As a new year approaches and January resolutions are made, we've also got to say farewell to several West End shows. We've rounded up some of the unmissable shows to see which are leaving London in January.
From festive favourites like The Nutcracker and Elf the Musical, to much-loved musicals like Get Up, Stand Up!, Come From Away and Mary Poppins, it's your last chance to see these spectacular shows.
Last chance to see - Musicals
There are lots of musical productions leaving London in January. From stage adaptations of classic movies like Mary Poppins and Bugsy Malone, to Olivier Award nominated productions like Come From Away and Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, there’s something for everyone!
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins at Prince Edward Theatre
Where: Prince Edward Theatre
Closing date: 8 January
Age recommendation: 7+
Take flight with the West End's most famous nanny before she flies away forever!
Practically perfect performers in this cast include Zizi Strallen (Strictly Ballroom) as Mary Poppins, Petula Clark as Bird Woman and Olivier Award nominee Charlie Stemp (Crazy For You) as Bert.
You won't need a spoonful of sugar to enjoy this show, as it features music and lyrics by the incredible Sherman Brothers, and extra songs by Stiles and Drew (Identical, Half A Sixpence). A combination of the much-loved P.L Travers book and the 1964 Disney film, step in time to see this show before it closes!
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical at the Lyric Theatre
Where: Lyric Theatre
Closing date: 8 January
Age recommendation: 12+
This Olivier Award-winning world premiere has dazzled audiences at the Lyric Theatre with the story of Bob Marley and his hugely successful career.
Starring David Albury (Motown The Musical) as Bob Marley, the musical features all the hits from this reggae icon. Prepare to be immersed into this incredible story with all your favourite tunes, including No Woman No Cry, Exodus, 3 Little Birds, and Get Up Stand Up.
Book Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical tickets
Come From Away
Come From Away at the Phoenix Theatre
Where: Phoenix Theatre
Booking until: 7 January
Age recommendation: 10+
Featuring songs including Welcome to the Rock and Me and the Sky, the cast play multiple roles within the show. The cast includes:
- Alice Fearn (Wicked) as Beverley, Annette and others
- Emma Salvo (The Toxic Avenger) as Janice and others
- Gemma Knight Jones (Falsettos) as Hannah and others
- Harry Morrison (Half A Sixpence) as Oz and others
- Jenna Boyd (The Wind in the Willows) as Beullah and others
- James Doherty (Les Misérables) as Claude and others
- Jonathan Andrew Hume (The Lion King) as Kevin J and others
- Kate Graham (Mamma Mia!) as Diane and others
- Kirsty Malpass (Groundhog Day) as Bonnie and others
- Lejaun Sheppard (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Bob and others
- Mark Dugdale (Jersey Boys) as Kevin T, Garth and others
- Robert Hands as Nick, Doug and others (Olivier nominated for this role)
This Olivier Award-winning musical recounts the true story of what happened in Gander, Canada, following the 9/11 attacks in New York. When 7,000 plane passengers had to be diverted to Gander, its residents opened their homes and their hearts for several days.
An uplifting story of community, love and hope in the darkest days, you'll never forget visiting The Rock.
Elf The Musical
Elf the Musical at the Dominion Theatre
Where: Dominion Theatre
Booking until: 7 January
Age recommendation: 4+
Want to see something festive with the family? You can't go wrong with this stage adaptation of the Christmas hit, Elf The Musical!
The cast includes:
- Simon Lipkin (Nativity!) as Buddy
- Georgina Castle (ALW's Cinderella) as Jovie
- Tom Chambers (Holby City) as Walter Hobbs
- Rebecca Lock (Heathers) as Emily Hobbs
- Kim Ismay (Wicked) as Debs
- Dermot Canavan (Hairspray) as Store Manager
- Nicholas Pound (The Fix) as Santa
So get your candy covered spaghetti ready and watch the most festive show of the year.
Bugsy Malone
Bugsy Malone at Alexandra Palace
Where: Alexandra Palace
Booking until: 15 January
Age recommendation: 8+
Transport yourself to 1920's New York with this production of hit-musical Bugsy Malone. Packed full of recognisable numbers including My Name is Tallulah, You Give A Little Love and Fat Sam's Grand Slam, this riotous comedy will get the whole family tapping along.
Prepare for mobsters, showgirls and plenty of custard pie mayhem!
Last chance to see - Plays
There's a plethora of plays to enjoy in the West End, but you've only got a few weeks left to catch these productions.
From immersive shows like As You Like It and The Great Gatsby, to puppet-filled productions like Life Of Pi and My Neighbour Totoro, there's lots to choose from!
As You Like It
As You Like It at SohoPlace
Where: @SohoPlace
Closing date: 28 January
Age recommendation: 8+
This production of As You Like It is a Shakespearean show like you've never seen before. Staged in the round at the newly opened @SohoPlace, this immersive show is directed by the Olivier Award nominee, Josie Rourke. The cast leading you through the Forest of Arden include:
- Leah Harvey (The Wonderful World of Dissocia) as Rosalind
- Rose Ayling-Ellis (EastEnders, Strictly Come Dancing 2021 winner) as Celia in her West End debut
- Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter) as Orlando
- Tom Mison (Watchmen) as Touchstone
- Martha Plimpton (The Good Wife) as Jaques
Purposely built for accessibility, every performance of As You Like It will run with captions that can be seen from every seat. For a fully inclusive experience, captioning has also been incorporated into the show itself.
