⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Those Dickensian drunkards make a welcome return with a marvellously messy and spectacularly scandalous new production.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Scandal, desire, and deception collide in a rural pub where notoriety reigns. A compelling but uneven revival of Synge’s classic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s classic fails to collect all the ingredients for a winning recipe

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Matthew Bourne's lush adaptation of the beloved film reruns to the site of its London debut ahead of a UK tour.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A traditional pantomime with showstopping performances and an appearance from British icon Basil Brush.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This swashbuckling musical adventure is a production full of riches

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  This mixed reality installation and holographic gallery makes for a harrowing but vital experience

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The true crime genre-defying hit returns to London in what is undoubtedly THE best play of the year

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The endless quality of war meets the complex idea of captivity in this thrilling, unsettling UK premiere.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dance troupe Diversity lead this festive and funny pantomime about the famous British folk hero.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The festive staple delivers on fun and laughter and joy ever after

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Full of charm and wit, the RSC’s latest offering dazzles younger theatregoers but doesn’t reach its full potential.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The UK premiere of this deceptive genre-switching play is a strong contender for the best play of the year

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A fang-tastic festive romp with killer vocals and coffin-sized charm. Horror gets hilarious in this musical monster mash.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The harbingers of queer chaos return with a send-up of Hallmark romcoms in their best production yet

The pair talk about performing together as mother and son in the UK premiere of Daniel’s Husband

⭐️⭐️⭐️ An absurdist mash-up musical goes for maximum chaos, with mostly successful results.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The classic story is brought to life in a new musical adaptation at the Wooden O in a hot ticket production that is sure to be a real buy

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A touching and intimate musical in development. Deep in the bunker, the music soars but the story itself still needs to see some light.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Salisbury’s annual festive offering is fee-fi-fo-fun

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ He’s Behind You! return with an adults-only pantomime twist on the fairy tale that will leave you gagging with laughter

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ENO bring a witty, high-seas delight to the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, making this a fun, family-friendly operatic voyage

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Cirencester theatre offers a superb retelling of Charles Dickens’ timeless classic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 100 years since its debut, Noël Coward’s farce may not be as shocking as it was, but it’s every bit as hilarious.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A highlight of the festival season, making a solid claim for the fairest panto of them all.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A deep dive into unravelling love in a powerful queer two-hander in this gripping, intimate debut

⭐️⭐️ An immersive experience transporting you to Charles Dickens’ Victorian home left me starving for more

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A modern twist on the festive tale makes this immersive dining experience the best night out in London this Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The musical adaptation of the classic body-swap story makes its UK premiere

⭐️⭐️ Douglas Adams’ classic comes to London in a new immersive experience that squanders all potential for an aimless adventure bordering on disaster

The best new openings to enjoy this festive season

A returning guest and his latest partner-in-crime talk about their recent musical in a particularly chaotic episepisode

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The musical adaptation of the much-loved character is easily the best show of the year in a production London will look after for years

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A soulful and heartwarming new folk-music take on Hans Christian Anderson's classic story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An adult alternative this panto season offers the audience a different kind of wholesome fun.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ An ambitious new production of the Lerner and Loewe classic brings new life to the classic in an evening that’s simply loverly

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Two undertakers, one restless corpse, and a morgue full of mayhem. Darkly funny, even if the second act loses its spark.

⭐️⭐️ A great concept in need of a clearer identity means this festive story could shine, but is not our guiding star this Christmas.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Returning for its ninth year, the now traditional take on Dickens’ classic is better than ever before

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A haunting night of music and poetry from the internationally acclaimed Irish singer and performer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A darkly comic look at a young aspiring influencer that blends performer and audience for an evening of social media madness.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Festive frights and Victorian delights in a loyal retelling full of gothic ghosts, lavish stagecraft and irresistible charm.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The classic Christmas film’Love Actually’ gets parodied in a musical filled with innuendo and iconic characters.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ The writing of John le Carré hits the stage for the first time in an enjoyable albeit slightly uneven production

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ American magician David Kwong invites audiences to solve a one of a kind puzzle in his new solo show

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A strong cast of three bring the Charles Dickens classic to life with mixed results

⭐️⭐️  Though full of potential, this muddled production never quite strikes twelve, tumbling through a mystery that’s more fizzle than flair

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The world-premiere stage adaptation pirouettes into London for a second festive season, better than ever before and proving it can never be tutu much.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ A dressing room becomes a battleground for ambition in this inventive but imperfect adaptation of Julius Caesar.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Alaa Shehada’s comedy is an arresting coming-of-age tale in a production that is both enjoyable and thought-provoking