1. Ncuti Gatwa stars in The Importance Of Being Earnest

‘A handbag …?’ New Doctor Who Gatwa stars alongside Best Theatre Actress monsta winner Sharon D Clarke (Caroline, Or Change?, Hampstead Theatre and TV’s Lost Boys and Fairies) and Hugh Skinner (The Trial, Young Vic and film Wicked Little Letters) in Max Webster’s (Minority Report, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith) production of the Oscar Wilde classic comedy at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre 20 November through 25 January 2025. Tickets Vote for Doctor Who to win Best TV of 2024. Our Earnest review

• Read on for reasons including the Greenwich pantomime, The Producers and the Steps musical

2. Dick Whittington at Greenwich Theatre

The Christmas pantomime at our local theatre has become a festive staple and this year once again it is written by the genius that is Anthony Spargo, with musical direction by ‘Uncle’ Steve Markwick. Runs 22 November through 5 January 2025. Tickets Previous reviews Snow White, Robin Hood, The Queen Of Hearts, Sleeping Beauty, Robinson Crusoe, Cinderella, Peter Pan: A New Adventure and Red Riding Hood.

3. The Producers at the Menier

Patrick Marber (Nachtland, Young Vic) directs the classic Mel Brooks musical featuring Marc Antolin (The Band’s Visit, Donmar) and Andy Nyman at the Menier Chocolate Factory 26 November 2024 through 1 March 2025. Tickets We last saw a Barcelona production.

4. Steps musical Here And Now

Rebecca Lock (Heathers, Other Palace), Blake Patrick Anderson (Be More Chill, Shaftesbury Theatre), Hiba Elchikhe (Brooklyn – The Musical, Greenwich Theatre), River Medway (Unfortunate, Southwark Playhouse) and Finty Williams (The Baker’s Wife, Menier) star in this musical based on Steps’ greatest hits at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre 9 to 30 November 2024. Tickets Our review

5. Wicked film

Part 1 of the film of the musical still running at the West End’s Apollo Victoria Theatre is released 22 November in cinemas in the UK starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey (COCK, Ambassadors Theatre), Keala Settle (& Juliet, Shaftesbury Theatre) and Sharon D Clarke (Lost Boys And Fairies). Our review

6. Charli XCX at The 02

XCX’s 6th album brat has had real cut through with critics labelling the last season as brat summer and US vice president Kamala Harris playing along with the party. XCX plays UK dates including her biggest so far in London at The 02 this month as part of a tour which also visits the US, New Zealand and Australia. Tickets Our review of The 02 gig

7. Elton John’s Devil Wears Prada musical

A 2003 novel and a 2006 film starring an iconic Meryl Streep about a fashion editor and her assistant becomes a musical co-written by Elton John, arrives in London via Chicago and not Broadway with a starry cast including Vanessa Williams, whose West End debut in City Of Angels (Garrick Theatre) you would’ve done well to catch immediately pre-Covid, and Olivier Award-winner Matt Henry (Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre). Runs at the cavernous Dominion Theatre 24 October 2024 through 31 May 2025. Tickets Our preview review

8. Priscilla El Musical & Bryan Adams

We’re in Barcelona for a fortnight this month and, following news of a sequel to 1 of our favourite films, we check out its Spanish musical version – Priscilla. El Musical at Teatro Tivoli which runs through 22 December 2024 Tickets – and When You’re Gone star Bryan Adams whose latest show arrives in the city’s Palau Sant Jordi this month ahead of UK dates in May 2025 including London’s The 02. Tickets Priscilla review Bryan Adams review

9. Paul Mescal in Gladiator 2

Mescal (A Streetcar Named Desire, Almeida) was longlisted for Best TV/Film Actor for his performance in All Of Us Strangers this year and here stars as the grandson of former emperor Marcus Aurelius in Ridley Scott’s sequel to film Gladiator opposite Pedro Pascal in a film out 15 November 2024.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy National Theatre Tickets
• Have you seen a National Theatre show before and what did you think of this 1? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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