Now that the nominees for the Olivier Awards 2023 with Mastercard have been announced, we’ve rounded up a bunch of the shows that you can still see in London, and experience some of the very best theatre London has to offer.
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy
Apollo Theatre, 25 March – 7 May
With a nomination for Best New Play and all six actors collectively nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, For Black Boys Who Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy started life at the New Diorama Theatre before transferring to the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre. Inspired by Ntozake Shange’s 1974 play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, this new play by Ryan Calais Cameron sees six young Black men meeting for group therapy and is described as a “joyful fantasy and brutal reality: a world of music, movement, storytelling and verse”.
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?)
Ambassador’s Theatre, until 1 April
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) has been nominated for Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. Opening at the Turbine Theatre in 2022, Rob Madge has since brought their show to the Garrick Theatre and now the Ambassador’s Theatre on the West End. A joyous autobiographical look at their own childhood, putting on home-grown theatre shows with wigs, costumes and props made by a 12-year-old Rob, this show is an affirming look at one person’s musical childhood and what growing up queer can look like with your family around you.
Disney’s Newsies
Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, booking until 30 July
Disney’s Newsies tells the true story of the Newsboys Strike of 1899, when Joseph Pulitzer raises the price of his papers – which the sellers must buy and distribute themselves. Based on the cult-favourite musical film from the 90s, this London premiere begs cream-of-the-crop dancers and is nominated for Best Choreography.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!
Wyndham’s Theatre, booking until 2 September
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma is up for a whopping seven awards this year, including Best Musical Revival and acting nominations for Arthur Darvill, Anoushka Lucas, Liza Sadovy and Marisha Wallace. The show ran at the Young Vic last summer to rave reviews and is currently on at Wyndham’s Theatre. So slip on your cowboy boots and don’t miss out on this dark and modern take on a classic.
Patriots
Noël Coward Theatre, 26 May to 19 August
Set in 1991 at the fall of the Soviet Union, this brilliant new play follows billionaire businessman Boris Berezovsky’s fall from grace. Up for Best New Play, the play has also garnered nominations for Tom Hollander and Will Keen for their roles as Berezovsky and Putin.
To Kill A Mockingbird
Gielgud Theatre, until 20 May
With nominations for original cast members Rafe Spall, David Moorst and Pamela Nomvete, To Kill A Mockingbird is high up the list with 6 total nominations – rounded off by Best Set Design, Best Director and Best New Play. Given the play got 9 Tony nominations, it’s no surprise!