And some big ones coming for next year
London is one of the theatre capitals of the world, hosting everything from blockbuster musicals on the West End to Shakespearean classics at The Globe. London is home to cultural icons like the Barbican and the National Theatre, which regularly stage world-class productions, and there’s always something new and experimental running at the city’s smaller theatres, not to mention at immersive theatre company Punchdrunk’s Woolwich home.
This guide features the best theatre shows currently playing in London, plus all of the shows still to come in 2024 so you can also plan ahead. There’s plenty to look forward to, with a fair few big A-listers set to tread the boards and some iconic musicals opening this year.
Shifters
Benedict Lombe’s new romance Shifters is transferring from the Bush Theatre (where it played a sold-out run) to the Duke of York’s Theatre this August, making Lombe the third Black British female playwright (following Natasha Gordon and Yasmin Joseph) to have her work staged in the West End. The play is directed by Lynette Linton and has Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole reprise their roles as young lovers Des and Dre, who come back into each other’s lives and get caught up in the space between memory and reality.
Until Sat 12th October 2024
St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
shifterstheplay.co.uk
Barcelona
Emily in Paris actress Lily Collins is swapping Paris for Barcelona this autumn as she makes her West End debut, as does her co-star Álvaro Morte (who you may know from Money Heist), in Bess Wohl’s Barcelona at the Duke of York’s Theatre. Directed by Lynette Linton, the play follows an American tourist in the Catalan city who goes home with a handsome local, beginning as a carefree interaction but turning into something more dangerous.
Mon 21st October 2024 – Sat 11th January 2025
104 St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4BG
atgtickets.com
The Devil Wears Prada
We’re not always fans of movies being turned into musicals – especially movies that have no real music connection to them at all – but there are a few cases where we’ll make an exception, like when Elton John is doing the score and the movie is The Devil Wears Prada. Yes the fashion classic (based on former PA to Anna Wintour Lauren Weisberger’s book) starring Anne Hathaway as wannabe journo Andy Sachs and Meryl Streep as Runway magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly, is hitting the stage and it’ll have its premiere in the West End. The show, which stars Vanessa Williams as the fearsome editor, also features music by Elton John, lyrics by American musician Shania Taub and a script by Kate Wetherhead, and is being directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell.
Opens Thurs 24th October 2024
268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ
devilwearspradamusical.com
Coriolanus
David Oyelowo is back on the London stage and in a big role too. He’s taking on Shakespeare’s great Roman general Coriolanus, who is put in a position of power after a victory on the battlefield but refuses to play the game of the populist politicians. Directed by Lyndsey Turner and staged at the National, this is promising to be an epic production.
Until Sat 9th November 2024
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Nassim Soleimanpour’s White Rabbit Red Rabbit, which is performed by a different actor who has no director and no preparation, only seeing the script as they open it from a sealed envelope, is coming to the West End for the first time. Across the very limited run at @sohoplace, the likes of Daisy Edgar Jones, Michael Sheen, Alfred Enoch, Catherine Tate, Jonathan Pryce, Sally Phillips, Jason Isaacs, Olly Alexander, Shelia Atim, Denise Gough, Alan Davis, Rory Kinnear, Harriet Walter, Freema Agyeman, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Paloma Faith will be taking to the stage, performing the work in the way that compels, them, so audiences will be in for a unique experience each night.
Until Sat 9th November 2024
4 Soho Place, Charing Cross Road, W1D 3BG
sohoplace.org
A Face in the Crowd
For his final show as Artistic Director at the Young Vic, Kwame Kwei-Armagh is staging a musical adaptation of the 1957 film A Face in the Crowd. Written by Sarah Ruhl and with music by Elvis Costello, the show follows charismatic drifter Lonesome Rhodes, played by Ramin Karimloo, who is given a slot on a local radio station by producer Marcia Jeffries, played by Anoushka Lucas, and who turns to populist politics as his fanbase grows – a timely tale of celebrity, power and politics.
