Happy New Year! 2021 promises to be a great year for theatre with some great shows set to open. At the moment while most theatres around the country are closed we have to make do with online streams instead - luckily for us there are still a lot of amazing shows to enjoy throughout the month. Here are 20 of the best to check out in January:
Now - Sunday 2nd January: DICK WHITTINGTON: A TAIL OF WAGS TO RICHES
The current instalment in the weekly The ShowsMust Go On series is this panto feauturing Brenda Edwards and Britain's Got Talent winner Ashleigh and Pudsey. Available until 2pm on Sunday 2nd January from youtube.com/theshowsmustgoon
Now - Monday 4th January: RATATOUILLE
It was the TikTok sensation of the year which took on a life of its own. Now the musical version of Disney's Ratatouille is available to stream online in concert form featuring Tituss Burgess, Andrew Barth Feldman and Adam Lambert. Tickets from https://www.todaytix.com/
Now - Saturday 9th January: SUNSET BOULEVARD
After the concert production of Sunset Boulevard at Curve Leicester was forced to be cancelled, the show must go online as the cast gather on stage to stream the concert for a limited time in a show that many have described as groundbreaking and a game changer for the innovative use of staging. This was my favourite stream of 2020. Give it a watch and find out why. Tickets from https://www.curveonline.co.uk/
Now - Sunday 10th January: CINDERELLA: A SOCIALLY DISTANCED BALL
The funniest panto of 2020 is now available online for all to see. Starring Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Scott Paige and Rufus Hound, this is a hilarious take on the classic tale given a modern and utterly filthy twist. Do not miss it! Tickets from https://www.theturbinetheatre.com/
Now - Sunday 24th January: POTTED PANTO
Enjoying a season at the Garrick Theatre before the Tier system struck, Potted Panto takes you through 7 classic pantomimes in 70 minutes. Available to view online with several showings a day from https://stream.theatre
Every Sunday/Monday from 3rd January: THE SETH CONCERT SERIES
Seth Rudetsky's weekly concert series continues with some big names to kick off the year. On Sunday 3rd January he is joined by School of Rock and Beetlejuice star Alex Brightman, on 10th his guest is Wayne Brady, Broadway legend Kelli O'Hara joins him on the 17th and on the 24th he is joined by both Stephanie J.Block and Sebastian Arcelus. Each show takes place on the Sunday at 8pm ET which is 1am in the UK and is repeated on the Monday at 3pm ET which is 8pm in the UK .
Tickets from thesethconcertseries.com
Thursday 7th January: TOGETHER AGAIN
Episode six in the brilliant Reunited Series arrives at 8pm. This episode brings back the three Heathers from the recent West End production as Jodie STeele, Sophia Isaacs and T'Shan Williams reunite for some special performances. Tickets from thespie.com
Friday 15th - Saturday 16th January: PUBLIC DOMAIN
Delayed from its planned stream last month, Southwark Playhouse host another show live from its empty venue. This time it's the turn of a dark musical about the Internet, those who own it, those who live in it and you. Tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk
Friday 15th - Sunday 17th January: ROLES WE'LL NEVER PLAY
Filmed from its performance at the Apollo Theatre last month, Roles We'll Never Play features an all star cast singing songs you wouldn't necessarily expect from them. Featuring over 25 performers, catch it nightly at 7pm at https://stream.theatre
Wednesday 20th - Friday 22nd January: FAITH HEALER
The Old Vic are replaying some of their shows they recorded live from the empty venue as part of their In Camera series last year. Faith Healer stars Michael Sheen, David Threlfall and Indira Varma and plays at 7.30pm each evening. Tickets are from £10 at https://www.oldvictheatre.com
Saturday 23rd January - Sunday 14th February: MISCHIEF MOVIE NIGHT IN
Following a brilliant run of livestreams this week, the Mischief Comedy gang are back for another series of unscripted madness. Each night, the audience choose the setting, title and other suggestions which magically come to life in a brilliant way. Tickets from https://mischiefcomedy.com/our-work/mischief-movie-night/about
Sunday 24th January: LUCIE JONES AND DAVID HUNTER
Due to be performed live in front of an audience at Cadogan Hall, that is all dependant on Tier restrictions. Hopefully whatever happens the livestream can still go ahead. On sale from cadoganhall.com watch Waitress stars Lucie and David reunite with some amazing performances and of course a lot of banter.
Monday 25th January - Sunday 28th February: THE POLTERGEIST
Phillip Ridley's darkly comic new play is about art, family, memory, and being haunted by the life we never lived. Filmed at the Southwark Playhouse last year, now is another chance to see this acclaimed piece. Tickets from https://stream.theatre
Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th January: LUNGS
Another playback from The Old Vic's In Camera series, Lungs sees The Crown stars Matt Smith and Claire Foy reunite in this play about a couple wrestling with life's biggest dilemmas. Playing at 7.30pm each evening, Tickets are from £10 at https://www.oldvictheatre.com
Thursday 28th - Saturday 30th Jan: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE
The latest show from Lambert Jackson Productions was filmed live on stage qat the London Coliseum and stars Trevor Dion Nicholas, Brenda Edwards, Alice Fearn and OIliver Tompsett. Playing at 7.30pm each night, tickets from lhttps://londoncoliseum.org/
Friday 29th January: THE THEATRE CHANNEL: THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSICALS
Episode 5 in the fabulous Theatre Channel series focuses on the golden age of musicals and features performances from Freddie Fox, Bonnie Langford, Marisha Wallace, Mazz Murray,) Gary Wilmot and Michael D. Xavier. Tickets from https://www.thetheatrecafe.co.uk/channel/.
As with the rest of the series, look out for behind the scenes information from the creative team on here after the episode.
Friday 29th January - Sunday 14th February: THE LAST FIVE YEARS
Another chance to see this incredible production of Jason Robert Browns The Last Five Years starring Molly Lynch and Oli Higginson. Filmed live at Southwark Playhouse, this was one of my theatre highlights of 2020. Tickets from https://stream.theatre
Some great shows to get us all through the month. Let's hope the February preview will include shows we an all see in person.
For any shows you would like included in future posts please email me at site.allthatdazzles@gmail.com or let me know at twitter.com/ATDazzles