1. Keira Knightley in The Lives Of Others

Knightley performs in the West End for the 1st time since 2011 opposite Bridgerton‘s Luke Thompson (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) in this story of a writer and actor under surveillance in 1984 at the Adelphi Theatre. Written, adapted and directed by Robert Icke (Romeo and Juliet, Harold Pinter Theatre) Runs 14 October through 9 January 2027. Tickets

• Read on for reasons including Kristin Scott Thomas, Tilda Swinton and Michelle Dockery in the new Ava Pickett

2. The Cherry Orchard starring Kristin Scott Thomas

Scott Thomas (Electra, Old Vic) stars in a new adaptation of the Chekhov classic by Conor McPherson (The Weir, Harold Pinter Theatre) directed by Ian Rickson (London Tide, National Theatre). Runs at the previously mentioned Harold Pinter Theatre 3 October 2026 through 9 January 2027. Tickets

3. Tilda Swinton returns to Man To Man

Swinton makes a long-awaited return to the stage more than 30 years after she played Ella/Max in Manfred Karge’s Man To Man, a role she originated at the Royal Court which she returns to. Runs 5 September through 24 October 2026. Tickets

4. Michelle Dockery in Ava Pickett’s Bloodsport

Pickett wrote 1536 (Ambassadors Theatre) and here Bloodsport‘s full title includes After Helen Of Troy before the Baz Luhrmann film she’s written about Joan Of Arc. Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey Q&A) stars and it runs at Stratford East 3 September through 10 October 2026. Tickets

5. Transvision Vamp tour

Last year monstagigz interviewed former Transvision Vamp frontwoman Wendy James ahead of a solo tour and the band return for a UK and European tour this autumn. Includes a gig where we join them in London at 02 Shepherd’s Bush Empire. Tickets

6. Ilford Boy at the Donmar

Danny Lee Wynter has written a new play about mixed-race teenager Ted Martin growing up in 90s East London and the arrival of Patrick with his love of show tunes into this world. Runs at the Donmar Warehouse directed by its artistic director Tim Scheader 10 October through 28 November 2026. Tickets

7. Heated Parody and Deep-Heat Rivalry

Gay ice hockey drama Heated Rivalry made our longlist for Best TV of 2026 and such is its popularity its spawned rival parody shows. Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorised Musical Parody stars Zheng Xi Yong (American Psycho, Almeida) and Joseph Dann. Runs at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho 7 October through 1 November 2026. Tickets Deep-Heat Rivalry has a cast including The X Factor’s Diana Vickers, Let It Shine‘s Sario Solomon (The Band, Theatre Royal Haymarket) and was written by Trevor Ashley (The Producers, Garrick Theatre). It runs at The Other Palace Studio 11 September through 11 October 2026. Tickets

8. The Pianist at the Park Theatre

Dan Krikler, longlisted for a Best Supporting Theatre Actor monsta for Redcliffe, Southwark Playhouse, stars as Wladyslaw Szpilman in the story of the Jewish ‘Polish Gershwin’. Runs at the Park Theatre 15 October through 28 November 2026. Tickets

9. Martin Guerre at the Old Vic

Matthew Warchus bows out from the Old Vic as Artistic Director with this re-imagining of an Olivier Award-winning musical from the creators of Les Miserables with new music, new lyrics, new folk-inflected orchestrations and in the round. Runs at the Old Vic 1 through 31 October 2026. Tickets

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy LW Theatres Tickets
• Have you seen Keira Knightley before and what did you think of her? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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