Stage shows to see in November 2025

November is always a busy month – Christmas shopping begins, the WhatsOnStage Award nominations open, and plenty of festive and not-so-festive productions begin performances across the UK.

This month, we’re seeing world premieres of new musicals – think duffel-coated bears and body-swap comedies, parody takes on classic Christmas films, and revivals of heart-warming classic musicals. There really is something for everyone.

Paddington The Musical

London promises to take care of this bear! The long-awaited stage adaptation of the marmalade-loving mischief-maker arrives this month, with tunes penned by Tom Fletcher, a book by Jessica Swale and direction by Luke Sheppard – and an equally starry cast to boot! Those in the audience of the opening preview were the first to see how the bear is being brought to life, and you can get to know the incredible performers, too!

Plays at the Savoy Theatre from 1 November

End

There had to be an End, hadn’t there!? After Beginning (2017) and Middle (2022), David Eldridge’s conclusion to his trilogy of plays exploring love and relationships sees Alfie and Julie write their ending. It’s not the only opening at the National Theatre, as Ballet Shoes returns!

Plays at the Dorfman Theatre from 13 November

All My Sons

Bryan Cranston will reunite with director Ivo Van Hove for All My Sons in the West End. Starring as Joe Keller in the Arthur Miller classic opposite Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Kate Keller and Paapa Essiedu as Chris Keller, the production has already extended due to demand!

Plays at Wyndham’s Theatre from 14 November 2025 to 7 March 2026

Ride the Cyclone

Get ready for the ride of your life – or death! Cult hit Ride the Cyclone finally clatters into London this November. It follows six teenagers involved in a rollercoaster accident. While trapped in limbo, they are offered a chance to return to life – if they can convince an enigmatic figure that they are the one most deserving of a second chance.

Plays at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 14 November 2025 to 10 January 2026

Sherlock Holmes and The Twelve Days of Christmas

Legendary duo Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber have reunited to pen the tunes for a new festive play in Birmingham. Set in Victorian London during Christmas, a series of performers die mid-scene in this whodunnit featuring French hens, gold rings, Sherlock Holmes, and Mother Goose! Comedy writers Humphrey Ker and David Reed will also lead the production.

Plays at Birmingham Rep from 14 November 2025 to 11 January 2026

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

In the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe, Headlong presents a new production of Shakespeare’s comedy, examining the play through a contemporary lens. This production explores its turbulent social and environmental setting, as well as the darker tones within the story.

Plays at Shakespeare’s Globe from 15 November 2025 to 31 January 2026

My Fair Lady

Get ready to dance all night with a new revival of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Simbi Akande and Nadim Naaman will lead the cast as Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins, respectively.

Plays at the Mill at Sonning from 20 November 2025 to 17 January 2026

Lovers Actually

If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find a Christmas comedy in central London! Jodie Prenger and Neil Hurst’s parody features an ensemble cast of Joseph Beach, Ross Clifton, Martha Pothen and Holly Sumpton, who will take on multiple roles including characters made familiar by the original film.

Plays at the Other Palace Studio from 21 November to 4 January 2026

The Sound of Music

The hills of Leicester will be alive this month as The Sound of Music is revived at Curve. Molly Lynch and David Seadon-Young lead the company as the novice nun Maria and the retired naval officer Captain Georg von Trapp, respectively. With a cast featuring many stage favourites, this new production could quite possibly become one of “My Favorite Things”.

Plays at Curve, Leicester from 22 November 2025 to 11 January 2026

Freaky Friday

Heathers director Andy Fickman is having quite the year, bringing much-loved teen flicks to the Manchester stage! After the success of 13 Going On 30 this autumn, his next project is the world premiere of Freaky Friday.

Plays at HOME in Manchester from 27 November to 31 December

The Little Mermaid

In a 19th-century Cornish fishing village, we meet Merryn, daughter of the Sea King, as she ventures above the waves for the first time! This new production is based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, and has music and lyrics by Amie Parsons, one half of Cornish folk duo, True Foxes.

Plays at the Watermill Theatre from 26 November 2025 to 4 January 2026

Pinocchio

If there’s any show worth braving the open-air in the London winter, it may well be this one! A new musical adaptation of Pinocchio, directed by Sean Holmes, with book and lyrics by Charlie Josephine (Cowbois) and music and lyrics by Jim Fortune (Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear), will play in the Globe Theatre – we promise we’re not lying!

Plays at Shakespeare’s Globe from 29 November