1. Plaza Suite at the Savoy Theatre

Sarah Jessica Parker makes her West End debut in Neil Simon’s comedy about marriage Plaza Suite opposite her husband Matthew Broderick at the Savoy Theatre 17 January through 30 March 2024. Tickets Broderick is the winner of 2 Tonys and Parker 2 Emmys. Our review

• Read on for reasons including film All Of Us Strangers, Depeche Mode live and The Hills Of California

2. All Of Us Strangers

Director Andrew Haigh (Q&A 45 Years) gives us Andrew Scott (Vanya, Duke Of York’s Theatre) and Paul Mescal (A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida) in a film released 26 January 2024 which is hugely anticipated. All Of Us Strangers gives us the London-set story of Scott’s Adam who has a chance encounter with Mescal’s neighbour Harry as he becomes preoccupied with memories of the suburban town where he grew up. Our review

3. Depeche Mode at The 02

Just Dave Gahan and Martin Gore remain from the original Mode line-up and last year single Ghosts Again was a song of the month for us from new album Memento Mori. A Humdrum Mum last reviewed them for us at the London Stadium in 2017 and in January they play 2 nights at London’s The 02 as part of a world tour that continues through April 2024. Tickets Our review

4. The Hills Of California

The Hills Of California is the new play by Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem, Apollo Theatre), set in Blackpool in 1976 and tells the tale of the Webb sisters who return to their mother’s rundown guest house as she lies dying upstairs. Directed by Sam Mendes (The Motive And The Cue, National and now Noel Coward Theatre), it runs 27 January through 15 June 2024 at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Tickets Our review

5. Ulster American

Woody Harrelson, Andy Serkis and Louisa Harland (Dancing At Lughnasa, National Theatre) star in this play by David Ireland (Cyprus Avenue, Royal Court) at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, until 27 January 2024. The story is about an Oscar-winning American actor, English director and Northern Irish playwright who meet to discuss their new shared endeavour. Tickets Our review

6. The Motive And The Cue in the West End

Longlisted for our Best Theatre Actor, Best New Play and Best Supporting Actor monstas this new work by Jack Thorne (The End Of History, Royal Court) has transferred from the National Theatre to the Noel Coward Theatre where it runs until 23 March 2024. We return to it this month and said of its original run: ‘The emotional highlights of this piece inevitably revolve around Gatiss’ rounded portrayal of Gielgud who can be very funny, often at his own expense, yet struggles with his homosexuality and, in a moving scene with a male prostitute, bursts into tears when offered a simple hug.’ Tickets

7. Spain’s pre-Eurovision Benidorm Festival

Spain missed a trick at its otherwise fantastic Eurovision selection process in 2023 by not choosing runner up Quiero Arder by Agoney which is shortlisted for this year’s Best Song monsta. The 16 songs in the 2024 selection have just dropped and we’re working our way through them at the moment and will write up the selection which starts in January 2024 in more detail soon. Here To Stay by Sofia Coll was December’s song of the month. Benidorm Fest 2024 preview.

8. Pet Shop Boys’ Dreamworld film in cinemas

With Taylor Swift’s Eras and Beyonce’s Renaissance tours proving such big hits in the world’s cinemas, it should be no surprise that the Pet Shop Boys follow suit with their Dreamworld: Greatest Hits tour arriving at a cinema near you in January.

9. Series 2 of Big Boys on Channel 4

Comedian Jack Rooke’s 1st series of this very funny comedy focussed on mismatched university friends Jack and Danny, given hilarious life by Derry Girls‘ Dylan Llewellyn and Jon Ponting, as they negotiated academic life as well as coming out and mental health problems. It was also astonishingly moving and we can’t wait to return to their company on Channel 4 in Brent University for the 2014/5 term.

• Main picture via Facebook courtesy ATG
• Have you seen a Plaza Suite before and are you a fan of Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker? Tickets
• Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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