Top theatre to see in London in January

Find out the best shows to see in London in January 2023.

As we usher in a new year, we can look forward to plenty of new theatre openings. January 2023 will start the year off in style, with award-winning actors in West End premieres, as well as acclaimed revivals and long-time favourites. Plus, Cirque du Soleil present their 25th anniversary show, Kurios, at the Royal Albert Hall. Discover a world of theatre and get your 2023 off to a great start with tickets to these shows.

Book tickets to shows in January on London Theatre.

West End shows to see in January

There’s a new West End show opening every week in January. See Aidan Turner and Jenna Coleman in Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, a linguistically-challenging play that asks what happens when people can’t use words. Later in the month, Michael Frayn’s zany play-within-a-play comedy, Noises Off, returns to London. Then, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl makes her highly-anticipated stage debut in 2:22 - A Ghost Story. See West End theatre in January.

The Unfriend

It’s a The League of Gentleman reunion over at the Criterion Theatre, as Mark Gatiss directs Reece Shearsmith in Steven Moffat’s debut play. The comedy caper follows married couple Peter and Debbie as they invite their holiday friend, Elsa, to their house. Little do they know Elsa is a die-hard Republican with plans to kill. Like all British people, Peter and Debbie try to save face with Elsa, but how can you protect yourself and keep a smile on your face? Amanda Abbington and Frances Barber star.

Criterion Theatre, from 15 January.

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Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle

Following Mischief Theatre’s Magic Goes Wrong, the Mind Mangler gets their breakout West End show. Join the haphazard illusionist as they attempt to impress crowds with his unbelievable sorcery. Press material states the new show follows the Mind Mangler attempting to read audiences minds “as he returns to the stage following a disappointing two-night run at the Luton Holiday Inn conference centre, suite 2b."

Garrick Theatre, from 15 January.

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Dirty Dancing

Love conquers all in January! Forget the dreary, dark evenings and head to Kellerman’s via the West End. Join Frances “Baby” Houseman, a 17-year-old holidaymaker who strikes up a relationship with the camp's dance instructor, Johnny Castle. It’s the ultimate theatre escape, complete with all the hits like “Time of My Life,” and “She’s Like the Wind.” Pick up all the watermelons you can carry and be lifted like Baby with a trip to this feelgood musical.

Dominion Theatre, from 18 January.

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Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons

Poldark actor Aidan Turner and The Serpent star Jenna Coleman join forces for Lemons. During the play, two people are restricted by a Quietude Bill — a law states every person can speak a maximum of 140 words a day. As words are off the cards, the two people must learn to communicate using unconventional methods, ranging from the typical to the downright silly. Sometimes though, silence can speak louder than words. See the award-winning play in the West End in early 2023.

Harold Pinter Theatre, from 18 January.

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Noises Off

See some of television’s finest actors: Matthew Kelly, Tracy-Ann Oberman and Felicity Kendal, in the 40th anniversary revival of Noises Off. Michael Frayn’s seminal play-within-a-play follows a touring theatre company as they hobble through a show. In each of the three acts, audiences see the troupe at different stages: Act One in rehearsals, Act Two during opening night, and Act Three at the final matinee. All the pieces fit together in hilarious fashion, and by the end you’ll view theatre in a different way. Here’s why you need to visit Noises Off in the West End.

Phoenix Theatre, from 19 January.

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2:22 - A Ghost Story

The ghost story continues to haunt the West End, as it moves to its fourth theatre in three years. Cheryl leads the next cast as Jenny, a woman who grows convinced her new house is haunted. To dispel her fear, Jenny and her husband Sam invite their friends for a dinner party, staying up to 2:22am to see if they can come face to face with a ghost. Don’t let the eerie spirits take over you — see 2:22in the West End.

Lyric Theatre, from 21 January.

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The Lehman Trilogy

Fresh from winning the Tony Award for Best New Play, Ben Power’s The Lehman Trilogy returns for an encore season in the West End. Michael Balogun, Nigel Lindsay and Hadley Fraser will play the trio of Lehman brothers; between them, they changed the financial world. Sam Mendes directs the epic play that London Theatre praised as “storytelling like biblical authority and allows the characters to express their ambitions, fears and motivations with clarity and great humour.” Discover why you need to see The Lehman Trilogy.

