Theatre
The Frogs
Aristophanes’s ancient drama is reimagined by Carl Grose and physical comedy company Spymonkey. With a plot about a beleaguered double act enlisted to perform the Greek play in Hollywood, it promises a monster-filled underworld, a chorus of tap-dancing frogs and buckets of existential angst.
• Royal and Derngate, Northampton, 19 January-3 February. Then touring
Blue Beard
Emma Rice’s company Wise Children has excelled at staging work with a literary bent, from Wuthering Heights to Malory Towers to its namesake novel by Angela Carter. Now Rice takes on the murderous, fairytale figure of Blue Beard and his young bride who comes with her sisters and is apparently his match.
• Theatre Royal Bath, 2-10 February. Then touring
An Enemy of the People
Matt Smith stars in Henrik Ibsen’s play about truth, power and contaminated water. Conceived by celebrated German director Thomas Ostermeier, it was originally produced at the Schaubühne in Berlin and this new staging has a limited London run.
• Duke of York’s theatre, London, 6 February-6 April
A View from the Bridge
The last time Dominic West was on the UK stage was in 2015 in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Better known for his screen roles in The Crown and The Wire, he now returns as Eddie Carbone in Arthur Miller’s classic, directed by Lindsay Posner in the intimate Ustinov Studio for only 23 performances.
• Theatre Royal Bath, 16 February-9 March
Minority Report
Birmingham Rep, Lyric Hammersmith and Nottingham Playhouse’s co-production brings a twist to Philip K Dick’s sci-fi story, famously adapted into a Hollywood film starring Tom Cruise. The action hero here is a female neuroscientist who finds herself a fugitive of her own “pre-crime” programme. Directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi), this should be a big spectacle.
• Nottingham Playhouse, 16 February-9 March. Then touring
The Human Body
Set in 1948 Shropshire, Lucy Kirkwood’s romantic drama follows a GP and Labour party councillor trying to bring Nye Bevan’s promise of free healthcare for all to life. Starring Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport, with direction from Michael Longhurst and Ann Yee, this NHS tale could not come at a more crucial time.
• Donmar Warehouse, London, 16 February-13 April
Lines
Over five decades, this new play follows five prisoners from Palestine, Uganda and the UK (including the son of an Idi Amin ally and a queer woman in Kampala). There are parallels and points of connection in their interwoven, postcolonial stories. Junaid Sarieddeen directs.
• Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield, 28 February-9 March
Starter for Ten
David Nicholls’ novel about coming of age, class and student romance becomes an 80s-inspired musical composed by Tom Rasmussen and Hatty Carman whose influences include the Cure, the Smiths and Kate Bush. Starring Adam Bregman and Mel Giedroyc.
• Bristol Old Vic, 29 February-30 March
Player Kings
Ian McKellen has recently given us an age-blind Hamlet. Now comes his Falstaff in a bold Shakespearean adaptation by Robert Icke, bringing together two history plays: Henry IV parts 1 and 2. Icke always serves up the unexpected and his pairing with McKellen is sure to be dynamic.
• New Wimbledon theatre, London, 1-9 March. Then touring
Opening Night
Fresh from a storming West End turn as Shirley Valentine, Sheridan Smith stars in Ivo van Hove’s production based on John Cassavetes’s film about a theatre company preparing a show for Broadway. The music is by Rufus Wainwright, and it promises to be an “intense marriage of film and stage”.
• Gielgud theatre, London, 6 March-27 July
Spirited Away
The RSC’s adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro was a smash hit. Here comes the stage adaptation of another Ghibli classic, the story of Chihiro, who stumbles into a world of fantastical spirits and sorcerers. The production will use the film score by Joe Hisaishi and the Japanese cast will perform alongside puppetry.
• Coliseum, London, 30 April–24 August
Maggie and Me
Writer and presenter Damian Barr’s bestselling memoir traced his 1980s upbringing in Newarthill against the fractious backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain. Adapted by Barr and James Ley, produced by National Theatre of Scotland and directed by Suba Das, it is a gen X story about coming-of-age as well as coming out.
• Tron, Glasgow, 8-11 May. Then touring
The Women of Llanrumney
It is 1765, at Llanrumney plantation in Jamaica, where Annie and Cerys are enslaved by a family from Wales, with rebellion fomenting around them. This historical drama confronts Wales’ colonial past and is written by Azuka Oforka, an alumnus of the Sherman theatre’s artist development programme Unheard Voices.
• Sherman theatre, Cardiff, 16 May-1 June
The Devil Wears Prada
If you loved the film starring Meryl Streep as a tyrannical magazine editor in spiked heels and Anne Hathaway as her beleaguered assistant, this is a must-see. The trend to adapt old box-office blockbusters continues into 2024 but this musical adaptation should be a cut above, not least because Elton John has composed the music.
• Theatre Royal Plymouth, 6 July-17 August. Then touring
Dance
La Strada
World-leading ballerina Alina Cojocaru stars in and produces this new ballet, based on Federico Fellini’s film, with Cojocaru playing the sweet but tragic role of Gelsomina, a naive young woman taken on the road by a travelling strongman (ex-La Scala dancer Mick Zeni). Cojocaru’s husband, Johan Kobborg, also dances.
• Sadler’s Wells, London, 25-28 January
Diversity: Supernova
Fifteen years after conquering Britain’s Got Talent, street dance crew Diversity are still performing choreographer Ashley Banjo’s signature military-tight moves. This is their biggest ever tour; expect fast-paced, full-on energy, comedy and some uplifting routines.
