Best Theatre Shows In London
So, what’s on at the theatre? If you are looking for the best theatre shows in London, whether you love musicals or prefer a bit of Shakespeare, we’ve got you covered with the best London theatre shows in 2024.
London has long been home to some of the best shows in the world, with incredible Victorian theatres and experimental venues dotted all across town. From icons such as The Royal Court, The Old Vic, and The National Theatre you can always expect quality productions with some of the world’s most talented theatre actors, and often the odd Hollywood A-lister. And what can be better than a cheap standing ticket at Shakespeare’s Globe on a sunny summer evening? Summer also brings a variety of outdoor theatre productions in London’s parks and it’s always worth keeping an eye on what Punchdrunk, the innovators of immersive theatre, are up to.
What’s On in London Theatres?
There are plenty of epic long-running shows on throughout the year in London, so you can catch a production of Mamma Mia!, The Mousetrap or Wicked most weeks. But some of the best London theatre shows in 2024 include Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall, Hamilton at The Victoria Palace Theatre, The Play That Goes Wrong at The Duchess Theatre and The Book of Mormon at The Prince of Wales Theatre. There are a load of new musicals hitting the stage too, including Moulin Rouge!, Pretty Woman and Back to the Future.
How to Get London Theatre Tickets?
London theatre tickets don’t come cheap but if you book early enough then you can still get some bargains. And if there are no tickets available for the particular show that you want to see, don’t forget that many theatres will release a small number of extra tickets before each show.
Theatre shows in London have never been stronger, and Londoners are turning out in huge numbers to catch a show. There is more to life than Netflix after all, so grab some tickets for London theatre and catch one of these amazing shows.
Major new musical Opening Night, based on the legendary John Cassavetes film, is having its world premiere in the West End. It follows a theatre company as it prepares to stage a new play on Broadway but backstage drama ensues when the production’s leading lady is hit by tragedy, which forces everyone to deliver the performance of their lives. And there are some big hitters involved – Tony and Olivier Award winner Ivo van Hove is directing, Rufus Wainwright is behind the music and lyrics, and BAFTA and Olivier Award winner Sheridan Smith is starring.
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Shakespeare’s feel-good love story is opening at the Globe to kick off the theatre’s summer season. Directed by Globe Associate Artistic Director Sean Holmes, Ekow Quartey and Amalia Vitale will star as Benedick and Beatrice, with the cast performing in Elizabethan dress.
SPIRITED AWAY
Following in the footsteps of the smash hit My Neighbour Totoro, another Studio Ghibli play is showing in the city. Spirited Away, arguably one of the studio’s most impactful films, is running at London Coliseum this spring and summer. If you haven’t seen the film, the story follows 10-year-old Chihiro who gets lost in a fantasy world after her parents, after angering Shinto spirits by eating their food, are turned into pigs. She takes a job at a magical bathhouse while working to get her parents back and return to her own world. If you have seen the movie, you’ll know that bringing those characters to life is a real feat. Expect to see Kamaji, the spider-like boiler man, with 19-foot-long arms; No-Face played by as many as 12 actors; Haku’s transformation into dragon form; and more remarkable visuals. And, of course, the film’s legendary original score (composed by Joe Hisaishi) will be performed by a live orchestra throughout.
MINORITY REPORT
Minority Report is the latest movie to get a run as a play in London theatres. While lots of us will recognise this story about ‘Precrime’ police divisions from Steven Spielberg’s 2002 near-future thriller, Minority Report was originally a novella by legendary sci-fi writer Philip K. Dick, published in anthology magazine Fantastic Universe. The short story has been adapted for the stage by David Haig (My Boy Jack and Pressure) and is directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V and Macbeth). The production uses innovative technology to transport audiences to the year 2050, where the central character (formerly John Anderton) has been reimagined as leading female neuroscientist Dame Julia Anderton. Watch as Anderton, while gearing up to launch the next phase of her pioneering Precrime programme, is accused of pre-murder, forcing her into a race against time to save herself from her own system.
After a sell-out run at the National Theatre in 2018, the Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown is back in London, this time at the Lyric Theatre. Written by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, Hadestown takes you on a journey to the underworld, telling the love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and King Hades and Persephone through American folk music and New Orleans-inspired jazz.
