London’s theatre is so happening that it’s tough to keep track of what’s going on. Well, it was until you had this guide to the best of the bunch on the stage right now, and what you need on your radar for the future…
Fancy a night out at the theatre? London’s West End is rather legendary, and catching a show is a magical way to spend an evening in London. There are always plenty of shows to go and see, but how do you pick the best one for you?
From famous book adaptations like the trio of Roald Dahl musicals you can find around London right now, to a plethora of award-winning musicals and retellings and new takes on stories you’ve always loved (we’re looking at you Harry Potter), we’re certain this guide has just what you’re looking for.
The Best West End Shows in London
Currently Showing
Les Miserables
Sondheim Theatre
West End’s longest-running musical, Les Miserables, is one you don’t want to miss.
Even if you’ve seen the show, the rotating cast of top talent, a brilliant script and breathtaking staging means that you can see it multiple times and it never gets old. It’s that good.
The show is performed to the backdrop of paintings by Victor Hugo, Les Miserables author. The highly emotive performances from each and every single actor is phenomenal, they truly bring the story to life.
Hamilton
Victoria Palace Theatre
Lin Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is the winner of 11 Tony Awards, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical theatre Album.
The award-winning musical blends jazz, hip hop, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway whilst telling the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right-hand man.
Catch the show at West End’s Victoria Palace Theatre. It’s one of our favourite West End shows. Trust us – you want to be in the room where it happens.
Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre
If you’re a Roald Dahl fan, make sure you catch Matilda The Musical showing at the Cambridge Theatre. The much-loved children’s book has been adapted for the West End and it is a show that all the family will enjoy.
The faithful live-stage adaptation will have you on the edge of your seat and tapping your feet as Matilda Wormwood follows her dreams of escaping her neglectful parents through her love of literature – but will she get her happy ever after?
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Wicked is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz and it tells the story of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of The West) and her friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch of the South).
Showing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, the popular show has been nominated for six Tony Awards and has been described as being one of the best musicals of our time.
It’s a truly magical show brimming with imagination and emotion that makes for an engrossing story the whole way through.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Palace Theatre
Calling all witches and wizards! You need to watch Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
We’re sure that this iconic franchise needs no introduction, but this two-part play follows Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years after they saved the wizarding world.
They’ve joined a new generation of wizards and witches to expelliarmus mysterious evil forces once and for all. It’s a moving and enthralling coda to the magical franchise we all love so much. We’re sure any fans will get quite the kick out of it. Muggles need not attend.
The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
A long-time favourite on the London theatre scene, The Lion King is up there with the best of the West End. That means if you want to hit the theatre but you’re not sure which show to watch, this would be one of our top picks.
Based on the 1994 Walt Disney movie, the West End musical show brings the animations magic to life for the stage with outlandish animal costumes, giant hollow puppet props and music from Elton John.
It’s entertaining from start to finish and pretty much a must-see production. The fact that the Lyceum Theatre has been hearing the sounds of Hakuna Matata since 1999 with close to 8000 shows under its belt should be a testament to that.
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
The Playhouse Theatre
This classic musical takes over the stage at the Playhouse Theatre to tell the tale of a relationship between an American writer and a British cabaret singer.
Cabaret is set to the backdrop of Berlin’s decline during the Weimar Republic, and the rise of Fascism in 1930s Germany, the big point being that in a world where everything is becoming scarily authoritarian, a cabaret club is the last bastion of freedom.
Of course, jazz-age Germany and the cabaret club make the perfect setting for a good musical number or two, and some very dramatic storytelling. No surprise the play goes down in the history books as one of the best-selling ever.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical?
Piccadilly Theatre
Nominations, and eleven Outer Critics Circle Awards pretty much say it all.
This massively popular musical shoots its audience back into Paris’ seedy nightclubs at the turn of the last century with songs and love stories abound.
The play is a stage adaptation of the equally classic Baz Luhrmann film of the same name and features all the glitz, glam, and musical flare of the movie. If you’re looking for a flamboyant night of larger-than-life performances, this is the one for you.
