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February Preview: 40 Shows To Fall In Love With

One month down, eleven to go. 2026 is in full swing, and though February might be the shortest month, there is no shortage of amazing new shows opening throughout the month, with some huge new shows and concerts in the West End and all over the UK.

Here are my top 40 to check out in February:


LOVE LIFE: WEST END UNITES AGAINST CANCER(Theatre Royal Drury Lane)



1st February


In support of One For The Boys, the men’s health charity working to break the silence around male cancer, a star-studded concert will take place including a Sunset Boulevard from Nicole Scherzinger and Tom Francis alongside Alex Newell, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Lucie Jones, Ben Joyce and an exclusive preview of Redcliffe from Jordan Luke Gage.



MONSTERING THE ROCKETMAN (ArcolaTheatre)



3rd - 21st February


The London premiere of this multi-award-winning sellout smash is based on the true story of Britain’s biggest-ever libel suit between Elton John and The Sun newspaper.



MILES (Southwark Playhouse Borough)



4th February - 7th March


Performed by Jay Phelps, this fusion of live jazz and theatre explores the life, legend and legacy of Miles Davis.



DRACULA (Noel Coward Theatre)



4th February - 30th May


Cynthia Erivo stars in Sydney Theatre Company’s acclaimed one-actor adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, playing all 23 characters in a production adapted and directed by visionary theatre-maker Kip Williams.



SHADOWLANDS (Aldwych Theatre)



5th February - 9th May


William Nicholson’s beloved and deeply moving play SHADOWLANDS, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh stars High Bonneville as C.S. Lewis, the celebrated author of The Chronicles of Narnia, whose orderly academic life is upturned and transformed by the unexpected love of American poet Joy Davidman, played by Maggie Siff.



CASH ON DELIVERY (The Mill at Sonning)



5th February - 4th April


A fast-paced, whirlwind of a play that has all the ingredients for rib-tickling hilarity. Chaos erupts as mistaken identities, frantic cover-ups, and rapid-fire misunderstandings spiral out of control. 



DEAR LIAR (Jermyn Street Theatre)



5th February - 7th March


Jerome Kilty’s play reveals the extraordinary bond between two theatrical titans, George Bernard Shaw and the brilliant actress ‘Mrs Pat’. In their witty, unfiltered words, attraction collides with ambition as the world transforms around them. A play about how we change — and what we hold on to.



DOUBLE INDEMNITY (UK & Ireland Tour)



5th February - 9th May


The thrilling new stage adaptation of one of the greatest crime novels of the 20th century stars Hollywood icon Mischa Barton in her UK stage debut. The tour opens at Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre before heading around the uK and Ireland ahead of a planned West End season.


Dates and tickets at www.doubleindemnityplay.com 


UNFORTUNATE - THE UNTOLD STORY OF URSULA THE SEA WITCH (The Other Palace)



6th February - 5th April


Diving into the story of everyone’s favourite Disney diva, as she spills the tea on what really goes on under the sea in this tale of sex, sorcery and suckers!



LARK RISE TO CANDLEFORD (Watermill Theatre/Theatre By The Lake)



6th February - 18th April


Woven together with original music performed by an ensemble cast, this new version tells a story of cherished memories, finding your wings and the threads that bind us to home.



THE BOY AT THE BACK OF THE CLASS (Rose Theatre/UK Tour)



6th February - 23rd May


Based on the novel by Onjali Q. Raúf, adapted by Nick Ahad and directed by Monique Touko, this story highlights the power of friendship and kindness in a world that doesn’t always make sense and reminds us that everyone needs a place to call home. It kicks off a run in Kingston ahead of a UK tour.



THE SH!THEADS (Royal Court)



6th February - 14th March


Jack Nicholls’ debut play drags us back to the beginnings of who we are, in a world premiere co-directed by Royal Court Resident Director Aneesha Srinivasan and Artistic Director David Byrne. 



THE BEEKEEPER OF ALEPPO (UK Tour)



7th February - 13th June


This adaptation of Christy Lefteri’s best-selling novel by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler returns for a new national tour, beginning at Nottingham Playhouse.


