November Preview: Top 40 Shows This Month

The year is fast drawing to a close. In the penultimate month of 2023, we have the beginnings of panto season and some seasonal shows mixed in with some big openings and exciting new shows. Here is this months top 40.

KIN (Theatro Technis)

Now – 5th November

A brand new musical gets a staged concert production. The story is inspired by true events that took place in 1980s America and features an original 1980s pop-imspired score.

Tickets from http://www.kinthemusical.com/

PHANTASMAGORIA (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

1st – 25th November

The world premiere of a gripping psychological horror for our times by Deepika Arwind in her British debut explores the dangers of divisive politics, populism and unbridled social media.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

PASSING (Park Theatre)

1st – 25th November

This tender and jovial one-room comedy shines a light on the biracial experience of today and stars Amy-Leigh Hickman as Rachel, who worries about losing her only connection to her Indian heritage.

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY: THE STOCK AITKEN AND WATERMAN MUSICAL (UK Tour)

From 2nd November

The classic songbook of Stock Aitken and Waterman soundtrack this new musical with 25 songs from the Hit Factory whose music defined an era. Kylie Minogue will also appear digitally in the show. The tour kicks off at Manchester Opera House.

Full dates and tickets from www.soluckymusical.com

GUYMART (Waterloo East Theatre)

2nd – 12th November

A one act musical which imagines gay hookup apps as a supermarket where men are able to browse for and purchase their next sexual partner.

Tickets from https://www.waterlooeast.co.uk/

MATES IN CHELSEA (Royal Court Theatre)

3rd November – 16th December

Rory Mullarkey’s riotous new play takes inspiration from Wilde and Woodhouse to create a contemporary comedy of manners set among the dwellers of south west London who somehow remain our country’s ruling class.

Tickets from www.royalcourttheatre.com

NUTCRACKER (Southbank Centre)

4th November – 6th January

This new version of the festive classic is playful, mischievous and a lot of fun, Directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie, it takes place at London’s hottest new pop up venue.

Tickets from www.southbankcentre.co.uk

RACHEL TUCKER (Cadogan Hall)

5th November

The West End and Broadway star launches her brand new album in a concert celebrating her most iconic roles, some of her favourite tunes in musical theatre and some original music.

Tickets from www.cadoganhall.com

THE WITCHES (Olivier Theatre)

7th November – 6th January

Roald Dahl’s classic story takes to the stage in this world premiere musical by Lucy Kirkwood and Dave Malloy. It stars Katherine Kingsley, Daniel Rigby and Sally Ann Triplett.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

MANDY PATINKIN LIVE IN CONCERT (Lyric Theatre)

7th – 19th November

The Tony and Emmy award winner comes to London for 8 performances only, marking the first time Mandy has appeared on a West End stage since 2009. Expect a marriage of many of Mandy’s favourite Broadway and classic American tunes.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

TIGER (Omnibus Theatre)

7th November – 2nd December

A brand new magical-realist play about losing a dad and gaining a tiger. It stars Poppy Allen-Quarnby, Luke Nunn and Meg Lewis.

Tickets from https://www.omnibus-clapham.org/tiger/

LA CLIQUE (Leicester Square)

8th November – 6th January

The Olivier award winning cabaret returns to London for a new festive season. It features gravity-defying stunts and hair-raising acrobatics

Tickets from www.lacliquetheshow.com

TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK) (Kiln Theatre)

9th November – 23rd December

Dujonna Gift and Sam Tutty star in this new British musical from writers Jim Barne and Kit Buchan as Dougal flies to New York for his Dad’s second wedding and meets the sister of the bride at the airport.

Tickets from www.kilntheatre.com

BABIES THE MUSICAL (Lyric Theatre)

10th – 12th November

Witness the birth of this brand new musical as it takes to the West End for 3 performances only. It sees a year 11 class tasked with looking after plastic simulator dolls for a week. Friendships are tested, dreams are questioned and the true meaning of responsibility rears its terrifying head.

