RECOMMENDED SHOWS CURRENTLY STILL PLAYING
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG★★★★★Duchess Theatre
THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at the Duchess Theatre ★★★★★ “May it enjoy 10 more years of destroyed sets and injured cast members!” The Play That Goes Wrong celebrates its 10th anniversary this year making it the 28th longest-running show on the West End. Conceived by the Mischief Theatre Company,
MEAN GIRLS★★★★★Savoy Theatre
MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre ★★★★★ “The performances are rich and joyous. It’s hard to take a part that’s so familiar and make it your own, but this cast does it.” In case you’ve been living under a rock, this show is a Covid delayed U.K. premiere of the
ROCKY HORROR SHOW★★★★UK Tour
ROCKY HORROR SHOW at the Dominion Theatre ★★★★ “pure anarchic campy joy” First produced at The Royal Court in 1973, Rocky Horror has been entrancing its cult fan base for over 50 years and this new production follows confidently in the show’s successful footsteps. The plot is incoherent, and broadly
THE CREAKERS★★★★Queen Elizabeth Hall
THE CREAKERS Queen Elizabeth Hall ★★★★ “Gather up your kids and have a good time at The Creakers!” The Creakers is a musical version of Tom Fletcher’s much loved children’s book of the same name. It’s about a group of kids who have to rescue their parents from a sinister
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA★★★★★Dominion Theatre
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA at the Dominion Theatre ★★★★★ “Crisp, dazzling, bold and brash” Back in 2003 a young woman was hired as a personal assistant to a very well-known editor-in-chief for ‘Vogue’ magazine. When Dame Anna Wintour (for it was she) learned that a novel (reportedly earning its author
PINOCCHIO★★★★Theatre Royal Stratford East
PINOCCHIO at the Theatre Royal Stratford East ★★★★ “an eye-popping, feel-good extravaganza” Theatre Royal Stratford East leads its audience on a magical mystery tour with its vibrant retelling of the Pinocchio story, blessed with neon colours, funky beats – and a fairy to die for. Sizzling with energy and dressed
GUYS & DOLLS★★★★★Bridge Theatre
GUYS & DOLLS at the Bridge Theatre ★★★★★ “Hytner’s production is a thrilling experience full of surprises” Guys & Dolls has been playing at the Bridge Theatre since March 2023 in Nicholas Hytner’s reimagined production which turns the 1950s Broadway musical into full-on immersive production. Its final cast change before
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS★★★★Arcola Theatre
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS Arcola Theatre ★★★★ “Although lacking the traditional sleigh bells and Santa, it does have sufficient nostalgia, silliness and giggles to fill a panto-shaped hole” In case you’re wondering, “Hold on to your butts” is a line from Samuel L Jackson as he is about to
HADESTOWN★★★★★Lyric Theatre
HADESTOWN at the Lyric Theatre ★★★★★ “Hadestown is the West End musical you’ll want to see this year. And next year. And the year after.” Hadestown is that remarkable thing: an adaptation of a tragic Greek myth that isn’t an opera or a film, or a series of elegiac poems,
BETTE & JOAN★★★★Park Theatre
BETTE & JOAN Park Theatre ★★★★ “A stupendous performance … witty and moving” Set conflicts, long lived feuds and a peek in the life of the big Hollywood stars. After series like Ryan Murphy’s Feud and Hollywood started swarming the media, it’s clear that audiences want to see what unfolds
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT★★★★Hackney Empire
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT Hackney Empire ★★★★ “This is a campy and silly way to spend an evening, but feels festive and fun” This is a rollicking rollercoaster of a panto. Written by Will Brenton and directed by Clive Rowe (who also stars) it remains true to the classic
AN INSPECTOR CALLS★★★★UK Tour
AN INSPECTOR CALLS at the Alexandra Palace Theatre ★★★★ “a magnificent spectacle of a classic play that continues to engage” J B Priestley’s ‘An Inspector Calls’ continues its over 30 year run on tour this year, and I was lucky enough to see it played at Alexandra Palace. Like most
