London's Off-West End and Fringe, like New York's Off-Broadway and Off Off-Broadway, range from established theatres that just happen to be in different parts of town from the West End, to scores of small companies and venues, many in pubs, showcasing new talent. Some shows may be on only on weekends or have very short runs, so it is best to check with the theatres (Scroll down for links to some leading Off-West End and fringe theatres).
Here are some of the more interesting and longer-running things beyond the West End this month.
THE BIG THINGS - Barons Court Theatre. Unconventional love story. To May 5
BRIEF ENCOUNTER - Empire Cinema Haymarket. Kneehigh Theatre's stage version of classic film. To September 2
CAROLINE, OR CHANGE - Hampstead Theatre. Musical of America in the 1960s. To April 21.
COCONUT - Ovalhouse. Comedy of British Pakistanis. To April 28
THE COUNTRY WIFE - Southwark Playhouse. Restoration comedy re-set in 1920s. To April 21
FACELESS - Park Theatre. American teen drawn to Islam. To May 12.
GREAT APES - Arcola Theatre. Adaptation of novel about evolved chimps. To April 21
THE GULF - Tristan Bates Theatre. Lesbian love story. To May 5
HAPPY WARRIORS - Upstairs at the Gatehouse. WW2 comedy. To April 22
HAROLD AND MAUDE - Charing Cross Theatre. Musical of May-December romance. To May 12
THE INHERITANCE - Young Vic Theatre. Two-part drama about modern gay life. To May 19
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN - Menier Chocolate Factory. New play version of novel about two convicts bonding. To May 5
LOVEBITES - White Bear Theatre. Australian musical. To April 21
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - Theatro Technis. Shakespeare in modern setting. To May 2
THE MIKADO - King's Head Theatre. Gilbert and Sullivan. To April 21
MISS NIGHTINGALE - Hippodrome. 1940s-set musical. To May 6
MISTY - Bush Theatre. Life of a young black Londoner and of a young black playwright writing his story. To April 21
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - Rose Theatre Kingston. Shakespeare in modern dress. To May 6
ONE FLEWOVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST - Chickenshed Theatre. Rebellion in mental ward. To May 12
PERSUASION - Playground Theatre. Jane Austen. To April 28
PRESSURE - Park Theatre. Drama of the weatherman who had to give the forecast for D-Day. To April 28
REARED - Theatre 503. Irish family comedy. To April 28
RUTHLESS - Arts Theatre. Musical spoof thriller. To June 23
SEX/CRIME - The Glory. Thriller. To April 28
TONIGHT AT 8:30 - Jermyn Street Theatre. Noel Coward one-acts. To May 20
TRAINSPOTTING - Vaults. Heroin in Edinburgh. To June 3
TWANG!! - Union Theatre. Lionel Bart musical about Robin Hood. To May 5
WHITE GUY ON THE BUS - Finborough Theatre. Questions of race in America made very real. To April 21
And here are links to some of the more established Off-West End theatres:
Also:
BITE - Barbican and Pit Theatres. The Barbican plays host to a yearlong programme of visits by theatre, dance and performance art companies, many for only 3 or 4 performances.
OPEN AIR THEATRE, Regent's
Park.
Outdoor performances May-September.
OPERA HOLLAND PARK Outdoor performances June-August
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