17 biggest theatre shows of autumn 2017

What is it? Stephen Sondheim’s wry masterpiece.

How big? Imelda frickin’ Staunton stars in the NT’s massive musical.

What is it? James Graham’s play about The Sun transfers.

How big? The tiny Almeida couldn’t hold this epic – Bertie Carvel (‘Doctor Foster’) plays Rupert Murdoch.

What is it? Martin Freeman and Tamsin Greig star in a comedy about the Labour Party.

How big? James Graham is so big right now that he’s got two plays in the West End.

What is it? Mel Brooks adapts his horror comedy film into a musical.

How big? Brooks’s ‘The Producers’ was the most successful show of the ’00s.

What is it? Marianne Elliott directs Anne-Marie Duff in an  odd-couple drama.

How big? Director of  the epic ‘War Horse’, ‘Curious Incident…’ and ‘Angels in America’, Elliott has left the NT to storm the West End.

What is it? Dark American comedy about a brash actor auditioning for a kinky drama.

How big? It stars Natalie Dormer, fresh from dying in a massive explosion in ‘Game of Thrones’.

What is it? Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, starring Eve Best.

How big? It launches an epic Wilde season, helmed by larger-than-life former Globe boss Dominic Dromgoole.

What is it? The immortal William Friedkin scare-fest gets the stage treatment in time for Halloween.

How big? The biggest event in stage horror since ‘Viva Forever!’.

What is it? Rory Kinnear stars in this comedy romp.

How big? The flagship show for Nicholas Hytner’s huge new theatre.

What is it? David Mamet’s classic about alpha-male estate agents.

How big? It stars the never-understated Christian Slater.

What is it? Musical adaptation of Daniel Wallace’s novel about a tall-tale-telling father.

How big? It only stars Kelsey ‘Frasier Crane’ Grammar, making his Brit theatre debut.

What is it? Bryan Cranston stars in an adaptation of the classic ’70s movie.

How big? Imagine Walter White from ‘Breaking Bad’ shouting ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!’ Just imagine.

What is it? Lin-Manuel Miranda’s wildly acclaimed rap-musical masterpiece.

How big? A brontosaurus surfing on an aircraft carrier that’s being pulled by a herd of blue whales big, is how big. 

What is it? Musical version of the classic Disney flick, directed by ‘Cursed Child’ man John Tiffany.

How big? It’s the blimmin’ brand new Disney musical! A singalong to take the kids too.

What is it? Anne Washburn’s adaptation of the cult sci-fi series. 

How big? It’s playing in the dinky Almeida, but the theatre’s record for firing out West End transfers, like ‘Ink’ or Andrew Scott’s ‘Hamlet’ is pretty matchless. Book now for maximum bragging rights.