DEEP AZURE (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)



7th February - 11th April


Experience a power of story of love, grief and justice by the late actor and writer Chadwick Boseman in a production inspired by the true events of university student Prince Jones, influenced by the poetry of Shakespeare and powered by the pulse of Hip-Hop theatre.



LEGALLY BLONDE (UK & Ireland Tour)



7th February - 7th January 2027


Amber Davies stars as Elle Woods in the brand-new Made at Curve production of the smash-hit musical comedy



SWEETMEATS (Bush Theatre)



7th February - 21st March


An intimate love story between two South Asian elders, this charming world premiere by Karim Khan will pull at your heartstrings.



1.17am, or until the words run out (Finborough Theatre)



10th February - 7th March


A claustrophobic, unexpectedly funny new play about friendship, lies and the things we can’t say to the people we need most



GLORIOUS! (UK Tour)



10th February - 6th June


Wendi Peters stars in the 20th anniversary UK tour of the hit West End comedy about American socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, dubbed ‘the worst singer in the world’, who staged and starred in classical recitals in major venues including Carnegie Hall. 


Dates and tickets at www.gloriousplay.com


THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND (The Swan/@SohoPlace)



10th February - 28th March/25th April - 18th July


A bold and uplifting new musical which tells the true story of William Kamkwamba who had the courage to dream in the face of impossible odds. It premieres at the RSC in February, before heading to the West End in April.



THE NIGHT LARRY KRAMER KISSED ME (Hope Mill Theatre/Seven Dials Playhouse)



10th - 14th February/17th February - 1st March


This groundbreaking solo piece charts one man’s personal journey through self-discovery, desire, loss and activism. With a kaleidoscope of characters and vivid vignettes, the play captures the passion and urgency of the 1980s AIDS crisis, inspired by the indomitable spirit of playwright and activist Larry Kramer. It plays short runs in Manchester and London this month.



AFTER MISS JULIE (Park Theatre)



11th - 28th February


Strindberg’s brutal love tragedy is brought vividly to life by Patrick Marber. On the eve of Labour’s historic 1945 election win, Julie, daughter of a powerful MP, and her father’s chauffeur, John, spark a forbidden flirtation that quickly turns into a tense, deadly struggle for power, desire, and survival.



THE BATTLE (Birmingham Rep/Manchester Opera House)



11th February - 7th March/17th - 21st March


Mathew Horne stars in this new comedy based (mostly) on real events in a blistering and darkly funny exploration of fame, ego, and the cultural clashes of 1990s Britain. It plays in Birmingham and Manchester ahead of a planned West End run.



SPANISH ORANGES (Playground Theatre)



11th February - 7th March


James Bond Actress Maryam D’abo stars as Fiona Stedman in acclaimed author Alba Arikha’s debut play. Set over a single turbulent morning, this razor-sharp play examines the shifting power dynamics between love and ambition, truth and narrative, art and the people it consumes. 

  


BIRD GROVE (Hampstead Theatre)



13th February - 21st March


Alexi Kaye Campbell’s witty and topical new play questions how we can live alongside those we disagree with, and places centre stage the untold story of one of England’s greatest writers, in a poignant exploration of family ties and self-determination. Elizabeth Dulau and Owen Teale star as Mary Ann Evans and Robert Evans, respectively.



EVENING ALL AFTERNOON (Donmar Warehouse)



14th February - 11th April


Anastasia Hille and Erin Kellyman star in this tender new play from multi-award-winner Anna Ziegler in a story about things lost and things remembered and how sometimes, in order to live, you have to face what’s no longer there.



LUCIE JONES (London Palladium)



16th February


The West End star plays her biggest solo concert to date. Expect reinventions of musical theatre favourites, blistering covers, and a few raw, unexpected moments that pull you right into her world. And she’s got company; surprise appearances and unique collaborations will make this a night you can’t miss.


Tickets from luciejones.com. 


BITCH BOXER (Arcola Theatre)



18th February - 14th March


The electrifying debut play from award-winning playwright Charlie Josephine is a fearless one-woman drama exploring grief, girlhood and the inner strength required to take a swing against the system.


