Glengarry Glen Ross Gets All-Female Revival at the Old Vic, Plus More Must-See London Theatre This Week

London theatre is buzzing this week with a bold reimagining of a modern classic, a powerful new play from the RSC, and a reminder that one of the West End's most magical shows won't be around forever. Whether you're drawn to provocative new takes on canonical works or inventive family theatre, there's something extraordinary waiting for you across the capital's stages.

All-Female Glengarry Glen Ross Takes on the Old Vic

David Mamet's razor-sharp 1983 drama Glengarry Glen Ross is one of the most celebrated American plays of the twentieth century. A searing portrait of four real estate salesmen locked in a brutal competition, where the top seller wins a Cadillac, the runner-up gets steak knives, and the bottom two lose their jobs entirely, it has long been read as a study of toxic masculinity, cutthroat capitalism, and the dark underbelly of the American Dream. Now, a thrilling new revival at the Old Vic Theatre is set to upend everything audiences think they know about this play.

Director Patrick Marber, himself a Pulitzer-adjacent playwright of note (his own Closer remains a modern classic), has made the radical decision to flip the gender of the central salespeople. All four roles will be played by women, with an outstanding cast led by Indira Varma and Rosa Salazar. It's a casting choice that immediately raises fascinating questions. Mamet's text is often discussed as an anatomy of competitive masculinity, of male posturing and one-upmanship in a world where everyone, women included, is treated as a commodity to be exploited. So what happens when the players themselves are women?

The answer may be more complex than simple gender reversal. In an era when reality television franchises like Selling Sunset have demonstrated that women in real estate can be every bit as ruthless, strategic, and compelling as their male counterparts, this production arrives at precisely the right cultural moment. The real test will be whether Mamet's language, his famously staccato rhythms and profanity-laden dialogue, retains its visceral power when spoken by women, or whether it transforms into something entirely new. Either outcome promises riveting theatre.

Driftwood: The RSC's Powerful New Play at the Kiln

The Royal Shakespeare Company brings a compelling new work to the Kiln Theatre this week with Driftwood, a debut play by Martina Laird. While Laird is best known as an accomplished actor, her transition to playwriting looks set to be a significant one. Driftwood was runner-up for the prestigious Verity Bargate Award and was subsequently championed by the RSC, a strong endorsement of its quality.

Set in Trinidad in 1956, the play unfolds inside a gentleman's club where the members are all jostling to carve out a future for themselves. But with political change sweeping through the Caribbean and the long shadow of colonialism still hanging heavy, breaking free from the chains of history proves far more difficult than anyone anticipates. Playing to win, the play suggests, always comes with consequences. For anyone interested in new shows and fresh voices in British theatre, this is essential viewing.

My Neighbour Totoro Announces Final Extension: Don't Miss It

Speaking of the RSC, the company is also responsible for one of the most beloved productions currently gracing the West End. My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre recently announced what will be its final extension, with the production now confirmed to close at the end of January 2027. If you haven't yet experienced this extraordinary adaptation of the much-loved Studio Ghibli film, the clock is officially ticking.

Directed by Phelim McDermott, the production tells the story of two young sisters who move from Tokyo to the Japanese countryside, where they discover a gentle, ancient forest spirit living in the nearby woods. What makes this staging so remarkable is not just its faithfulness to Hayao Miyazaki's original vision, but the sheer theatrical invention on display. The puppetry is genuinely jaw-dropping, from the tiny soot sprites to the magnificent Totoro itself, created by the legendary Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Combined with Tom Pye's ravishing design and Joe Hisaishi's iconic score, the result is a production that fills the auditorium with wonder.

This is a show that appeals to everyone: children adore it, but adults arguably love it even more. It has real emotional depth, exploring themes of childhood, loss, resilience, and the healing power of nature with a delicacy that is rare in large-scale theatre. As a family-friendly West End experience, it is simply unmatched. With the final extension now confirmed, tickets will become increasingly difficult to secure. Book sooner rather than later.

Tao of Glass: Phelim McDermott's Genre-Defying Spectacle Comes to London

Phelim McDermott is clearly having a moment. Beyond his triumph with My Neighbour Totoro, the director is also bringing another of his acclaimed productions to London this summer. Tao of Glass, his long-standing collaboration with the legendary American composer Philip Glass, will arrive at @sohoplace in July, marking its London debut after premiering at the Manchester International Festival in 2019 and subsequently touring internationally.

This production defies easy categorisation. Part concert, part theatre, part meditation, it brings together musicians and puppeteers to create an evening inspired by Taoist philosophy that explores life, death, and everything in between. McDermott, a genuinely maverick creative force whose work consistently surprises and challenges expectations, brings all his characteristic theatrical flair to a piece that promises to be unlike anything else on London stages this summer.

For those who appreciate experimental and boundary-pushing work, or who are fans of Philip Glass's hypnotic minimalist compositions, Tao of Glass represents a rare opportunity to see a major international production in an intimate London setting. It further cements McDermott's reputation as one of the most imaginative directors working in British theatre today.

Should You Book?

All four of these productions deserve attention, but priorities will depend on your tastes. The all-female Glengarry Glen Ross at the Old Vic is the kind of bold reimagining that tends to sell out quickly, particularly with Indira Varma headlining. If you're a fan of plays that provoke and challenge, this should be at the top of your list.

For My Neighbour Totoro, the message is simple: do not wait. Final extensions always generate a rush for tickets, and this production has already proven itself to be one of the defining theatrical events of recent years. Whether you're taking children or going as an adult, it's an experience that stays with you long after you leave the theatre.

Driftwood at the Kiln is the kind of discovery that makes London theatre so exciting. New writing, fresh perspectives, and a story rooted in a fascinating historical moment: this is the sort of production that rewards the adventurous theatregoer. And Tao of Glass promises something entirely different again, a meditative, visually stunning evening that blurs the lines between art forms.

Browse our full list of London shows to find your next theatre experience, or explore the latest new shows arriving on stage. From musicals to plays and Off-West End gems, there's always something brilliant to discover.