Truth, Lies, Diana, London
As play titles go, Truth, Lies, Diana is quite a come-on: author Jon Conway claims his piece contains new information that will shed light on the apparent mystery surrounding the princess’s death. Using transcripts from the inquest, public statements made on record and leaked official documents, this play-within-a-play follows a writer (played by Conway) and his descent into paranoia as he investigates and uncovers secrets about the Paris tragedy. Conway himself insists that he’s not a conspiracy theorist but argues that the establishment has yet to tell us the whole truth about Diana and her demise, ultimately leaving the audience to draw their own conclusions.
Charing Cross Theatre, WC2, Fri to 14 Feb
MC
Stardust, On tour
A young man has lost his heart and a wicked witch is in need of a new one. When a shooting star falls nearby, both are in a race to find it first. It may have been made into a big-budget movie in 2007, but Neil Gaiman’s twisted fairytale novel about seeking your heart’s desire comes to the stage here in a small-scale adaptation that’s on tour around the south-west. It’s quite a coup for Forest Forge, which is behind the show, and the Hampshire-based company should do it proud in Russ Tunney’s faithful version, which stages the story using just four actors and lots of puppets. It’s on the road until the end of January, so keep your eyes peeled.
LG
Bull, London
One of the theatrical highlights of 2014 was Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III (still running at the Wyndham’s Theatre, WC2, to 31 Jan). Now an older work by the prolific writer is opening at the Young Vic. Originally a companion piece to his Olivier award-winning play Cock, Bull is set in an office where three people are in the redundancy firing line; two ganging up on the other to keep their jobs. Making a direct comparison between playground bullying and office politics, this taut drama was inspired by a bullfight but takes an ambiguous stance: the mind games are enjoyable and the victim not that likable.
Young Vic, SE1, Thu to 7 Feb
MC
The Borrowers, Newcastle-under-Lyme
The tiny, human-like Borrowers live under the floorboards, only emerging when no actual human beings – or “human beans” as the Borrowers refer to them – are around, so that they can scavenge for leftover food or something useful that’s been discarded. But it’s a dangerous world out there, where a spider can be a monster and some human beings, if they spy you, will try to hunt you down and capture you. Theresa Heskins’s new version of Mary Norton’s classic story is set in the 1930s, has a klezmer-influenced score, and is very much a family adventure, while also considering how events in Europe prior to the second world war influenced Norton’s much-loved stories.
New Vic Theatre, to 31 Jan
LG
Come Fly With Me, Salisbury
Cabaret-style shows might be fashionable again but Salisbury has always led the pack with its themed musical winter warmers that keep out the cold in the early new year. This year’s offering is themed around the idea of holidays and travel, and is probably an appropriate choice at a time when people are thinking about booking their summer getaway. Poetry, dialogue and famous quotations pepper a musical evening that features songs ranging from Come Fly With Me to Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay and Mr Blue Sky. Salisbury artistic director Gareth Machin chooses the musical hits with co-director Adam Lenson in a show that steals from both musical theatre and recent pop, guaranteeing a first-class travel experience for all who step aboard.
Salisbury Playhouse, to 17 Jan
LG
Little Shop Of Horrors, Manchester
Alan Menken is best known for his Disney scores, including those for The Little Mermaid and Beauty And The Beast. He’s won a clutch of Oscars for his film work but he’s also the composer behind this joyous and quirky musical based on Roger Corman’s movie. It’s a show that grows all over you, as failing florist’s assistant Seymour suddenly discovers that things are coming up roses in his life when he stumbles across an exotic plant. He christens it Audrey II in honour of his love interest, Audrey, but the plant has an appetite for human flesh and as her cravings get stronger Seymour must decide how far he will go for the girl he loves. Done well, this 1950s-style spoof is huge fun and director Derek Bond should deliver without the need of Baby Bio.
Royal Exchange, to 31 Jan
LG
