The clocks have gone back but we're moving forward as we speed through towards Christmas with November bringing us some new and returning festive favourites as well as non-seasonal shows to ensure this is a month full of delights. Here are 40 of my top picks:
FRANK’S CLOSET (Arts Theatre)
3rd & 17th November
Fresh from a glittering run at Wilton’s Music Hall, this eccentric and high camp love letter to musical theatre hits the West End for two nights only.
Tickets from www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk
MARY POPPINS (UK and Ireland Tour)
4th November 2024 – 22nd November 2025
The World’s favourite nanny (sorry Doubtfire) flies back down on her umbrella for a major new tour of the UK and Ireland, kicking off this month at Bristol Hippodrome
Tickets from https://marypoppins.co.uk/
LA CLIQUE (Leicester Square Spiegletent)
6th November – 5th January
The international smash hit cabaret returns to Leicester Square to mark its 20 year anniversary. Featuring death-defying stunts and jaw dropping acts, expect daring acrobatics eye-popping stunts and raucous comedy.
Tickets from www.laclicquetheshow.com
GOING FOR GOLD (Park Theatre)
6th - 30th November
The true story of young Black boxer Frankie Lucas explores belonging, success and legacy. As he navigates the complexities of a hostile Britain in 1970s London, it charts the joys, trials and setbacks in pursuing his dreams of sporting glory.
Tickets from www.goingforgoldplay.com
THE RED SHOES (the RSC)
7th November – 19th January 2025
Nancy Harris returns to the RSC to bring Hans Christian Andersen’s dark fairy tale into the 21st Century in the intimate setting of the Swan theatre.
Tickets from www.rsc.org.uk
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (Shakespeare’s Globe)
8th November – 4th January
Kit Young and Ruby Bentall star in this thriller-esque social satire which interrogates power dynamics across class, gender and sexuality, and explores how far we’ll go to save face.
Tickets from www.shakespearesglobe.com
HERE & NOW (The Alexandra, Birmingham)
9th – 30th November
The world premiere of the official Steps musical ‘Here & Now’ uses their iconic music with an original book by Shaun Kitchener and a cast including Rebecca Lock, Sharlene Hector, Blake Patrick Anderson, Hiba Elchikhe and Finty Williams, set in the seaside superstore Better Best Bargains.
Tickets from www.thestepsmusical.com
WOLVES ON ROAD (Bush Theatre)
9th November – 21st December
A fast, funny and furious new play from Beru Tessema is a thrilling deep-dive into the mysterious world of crypto-currency, revealing how ambition and hope can be exploited, no matter the system at play.
Tickets from www.bushtheatre.co.uk
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Old Vic)
9th November – 4th January 2025
The annual tradition that is Matthew Warchus’ beloved production of the Charles Dickens classic at the Old Vic this year boasts John Simm as Ebenezer Scrooge. Filling the auditorium with mince pies, music and merriment, any trip there will surely fill even the biggest Scrooge with Christmas spirit.
Tickets from www.oldvictheatre.com
AVENUE Q (Sondheim Theatre)
10th November
Returning to London for a once-in-a-lifetime reunion, Avenue Q celebrates 18 years since the UK premiere production for two special concerts featuring Jon Robyns, Julie Atherton, Simon Lipkin, Giles Terera and Ann Harada.
Tickets from www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk
CHRISTINA BIANCO: DIVAS (Clapham Grand)
10th November
Powerhouse performer Christina Bianco teams up with the London Gay Big Band to pay tribute to the legendary voices of Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner, Cher, Kylie, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, Adele and many more. Expect vocals, impressions and a 22 piece jazz orchestra.
DISTANT MEMORIES OF THE NEAR FUTURE (Arcola Theatre)
12th – 30th November
David Head’s Edinburgh Fringe hit makes its London premiere, weaving together a series of five interlocking love stories set in a dystopian but plausible near future, this is a disquieting yet beautiful and quick-witted exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology and the commodification of our emotions.
SANDI TOKSVIG & THE QI ELVES (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
13th & 14th November
Inspired by her hosting of the successful television franchise QI, One Night Only is a theatre-themed evening of comedy and curiosity in which Sandi shares little-known facts about the world of theatre from actors to performances, stories and songs - giving the audience a sneak peak at what really goes on behind the scenes!
Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk.