• Royal & Derngate theatre, Northampton, 29-31 January. Then touring
New York City Ballet
The legendary NYCB hasn’t visited the UK since 2008 and makes its debut at Sadler’s Wells with a mixed bill, featuring UK premieres from current hot-ticket choreographers Justin Peck, Kyle Abraham and Pam Tanowitz, as well as a classic work, Duo Concertant, by its founder George Balanchine.
• Sadler’s Wells, London, 7-10 March
Northern Ballet: Romeo & Juliet
A revival of the 1991 production by Italian choreographer Massimo Moricone and director Christopher Gable. It was Gable who originated the Romeo role in Kenneth MacMillan’s all-conquering Romeo & Juliet, only to be usurped by Rudolf Nureyev. That it comes with arguably the best score in ballet, by Prokofiev, is a bonus.
• Leeds Grand, 8-16 March. Then touring
Sydney Dance Company: Ascent
Any Brits watching contemporary dance in the 2000s will have seen the work of Rafael Bonachela, either with Rambert or his own company (or choreographing for Kylie). Since 2009 he’s been director of Sydney Dance Company and you can see what he’s been up to in this triple bill.
• Linbury theatre, Royal Opera House, London, 25-28 March
Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo
You can take your pick of Strictly spin-off shows, but for sheer glamour, warmth and chutzpah, Johannes is your man. There aren’t many performers who give more on the dance floor, and his live shows add some of his South African heritage into the ballroom/Latin mix along with a ton of feelgood charm.
• Swan theatre, High Wycombe, 29 March. Then touring
Fuerza Bruta: Aven
Masters of spectacle, the Argentinian company Fuerza Bruta returns to London for the first time in a decade with a new show. Having gobsmacked audiences in the past with their immersive, energetic, full-sensory performances, this is their post-pandemic offering, promising to be “the happiest show we’ve ever done”.
• Roundhouse, London, 9 July-31 August
Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby
If you missed this the first time around, it’s well worth a look, as contemporary dance company Rambert go on the road with their ambitious, atmospheric delve into the Peaky world. Written by the show’s creator Steven Knight, it captures the darkness, style and cracking soundtrack of the TV show.
• Aylesbury Waterside theatre, 13 September. Then touring
Comedy
Rhod Gilbert & the Giant Grapefruit
Touring seemed a distant prospect for Rhod Gilbert last year, when he underwent treatment for stage 4 cancer. But after edging back on stage at the fringe, the Welshman now returns with a show promising all the dark comedy of his terrible 2022, and more. “It’s wonderful to be alive,” he says, “and going back on the road.”
• Courtyard theatre, Hereford, 11-12 January. Then touring
Ania Magliano: I Can’t Believe You’ve Done This
A UK tour beckons for this excellent sophomore set from the young comedian. It begins with a disastrous trip to the hairdresser then leads Magliano (via a failed threesome, a new boxing hobby, and a stop-start love affair with a friend) on a journey of self-rediscovery that’s always thoughtful, amusing – and not without its surprises.
• Black Box, Belfast, 12 January. Then touring
Romesh Ranganathan: Hustle
His new tour is called Hustle, and we must assume Romesh Ranganathan knows whereof he speaks. Since breaking into standup a decade ago, the Crawley man has made the TV schedules his own. But can he still cut it on stage – or is he the Weakest Link? In his new show, Ranganathan asks: “Is hustling the key to success?”
• Engine Shed, Lincoln, 21-22 January. Then touring
Olga Koch: Prawn Cocktail
Olga Koch stepped up a level in life and in comedy this year – turning 30, and delivering her best standup set yet. A tale of parasocial relationships, and of a one-night-stand struggling to blossom into a transnational romance, Prawn Cocktail is commanding, rude, packed with ideas and hilarious in all the right measures.
• Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh, 26 January. Then touring
Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
This was the show everyone was talking about at the Edinburgh fringe, a late-night melange of clown-comedy, agony-aunt therapy and serendipity, with the audience playing a very active role. As healing as it was hilarious, Masli’s oddball undertaking – developed with input from the great Kim Noble – is now revived.
• Soho theatre, London, 30 January-17 February. Then touring
Frank Skinner: 30 Years of Dirt
Frank Skinner’s show might need a new title. First scheduled for 2022, it’s now stretching deep into next year, adding two further years of dirt to the Brummie’s already impressive haul. Skinner is on effortlessly funny form here, toying with his status as a “once-great comedian” while proving there’s nothing “once” about it.
• Gielgud theatre, London, 5-17 February
Paul Foot: Dissolve
After a career spent on comedy’s eccentric outer reaches, 2023 saw committed oddball Foot deliver his strangest – and most successful – set yet. Beyond his usual whimsy, Dissolve stakes out territory in the metaphysical realm, as the 49-year-old describes his lifelong struggle with depression – and its sudden, mysterious absolution.
• Soho theatre, London, 12-24 February. Then touring
Mo Gilligan: In the Moment
It seems 2024 will be yet another big year for the stratospheric south London standup – and ubiquitous TV bod – Gilligan. The reason? His maiden world tour beckons, with a US leg in the spring, and UK dates from September. Can this boy-next-door’s everyman charm survive the ravages of globetrotting glory? Let’s see.
• Leeds Grand, 5 September. Then touring
