Mark Shenton's theatre picks: July 16

It’s a week of concert and theatrical returns for me (and not just because I, too, am returning from a week in New York). I’ll be at quite a few of the following.

Bette Midler – O2 Arena, London

The Divine Miss M (as Bette Midler will forever be known as) returns to to appear live in London for the first time in 35 years (July 18 and 19 at the O2 Arena). She began her career on Broadway (she was a takeover in the original production of Fiddler on the Roof back in 1967) and although I’ve seen her many, many times in New York and Las Vegas in the past two decades, everywhere from Madison Square Garden to Radio City Music Hall and Caesar’s Palace, it’ll be great to have one of the all-time great theatrical comedy and concert performers back in London, as I’ve never seen her here.

Sinatra – London Palladium, London

On July 20, Sinatra returns to the London Palladium, 65 years on from making his European concert debut there in July 1950 – but this time singing his songs on screen, to the backing of a live orchestra and dancers. That’s in Sinatra – The Man and His Music, a brand-new version of the tribute show that first played here in 2006. Check out my production feature in this week’s print edition of The Stage, in which I talk to director David Gilmore and Ray Winkler, CEO of Stufish Entertainment who’ve created the design it. As Gilmore told me, “The trick somehow, through the documentary footage and photo montages and voiceovers, to create the feeling that he is telling you his story himself. Any words you hear spoken are by Frank in interviews.”

Mack and Mabel – Chichester Festival Theatre, then touring

Another return this week sees Jerry Herman’s 1974 musical Mack and Mabel revived in a brand-new production opening  on July 21 at Chichester Festival Theatre, prior to an extensive national tour, starring Michael Ball as Mack Sennett, the legendary Hollywood silent film director. It has had two previous West End outings in 1995 and 2005 that transferred from Leicester and Newbury respectively.

Will it be third time lucky for the show with London beckoning after? Check out my interview with Ball in this week’s print edition of The Stage, in which he tells me, ” I’ve always had a thing about this show – but it’s one about which people have always said, ‘great score, shame about the book’.” I’m one of those people myself, and Michael urged me, “Come with an open mind, Mark. I know no one’s more supportive than you, but please don’t have any preconceptions – let it run. I hope that it works for you.”

American Idiot – Arts Theatre, London

Also returning is the Green Day musical American Idiot, based on their album of the same name, that opens in a new production at the Arts Theatre on July 22. When a US touring version of the original Broadway production came to the UK in 2012, I reviewed it for The Stage and said, “The show provides an astonishing marker that musicals and rock music don’t have to clash but can coexist in the same restless, revolutionary show. It’s the single most exciting and original live rock musical I’ve ever seen.” I hope that this all-new production, directed by Racky Plews, manages to both retain that excitement and provide some of its own.

Richard II – Shakespeare’s Globe, London

Charles Edwards, who is already lined up to star in the National’s revival of Harley Granville Barker’s Waste opening in the Lyttelton in November, first stars in the title role of Richard II at Shakespeare’s Globe, opening on July 22. Edwards has previously appeared at the National in Strange Interlude, Twelfth Night, The Duchess of Malfi and All My Sons, and his other West End credits include The 39 Steps (also Broadway), Hay Fever, The King’s Speech and Blithe Spirit. It is directed by Simon Godwin, currently represented at the National by his glorious production of The Beaux’ Stratagem.

The Gathered Leaves – Park Theatre, London

Clive Francis, Alexander Hanson, Jane Asher and her daughter Katie Scarfe appear in the world premiere of Andrew Keatley’s play about three generations of a family, opening July 16.

Latitude Festival – Southwold, London

I’ve never been to Glastonbury, let alone Latitude – though I’m sometimes tempted by the latter, running this year from July 16 to 19, for theatrical fare that this year will include appearances by Paines Plough, Chris Goode, Frantic Assembly’s Ignition Company, Kneehigh, Ruby Wax and more.

The Car Man – Sadler’s Wells, London

Also back in London this week is The Car Man, Matthew Bourne’s dance take on Carmen that returns to its original home at Sadler’s Wells (where it was first premiered in 2000) for a four-week summer residency (running to August 9) following a national tour. This is the first time it has been staged for eight years, with a cast that includes Zizi Strallen (before she takes to the road – and skies – to star in the title role of Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins) and Liam Mower (one of the original Billy Elliots, now a regular with Bourne’s New Adventures company).