Six
Vaudeville Theatre
Henry the 8th is known for his womanising, and for the grizzly end his wives often met. For a play about the perspectives of those unlucky women, Six is surprisingly uplifting.
The six women of his life turn back the clocks and recount their stories of love and loss through the form of song and dance, digging on the ex they all have in common.
The result is a sass-fuelled few hours of hilarity. It’s cleaned up a couple of Tony awards, including Best Score, so you can be sure you’re in for a hell of a ride with this one.
The Book of Mormon
Prince of Wales Theatre
For a truly side-splitting production, head to the Prince of Wales Theatre for The Book of Mormon.
From the creators of South Park (warning: the comedy is very on-the-nose), comes this hilarious musical about two Latter-Day missionaries who have been posted to a remote Ugandan village.
Whilst there, the missionaries are supposed to preach about faith to the church and convert the villagers to Mormonism. This doesn’t exactly go to plan as the imminent threat from HIV, FGM and oppression from their warlord unfolds.
Back to The Future: The Musical
Adelphi Theatre
If you’ve ever seen the film (and if not, why not?), you’ll already know that Back to The Future’s imaginative storyline grips from the get-go.
Cranking it up a notch with grand musical stores and stellar performances throughout, Back to The Future: The Musical takes us on an electrifying journey back in time when Marty McFly finds himself transported to 1955.
He accidentally changes the course of history, but can he fix the present, escape the past and send himself back to the present day in time?
Phantom of the Opera
His Majesty’s Theatre
The West End’s most haunting love story, Phantom of the Opera returns to Her Majesty’s Theatre. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational long-running musical stars double Olivier Award nominee Killian Donnely at The Phantom, Lucy St Louis as Christine Daae and Thys Whitfield as Raoul.
The Phantom awaits in this masterpiece with outlandish costumes and some of the West End’s best theatrical performances.
Standing at Sky’s Edge
The National Theatre
Standing at Sky’s Edge got its London opening in the National Theatre in 2023 and had a very well received run. In 2024 we get it back for round two. If you didn’t catch it initially you’ll want it on your radar for the return.
The play tells the story of several lives on a council estate in Sheffield, across several generations. Some want to get as far away from the place they were born as possible, seeking fortune and fame in the big city of London. Others want to stay close to home and raise families.
What you’ll see is a touching, at times light-hearted, at times deep, musical that questions the nature of home, and what the place we’re from means about us.
Frozen
The Theatre Royal
It was probably just a matter of time until the Disney movie that grabbed the hearts of every child in the country was turned into a musical for the West End. Well, here it is.
The stage version follows the same story as the 2013 film as Elsa and Anna run away from home and encounter a menagerie of strange friends who help them understand the big wide world.
The stage version features more songs (including a few new ones written just for this production) and deeper characters – though that latter point doesn’t make it any less enjoyable for kids, just maybe slightly more enjoyable for adults.
Jersey Boys
The Trafalgar Theatre
Jersey Boys follows the rise and fall of The Four Seasons. Nope, not the swanky hotel, a musical group from the 60s that shot Frankie Valli, among others, to super-star fame.
That fame comes with all the trappings of a good band story, from can’t-believe-we-made-it early days to the arguments, fallouts, and eventual separation.
The show is almost as classic as some of the songs The Four Seasons put out in their time. It’s juicy. It’s gripping. It’s full of great musical numbers – what more could you want from a West End show?
Mamma Mia
Novello Theatre
Join in on the Mamma Mia fun at the Novello Theatre and watch the live adaptation of the world’s sunniest smash-hit musical.
Mamma Mia follows a mother, a daughter and three potential dads as they take an unforgettable trip down the aisle.
Since premiering in London over 23 years ago, this well-loved feel-good musical has transported countless thousands to the sunny Greek island with a soundtrack of ABBA’s timeless songs. It’s still going strong.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Aldwych Theatre
At the Aldwych Theatre, Tina Turner’s life story is told in grand musical form through the Grammy Award-Winning musical: Tina – The Tina Turner Musical.
