With the incredible variety of theatre shows available each and every year in London, it’s pretty near impossible to select just five to get excited about for 2011! So I’ve gone for five big shows with big star names for this year’s recommendations.

Autograph books ready: London’s stages are going to be even more star-studded than usual in the coming year!

• The Children’s Hour, from 22 Jan
  Keira Knightley returns to the West End alongside Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men (making her West End debut) in a stunning 1930s drama about the power of lies.
• Frankenstein, from 5 Feb
  The National Theatre welcomes BOTH Benedict Cumberbatch AND Jonny Lee Miller (swoon!), directed by Danny Boyle in a trio of big-name talent. This has to be my pick of the spring plays in London…
• Blithe Spirit, from 2 Mar
  With Alison Steadman, Hermione Norris, Robert Bathhurst and Ruthie Henshall, this Noel Coward comedy at the Apollo is dripping with stars.
• Richard III, from 29 Jun
  Artistic director Kevin Spacey takes to the Old Vic stage this summer as Shakespeare’s nastiest villain, Richard III. It’s part of the Bridge Project for 2011, and is directed by acclaimed American Beauty director Sam Mendes. And we can’t wait
• Hamlet, winter 2011
  With no more details than that, Michael Sheen fans are going to have keep their ears to the ground around the Young Vic for more news of when this fantastic actor is going to take on Shakespeare’s finest role, with top director Jez Butterworth at the helm. Excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about this show…

Which theatre shows are you looking forward to in 2011? Let us know in the comments below.