What are the must sees of 2024?

The Hills of California by Jez Butterworth at the Harold Pinter, directed by Sam Mendes.

Player Kings directed by Robert Icke with Ian McKellen at the Noel Coward (followed later in the year by Armando Ianucci's adaptation of Dr Strangelove with Steve Coogan).

I am also very intrigued by Double Feature at the Hampstead by John Logan, directed by Jonathan Kent. Will be interesting to see the casting in this. Vibes of Hitchcock Blonde, which I loved, with a behind the scenes look at the classic movie Witchfinder General with Vincent Price.

Later in the year, also at the Hampstead, Michael Longhurst is directing Between Riverside and Crazy by Stephen Adly Guirgis.

Before that, Longhurst is (co) directing his final show as Artistic Director of the Donmar, The Human Body. This is Lucy Kirkwood's new play with Keeley Hawes and Jack Davenport.

A Mirror by Sam Holcroft transfers from the Almeida to the Trafalgar in January. No Michael Ward this time round but Jonny Lee Miller, Tanya Reynolds and Geoffrey Streatfield are returning, directed by Jeremy Herrin.

SJP and Matthew Broderick are transferring to the Savoy from Broadway in Neil Simon's Plaza Suite directed by John Benjamin Hickey, who appeared in The Inheritance at the Young Vic a few years ago. This will be followed by the long awaited West End transfer, from Broadway, of Mean Girls.

Nachtland at the Young Vic is a new German play by Marius von Mayenburg directed by Patrick Marber with Romola Garai, John Heffernan, Jane Horrocks and Angus Wright.

Sarah Snook appears at the Haymarket in a one woman production of The Picture of Dorian Gray, the Sydney Theatre Company production which had video installations and sounds great. Later in the year at the same venue, James Macdonald is directing a major new production of Waiting for Godot with Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati.

I think the National's programming continues to be very impressive. Till the Stars Come Down, Dear Octopus and London Tide are the standouts for me. Nye is also being done in the Olivier with Michael Sheen and the terrific actress Sharon Small, so good in Good recently.

I didn't love Next to Normal quite as much as a lot of people on here, but it's a very slick production with a standout lead in Caissie Levy and is deservedly transferring to Wyndham's in June.

Finally, the long overdue Hello, Dolly! directed by Dominic Cooke, not at the Adelphi as originally planned, but installed at the London Palladium for a summer season. Imelda Staunton, Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell and Tyrone Huntley star.

This is amazing! Thanks so much.

The 2 shows I am most looking forward to are Opening Night with Sheridan Smith and Hello Dolly with Imelda Staunton.
Oh, and of course, revliving the 80s with Starlight Express.

Also a couple of concerts. Side Show and Jason Robert Brown with Cynthia Erivo.

And I hope the rumour of Shucked coming to London next year is true.

I've already got two 2024 shows booked which are Hello Dolly! and Plaza Suite. There's also Cinderella at Wimbledon but that's a 2023 show.

I'm torn about Sam Mendes and Hills. I loved Lehman and Cabaret, but found Ferryman too wordy and a chore to sit through.

I usually like highly theatrical pieces.

For my February trip I picked Sky's Edge, Enemy of the People, and A Mirror.

I have one last spot and torn between Dear Octopus, King Lear, Double Feature and Nachtland. No clue what to do!

Next to Normal…

Lots to look forward to.

Opening Night, Starlight Express and Hello, Dolly! Have booked Fangirls already and the first night of Mean Girls.

For my NYC Trip - Aaron and Sutton in Sweeney Todd is sure to be a highlight. Also Lempicka, Notebook and Hell's Kitchen all high on the list.