1. Cate Blanchett in Electra/Persona

Blanchett (The Seagull, Barbican) stars opposite Nina Hoss (The Cherry Orchard, Donmar) in Benedict Andrews’ (Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Apollo Theatre) production fusing ancient myth and modern psychology at the Lyttelton at the National 19 August through 10 October 2026. Tickets

• Read on for reasons including Abigail’s Party, Kimberley Akimbo and Letitia Wright in The Story

2. Tamzin Outhwaite brings life (and nuts!) to Abigail’s Party

Outhwaite (Entertaining Mr Sloane, Young Vic) brings the Stratford East production of Mike Leigh’s 70s awkward suburban black comedy to Theatre Royal Brighton and Richmond Theatre before settling at the Harold Pinter Theatre in the West End from 12 August through 19 September 2026. Tickets

3. Maria Friedman is Kimberly Akimbo

Akimbo won 5 Tonys in 2023 including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. Friedman (Maria Friedman and Friends, Menier Chocolate Factory) has the titular role as a 16-year-old who looks 74 due to a rare genetic condition prematurely ageing her about four times faster than her friends. Runs at the Hampstead Theatre directed by Michael Longhurst (Second Best, Riverside Studios Hammersmith) 28 August through 7 November 2026. Tickets

4. Letitia Wright in The Story

Clint Dyer (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Old Vic) directs Wright, from the Avengers films, in this tale of journalists racing for the truth as a white teacher is killed in a black neighbourhood. Runs in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre 27 August through 24 October 2026. Tickets

5. Death Note: The Musical at the Barbican

The legendary manga is reimagined for its world premiere with a score by Frank Wildhorn (Jekyll & Hyde). When brilliant student Light Yagami discovers a notebook with the power over life and death, his quest to reshape the world sparks a relentless battle of wits with the elusive detective L, where every name carries consequences. Runs at the Barbican Theatre 30 July through 12 September 2026. Tickets

6. Jak Malone: Sondheim

Malone was the 2024 winner of our Best Supporting Actor monsta for Operation Mincemeat. He brings Jak Malone: Sondheim to the Crazy Coqs for 4 shows this month. Tickets

7. Jenius Paul Heaton LP

Lightning Seed Ian Broudie produced the new solo LP – called Jenius – by the former star of The Housemartins, The Beautiful South and duet partner with Jacqui Abbott. We last saw him live at The 02 in 2022. Lightning Seeds are guests on the tour which returns to The 02 and runs through October and November 2026. Tickets 1st single from the album out 21 August is Favourite Kind Of Idiot.

8. Debut Family Stereo LP

Fault Lines, a song of the week for us in May, was the 1st single from the debut album called The Thread by Blake Watt’s Family Stereo out 31 July. The 2nd single from it is Waiting On Nina (watch and listen above). Family Stereo play a London gig in September.  Tickets

9. Pulp Live LP

We reviewed Pulp‘s gig at The 02 in 2025 and it features on the band’s debut live album, appropriately titled Live, out 28 August. Tasters from it including Disco 2000 and A Sunset (watch above) are already available to stream. Tickets

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy National Theatre Tickets
• Have you seen a Cate Blanchett show before and what did you think of this 1? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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