[TITLE OF SHOW] (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
14th – 30th November
Following a run at Phoenix Arts Club earlier this year, Taylor Jay’s production of the love letter to musical theatre and the joy of collaboration transfers to Southwark Playhouse starring Jacob Fowler, Abbie Budden, Mary Moore and Thomas Oxley.
Tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
THE PURISTS (Kiln Theatre)
14th November – 21st December
The critically acclaimed show makes its European premiere asking the question – how far would you go to speak your truth?
Tickets from www.kilntheatre.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY (Birmingham Rep)
14th November – 5th January
Mark Gatiss‘ acclaimed retelling of Dickens’ winter ghost story visits The Rep this Christmas, starring Matthew Cottle as Scrooge and Rufus Hound as Jacob Marley. Filled with Dickensian, spine-tingling special effects, prepare to be frightened and delighted in equal measure as you enter this supernatural Victorian world.
THE UNSEEN (Riverside Studios)
15th November – 14th December
The London debut of Craig Wright’s gripping play features Richard Harrington and Waj Ali as two prisoners incarcerated together as it delves into the human spirit’s resilience under oppressive regimes.
Tickets from www.theunseenplay.com
KING JAMES (Hampstead Theatre)
15th November – 4th January
Multi-award winner Rajiv Joseph returns to Hampstead Theatre for this UK premiere of a play-by-play look at how friendship and supporting a team intersect
Tickets from www.hampsteadtheatre.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL(ISH) (@SohoPlace)
16th November – 31st December
Transferring to the West End, the much-beloved character of Mr. Swallow brings a reimagined Christmas extravaganza only he can deliver to the West End. Starring Nick Mohammed in the all-singing, all-dancing comedy retelling of Dickens’ festive classics.
Tickets from www.achristmascarolish.com.
MOZART: HER STORY (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
16th & 17th November
Based on the life of Mozart’s sister, Nan, this musical marries Mozart’s classics with over twenty contemporary original compositions for two special concert performances with an all-star cast including Gabrielle Brooks, Tyrone Huntley, Anthony Rapp and Laura Pitt-Pulford.
Tickets from www.lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/mozart-her-story/
JAMIE LAMBERT: WHAT WAS I MADE FOR (UK Tour)
17th – 25th November
Best known as one fourth of musical theatre group Collabro, Jamie embarks on his first solo tour in support of his first album What I Was Made For, including a stop in the West End at the Duchess Theatre on 25th November.
Dates and tickets at https://www.cuffeandtaylor.com/all-events/jamie-lambert-tickets-ae1504531
TENDER (Bush Theatre)
19th November – 21st December
The story of two people who find each other without even knowing they were looking, this moving new play by Eleanor Tindall reunites the team behind the record-breaking Bush Studio hit This Might Not Be It.
Tickets from https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/tender/
THE HAPPIEST MAN ON EARTH (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
20th November – 14th December
The UK stage debut of this momentous one-man-play explores the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness, as Holocaust survivor Eddie Jaku shares his wisdom on his 100th birthday, paying tribute to those lost.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (Lyttlelton Theatre)
20th November – 25th January
Oscar Wilde’s joyful and flamboyant comedy is reimagined by Max Webster with a cast including Ncuti Gatwa, Sharon D Clarke and High Skinner.
Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk
NAPOLEON: UN PETIT PANTOMIME (Jermyn Street Theatre)
21st November – 5th January 2025
Jermyn Street Theatre reunite with Charles Court Opera to take on one of history’s greatest stories with a cast including Elliot Broadfoot, Jennie Jacobs and Matthew Kellett.
Tickets from www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk
EXPENDABLE (Royal Court)
21st November – 21st December
The world premiere of Emteaz Hussain’s play gives voices to the often-overlooked experiences of British Pakistani women, delving into the shortcomings of our national institutions - law enforcement, politicians and the media.
Tickets from https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/expendable/
THE LIGHTNING THIEF (The Other Palace)
23rd November – 2nd February 2025
The London premiere of the musical based on the best-selling book series stars Max Harwood as Percy Jackson whose life takes a dramatic turn when he discovers he is the half-blood son of the Greek God, Poseidon, plunging him into a world much bigger than he could possibly have imagined.
Tickets from theotherpalace.co.uk
MY FAIR LADY (Curve Leicester)
23rd November – 4th January
Molly Lynch stars as Eliza Doolittle in this new production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s classic musical, with a cast also included David Seadon-Young, Minal Patel and Steve Furst.
