1. Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape

Oscar winner Oldman (Apple’s Slow Horses) directs and stars in this monologue about a man on his 69th birthday who sits alone and listens to the echoes of his younger self. The play returns to the Royal Court where it ran in 1958 in this York Theatre Royal production. The run is sold out although tickets are available on Mondays. Runs 8 through 30 May 2026. Tickets

• Read on for reasons including Rosalia at The 02, High Society and Delta Goodrem at Eurovision

2. Rosalia at The 02

The Barcelona-born singer’s collection LUX was an album of the month for us in November and Rosalia won a BRIT Award for international artist of the year in February. We said of the album: ‘like a Catalan Kate Bush or Tori Amos allowed to experiment with an orchestral sound that can be lavish but also encourages the folkloric and embraces elements of more traditional flamenco and rumba to cement a Spanish sound’. Rosalia’s world tour arrives at The 02 this month for 2 gigs at which we join her. Tickets

3. High Society at the Barbican

Helen George (Love In Idleness, Menier) and Felicity Kendal star (Anything Goes, Barbican) in this Cole Porter musical we last saw in the round at the Old Vic in 2015. Songs include Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Let’s Misbehave and Just One Of Those Things in the story of the society wedding of the year that descends into chaos. Runs at the Barbican 19 May through 11 July 2026. Tickets

4. Delta Goodrem and Boy George in Eurovision

Boy George guests with Senhit for San Marino in Semi 1 Preview and predictions Tuesday 12 May. Delta Goodrem sings Eclipse, a song of the month for us in March, in Semi 2 Preview and predictions Thursday 14 May. The final including the UK’s Look Mum No Computer singing Eins, Zwei, Drei takes place Saturday 16 May Preview and predictions Tickets

5. New Russell T Davies Tip Toe

Davies (Nolly, BFI Q&A) appears at a BFI Q&A this month about his new 5-part Channel 4 drama called Tip Toe. Starring Alan Cumming and David Morrissey (The End Of History, Royal Court) it’s about 2 Manchester neighbours – including 1 who runs a bar on Canal Street – who fall out. Tickets

6. Equus at the Menier

Why is a 17-year-old boy blinding horses? Toby Stephens leads a cast including Amanda Abbington (The Unfriend, Criterion) and Noah Valentine directed by Lindsay Posner (The Holy Rosenbergs, Menier) at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Runs 8 May through 4 July 2026. Tickets

7. Redcliffe at Southwark Playhouse

Jordan Luke Gage (Bonnie & Clyde, Arts Theatre) wrote the book, music and lyrics of this new musical about forbidden love in the 18th century in which he also stars. Cast includes Rebecca Lock (Here And Now) and runs at the Southwark Playhouse (Borough, The Large) 22 May through 4 July 2026. Tickets

8. Care at the Young Vic starring Linda Bassett

A grandmother played by Linda Bassett (What If I Only, Royal Court) takes a fall and winds up in a care home she doesn’t want to be in yet comes to see what really matters in life. Written by Alexander Zeldin (The Other Place, National Theatre) it runs at the Young Vic 11 May through 11 July 2026. Tickets

9. Melanie C album Sweat and new Tori Amos album

Released on 1 May, the former Spice Girl’s 9th solo album includes the title track workout, the Robyn-esque What Could Possibly Go Wrong? and the 80s soul of Undefeated Champion. A 25-date world tour is on sale now with gigs including London’s 02 Academy Brixton. Tickets In Times Of Dragons is the title of Amos’ 18th solo album which is released on 1 May 2026. Lyrically she describes it as: ‘a metaphorical story about the fight for Democracy over Tyranny, reflecting the current abhorrent non accidental burning down of democracy in real time by the ‘Dictator believing Lizard Demons’ in their usurpation of America’. Gigs include London’s Royal Albert Hall. Tickets

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