London Datebook: Sheridan Smith's Funny Business, Dominic West's Dangereuse Affair & More

The holidays are fast approaching, bringing with them a glut of openings across the spectrum, from a seasonal entertainment with an Oscar winner in the lead to new sightings of iconic titles and a fresh glimpse of one of literature’s best-loved characters. For further information on a busy month ahead, read on!

NOVEMBER 30 – DECEMBER 5
She’s the Greatest Star: Sheridan Smith continues her unstoppable trajectory by stepping into the formidable shoes of Barbra Streisand when she plays Fanny Brice in the first London stage revival of Funny Girl since Streisand herself led the U.K. premiere. Tony winner Michael Mayer is directing the Menier Chocolate Factory revival with the redoubtable Harvey Fierstein on hand to tweak the book. Opening night is December 2 and a West End transfer to the Savoy has already been announced.

Also: A busy week at the Royal Court kicks off with the opening December 1 of Noma Dumezweni playing the title role in Linda, a new play from playwright Penelope Skinner of The Village Bike renown. The same night sees the first preview of the commercial transfer to the West End of the Court production of Martin McDonagh’s wonderful Hangmen while Mia Chung’s Royal Court Theatre Upstairs entry You For Me For You starts previews December 3.

DECEMBER 6-12
Rabbit Hole: Alice in Wonderland has received the musical theater treatment at least once when a young Meryl Streep took the part over 30 years ago, but the National Theatre’s eagerly awaited production of wonder.land promises to be something else again with music by Damon Albarn from Blur and book and lyrics by Moira Buffini. Newcomer Lois Chimimba plays the teenage Aly, the character formerly known as Alice. Opening night is December 10 in the Olivier auditorium.

Also: Tom Stoppard’s espionage-themed play Hapgood fared better first time around at Lincoln Center than it did on the West End, but its new Hampstead Theatre revival, directed by Howard Davies and opening December 9, may prove second-time lucky. Lisa Dillon inherits the title role originated by Felicity Kendal in London and Stockard Channing in New York. The same night sees the Apollo Theatre opening of Peter Pan Goes Wrong, a further exercise in japery behind the team of The Play That Goes Wrong.

DECEMBER 13-19
Dangerous Games: Christopher Hampton’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses was one of the defining plays of the 1980s, but it has fared less well in subsequent revivals both on Broadway and in London. That should change with the director Josie Rourke’s fresh production, which opens December 17 at the Donmar and boasts the leading players of one’s dreams: Dominic West, the stage veteran currently heating up TV’s The Affair, and Tony winner and two-time Oscar nominee Janet McTeer in the roles originated onstage by Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan.

Also: With fast-rising director Max Webster at the helm and Tony-winning designer Rob Howell (Matilda) in charge of the visuals, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax should be that seasonal entertainment suitable for children of all ages. Simon Paisley Day and Simon Lipkin head a large cast at the Old Vic. Opening night is December 16. The previous night finds Mike Bartlett’s short but powerful Bull returning to the Young Vic with a heavyweight cast that includes Nigel Lindsay and Susannah Fielding.

DECEMBER 20-26
Ho Ho Ho: It’s Christmas week so what better time to welcome the return to the London theater after too long an absence of Oscar winner Jim Broadbent playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol at the Noel Coward Theatre. Toby Sedgwick (War Horse) is on hand as movement director and the director is Olivier Award-winner Phelim McDermott, who staged Broadbent’s last London stage venture, Theatre of Blood, in 2005.

Also: First post-opening week of the U.K. premiere at the new Found111 venue on Charing Cross Road of Richard Greenberg’s off-Broadway play The Dazzle, here starring Andrew Scott, better known as Moriarty on Sherlock. Daggers will be drawn and the wit will be flying when the National Theatre hosts its annual Christmas quiz on December 22. Want to see whether your favorite thesp is also his or her team’s smartest? Now’s your chance!