Until Sat 9th November 2024
Young Vic, 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
youngvic.org
Giant
Mark Rosenblatt’s play Giant, which is set across a single afternoon where, ahead of the release of The Witches, Roald Dahl’s family and his Jewish publishers try to navigate the fall out from the author’s recent antisemitic outbursts in the press, is getting its world premiere at the Royal Court. Nicholas Hytner is directing the production and John Lithgow is portraying Dahl, with Romola Garai, Elliot Levey, Tessa Bonham Jones, Richard Hope and Rachael Stirling also starring.
Until Sat 16th November 2024
Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS
royalcourttheatre.com
The Importance of Being Earnest
Current Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa is returning to the stage for the first time since he starred in Sex Education and taking on the role of Algernon in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre. Max Webster (whose production of Macbeth starring former Doctor Who David Tennant is running in the West End this autumn) is directing the comedy, which sees Algernon and Jack (played by Hugh Skinner) entangle themselves in a web of lies as they try to impress two young ladies who are in the care of Lady Bracknell (played by Sharon D Clarke).
Weds 20th November 2024 – Sat 25th January 2025
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
Juno and the Paycock
Following Brian Cox in A Long Day’s Journey Into Night and Sarah Snook in The Picture of Dorian Gray, J. Smith Cameron is the latest Succession star coming to the West End. She’s taking up the role of Juno Boyle in Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock, starring opposite Mark Rylance as ‘Captain’ Jack Boyle and being directed by Matthew Warchus. Set in Dublin in 1922 as the Irish Civil War rages, the tragi-comedy explores the resilience of matriarch Juno as she tries to keep her family together while ‘Captain’ Jack seems to go no further than the pub.
Until Sat 23rd November 2024
Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 6AR
junoandthepaycock.com
The Producers
Mel Brooks’ iconic musical is being revived this winter by director Patrick Marber and being staged the Menier Chocolate Factory. No other details apart from the dates have been revealed yet but given the show, which tells the story of two theatre producers who try and get rich by overselling interests in a musical that’s designed to fail, but in fact becomes a surprise hit, won 12 Tonys for its original Broadway run, this is sure to be a hot ticket no matter who’s in the cast.
Tues 26th November 2024 – Sat 1st March 2025
53 Southwark Street, London, SE1 1RU
menierchocolatefactory.com
The Simple Life & Death
Thought Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie were just dumb blondes? Think again because now they’re in charge of solving a murder mystery. In The Simple Life & Death, the heiresses are reuniting for a 20th anniversary live show but a dead body is found and the ladies have to catch the killer. Part-murder mystery, part-sketch comedy, part-panto, this camp show created by The Bitten Peach founder ShayShay (who’s also starring as Paris alongside Fizz Sinclair as Nicole) will take you right back to the noughties.
Weds 27th November – Sat 7th December 2024
Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF
pleasance.co.uk
The Fear of 13
Tim Sheader is the new Artistic Director at Donmar Warehouse and he’s kicking off his debut season in style with The Fear of 13, starring Oscar winner Adrien Brody in his London theatre debut. Based on a documentary by David Sington, the play, written by Lindsay Ferrentino and directed by Justin Martin, tells the story of Nick Yarris, spent 22 years on Death Row after a traffic stop turned into a conviction for a murder he didn’t commit.
Until Sat 30th November 2024
41 Earlham Street, London WC2H 9LX
donmarwarehouse.com
The Little Foxes
BAFTA Award-winning Anne-Marie Duff is returning to the Young Vic for the first time in 17 years to star in Olivier Award-winning director Lyndsey Turner’s version of The Little Foxes. The play by Lillian Hellman is a tale of corruption, betrayal and ambition, as Regina Hubbard, after watching her brothers grow rich, takes a businessman up on his offer of the prospect of untold wealth setting into a motion a chain of events that pits the family against each other.
Mon 2nd December 2024 – Sat 8th February 2025
66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ
youngvic.org
The Tempest
After bringing us his version of Romeo & Juliet starring Tom Holland, Jamie Lloyd is continuing with Shakespeare with two new productions at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Next year a production of Much Ado About Nothing led by Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell will open but before then, Lloyd will be directing Sigourney Weaver in her West End debut as Prospero in The Tempest, starring alongside by Jude Akuwudike, Jason Barnett, Selina Cadell, Mathew Horne, Mara Huf, Forbes Masson, Mason Alexander Park, James Phoon, Oliver Ryan and Tim Steed. That show, opening in December, will mark the first time that Shakespeare has been staged at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane since John Gielgud acted in The Tempest in 1957.
