Unbelievably, we are now into the final month of the year. While new openings will get quieter over the Christmas and New Year period, there is still plenty of new shows to enjoy as we all get festive and cosy. So here are 24 shows to keep us going while we wait for Santa:
GHOSTED – ANOTHER F**KING CHRISTMAS CAROL (The Other Palace)
December 1st – 24th
This new, adults only Christmas comedy sees Eloisa Scrooge get a makeover from an exuberant trio of queer ghosts. Tickets from https://theotherpalace.co.uk/ghosted-another-fing-christmas-carol/
SONS OF THE PROPHET (Hampstead Theatre)
December 2nd - January 14th 2023
Stephen Karam returns to Hampstead Theatre with the European premiere of his award-winning comedy. Starring Raphael Akuwudike, Holly Atkins, Juliet Cowan, Jack Holden, Raad Rawi, Irfan Shamji, Eric Sirakian, and Sue Wallace, tickets from hampsteadtheatre.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Rose Theatre)
December 2nd – January 2nd 2023
There is no shortage of adaptations of Dickens’ classic to pick from this season but this adaptation from Morgan Llloyd Malcolm might just have the edge. Tickets from http://www.rosetheatre.org/
PARADISE NOW (Bush Theatre)
December 2nd – January 21st 2023
This funny and raging new play is about ambition, exploitation and kinship in a world that wants to keep us strangers. Tickets from bushtheatre.co.uk
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (New Wimbledon Theatre)
December 3rd - 31st
A star-studded cast assemble as Ruthie Henshall, Brenda Edwards, Lee Mead, Matthew Kelly, Dick & Dom ,John Archer and Hannah Lowther will all star in Wimbledon's panto this year. Tickets from atgtickets.com
MOTHER GOOSE (Theatre Royal Brighton/Duke Of York's Theatre)
December 3rd - 11th/December 15th - January 29th 2023
An absolutely huge panto bursts out of its egg this month as Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop lead a production that proves a panto isn't just for Christmas. Kicking off in Brighton before a West End run, it then continues to tour the UK until Easter 2023. Full dates and tickets from www.mothergooseshow.co.uk
BUGSY MALONE (Alexandra Palace Theatre)
December 3rd - January 15th 2023
Bugsy is back in London for a limited season as part of its extensive UK tour. Get your tickets from bugsymalonethemusical.com
AS YOU LIKE IT (@SohoPlace)
December 6th - January 28th 2023
Shakespeare's classic becomes the second production at Londonthe West Ends newest feature and their first original production. Starring Leah Harvey, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Alfred Enoch and Martha Plimpton, tickets from nimaxtheatres.com
HOLY SH*T (Riverside Studios)
December 6th – 17th
This dark comedy digs up questions surrounding fate and mortality and stars Jack Dillon, Rafael Aptroot, Flora Douglas and Kieran Taylor-Ford. Tickets from https://riversidestudios.co.uk
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Bridge Theatre)
December 6th – 31st
Simon Russell Beale and Eben Figueriredo return to the Bridge for Nicholas Hytner’s production of the festive favourite. After having its 2020 run cut short sue to Covid, it now gets a chance to enjoy a full December run. Tickets from http://www.bridgetheatre.co.uk/
A CHRISTMAS CAROL-ISH (Soho Theatre)
December 7th – 23rd
Nick Mohammed, Sarah Hadland, Kieran Hodgson and David Elms star in this musical retelling of… well, you get it by now. Tickets from https://sohotheatre.com/
WHO'S HOLIDAY (Southwark Playhouse)
December 7th – January 7th 2023
Drag Race icon Miz Cracker stars in the European debut of this wildly funny and heartfelt adults-only comedy based on the Dr Seuss classic festive tale The Grinch. Tickets from https://tuckshopuk.com/event/whos-holiday
LIVE AT LOLA’S (Hippodrome Casino)
December 8th
This new concert series opens with a festive theatrical celebration. A mix of music and theatrical chat, this month sees Christine Allado, Hadley Fraser, Isaac Hesketh and Carly Mercedes Dyer join the chat. Tickets from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/live-at-lolas-tickets-443191897897
DOLLY PARTON’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS CAROL (Southbank Centre)
December 8th – January 8th 2023
