January Preview: 40 Shows To Kickstart Your 2026
- All That Dazzles
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
Happy New Year! January is traditionally a quiet month for new openings in theatre, but 2026 is getting off to a busy start with exciting new openings in the West End and all over the UK. The quieter times also make it a great opportunity to discover something new that may have passed you by - with that in mind, I’ve rounded up a diverse mix of new openings in January. Here are my top 40 picks for the month:
INSIDE NO. 9 STAGE/FRIGHT (Eventim Apollo)
2nd - 6th January
Following a West End run and UK tour, Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith bring the stage version of their acclaimed show to London for their final ever shows.
Tickets from https://www.eventimapollo.com/events/inside-no-9/
ORPHANS (Jermyn Street Theatre)
5th - 24th January
Lyle Kessler’s Tony-nominated play comes to London starring Forbes Masson, Chris Walley and Fred Woodley Evans with Al Miller directing this exhilarating modern classic.
Tickets from https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/orphans/
JACK: The Musical (Courtyard Theatre)
5th - 11th January
Reimagining the cult story of the most feared and notorious serial killer in British history in a queer, gothic, and punky brand-new musical
Tickets from https://thecourtyard.org.uk/whats-on/
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (UK Tour)
6th January - 1st August
The legendary musical extravaganza continues with the tour returning to the UK, with Jason Donovan starring as Frank ‘n’ Furter at select venues, including the first 2026 stop in Edinburgh.
Dates and tickets at https://rockyhorror.co.uk/tour-dates
NEZHA: A New Musical Adventure (Shaw Theatre)
8th - 9th January
A thrilling new musical inspired by the legendary warrior god of Chinese mythology, this production fuses modern musical theatre and rap with East Asian storytelling traditions, bringing to life one of China’s most beloved epic tales.
OUR AMERICAN QUEEN (Bridewell Theatre)
9th January - 7th February
A new dramatisation of the life of Kate Chase will draw parallels between 19th and 21st century America, and the glass ceiling that’s yet to be smashed in American politics.
Tickets from www.theamericanvicarious.org
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: OVO (Royal Albert Hall)
9th January - 1st March
The world-renowned circus performers return to London, bringing their big-inspired show back in an exhilarating experience full of acrobatics.
SINGLE WHITE FEMALE (UK & Ireland Tour)
9th January - 13th June
Kym Marsh and Lisa Faulkner star in the world premiere stage production based on the 90s psychological thriller
Dates and tickets at https://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lpV2v/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/single-white-female/
ALREADY PERFECT (King’s Head Theatre)
9th January - 15th February
A searing and uplifting new musical by Tony Award winner Levi Kreis asks what it takes to make peace with your story. With humour, music, and unflinching truth.
EAT THE RICH (but maybe not me mates x) (Soho Theatre)
12th - 31st January
The critically acclaimed Fringe show transfers to London ahead of an upcoming tour in Liverpool and Bristol, delivering a witty, irreverent exploration of class, privilege, and the lengths we go to succeed in a system that’s stacked against us.
GERRY & SEWELL (Aldwych Theatre)
13th - 24th January
Following sell-out runs across the North East, this true tale of friendship and resilience hits the West End, brought together by live music, puppet dogs and the magic of Wor Flags (plus the odd star cameo) in a wild, funny and heartfelt tribute to black-and-white dreams.
THE OLIVE BOY (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
14th - 31st January
A darkly comic coming-of-age story about grief, boyhood and learning to live with love and its absence, written and performed by Ollie Maddigan, and directed by Scott Le Crass.
SAFE HAVEN (Arcola Theatre)
14th January - 7th February
The debut play from Chris Bowers, former diplomat and Consul General in Iraqi Kurdistan offers human-centred perspective on policy-making, moral responsibility, and UK involvement in humanitarian operations
BEAUTIFUL LITTLE FOOL (Southwark Playhouse Borough)
15th January - 28th February
David Hunter and Lauren Ward star in the world premiere production of this new musical, telling the story of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald: brilliant, tempestuous and infamous through the eyes of their adult daughter, Scottie.
OUR TOWN (UK Tour)
16th January - 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.
Tickets from www.rosetheatre.org
CABLE STREET (Marylebone Theatre)
16th January - 28th February
Following two completely sold-out runs at Southwark Playhouse last year, the new musical returns to London with its latest iteration.
GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU? (Royal Court)
16th January - 21st February
Rosie Sheehy and Robert Aramayo star in the world premiere as a pregnant couple who await their 20-week scan as the future they had planned slips through their fingers.
Tickets from royalcourttheatre.com
THE TEMPEST (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)
17th January - 12th April
Directed by award-winning theatre maker Tim Crouch in his Globe directorial debut, Crouch will also play Prospero in Shakespeare’s tale of power, freedom and the magic of story.
COHEN, BERNSTEIN, JONI & ME (Upstairs At The Gatehouse)
21st January - 1st February
A life-affirming piece of musical storytelling, blending humour, heart and harmony as writer and performer Deb Filler recounts her real-life encounters with Leonard Cohen, Leonard Bernstein and Joni Mitchell.
Tickets from https://www.upstairsatthegatehouse.com
A GRAIN OF SAND (Arcola Theatre)
21st - 31st January
A one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza.
MRS PRESIDENT (Charing Cross Theatre)
23rd January - 8th March
Keala Settle stars as President Abraham Lincoln’s wife Mary (no, it’s not Oh, Mary!) in a newly reimagined version following a production early in 2025. Accused of treason and shunned by society, she turns to the world’s first celebrity photographer to help her reclaim her story. But as the lens turns between them, the power shifts, and their collaboration spirals into a fierce struggle for authorship, truth, and control.
