By now, we’re sure you know what you’re getting when you book to see Wicked for £20, Mamma Mia! for £30, or Les Misérables for £40. But what about some of the lesser known shows in the New Year Sale?

For the adventurous among you, we’re here to highlight a few hidden gems in case that are taking part in the New Year Sale, so you can try something new for 2026.

Ballet Shoes

What’s it about? Three adopted sisters get taken into the house of an Edwardian explorer and paleontologist. Under the guidance of his niece and childhood nanny, the three girls grow and fight to pursue their differing passions in a world not built for women with ambition.

Why should I see it? The National Theatre’s adaptation of this 1930s novel was loved by children and adults alike when it premiered in November 2024 – so much so they brought it back a year later.

The three girls are full of fire and charisma; you can’t help be charmed by their never-say-die attitude. The set is like a madcap box of wonders that’s a delight to look at and the show will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

What’s the offer? Tickets for £20, £30, £40, £50, £60 for Tue – Thu performances in Jan and Mon – Thu performances in Feb until 20 Feb.

Evening All Afternoon

What’s it about? Jennifer is about to become Delilah’s stepmother. She wants to connect but they couldn’t be further apart.

Why should I see it? The Donmar Warehouse is a great venue – with only three rows on each side of the stage, you’re always close to the atmosphere which is perfect for these kind of intimate two-handers. Anna Ziegler’s last play, Photograph 51, won Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage Awards, with an Olivier Award nomination for Nciole Kidman in the lead role. This could be another award winner in the making.

What’s the offer? Tickets for £40 or £50 on all performances (19 Feb – 11 Apr).

Gerry & Sewell

What’s it about? Two Geordie best friends Gerry & Sewell haven’t got a lot going from them – with no jobs, Gerry’s family falling apart and Sewell’s dad in ill-health – so they set their sights on their ultimate dream: A season ticket to Newcastle United.

Why should I see it? It’s an underdog story that celebrates the unexpected hero in all of us, as well as the importance of friendship and shared passions. Like the story, the play itself is an underdog, having started at Laurel’s – a small social club in the North East – and earned its way up to a two-week run in the West End.

What’s the offer? Top price tickets for £40, £50 or £60 all performances – must end 24 January.

High Noon

What’s it about? In the the days of the Wild West, small town marshall Will Kane prepares to leave town after marrying Amy Fowler. But word arrives that Frank Miller, a vicious outlaw, has been released from prison and will arrive by the noon train. Torn between the honour of his new wife and the duty of his old job, Will must make a choice by noon.

Why should I see it? The 1952 Gary Cooper / Grace Kelly Western film, on which the play is based, is in the conversation for greatest movie ever made. While this play stays true to the source material, the production has changed its inspiration from McCarthyism to current world events to remain as timely as ever. Plus it unites two great acting talents in Tony Award winner Billy Crudup (The Morning Show) and Olivier Award winner Denise Gough (People, Places And Things and Andor)

What’s the offer? Tickets for £30, £40, or £50 for Mon – Fri performances for weeks beginning 26 Jan and 2 & 9 Feb.

Mrs. President

What’s it about? Already having todeal with the grief of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, his widow, Mary Lincoln has to contend with social attacks from an envious elite. She engages the help of the world’s first celebrity photographer, Mathew Brady, who helped her husband win the presidency. But their partnership soon unravels in a battle for creative control.

Why should I see it? The play is written by playwright and historian (and artist) John Ransom Phillips so promises to be an accurate and thought-provoking account of power, female agency and representation. Of course, if you’re less concerned with historical accuracy and more concerned with a barrel of laughs, Mary Lincoln is also the lead character in outrageous camp comedy Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar Theatre – also taking part in the New Year Sale.

What’s the offer? Tickets for £10, £20, £30 or £40 for all performances (23 Jan – 8 Mar).

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

What’s it about? Set in the murky world of the Cold War, British intelligence officer Alec Leamas is ready to retire and ‘come in from the cold’. But following the killing of his most reliable source, Leamas is tempted into one dangerous, deceptive and personal final mission.

