May theatre: shows to see this month

By Lucy Brooks on 26/4/2018

A-listers, big-hitters and radical revivals make for a thrilling month of theatre. Here are the five London plays to see in May.

Killer Joe, Trafalgar Studios

Following an eleven-year hiatus, The Lord of the Rings actor Orlando Bloom is making a much-awaited return to the London stage in Tracy Letts’ celebrated dark comedy Killer Joe.

WHEN

18 May 2018 – 18 Aug 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Trafalgar Studios
14 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2DY

Ben Chaplin (Edward) in Consent by Nina Raine. Photo by Sarah Lee

Consent, Harold Pinter Theatre

After a sell-out 2017 premiere and superlative reviews at the National Theatre, Consent transfers to the West End for a limited twelve-week run at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Don't miss your second chance to see this compelling drama of truth, justice and betrayal.

WHEN

18 May 2018 – 11 Aug 2018, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

WHERE

Harold Pinter Theatre
Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN

Julie, National Theatre

A trio of bright, talented young women collaborate in a contemporary re-working of classic Strindberg play Miss Julie. And The Crown's Vanessa Kirby returns to the stage to play the 'wild and newly single' title role.

WHEN

31 May 2018 – 04 Aug 2018, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

WHERE

National Theatre
South Bank, London, SE1 9PX

Red, Wyndham's Theatre

The Mark Rothko bio-play that catapulted Eddie Redmayne to stardom back in 2009 returns to the stage in a new production that borrows heavily from the original.

WHEN

04 May 2018 – 28 Jul 2018, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

WHERE

Wyndham's Theatre
32 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA

Peter Pan Artwork by Hugo Glendinning and Feast Creative

Peter Pan, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre 2018

Set against the backdrop of a WW1 nursing station, this poignant revival of Peter Pan sheds new light on the nature of lost boys and what it is to grow up. It returns to Regents Park Open Air Theatre after glowing reviews in 2015.

WHEN

17 May 2018 – 16 Jun 2018, 7:45 PM – 9:45 PM

WHERE

Open Air Theatre, Regent's Park
Inner Cir, Westminster, London, NW1 4NU