CARDIFF
Blaze of Glory!, Wales Millennium Center
It’s the 1950s in a small community in the Welsh Valleys and, following a local disaster, a group of miners decide to reform their male voice choir to raise the spirits of the town. Blaze of glory! promises to be a moving and enjoyable event to celebrate the land of song. March 10, 14, 18, wmc.org.uk
BATHROOM
The Shawshank Redemption, Theater Royal Bath
Andy Dufresne is incarcerated at the notorious Shawshank facility for murdering his wife and mistress, despite his insistence on innocence. Here he befriends Red, played by Morgan Freeman in the iconic ’90s movie, and becomes embroiled in a money laundering operation. This stage adaptation has been declared a must see. March 27 – April 1, theatreroyal.org.uk
LEEDS
Lord of the Flies, Leeds Playhouse
Power, struggle, survival: William Golding’s 20th century parable lends itself to intense and gripping theatre. A group of schoolchildren stranded on a desert island after a plane crash learn to fend for themselves, but end up in chaos, violence and delirium. March 18 – April 8, leedsplayhouse.org.uk
Stratford-upon-avon
Hamnet, theater of the swan
An adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s Women’s Award-winning novel, Hamnet tells the story of Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, and their son Hamnet, who died at the age of 11 from the plague. Appropriately told by the Royal Shakespeare Company in the family’s former hometown of Stratford, for many this is the theatrical event of the year. April 1 – June 17, rsc.org.uk
SHEFFIELD
Wildfire Road, Sheffield Theater
Passengers on a Tokyo-bound flight have barely settled in when it becomes clear that the plane has been hijacked. A forest fire burns below them, raising questions about why and if and where they can land. All is not as it seems in this electrifying new play from Eve Leigh. March 4-18, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
SOUTHAMPTON
The Commitments, Mayflower Theater
Five years after its acclaimed West End run and subsequent sold-out tour, this gloriously upbeat musical based on the Bafta-winning 1990s film is back. The story is that of a working-class man named Jimmy who dreams of starting a soul band in Dublin, and the music is the kind that gets you on your feet. March 27 – April 1, mayflower.org.uk
LIVERPOOL
The Aleppo Beekeeper, Liverpool Playhouse
After the success of his adaptation of The kite flyerwhich recently opened on Broadway, the same producers have adapted Christy Lefteri’s devastatingly good novel. The beekeeper of Aleppo follows the journey of married couple Nuri and Afra as they flee their beloved Syrian city as war shakes it, and is a deeply moving story of love, connection and survival.. March 1-11, everymanplayhouse.com
More in weekend
EDINBURGH
Buddy – The Story of Buddy Holly, Theater Festival
From his early days in Texas to his stratospheric rise to stardom, Buddy Holly’s life story was a roller coaster of ups and downs; one who makes a great musical. First West End opening in 1989 and now touring the UK. Buddy – The Story of Buddy Holly It’s a feel-good, toe-touching treat. March 14–18, capitaltheatres.com
BRIGHTON
I wish you were dead, Theater Royal Brighton
Detective Superintendent Roy Grace and Cleo Morey hope for a happy and peaceful getaway when they take their first trip together, but someone wants revenge and their vacation soon turns into a nightmare. As part of a UK tour, this is an adaptation of Peter James’ acclaimed crime franchise. March 20–25, agtickets.com
LEICESTER
North Country Girl, Curve Theater
Bob Dylan fans, assemble. This multi-award winning production celebrates the music of the legendary singer by combining his songs with a story about a group of lost souls in 1934 in the American Midwest. Written by acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson, this show is truly extraordinary. March 7-11, curveonline.co.uk
BELFAST
Abbreviated, Grand Opera House
Billed as “a personal retelling of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare,” this is a witty play in which a single actor walks through the bard’s works, playing the roles of many of his most famous characters. Reduced That’s 75 minutes of hilarious, fast-paced fun. March 2-4, goh.co.uk
More in Theater
BRISTOL BOARD
Winston’s Machine, Bristol Old Vic
During the height of the Blitz, Charlotte has a passionate affair with a Spitfire pilot. Eighty years later, her granddaughter Becky escapes her present through Vera Lynn songs and daydreams of her grandparents’ romance. Moving between the two timelines winston machine is a rich new production about living in the past. March 21-25, bristololdvic.org
NEWS CASTLE
Annie, Theater Royal Newcastle
Paul O’Grady stars as the brilliant and frightening Miss Hannigan in this timeless family musical about a girl living destitute in an orphanage. When she’s chosen to spend Christmas with a wealthy family, Miss Hannigan is determined not to let it have a fairy tale ending. March 7-11, theatreroyal.co.uk
birmingham
Of mice and men, the representative
Dreaming of a better life, displaced migrant ranch workers George Milton and Lennie Small join Curly’s California farm, where events turn tragic. It may give off some terrible memories of your GCSEs or O levels, but John Steinbeck’s Great Depression classic is a good, enduring story and expect great things from this stage adaptation by Rep Associate Director Iqbal Khan. March 18 – April 8, birmingham-rep.co.uk
PLYMOUTH
The Mousetrap, Theater Royal Plymouth
Plymouth welcomes the world’s oldest play this month as part of its 70th anniversary UK tour. Seven strangers are snowed in at a remote rural guest house, and unsurprisingly, a murderer is among them. It is Agatha Christie, after all. March 20-25, theatreroyal.com