1. Gillian Anderson in Virginia Woolf

We last saw Anderson resplendent on a revolving London stage at the Young Vic in A Streetcar Named Desire and here she stars in the classic Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? opposite Billy Crudup (High Noon, Harold Pinter Theatre) at the intimate @SohoPlace. Directed by Marianne Elliott (Les Liaisons Dangereuses, National Theatre) runs 21 September through 19 December 2026. Tickets

• Read on for reasons including Golden Boy Josh O’Connor, Christine Baranski’s Hay Fever & farewell to St Etienne

2. Josh O’Connor is the Golden Boy

O’Connor last starred on film in Spielberg’s Disclosure Day and we haven’t seen him on stage since this BFI Q&A. He stars in the revival of Clifford Odets’ classic Golden Boy about a gifted violinist lured into a world of boxing at the Almeida. Runs 9 September through 31 October 2026. Tickets

3. St Etienne farewell at Camden Roundhouse

The trio’s final UK and Irish tour takes place this month and includes a date where we join them in Camden Roundhouse. Cuts from last year’s final International album, an LP of the week for us, are expected alongside the band’s greatest hits. Tickets

4. Christine Baranski and Richard E Grant in Hay Fever

Baranski (TV’s Big Bang Theory and film Mamma Mia) makes her West End debut and stars opposite E. Grant (film Withnail and I) in Noel Coward’s comedy about a retired actress who misses the applause at her family country home when guests arrive. Runs at the Wyndham’s Theatre 22 September through 12 December 2026. Tickets

5. Jesse Tyler Ferguson is Tru

We missed Ferguson as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palladium this summer but did catch him at the National in last Sondheim musical Here We Are. The Modern Family star’s enthusiasm for London continues with Tru, a 1-man show about author Truman Capote, at the Menier Chocolate Factory. Runs 19 September through 14 November 2026. Tickets

6. Jordan Luke Gage in Thelma and Louise

Gage is hot after he wrote and starred in brilliant new musical Redcliffe and appears here in a musical version of the beloved road movie alongside Rachel Tucker and Amy Lennox (Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre). Runs at the Young Vic 3 September through 24 October 2026. Tickets

7. New James Graham The Standard Of Living

Graham won our Best New Play monsta last year for Punch and here writes about rebel economist John Maynard Keynes with Nicholas Hytner (Richard II, Bridge Theatre) directing and Rory Kinnear (Force Majeure, Donmar) starring at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Runs 21 September through 12 December 2026. Tickets

8. Soft Cell Danceteria LP

David Ball died last year and Marc Almond announced this would be the duo’s final album. Out 25 September 2026 it includes the title track which was a song of the month for us in July. Also released as singles from it include Was (Not Was) cover Out Come The Freaks with Nona Hendryx and In Heaven (When I Dance With You) (watch above).

9. New MNEK album

Bulldozer!! is the title of MNEK’s 1st album for 8 years. Singles from it have included Reverse and Oh No, All The Boys! (watch above). Released 18 September 2026. Tickets

• Pictures via Facebook courtesy Nimax Theatres and @SohoPlace. Tickets
• Have you seen a Gillian Anderson show before? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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