Nine Night (opens 1 December)
Based around the Caribbean funerary tradition of the same name, this critically acclaimed piece by Natasha Gordon transfers from the Dorfman space at the National Theatre to London’s West End. Nine Night tells the tale of a family in mourning who come together to celebrate the passing of their beloved relative. Once a calm and serious tradition, Nine Night, or Dead Yard, is now a celebration of the life of the deceased, who no longer have to suffer in a cruel world. What better time to premiere such a family-centered show than during the holiday season?! Nine Night opens on 1 December at Trafalgar Studios, where it is booking until 9 February 2019.

Purchase Nine Night tickets.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (opens 4 December)
Matthew Bourne’s fresh take on Tchaikovsky’s ballet classic is packed with just enough energy to keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish! Best known for replacing the female ensemble with all-male ‘ballerinos’, this is Swan Lake like you’ve never seen it before! Watch as the elegant female swans you once knew transform into fierce male birds of prey! Swan Lake opens on 4 December at Sadler's Wells, where it is booking until 27 January 2019.

Purchase tickets to Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.

The Cane (opens 6 December)
Local schoolteacher Edward (Alun Armstrong) is looking forward to retiring and collecting his hard-earned pension. But soon a mob of angry students starts harassing him and his wife, Maureen (Maggie Steed), going so far as to toss a brick through their window. With their house now under siege, all Edward can do is wonder, ‘Why on Earth would they attack one of the most popular teachers in school?’ And that’s just the half of their worries when suddenly their estranged daughter, Anna (Nicola Walker), shows up at their front doorstep. The Cane opens on 6 December at the Royal Court Theatre, where it is booking until 26 January 2019.

Purchase The Cane tickets.

Murder for Two (opens 12 December)
It takes two to murder, but only one to solve the crime. Murder for Two is the whodunit to end all whodunits, featuring just two actors filling the shoes for thirteen characters! When Arthur Whitney’s birthday party unexpectedly becomes his 'deathday party', only Marcus Moscowicz is around to crack the case. Following a sensational run off-Broadway and smash-hit stints at The Watermill and the Other Palace, Murder for Two is back in the madhouse this Christmas for a limited engagement at the Other Palace Studio. Murder for Two opens on 12 December and is booking until 13 January 2019.

Purchase Murder for Two tickets.

Rumpelstiltskin (opens 13 December 2018)
As the 4,000-year-old tale goes, a magical imp saves a girl from execution by turning haystacks into gold so she can impress the king and marry him. But his Midas touch comes with a price, as she must give up her firstborn child to the evil fiend, unless she can guess his wretched name. What better way to celebrate the Christmas season with this classic Brothers Grimm fairytale? Rumpelstiltskin opens on 13 December at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre and is booking until 6 January 2019. Don’t miss the London premiere of this Australian reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin, brought to you by Australian Cabaret legend, Paul Capsis, and the Windmill Theatre Company (2016’s Pinnochio).

All magic comes with a price, dearie. Purchase your Rumpelstiltskin tickets.

Also opening this month (December 2018)

GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley: Noetic
(opens 1 December)
for a one-night performance at Sadler's Wells.
Purchase tickets to GöteborgsOperans Danskompani, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Antony Gormley: Noetic tickets.

The Roy Orbison Story (opens 2 December)
at the Adelphi Theatre
Purchase tickets to The Roy Orbison Story.

Bill Bailey (opens 3 December)
at Wyndham's Theatre
Purchase tickets to Bill Bailey.

Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael (opens 3 December)
at the Lyric Theatre
Purchase tickets to Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael.

The Messiah (opens 3 December)
at the Other Palace
Purchase tickets to The Messiah.

Chasing Bono (opens 6 December)
at the Soho Theatre
Purchase tickets to Chasing Bono.

Operation Ouch Live On Stage! (opens 6 December)
at the Apollo Theatre
Purchase tickets to Operation Ouch Live On Stage!.

Sam Simmons: Away In A Stranger (opens 10 December)
at the Soho Theatre
Purchase tickets to Sam Simmons: Away In A Stranger.

The Simon and Garfunkel Story (opens 10 December)
at the Lyric Theatre
Purchase tickets to The Simon and Garfunkel Story.

Horrible Christmas (opens 11 December)
at the newly refurbished Alexandra Palace Theatre.
Purchase Horrible Christmas tickets.

Sir Michael Parkinson on George Best (opens 11 December)
at the Gillian Lynne Theatre
Purchase tickets to see Sir Michael Parkinson on George Best.

Awful Auntie (opens 12 December)
at the Bloomsbury Theatre
Purchase tickets to Awful Auntie.

Nutcracker (opens 13 December)
at the London Coliseum
Purchase tickets to Nutcracker.

Pinter 5: The Room/Victoria Station/Family Voices (opens 13 December)
at the  Harold Pinter Theatre
Purchase tickets to Pinter 5: The Room/Victoria Station/Family Voices.

Circus 1903 (opens 19 December)
at the  Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre
Purchase tickets to Circus 1903.

Nativity! (opens 19 December)
at the  Eventim Apollo
Purchase tickets to Nativity!.

Pinter 6: Party Time/Celebration (opens 20 December)
at the  Harold Pinter Theatre
Purchase tickets to Pinter 6: Party Time/Celebration.

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