Music, theatre, dance… the possibilities are endlessly inspiring. The chance to experience performance art live and unfiltered is a thrilling prospect. We showcase this season’s big tickets, whether concert tours, theatre, musical or dance productions, PLUS we spotlight a few hidden gems for a chance to catch the next big thing before anyone else has even discovered it yet.
London, England – Carrying on the female empowerment theme, Marianne Elliott’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company puts a woman in the leading role. Starring award-winning West End performer Rosalie Craig as Bobbi (Bobby in the original male version of the part) and with Broadway legend Patti LuPone in a supporting role, the novel gender-swapping is sure to be performed at the highest standard. Whether or not the ruminations on middle-aged single life unveil new insights when they are delivered by a woman, the musical is sure to provide a fine evening’s entertainment. [Photo: John Nguyen]
London, England – Despite his Oscar for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Martin McDonagh’s days of writing for the stage clearly aren’t behind him. Staying true to his penchant for black comedy, A Very Very Very Dark Matter is promising to be a “dangerous, twisted and funny” play that “travels deep into the abysses of the imagination.” The imagination in question is that of Danish fairy tale author Hans Christian Andersen. The Irish-British playwright imagines that the cruel and gruesome stories penned by Andersen might be based on the writer’s very real dark secrets. Thanks to McDonagh’s knack for casting Hollywood character actors, Jim Broadbent will be taking to the stage in this world premiere.
Porthcurno, Cornwall, England – The Minack Theatre is rarely missing from lists of the most scenic theatres in the world. Nowadays, its programme is as impressive as the spectacular view. Since the very first production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest took place in the cliffside amphitheatre in 1932, the site has gone from hosting one local theatre company to welcoming dozens from across the UK and abroad, staging plays throughout late spring, summer and early autumn. 2018 performances include musicals like Sweeney Todd and Chicago, literary adaptations like Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall and Lewis Carroll’s Alice, and of course the requisite Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing.
Edinburgh, Scotland – If performing arts are your jam, you’ve probably either been to Edinburgh Fringe at least once, have dreamed about going all your life, or wonder year after year whether it’s really worth the trip. No matter which category you fall in, here’s why you should visit this August: It’s the largest arts festival in the world, it offers a diverse and eclectic programme, it’s a riot of creativity and comes with an unparalleled sense of community. Catch as many of the 50-odd-thousand performances encompassing theatre, comedy, dance, circus, cabaret, and opera as you can, exchanging critiques, gathering insider tips and sharing your love for the arts with fellow patrons in between.[Photo: © Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, David Monteith-Hodge]
Bregenz, Austria – A spectacular stage, which is an attraction and a work of art in itself, a beautiful setting overlooking Lake Constance in front of the backdrop of the Swiss Alps, and a programme featuring one of the most popular operas of all time …the Bregenzer Festspiele offer an all-round experience. The backdrop for this year’s production of George Bizet’s Carmen shows a giant pair of hands throwing a pack of cards in the air – foreshadowing the fate of the titular heroine. Come early for a behind-the-scenes tour or an introductory talk explaining the significance of the staging, the musical influences in the score and the Spanish influences behind the story. [Photo: Preview Stage © Bregenzer Festspiele / Dietmar Mathis]
Verona, Italy – More Carmen, in a less contemporary (but no less striking) setting, is to be had at Arena di Verona. The annual Arena Opera Festival takes place in a Roman amphitheatre in the heart of the Northern Italian city. Built in the first century, it transports you back to the days when ancient Romans would have enjoyed Gladiator-style “games” here. Luckily, today’s entertainments are less gruesome, comprising a season of four to six opera productions per season (Carmen, Aida, Turandot, Nabucco and the Barber of Seville in 2018), plus the occasional pop concert and special event. [Photo Ennevi, courtesy of Fondazione Arena di Verona]
Paris, France – There must be something in the European air this summer, with open-air operas across the continent staging productions of Carmen. If you fancy continuing this musical theme to your summer holidays, Paris could be the next stop on your journey. After touring the most beautiful palaces and gardens across France, the Opéra en Plein Air (Open-Air Opera) arrives in the capital for its grand finale. For four nights in September, Carmen plays on an outdoor stage in the courtyard of the Hôtel National des Invalides, a 17th-century hospital and museum complex in the 7th arrondissement. [Photo: Teresa Suarez]
Zurich, Switzerland – Setting expectations high, the title of Zürcher Theater Spektakel translates literally to “Zurich Theatre Spectacle”. It doesn’t necessarily refer to spectacular productions, but rather to independent international theatre groups large and small, willing to make a spectacle of themselves for our entertainment. This is not a high-brow arts event, but rather a fun day out for all. The festival is set in a beautiful location, on a sprawling site right on the lake, where a variety of catering, entertainment and participation options are on offer. Stage productions of various sizes mingle with open-air performances and sporadic on-site happenings.[Photo: Altorfer]
Athens & Epidaurus, Greece – If you’re serious about your theatre, you’ll want to visit the birthplace of Western theatre at least once in your life. Athens has no shortage of theatres, performing arts events and festivals, but nothing beats seeing an ancient play in one of the old amphitheatres dotted around the Greek capital and beyond. The annual Athens & Epidaurus Festival stages classical and pop music concerts, dance and theatre performances, mainly on stages in Athens. By August, the focus narrows on ancient Greek dramas and comedies, performed at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, about two hours from Athens. Buy tickets now to see plays by Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and Aeschylus in the setting they were intended for, and experience the legendary acoustics of the ancient amphitheatres. [Photo: Evi Fylaktou]
Moscow, Russia – The Bolshoi Theatre doesn’t return from its summer break until September, but when it opens, it’s with a real classic. It’s hard to imagine a more quintessential Russian performing arts experience than seeing the world-famous ballet company in a pitch-perfect classical rendition of Swan Lake. 141 years after Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s composition first premiered at the Bolshoi, the ballet has lost none of its charm. A must-see for visitors to the Russian capital – or a reason in itself to make the trip. [Photo: M. Logvinov]
New York, USA – For a grown-up’s night out (with a secret Potter nerd element, if that’s your jam), catch Daniel Radcliffe in The Lifespan of a Fact on Broadway. Based on the book by writer John D’Agata and his fact-checker Jim Fingal, the play examines the highly topical question of how facts should be treated in journalism. Thankfully, it doesn’t culminate in a power-hungry despot screaming “fake news”, but in a thoughtful discussion about which facts are truly relevant and how far poetic license extends.
