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The bells of Easter have chimed, thus signifying another tortuous two weeks of screaming children and precocious teenagers on unsupervised leave.
As the bright-faced and carefree swarm around the streets, remember sweet sanctuary can be found in the windowless, darkened rooms of London's theatres.
As ever, here are our top theatre tips for those seeking grown-up thrills.
A little over 18 months ago, John Boyega could have been comfortably filed under “oh yeah – that guy!” A recognisable talent with a string of indie favourites under his belt.
Now, though, what with The Force Awakens, he stands on the global stage and Woyzeck marks his first treading of the boards since returning from a galaxy far, far away.
Writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) adapts the Büchner classic, setting the action in 1980's Berlin with the Cold War raging and the wall still standing.
For more information and tickets click here
The Old Vic, for maybe the first time in its two-century history, is in the midst of a glistening and near untarnished winning streak. Since in-house productions started again with the appointment of Kevin Spacey as Artistic Director in 2003, thus saving the theatre from becoming a bingo hall, its programme has won numerable awards, huge critical acclaim and attracts the biggest stars from across the world for its wide array of projects.
Coming to the Old Vic in February is a revival of Tom Stoppard's career launching play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead which had its London premiere at the Old Vic in 1966. Starring Josh McGuire and a young, up-and-coming unknown called Daniel Radcliffe, the play is a meta, absurdist comedy concerning two minor characters from Hamlet as they watch the action unfold from the wings.
A twisting, turning, self-referential labyrinth on literary critique and comment, Rosencrtaz and Guildenstern Are Dead made Tom Stoppard an overnight sensation and this latest production, directed by Tony Award nominee David Leveaux, will surely be one of the talking points of this year's theatre season.
For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
A painful tragicomedy exploring the inner turmoil of a group of friends in the orbit of a rape case. With questions swirling around the legitimacy of the prosecution and the defence, everyone in reach is forced to reflect on their own ability to define, and tell, the truth.
Award-winning writer Nina Raine presents an urgent and essential essay on the fallibility of personal fact.
For more information and tickets click here.
The first part of Angels in America, the epic and multi-award-winning play, premieres this month with an intimidating roster of stars performing. Academy Award nominee Andrew Garfield, Golden Globe nominee Nathan Lane and Royal Television Society award winner Russell Tovey all take to the stage to bring this vast and sprawling tale of AIDs, HIV and homosexuality in late 80's America to life.
Although the show has completely sold-out, ballot tickets are available and extra dates are being added so be sure to keep an eye on the National Theatre website.
The play will also be broadcast via NT Live on July 20th.
For more information and tickets click here.
Ann Marie Duff continues her campaign as the undeniable Queen of the National Theatre with Common, a new play by DC Moore.
Opening on May 30th and made in conjunction with Headlong Theatre, Common promises to be a funny and bleak look at the land that England lost.
For more information and tickets click here.
The humble barbershop – a place of necessity and vanity, where barnets are trimmed and new styles implemented. Further to this, it is the social hang out of African men around the world. Where issues big and small, personal and political can be put to rights.
Inua Ellam's new play leaps through six international cities as barber shops around the word hold court to the great and good for one day.
For more information and tickets click here.
A seductive dancer. A controller of men. An influential leader. Unstoppable theatrical talent Yael Farber brings fresh eyes to the story of Salome. For centuries painted as a femme fatale, Faber places Salome at the centre of a revolution and breathes fresh life into the tale of John the Baptist's de facto executioner.
For more information and tickets click here.
Three women, tired of the empty promises of their government, hold their own party conference. Re-appropriating some favoured Tory soundbites, Cock and Bull is part protest, part therapy, all theatre.
For more information and tickets click here.
Immersive theatre has, in the last decade or so, become a powerhouse genre in its own right thanks to the likes of Punchdrunk. In his new piece, Christopher Green uses the participatory aspect of immersive theatre to explore porn addiction – a non-participatory role in an extremely intimate act.
Join your group counsellor and discuss the effects of porn and our relationship with sex – a new-age problem as old as time itself.
For more information and tickets click here.
Returning for another year, the UK's largest celebration of South Asian culture promises to provide insightful, colourful and memorable explorations of the sub-continental heritage.
With a series of free events, workshops, talks, theatre shows, exhibitions and special food sellers at the Kerb, Alchemy is the perfect opportunity to eat, drink and try something new.
For more information on Alchemy, click here.