Tickets from arcolatheatre.com


BLINK (King’s Head Theatre)



19th February - 22nd March


A bittersweet rom-com for the digital age, this is a story about seeing and being seen, watching and being watched, and about love.



PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT (UK & Ireland Tour)



19th February - 18th July


Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes, Peter Duncan and Adèle Anderson star in the newest tour of the internationally acclaimed musical, featuring no shortage of iconic disco anthems,



MIDNIGHT (Sadler’s Wells East)



20th February - 8th March


Following a sell-out season last year, Todrick Hall’s musical returns for a second developmental run with a star cast including Marisha Wallace and Rachel Tucker. Set in America’s South during the nineteenth century, this bold new musical is a sweeping story of love, conflict, and the search for understanding sung through a vibrant mix of gospel, rhythm and blues, classical, pop, rock, opera, folk, and classic musical theatre.



WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? (Oxford Playhouse)



20th February - 7th March


Oxford Playhouse marks its return to producing with a stylistically inventive main stage production of Edward Albee’s fast-paced, bitingly funny and emotionally devastating play.



BROKEN GLASS (Young Vic)



21st February - 18th April


Pearl Chanda, Juliet Cowan, Eli Gelb and Alex Waldmann star in this rare revival of Arthur Miller’s thrilling psychological drama.



TO MAURY, WITH LOVE (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)



22nd February


Graham Bickley, Rob Houchen and Kelly Mathieson  join Ramin Karimloo to celebrate multi-Tony Award winning composer Maury Yeston’s 80th birthday, with numbers from Titanic The Musical, Death Takes A Holiday, Grand Hotel, Nine and Phantom.



MEAN GIRLS (UK & Ireland Tour)



23rd February - 30th January 2027


The Queen Bee of musicals returns for its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland, kicking off in Manchester. The cast includes Emily Lane as Cady Heron, Vivian Panka as Regina George, Georgie Buckland, Max Gill and Faye Tozer.


Dates and tickets at https://meangirlsmusical.com


16 POSTCODES (King’s Head Theatre)



25th February - 8th March


Jessica Regan’s solo show will make its London premiere in an autobiographical piece chronicling the challenges of surviving in London’s crumbling private rental market, with Regan telling stories from the sixteen postcodes she has rented in over 20 years in London. Audiences can choose which stories are told each night, making each performance unique.


 

WHILE THEY WERE WAITING (Upstairs At The Gatehouse)



26th February - 22nd March


Written by and starring British entertainment legend Gary Wilmot MBE, this play draws inspiration from one of life’s most universal experiences - waiting- and marks Wilmot's London playwriting debut.



OUR TOWN (Rose Theatre)



26th February - 28th March


American playwright Thornton Wilder’s masterpiece returns in a new production told through a Welsh lens, bringing new life and vivid resonance for modern audiences. Starring Michael Sheen, it plays three venues in Wales before concluding its run in Kingston.



ONE DAY (Royal Lyceum Theatre)



26th February - 5th April


Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose star in the highly anticipated world premiere of the brand new musical based on David Nicholls’ critically acclaimed, global bestselling novel.


Tickets from lyceum.org.uk  


EDUCATING RITA (Reading Rep)



26th February - 21st March


Willy Russell’s iconic play is directed by Annie Kershaw and stars Madelyn Smedley and Julius D’Silva in this contemporary classic that continues to ask pertinent questions about the value of arts, education and self-discovery.


Tickets from www.readingrep.com 


THE HOLY ROSENBERGS (Menier Chocolate Factory)



27th February - 2nd May


After premiering at the National Theatre in 2011, Ryan Craig’s play is now even more timely and painfully pertinent, focusing on a family in crisis.



MARIE & ROSETTA (@SohoPlace)



28th February - 11th April


Following a UK tour last year, Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu bring their story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the roof-raising godmother of rock ‘n’ roll and her beloved singing partner, Marie Knight, to the West End.



What are you most looking forward to seeing in February?


Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on X, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and TikTok, and look out for reviews of many of them on the website over the next month as well as conversations with the stars of the latest shows on my podcast All That Chat, returning for new episodes this month.


To have your show included in the March preview or any other monthly post, send me an email with details of your show and I’ll include as many as possible.

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