Sat 7th December 2024 – Sat 1st February 2024
Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF
thejamielloydcompany.com
Titanique
After taking NYC by storm, Titanique is docking in the West End this winter. This musical tells the story of Jack, Rose and the sinking boat in a whole new way – through the medium of Céline Dion’s back catalogue. Songs like ‘My Heart Will Go On’, ‘All by Myself’ and ‘To Love You More’, a full live band, and a boat-load of camp, what more could you want?
From Mon 9th December 2024
218-223 Piccadilly London, London, W1J 9HR
titaniquemusical.com
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Following Paul Mescal’s turn in a Tennessee Williams classic (Stanley in a A Streetcar Named Desire) at the Almeida, his Normal People co-star Daisy Edgar-Jones is doing the same at the end of this year (playing Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof). Kingsley Ben-Adir is co-starring as Brick and Rebecca Frecknall (who also directed the theatre’s production of Streetcar) is directing the play, which Brick and Maggie, whose marriage is strained, visit Brick’s family home with the death of his father looming.
Tues 10th December 2024 – Sat 1st February 2025
Almeida Street, London N1 1TA
almeida.co.uk
Macbeth
After a sellout run at the Donmar Warehouse, David Tennant and Cush Jumbo are returning to take on the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Max Webster’s version of Shakespeare’s tragedy, which is transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre in the autumn. The production features innovative binaural sound design and live Celtic folk music that audience members experience through headphones, truly immersing you in the action on the stage.
Until Sat 14th December 2024
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
atgtickets.com
Hello Dolly!
Having starred in both Follies and Gypsy, Imelda Staunton is no stranger to a musical and she’s back with another classic in 2024. Hello Dolly!, directed by Dominic Cooke (who also did Follies) and featuring Jerry Herman’s score, including ‘Put On Your Sunday Clothes’, ‘Ribbons Down My Back’, ‘Before the Parade Passes By’, ‘It Only Takes a Moment’ and ‘Hello, Dolly!’, will run for a limited ten-week season in the summer at the London Palladium. Jenna Russell, Tyrone Huntley and Harry Hepple will star alongside Staunton, who’s taking on the role of socialite-turned-matchmaker Dolly Levi. She travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for grumpy, unmarried ‘half-a-millionaire’ Horace Vandergelder (played by Andy Nyman) while she also tries to sort own her own love life.
Until Sat 14th December 2024
8 Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF
hellodollyldn.com
Oliver!
Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne, who first worked together on a revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! back in 1994, are teaming up to bring the musical to the London stage once again. Now Bourne is on directing as well as choreographing duties, leading a cast that includes Simon Lipkin as Fagin, Shanay Holmes as Nancy, Aaron Sidwell as Bill Sikes, Billy Jenkins as the Artful Dodger and Philip Franks as Mr Brownlow. The musical, adapted from the Dickens novel, tells the story of orphan Oliver Twist as he escapes the workhouse and gets taken in by Fagin and his gang of pickpockets, and features all the classic songs like ‘Food Glorious Food, ‘Consider Yourself’, and ‘I’d Do Anything’. The production is premiering in Chichester this summer and will transfer to the West End at the end of the year.
Opens Sat 14th December 2024
Gielguld Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6AR
oliverthemusical.com
The Duchess
Former Doctor Who Jodie Whittaker is back on stage for the first time for more than a decade this autumn to star in The Duchess at the Trafalgar Theatre. Zinnie Harris’s production, an adaptation of John Webster’s classic The Duchess of Malfi, sees a recently widowed Duchess defy her family’s wishes by remarrying beneath her class, causing her brothers to exact punishment against her and her power.