Tickets from www.curveonline.co.uk
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: WHAT A WHOPPER! (Charing Cross Theatre)
23rd November – 11th January 2025
This profoundly silly and staggeringly naughty adult pantomime is written by Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper with a cast led by Keana Adolphus Johnson as the poor, gay and very horny Jack Trott.
Tickets from www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk
TWELFTH NIGHT (Orange Tree Theatre)
23rd November – 25th January 2025
Jane Asher and Oliver Ford Davies star in this new intimate production of Shakespeare’s heartrending and hilarious masterpiece of mistaken identities and secret desires, setting the action in the 1940s.
Tickets from orangetreetheatre.co.uk
PINOCCHIO (Theatre Royal Stratford East)
23rd November – 4th January 2025
This year’s festive production at Stratford sees the wooden puppet try to keep off the crooked path, as he battles the trials and tribulations of becoming a “real boy”.
Tickets from www.stratfordeast.com
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS IN CONCERT (London Palladium)
24th November
Marking 20 years since the musical premiered, Ramin Karimloo and Hadley Fraser star in this uproariously funny show set in the glamorous French Riviera. Returning to London for a one-night-only concert production, it also stars Cameron Blakely and Alex Young.
BALLET SHOES (Olivier Theatre)
26th November – 22nd February
The first major stage adaptation of Noel Streatfield’s best-selling book revitalises the beloved story in a family show set in a crumbling house full of dinosaur bones and fossils.
Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk.
THE PRODUCERS (Menier Chocolate Factory)
26th November – 1st March 2025
The first major London revival of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation hits the Menier, directed by Tony Award-winner Patrick Marber. It stars Andy Numan, Marc Antolin, Harry Morrison, Joanna Woodward, Trevor Ashley and Raj Ghatak, skewering Broadway traditions and taking no prisoners as it proudly proclaims itself an "equal opportunity offender!"
Tickets fron www.menierchocolatefactory.com
THE SIMPLE LIFE & DEATH (Pleasance Theatre)
27th November – 7th December
This groundbreaking new show makes a fantastic world premiere, placing a murderous spin on Paris Hilton’s iconic noughties reality show. A queer cabaret that is part-panto, part-sketch comedy, this whimsical production will play heavily on pop culture from the 00’s and serve as a positive, empowering representation for the trans community.
Tickets from https://www.shayshay.show/simple-life
WHITE CHRISTMAS (The Mill at Sonning)
27th November – 18th January 2025
The stage adaptation of the classic film features classic songs from Irving Berling including the timeless title number. Jonathan O’Boyle directs this uplifting, wholesome musical that will delight audiences of all ages.
Tickets from www.millatsonning.com
THE CRUMPLE ZONE (Stage Door Theatre)
27th November – 4th January
This hilarious Off-Broadway hit, set in a run-down apartment on Staten Island, centres on three roommates coming to a crisis during one frantic Christmas weekend.
Tickets from stagedoortheatre.co.uk
A VERY NAUGHTY CHRISTMAS (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
28th November – 11th January 2025
Christmas cabaret, stand-up comedy, burlesque and musical theatre all rolled into one, this spectacular, sexy, silly, naughty and hilarious take on Christmas storms the London stage after achieving cult status in Australia.
Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
HOMO ALONE (The Other Palace)
29th November – 5th January 2025
A parody of the much-loved Christmas film stars Elliott Evans as Kevin McCallister is written by Jodie Prenger and Bobby Delaney, returning after last year’s successful Christmas show at the Studio.
Tickets from https://theotherpalace.co.uk/homo-alone
HANSEL AND GRETEL (Shakespeare’s Globe)
29th November – 5th January
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Hansel and Gretel, as a new version of The Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage transforms the Globe Theatre with poetry, songs and hope this winter.
As well as all these new openings, it is also your last chance to see some favourites with the following playing their final performances (for now at least) this month:
BECOMING NANCY (Birmingham Rep) - ends 2nd November
WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT (@SohoPlace) - ends 9th November
THE CABINET MINISTER (Menier Chocolate Factory) - ends 16th November A FACE IN THE CROWD (Young Vic) - ends 9th November
JUNO AND THE PAYCOCK (Gielgud Theatre) - ends 23rd November
FLY MORE THAN YOU FALL (Southwark Playhouse Borough) - ends 23rd November
What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on all of them, and look out for reviews of many of them on the website over the next month.
To have your show included in the December 2024 preview or any other monthly post, send me an email with details of your show and I’ll include as many as possible.
See you in the theatre!