January might feel grey and cold outside, but inside London's theatres, the new year brings fresh energy. The post-Christmas lull gives way to a wave of new productions: star-studded revivals, heartfelt new musicals, and shows that sold out everywhere else finally making their West End debut.

If you're planning your theatre calendar for early 2026, here's everything opening in January that deserves your attention.

The Musicals

January brings fresh energy to the West End musical scene, with intimate storytelling taking centre stage alongside spectacular productions.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry (29 January)

Theatre Royal Haymarket

Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, this pitch-perfect adaptation of Rachel Joyce's bestselling novel transfers to one of London's grandest stages. Mark Addy stars as Harold Fry, an ordinary man who sets off on an extraordinary 600-mile walk across England after receiving a letter from an old friend.

The music comes from Passenger (Mike Rosenberg), the indie singer-songwriter behind hits like "Let Her Go." His folk-influenced score captures the gentleness and determination of Harold's journey, turning a simple story about walking into something deeply moving.

What makes this special is how it celebrates the kindness of strangers and the redemption found in putting one foot in front of the other. It's not flashy or high-concept. It's human, hopeful, and perfectly timed for January when we all need reminding that small acts of courage matter.

Perfect for: Anyone who loved the book, fans of intimate storytelling with big hearts, those seeking something uplifting without being saccharine.

Sunny Afternoon (15 January)

Alexandra Palace Theatre

The Olivier Award-winning musical about The Kinks returns to London after acclaimed runs at Hampstead Theatre and the Harold Pinter Theatre. Ray Davies' iconic songs including "Waterloo Sunset," "Dedicated Follower of Fashion," and "You Really Got Me" drive this story of brotherly rivalry, musical genius, and the British Invasion.

The Alexandra Palace Theatre itself adds atmosphere. This Victorian gem, painstakingly restored after decades of abandonment, feels like the perfect setting for a show about British rock royalty. The preserved decay and original features create something you won't find in a standard West End house.

Perfect for: Music lovers, anyone who grew up with The Kinks, those curious about the Alexandra Palace's unique theatrical space.

Beautiful Little Fool (15 January)

Southwark Playhouse

This new musical tells the tempestuous love story of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Sayre, the Jazz Age couple who burned bright and crashed hard. David Hunter plays Fitzgerald, Hannah Corneau is Zelda, with Lauren Ward rounding out the cast.

The show explores Zelda's brilliance, her mental health struggles, and the complicated dynamic between artistic partners when one overshadows the other. It's glamorous and tragic in equal measure, with period music capturing the roaring twenties before the crash.

Perfect for: Anyone fascinated by literary history, fans of The Great Gatsby wanting the behind-the-scenes story, those who appreciate complex portraits of difficult relationships.

The Plays

The new year brings exceptional drama to the West End, with classic plays and new writing demanding your attention.

Arcadia (24 January)

Old Vic

The late Tom Stoppard's masterpiece returns to the West End in a new production directed by Carrie Cracknell. Staged in-the-round at the Old Vic, the play jumps between 1809 and the present day, exploring chaos theory, landscape gardening, Lord Byron, and the nature of truth itself.

It's Stoppard at his most intellectually playful and emotionally devastating. The dual timeline structure reveals how past and present echo each other, how discoveries get lost and found, how passion drives both romance and scientific inquiry. Isis Hainsworth and Seamus Dillane lead a cast tackling one of the greatest plays of the past 50 years.

Given that Stoppard passed away late last year, this production carries additional weight. It's both celebration and memorial, a reminder of a theatrical voice we'll not see the like of again.

Perfect for: Theatre lovers who want to be challenged, anyone mourning Stoppard's loss, those who appreciate plays that trust their audience's intelligence.

Gerry & Sewell (13 January - 24 January only)

Aldwych Theatre

Based on the cult film Purely Belter, this hilarious and heartfelt two-hander follows two Gateshead lads on a desperate mission to secure Newcastle United season tickets. After sell-out runs in Newcastle and the Theatre Royal, it's finally hitting the West End for a strictly limited two-week engagement.

The original cast returns, bringing Geordie humour, live music, and puppet dogs to a story about friendship, determination, and football obsession. It's the kind of show that could only come from the North East but speaks to anyone who's ever loved a team despite all logic.

Perfect for: Football fans, anyone who appreciates regional theatre punching above its weight, those who want to laugh and feel something in equal measure.

Important: Two weeks only. If you miss it, it's gone.

American Psycho (22 January)

Almeida Theatre

Rupert Goold's acclaimed production of the cult musical returns to the Almeida, where it originally premiered before transferring to Broadway. Arty Froushan (Daredevil: Born Again) takes on Patrick Bateman, the Wall Street psychopath from Bret Easton Ellis's infamous novel.

