The Line-up: July 2025
Ten reasons to stay indoors next month
It’s a relatively light theatrical month for me in July - partly because I’ll be spending one week cat-sitting in Sheffield, enjoying the cooler climate. Below are eight shows on my radar in July, and two bonus cultural events I am looking forward to.
Till The Stars Come Down - Theatre Royal Haymarket
This was one of my favourite shows last year when I saw it at the National Theatre in February. Sadly transferring without most of the original cast, this play revolves around a very eventful wedding day. Hilariously well observed characterisations combined with big dramatic moments make for a thrilling night at the theatre.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow - Phoenix Theatre
It’s been a year and a half since I first saw this Netflix spin-off show but I am heading back to see if the stage magic is as good as I remember. Better than a TV-tie-in play has any right to be, really.
Mrs. Warren’s Profession - Garrick Theatre
Reviews have been mixed but I am a sucker for Imelda Staunton. The big draw here is that she is acting alongside her real-life daughter Bessie Carter.
Jimmy - Park Theatre, Park90
Adam Riches is one of the funniest men alive. I can be heard hooting with laughter in the audience of one episode of his radio series The Guns of Adam Riches. Here he takes one of his characters, the greatest tennis player on Earth, and puts him centre stage.
STOREHOUSE - Deptford Storehouse
Yes, this again. I had a ticket during previews, but the performance was cancelled. I will try again with slightly less patience, and a £10 more expensive ticket. Immersive theatre in a storehouse in Deptford.
The Estate - National Theatre, Dorfman
A debut play at the National is a rare treat. And one directed by Daniel Raggett - from the incredible Accidental Death of an Anarchist - and starring Adeel Akhtar is a must-see. The cast also includes Humphrey Ker which may prove distracting for any Welcome to Wrexham fans.
Sing Street - Lyric Hammersmith
The original film is an absolute treat so I am putting my cynicism aside to enjoy this new musical adaptation. Set in 1980s Dublin and following a teenage boy starting a band to try to impress a girl. It’s better than you think it will be.
Inter Alia - National Theatre, Lyttelton
Writer Suzie Miller and director Justin Martin previously brought us Prima Facie, a play I completely failed to see but heard nothing but good things about. I won’t be caught out this time - my ticket to see Rosamund Pike is already safely secured.
Celluloid Sunday Festival - ICA
The Institute of Contemporary Arts is one of my favourite places to be. It has a great bookshop, unrivalled art-house cinema line-up, and they don’t mind you camping in their cafe all day without buying anything. They also have an archive of film prints that they screen on Sundays. From 11th to 20th July they are screening their films for one last time before donating them to a “major film archive”. I will be seeing as many as I can.
Order an Object - V&A East Storehouse
The V&A East Storehouse has recently opened in Stratford and they offer a remarkable service that allows anyone to order five objects from their archive to view. For free. I have selected my items and will be surprising a willing volunteer with my selection before reporting back on the experience here. One of my objects is massive so I am excited to see how the logistics work.