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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.