This isn't a comfortable night at the theatre. The musical leans into the satire and horror of 80s excess, toxic masculinity, and the violence lurking beneath polished surfaces. Duncan Sheik's score is sharp and unsettling, matching the material's dark energy.

Perfect for: Those who appreciate challenging theatre that doesn't flinch, fans of the novel or film, anyone interested in how musicals can tackle genuinely disturbing material.

Man and Boy (30 January)

National Theatre

Ben Daniels and Laurie Kynaston star in this revival of Terence Rattigan's drama about a corrupt businessman facing the fallout of his actions and the breakdown of his family. Set during World War II, it explores the toxic relationship between a self-made father and his estranged son.

Rattigan understood how the British avoid saying what they mean, how class and shame twist families into knots, how the things we don't talk about become the things that destroy us. This production, arriving at the end of the month, promises the kind of beautifully observed human drama that Rattigan did better than almost anyone.

Perfect for: Fans of classic British drama, anyone who appreciates subtle performances over showy ones, those interested in how the past echoes in family dynamics.

The Spectacles

Cirque du Soleil: OVO (9 January)

Royal Albert Hall

The bugs are back. Cirque du Soleil returns to London with OVO, their high-energy exploration of the insect world through gravity-defying acrobatics, vibrant costumes, and a brand new score.

If you've never experienced Cirque du Soleil live, the Royal Albert Hall provides the perfect venue. The circular staging, the scale of the space, and the technical possibilities mean this won't feel like any other show you see this month. Expect to gasp, frequently.

Perfect for: Families looking for something spectacular, anyone who appreciates physical theatre at the highest level, those wanting pure escapism.

Akram Khan's Giselle (15 January)

London Coliseum

Akram Khan's revolutionary reimagining of the ballet classic returns to English National Ballet. This isn't your grandmother's Giselle. Khan blends Indian dance with classical ballet, contemporary movement with traditional storytelling, creating something that honours the original while making it urgently contemporary.

The London Coliseum, with its 2,359 capacity and ornate Edwardian baroque interior, becomes the perfect frame for this large-scale production. If you're curious about how dance can evolve while respecting tradition, this is essential viewing.

Perfect for: Dance enthusiasts, those who found traditional ballet too stuffy, anyone interested in cross-cultural artistic fusion.

Booking Strategy for January Openings

Book early for limited runs. Gerry & Sewell has two weeks only. Once it's gone, you've missed it. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry comes with Chichester buzz and will sell fast.

Previews offer value. Most shows have preview performances at reduced prices before official opening night. The performances are nearly identical to opening, but your wallet thanks you.

Midweek matinees work well for January. Days are short, weather is grim. A Wednesday afternoon at the theatre beats sitting in the office.

Consider the venue as part of the experience. The Alexandra Palace Theatre and Old Vic offer atmospheric spaces that add to certain shows. Sometimes where you see something matters as much as what you see.

Check for last-minute availability. New productions sometimes release additional seats as opening night approaches.

What Else Is Playing in January

These openings join an already strong West End lineup. Paddington The Musical continues its acclaimed run at the Savoy. Hamilton at the Victoria Palace still requires advance booking. Wicked defies gravity eight times a week at the Apollo Victoria.

Long-runners like Les Misérables and The Lion King continue proving why they've lasted decades. Stranger Things: The First Shadow pushes technical boundaries nightly at the Phoenix.

January offers choice without the Christmas crowds or summer tourist rush. Theatres are full but not crushed. Tickets exist for even popular shows if you book with a bit of flexibility.

Insider Tips

Arrive early for first performances. Opening weeks bring extra energy. Audiences are curious, actors are sharp, and the collective experience of discovering something new together beats routine performances.

Check for opening night offers. Some productions discount early performances to build word-of-mouth. Ask the box office directly.

Combine dinner with theatre in Covent Garden or Soho. January restaurant deals abound. Pre-theatre menus offer value, and the walk between dinner and curtain-up clears your head.

Layer up for old theatres. Victorian and Edwardian venues can be draughty. Bring a jumper even if you're wearing a coat you'll check.

Join tickadoo's free membership. Earn rewards on every booking, whether it's January theatre or your summer holiday. The savings add up faster than you'd think.

Ready to Book?

January brings quality over quantity. These aren't panicked Christmas productions rushed out for tourist money. These are considered, crafted shows that producers believe in enough to launch in the year's quietest month.

Browse all West End shows on tickadoo and join the free membership to start earning rewards on every ticket. Whether you're booking The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry or exploring what's popular right now, your January theatre fix starts here.