Tickets from www.babiesmusical.com

FEELING AFRAID AS IF SOMETHING TERRIBLE IS GOING TO HAPPEN (Bush Theatre)

10th November – 23rd December

Fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe, Samuel Barnett reprises his starring role in Marcelo Dos Santos’ laugh-out-loud exploration of intimacy, anxiety and ego.

Tickets from www.bushtheatre.co.uk

GHOSTS (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)

10th November – 28th January

The first time Ibsen has been staged at Shakespeare’s Globe, this marks the opening show of the 10th anniversary season at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Tickets from www.shakespearesglobe.com

A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Old Vic)

11th November – 6th January

An annual tradition at The Old Vic, Jack Thorne’s adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic returns to the stage with Christopher Eccleston taking on the role of Scrooge this year.

Tickets from www.oldvictheatre.com

BILLIE THE KID (Vaudeville Theatre)

13th – 20th November

This new British musical is semi-staged in front of a live audience for the first time for two nights only. Written by Gez Mercer and Conway McDermott, the cast includes Natasha J Barnes, Beth Hinton-Lever, Ryan Kopel and Yuki Sutton.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

WISHMAS (Old Bauble Factory)

14th November – 7th January

A new original story from the creative minds behind Secret Cinema, you are encouraged to step into a magical world in this fully immersive walk through event as you play your part to ensure no wish is ever forgotten.

Tickets from www.wishmas.co.uk

SUPERYOU (Lyric Theatre)

15th November

This brand new musical centers around the transformative journey of a comic book artist who discovers self-love and her own voice as her superheroine creations spring to life. Written and composed by Lourds Lane, this concert version stars Lucie Jones.

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

ELF - THE MUSICAL (Dominion Theatre)

15th November - 6th January

The festive favourite returns for a limited season at the Dominion Theatre with Matthew Wolfenden as Buddy the Elf joined by Georgina Castle, Rebecca Lock, Nicholas Pound, Dermot Canavan and Tom Chambers.

Tickets from www.elflondon.com

THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA (Lyttleton Theatre)

16th November – 6th January

Rebecca Frecknall makes her National Theatre directorial debut with Alice Birch’s radical version of Federico Garcia Lorca’s modern masterpiece.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW (Phoenix Theatre)

From 17th November

The world premiere of this original stage play production brings the world of Stranger Things to life in a completely new way. An original story by the TV shows writers the Duffer Brothers, it is set in Hawkins in 1959 taking you back to the beginning of the story and may hold the key to the end.

Tickets from www.strangerthingsonstage.com

THE MONGOL KHAN (London Coliseum)

17th November – 3rd December

This spectacular production celebrates 60 years of Anglo-Mongolian relations and cultural exchange. It takes inspiration from historical events, archaeological findings, traditional nomadic dances and the music of the ancient Hun culture of Central Asia from the Hunnu Empire period.

Tickets from www.londoncoliseum.org

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER (Orange Tree Theatre)

18th November – 13th January

Directed by Tom Littler, Oliver Goldsmith’s glorious comedy of misunderstanding is a riot of marital mishaps and is relocated to a 1930s country house world of Jeeves and Wooster.

Tickets from www.orangetreetheatre.co.uk

MACBETH (The Depot, Liverpool)

18th November – 20th December

Ralph Fiennes stars in the premiere of this new production of William Shakespeare’s classic. Following this run, it plays seasons in Edinburgh, London and Washington D.C in 2024.

Tickets from MacbethTheShow.com

TOSH WANOGHO-MAUD – SONGS + STORIES (Piano Smithfield)

20th November, 27th November & 4th December

The star of Ain’t Too Proud and The Drifters Girl makes a solo debut with three stripped back performances in a small residency before bigger shows next Spring. Celebrating his career so far alongside some original material performed live for the first time.

Tickets from https://www.pianosmithfield.com/

OH WHAT A LOVELY WAR (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

21st November – 9th December

Joan Littlewood’s anti-war musical is revived to mark its 60th anniversary. Wildly satirical, visually stunning and deeply moving, it is a hilarious, heartbreaking of life for those caught in the crossfire of conflict. The show is also touring around the UK.