Dolly Parton brings her Smoky Mountain adaptation of Dickens Christmas Carol to London for a limited season. Set in East Tennessee in the 1930s, this production imagines Scrooge as the owner of a mining company town. Tickets from http://www.dollyschristmascarol.com/
DERREN BROWN - SHOWMAN (Apollo Theatre)
December 9th – March 19th 2023
Fresh from a 155 date national tour, Derren Brown takes over the West End for a 3 month run of his universally acclaimed show. The contents of the show remain undisclosed but expect his unique brand of uplifting magical genius. Tickets from www.derrenbrown.co.uk
WATCH ON THE RHINE (Donmar Warehouse)
December 9th – February 4th 2023
Lillian Hellman’s political thriller stars Kate Duchene, Caitlin FitzGerald and Patricia Hodge. Tickets from www.donmarwarehouse.com
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK (London Palladium)
December 10th - January 15th 2023
The biggest panto each year returns with an all star cast led by Dawn French, Julian Clary and Alexandra Burke. Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot return, joined by Louis Gaunt, Rob Madge and Natalie McQueen in a panto that looks to be a visual spectacular this year. Tickets from http://www.palladiumpantomime.com/
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Almeida Theatre)
December 10th – February 4th 2023
Tennessee Williams’ classic is brought back to life in this new production by Rebecca Frecknall, following her sensational revival of Cabaret. Starring Paul Mescal, Anjana Vasan, Dwane Walcott and Lydia Wilson, tickets from Almeida.co.uk
SIERRA BOGGESS LIVE IN CONCERT (Cadogan Hall)
December 11th The Broadway and West End star returns to London for two Christmas concerts. Featuring a mix of songs she is known for and loves to perform alongside some holiday music, tickets from www.fw-live.com/sierra
THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE (The Lowry, Salford)
December 12th - January 8th 2023
Following a critically acclaimed West End run, the first UK tour of this spectacular adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel kicks off with a month in Salford. The tour continues until September 2023. Full dates and tickets from https://oceanonstage.com/#tour
ONE WOMAN SHOW (Ambassadors Theatre)
December 14th – January 21st 2023
The critically acclaimed smash hit transfers to the West End. Writtem by and starring Liz Kingsman, tickets from https://onewomanshow.co.uk/
THE WIFE OF WILLESDEN (Kiln Theatre)
December 14th – January 28th 2023
Zadie Smith’s award-winning play returns to the Kiln ahead of a US transfer. Adapted from Chaucer’s The Wife Of Bath, tickets from www.KilnTheatre.com
CLAUS THE MUSICAL (The Lowry, Salford)
December 14th - January 8th 2023
The world premiere of the musical based on the classic by L.Frank Baum tells the story of Santa Claus as he embarks on a journey to bring the miracle of Christmas to the whole world. Tickets from www.thelowry.com
CIRCUS 1903 (Eventim Apollo)
December 15th - January 1st
Roll up as the best circus in town returns to London. With sensational puppetry from the award-winning team behind War Horse, alongside a huge cast of the most unique, jaw-dropping and surprising acts from all four corners of the globe – this is the Christmas show not to be missed. Tickets from www.circus1903.com
WEST END MUSICAL CHRISTMAS (Lyric Theatre)
December 19th
The West End Musical series returns for another festive spectacular, following an amazing Halloween treat. Boasting unique performances from Layton Williams, Rachel John, Shanay Holmes, Oliver Ormson, Sophie Isaacs, Laura Pick and Star Of Musical Con winner Joshua Williams, tickets from https://nimaxtheatres.com/shows/west-end-musical-christmas-lyric/
That's the last monthly preview of the year. I'll be spoiling you with multiple previews over the next few weeks though - my huge round up of pantos around the UK is already up. Look out for more round ups of shows to enjoy over the Christmas break and a huuuuuge 2023 preview - all while the Tree is still up!
If you have a show you want to be included in a future monthly preview, send me a DM or Twitter or Insta or email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com to get them included.