Curtain up! Light the lights! We got nothing to hit but the heights! Theatre and the arts are an integral part of British culture, but what are the best theatre shows touring in the UK this summer? From heartwarming musical classics like Mamma Mia!, to new and exciting plays such as The Doctor, there is plenty to see across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Whilst a lot of theatre articles will tell you the latest shows just in London, here at Yours, we know there’s a world outside of the West End, so we’ve compiled a list of our favourite award-winning must-see theatre shows touring in 2022 around the UK. Don't miss out- book your theatre tickets right here.
The best touring theatre shows to see around the UK- 2022
So, let’s get started, shall we? Theatre nerds assemble, as we bring you the hottest shows (from comedies to musicals, to plays) to see everywhere in the UK; North, South, East and Wicked-Witch-of-the-West.
Mamma Mia!
You can't beat a classic, and there's nothing more classic than Mamma Mia! First performed back in 1999, this popular jukebox musical by Catherine Johnson has been a staple on the West End. Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. There's a chance to see it whilst it's on tour, hitting venues up and down the UK. If you're a fan of ABBA (who isn't?), then bring your friends along to this fabulous night out (Colin Firth unfortunately not included).
Mamma Mia! is playing at three venues across the UK (see below), booking until March 2023. Tickets start from £13.
South Pacific
A show from the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals, you can't get better than a long-running show like South Pacific. Filled with songs everyone knows, such as Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and Bali Ha’i - step inside the theatre and allow yourself to be absorbed by that old-age Hollywood atmosphere. I mean - it's Rodgers and Hammerstein, how can you go wrong?
This powerful love story, set on a South Pacific island during World War ll, is brought thrillingly to life in an epic new five-star production...adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener.
South Pacific is playing at nine venues across the UK (see below), booking until November 2022. Tickets start from £13.
Sister Act
Take me to heaven! Sister Act is heading out to perform seven theatre shows, touring this winter season. Based on the 1992 film starring Whoopi Goldberg, the beloved musical follows showgirl Dolores Van Cartier who witnesses a murder carried out by her mobster boyfriend. After reporting it to the authorities, she is put into witness protection at a convent. Now "Sister Mary Clarence", Dolores puts her show-stopping skills to good use. She gets the church's choir into tip-top shape and the community becomes involved as well.
Sister Act is playing at 28 venues across the UK (see below), booking until January 2024. Tickets start from £13.
The Rocky Horror Show
If you want a guaranteed fun night out, a little trip to The Rocky Horror Show will never let you down; raunchy, cheeky, and so very hilarious. Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical follows two innocent college kids and their meeting with the fabulous Dr Frank-N-Furter and his funky friends in a spooky mansion. What's even better - Ore Oduba, winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2016, is playing Brad Majors. As he puts it, The Rocky Horror Show is the tonic the country needs after two years of hiding indoors. It's time to have fun!
The Rocky Horror Show is playing at eight venues across the UK (see below), booking until June 2023. Tickets start from £13.
Jersey Boys
One of the West End’s biggest-hit musical theatre shows is touring- hitting the road for an amazing UK run. Did you know that Jersey Boys has won Grammy, Olivier and Tony awards since it became a smash hit in 2008? It's a tour de force. Jersey Boys takes the audience on a journey behind the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and includes catchy numbers including "Sherry", "Walk Like a Man", "1963 (Oh What a Night)" and "Big Girls Don't Cry”.
Jersey Boys is playing in seven venues across the UK (see below), booking until April 2023. Tickets start from £13.
Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn
If you’re a big fan of Radio 2’s Sounds of the 60s with legend Tony Blackburn, chances are you’re going to want to see it live. These theatre shows are touring throughout the UK until spring 2023, Tony will be hosting a live concert with hits performed by the Sounds of the 60s All-Star Band & Singers. As well as this, Tony will be sharing stories from his favourite decade. It sounds like a gorgeously relaxing evening to us.
Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn is playing in six venues across the UK (see below), booking until April 2023. Tickets start from £28.
Six
You've heard the stories of Henry VII and his long list of wives- but I can guarantee you, Six will be a whole new way to experience the history books. First performed by Cambridge University students at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, little did Lucy Moss and Toby Marlow know their musical would go to the West End, Broadway and then international! A beautifully feminist message for the new age: it shows the women of the Tudor era taking back their autonomy and telling their own stories before and after Henry.
Six is playing at 11 venues across the UK (see below), booking until July 2023. Tickets start from £13.
Bristol Tue 20 Sep - Sat 24 Sep 2022 SOLD OUT
York Tue 11 Oct - Sun 16 Oct 2022 SOLD OUT
The Doctor
West End starlet, Juliet Stevenson, stars in The Doctor. After a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre, director Robert Icke is releasing more theatre shows, touring Great Britain for a limited run. Ruth Wolff is The Doctor, a practitioner at the top of her game heading a private clinic that specialises in finding a cure for dementia. One day, a patient is struggling to hold on to life. This ‘devastating’ new play calls into question everything you think you know, as well as your beliefs. It’s a must-see piece of theatre.
The Doctor is playing at three venues across the UK (see below), booking until December 2022. Tickets start from £13.
The Mousetrap
The Agatha Christie spectacular The Mousetrap has now been running for almost 70 years now. To put it simply, it is a masterful piece of theatre, written by the greatest crime writer of all time. We don't want to spoil it for you- you’ll have to see it to solve it. As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a remote countryside guesthouse. Which one is the murderer?
The Mousetrap is playing at 15 venues across the UK (see below), booking until February 2024. Tickets start from £13.
Annie
Annie was everyone’s childhood favourite musical- we know you watched it over and over again on your TV screens! Well, find your inner child again and go and see Annie’s new UK theatre shows touring on stage beginning in spring 2023. You’re sure to have a blast. Annie follows our signature red-headed orphan and her adventures in The Great Depression-era New York. You’ll recognise classic songs from this family feel-good production such as Tomorrow and It’s The Hard-Knock Life. As well as fun and laughter, tears are sure to be shed as well.
Annie is playing in seven venues across the UK (see below), booking until June 2023. Tickets start from £13.