Lyn Gardner's Weekly Theatre Picks: From Brixton House Thrillers to Trafalgar Theatre One-Woman Shows

It may be a slightly quieter week in the capital following the Easter break, but there's still plenty of compelling theatre to seek out across London. Renowned theatre critic Lyn Gardner has rounded up her top recommendations, spanning everything from a returning heist comedy at Brixton House to a charity performance at the Trafalgar Theatre and a gripping new staging of an ancient Greek classic at the Arcola. Plus, looking further ahead, a glittering West End cast is assembling for Florian Zeller's wickedly clever comedy The Truth.

My Uncle is Not Pablo Escobar Returns to Brixton House

After a sellout run in 2023, My Uncle is Not Pablo Escobar is back at Brixton House from Tuesday. This high-energy production blends heist comedy with sharp political drama, taking its inspiration from the jaw-dropping 2012 HSBC money laundering scandal. The bank was fined more than a billion dollars for profiting from money laundered by Mexican drug cartels, and this play uses that real-world outrage as the springboard for something both entertaining and thought-provoking.

What makes this piece especially distinctive is the way it uses wit and humour to challenge and subvert the Western stereotypes routinely applied to South Americans living in the UK, particularly women. It's smart, pacey writing that delivers laughs without ever losing sight of the serious questions at its core. If you missed it first time round, this is your chance to catch a show that audiences and critics alike championed.

Myra's Story: A Powerful One-Woman Show at the Trafalgar Theatre

Myra's Story returns briefly to the Trafalgar Theatre next Sunday for a special performance. This acclaimed one-woman show has been touring the UK to enormous success, and it's easy to see why. It tells the story of a middle-aged homeless woman whose life has been shaped by tragedy and who has found refuge, and ruin, in alcohol.

The production's power lies in the extraordinary solo performance from Fiona Hewitt-Twamley, who inhabits no fewer than 16 different characters across the course of the evening. It's a blistering display of theatrical skill, and a deeply moving portrait of a life lived on society's margins. Fittingly, the performance will benefit homeless charities, making this an evening that gives back in every sense. With only a limited engagement at the Trafalgar, tickets are likely to be snapped up quickly.

Iphigenia at the Arcola: Greek Tragedy Meets Modern Conflict

With wars continuing to rage in both Europe and the Middle East, a new staging of the ancient Greek tragedy Iphigenia at the Arcola Theatre feels urgently timely. The myth tells of Iphigenia, the daughter sacrificed by her father Agamemnon to secure a fair wind so that his Greek army could sail to Troy and wage war against the Trojans. It is one of the most harrowing stories in all of Greek drama, and director Sedar Bilis is bringing fresh relevance to the material.

British-Iranian actor Mithra Malek takes on the role of the doomed Iphigenia in a production that interweaves the ancient narrative with contemporary interviews featuring mothers who have lost their children to war. This layering of the classical and the modern promises to give the production real emotional clout. For audiences drawn to theatre that engages directly with the world we live in, this should be an essential booking.

Final Chance: Evening All Afternoon at the Donmar

Time is running out to catch Evening All Afternoon at the Donmar Warehouse, with only a handful of performances remaining. Anna Ziegler's play is a delicate, finely wrought exploration of memory and loss that has drawn warm praise from critics and audiences alike. Much of its success rests on two superbly calibrated performances from Anastasia Hille and Erin Kellyman, who bring both precision and deep feeling to their roles.

The Donmar has long been one of London's most important homes for intimate, actor-driven drama, and this production is a fine example of what the venue does best. If you haven't yet seen it, these final performances represent your last opportunity.

Looking Ahead: The Truth Brings a Stellar Cast to the West End

One of the most exciting productions on the horizon is The Truth, a witty and sophisticated comedy by French playwright Florian Zeller. Known for bringing a beady-eyed precision to works such as The Father and The Mother, Zeller here turns his attention to the lies, deceptions, and half-truths that underpin even our closest relationships.

The cast is a dream for West End audiences. Stephen Mangan leads as Michael, a man who has been conducting an affair with his best friend's wife, Alice. He is joined by Ardal O'Hanlon, Sarah Hadland, and Janie Dee, a quartet of performers with superb comic timing and dramatic range. Director Lindsay Posner first staged The Truth at the Menier Chocolate Factory a decade ago, and this new, recast version should benefit from a fresh energy and perspective.

Zeller's play asks uncomfortable but compelling questions: is honesty always a virtue? Can relationships survive the telling of hard truths? With echoes of Harold Pinter's Betrayal, this is a production that promises to be both wickedly funny and quietly devastating. Details on the venue and booking dates are expected shortly, so keep an eye on our full listings.

Should You Book?

Even in what might seem like a quieter week for London theatre, these picks demonstrate just how much quality work is on offer. My Uncle is Not Pablo Escobar and Iphigenia both tackle weighty real-world issues with intelligence and theatrical flair, while Myra's Story offers the kind of raw, powerful solo performance that stays with you long after you leave the theatre. The final performances of Evening All Afternoon at the Donmar are not to be missed, and The Truth is shaping up to be one of the must-see productions of the coming months.

Whether you're looking for provocative new writing, emotionally resonant drama, or a sharp comedy with a glittering cast, there's something here for every theatregoer. Browse our full list of London shows for more options, or explore our plays and musicals categories to plan your next theatre outing.