Top 5 theatre shows to see this week (September 17-23)

Sylvia – Old Vic, London

Beverley Knight and Genesis Lynea star in Katie Prince’s new hip hop musical about the suffragette movement and the life of Sylvia Pankhurst. After press night was postponed, it opens at the Old Vic on September 17.

Rehearsals for Sylvia. Photo: Manuel Harlan

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Steel – Crucible Studio, Sheffield

Following her triumphant community staging of Pericles at the National Theatre, Chris Bush’s new play about women in politics opens at the Crucible’s studio space on September 17. Rebecca Frecknall directs.

Read our interview with Rebecca Frecknall

Rehearsals for Steel. Photo: Mark Douet

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Pop Music – Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Pop hits run through the new play from Bruntwood Prize-winning playwright Anna Jordan. A Paines Plough co-commission, directed by James Grieve, it opens in Birmingham on September 17 ahead of a tour.

Birmingham Rep's Pop Music

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Twelfth Night – Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh

Wils Wilson directs a psychedelic interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy with live music by Meilyr Jones. Christopher Green takes on the role of Malvolio in a production opening on September 18.

Twelfth Night rehearsals. Photos: Aly Wight

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Queen Margaret – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Jade Anouka plays the title role in Jeanie O’Hare’s new play. Drawing on Shakespeare’s language, it explores the life of Margaret of Anjou. Elizabeth Freestone directs and it opens on September 19.

Photos: Anneka Morley

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