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.

That’s because Christmas in British theatre means pantomime season. With so many theatres in London, there’s plenty of pantos on throughout the capital and we’ve listed the best of them for you below.

What Pantomimes can you see in London for Christmas 2025?

Cinderella at the Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames

Nestled in the leafy, market town of Kingston-upon-Thames, this year the Rose Theatre offers a magical fairytale that’s not quite the story you know. With direction by Olivier Award winner Chris Bush (Standing At The Sky’s Edge), this show also features brand new songs. 

Cinderella retells the fairy story of a girl forced to spend Christmas with her wicked new step-mum and horrid twin step-sisters. When she’s whisked away into a magical world of castles and princes, will she find her happy ending?

26 November 2025 – 4 January 2026

Dick Whittington And His Catford Cat at the Broadway Theatre, Catford

Proving you don’t need to fly to New York to visit Broadway, Catford’s own Broadway Theatre presents a modern and local version of Dick Whittington, who was the actual Lord Mayor of London in the 14^th and 15 centuries.

In this version, Dick Whittington sets sail from the West Indies on the Empire Windrush to seek his fortune on London’s streets of gold. Accompanied by who else but the Catford Cat, join Dick as he takes on the Queen Rat, meet an eccentric fairy and fall head over paws in love.

9  – 31 December 2025

Jack And The Beanstalk at the Lyric Hammersmith

After the success of last year’s smash sell-out Aladdin, the panto team of Sonia Jalaly and Nicholai La Barrie are back at the Lyric Hammersmith. In this reinvention of the fairy story, Jack and Jill have joined the strictest school in Hammersmith, where the headteacher sends naughty kids off to the giant – whatever that means.

With musical bangers, jaw-dropping magic and whip-smart comedy, join Jack and Jill on the climb of a lifetime to find the Fairy Godmother and bring joy back to West London

15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026

Beauty And The Beast: A Horny Love Story at the Charing Cross Theatre

For the third year running, Charing Cross Theatre hosts the big gay panto that is strictly for adults only. Expect plenty of outrageous outfits, colourful contouring and saucy word play as you’re transported to the Scottish village of Lickmanochers where a naïve mummy’s boy is taken prisoner by an aristocratic brute.

21 November 2025 – 11 January 2026

Potted Panto at Wilton’s Music Hall

If you can’t decide which panto is for you, then why make that choice? In this madcap show, you can experience seven classic pantomimes in 80 hilarious minutes all within the confines of Wilton’s, one of London’s oldest surviving music halls. What better venue for a pantomime than the music hall, one of they key influences on pantomime?

3 December 2025 – 3 January 2026

This week we hear from Miracle Chance – taking up the role of Brianna in FANGIRLS, opening at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre on 13 July.

1. My route into theatre was…

I always loved to sing and dance: my dad is a great singer, my grandma was a tap dancer and my mum loved to sing around the house. So when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up I used to say a pop star! I started off singing in my bedroom, and then taking some dance classes at a local school. Shortly after that I tried to find some after-school drama clubs, and I think my passion for acting grew from there. Whilst I was at school, I honestly didn’t think there was much else I could see myself doing so I just put all my energy into any form of creativity I could. After secondary school I was lucky enough to attend Idyllwild Arts Academy in California, and then later went to The Guildford School of Acting.

2. My West End idol is…

My West End Idol, or should I say international icon, is Lea Salonga! She was the first East Asian Musical Theatre actress I ever saw – as I had the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary concert recorded at home (which I used to watch a lot), I could see myself in her. I definitely looked up to her, and I actually got to meet her when she saw The Witches last year! It was such an honour.

3. My colleagues would describe me as…

Quirky, silly, ambitious, energised yet chilled, a perfectionist and I hope they would call me fun!

4. My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…

I was blown away by Standing at the Sky’s Edge at the National Theatre! A new British musical with wonderfully unique music and performances, it encompassed everything I love about musicals whilst maintaining a very clear identity. Just stunning. I also adored watching Girl from the North Country a few years ago at The Old Vic. The performances were outstanding and I love me some Bob Dylan!

5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…

This is such a tricky question as I truly believe every job is a part of a rich tapestry and journey we go on in our careers! It is hard to define any job to a proudest moment.

If I went on the role alone I would have to say Veronica Sawyer in Heathers. It’s such a mammoth role, and an iconic sing – playing her 8 shows a week was the challenge I had always hoped I would get to take on. There was always something new to find, which made each day exciting, and I felt really proud to get to play her arc every night.

6. The hardest part about my job/role is…

The hardest part is the industry itself. It’s a world that isn’t kind, you have to really want it and nothing else, and this means you have to work extremely hard to not only maintain your craft and keep progressing, but also have the strength to persevere when things don’t go your way or if you hit a low slump.

7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…

I’d say maybe an astrologist or a wedding planner, I’m very obsessed with astrology, and who wouldn’t love to constantly be planning amazing parties?