Why should I see it? This is the first stage adaptation of a novel by John le Carré, the master of the modern spy thriller. Performed in Sohoplace’s intimate in-the-round space with period costume, this a tense, sophisticated and provocative look at the political era that shaped the modern world. Must end 21 February.

What’s the offer? Tickets for £60 (£20 off) for performances on 21, 26, 27 & 28 Jan and 2 & 3 Feb. Last few tickets remaining.

Summerfolk

What’s it about? During the hot and beautiful Russian summer of 1905, Russia’s elite holiday in the countryside to enjoy the best things in life. But as the party continues, how long can they ignore the storm on the horizon?

Why should I see it? Maxim Gorky was one of Russia’s most successful authors of the age, with five Nobel Prize nominations, although he was also imprisoned for his work as he dared to criticise the status quo. This exciting new version by siblings Nina and Moses Raine (descended from Dr Zhivago author Boris Pasternak) promises to be a razor-sharp portrait of class, privilege and denial.

What’s the offer? Tickets for £20, £30, £40, £50 for most performances from 12 Mar – 29 Apr.

This is particularly true of shows which haven’t opened yet. Given these shows are new and may be unfamiliar to you, we thought we’d take a closer look at shows in the New Year Sale which are opening in the coming months…

January

Gerry & Sewell opens on 13 January. This heart-warming comedy about friendships and underdogs follows two Newcastle United fans desperate to get a season ticket. After a sell-out run in the North East, the play transfers to the West End for only two weeks.

Chichester Festival Theatre has a strong record of West End transfers – think Half A Sixpence, Quiz, revivals of Gypsy and Caroline, Or Change – and it shows no signs of slowing down.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry is a new musical based on Rachel Joyce’s profound and funny novel, with music by indie musician Passenger. It had rave reviews in Chichester last summer and transfers with original cast members Mark Addy and Olivier Award winner Jenna Russell, with previews from 29 January and New Year Sale prices in February, too.

Theatre company Frantic Assembly celebrate their 30^th anniversary with a new play, Lost Atoms, written by Anna Jordan who wrote episodes of Succession and One Day. The play charts the life-changing relationship of Jess and Robbie and focusses on how differing memories can change our stories. It runs at the Lyric Hammersmith from 30 January – 28 February, taking part in the New Year Sale for February performances.

February

For one night only, X Factor contestant turned West End star Lucie Jones is Live At The London Palladium. Blending her live gig roots with the drama of her stage career, including regular performances in Les Miserables and the leading role in Waitress, this will be a unique concert that showcases her incredible vocal talent. Expect surprise appearances and unique collaborations. 16 February only.

Evening All Afternoon is a brand new play by American playwright Anna Ziegler, who had a hit on the West End with Photograph 51, starring Nicole Kidman. This play explores the relationship between a stepmother and stepdaughter, confronting the human dilemma about facing loss and opening up to new connections. The play runs from 19 February – 11 April at the Donmar Warehouse, an intimate and compelling space with a storied history.

March

Sibling duo Nina and Moses Raine (Consent and Donkey Heart, respectively) team up for a new translation of Summer Folk, by Russian dramatist Maxim Gorky. 1905 was a hot, beautiful summer in Russia, but while the elite wine and dine, a storm is on the horizon. The story is fitting for the Raines, whose great uncle was Boris Pasternak, author of Doctor Zhivago. Summer Folk runs from 12 March – 29 April at the National Theatre.

While you can find opera and ballet at the London Coliseum for much of the year, London’s largest theatre stages a big musical each summer. This March will see the first West End revival of Kinky Boots.

The show is based on the British film and true story of a Northampton shoe factory that hits hard times, then takes a chance on becoming a specialist in shoewear for drag artists. With music and lyrics by pop star Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), this production will be led by Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe in the role of Lola.  It runs from 17 March – 11 July with New Year Sale offers on most April, May and June performances.