Chicago, USA – 4U: A Symphonic Celebration of Prince isn’t coming to the Twin Cities, so the closest place to the late singer’s home where fans can catch the orchestral tribute is Chicago. Approved by the purple performer’s estate and curated by beat master and Prince admirer Questlove, it’s bound to be an emotional extravaganza. A full symphony orchestra will play the star’s hits alongside a live band featuring vocalists – no doubt with the odd dramatic flourish thrown in, just as Prince Rogers Nelson himself would have wanted it.
Las Vegas, USA – Jennifer Lopez? Cher? Diana Ross? These divas may be the hottest tickets in town for the season, but in Las Vegas, no superstar – musical or otherwise – can hold a candle to Cirque du Soleil. The circus troupe extraordinaire is currently staging a whopping six shows, ranging from Beatles and Michael Jackson tributes to fantasy adventure Mystère and steamy adult-only show Zumanity. Even if you travel to Vegas for a different show – say, to see your favourite music diva – you should try to squeeze in a visit to the Cirque, too. [Photo: Mystère, Matt Beard, Costume: Dominique Lemieux]
Mexico City, Mexico – Callas in Concert offers at least one chance to experience two beauties from a past era of stage performance at once. The show brings the late opera diva back to the stage in the shape of a 3D hologram, paired with original recording of the star’s most famous performances backed by a live orchestra. To see it in an appropriately elaborate setting, we recommend a trip to the Teatro de la Ciudad in Mexico City, which is better known by its original name, Teatro Esperanza Iris, after a famous local diva. La Callas would hopefully approve. [Photo: Photo by Evan Agostini for BASE Hologram]
Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo is known for its traditional festivals, beginning with a variety of fruit blossom celebrations in spring, through summer festivals honouring everything from the ocean and fireflies, to fireworks and lanterns. Unfortunately, festival season winds down come autumn, making it the perfect season for some of the less traditional festivals to make their mark. This year, the relatively young Festival/Tokyo, focused on contemporary art and performing arts in Asia, will open with an outdoor performance by Thai choreographer and dancer Pichet Klunchun, and close with the final part of Performing Fukushima by Marebito Theatre, which has been staged over the past three editions of the festival. [Photo: Stacx]
Melbourne, Australia – What better way to mark Nelson Mandela’s 100th birthday than by staging a rousing musical celebrating the life of South Africa’s first democratically elected president? And what better place to stage it than… Australia? Somehow, theatre stages across South Africa missed the chance to host the English-language premiere of Madiba the Musical: A celebration of Nelson Mandela during his anniversary year, so the show makes its debut in Melbourne, before moving on to Sydney and continuing on a tour of Australia, New Zealand, UK and the USA.
Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, Australia – Speaking of musicals, two of Australia’s most famous contributions to the genre are also preparing for a run on home turf. Marking the 20th anniversary since The Boy from Oz first opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney, the classic all-singing, all-dancing tribute to Peter Allen, Australia’s man in 1970’s Hollywood, is putting in a stint at the State Theatre in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert packs up the tour bus (presumably a big silver one with a giant stiletto on top) for a road trip to Adelaide and Brisbane. [Photo: Ben Symons]
Adelaide, Australia – The South Australian capital is home to Adelaide Fringe, the largest annual arts festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Not content with that superlative, the “festival city” also holds OzAsia Festival, showcasing “the very best in contemporary dance, theatre, music, film, literature, food and culture from across Asia today”. Look out for an eclectic programme, world premieres and the spectacular Moon Lantern Festival, complete with parade and live music.
Johannesburg, South Africa – They may not have the Madiba musical, but South African theatres are staging other stories of black struggle, pride and persistence this season. The Color Purple, a musical based on the Alice Walker novel, returns to Johannesburg’s Joburg Theatre due to popular demand in August. The story of inner strength and sisterly love overcoming abuse and oppression has lost none of its poignancy since the novel was first published in 1982, and continues to thrive on stage and screen. [Photo: @enroCpics]
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