8. Something people don’t know about me is…

I’m very scared of heights and clowns (but not clowning!).

9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

Always bring a brick, not a house.

10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is… 

Remember that being fearless isn’t a bad thing, always show people who you are, don’t be afraid to go for the things you want, or even better, just do them!

FANGIRLS, a new musical, runs at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 13 July until 24 August. Book your tickets on the Official London Theatre website.

This week, we hear from Deborah Ayorinde, who’s currently playing Julia in Alice Childress’ Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White.

Find out more about Deborah and her career so far below:

1. My route into theatre was…

After school drama programs. My parents recognised the deep love I have for the arts very early on and they nurtured it and kept me going after school. I always knew I would be a performing artist so this has always felt like a natural journey for me.

2. My West End idol is…

I don’t have one just yet. My favourite actors and directors have done work outside of the West End.

3. My colleagues would describe me as…

Focused, loving, open, graceful.

4. My favourite show (that isn’t one I star in/work on) is…

There’s so many that I love so my favourite keeps on changing. One that I saw recently that I love is Between Riverside and Crazy at the Hampstead Theatre.

5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…

The work I did in seasons 1 and 2 of Them. To be asked back to lead the show again in a completely new role was a huge honour and something that I’m proud of.

6. The hardest part about my job/role is…

Staying focused on the art of what I do (because that’s what truly brings me joy), while taking care of the business of what I do.

7. If I wasn’t an actor, I would be…

Some other type of artist. A musician. A writer. A documentarian. Something creative. Something artistic.

8. Something people don’t know about me is…

I’m actually quite shy. When I get around people I feel safe with I’m open but when I’m not I can be quite reserved.

9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

Stay true to you.

10. The one thing I wish I could tell my younger self is…

Focus more of your energy on discovering and embracing your authentic self. You are enough.

You can see Deborah in the hotly-anticipated Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

This larger-than-life show is tonnes of fun and entertaining from start to finish. The script is quick-fire – simultaneously silly and clever. Characters have on-the-nose names like ‘Lady Susan Climber’ and ‘Hannah Tweetwell’ and speak in heightened language, in what feels like a battle of wits. As with The 47th, the text definitely feels Shakespearian, with characters delivering soliloquies and rhyming in couplets.

Each character represents a different generation – from the baby boomers, the tech-fluent millennials. There’s something for everyone to laugh at! The play is set in an imaginary restoration era of the future, with sex, money and lavish parties aplenty. The play is full of hilarious moments, mistaken identities and brilliantly funny characters – which the audience were just loving.

The play looks good too, the costumes are stunning and the restoration era set is impressive.

I always love going to the Lyric Hammersmith, it’s not a long journey from central London on the Circle or Hammersmith & City line, and the theatre is beautiful, spacious and always shows amazing work.

The performances were incredible. Real stand outs for me were Cecilia Appiah as Phoebe Virtue, Matthew Broome as her twin Jack Virtue, Rachael Stirling as Lady Susan Climber and Emma Cunliffe who played Aunty Julie and Rebecca De Souza.

Richard Goulding gave an eerily accurate performance as Matt Eton MP – simultaneously emulating Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and other high-profile MPs.

There is something for everyone in this play – it’s exciting, funny and very current. It feels like you’ve been invited to a party, while also being allowed to peak behind the scenes. It’s the tantalising event that everyone’s talking about.

Get your tickets now to the event of the year!

This week, we’re talking to Nicholai La Barrie, Associate Director at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. Nicholai’s theatre work includes; The Tina Turner Musical (West End) as Resident Director, Liar Heretic Thief (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre) and Portrait For Posterity (Arcola Theatre) to name just a few.

His most recent project includes Heart Of Hammersmith which will run at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 12-14 August and will be the theatre’s first large-scale production play in its 125-year history. Inspired by true stories from West London, the play tracks immigrant arrivals, million-pound homes and social housing sitting side by side, the rise of gentrification and the shadows left by the Grenfell tragedy, the changing of attitudes, facing of tragedies and the rallying of a resilient community. 

Created with The Young Lyric Community Company, the powerful play explores and celebrates West London through all of its hardships and triumphs and the vibrant individuals who make it what it is. 

Find out more about Nicholai and Hearts Of Hammersmith below…

1. My route into theatre was…

I started as an actor when i was10 years old. I grew up in Trinidad and Tobago, my parents didn’t want me to hang out in the area we grew up in so sent me to every after-school activity there was from football to swimming, to learning to play the recorder, anything that kept me in school or away from the block. Theatre was the one that stuck.

2. The thing I love the most about my job is…

The stories, the magic of them, the fact that you can be sat in a room of brick and mortar and be anywhere in time or space. That I get to be involved describing and asking questions about who we are as human beings on this planet.

