What's on in London: May 2025

THEATRE

The Fifth Step, 12 May-26 July
Some conversations are harder to walk away from – especially when they unfold under the glare of truth, trust and black coffee. The Fifth Step, David Ireland’s razor-sharp two-hander about addiction, confession and the brittle bonds of masculinity, lands at the intimate @sohoplace this month. Jack Lowden reprises his lauded turn as Luka, joined by Martin Freeman, who returns to the London stage after a six-year hiatus. Directed by Finn den Hertog, this National Theatre of Scotland production made waves at the Edinburgh International Festival and now brings its tense, tightly wound brilliance to the Capital. Darkly funny and deeply human, it’s a play that lingers long after the lights go down.
4 Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, W1D (0330 333 5961; thefifthstep.co.uk)

What's On May The Fith Step

MUSICAL

Shucked, 10 May-14 June
Forget subtle, this is musical theatre turned up full volume. Shucked makes its UK debut under the stars in Regent’s Park, fresh from a buzzy run on Broadway. With a script by Robert Horn (Tootsie), songs by Grammy-winning duo Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and direction from Jack O’Brien (Hairspray), it’s smart, warm-hearted and playful. Expect big voices and clever storytelling. A little country, a little chaos… Think Oklahoma! but with more sass and fewer morals.
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, NW1(0333 400 3562; openairtheatre.com)

What's On May Shucked

THEATRE

The Crucible, 8 May-12 July
A spell is brewing at Shakespeare’s Globe – and this time, it’s Arthur Miller, not the Bard, conjuring the drama. In a first-of-its-kind moment for the Globe, modern classics are finally stepping onto the iconic stage. Director Ola Ince leads the charge with her signature fire. Expect paranoia, power and mass hysteria, set against Salem’s feverish witch trials – with echoes of McCarthy’s America simmering just beneath the surface. Designed by Amelia Jane Hankin, with music by Renell Shaw, this production promises to shake the rafters. It’s raw, urgent, and not to be missed – history never felt so alive.
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 (020 7401 9919; shakespearesglobe.com)

What's On May The Crucilble

ART

Affordable Art Fair, 7-11 May
Watch the Heath come alive with colour, creativity and cocktails as this much-loved artsy takeover returns. Over 100 galleries are setting up shop, bringing everything from affordable abstracts to investment-worthy icons – so whether you’re art-curious or an avid collector, you’ll find something to fall in love with. There’s also a new eye-popping work at the entrance thanks to abstract sculptor Claire Knill; DJs spinning at the buzzy Summer Lates; and expertled workshops to get those creative juices flowing. Local artists will be hosting painting sessions with a view, and with the Heath’s only rooftop bar open for business, it’s the perfect excuse to catch the sunset whilst soaking up the incredible art.
Lower Fairground Site, NW3 (affordableartfair.com)

EXHIBITION

Jeremy Karpel: Life’s Not Black and White, 7-18 May
With the Chelsea Flower Show around the corner, Burgh House is getting into the spirit, too. Jeremy Karpel, Director of TK International, steps away from his day job; here, he reveals a long-standing creative practice shaped by his early training in art and design. His latest work marks a shift – larger canvases, bolder colours, and a focus on the natural world. Flowers, trees, and organic forms take centre stage, rendered in acrylic and oil with a nod to Klimt and Monet. There’s a quiet confidence to it all, rooted in memory and imagination. A percentage of sales will support breast cancer charity Future Dreams, and while there’s no shortage of beauty on the walls, the real interest lies in the story behind them.
New End Square, NW3 (020 7431 0144; burghhouse. museumssites.com)

What's On Jeremy Karpel