What's opening in London Theatre this month? (May 2019)

Posted on May 1, 2019 | By Jade Ali (Updated on Aug 16, 2019)

We’re set to leave rainy April behind and enter the fifth month of the year (the year really is flying by!). The London Theatre scene has already been treated to many amazing new shows this year and that’s not going to stop this May, as even more wonderful new plays and musicals are set to open their doors. New works and revivals alike, we’re excited to sink our teeth into something new and here’s what is on offer this month…

What's opening in London Theatre this month? (May 2019) — Matthew Broderick in rehearsal for The Starry Messenger at Wyndham's Theatre.

Amour (opens 2 May)
Broadway’s Tony Award-nominated musical is set to make its London premiere and we couldn’t be more excited that the 17-year wait for this transfer is nearly over. Amour was written by French musician and composer Michel Legrand and has an original French libretto by Didier Van Cauwelaert. It was translated into English by acclaimed theatre director Jeremy Sans. Amour is set in Paris in 1950 where Dusoleil dreams up a fantasy world in order to escape the mundanities of his gloomy life. Fancying himself quite the hero, he fights to bring justice to the war-impoverished Parisians and gains the confidence to win the amour of Isobelle. Gary Tushaw (Rocky Horror) will star as Dusoleil and Anna O’Byrne (The Woman in White) as Isobelle.
🎫 Purchase your Amour tickets now and save up to £15 with our current offer.

The Lehman Trilogy (opens 11 May)
The sold-out National Theatre production of The Lehman Trilogy is almost set to open its doors at the Piccadilly Theatre for its West End transfer. In between its stints at the National Theatre and the West End, it transferred to New York and its cast featured Simon Russell Beale as Henry Lehman, Adam Godley as Mayer Lehman and Ben Miles as Emanuel Lehman. This cast will be reprising their roles again here in London. The story follows three generations of Lehmans and the progressions and downfalls they face over time leading up to the 2008 financial crisis. Having received rave reviews last time, it’s set to please audiences and critics alike once again.
🎫 Purchase your tickets for The Lehman Trilogy here.

The Starry Messenger (opens 16 May)
Matthew Broderick is going to be making his West End debut in BAFTA and Academy Award-winning writer Kenneth Lonergan’s The Starry Messenger. Despite his fascination with the infinite universe, Mark Williams (Broderick) lives a fairly dull life, until a chance meeting with Angela. The story shows the effect this affair has on a group of otherwise ordinary people. The Starry Messenger is directed by award-winning film and theatre director Sam Yates. This West End transfer is going to be out of this world but fortunately for you, tickets are not, so be sure to book soon!
🎫 Purchase your tickets for The Starry Messenger at Wyndham’s Theatre here.

Vincent River (opens 16 May)
Phillip Ridley’s modern classic, Vincent River, has been critically acclaimed since its London premiere back in 2001. It was revived in 2018 at Park Theatre and is now coming to the West End’s Trafalgar Studios for a limited season of just one month. Ridley’s dark drama explores the drastic consequences of hate crime. It focuses on the struggles of love and loss, and despite it being nearly 20 years since it first premiered, is now more topical than ever. Louise Jameson and Thomas Mahy star in Robert Chevara’s acclaimed production and with such a short season, you’re going to want to make sure you get your tickets sooner, rather than later.
🎫 Purchase your Vincent River tickets here.

Beats on Pointe: Masters of Choreography (opens 21 May)
The Masters of Choreography are ready to present to you this packed showcase of varying dance and music styles; classic and contemporary. Beats on Pointe is a worldwide sell-out show and there’s no wonder why because this production offers everything you could possibly want from a dance show. Dance athletes show off the best of street style and the opposing style of ballet. It also features some theatrical freestyle acts and is supplemented with comedy. This spectacular production is bound to captivate the widest range of audiences, with something to suit everyone’s taste. You won’t want to miss out on this internationally acclaimed show so be sure to book your tickets before it sells out!
🎫 Purchase your tickets for Beats on Pointe: Master of Choreography at Peacock Theatre here.

Education, Education, Education (opens 31 May)
At long last, The Wardrobe Ensemble’s Education, Education, Education is receiving its West End transfer after sell-out runs at the Wardrobe Theatre in Bristol and Bristol’s Old Vic. Their award-winning play continues its pattern of inventive productions and trademark humour which shows they like to take risks and push boundaries. Set in May 1997, this show is set to challenge your beliefs with its thought-provoking play that explores a time that shaped our political history. Daring as ever, The Wardrobe Ensemble’s new piece is set to make a splash in London’s Theatre and will prove to be relevant and inspiring.
🎫 Purchase your tickets for Education, Education, Education at Trafalgar Studios here.

Also opening in May 2019…

Dame Patricia Routledge: Facing The Music – A Life in Musical Theatre opens at Theatre Royal Haymarket on 5 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your tickets for Dame Patricia Routledge: Facing The Music – A Life in Musical Theatre here.

Pieter-Dirk Uys: When In Doubt Say Darling opens at Soho Theatre on 6 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Pieter-Dirk Uys: When In Doubt Say Darling here.

Orpheus Descending opens at Menier Chocolate Factory on 9 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Orpheus Descending tickets here.

Paul Bunyan opens at Alexandra Palace Theatre on 9 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Paul Bunyan tickets here.

Yang Liping: Rite of Spring opens at Sadler’s Wells on 9 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Yang Liping: Rite of Spring tickets here.

White Pearl opens at the Royal Court Theatre on 10 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your White Pearl tickets here.

Carlos Acosta in Conversation with Mike Parkinson at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 12 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Carlos Acosta in Conversation with Mike Parkinson tickets here.

Rambert: McGregor/ Motin/ Shecthter opens at Sadler’s Wells on 14 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Rambert: McGregor/ Motin/ Shecther tickets here.

Ute Lemper: Rendezvous with Marlene opens at the Arcola Theatre on 14 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Ute Lemper: Rendezvous with Marlene tickets here.

Hoard opens at the Arcola Theatre on 15 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Hoard tickets here.

Shalamar opens at Aldwych Theatre on 19 May 2019.
🎫 Purchase your Shalamar tickets here.