Opening: Donmar's all-female Julius Caesar, new musical The Bodyguard & Callow's Christmas Carol

David Hoyle & Richard Thomas - Merrie Hell
3 December 2012
(Previews from 29 November)

A dark festive cabaret comes to the Soho Theatre from Richard Thomas, creator of Jerry Springer - the Opera and cabaret artist David Hoyle. It runs until 5 January 2013.

Julius Caesar
4 December 2012
(Previews from 29 November)

Phyllida Lloyd directs Shakespeare's raw and eternal study of power in an all-female production. Starring Frances Barber, Harriet Walter & Jenny Jules, it runs at the Donmar Warehouse until 9 February 2013.

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The Snowman
4 December 2012
(Previews from 28 November)

Now in its 15th year, Raymond Briggs' classic children's story is brought to life on stage by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. It runs at the Peacock Theatre until 6 January 2013.

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American Idiot
4 December 2012

The award-winning musical featuring the songs of Green Day comes to London following a UK tour. Featuring songs such as "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and "American Idiot", it runs at the Hammersmith Apollo until 16 December.

The Bodyguard
5 December 2012
(Previews from 6 November)

The classic film, which starred Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, is brought to life in a new musical starring Heather Headley and Lloyd Owen. Featuring songs including "I Wanna Dance with Somebody" and "I Will Always Love You", it runs at the Adelphi Theatre. Don't miss our Outing.

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Old Money
5 December 2012
(Previews from 29 November)

A new play by Sarah Wooley starring Tracy-Ann Oberman and Maureen Lipman, Old Money follows a widow Joyce, and her secret life of champagne, strippers and chance encounters. It runs at the Hampstead Theatre until 12 January 2013.

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A Christmas Carol
5 December 2012
(Previews from 29 November)

Simon Callow returns to the Arts Theatre with his one-man Christmas Carol, a theatrical story-telling extravaganza. It runs until 6 January 2013.

The Arabian Nights
6 December 2012
(Previews from 30 November)

A modern reimagining of ancient tales A Thousand and One Nights and directed by Lu Kemp, The Arabian Nights runs at the Tricycle Theatre until 12 January 2013.

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Robert Le Diable
6 December 2012

A classic of French grand opera by Meyerbeer combining romance and the supernatural, Laurent Pelly's production is inspired by medieval France. It runs at the Royal Opera House until 21 December.

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Mydidae
6 December 2012
(Previews from 5 December)

A story of intimacy, fragility and the darker side of love, Mydidae comes from new writing theatre company DryWrite, and runs at the Soho Theatre until 22 December.

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Seussical
6 December 2012
(Previews from 4 December)

The magical "thinks" of Dr Seuss are brought to the stage in this family-friendly musical. It runs at the Arts Theatre until 6 January 2013.

2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards Launch
7 December 2012

Our awards season starts off in style with a star-studded event at Cafe de Paris, with shortlists for the awards being announced, and performances from the cast of American Idiot, as well as Iwan Lewis, Niamh Perry, Stuart Matthew Price and Zizi Strallen.

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Going Dark
7 December 2012
(Previews from 4 December)

Created by Sound&Fury, Going Dark uses immersive surround sound, darkness and innovative light to re-awaken our wonder at the cosmos. It runs at the Young Vic until 22 December.

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Feathers in the Snow
7 December 2012
(Previews from 5 December)

In the final production at the Southwark Playhouse's current home, this family show by playwright and children’s author Philip Ridley is an epic story of magic and migration. It runs until 5 January 2013.

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Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty
7 December 2012
(Previews from 4 December)

Sleeping Beauty sees Matthew Bourne return to the music of Tchaikovsky to complete the trio that started with Nutcracker! and Swan Lake. This new production is a gothic romance; a supernatural love story that even the passage of time cannot hinder. It runs at Sadler's Wells until 26 January 2013.

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Father Christmas
7 December 2012
(Previews from 30 November)

Raymond Briggs' Christmas story is brought to the stage for the first time in a festive adaptation of the children's classic. It runs at the Lyric Hammersmith until 5 January.