Gillian Lynne Theatre, from 24 January.

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My Son's a Queer, (But what can you do?)

Rob Madge returns to the West End with their solo show, My Son's a Queer. When Rob was young, they attempted to stage a Disney parade in their house. Now in the West End, Rob aims to bring the Disney magic back. My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?) is the joyous autobiographical story filled with love, heart, and plenty of costumes.

Ambassadors Theatre, from 25 January.

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Sylvia

You may be familiar with suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst’s mission to form the Women’s Social and Political Union. But she’s not the only Pankhurst you should know. Sylvia shines a spotlight on Sylvia Pankhurst, the revolutionary who continued the fight for women’s right to vote, and greater equality. The Olivier-nominated actress Beverley Knight returns to play Emmeline in Kate Prince's hip-hop musical. Celebrate over a century of British suffrage in style.

Old Vic, from 27 January.

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Off West End shows to see in January

There’s plenty of new Off-West End theatre shows to sink your teeth into this month. If you’re a Shakespeare fan, then why not enjoy the all-female Titus Andronicus at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Or, see George Takei in Allegiance, a historical musical about WWII America inspired by his childhood. Alex Edelman also brings his highly-acclaimed Just For Us comedy to the Menier Chocolate Factory. Discover Off-West End theatre in January today.

On The Ropes

When Vernon Vanriel was six, he arrived in the United Kingdom as part of the Windrush generation. Eventually, he grew up to become an influential Black British boxer. After growing up in the UK, he was sent back to Jamaica and denied access to medical care. Follow Vernon’s fight for his right to survive with the British Home Office.

Park Theatre, from 6 January.

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George Takei's Allegiance

Actor and activist George Takei stars in Allegiance, a World War Two musical based on his own childhood. Set in the United States, Allegiance follows the Japanese-American Kimura family who are interned after Pearl Harbor. While Sam enlists in the army to show respect to his people, Kei joins the resistance movement.

Charing Cross Theatre, from 7 January.

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Swan Lake

London’s theatres aren’t just home to musicals and plays. There’s plenty of extraordinary dances to witness too. In the New Year, be swept away by the English National Ballet’s Swan Lake at the London Coliseum. Will Prince Siegfried fall in love with Queen Odette? Whether you’re a ballet novice or you go every year, this is an unmissable Swan Lake.

London Coliseum, from 12 January.

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Cirque du Soleil - Kurios

Discover the magic of Cirque du Soleil’s world-renowned tricks in their 25th anniversary show, Kurios. Their latest London show celebrates the Victorian trailblazers who discovered new ieas and found opportunities. In order to stage Kurios at the Royal Albert Hall, Cirque du Soleil have installed additional steelworks for larger tricks and displays of human magnificence. Find out more from Kurios creator Michel Laprise.

Royal Albert Hall, from 13 January.

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Sound of the Underground

Travis Alabanza’s latest play champions queer joy. Step into the London queer club scene and discover what it means to get your money’s worth with art. This sound of the underground pulses all night long.

Royal Court, from 19 January.

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Titus Andronicus

Jude Christian adapts and directs Shakespeare’s tragedy with an all-female cast. Set after a 10-year battle, follow a Roman general as they seek to avenge an era of bloodshed… with more blood. Can anyone stop Titus?

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, from 19 January.

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Just For Us

Alex Edelman’s latest stand-up show Just For Us took America by storm. Now, Edelman brings his cunning wit to London in early 2023. Listen to Edelman’s anecdotes about his family upbringing, his holidays, and his fascination with gorillas, as well as darker tales about the time he attended a White Nationalist gathering in New York City.

Menier Chocolate Factory, from 11 January.

Othello

Frantic Assembly return to London with their physical take on Othello. Adapted for the 21st century, the Shakespeare play is hauntingly relevant to today’s society, and explores how paranoia can impact our relationships.

Lyric Hammersmith, from 19 January.

How Not to Drown

After the Kosovan War, Dritan dreams of a new life in Europe. He sets out on a perilous journey across Europe in the hopes of making it to the United Kingdom. Eventually, Dritan makes it onto British shores, but as he’s swept up in the system, he loses his sense of self. Dritan Kastrati stars in the play based on his life.

Theatre Royal Stratford East, from 26 January.