This
is our choice of the best of the latest.
LONDON NOW (APRIL-MAY)
THE AUDIENCE
Gielgud Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, W1D 6AR T: 0844 482 5130
Peter Morgans has returned his theatrical vision to the subject of
the monarchy for this elegant and charming production, directed by
Stephen Daldry. Based on the weekly meetings the Queen has held
with Britain's prime ministers since the Second World War, The
Audience deals in a mixture of real-life personnel and considerable
speculation. A cast including Paul Ritter and Edward Fox is
consistently excellent; however it is Helen Mirren's regal and
understated leading performance that steals the show.
Until 15th June 2013
PETER AND ALICE
Noël Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martins Lane, WC2N 4AU T: 0844 482
5141
John Logan's latest work is a charming and intelligent literary
treat, directed with typical aplomb by Michael Grandage. The
production revolves around a coincidental meeting between Alice
Liddell Hargreaves and Peter Llewelyn Davies, the real-life
inspirations for Lewis Carroll's Alice and JM Barrie's Peter Pan,
at the opening of an exhibition in a London bookshop in 1932. Judi
Dench's Alice moves from melancholy to ecstasy with remarkable
ease, whilst Ben Whishaw offers up a deft and very promising
performance as the adult Peter.
Until 1st June 2013