15 upcoming musicals not to miss

The theatre community is kept afloat by new work – either coming from abroad or being homegrown at some of our brilliant venues up and down the country. We pick some of the most intriguing musicals coming up that have really piqued our interest.

& Juliet

What would happen if, rather than dying, Juliet had decided to go out and live her best life? That's the basic premise for the new musical & Juliet, which features the music of impresario Max Martin (responsible for some of the biggest hits of the last 30 years). We've heard the cast in rehearsals and this show is already sounding like a blast. Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End

Dear Evan Hansen

We've been waiting for forever but the UK premiere of smash Tony Award-winning Dear Evan Hansen is only mere days away! Noël Coward Theatre

The Season

Jim Barne and Kit Buchan are the recipients of the Stiles Drewe Mentorship Award and their romantic comedy musical sounds like a lovely winter treat – following Dougal and Robyn who travel from Northampton to New York for a wedding and slowly form an attachment. Royal and Derngate and New Wolsey Ipswich, 1 to 30 November 2019

The Boy in the Dress

The RSC has an uncanny knack for creating brilliant musicals – you only need to look at Les Mis or Matilda as proof. We're expecting great things from the upcoming The Boy in the Dress, which has a pretty dreamy creative team featuring composition by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers, alongside a book by Mark Ravenhill and a star-studded cast. Royal Shakespeare Theatre, from 8 November

CinderELLA

Michael Fentiman and Barnaby Race (who helped transform Amélie into a certified five-star musical treat) have penned a brand new musical based on the story of Cinderella, with an added dose of Freaky Friday vibes as it shows the same character at two stages of her life. Southampton is going to get a unique festive treat. NST City, 23 November 2019 to 5 January 2020

Pippi Longstocking

Royal and Derngate are bringing out all the best shows over the coming months, with The Wardrobe Ensemble's Jesse Jones and Helena Middleton taking the helm of this new musical version of the hit 1940s novels created by Astrid Lindgren. It's about the titular Pippi, the strongest girl in the world who goes out on a series of adventures. Northampton Royal and Derngate, 10 to 31 December

Dennis and Gnasher

A musical version of the hit cartoon character sounds like the perfect theatrical tonic, and this new production courtesy of Will Brenton sounds like it captures the Beano magic. Plus there will be loads of on-stage skateboarding, which we're intrigued by. UK tour opens in Aylesbury on 23 January 2020

Be More Chill

The cult sensation is coming to London! After making a splash on Broadway, we're excited to see what is in store at The Other Palace. The edgy sci-fi show is all about a drug that makes someone cooler, which should be an ample source of amusement, plus it features the hit musical theatre number "Michael in the Bathroom". The Other Palace, 12 February to 3 May 2020

Pretty Woman

The Broadway production is coming to the West End for the first time, and, while casting is to be announced, we know it's going to be a big musical. Big. Huge. Piccadilly Theatre, from 14 February

The Prince of Egypt

The Dominion Theatre is having a busy time of it over the next six months – welcoming Big, White Christmas and the eagerly anticipated UK premiere of The Prince of Egypt, based on the hit DreamWorks film of the same name. The cast is full of West End pros and award-winners, so expect a massive spectacle in one of London's biggest venues. Dominion Theatre from 5 February

Back to the Future

Great Scott – it's finally happening! The iconic '80s film Back to the Future is coming to the stage, with Olly Dobson stepping into the self-tying sneakers of Marty McFly. A West End date hasn't been announced yet, but you won't need a time machine to predict it won't take long for the show to continue its life after an initial run in Manchester. Manchester Opera House, 20 February until 17 May 2020

The Wicker Husband

The Watermill is a hub of exciting new musicals (look at Amelie as an example) and the venue will also be producing a version of Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana later in 2020. But first is Darren Clark and Rhys Jennings' The Wicker Husband, based on Ursula Wills-Jones' short story, which has already had a big seal of approval from Stiles and Drewe. The Watermill from 12 March to 4 April

101 Dalmations

How will they bring all 101 dogs to the stage? We don't know, but we recommend planning well ahead and booking now just to find out. Regents Park Ope Air Theatre, from 17 May 2020

Frozen

Yes it's a way off yet but, with tickets probably going on sale sometime relatively soon, it's always good to have these things on your radar! The hit Disney show will finally land in the West End in the autumn of 2020 after blowing socks off on Broadway, re-opening the currently closed Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Dates to be confirmed

Moulin Rouge!

We can can can't wait for it to arrive! It has created one of the biggest storms on Broadway in recent years, and we expect nothing less by the time it plays in the West End. The show comes to the Piccadilly Theatre, a Baz Luhrmann favourite after the swish Strictly Ballroom in 2018. Picadilly Theatre from March 2021