This autumn is unusually beautiful — quiet, bright, and warm. It makes you long for something calm and picturesque: walking in the park in a chunky knit sweater, baking pumpkin pies, sipping cocoa while sitting on the windowsill. You could also pet a cat, but since not everyone has one (or a dog), we suggest you go to the theatre and look at the soft and cuddly Totoro instead. Our selection includes no heavy tragedies — only musicals and dramatic plays filled with songs and dance. And everything ends well — at least as well as it possibly can.
The Devil Wears Prada
Dominion Theatre, 268–269 Tottenham Court Road
Photo by londontheatre.co.uk
If you love the old film The Devil Wears Prada with Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, this is the place to indulge your nostalgia. Don’t expect deep meaning — the production is more like a jewelry box of memories, filled with beloved quotes and favorite moments from the movie, and that’s precisely its charm.
The book was written by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick, based on Kate Wetherhead’s adaptation, and directed by Jerry Mitchell. The show has been running for a year — it was even opened by Elton John himself, who composed the score. Majestic and glittering, Elton posed under the giant red stiletto mounted above the theatre’s entrance.
There are no “instant-hit” songs that will stick in your head, but what you get is two and a half hours of finely crafted musical theatre, carried by Sir Elton’s melodies and Vanessa Williams’s imperious Miranda Priestly. Honestly, it’s a lovely way to spend a rainy autumn evening — and to enjoy Georgie Buckland, Amy Di Bartolomeo, Matt Henry and the rest of the talented cast. The costumes and sets are stunning, the dancing fantastic, the vocals top-notch. Let’s save the deep philosophy for another season, shall we?
The Producers
Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road
Photo by thegarricktheatre.co.uk
“Brilliant,” “sparkling,” “hilarious” — critics and audiences can’t seem to praise this show enough. It’s an adaptation of Mel Brooks’s classic 1967 film. Theatre about theatre always has a special backstage magic — The Producers tells the story of two scheming Broadway producers, Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, who plan to get rich by staging the worst show ever made… only for it to become a smash hit.
It’s truly funny — even when the jokes tiptoe to the edge of bad taste. Yet even the boldest gags land smoothly, and you never feel awkward laughing. Under Tony Award-winner Patrick Marber’s direction, the characters are vivid and energetic, radiating genuine comic spirit — the kind that leaves you with the feeling of “laughter yoga.”
Andy Nyman as Max and Marc Antolin as Leo are both superb. Spend a lighthearted evening at the theatre — and take a peek behind the curtain while you’re at it.
My Neighbour Totoro
Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane
First of all — it’s beautiful! Adult audiences return again and again to Totoro, eager to step back into that tender, magical story where everything turns out fine. On a languid, golden London autumn day, who really wants to overthink “kidult” culture anyway?
Now celebrating its first anniversary, the musical features the original score by Joe Hisaishi from Studio Ghibli’s beloved film. The stage adaptation was written by Tom Morton-Smith (Oppenheimer), directed by two-time Olivier Award winner Phelim McDermott. It’s witty and technically dazzling — discovering how Basil Twist’s puppetry magic works is a joy in itself.
Mei Mac plays young Mei, and Ami Okumura Jones portrays Satsuki. Even if you’re a die-hard Miyazaki fan wary of any reinterpretation, this production will not disappoint — it’s tender, inventive, and absolutely enchanting.
Ballet Shoes
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, South Bank
Photo by londontheatre.co.uk
Director Katy Rudd’s staging might look like a children’s story, but, as with all great works, it speaks on two levels — one for children, one for adults. Three adopted daughters of an eccentric explorer grow up and dream, each in her own way.
Playwright Kendall Feaver has adapted Noel Streatfeild’s classic novel Ballet Shoes, beloved by generations of English readers. The girls face the challenges of growing up and the need to work to keep their home, but they do it with love and hope.
The National Theatre production is visually rich, filled with imaginative scenic details. There’s so much happening that you can’t catch every light cue or costume change — and that layered texture is part of the charm.
Now in its second season on the South Bank, Ballet Shoes returns for a festive winter run. Of special note is the Russian ballerina Madame Fidolia (again performed — exquisitely, without caricature — by Justin Salinger). Fidolia, who fled the revolution with a single suitcase and rebuilt herself abroad through dedication and love of her art, gives the story its soul.
Also, this season’s Sylvia is played by Anoushka Lucas, who recently dazzled audiences with her solo show Elephant. A heart-warming performance in every sense.
Just for One Day
Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue
A musical about the legendary Live Aid concert, held on 13 July 1985 at Wembley Stadium in London and simultaneously at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Conceived and driven by musician and activist Bob Geldof, the festival was born from his shock at the famine in Africa. Propelled by compassion, he gathered the greatest stars of the era, recorded Do They Know It’s Christmas?, and within six months organized a global benefit event.
It’s an incredible true story — touched upon in film (Bohemian Rhapsody), and now celebrated on stage.
Directed by Luke Sheppard, Just for One Day has been a West End success for two seasons. Craige Els (Doctor Who, Matilda the Musical) plays Geldof as a passionate, romantic idealist. (And yes — the real Bob Geldof loved the show and is sometimes spotted in the audience!)
From the first moments, the crowd sings along — “I’m Still Standing,” “Message in a Bottle,” “We Will Rock You.” This is true jukebox theatre — a musical machine packed with beloved hits, blasting at full volume. Pure joy!