WHODUNNIT [UNREHEARSED] 3
If you want to see some of this country’s biggest names of stage and screen take on a leading theatre role completely unrehearsed, then you’ll want to nab a ticket to Whoddunit [Unrehearsed] 3 at The Park Theatre in Finsbury Park. Co-written and directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Jez Bond, the play is the third instalment in this Agatha Christie-style murder mystery spoof series and it features a different actor taking on the lead role of the Inspector for every performance – without having ever seen the script before or having any time to rehearse. Across the play’s run, the role of the Inspector will be played by Benedict Cumberbatch, Gillian Anderson, Daisy Ridley, Adrian Lester, Jodie Whittaker, Amanda Abbington, Clive Anderson, David Baddiel, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Christopher Biggins, Marcus Brigstocke, Simon Callow, Michelle Collins, Nina Conti, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Brian Cox, Les Dennis, Adrian Dunbar, Mark Gatiss, Tamsin Greig, David Haig, Harry Hill, Adam Hills, Ronan Keating, Ross Kemp, Beverley Knight, Maureen Lipman, Gareth Malone, Jason Manford, Stephen Mangan, Tim McInnerny, David Mitchell, Neil Morrissey, Eddie Nestor, Sue Perkins, Clarke Peters, Rob Rinder, Tony Robinson, Meera Syal, Catherine Tate, Sandi Toksvig, Johnny Vegas, Tim Vine, and Greg Wise.
A LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT
After playing Logan Roy on the small screen, Brian Cox is returning to the stage for his first West End role in almost a decade. He’s starring in Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Long Day’s Journey Into Night. Widely regarded as one of the greatest American plays of the 20th century, Long Day’s Journey Into Night explores themes like love, hate, addiction and betrayal through the lens of a day in the life of the Tyrones, based on O’Neill’s own dysfunctional family. Jeremy Herrin is directing this production at Wyndham’s Theatre and Brian Cox will be starring as James Tyrone, opposite Patricia Clarkson as the matriarch Mary Tyrone, Laurie Kynaston as Edmund, Daryl McCormack as James Jr and Louisa Harland as Cathleen.
FOR BLACK BOYS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE HUE GETS TOO HEAVY
Ryan Calais Cameron’s Olivier-Award nominated For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy is back on the West End, this time at the Garrick Theatre, following three previous sold-out runs. Inspired by Ntozake Shange’s seminal work For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf and conceived by Ryan Calais Cameron in the wake of Trayvon Martin’s killing in 2012, For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy uses six young Black men who meet for group therapy to explore themes like colourism, love, masculinity and trauma.
HARRY CLARKE
After two hit runs in the US, David Cale’s critically acclaimed play Harry Clarke is playing in London. The one-man show stars Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor Billy Crudup (of The Morning Show, Coast of Utopia, No Man’s Land and Almost Famous) who has played its titular character since the world premiere in 2017, and this will mark his West End debut. During stints in both New York City and Los Angeles, Crudup received praise for his performance as Philip Brugglestein, an awkward Midwestern barista who disguises himself as Harry Clarke, a Londoner who manages to charm his way into a wealthy family. It’s a story that could be called reminiscent of The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saltburn and even Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, but that certainly keeps audiences guessing.
THE HILLS OF CALIFORNIA
Jez Butterworth, writer of Jerusalem and The Ferryman, is teaming up with director Sam Mendes to stage his new play The Hills of California at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Set in Blackpool, rather than the West Coast of America, the show centres around the Webb sisters who have returned to their dying mother’s run-down seaside guest house for one final time during the long, hot summer.
STANDING AT THE SKY'S EDGE
Standing at the Sky’s Edge, the Olivier Award-winning musical, featuring songs by Richard Hawley, is transferring to the West End after sell-out runs at The Crucible in Sheffield and the National Theatre in London. Directed by Robert Hastie and written by Chris Bush, the show is a love letter to Sheffield and the city’s Park Hill Estate, charting the story, including the hopes, dreams, love, and loss, of three generations over the course six decades.
THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Following her award-winning turn as Shiv Roy in Succession, Sarah Snook is taking on the role (all the roles in fact) in this one-woman version of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. This production, adapted and directed by Kip Williams, makes use of video as well as live performance to tell the story of a man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty, so it’s going to be quite the watch.
MRS. DOUBTFIRE THE MUSICAL
The screen’s favourite housekeeper and babysitter is staying in the West End as Mrs. Doubtfire the Musical is on at the Shaftesbury Theatre until 2025. Based on the hit and much-loved film, this musical adaptation comes from the same award-winning team – made up of John O’Farrell, Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick – behind Broadway’s Something Rotten!
