It’s summer in the city, and the British capital currently has an impressive number of fine shows running – from Harry Potter to Jesus Christ; or from Billie Piper in a raunchy drama to Tim Minchin’s “Groundhog Day” musical. The London stage also offers a marathon all-day Chekov triple bill and an impressive revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Allegro.”“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” Palace Theatre; booking to December 2017 at presentThe superlatives have been pouring in for the stage version of Harry Potter, which is now in London and also due to open on Broadway. Even the book of the script sold 4 million copies in its first week.The first thing to know: like the novels and films, the play is a multi-part work. You do really need to see part 1 before part 2. It all makes sense, just about, even if you don’t know the Potter backstory, but you’ll appreciate it much more if you do. On some days, both parts are shown; on others, only one. Potter has now grown up and works at the Ministry of Magic and has three school-age children.Whether you like it, perhaps obviously enough, depends a lot of whether you know and like J.K. Rowling’s stories and characters.If you don’t, and don’t fancy a five-hour running time that could be easily cut, well, stay away. But even for those skeptical about the whole thing, the direction by John Tiffany is all fancy showbiz with “magical” costume changes and hilarious asides among the old wizards. Parents dragged along by their kids may well enjoy it despite themselves. That is a sort of magic for muggles in itself.The booking dates are likely to be extended.http://www.harrypottertheplay.com/“Jesus Christ Superstar,” Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, through August 27, 2016This revival is one of the finest things staged at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in some time. Catch it while you can, or see it on tour.If the star of the show turns out to be Tyrone Huntley, with a strong voice as Judas, Anoushka Lucas is also on song as Mary Magdalene, and even Declan Bennett’s downbeat Jesus has his moments, culminating of course in a spectacular crucifixion scene. (This is hardly a plot spoiler; we could see it coming from the start.) The direction by Timothy Sheader adds old-fashioned microphones, matching the retro charm of the music, now 45 years’ young and replete with hits such as “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Superstar.” You don’t need to be a Christian to like this. The story of a misunderstood cult leader who is persecuted as a possible threat holds up on its own.https://openairtheatre.com/production/jesus-christ-superstar“Allegro,” at Southwark Playhouse, through September 10, 2016Of all the Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, “Allegro” is the least well known. The pair’s third composition was no match for its predecessors “Oklahoma!” and “Carousel.” When it first opened in 1947, it was seen as moralistic and flawed, narrating the story of a small-town doctor who has to decide on the course of his life. This Southwark Playhouse show, the musical’s European debut, does a good job in rehabilitating the piece. Along the way are some catchy songs such as “A Fellow Needs a Girl” and “Come Home.”http://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/show/allegro/“Groundhog Day,” at Old Vic through September 17, 2016The hilarious story of “Groundhog Day,” familiar from the hit film, is given songs by lyricist/composer Tim Minchin and the other creators of “Matilda: The Musical.” Don’t expect to get snatches of “I Got You Babe” but the basic plot remains, of a cynical weatherman sent to cover the annual Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.http://www.oldvictheatre.com/whats-on/2016/groundhog-day/“Yerma,” at Young Vic, through September 24, 2016Two things to say upfront. One, Billie Piper is the star. Two, the run sold out very quickly on the strength of her name and advance buzz. Some tickets are showing up on the online sites, or be kind to a friend who has any spare. Piper’s journey from pop sensation to TV star in “Doctor Who” is now turning her into an acclaimed stage actress. The 1934 Federico García Lorca play about a woman desperate to have a child is totally reimagined by Simon Stone and dragged into 2016 with references to social media and IVF treatment. Piper’s performance is astounding.http://www.youngvic.org/whats-on/yerma“Young Chekov: Three Play Day,” at the National Theatre’s Olivier, various days through October 8, 2016The Chichester Festival Theatre makes a case for three of Chekhov’s early plays: “Platonov,” “Ivanov,” and “The Seagull.” The works, in new versions by David Hare, can be seen separately or even experienced as an all-day event, starting with “Platonov” at 11:45 a.m. and running through to “The Seagull” at 8 p.m. While Chekhov’s writing has a reputation for being difficult, each of these stories rises above this, especially “The Seagull,” one of the cornerstones of modern drama.https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/young-chekhov-three-play-day“946: The Amazing Story of Adophus Tips,” at the Globe through September 11, 2016Purists, look away now. The Globe, long known as a place to see Shakespeare in as close to authentic style as possible, again shows it can stage more than the bard. This is a family show based on Michael Morpurgo’s novel which sees war though the eyes of a 12-year-old.http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on/globe-theatre/946-the-amazing-story-of-adolphus-tips-2016
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