What’s opening in London theatres this month? (October 2024)

It’s not just bottles of pumpkin spice syrup and pop up christmas shops that are opening this month, as a whole host of brand-new shows are *fall*ing into our laps.   Whether you're craving fresh adaptations of beloved classics, such as **Jodie Whittaker’s** [*The Duchess (of Malfi)*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-duchess-tickets) or **Lesley Manville** and **Mark Strong’s** [*Oedipus*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/oedipus-tickets). Or you’re in the mood for a bold new production making its world premiere, like **Steve Coogan’s** [*Dr Strangelove*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/dr-strangelove-tickets), October's theatre openings are sure to ignite your imagination and keep you warm as the days grow cooler. Take a look at the must-see shows opening across theatreland this month. ### **Oedipus (4 October)** The mother of all tragedies is back. Olivier award winners **Mark Strong** (*Kingsman: The Secret Service, Zero Dark Thirty*) and **Lesley Manville** (*Phantom Thread, Mr. Turner*) star in **Robert Icke’s** modern retelling of Sophocles’ classic tale of fate, guilt and self-discovery.  Election night. The polls predict a landslide victory, and everything is about to change. [*Oedipus*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/oedipus-tickets) is a modern-day politician, he’s making up policies on the fly, content in the knowledge that no one will hold him up on his empty promises. He’s untouchable, until he isn’t. A discussion of honesty, truth and public cover-ups, Oedipus is a public scandal in waiting. It would be a greek tragedy to miss it! ### **The Duchess (of Malfi) (5 October)** **Jodie Whittaker** returns to the stage for the first time in over a decade! The former Time Lord will be joined by **Paul Ready** (*Motherland*) and **Joel Fry** (*Plebs*) to bring **Zinnie Harris**’ ‘towering adaptation’ (The Stage) to life. Just like its star, the 400 year old Jacobean text has been regenerated for a modern audience. Vivid, complex, and captivating, this contemporary production modernises the classic revenge story. With an empowered female lead, the text has been given a fresh new perspective, without losing its well-known warnings surrounding the effects of greed, envy, and power that’s made the play a historical hit.  Recently widowed and in search of a new lease of life, the Duchess (Whittaker) defies her family’s wishes by remarrying beneath her class. However, when her brothers, driven by an insatiable need for power and ‘justice’, discover her second marriage they unleash a series of cruel and devastating punishments against her that repress her power. But will their vicious atrocities come back to haunt them? First performed privately at the Blackfriars Theatre in the early 1600s, everyone is invited to [*The Duchess (of Malfi)’s*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-duchess-tickets) upcoming reign at the [Trafalgar Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/trafalgar-theatre-london). 