Tickets from https://blackeyedtheatre.co.uk

INFINITE LIFE (Dorfman Theatre)

22nd November – 13th January

Annie Baker’s new play has its UK premiere following a run in New York. A surprisingly finny inquiry unto the complexity of suffering and what it means to desire in a body that’s failing you.

Tickets from nationaltheatre.org.uk

PETER PAN GOES WRONG (Lyric Theatre)

23rd November – 14th January

Mischief Theatre’s comedy is back in the West End in the middle of a UK tour. Find out what happens when the Cornley Drama Society attempt to present J.M Barrie’s much-loved tale.

Tickets from www.peterpangoeswronglive.com

SLEEPING BEAUTY TAKES A PRICK (Charing Cross Theatre)

23rd November – 13th January

This brand new adult pantomime is a sublimely silly and staggeringly ride fabulous festive treat bursting with big laughs, sensational songs and all the panto trimmings.

Tickets from https://www.sleepingbeautytakesaprick.com/

OLIVER (Leeds Playhouse)

24th November – 27th January

Steve Furst and Jenny Fitzpatrick star in an exciting new restaging of Lionel Bart’s magnificent musical masterpiece playing in the round and taking audiences on a spectacular journey through the streets of Victorian London.

Tickets from leedsplayhouse.org.uk

A SHERLOCK CAROL (Marylebone Theatre)

24th November – 7th January

Ben Caplan and Kammy Darweish return as Sherlock Holmes and Ebenezer Scrooge in this mashup of Dickens and Doyle which played a season at the same theatre last year.

Tickets from www.marylebonetheatre.com

PACIFIC OVERTURES (Menier Chocolate Factory)

25th November – 24th February

Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s musical returns in a new production with a cast including Joaquin Pedro Valdes.

Tickets from www.menierchocolatefactory.com

EVITA (Curve Leicester)

27th November – 13th January

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s classic gets a new production at Curve with a cast led by Martha Kirby and Tyrone Huntley.

Tickets from www.curveonline.co.uk

THE HOMECOMING (Young Vic)

27th November – 27th January

Harold Pinter’s enigmatic masterpiece is thrillingly re-explored by Matthew Dunster with a cast including Jared Harris and Joe Cole.

Tickets from www.youngvic.org

THE ENFIELD HAUNTING (Ambassador’s Theatre)

14th – 25th November (Tour) / 30th November – 2nd March

Catherine Tate and David Threlfall star in this new play based on one of the most famous poltergeist events in the world. It plays short runs at Brighton Theatre Royal and Richmond Theatre before moving to the West End.

Tickets from www.enfieldhauntingplay.com

THE TIME MACHINE – A COMEDY (Park Theatre)

30th November – 30th December

HG Wells novel is loosely adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson starring founding member of Mischief Theatre Dave Hearn alongside Michael Dylan and Amy Revelle.

Tickets from www.parktheatre.co.uk

COLD WAR (Almeida Theatre)

30th November – 27th January

This premiere adaptation features music from the Academy award nominated film alongside songs by Elvis Costello. Alex Young, Elliot Levey and Luke Thallon are among those in the cast.

Tickets from www.almeida.co.uk

THE NUTCRACKER: A VERY ADULT PANTOMIME (Turbine Theatre)

30th November – 23rd December

Forget what you think you know about the Christmas classic and this year be taken to distant lands Winter Wonderland and M&M World. A panto for audiences 18+ this is the perfect Christmas tale about learning to love after heartbreak… and seeking revenge.

Tickets from www.theturbinetheatre.com

Another fantastic month for theatre, with some spooky leftovers from Halloween and the starters for the festive season, ready for the main course in December of course. Look out for reviews for most of these shows this month and next on the website.

What are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments or on all my socials - @ATDazzles on all of them – and keep an eye on my socials for two huge competitions worth a combined value of £1000 in November.

To have your show included in the December 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!