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812★★★★★Donmar Warehouse
NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★ “The performances are uniformly superb, the skin of each character ripped open by the flaming crossbow of passion” A major comet is visible from earth on average every five to ten years, while a great comet is visible every
COLIN HOULT: COLIN★★★★UK Tour
COLIN HOULT: COLIN at the Soho Theatre ★★★★ “a beautifully constructed show, every chaotic choice pays off” Colin Hoult was named after his father, and so he grew up as little (likkle) Colin. This is the springboard for a warm and moving show that muses on the language of neurodiversity,
CINDERELLA★★★★★Cambridge Arts Theatre
CINDERELLA Cambridge Arts Theatre ★★★★★ “side-splittingly funny, intelligent and the song and dance numbers are a delight” Pantomime season is amongst us again and this year in Cambridge it is the turn of Cinderella written by Al Lockhart-Morley and directed by Michael Gattrell. Painted backdrops (Ian Westbrook, set designer) featuring
🎭 TOP CHRISTMAS SHOW 2024 🎭POTTED PANTO★★★★★Wilton’s Music Hall
POTTED PANTO Wilton’s Music Hall ★★★★★ “This is the only panto you’ll ever need. It’s the festive season in a nutshell.” If you are a pantomime completist, you can easily knock off a handy six – or is it seven? – in one night at Wilton’s Music Hall and have
FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY★★★★★Apollo Theatre
FAWLTY TOWERS – THE PLAY at the Apollo Theatre ★★★★★ “Adam Jackson-Smith steps into Basil, embodying the neurotic hotelier with pin-point accuracy” The stage is set with the familiar interior of the eponymous Fawlty Towers with the reception, restaurant and a small guest room raised upstage above the lobby (Liz
KING JAMES★★★★Hampstead Theatre
KING JAMES at Hampstead Theatre ★★★★ “a pitch perfect dissection of male friendship, that tender bond painted in violent strokes” The saying (almost) goes, of all the unimportant things, sport is the most important. One reason: sport is the lingua franca of male friendship, all those off-the-shelf metaphors and handy
WHITE CHRISTMAS★★★★The Mill at Sonning
WHITE CHRISTMAS The Mill at Sonning ★★★★ “There is a simplicity to the evening that allows the storytelling and the inherent values of its message shine through” The rain is falling from a dark, wintry sky and storm Darragh is rumbling away in the near distance heralding its arrival across
🎭 A TOP SHOW IN DECEMBER 2024 🎭THE PRODUCERS★★★★★Menier Chocolate Factory
THE PRODUCERS Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★ “Its biting, irreverent satire is the most delicious slap in the face you’ll ever experience” “It is shocking, outrageous and insulting… and I loved every minute”. That is a quote from Mel Brooks’ and Thomas Meehan’s musical, but it could easily be the tagline
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON ★★★★★Ambassadors Theatre
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON at the Ambassadors Theatre ★★★★★ “every member of the ensemble cast is a vital cog in the intricate mechanism of this fine piece of theatre” Five years ago, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” unveiled itself to little fanfare at Southwark Playhouse. Jethro Compton’s
BARCELONA★★★★Duke of York’s Theatre
BARCELONA at the Duke of York’s Theatre ★★★★ “The performances are exceptionally strong. Collins is impressive as the loose cannon, unpredictable and unsure of herself.” Two characters, a world apart, are thrown together in Bess Wohl’s play, “Barcelona”. The cultural divide is as gaping as you can get but our
SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW★★★★Harold Pinter Theatre
SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW Harold Pinter Theatre ★★★★ “funny and innocent theatre” If you are looking for the most delightful, happy Festive show for everyone to enjoy then look no further – Slava’s Snow Show has arrived at the Harold Pinter Theatre, in a welcome return to the West End. Asissai the
NAPOLEON: UN PETIT PANTOMIME★★★★Jermyn Street Theatre
