Transferring to the Barbican following its run in Stratford-Upon-Avon is the Prasanna Puwanarajah-directed Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's delightfully spirited tale of Viola, a shipwrecked orphan who takes matters into her own hands when stranded on the shores of the ancient isle of Illyria. With music by Matt Maltese bringing a contemporary flavour to this production, Twelfth Night includes Shakespearean mainstays - mistaken identity, mischief, a shipwreck and, of course, his deft wit, yet this RSC staging has been praised for its search in between the lines of the text, revealing new insight to an age-old classic.

Matthew Bourne's Olivier award-winning The Red Shoes makes a welcome return to Sadler's Wells this Christmas. Based on the 1948 Powell and Pressburger film, which is in turn based on the tragic fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson, The Red Shoes is the story of a talented young dancer who finds herself torn between love and her career, with heartbreaking consequences.

All aboard! Gilbert and Sullivan's delightful slapstick tale about over-the-top nationalism, personal ambition and, of course, a love triangle across the social classes of British society and the Royal Navy comes to the English National Opera! Directed by Cal McCrystal and led by conductor Matthew Kofi Waldren, award winning baritone Neal Davis stars as the Rt. Hon Sir Joseph Porter, with John Savournin as Captain Corcoran and Henner Mun as Josephine. HMS Pinafore first premiered in London in 1878 and was Gilbert and Sullivan's fourth collaboration, and their first international sensation; don't miss it as it sails back into London!

From the hallowed team behind the smash hit theatrical farce The Play That Goes Wrong comes a Christmas play in danger of falling apart at any minute - A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong! Hitting the West End for the 2025 festive season sandwiched between tour dates around the UK, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields (otherwise known as the minds behind Mischief Theatre)'s hilarious stage show comes following a televised version in 2017.

As part of their 2025 UK season, Varna International Ballet is bringing back their wonderful imagining of The Nutcracker, offering a little bit of Christmas spirit in a sparkling and classic production that'll delight, even after the big day itself! Expect glittering sets, costumes and traditional ballet, wrapped up in Tchaikovsky's unforgettable score.