BALLAD LINES (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)
23rd January - 21st March
A heart-opening musical about the stories we inherit — and the choices each generation makes to break, reshape, or carry them forward, blending Scottish, Irish and Appalachian ballads with a bold contemporary score.
PRIMA FACIE (UK & Ireland Tour)
23rd January - 21st March
Emmy, BAFTA, Tony & Olivier Award Winning Jodie Comer returns to Suzie Miller’s globally acclaimed play in nine venues across the UK and Ireland.
Dates and tickets at https://primafacieplay.com/
AMERICAN PSYCHO (Almeida Theatre)
24th January - 14th March
Rupert Goold revisits his sell-out, darkly satirical commentary on capitalism for his final production as Almeida Artistic Director. Arty Froushan stars as Patrick Bateman with other cast members including Oli Higginson, Daniel Bravo, Kim Ismay and Tanisha Spring.
Tickets from https://almeida.co.uk/whats-on/american-psycho-2026/
ARCADIA (Old Vic)
24th January - 21st March
Witty, moving and flirtatious, Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece is brought thrillingly to life by acclaimed director Carrie Cracknell.
JO - THE LITTLE WOMEN MUSICAL (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)
25th January
This once-in-a-lifetime star-studded event that brings Louisa May Alcott’s classic story to life in a bold new musical adaptation with a sweeping, timeless score that will leave you spellbound. This one night only concert has a cast including Kerry Ellis, Christine ALlado, Tracie Bennett, Tobias Turley and Julian Ovenden.
Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/concert/jo-the-little-women-musical-in-concert-tickets
WHY WOULD WE CARE (Union Theatre)
26th - 31st January
The fully staged premiere of this bold new British musical about power, privacy, and the price of pretending everything is perfect.
MTFESTUK (The Other Palace)
27th January - 15th February
The annual festival of new musical theatre returns to The Other Palace, showcasing intimate 1 hour workshop sharings of six brand new musicals. The titles this year are Shining In Misery, Legendary, Tristan, That Witch, The Guild and Glimmer.
Exact listings and tickets at https://theotherpalace.co.uk/mtfestuk-2026/
THE RAT TRAP (Park Theatre)
28th January - 14th March
The centenary reimagining of Noël Coward’s first play charts the unravelling marriage of two writers whose love is tested by ambition, jealousy, and betrayal. Startlingly moving yet rich with Coward’s trademark wit and dark humour.
THE UNLIKELY PILGRIMAGE OF HAROLD FRY (Theatre Royal Haymarket)
29th January - 18th April
Funny, profound, deeply moving and uplifting, this joyous new musical adapted by Rachel Joyce from her own multi-million-selling novel, features irresistible modern folk songs by Passenger.
Tickets from https://allthatdazzles.londontheatredirect.com/musical/the-unlikely-pilgrimage-of-harold-fry-tickets
THE VIRGINS (Soho Theatre)
29th January - 7th March
This exciting new play by Miriam Battye is a funny and devastating fever dream of desire and teenagerhood as it follows a group of teenage friends as they prepare for a big night out.
Tickets from https://sohotheatre.com/events/the-virgins/
LOST ATOMS (Lyric Hammersmith)
29th January - 28th January
Written by Anna Jordan, timeless story which explores how love shapes our lives and how we remember it is by turns funny and heartbreaking.
THE MEMORY OF WATER (Bolton Octagon/Liverpool Everyman)
29th January - 21st February/25th February - 14th March
Marking the 30 year anniversary of Shelagh Stephenson's Olivier Award winning play, this powerful revival shines a light on the messy, funny and deeply moving ties that hold families together.
STEVEN FRAYNE: UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL (Underbelly Boulevard)
30th January - 28th February
The world-renowned magician, better known as Dynamo, returns in a limited 4 week run featuring brand new illusions, unforgettable moments and the magic of connection.
Tickets from www.underbellyboulevard.com.
BARNUM (UK Tour)
30th January - 25th April
Lee Mead takes centre stage as legendary 19th Century Showman P.T. Barnum in this spectacular new staging featuring a cast of over 20 actor-musicians playing 150 instruments, acrobats and amazing circus acts.
MEN BEHAVING BADLY - THE PLAY (Barn Theatre)
30th January - 7th March
The world premiere stage adaptation of the classic British comedy follows the TV series as it focuses on four old friends and a wedding in the morning on December 31st 1999.
Tickets from https://barntheatre.org.uk/men-behaving-badly
MAN AND BOY (Dorfman Theatre)
30th January - 14th March
Director Anthony Lau brings a sharp, contemporary edge to Terence Rattigan’s tale of paternity and corruption, with Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston playing father and son.
I’M SORRY PRIME MINISTER (Apollo Theatre)
30th January - 25th April
Griff Rhys Jones and Clive Francis star in the final chapter of the political satire. Brimming with razor-sharp wit, nostalgic brilliance, and more double-speak than a press briefing, this is political comedy at its most timeless — and timely.
DANCE OF DEATH (Orange Tree Theatre)
31st January - 7th March
August Strindberg’s masterpiece is a darkly comic portrait of psychological warfare – a toxic love story that continues to thrill audiences today with Richard Eyre’s new adaptation starring Lisa Dillon, Will Keen and Geoffrey Streatfeild.
HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES (Stratford East)
31st January - 28th February
The UK premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-nominee is based on real events telling the story of historical photographs that arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist, what they reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity.
What are you most looking forward to seeing in January?
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 when my podcast All That Chat returns for series 3 at the end of the month.
To have your show included in the February 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!