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Where: ImmersiveLDN
Closing date: 7 January
Age recommendation: 14+
Step back in time to the 1920s and put on your dancing shoes for this immersive musical.
Adapted from the bestselling book by F. Scott Fitzgerald by Stephen Sharkey (The Resistible Rise Of Arturo Ui), you'll be surrounded by the sights, sounds and plenty of dancing from the 1920s era.
A hugely successful transfer from the Vault Festival, audiences are encouraged to dress up in their finest vintage gear to watch this incredible production.
Life Of Pi
Life Of Pi at Wyndham's Theatre
Where: Wyndham's Theatre
Closing date: 15 January
Age recommendation: 8+
A unique adaptation by Lolita Chakrabarti of the multi-million selling book by Yann Martel, Life Of Pi has been delighting audiences since it first arrived on stage.
The story revolves around a 16-year-old boy named Pi, who finds himself stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean. But he's not alone, there's four other survivors - a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger.
Directed by Max Webster, Life of Pi won five Olivier Awards this year. This included Best New Play, Best Actor (Hiran Abeysekera), Best Set Design, Best Lighting Design, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the seven actors who play the tiger.
Transforming its Wyndham Theatre home to accommodate mind-blowing puppetry, expect life-size puppets, state-of-the-art visuals and unmissable performances.
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe at the Gillan Lynne Theatre
Where: Gillan Lynne Theatre
Closing date: 8 January
Age recommendation: 6+
Enter the world of Narnia at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, and meet its unique residents who are battling against the White Witch.
Joining you on the journey are a magnificent cast, which includes:
- Samantha Womack (The Girl on the Train) as the White Witch
- Ammar Duffus (A Monster Calls UK tour) as Peter
- Shaka Kalokoh in his West End debut as Edmund
- Robyn Sinclair (Amélie) as Susan
- Delainey Hayles in her West End debut as Lucy
- Chris Jared (Amélie) as Aslan
- Julian Holt (Little Shop of Horrors) as Mr Beaver
Adapted from the much-loved C.S.Lewis book by an award-winning team, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe brings this magical tale to life with puppetry, state-of-the-art video and mesmerising live theatre.
Book The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe tickets
Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show
Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show at the Ambassador's Theatre
Where: Ambassador's Theatre
Closing date: 21 January
Age recommendation: 14+
Opening to rave reviews and described as "the greatest breakthrough show of the past 12 months", Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show is a bold, moving and triumphant celebration.
This one-woman show stars Liz Kingsman, who recently won the Times Breakthrough Award at the Sky Arts South Bank Awards, and was also named by the Evening Standard as a Face to Watch in 2022.
Book Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show tickets
My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro at the Barbican Theatre
Where: Barbican Theatre
Closing date: 21 January
Age recommendation: 6+
Opening to rave reviews and described as "the greatest breakthrough show of the past 12 months", Liz Kingsman: One Woman Show is a bold, moving and triumphant celebration.
This one-woman show stars Liz Kingsman, who recently won the Times Breakthrough Award at the Sky Arts South Bank Awards, and was also named by the Evening Standard as a Face to Watch in 2022.
Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets
Last chance to see - Dance and Cabaret
Circus 1903
Circus 1903 at Hammersmith Apollo
Where: Hammersmith Apollo
Booking until: 1 January
Age recommendation: 4+
Roll up, roll up to a festive circus in London! From thrills and daredevil acts, to acrobatics, strong men and contortionists, this turn-of-the-century circus will captivate the whole family.
If that wasn't enough, Circus 1903 also features jaw-dropping puppetry (which includes elephants!) from the award-winning team behind War Horse.
Go back to the golden age of the circus and witness a huge cast of incredible global acts perform unforgettable stunts and tricks.
La Clique
La Clique at Leicester Square
Where: Leicester Square
Booking until: 7 January
Age recommendation: 16+
Stay in the Christmas spirit with a trip to La Clique! Inside the Spiegeltent you'll be delighted by hilarious comedy, extravagant cabaret and unforgettable circus acts.
Having delighted audiences around the world, La Clique has returned for a limited season in the heart of Leicester Square with this brand-new show.
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty
Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty
Where: Sadler’s Wells
Booking until: 15 January
Age recommendation: 6+
Celebrating 10 years since its initial Sadler Wells premiere, Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty is finally back in the West End.
A timeless story full of magical fairies and vampires, this supernatural love story has a beautiful score, stunning sets and masterful storytelling. Taking you between multiple time periods, you'll be transported through the late Edwardian era to the modern day in this dazzling gothic romance.
The fastest-selling production in the company's history, this award-winning show has enhanced audiences across the UK and the globe.
Book Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty tickets
Which of these shows are you seeing before they close? Have you seen any of them already? Let us know on social media! We're @lbotheatre on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook!