NAPOLEON: UN PETIT PANTOMIME at Jermyn Street Theatre ★★★★ “the performers put on an impressive show without a moment’s rest” As the festive season approaches, the time of pantomime comes without holding back. In this production co created by Jermyn Street Theatre and Charles Court Opera, who will be celebrating
HERE YOU COME AGAIN★★★★Riverside Studios
HERE YOU COME AGAIN Riverside Studios ★★★★ “an unexpected gem (or should that be rhinestone) of a show” Should Dolly Parton ever fall on hard times, there is definitely a career for her as a self-help therapist. At least according to the feel-good musical “Here You Come Again”. The Country
MAISIE ADAM – APPRAISAL★★★★UK Tour
MAISIE ADAM – APPRAISAL at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House ★★★★ “a welcomingly confrontational and awkward evening of stand-up with a bit of something for everyone” On the biggest night of her new tour, Maisie Adam presents a raucous night of heckling the audience right back, and journeying through
THE LEHMAN TRILOGY★★★★★Gillian Lynne Theatre
THE LEHMAN TRILOGY at the Gillian Lynne Theatre ★★★★★ “a towering study of human drives, frailties, venality and, yes, exuberance” On September 15, 2008, something was stirring. I went to the window of my Canary Wharf office and peered down to see an ant trail of sacked Lehman Bros workers
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST★★★★New Theatre Royal
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST New Theatre Royal ★★★★ “this show will leave you smiling, laughing and thoroughly entertained” The New Theatre Royal Portsmouth’s Beauty and the Beast is an enchanting pantomime that captures the magic of this cherished Christmas tradition. Created in association with Jordan Productions and directed by Hannah
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY★★★★Soho Theatre
BALL & BOE – FOR FOURTEEN NIGHTS ONLY Soho Theatre ★★★★ “clever, funny, and meticulously crafted” Adam Riches said of this show that the aim is for the audience to “walk into a room where you genuinely don’t know what it’s going to be” and as that, the show is
🎭 TOP TOURING SHOW 2024 🎭WAR HORSE ★★★★★UK Tour
WAR HORSE at The Lowry ★★★★★ “Every part is played with truth and passion, the cast make us feel, even cry at times” The National Theatre’s new production based on the well known, much loved book by author Michael Morpurgo, is compelling viewing. A powerful indictment of conflict and the
ALICE IN WONDERLAND★★★★★Brixton House
ALICE IN WONDERLAND at Brixton House ★★★★★ “a breath-taking instant classic for the London festive season” What is at the end of the Victoria line? Rap battles and the Jabberwocky. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a classic book beloved by children and adults alike. Finding a first
THE SNOWMAN★★★★Peacock Theatre
THE SNOWMAN at the Peacock Theatre ★★★★ “playful, spectacular and touching” One Christmas Eve, a young boy’s snowman comes to life and takes him on a journey to the North Pole. The Snowman is a transfixing dance show for all ages in celebration of visual storytelling and Christmas enchantment. In
WHY AM I SO SINGLE?★★★★Garrick Theatre
WHY AM I SO SINGLE? at the Garrick Theatre ★★★★ “an incredibly fun, comedic and beautifully heart-warming show that everyone can enjoy” Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s ‘Why am I So Single?’ debuts in the West End, following the writers’ extremely successful ‘Six’. This new musical cleverly follows a meta
LA CLIQUE★★★★Christmas in Leicester Square
LA CLIQUE at Christmas in Leicester Square ★★★★ “the perfect Christmas treat” It was twenty years ago today (well, give or take a couple of months) that David Bates unveiled his alternative cabaret show at the Edinburgh Festival. Although it has grown in stature and reputation over the years it
A CHRISTMAS CAROL★★★★★Old Vic
A CHRISTMAS CAROL at the Old Vic ★★★★★ “an evening of pure magic” You could argue (and many people do) that the run up to Christmas gets earlier and earlier each year. No sooner have the pumpkins rotted and the fake cobwebs blown away from the city’s hedgerows, than the
