London is a theater town—its oldest performing arts venue, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, has been in more or less continuous operation (barring burning to the ground a few times) since 1663—and in that spirit, Vogue World: London was conceived as a full-tilt celebration of the stage. But besides boasting appearances and performances from the likes of Sienna Miller, James McAvoy, Damien Lewis, and Sophie Okonedo, the evening also directly supported creative communities throughout the English capital, as national funding for the arts faces steep cuts: Vogue is donating 100% of its net proceeds from Vogue World ticket sales to organizations including the National Theatre, Rambert, the Royal Ballet, Southbank Sinfonia, the Royal Opera House, the Jewish Music Institute, Zoo Co, CoMA, and the Kiln Theatre, all in the form of grants. (Recipients were selected by a group made up of Vogue’s Mark Guiducci; British Vogue’s Giles Hattersley; director Stephen Daldry—who helped to dream up yesterday’s production—Rufus Norris, artistic director and chief executive of the National Theatre; Indhu Rubasingham, artistic director of the Kiln Theatre; and actress and writer Cush Jumbo.)
If you missed your chance to attend Vogue World: London this week (and no worries if so—you can revisit all the theatrics right here), the next best way to support the arts is by going out and seeing a show. Happily, those in London this fall are utterly spoiled for choice; herewith, some highlights from the fall cultural calendar.
A Mirror at the Almeida
Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Reynolds, and Micheal Ward star in Sam Holcroft’s layered (and divisive) new work. On through September 23.
The Effect at the Lyttelton Theatre
From Lucy Prebble—co-creator of I Hate Suzie and a writer and co-executive producer on *Succession—*and starring Taylor Russell and Paapa Essiedu. On through October 7.
Pygmalion at the Old Vic
Bertie Carvel (The Crown) and Patsy Ferran star in this revival of the George Bernard Shaw play that inspired My Fair Lady. On through October 28.
Vanya at the Duke of York’s Theatre
Andrew Scott stars in Simon Stephen’s bold reimagining of a Chekhov staple. On from September 15 through October 21.
Mlima’s Tale at the Kiln Theatre
Playwright Lynn Nottage’s haunting story about the ivory trade finally arrives in London, five long years after its world premiere at the Public Theatre. On from September 15 through October 21.
Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre
Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga lead this sprawling tribute to the work of Stephen Sondheim. On from September 16 through January 6.
Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play at the Young Vic
Kimber Lee’s send-up of damaging (and lazy) Asian stereotypes in theater and on the screen, called “ferociously funny” by the Guardian. On from September 18 through November 4.
Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy
Nicole Scherzinger—yes, of Pussycat Dolls fame—takes on the role of Norma Desmond in this Andrew Lloyd Webber classic. On from September 21 through January 6, 2024.
Hamnet at the Garrick Theatre
After a successful run in Stratford-upon-Avon—and before the story is reinterpreted for the big screen—an adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel by Lolita Chakrabarti heads to the West End. On from September 30 through February 17, 2024.
Blue Mist at the Royal Court Theatre
A much-anticipated debut from Mohamed-Zain Dada about community and representation. On from October 5 through November 18.
Portia Coughlan at the Almeida
Alison Oliver (Conversations With Friends; the forthcoming Saltburn) stars in Marina Carr’s moving drama, directed by Carrie Cracknell. On from October 7 through November 18.
Clyde’s at the Donmar Warehouse
Another endearing Lynn Nottage play makes its European debut. On from October 13 through December 2.
Lyonesse at the Harold Pinter Theater
Kristin Scott Thomas and Lily James lead Penelope Skinner’s new play about an enigmatic actress and the film executive tapped to facilitate her comeback. On from October 17 through December 23.
King Lear at Wyndham’s Theatre
Kenneth Branagh stars and directs for 50 performances only—after which another run is planned at The Shed in New York next fall. On from October 21 through December 9.
The Interview at the Park Theatre
While we all await the sixth and final season of The Crown, consider this dramatization of Princess Diana’s infamous BBC interview with Martin Bashir. On from October 27 through November 25.
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) at the Kiln Theatre
A musical romantic comedy from Jim Barne and Kit Buchan. On from November 9 through December 23.
The House of Bernarda Alba at the Lyttelton Theatre
Harriet Walter—recently of Succession and, even more recently, Vogue World: London—stars in Alice Birch’s (Normal People) spin on Federico García Lorca’s 1945 play. On from November 16 through January 6, 2024.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Phoenix Theatre
Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin helm this retelling of the Stranger Things saga. On from November 17 through August 25, 2024.
Infinite Life at the Dorfman Theatre
Annie Baker’s probing latest, currently at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York, heads to the National Theatre. On from November 22, 2023 through January 13, 2024.
The Motive and the Cue at the Noël Coward Theatre
Sam Mendes’s latest, based on the spiky dynamic between Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and John Gielgud amidst a production of Hamlet. Johnny Flynn, Mark Gatiss, and Tuppence Middleton reprise their roles from the Lyttelton Theatre production this past spring. On from December 9 through March 23, 2024.
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