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The Upstart Crow Tickets

The Upstart Crow starring David Mitchell transfers to West End's Apollo Theatre

This production is recommended for ages 10+.

Performance dates

23 September – 3 December 2022

Run time 2 hours 20 minutes (including interval)

Includes interval

Top Rated Show

Reviewers highly rate this show

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Critically acclaimed sitcom The Upstart Crow returns to the West End's Apollo Theatre

Following its premiere at the West End's Gielgud Theatre, The Upstart Crow transfers to the Apollo Theatre. The adaptation of Ben Elton's smash hit BBC sitcom about Shakespeare is back for a limited 10-week season, so secure your tickets early to avoid disappointment!

Will desperately needs to maketh a brilliant new play to bolster his reputation and avoid being cast aside by King and country. But Will's personal life is encountering more dramatic twists and turns than any theatrical story he can conjure. How the futtock can a Bard be expected to find a plot for a play whilst his daughters run amok, and his house is used as a refuge for any old waif and stray.

As time runs out, can Will hold on to his dream of being recognised now and for all time, as indisputably the greatest writer that ever lived, or will family woes thwart Will's chances of producing his masterwork?

Who will star in The Upstart Crow at the Apollo Theatre?

David Mitchell will reprise his role from the sitcom Upstart Crow as William Shakespeare. He previously starred in three series of the show. He is most popularly known for the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show in which he co-starred. The show had nine series and was widely critically acclaimed. The BAFTA-winning actor is also popularly known for hosting and appearing on panel tv shows such as Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You.

Gemma Whelan will also be reprising her TV role as the aspiring actress, Kate. Whelan has extensive credits in television, film, theatre and video games. She is most popularly known for her role as Yara Greyjoy in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Her other credits include the film Gulliver's Travels and tv shows Upstart Crow and Netflix's The Crown. She has also voiced characters in popular video games such as Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward and Mass Effect: Andromeda.

The Upstart Crow creative team

Ben Elton adapted his hit sitcom, Upstart Crow, himself. He is an award-winning writer, comedian, actor, and director, who has written for television, films, radio, stand-up comedy, stage, novels and musicals. Alongside Richard Curtis, he wrote the iconic series Blackadder which won four BAFTAs and an Emmy. Elton collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber and wrote the book and lyrics for The Beautiful Game. He also notably wrote the musical We Will Rock You.

Sean Foley will direct the production. He is a director, actor, comedian, and actor. Foley won the Olivier Awards for Best Entertainment 1999 for Do You Come Here Often and Best Comedy 2002 for The Play What I Wrote. He has also been nominated for several further Olivier Awards and a Tony Award nomination. Foley's most recent work is The Man in the White Suit, which he adapted and directed.

The Upstart Crow tickets starring David Mitchell at London's Apollo Theatre are on sale now!

The Upstart Crow tickets are on sale for the stage adaptation starring David Mitchell and Gemma Whelan at the Apollo Theatre. Performances start on 23rd September 2022 for a limited 10-week run and end on 3rd December 2022.


'Bardly brilliant - a must see' The Sun

'This is a really, really fun night at the theatre' Daily Mirror

'Mitchell, Whelan and the rest of the cast give a flawless performance' The Upcoming

'A hit, a hit, a hit' The Independent

Special notes

All persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to the accompanying adult. They may not sit on their own within the auditorium. If children do have separate seats you could be refused entry. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

Group Pricing

Special pricing for groups of 10 or moreCheck our group prices and save!

Recent Reviews

4.7
303 reviews
Martin John Chapple

First live show seen since lockdown. It was hugely enjoyable presented with sparkling up to date wit with vivacity and joy. A must see to cheer you up.

Sheila Sly

Although tickets were pricy for the average person and to buy the cheapest meant sitting with your head virtually touching the celestial ceiling of the auditorium, the discomfort and distance from the stage was worth it. From the first line to the last we were treated to hilariously witty exchanges between larger than life characters who engaged, shocked and delighted. Shakespeare’s bawdy humour and improbable plot lines were woven into the portrayal of the Bard himself with up to the minute topical references and even a dancing bear. Politically correct? Not a bit of it, just pure entertainment. Thank you!

Marion Edwards

Witty, clever, well acted and hilarious. A really good evening.

M. Campbell

It’s very funny.

Aimee Thrasher

Great show. I loved it on BritBox and travelled from the USA just to see it on stage. I had a great time and would love to see more of it either on stage or TV.

Annie Chatfield

Superb play

Andy Holton

This was a superb play. You need to know some of Shakespeare's hits, but this was a riot throughout. I enjoyed it immensely. Go and see it if you ever get the chance.

Simon Redwood

Cracking performance by a talented group of Actors!! I went with my wife and another couple who had not seen the sitcom and didn't know what to expect so I was concerned they may not have got it!! All three of them loved it too so we had a lovely time. Thank you all for a beautiful evening. Cheers

Sian

Didn't enjoy this-just not funny unfortunately

Colin

I found most of the humour banal and the cast had to shout to inject energy into the show. I am a great fan of David Mitchell; Ben Elton has jointly written classic comedies but this was like Ben's stand-up comedy style (even though he was not on stage) which I find a bit shout-y. I had not seen the TV show and am probably guilty of under-researching the show and also of assuming that two good ingredients would produce a tasty dish. In the event the show gave me rather few laughs and I learned nothing from it. I have never walked out of a theatre performance before and we stayed to hear the second half but it was touch and go. Unusually for live theatre, I found it a great disappointment.

Terry Moran

Clever, witty and brilliantly funny!

Venetia Hopkins

Great show. Although we were mikes from the stage it was good to have a bar just behind us. Attendants were all very helpful and smiley.

Latest The Upstart Crow News

London Theatre Review: The Upstart CrowFirst Look: The Upstart Crow play production photos released

News / Productions / New Shows + Transfers / Photos

First Look: The Upstart Crow play production photos released

First-look photos of The Upstart Crow play have been released after the cast and crew celebrated the show's official opening night at London's Gielgud Theatre last night (17 February 2020). Based on the hit TV sitcom about William Shakespeare, the Ben Elton piece starring David Mitchell is currently booking until 25 April 2020. Check out all 14 newly released production shots in our gallery below.

18 Feb, 2020 | By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

First Look: The Upstart Crow play photos of cast in rehearsals released

News / Productions / New Shows + Transfers / Photos

First Look: The Upstart Crow play photos of cast in rehearsals released

New West End comedy The Upstart Crow based on the popular television sitcom of the same name is set to open at London's Gielgud Theatre next week. David Mitchell, Gemma Whelan, and the rest of the cast of The Upstart Crow stage production are now in rehearsals ahead of the show's opening. Check out all nine rehearsal shots in our gallery below.

30 Jan, 2020 | By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

Full cast announced for The Upstart Crow starring David MitchellThe Upstart Crow to mark David Mitchell's West End debut

News / Productions / Celebrities / Casting / New Shows + Transfers

The Upstart Crow to mark David Mitchell's West End debut

Ben Elton's popular sitcom Upstart Crow gets a lease of new life as the series' creator takes his hit show to the Gielgud Theatre stage this February. Next year's stage adaptation is set to star world-class British comedian, David Mitchell, who will make his West End debut in the lead role of William Shakespeare. The all-new play will continue where the series' story left off, in a similar fashion to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

11 Oct, 2019 | By Nicholas Ephram Ryan Daniels

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