1. A Christmas Carol starring Simon Russell-Beale and Patsy Ferran

There are at least 2 other A Christmas Carols in London this festive season but we have chosen this 1 because Russell Beale is always good value and Ferran is an Olivier Best Actress award-winner. Runs 27/11 through 16/1/21. Tickets UPDATE: The 2nd lockdown means this run will now start on 3/12/20

• Read on for reasons including new Steps album, Rent in Manchester and Kylie’s Disco set

2. Steps’ album What The Future Holds released

1st single What The Future Holds is the title track and was a Song Of The Month for us in September. We’ve heard the mid tempo album track Under My Skin but we’re most excited for 2nd single out this week, a cover of Jenny Silver’s Melodifestivalen classic Something In Your Eyes. Album out 27/11. Tickets

3. Rent in Manchester starring Blake Patrick Anderson

The last production of Rent we saw was a touring show starring Layton Williams and Lucie Jones. We last caught Anderson (Be More Chill and Closer To Heaven) at a lockdown gig. He’s joined in the production by original SIX cast members Millie O’Connell and Maiya Quansah-Breed. We’re watching this show virtually. Tickets

4. Kylie goes Disco

Kylie’s 15th album has been preceded by 3 fine singles. Lead song Say Something was a Song Of The Month for us in July and follow ups Magic and I Like It fit well together. Going disco rejuvenated her career with Spinning Around in 2000 but she’s finding it tougher two decades later and goes up against Little Mix and Shirley Bassey on release 6/11/20. Following Melanie C’s lead, she plays an album launch show online 7/11/20. Tickets

5. The Crown season 4 returns on Netflix

We interviewed Josh O’Connor after he’d filmed season 3 as Prince Charles but before it had aired. O’Connor returns in season 4 on Netflix on 15/11/20 and we can’t wait to see Gillian Anderson’s Margaret Thatcher.

6. Paloma Faith’s Infinite Things album

Sigrid won our 2019 Best Album monsta and co-writes track Gold on Faith’s 1st album for 3 years. We last saw Faith live in summer 2018 at outdoors gigs Victorious and ONBlackheath and, although its live where we think she shines brightest, the 3 tracks we’ve heard so far from this album, released 13/11/20, sound promising.

7. Second Cherry decides

We voted for our favourite almost-a-Eurovision podcast in the British Podcast Awards and this year’s series concludes, fingers crossed, with a live event at the RVT 7/11/20. Tickets have sold out but keep an eye out on Second Cherry’s socials for any returns. Once again saucy hosts Matt and Monty have unearthed a treasure trove of almost-Eurovision gems that these ears would’ve missed out on otherwise. Listeners can vote for their favourites until 6/11/20.

8. Shirley Bassey farewell album

Bassey goes up against Kylie and Little Mix in 1 of the more intriguing album chart battles on 6/11/20 in the run-up to the all-important Christmas sales market. This is the 83-year-old’s 37th (we think!) studio album and the two tracks we’ve heard so far are as classy and stately while supremely well sung as you might have hoped for. Tickets

9. Mary Poppins West End cast album takes to the stage

Zizi Strallen, Charlie Stemp and Petula Clark led the cast as this classic returned to the West End last year. Unlike Les Miserables it doesn’t appear to be returning before Christmas but the cast album will be available from 6/11/20. Details

• Picture courtesy of Bridge Theatre via Facebook. Tickets
• Have you seen any of these shows or films or heard the albums or read the books?
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