Who needs the Games? London's ambitious theatre shows take centre stage

Viva Forever!

You’ll see less cheese at a dairy farm than at this long-awaited musical that everyone’s been talking about since Posh, Baby, Ginger, Sporty and Scary met for the launch a fortnight ago.

Comedian Jennifer Saunders has penned the script, which is a mother-daughter story with the backdrop of a TV talent show. It’ll be one helluva singalong at least.
From Nov 27

£20, Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman Street
Piccadilly Circus, W1D 7DY
Tube | Piccadilly Circus
vivaforeverthemusical.com

Chariots of Fire

An adaptation of the legendary Oscar-winning movie about the joint quest of British athletes Eric Liddel and Harold Abrahams to become the fastest men on earth at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

It’s an exciting triumph-over-the-odds tale, based on a true story, and lathered with sacrifice and victory – a fitting way to get psyched for London 2012.

£29 | Until Nov 10
Gielgud Theatre, 23 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho W1D 6AR
Tube | Piccadilly Circus
reallyuseful.com

Red Velvet

Olivier award-winner Adrian Lester stars in this true story of Ira Aldridge, a young black American actor who takes the stage in London in 1825 when prejudice is rife.

£10 | Oct 11-Nov 24
Tricycle Theatre, 269 Kilburn High Road,
Kilburn, NW6 7JR
Tube | Kilburn
tricycle.co.uk

Hotel Medea

This is no ordinary theatre experience, as the audience is fully immersed in a retelling of the myth of Medea and Jason to a soundtrack composed by Brazilian DJ Dolores. There’s performing of rituals, a cabaret show – which you become a part of – videos and, at bedtime, attendees are tucked in with a toasty mug of hot chocolate.

At dawn, they’re roused to encounter ‘a harrowing voyage through the landscape of Medea’s mind with paparazzi chases, burning brides and a twisted game of hide and seek’, before breakfast. It sounds absolutely bonkers, but hell, give it a go.

£20 | July 19-Aug 11
Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX
Tube | Waterloo
southbankcentre.co.uk

A Walk On Part: The Fall of New Labour

Michael Chaplin has adapted the trenchant diaries of former Labour MP Chris Mullins into a fleeting tour through Westminster Politics, African flashpoints and Mullins’ former Sunderland South constituency, all with decency and a dash of humour. This is brain food.

£15 | Until July 14
Arts Theatre, Great Newport St, WC2H 7JB 
Tube | Leicester Square
artstheatrewestend.co.uk

After the Party

Serge Cartwright’s play follows two thirty-something lads from Stratford who are relying on the Olympics to revive their DJ careers. The show is part of the Criterion’s Playing The Games Showcase.

£7.50 | July 26-Aug 12
Criterion Theatre, 2 Jermyn St, SW1Y 4XA  Piccadilly Circus
criterion-theatre.co.uk