January is cold and often gets us down in the dumps so it feels like you need a reason to get out of the house. Well, we've got some!
We've pulled together a quick-look guide of some of the best entertainment coming up next month to get you through.
- FILM
Foxcatcher (January 9)
He's usually a funny man but there is nothing to laugh about in Steve Carrell's take on real-life superrich supercreep John du Pont. The actor - widely praised for his transformative performance - stars alongside Channing Tatum and Mark Rufallo as the wealthy but freaky patron of two Gold medal wrestlers. It's astounding.
Birdman (January 2)
Michael Keaton plays a now-struggling actor famous for playing a popular masked superhero trying to relaunch his career. Sounds like a stretch. The movie goes way beyond that premise thanks to some seriously out-there direction from Alejandro González Iñárritu. Keaton is tipped for Oscars success.
Fifty Shades of Grey (February 13)
OK, it's not out until February but to say this film is highly anticipated is vastly underselling it. Directed by Goldsmiths graduate Sam Taylor-Johnson, it promises to be a proper kink-fest starring the stunning Jamie Dornan.
- THEATRE
Peter James' Dead Simple at The Orchard Theatre, Dartford (January 14 to 17)
Partly set in Kent, bestselling author Peter James' vastly popular thriller about detective Roy Grace and a guy buried alive should really come alive on stage. The cast includes Holby's Tina Hobley and EastEnders heartthrob Jamie Lomas. Tickets cost £15 to £28 at orchardtheatre.co.uk or on 01322 220000.
X Factor's Rhydian stars in Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley (January 21 to 24)
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's groundbreaking musical about the last seven days of Jesus' life is as stunning today as it was when it made its explosive debut in 1971. Tickets from £17.90. Go to atgtickets.com/bromley
The Wiz at Broadway Theatre Studio, Catford (January 16 to 18)
The ever-popular super soul musical adaptation of L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz by amateur dramatics group The Utopians is sure to be popular. Tickets cost £12. Go to broadwaytheatre.org.uk
- COMEDY
An Evening with Noel Fielding at Fairfield Halls in Croydon (January 31) and The Churchill Theatre in Bromley (February 1)*
The irrepressible comic will perform a mixture of his unique stand-up, live animation, music and some of his best known characters. Go to fairfield.co.uk or atgtickets.com/bromley
*These gigs have now been rescheduled to November.
Laughing Boy Comedy at The Woodville, Gravesend (January 29)
Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Stand up for the Week star Romesh Ranganathan headlines the always-entertaining night in Gravesend. Support comes from FHM's Stand Up Hero 2009, Marlon Davies. Tickets cost £12 or £17.50 with a curry. Go to woodville.co.uk
- MUSIC
Paolo Nutini at the O2 arena (January 29)
Hot off the success of another critically acclaimed album, the Last Request singer brings his live show to Greenwich. Go to axs.com
Elvis Presley's 80th Birthday at Brooklyn Bowl, Greenwich (January 10)
Celebrate what would have been the King's 80th with two of London's finest rock and roll and rockabilly bands - The Camden Cats and Ronnie Ripple and The Rip Chords - playing through the night. Tickets £8 (free for over 80s). Go to london.brooklynbowl.com. The O2 is also home to a mega Elvis exhibition.
- See more great events or add your own at newsshopper.co.uk/events
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