MAMMA MIA!, JERSEY BOYS, and More Will Play the UK This Christmas Season

Several big shows have announced their performance dates for the Christmas season. Find tickets here!

For All the Family at Christmas

THE BAND
Theatre Royal Haymarket
1 December 2018 to 12 January 2019, then continues to tour.
The new British musical by Tim Firth with the music of Take That, starring Rachel Lumberg, Alison Fitzjohn, Emily Joyce and Jayne Mckenna, along with AJ Bentley, Nick Carsberg, Curtis T Johns, Yazdan Qafouri and Sario Solomon, and Faye Christall, Katy Clayton, Rachelle Diedericks, Sarah Kate Howarth, Lauren Jacobs, Martin Miller and Andy Williams. THE BAND is a musical about what it's like to grow up with a boyband. For five 16 year-old friends in 1992, 'the band' is everything. 25 years on, we are reunited with the group of friends, now 40-something women, as they try once more to fulfil their dream of meeting their heroes.
Duration: 2 hours 20 minutes
www.thebandmusical.com

DOCTOR DOLITTLE
The Lowry Salford
11 December 2018 to 5 January 2019, then continues to tour.
New reworked stage production of Leslie Bricusse's DOCTOR DOLITTLE, starring Mark Williams (The Fast Show, Father Brown and seven of the Harry Potter films) as Doctor Dolittle, Brian Capron (Coronation Street) as Albert Blossom/Straight Arrow, Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street) as Polynesia, Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) as Lady Bellowes/Poison Arrow, Mollie Melia-Redgrave (On the Town at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and UK & Ireland Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) as Emma Fairfax and Patrick Sullivan (Bat Out Of Hell the Musical) as Matthew Mugg. Doctor Doliitle embarks on an extraordinary adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place. Helped by his human companions and an exotic menagerie of animal friends, including the Pushmi-Pullyu and trusty sidekick Polynesia the parrot, the larger-than-life Doctor Dolittle teaches us not only to talk to the animals but to listen to them as well! The new production features stunning visual puppetry, with book, music and lyrics by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse and is directed by Christopher Renshaw. 2018 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the original film starring Rex Harrison.
www.doctordolittlemusical.com

MAMMA MIA!
Novello Theatre
Currently booking until 14 September 2019
From West End to global phenomenon, MAMMA MIA! is Judy Craymer's ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. To date, it has been seen by over 60 million people in 50 productions in 16 different languages grossing more than $2 billion at the box office. In April 2019 the show will celebrate its 20th birthday in London. The current cast is led by Sara Poyzer as Donna, Kate Graham as Tanya, Ricky Butt as Rosie,and Georgia Louise as Sophie.
Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes
http://www.mamma-mia.com/

OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE
Apollo Theatre
6 December 2018 to 6 January 2019
Dr Chris and Dr Xand bring OPERATION OUCH! live on stage for the very first time in the UK. Based on the hit CBBC television series, the show will be packed with incredible stunts, crazy experiments and amazing facts, Dr Chris and Dr Xand will explore the fascinating world of biology and show the audience the awesome things the body can do. OPERATION OUCH! LIVE ON STAGE is written by Chris and Xand van Tulleken and is directed by Peter Adams.
Duration: 70 minutes, no interval
Recommended Age: 5+
www.operationouchliveonstage.com

For Couples at Christmas

JERSEY BOYS
New Theatre Oxford
18 December to 5 January 2019, then continues to tour
JERSEY BOYS is the remarkable true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and their rise to stardom from the wrong side of the tracks. Starring Michael Watson as Frankie Valli, Simon Bailey as Tommy De Vito, Declan Egan as Bob Gaudio and Lewis Griffiths as Nick Massi, the show is packed with hits, including Beggin', Sherry, Walk Like A Man, December, 1963 (Oh What a Night), Big Girls Don't Cry, My Eyes Adored You, Let's Hang On (To What We've Got), Bye Bye Baby, Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Working My Way Back to You, Fallen Angel, Rag Doll and Who Loves You. JERSEY BOYS is the winner of 57 major awards worldwide including Broadway's Tony, London's Olivier and Australia's Helpmann Awards for Best New Musical.
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
www.jerseyboysuktour.com

For a Friends' Night Out at Christmas

MAGIC MIKE LIVE
The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino
From 10 November 2018, currently booking until 27 October 2019
Channing Tatum brings a brand new production of MAGIC MIKE LIVE to London. A large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL. A complete evening of unparalleled entertainment for guests as they enter Magic Mike's club and marvel as a group of extraordinary artists perform a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and above them. Sexy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, presented by a diverse cast of performers from around the world. MAGIC MIKE LIVE is co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, with Teresa Espinosa as associate director, and choreographed by Alison Faulk, Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick.
Duration: approximately 90 minutes
Age Guidance: guests must be at least 18 years to attend - appropriate photo ID will be requested on arrival at the venue.
www.magicmikelondon.co.uk