From Hollywood romances to side-splitting comedy, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of live theatre.

Luckily, there are plenty of incredible shows, including exciting revivals, jukebox musicals and on-stage classics, coming to Kent in 2024, so get booking your tickets now…

An Officer and a Gentleman

If you’re a hopeless romantic then you won’t want to miss this ‘80s blockbuster as it comes to the stage. The musical is based on the 1982 film starring Richard Gere and includes a talented cast that have, collectively, appeared in shows such as The Osmonds, Billy Elliot and Grease. The show has a feel-good jukebox soundtrack of pop anthems including the Grammy Award-winning song (Love Lift Us) Up Where We Belong.

Details: Tuesday, July 9 to Saturday, July 13 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury; and Monday, October 28 to Saturday, November 2 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Book tickets here.

Come From Away

This uplifting musical based on a real story has been showered with accolades since its London debut in 2019 and is set to take off on its first UK tour in the new year. The show, which has received four Olivier Awards and a Tony Award, shares the story of the 7,000 air passengers who were grounded in a small Canadian town in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The characters are played by a handful of actors who chop and change roles throughout the show to portray both the passengers and townspeople whose lives are forever changed.

Details: Tuesday, November 12 to Saturday, November 16 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets here.

Hairspray

It’s been eight long years since this fun-filled show has come to Canterbury. However, this summer the swinging sixties will return to Kent with upbeat music, dazzling dance routines and larger-than-life characters in Hairspray. The musical follows Tracy Turnblad, a teenager who is determined to change the face of television and win the heart of teen idol Link Larkin, and is based on John Waters’ 1988 film.

Details: Tuesday, August 6 to Saturday, August 10 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets here.

Jesus Christ Superstar

One of the most talked-about musical albums in history is being revived for a breath-taking, heart-stopping nationwide tour. After the show was rejected in the 1960s, composers Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice released the music to Jesus Christ Superstar as a rock ‘n’ roll concept album, which was met with critical acclaim and prompted its Broadway debut in 1971. The latest adaptation received an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2017 and features much-loved numbers such as I Don’t Know How to Love Him and Gethsemane. Actor and comedian Julian Clary will also appear as Herod at some dates during the tour.

Details: Monday, February 26 to Saturday, March 2 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and Monday, June 17 to Saturday, June 22 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets here.

Now That’s What I Call a Musical

Choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood and written by comedian Pippa Evans, this brand new musical is celebrating 40 years of chart-topping hits. Based on the music from beloved compilation albums Now That’s What I Call Music, this feel-good story of friendship and nostalgia spans three decades, from 1989 to 2009 and includes tunes from Whitney Houston, Blondie, Wham and more.

Details: Tuesday, September 17 to Saturday, September 21 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Tuesday, October 22 to Saturday, October 26 at the Orchard West Theatre in Dartford. Book tickets online.

Pretty Woman

Starring former Love Island contestant and West End actress Amber Davies and Strictly champion Ore Oduba, this new adaptation of the Hollywood romance is sure to have hearts racing. The show is based on the 1990 film, which saw Julia Roberts and Richard Gere star as an unlikely couple, and features an original score by Grammy Award winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance. The musical is coming directly from the West End for its first UK tour next year.

Details: Monday, May 6 to Saturday, May 11 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and Tuesday, July 30 to Saturday, August 3 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book tickets here.

Sing The Musicals

Why choose one musical when you can see them all? Sing the Musicals brings together some of the biggest songs from the West End and Broadway, all performed by a live band, character singers and even the audience as a big screen will show sing-along lyrics to each number. For its first national tour, the show will feature music from Mamma Mia, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Les Misérables, the Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and more.

Details: Saturday, April 27 at the Central Theatre in Chatham. Book tickets here.

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch

This hilarious new musical parody is currently making its debut at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant in London for 10 weeks before heading out on tour next year. It stars Kent’s own River Medway, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, and tells the story of the Little Mermaid villain Ursula from a whole new perspective. It’s a funny, adult-only, tongue-in-cheek show with an original score, puppets and lots of drag-tastic jokes.

Details: Tuesday, June 18 to Saturday, June 22 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Book tickets online or by calling 03433 100020.