3. My favourite show (that isn’t one I worked on) is…

I saw a show at the Globe called ‘Otra Tempestad’, Another Tempest , and it was all in Spanish and they took all the ghostly characters from Shakespeare’s plays and put them on Prospero’s island. It was crazy and all movement based and done by a Cuban theatre company. It blew my mind. It was all these characters not knowing where they were, mad at Prospero and trying to get off the island. It was wild and brilliant. Also, I don’t speak Spanish but that didn’t matter, it was so well played.

4. The hardest part about my job is…

Working with the team to create, programme and develop work for the seasons. there are so many wonderful shows and artists to work with, the hardest part is putting it together and leaving out some shows that you think are amazing.

5. The career moment I’m most proud of is…

What? Other than being the Associate Director at the Lyric, ha ha ha. I made a show at the Lyric called Liar, Heritic, Thief. We made it in 10 days and seeing it performed for the first time was really special because we all felt that we had worked so hard and the show was sweet and tender. It blew us all away.

6. On my days off I like to…

Hang out with my family, they are pretty cool. We like being around each other, so we do stuff.

7. My daily work rituals include…

Reading , I read a lot. A nap if I can, they are the future, I don’t know if you know, and finding some time to be silent.

8. My inspiration is…

The people I work with, they are so talented and they make me want to work harder and better.

9. The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is…

Say yes.

10. Why is Heart Of Hammersmith different to other shows, what can we expect?

It’s big, and spans nearly a hundred years, and there are really wonderful set pieces in there that are so beautiful. It’s also the story of a community and a family that is being pushed and pulled. There is joy and heartbreak, and everyone living and loving each other so fiercely. It’s a ride that you will have to hold on to your seats for.

If the above has inspired you to see Heart Of Hammersmith, check out the trailer and grab your tickets to see this unique, powerful play beloe.

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The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre releases production images for the world premiere of Out West starring Esh Alladi, Tom Mothersdale and Ayesha Antoine in three new short plays by Tanika Gupta, Simon Stephens and Roy Williams, co-directed by Rachel O’Riordan and Diane Page, ahead of opening night on 24 June.

Out West explores race, geography, identity, belonging and hope rooted in multicultural England of past and present. Tanika Gupta’s The Overseas Student reimagines Gandhi’s formative student years in Victorian England; Simon Stephens’ Blue Water and Cold and Fresh confronts white male privilege in the wake of city lockdown living and Black Lives Matter protests, and Roy Williams’ Go, Girl  is a celebratory story of Black female empowerment and everyday heroism.

The show is on now at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre until 24 July and an online streaming is available from 12- 17 July. One ticket gives you access to all three incredible plays which you can find out more about by clicking the button below!

Papatango re-release Shook alongside TV premiere following Samuel Bailey’s nomination for The Times Breakthrough Award

Following Samuel Bailey’s nomination for The Times Breakthrough Award at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, Papatango today announce that the film capture of his critically acclaimed debut play Shook will premiere on free-to-air television on Thursday 24 June, after which it will be re-released as an online stream from 25 June -l 31 July.

Previous winners of The Times Breakthrough Award include Waad al-Kateab, Tom Hiddleston, Billie Piper, Stormzy, Amma Asante, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Jessie Buckley. As the sole nominee in the theatre category, Bailey is a subject of this season’s South Bank Show series. His profile by Melvyn Bragg will air at 9pm on 24 June on Sky Arts, Freeview Channel 11. This broadcast will be immediately followed by the opportunity to watch Shook on Sky Arts at 10pm.

Following this TV broadcast, from Friday 25 June until Saturday 31 July audiences will also be able to stream Shook online. Tickets are £10 per household, and give audiences access to stream the show for 48 hours after purchase via www.papatango.co.uk/shook – captions available.

Shook, inspired by true stories, looks at three young offenders who are due to become fathers while incarcerated. As Cain, Riyad and Jonjo embark on parenting classes under the instruction of Grace, their different histories slowly emerge and their different futures take shape. Both funny and poignant, Shook examines the young people society shuts away.

Featuring the original cast – Josef Davies (Jonjo), Josh Finan (Cain), Andrea Hall (Grace) and Ivan Oyik (Riyad) – and with the original set/costume designs by Jasmine Swan and sound design by Richard Hammarton, the capture of Shook was directed by Papatango’s Artistic Director George Turvey in collaboration with BAFTA-winning and multi-Emmy-nominated director James Bobin.

Shook won the 2019 Papatango New Writing Prize, debuting to critical acclaim at Southwark Playhouse, and was nominated for 7 OffWestEnd Awards and The Stage Debut Award for Most Promising Playwright. It became the best-selling world première in the venue’s history, and sold out on tour across England and Wales.

Following his debut, Samuel Bailey is now under commission from Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth, as well as developing a new film with the award-winning director Peter Cattaneo (The Full Monty) for 42. He was born in London and raised in the West Midlands. He began writing plays in Bristol and developed work with Bristol Old Vic, Tobacco Factory Theatres and Theatre West before moving back to London. He is an alumnus of the Old Vic 12 and Orange Tree Writers’ Collective. Shook was originally supported by the MGCfutures bursary programme, and was his debut full production.