STRANGER THINGS | THE FIRST SHADOW
Missing Stranger Things? You can now get your fix as a prequel to the TV show is taking over the West End. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, being staged at the Phoenix Theatre, will be taking place in 1959 rather than Hawkins of the 80s, so that means there’ll be no Eleven, Mike and co, but there will be a young Jim Hopper and a young Bob Newby, who are just living their regular lives when new student Henry Creel arrives. That last name should ring a bell because that’s who goes on to become the season four baddie Vecna. OOOOOHHHHH. The stage show is written by Kate Trefry, based on an idea created by her, The Duffer Brothers (who made the TV show) and Jack Thorne (who did Harry Potter & The Cursed Child), with Stephen Daldry directing, so this is sure to be a smash hit.
The Bridge Theatre is staging one of the greatest musicals of all time with this production of Guys & Dolls, starring Timmika Ramsay as Miss Adelaide, Owain Arthur as Nathan Detroit, Celinde Schoenmaker as Sarah Brown and George Ioannides as Sky Masterson. Prepare to be immersed in the streets of Manhattan and bars of Havana, with all those big numbers to tap along to.
It’s spectacular spectacular news for musicals fans – after ten years in development, a run on Broadway, and a delay due to the pandemic, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is finally here at the West End. Alex Timbers’ stage adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film follows the original story – penniless writer Christian falls in love with courtesan Satine but the pair have to hide their relationship so nightclub owner Harold Zidler can secure funds for the venue’s transformation from The Duke, who wants Satine for himself. All the iconic songs like ‘Come What May’ and ‘Lady Marmalade’ are in there too along with a whole load of new additions, including hits from Whitney, The Rolling Stones, Beyonce, Adele and Lady Gaga, so there’ll be even more songs to can-can along to.
Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Cabaret, one of the most iconic musicals of all time, is back in the West End. This immersive production has taken over the Playhouse Theatre and turned it into the Kit Kat Club so prepare to lose yourself in the world of Weimar Berlin.
You’ve seen the movie, now see The Lion King on stage and watch Simba grow from young cub to king of the pridelands with Timon and Pumba by his side. The award-winning show features all the classic songs, including ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight?’, ‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘Circle of Life’, with all the animals of Pride Rock brought to life with incredible puppetry, costumes and special effects.
Great Scott, a Back to the Future musical has come to the West End! And the actual creators of the film trilogy – Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale – are behind it. All the regulars like Doc, Marty, Biff, George and Lorraine are making a return but this time they’re belting out the tunes. Obvs the absolute classics like ‘The Power of Love’ and ‘Johnny B. Goode’ will be involved, but as it’s a musical there’ll be some new songs to learn and sing your heart out to as well. Get into your DeLorean and roll up to the Adelphi Theatre.
Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s smash-hit Six The Musical, which is a modern retelling of Henry VIII’s wives complete with pop-inspired soundtrack, is back on stage at the Vaudeville Theatre.
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION
The Olivier Award-nominated Witness for the Prosecution brings Agatha Christie’s famous tale to life in a whole new way thanks to its staging in the debating chamber of County Hall. The set design is so well executed that you do really feel like you’re sitting in criminal court, which adds a new level of tension to the testimonies of Leonard Vole, accused of murdering a wealthy widow, and the witness trying to send him down.
Having been performed over 28,000 times, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the longest running play in the world and after a brief pause, it’s back at St Martin’s Theatre. The murder mystery is known for its twists and turns so you’ll be trying to guess whodunnit right up until the end.
The award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong, which stated life at fringe venue in London with only four punters in the house, has had a remarkable run in the West End and shows no signs of slowing down. The show is (shockingly) about a drama society putting on a play that goes wrong, collapsing sets and all, and it’s an absolute riot.
Hip-hop meets history in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s epic musical about the US Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, an Caribbean immigrant who fights in the War of Independence and becomes the country’s first Treasury Secretary. Even if you think you don’t care about American history, you’ll find yourself rapping about the 1776 the Declaration of Independence and Aaron Burr for weeks afterwards.
If you like your musicals to be wildly politically incorrect and funny as hell, The Book of Mormon is the one for you. Created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the minds that brought you South Park, the show follows two Mormon missionaries on their journey to convert Ugandan natives to their religion. The lyrics may inappropriate, bordering on offensive, but the songs are bloody catchy and you won’t be able to stop laughing.
Over 20 years on stage and two record-breaking films and we’ve still got Mamma Mia fever. The musical, which tells the tale of a mother, a daughter and three fathers set on Greek island to a soundtrack of ABBA’s greatest hits, has been seen by almost 9 million people in London since it premiered in 1999 and it’s still going strong at the Novello Theatre.
The award-winning Wicked, London’s 14th longest running show, is based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel ‘Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West’, which is set in the land of Oz way before Dorothy and the gang got there in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The show tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two sorcery students at Shiz University, who eventually become Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West.
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