The 20 Shows To See In January (2024)
What shows should you be seeing to kick off your 2024 in style? The New Year brings a huge variety of shows, but what about those opening in January? From the award-winning new Wild West show Bronco Billy The Musical at the Charing Cross Theatre, a host of great comedy shows at the Soho Theatre to UK tours kicking off their runs again after the festive period, including The Wizard of Oz. So here are the 20 shows to see across the UK in January 2024.
1. The Wizard of Oz, UK Tour
Throughout January - Oxford, Southampton and Hull.
The beloved stage adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel continues its UK tour in January heading to Oxford, Southampton and Hull in this month alone. The Wizard of Oz features a spectacular cast including The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West. A truly magical production for the whole family to enjoy!
2. Bronco Billy - The Musical
23 Jan - 7 April, Charing Cross Theatre
A new musical comedy based on the hit movie starring Clint Eastwood, Bronco Billy The Musical heads into London from 23 January. We’re so excited for this production which will star West End favourite Emily Benjamin as Antoinette.
3. Ricky Sim: Coming Out to Dead People (An Asian Queer Story)
22-24 Jan, Soho Theatre
NYC-based stand up comedian Ricky Sim will make his London debut with his critically acclaimed show, Coming Out to Dead People (An Asian Queer Story) at the tail end of the month. His show combines stand-up with storytelling, putting a spotlight on the time when he grappled with the decision to come out to his Chinese-Malaysian immigrant mother, just as she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
4. Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Fiend
29 Jan - 09 March, Barn Theatre Cirenchester
Head on a brand-new comedy adventure at the Barn Theatre with Sherlock Holmes and the Whitechapel Fiend. Conon Doyle’s fictional Victorian London brings together 1888 London and the Whitechapel Murders.
5. Alan Turing - A Musical Biography
8-27 Jan, Riverside Studios
Hailed by critics, this musical that explores the extraordinary life of Alan Turing heads to Riverside Studios for a limited season in January. Turing was a genius whose brilliant code breaking brain saved approximately fourteen million lives in WW2. This is definitely one to watch out for!
6. REHAB The Musical
12 Jan-17 Feb, Neon 194
This darkly comic musical about a jaded pop star in the late 90s who is sent to rehab is back in a new London venue, Neon 194 on Piccadilly. REHAB The Musical deals with subjects of addiction and mental health, led by an incredible cast including Keith Allen, Jodie Steele and Oscar Conlon-Morrey.
7. Afterglow
12 Jan - 10 Feb, Southwark Playhouse Borough
Queer drama Afterglow is back in London for a third season! The play explores the emotional, intellectual, and physical connections between three men and the broader implications of their relationships.
8. Spymonkeys’s The Frogs
19 Jan - 3 Feb, Royal & Derngate Northampton
The Frogs will take audiences on a delirious trip through Greek theatre, a monster-filled Underworld and classic vaudeville double acts. Spymonkey is known for its unique surreal clownesque comedy so if you haven’t seen anything like this before, its definitely worth checking out!
9. Cowbois
11 Jan - 10 Feb, Royal Court Theatre
Charlie Josephine’s rollicking queer Western which delighted audiences at The RSC in 2023 opens for a limited run at the Royal Court Theatre from the 11 Jan. Nominated for Best New Play and Best Costume Design at the WhatsOnStage Awards, this production comes with a gender revolution!
Read our ★ ★ ★ ★ review of Cowbois, The RSC
10. Alegria, Cirque du Soleil
11 Jan - 11 Feb, Royal Albert Hall
London’s most iconic venue plays host to Cirque du Soleil who returns to London to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Alegría, their internationally acclaimed classic. Only performing at the Royal Albert Hall for a limited time, the production is being revived for the anniversary.
11. A Mirror
22 Jan - 20 Apr, Trafalgar Theatre
Catch award-winning actors Jonny Lee Miller and Tanya Reynolds in A Mirror, the “extraordinary and mesmeric” play which heads to London’s West End following a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre.
12. Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical
11 Jan - 14 Apr, The Other Palace
A musical based on the cult 90s teen movie, Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical will open its London premiere at The Other Palace following success in New York, LA and the Edinburgh Fringe.
13. Jekyll and Hyde
13-27 Jan, Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
Starring Forbes Masson, this one-person play turns the classic story on its head. Gary McNair has written this captivating and comic take on Jekyll and Hyde to reveal the depths of one man’s psyche and what lengths we will go to hide our deepest secrets.
14. Exhibitionists
5 Jan - 10 Feb, King’s Head Theatre
This dazzling new comedy about love, sex, happiness and freedom set in the San Francisco art world will open the new theatre in January. Exhibitionists features witty characters, outrageous behaviour and a big beating heart.
15. Noises Off, UK Tour
Throughout January - Chichester, Malvern, Eastbourne, Nottingham
Following a successful West End, Noises Off continues its UK tour in January heading to 3 locations during the month. Michael Frayn’s celebrated plays, that is also regarded as one of the greatest British comedies ever written will be a great New Year pick me up!
Read our ★ ★ ★ ★ review of Noises Off, Theatre Royal Haymarket
16. The King and I
20 Jan - 2 Mar, London Palladium
Helen George will star as Anna Leonowens in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway hit musical The King and I which comes to the West End’s Dominion Theatre from 20 January. A classic musical to get your teeth into during its limited run!
17. Leaves Of Glass
16 Jan - 10 Feb, Park Theatre
Following its critically-acclaimed and hit run at the Park Theatre last Spring, Leaves of Glass returns to the same venue for a limited run. Philip Ridley’s gripping play centres on memory, manipulation and power.
Read our ★ ★ ★ ★ review of Leaves of Glass, Park Theatre
18. One Year Itch
9-13 Jan, Barons Court Theatre
Award-winning actor Anca Vaida leads an all-female and non-binary cast in this brand-new LGBTQI+ play, centred on Tania and Jayne. Together they come face to face with the trails and tribulations of lesbian courtship.
19. Cockfosters
9-20 Jan, Turbine Theatre
After two consecutive sold-out runs, the “riveting play with relentless energy” (LondonPubTheatres) Cockfosters rides again. Written by Tom Woffenden and Hamish Clayton, top up your Oyster, mind the gap and experience the tube trip of a lifetime to Cockfosters.
20. Plaza Suite
17 Jan - 31 Mar, Savoy Theatre
See Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker share the Savoy Theatre stage for the first time in Neil Simon’s sensational romantic comedy Plaza Suite.
What shows will you be heading to see in the month of January?