The jukebox musical, featuring heaps of classic music by Tina Turner showcases the singer’s life from humble beginnings to rock n’ roll star. However, the musical is not just about Tina Turner’s fame but the trials and tribulations she faced in order to succeed.
Her inspiring journey to becoming one of the most successful recording artists of all time is a riveting watch.
Guys and Dolls
Bridge Theatre
Guys and Dolls needs no introduction. The classic tale of gangs in prohibition-era New York and the romances that form in spite of their bloody divides is a tale as old as time.
It’s recreated at The Bridge Theatre in a semi-immersive style meaning that, although you can choose to sit and watch theatre in the round, the good old-fashioned way, you can also interact with the actors on stage and soak the action in as part of the musical itself.
With Nicholas Hytner at the helm, it’s almost certain this production will keep the legacy going strong.
Mrs Doubtfire
Shaftesbury Theatre
This stage adaptation of Robin Williams’ classic 1993 film, Mrs Doubtfire, got a rough run on Broadway before beginning plans to come to the UK.
It was initially panned in The States for being insensitive but has received better reviews from its British audience.
Four-time Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks is on the direction, so you’re in good hands there. You can expect the heartwarming tale of the movie with plenty of the humour too, this time with the added slapstick and drama of the stage to heighten a live performance.
Sunset Boulevard
The Savoy Theatre
Classic film noir tale of a writer trapped into a contract he can’t get out of in the faded grandeur of a Hollywood star’s mansion is playfully reimagined for one of the grandest theatres the West End can boast.
Not only that but the production brags a star-studded cast with none other than Nicole Scherzinger coming in to take the lead role of Norma Desmond herself.
The production has come from Broadway where it filled theatres for several years. It’s doing the same here and is one that’s well worth a watch.
Hamnet
The Garrick Theatre
Hamnet takes the basis of Maggie O’Farrell’s historical-fiction novel and makes it into a thrilling play for the West End.
The story is a reimagining of the life and lovers of William Shakespeare. It follows his relationship with Agnes Hathaway, a healer and the death of their eleven-year-old son to the plague.
The events set into question everything they thought they loved about each other in a powerful production that’s delivered by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the top of their game.
Choir of Man
Arts Theatre
Part of the joy of a good musical is the escapism of letting yourself be swept up in performance and song. If that’s what you love about the stage, you’ll find it in spades in Choir of Man.
The production is a mash-up of some top-notch classic rock songs performed in a pub setting complete with a working bar. The show uses this to pretty much create the ultimate night out in a rock ‘n’ roll boozer.
Expect to hear songs from Guns’N’Roses, Adele, Avicii, Paul Simon and heaps more.
Stranger Things First Shadow
Phoenix Theatre
This production understandably got mountains of attention when it was announced, then (if it was even possible) more attention when the curtains opened.
It’s a play version of the hit TV series Stranger Things that’s been worked on by the Duffer Brothers and the show’s writer Kate Trefry in conjunction with serious playwright heavyweight Jack Thorne.
The story is an origin story of sorts and follows Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado as youngsters in the days before the TV series begins. It also promises to hold hints to how the TV show’s story might end – not a spoiler, just a clue…
The Witches
The Apollo Theatre
This adaptation of the famed Roald Dahl book has been touted as one of the best new musicals to hit London in recent years, sweeping up five-star reviews from pretty much every critic that put pen to paper to review it.
The duet of Olivier Award-winner Lucy Kirkwood Tony Award-nominee Dave Malloy working the songbook is a large part of the success, but there’s no denying plenty of Dahl’s magic makes it through to the stage, and that’s what’s part of the charm.
It’s on at the National Theatre now until the 27th January 2024 so you’ve still got some time to catch it. We expect it will be on the West End stage for a second run once the curtains close.
Upcoming Shows
Standing at Sky’s Edge
Gillian Lynne Theatre
From 8th February – 3rd August 2024
Standing at Sky’s Edge got its London opening in the National Theatre in 2023 and had a very well received run. In 2024 we get it back for round two. If you didn’t catch it initially you’ll want it on your radar for the return.
