Here are just some of the great shows we have to look forward to next year:

1. A Chorus Line, London Palladium from 2 Feb
Back in the West End for the first time since the 70s, the award-winning A Chorus Line comes to London’s Palladium in February, starring John Partridge and Scarlett Strallen as Zach and Cassie, with Leigh Zimmerman playing Sheila and Victoria Hamilton-Barritt playing Diana. Altogether now: “One… singular sensation, every little step she takes…”

2. The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre from 26 Feb
Another multi-award winning show, The Book of Mormon is the first of two Broadway imports to hit the West End in 2013. This first will make its UK premiere at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, it’s the story of two teenage Mormon missionaries trying to convert a Ugandan village. As it contains explicit language, this is a show for over 18s only: time will tell whether UK audiences love it as much as their US counterparts.

3. Once, Phoenix Theatre from 16 Mar
This year’s Tony Award for Best New Musical went to Once; and from March we can see it on our side of the pond at the Phoenix Theatre. Based on the 2006 Irish musical film of the same name, Once features an ensemble cast of actor/musicians and tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant and their shared love of music.

4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 18 May
Hot on the heels of Matilda comes a new Roald Dahl-based musical. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory features a host of musical stars including music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, a book by the award-winning playwright David Greig and choreography by Peter Darling, the chap behind both Billy Elliot and Matilda. It’s directed by Skyfall director Sam Mendes, and stars Douglas Hodge as Willy Wonka, and plays at the wonderful Theatre Royal Drury Lane from May. Sounds like a perfect recipe for success…

5. The Sound of Music, Open Air Theatre from 25 Jul
Finally for musicals in 2013, I’m really excited about a new production of The Sound of Music at the Open Air Theatre. Opening in July, this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is sure to be a real treat: the past few musicals from the Open Air Theatre have been amazing, including three winners of the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival.

If you prefer your shows without all that lovely singing and dancing, check out my tips for the top London plays coming in 2013.

What musicals are you looking forward to seeing in 2013? Let us know in the comments below.

Each week we share with you a fantastic London video – sometime shot by tourists, sometimes by schoolkids, sometimes featuring singers or other stars. But our weekly showcase of London videos aren’t often as starry as today’s offering.

Here’s a glimpse into the making of the new James Bond film, Skyfall, which appears to have some significant stretches of action in London. Ignore Sam Mendes’ assertion that London’s “not a particularly photogenic city” (what?!) instead listen to Daniel Craig telling us the this is Bond in Britain, and that London is a “very beautiful place.” 

Skyfall - a new film starring Whitehall, Vauxhall Bridge, Embankment and Smithfield Market. How exciting: we can’t wait!

Something a little different for September: Theatre Souk is going to make you think about money: how you get it, how you spend it, what it means, and how a new artistic economy might work.

Located in the former offices of the Uzbekistan Airways, just off Oxford Street, Theatre Souk offers interactive theatre performances to challenge and entertain you: some are one-to-one shows, others feature puppets, and there are 20 in all. Or you can just relax in the cabaret bar. Theatre Souk is presented by the fabulous TheatreDelicatessen, well known for exploring text-based theatre, and creating interesting immersive performances with ensemble casts.

So, on to this week’s cast news. Rising star Harry Treadaway returns to the Royal Court in October, in Nina Raine’s second play Tribes. Harry plays Daniel, a boy suffering in an argumentative, unconventional family, with a deaf brother. Last seen in the West End winning critical acclaim for his performance in Ibsen’s Ghosts, Harry has been at the Royal Court before too: starring opposite his twin brother Luke in Mark Ravenhill’s Over There.

From rising stars to big hitters: Sir Antony Sher’s returning to the London stage next month in Arthur Miller’s Broken Glass at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn. Sir Antony will play Philip Gellburg in Miller’s story of a Jewish couple living in 1938 New York;  the same time Kristallnacht occurs in Nazi Germany. The events in Germany have a profound effect on the couple…  Antony stars alongside Nigel Lindsay and Lucy Cohu.

And finally, Kevin Spacey is reuniting with American Beauty director Sam Mendes to play Richard III at the Old Vic in 2012. It’ll be the third and final instalment of The Bridge Project, so will also be performed in New York’s Brooklyn Academy of Music. Let’s not forget last time these two worked together they both won academy awards… Never mind the Olympics Opening Ceremony, here’s a really hot ticket for 2012!

Sam Mendes, who used to be Artistic Director at the Donmar, and whose film work includes Revolutionary Road and Road To Perdition, said, “I am absolutely delighted to be working with Kevin again for the first time since American Beauty, and I am doubly thrilled that he will be leading year three of The Bridge Project. Richard III is a play I love, and a role I think Kevin is born to play.”

Exciting stuff.