Finding yourself at a loose end now that Doctor Who has finished for the year on television? Fear not because we’re going to tell you where you can see a number of Doctor Who stars next as they tread the boards in various theatres across the West End…

Jodie Whittaker in The Duchess (of Malfi) – Trafalgar Theatre

First up is the Thirteenth Doctor herself Jodie Whittaker in The Duchess (of Malfi). Following an acclaimed run in Edinburgh, this is a thrilling and contemporary adaptation of John Webster’s revenge classic. It’s been adapted and directed by Zinnie Harris and sees a wealthy young widow threaten the status quo of her brothers with shocking consequences and explores the depths of the patriarchy against female resistance. It also marks Whittaker’s first return to the stage in London for 10 years, having done a lot of television work in the meantime.

She’s joined by another name in the Whoniverse, Joel Fry, who has contributed to a number of Big Finish releases and will feature alongside Ncuti Gatwa and Nicola Coughlan in this year’s Christmas special, Joy to the World.

The Duchess (of Malfi) runs from the 5th October to the 20th December 2024 with evening performances Monday to Saturday and Matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Jodie Whittaker won’t be able to be in two performances on the dates 18th and 19th October 2024. Ticket prices start from £31.

Tracy Ann-Oberman in The Merchant of Venice 1936 – Trafalgar Theatre

Right after The Dutchess (of Malfi) and a Christmas break, The Merchant of Venice 1936 will be performed from the 28th December 2024 to the 25th January 2025 with Tracy Ann-Oberman (Army of Ghosts/ Doomsday) in the lead role of Shylock.

In this adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic from Bridget Larmour and Oberman, the action shifts from Venice to London in 1936 as political tensions are rising in the East End and a resilient single mother and businesswoman, Shylock, is desperate to protect her daughter’s future. When the charismatic Antonio comes to her for a loan, a high stakes deal is struck. Will Shylock take her revenge and who will pay the ultimate price?

The Merchant of Venice 1936 promises to be an unforgettable and electrifying new production which is fascinating and timely — and a reminder of a key period in British history.

The show is being shown around the country but in London from 28th December 2024 to 25th January 2025. Following shows include Liverpool, Bath, Salford, Fareham, and Birmingham. Prices start from £20.

David Tennant in Macbeth – Harold Pinter Theatre

David Tennant alongside Cush Jumbo return to their landmark performances in Shakespeare’s most extraordinary psychological drama. This version promises to be an exciting immersive experience with the unsettling sound design; live Celtic folk music played live through audiences’ lightweight headphones really immerse you in every whisper, cry, and thought.

This adaptation sees the original cast from the Donmar Warehouse Season return to their roles. As with the original script, this version will be one of the more violent Shakespeare plays with blood, scenes of violence, and depictions of death, as well as looking at mental health and PTSD.

The run at The Harold Pinter Theatre is strictly limited from 1st October 2024 to Saturday 14th December and prices start from £25.

Lesley Manville in Oedipus – Wyndham’s Theatre

Lesley Manville played William Hartnell’s wife in An Adventure in Space and Time back in 2013 and it’s surprising that her co-star in Oedipus, Mark Strong, has never been in Doctor Who! But they are both featuring in a new adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy.

Adapted and directed by Robert Icke, this fast-paced drama reimagines Oedipus as a politician poised for victory, running a platform on reform and anti-corruption but as hidden truths emerge, will his path to victory be assured?

This version of Oedipus has already been a huge hit at The International Theatre Amsterdam and the Edinburgh Festival and now has come to London for a strictly limited run from 4th October 2024 to 4th January 2025. Ticket Prices start from £31.

John Simm in A Christmas Carol – The Old Vic

The Master himself is returning to stage to play Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.

What can be said about A Christmas Carol that hasn’t already been said? This version has been a hit at The Old Vic in the past so it’s returning for its eighth festive season.

Running from 9th November 2024 to 4th January 2025, it promises to be hugely immersive with mince pies, music, and merriment — and unique staging which promises to include all the audience in the story! Ticket prices start from £26.40.

Rachael Stirling and Richard Hope in Giant – The Royal Court Theatre

Rachael Stirling starred alongside her mother Diana Rigg and Matt Smith in The Crimson Horror but now she is part of the cast of Giant, a show about the famous children’s author Roald Dahl. Stirling plays Felicity Crossland, the fiancé of Dahl alongside John Lithgow who plays the author.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, Giant offers us a complicated portrait and look at the fiendishly charismatic icon and author. Inspired by real life events, the play, written by first time playwright Mark Rosenblatt, explores the life and times of Dahl with dark humour and the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric.

Stirling and Lithgow star alongside Elliot Levey, Romola Garai, Tessa Bonham Jones, and Richard Hope (The Hungry Earth/ Cold Blood) with ticket prices start at £19.00.

Lucian Msamati in Waiting for Gadot – Theatre Royal Haymarket

Lucian Msamati sacrifices himself in Matt Smith’s Series 5 story, The Vampires of Venice, when he finds out his daughter has been killed by the evil vampire fish. Now, he stars alongside Ben Whishaw in Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece, Waiting for Gadot.

Didi and Gogo wait by a tree for a man named Gadot. They don’t know who he is, why they are meeting, or what time he’s coming; only that something incredible could happen when he does…

Directed by James Macdonald, Waiting for Gadot was heralded as the play that changed the rules, and it opens at the historic Theatre Royal Haymarket for a limited season from 13th September to 14th December 2024. Ticket prices start from £19.

The DWC is attending some of these plays, so expect to hear more in the future. Let us know if you’re seeing any alumni in theatre in the comments section!