The play tells the story of several lives on a council estate in Sheffield, across several generations. Some want to get as far away from the place they were born as possible, seeking fortune and fame in the big city of London. Others want to stay close to home and raise families.
What you’ll see is a touching, at times light-hearted, at times deep, musical that questions the nature of home, and what the place we’re from means about us.
Before After
The Southwark Playhouse
7th February – 2nd March 2024
This production was originally screened from the Southwark Playhouse in 2020 (can you guess why?) Now they’re taking to the stage in physical form after a very well-received world tour that impressed audiences from Japan to the Netherlands.
The musical follows a very unusual couple. Ami, played by Grace Mouat of & Juliet fame, meets Ben (Jacob Fowler) and knows instantly that they were once deeply in love. The only problem is, Ben has no memory of it.
Prepare to have your heartstrings tugged.
Edward Scissorhands
Sadler’s Wells
5th December 2023 – 20th January 2024
Another classic tale that’s coming to the stage at Sadler’s Wells (Ok, maybe not the West End, but we think you’ll want to know about this one anyway), is this production of Edward Scissorhands.
It’s the work of Matthew Bourne, a highly esteemed choreographer who’s been given an OBE for his contributions to British theatre. Expect the play to feature plenty of incredible dance sequences and no small amount of the wow factor.
The Motive and the Cue
Noël Coward Theatre
9th December 2023 – 23rd March 2024
Sam Mendes has taken the stage at the National Theatre by storm before with The Lehman Trilogy. Then he did it again with The Motive and the Cue. Back by popular demand, the play is now getting a second run in the West End.
The Motive and the Cue holds a mirror up to theatre itself, following a romance between real-life actor Richard Burton who has landed the role of a lifetime playing Hamlet and his lover, the already-established Elizabeth Taylor.
It looks at how celebrity can come between love and the drama that goes on behind the scenes of a big production which provides no end of meta-irony as that’s exactly what this play is.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
The Peacock Theatre
8th February – 23rd March 2024
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has been nominated for Olivier Awards no less than five times and is making a comeback to the West End, we expect with the hope of actually taking an award home with it this time.
The story follows the life of Jamie, a teenage boy who decides to attend his end-of-year prom in a dress. The story is based on the real-life events surrounding Jamie Campbell. A tale covered in BBC Three docco Jamie: Drag Queen at 16.
The musical is most notable for its score by Dan Gillespie Sells. Let us assure you, it’s full of catchy hits.
MJ the Musical
The Prince Edward Theatre
6th March – 22nd June 2024
The life of Michael Jackson was ripe for jukebox musical adaptation though for obvious reasons the production also poses some problems.
For MJ the Musical, the solution presented itself by choosing to focus solely on one special fragment of the King of Pop’s life, namely the 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It’s a perfect vehicle to explore the creativity and passion that made MJ the star he was without sacrificing on the happy-go-lucky mood of a West End musical.
The result is a set of MJ’s best hits excellently choreographed to recreate the magic of seeing the man live on stage. If you’re an MJ fan, you’ll want to catch this one.
The Player Kings
Noël Coward Theatre
1st April – 22nd June 2024
We were super excited when we heard about this one and we’re expecting you will be too. The legendary Sir Ian McKellen will be taking to the stage to play the role of Falstaff in The Player Kings.
The production is an amalgamation of the two parts of Shakespeare’s Henry IV, pushed together to make one, more bite-sized, story. The role of drunken knight Falstaff is generally regarded as one of the best roles The Bard ever wrote so we’re itching to see how McKellen takes to it.
We’re sure he’s going to knock it out of the park (or the theatre)
An Enemy of the People
Duke of York’s Theatre
6th February – 6th April 2024
Renowned German theatre director Thomas Ostermeier is making his West End debut with a play by the even more widely renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People.
The play follows the story of a small-time scientist, Dr Stockmann, who discovers the water in his town has healing qualities. This throws into the air a whole load of questions about what the town should do with this knowledge.
Ostermeier’s production was performed elsewhere in the world before coming to London and is noted for a debate section where the audience discusses the ethics of the situation with Dr Stockmann. As fans of classic plays, we’re excited to say the least.
