Don’t believe the doomsters. With or without lockdowns, theatre will rise again out of the ashes by 2022.
The public’s appetite for live performance — and live performers’ appetite for their public — will not be so easily extinguished.
We have to make sure we do our part by booking tickets and pulling out all the stops.
Grab your pen and paper, open your notebook, and choose from the chronological order of my highlights.
Mark Rylance pops up again, this time with Mackenzie Crook — both reprising their roles in Ian Rickson’s production of what probably remains the play of the century: Jerusalem (pictured)
Dr Semmelweis
Mark Rylance is a familiar face. Stephen Brown will direct a play about Mark Rylance at Bristol Old Vic. It tells the story of Mark Rylance who was driven by the hostile medical establishment to solitary mental asylum after promoting hygiene in hospitals.
Bristol Old Vic, previews from January 20, opens January 26, until February 12 (0117 987 7877, bristololdvic.org.uk).
Cyrano de Bergerac
Martin Crimp has re-released James McAvoy in Martin Crimp’s modern, hip hop version of Edmond Rostand’s tragedy about the soldier who can’t express his feelings for Roxanne due to his shameful big nose. Instead, he becomes a go‑between for his love rival.
Harold Pinter Theatre, London; February 3 to March 12; then Theatre Royal Glasgow, March 18 to 26 (haroldpintertheatre.co.uk/ atgtickets.com).
Saturday Night Fever
The role that launched John Travolta — disco dude Tony Manero — is snapped up by Richard Winsor, a former principal dancer for Matthew Bourne’s company. Personally, this is Disco Inferno that I can’t wait for to witness on stage. This is going to be an year where we need to dance, yes!
Sadler’s Wells, London. Previews February 5, opens February 9, until March 26; then touring to Oxford, Truro, Darlington and Manchester (020 7863 8000/sadlerswells.com).
The role that launched John Travolta — disco dude Tony Manero — is snapped up by Richard Winsor, a former principal dancer for Matthew Bourne’s company
Henry V
Kit Harington is the actor who played Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones. Now Kit Harington takes on Shakespeare’s medieval warrior King. Harington challenges France’s surly monarchy at Agincourt. Rising star Max Webster directs.
Donmar Warehouse London. Previews from February 11, opens February 22, until April 9 (020 3282 3808/donmarwarehouse.com).
The Human Voice
Ruth Wilson and Ivo van Vee reunite to reprise their 2016 hit Hedda Gabler. They star together in Jean Cocteau’s 1930s absurdist monologue about a woman who makes a final tragic call to an absent lover.
London’s Harold Pinter Theatre. Previews from March 17, opens March 22, until April 9 (0844 871 7622/thehumanvoiceplay.com).
Straight Line Crazy
Ralph Fiennes is the star of Sir David Hare’s play, directed by Nicholas Hytner. It’s about Robert Moses (an early 20th century New York City planner) who was charismatic and drove the Big Apple into what it is today.
Bridge Theatre, London. Previews from March 16, opens March 23, until June 18 (0333 320 0051/bridgetheatre.co.uk).
The Corn is green
Nicola Walker, TV’s Unforgotten actress, leads the cast of Dominic Cooke’s revival Emlyn Williams’ 1938 drama. It is about a rural teacher who helps poor miners by teaching them how to read and write.
Lyttelton National Theatre London. Previews from April 7, opens April 14, until June 11 (020 3989 5455/nationaltheatre.org.uk).
Prima Facie
Jodie Cooper, Killing Eve’s Jodie is making her West End debut as Suzie Miller’s monologue on a working class barrister confronted with a moral dilemma.
London’s Harold Pinter Theatre. Previews starting April 15, and running through June 18 (01333 0096690/primafacieplay.com).
Jerusalem
Mark Rylance pops up again, this time with Mackenzie Crook — both reprising their roles in Ian Rickson’s production of what probably remains the play of the century: Jez Butterworth’s tale of a legendary Wiltshire wastrel driven from his caravan by the local council.
Rylance refers to Johnny ‘Rooster Byron’ Rylance and Crook his faithful sidekick Ginger. You’re almost out of stock, so hurry!
Apollo Shaftesbury Avenue, London. Previews from April 16, opening April 28, until August 7 (0330 333 4809/ jerusalemtheplay.co.uk).
Emilia Clarke will be the star of The Seagull
My Fair lady
Bartlett Sher, who is in Lincoln Center New York, directs this musical that’s based upon George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. This summer residency was just outside Trafalgar Square. Lerner’s and Loewe are accompanied by the English National Opera Orchestra.
Coliseum Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, Previews from May 7, opens May 18, until August 27 (020 7845 9300/ myfairladymusical.co.uk).
The Glass Menagerie
Amy Adams, American Hustle, The Master, Enchanted, makes her West End debut as Amanda Wingfield, a mother who is desperate to wed her disabled daughter in Jeremy Herrin’s revival of Tennessee Williams’s 1944 autobiographical drama.
Duke of York’s Theatre at St Martin’s Lane London. Previews from May 23, opens May 31, until August 27 (03330 096 690/theglassmenageriewestend.com).
Southbury Child
Stephen Beresford stars Alex Jennings in his play. It is about a vicar with good intentions who must take a unpopular position towards a grieving parishioner. Nicholas Hytner is the director in Chichester before he transfers to his Bridge Theatre.
Festival Theatre in Chichester. Previews open June 13, and run through June 17, before opening to the public at 1 243 781 312, cft.org.uk. Then at Bridge Theatre, London, July 1 to August 27 (0333 320 0051/bridgetheatre.co.uk).
The Seagull
Emilia Clarke returns to Game Of Thrones (the original West End show was cut short due to lockdown), to reprise her role as Nina. Nina is a young actress who wants to be famous in Anya Reiss’s contemporary version of Anton Chekhov’s Russian 19-century drama directed by Jamie Lloyd.
Harold Pinter Theatre. Previews from June 29, opens July 6, until September 10 (03330 096 690/haroldpintertheatre.co.uk).