January Preview: 24 Of The Best Shows To Kick Off 2024

Happy New Year! While January is usually a fairly quiet month as we ease back into the swing of things, 2024 feels busier than usual with some particularly exciting shows opening, Here are 24 of the best shows to catch this month:

EXHIBITIONISTS (King’s Head Theatre)

5th January – 10th February

The opening production at Islington’s new King’s Head theatre is a modern gay romantic comedy by Shaun McKenna and Andrew Van Sickle.

Tickets from www.exhibcomedy.com

KIM’S CONVENIENCE (Park Theatre)

8th January – 10th February

The hilarious and heart-warming award-winning comedy drama about a Korean family-run corner store is a feel-good ode to generations of immigrants who have made Canada the country that it is today.

Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/kims-convenience

ALAN TURING – A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY (Riverside Studios)

8th – 27th January

A journey through the extraordinary life of Alan Turing, whose brilliant code breaking brain saved approximately 14 million lives in World War 2. This takes us on a journey throughout his life.

Tickets from https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/alan-turing-a-musical-biography-95097/

SPIN (Arcola Theatre)

9th – 20th January

The London premiere of Kate Sumpter’s one-woman show sees an aspiring spin instructor as her enthusiastic attempts to create the perfect class are derailed by a forced journey of self-discovery.

Tickets from www.arcolatheatre.com

CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE 90’S MUSICAL (The Other Palace)

11th January – 14th April

The much-awaited London premiere of the musical adaptation of the well-loved movie is full of 90’s pop classics from the likes of Britney, Boyz II Men, TLC and *NSync.

Tickets from www.cruelmusical.co.uk

COWBOIS (Royal Court)

11th January – 10th February

Fresh from an acclaimed run at the RSC, this rollicking Queer Western transfers to London for a limited season as the arrival of a handsome bandit inspires a gender revolution and starts a fire under the petticoat of every one of the town’s repressed inhabitants.

Tickets from https://royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/cowbois/

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: ALLEGRIA (Royal Albert Hall)

11th January – 3rd March

A Cirque du Soleil classic reimagined for a new generation to fall in love with. It witnesses the power struggle at play between the old order ans the toufh in strive for hope and renewal. Expect exciting acrobatics, surreal costumes, vibrant sets and playful humour.

Tickets from https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/alegria

REHAB THE MUSICAL (Neon 194)

12th January – 17th February

A wildly-funny musical about a very serious issue, this show deals with the subject of mental health, fame and addiction with warmth, compassion, humour and heart.

Tickets from https://rehabthemusical.com/

AFTERGLOW (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

12th January – 10th February

The International hit sensation returns to London, reuniting its original record-breaking creative team. This raw, funny and sensual exploration of polyamory, commitment and modern love sees three men come to terms with their individual definitions of love, loyalty and trust as relationships are challenged and futures shaken.

Tickets from https://southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/afterglow/

THE PLAZA SUITE (Savoy Theatre)

15th January – 31st March

Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker star in Neil Simon’s hit comedy for a strictly limited season, reprising their roles from the hit Broadway production,

Tickets from www.plazasuiteuk.com

ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

15th – 16th January

The International star of stage and screen returns with his new cabaret show in an evening of story and song celebrating and exploring his puckish, eclectic spirit and joie de vivre with a joyful and mischievous exploration of that most communal of pasttimes – aging,

Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/alan-cumming-is-not-acting-his-age/

LEAVES OF GLASS (Park Theatre)

16th January – 10th February

Philip Ridley’s gripping four-hander of memory, manipulation and power returns to Park Theatre after an acclaimed run last year.

Tickets from https://parktheatre.co.uk/whats-on/leaves-of-glass

THE KING AND I (Dominion Theatre)

20th January – 2nd March

The Rodgers & Hammerstein classic returns to the West End starring Helen George and Darren Lee.

Tickets from www.dominiontheatre.com

SHARON OSBOURNE – CUT THE CRAP! (Fortune Theatre & Alexandra, Birmingham)

21st – 28th January

After decades on TV, Sharon makes the leap to the stage – live and unleashed as she promises to reveal all about some of the hardest years of her eventful life.

Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/sharon-osbourne-cut-the-crap/

THE MOST PRECIOUS OF GOODS (Marylebone Theatre)

22nd January – 3rd February

Set in winter 1943 in war-torn Eastern Europe, this gripping story of love and hope, set against the terrible backdrop of the Holocaust, reminds us that humanity can be found in the most inhumane of places.

Tickets from https://www.marylebonetheatre.com/productions/the-most-precious-of-goods

BRONCO BILLY THE MUSICAL (Charing Cross Theatre)

23rd January – 7th April

The new Wild West End show gets its UK premiere with a cast including Emily Benjamin, Tarinn Callender and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt.

Tickets from broncobillymusical.com

HEART (Brixton House)

23rd January – 3rd February

After an acclaimed run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe, Jade Anouka takes her debut play to London in a raw and intimate exploration of the realities of complex relationships, navigating love, loss and self-discovery through storytelling and music.

Tickets from https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/heart/

ELLIE NUNN & TYRONE HUNTLEY (Crazy Coqs)

24th January

The two performers come together to celebrate the timeless music of Burt Bacharach that is sure to appeal to anyone who had a heart.

Tickets from https://www.brasseriezedel.com/events/ellie-nunn-tyrone-huntley-2/?instance_id=801374

JUST FOR ONE DAY (Old Vic)

26th January – 30th March

The world premiere of a new musical based on Live Aid is directed by Luke Shepperd and features classic songs by U2, Queen, Elton John and David Bowie to name just a few.

Tickets from www.oldvictheatre.com

THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA (Harold Pinter Theatre)

27th January – 15th June

The partnership behind The ferryman reunite as Sam Mendes directs Jez Butterworth’s latest play set in Blackpool in 1976.

Tickets from www.hillsofcalifornia.play.com

A MIRROR (Trafalgar Theatre)

22nd January – 20th April

After an acclaimed season at the Almeida, this new play gets a West End transfer. Starring Jonny Lee Miller and featuring the tagline “This play is a lie”, I won’t spoil what it is about but prepare for a unique experience.

Tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/a-mirror/trafalgar-theatre/

THIS MIGHT NOT BE IT (Bush Theatre)

29th January – 2nd March

A candid and unflinchingly human look at NHS mental health services written by Sophia Chetin-Leuner

Tickets from https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/this-might-not-be-it/

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (The RSC)

30th January – 30th March

Eleanor Rhode returns to the RSC to direct one of Shakespeare’s most captivating comedies with a cast starring Mathew Baynton as Bottom.

Tickets from www.rsc.org.uk

DROP THE DEAD DONKEY (UK & Ireland Tour)

31st January – 8th June

30 years since the launch of the trailblazing hit UK series, the original cast are back and live on stage for the very first time.

Full dates and tickets from www.dropdeaddonkey.co.uk

A great start to the year with something for everyone to enjoy this month.

What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on all of them.

To have your show included in the February 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!