### **Dr Strangelove (8 October)** "Arguably the best political satire of the century" (Roger Ebert), **Stanley Kubrick’s** highest rated film, [*Dr Strangelove*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/dr-strangelove-tickets), will receive its highly anticipated stage debut this month.  The world premiere stars seven-time BAFTA winner **Steve Coogan** (*I’m Alan Partridge, Philomina*) as Dr Strangelove, President Merkin Muffley, Group Captain Lionel Mandrake, AND Major TJ Kong (proving once and for all that he’s more than one - much beloved - character). The satirical black comed centres on a deranged U.S. Air Force general, Jack D. Ripper, who unilaterally orders a nuclear strike on the Soviet Union, triggering a madcap scramble to stop a nuclear apocalypse. The U.S. President and his advisors, including the eccentric Dr. Strangelove, work frantically to recall the bombers before it's too late.  Often featured in the 100 Greatest Movies of All Time and Greatest Film lists, the stage adaptation, co-adapted and directed by **Armando Iannucci** (*The Thick of It*) and **Sean Foley** (*The Crown Jewels*) is set to be just as popular. ### **The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (10 October) ** It was only a matter of time, and now it’s almost here! Following a hugely successful, sold-out run at the Southwark Playhouse, [*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button-tickets) is set to make its West End debut.  The powerful production won the Best Musical Theatre Production at the 2024 Off West End Awards. A stage adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows the extraordinary life of its titular character, a man who is born with the appearance of an elderly person and ages in reverse. As Benjamin grows younger while the world around him ages normally, the show explores themes of love, time, and the fleeting nature of life. Transporting the story from New Orleans to a small fishing village in Cornwell, the musical features an original score blending folk, blues, and jazz influences. The traditional, humble instruments and bare staging transforms the fantastical tale into something more poignant, human and contained, but just as heartbreaking. Pack the tissues, you’ve been warned!  ### **The Devil Wears Prada (24 October) ** With the arrival of [*The Devil Wears Prada*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-devil-wears-prada-tickets), the West End is officially the most fashionable place in the world. But don’t just take our word for it, [read Miranda Priestly's guest editorial](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/why-the-west-end-is-this-years-most-fashionable-destination) on why theatreland is serving.  Following a sold-out critically acclaimed run in M̶i̶l̶a̶n N̶e̶w̶ Y̶o̶r̶k P̶a̶r̶i̶s Plymouth, the much anticipated musical will be strutting its way into the Savoy Theatre this Autumn. Starring Tony nominee and multi award-winning singer **Vanessa Williams** (*Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives*) as the formidable editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly, the stylish show follows the story of the early noughties film.  Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed... and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted? Featuring an original score by living legend **Elton John** ([*The Lion King*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-lion-king-tickets)) and choreography by 3-time Tony Award winner **Jerry Mitchell** (*Kinky Boots*), you better gird your loins and get ready for the event of the season. That is all.  ### **Also opening in London theatres this month ** [Maria Caruso’s Incarnation](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/dance/maria-carusos-incarnation-tickets) opens at the [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/royal-drury-lane-best-seats-and-seating-plan) on 2 October 2024 [French Toast](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/french-toast-tickets) opens at [Riverside Studios](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/riverside-studios-london) on 3 October 2024 [Brace Brace](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/brace-brace-tickets) opens at [Jerwood Theatre at the Royal Court](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/jerwood-theatre-upstairs-at-the-royal-court-london) on 3 October 2024 [Mad Gay King](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/mad-gay-king-tickets) opens at the [King’s Head Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/kings-head-theatre-london) on 3 October 2024 [Oedipus](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/oedipus-tickets) opens at [Wyndham's Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/wyndhams-theatre-london) on 4 October 2024 [What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about-anne-frank-tickets) opens at [Marylebone Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/marylebone-theatre-london) on 4 October 2024 [Lucy Beaumont Live](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/concert/lucy-beaumont-tickets) opens at the [London Palladium](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-palladium-london) on 4 October 2024 [Slapstick Schërzo](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/slapstick-scherzo-tickets) opens at [Wilton’s Music Hall](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/wiltons-music-hall-london) on 7 October 2024 [TINK](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/tink-tickets) opens at [Other Palace Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/other-palace-studio-london) on 8 October 2024  [A Raisin in the Sun](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/a-raisin-in-the-sun-tickets) opens at [Lyric Hammersmith](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyric-hammersmith-london) on 9 October 2024 [The Turn of the Screw](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/the-turn-of-the-screw-tickets) opens at [London Coliseum](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-coliseum-london) on 11 October 2024 [The Forsyte Saga Part 1: Irene](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-forsyte-saga-part-1-irene-tickets) opens at [Park Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/park-theatre-london) on 11 October 2024 [Tattooer](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/tattooer-tickets) opens at [Charing Cross Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/charing-cross-theatre-london) on 14 October 2024 [The Forsyte Saga Part 2: Fleur](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-forsyte-saga-part-2-fleur-tickets) opens at [Park Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/park-theatre-london) on 14 October 2024   [The War of the Worlds](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-war-of-the-worlds-tickets) opens at [Wilton’s Music Hall](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/wiltons-music-hall-london) on 16 October 2024 [Autumn](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/autumn-tickets) opens at [Park Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/park-theatre-london) on 16 October 2024  [The Wild Duck](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-wild-duck-tickets) opens at [The Coronet Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/the-coronet-theatre-london) on 18 October 2024 [The Buddha of Suburbia](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-buddha-of-suburbia-tickets) opens at the [Barbican](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/barbican-london) on 22 October 2024  [Lucy Thomas Live in London](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/concert/lucy-thomas-tickets) opens at [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/news/royal-drury-lane-best-seats-and-seating-plan) on 22 October 2024 [How to Survive Your Mother](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/how-to-survive-your-mother-tickets) opens at [King’s Head Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/kings-head-theatre-london) on 23 October 2024 [Rigoletto](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/rigoletto-tickets) opens at [London Coliseum](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/london-coliseum-london) on 30 October 2024 [Little Piece of You: An Atypical Musical in Concert](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/little-piece-of-you-tickets) opens at [Theatre Royal Drury Lane](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-drury-lane-london) on 31 October 2024

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