Until Fri 20th December 2024
14 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY
theduchessplay.com
Waiting for Godot
He’s been in Paddington and James Bond and now Ben Whishaw is starring in another iconic production, playing Vladimir in Samuel Beckett’s existential masterpiece Waiting for Godot, which is the very play that inspired him to drop out of university over two decades ago and switch to studying acting instead. Lucian Msamati (his co-star in the BBC’s Hollow Crown series) will be taking the other lead role of Estragon in the play, which is being directed by James Macdonald. A study on the purposelessness of life and suffering as part of the human condition, the play sees the two characters wait for the titular Godot, who never arrives. The last time Waiting for Godot was staged in the West End was in 2009, with Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen in the lead roles, so it’s high time we got another version.
Until Sat 21st December 2024
Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk St, London SW1Y 4HT
waitingforgodotplay.com
1984
After a sell-out run last year, an immersive production of 1984, now under the direction of Jack Reardon, is returning to Hackney Town Hall this autumn. In a time where we’re tracked like never before and fake news can spread so easily, George Orwell’s vision as set out in his seminal novel is more relevant than ever. And now you can experience the world of 1984 in a whole new way in this site-specific staging.
Until Sun 22nd December 2024
Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, London E8 1EA
immersive1984.com
Hadestown
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.
Until Sun 22nd December 2024
29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES
hadestown.com
Viola’s Room
Groundbreaking theatre group Punchdrunk is back with new show, Viola’s Room, which is being billed as “an intimate, linear, audio-driven adventure that promises to suffuse the dreams of those who dare to follow the light”. The immersive play is based on Barry Pain’s gothic short story The Moon-Slave and has been adapted for a new audience by Booker Prize-shortlisted author Daisy Johnson. Guests are told to expect a barefoot journey around a maze-like installation, guided by an unseen narrator – played by Helena Bonham Carter – through headphones.
Until Mon 23rd December 2024
One Cartridge Place, Woolwich, London SE18 6ZR
punchdrunk.com
Oedipus
Director Robert Icke is bringing his adaptation of Oedipus to London following stints at Internationaal Theater Amsterdam and the Edinburgh Festival. Running from October at the Wyndham’s Theatre, this Oedipus will have Mark Strong taking on the title role and Lesley Manville playing Jocasta. Sophocles’ original play is an exploration of fate and free will through the figure of King Oedipus. In trying to save Thebes from a plague by discovering who murdered the previous king Laius, Oedipus discovers that he has unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy that predicted he would murder his father and marry his mother, queen Jocasta.
Until Sat 4th January 2025
Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DA
oedipustheplay.com
Guys & Dolls
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.
Until Sat 4th January 2025
3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
bridgetheatre.co.uk
The Lehman Trilogy
After three runs in London, one at the National Theatre, one at the Piccadilly Theatre and one at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, plus seasons in NYC, LA, Sydney and San Francisco, the Tony Award-winning The Lehman Trilogy is back in London. Now it’s returning to the Gillian Lynne Theatre once again, with Sam Mendes on directing duties and John Heffernan, Aaron Krohn and Howard W. Overshown. The epic play tells the story of the infamous family, from the first Lehmans arriving in New York from Bavaria in 1844 to the collapse of the banking firm that sets off the financial crisis 163 years later.
Until Sun 5th January 2025
166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
thelehmantrilogy.com
Kyoto
After a world premiere in Stratford-upon-Avon, the RSC’s production of Kyoto is transferring to @sohoplace. The political thriller is set during the historic 1997 Kyoto climate summit amidst the tense negotiations that led to the world’s first legally bindings emissions targets. Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin are directing, with many of the original cast, including Tony award-nominated Stephen Kunken (playing American oil lobbyist Don Pearlman), returning for the London run.
Thurs 9th January – Sat 3rd May 2025
4 Soho Place, London, W1D 3BG
sohoplace.org
Elektra
Academy Award winner Brie Larson is making her West End debut in 2025 in Elektra, the UK premiere of poet Anne Carson’s translation of the Sophokles play. It tells the story of Elektra, consumed by grief following her father’s assassination, who involves her brother Orestes in her need for vengeance. The production, running at the Duke of York’s Theatre, is being directed by Daniel Fish, who helmed the recent award-winning revival of Oklahoma!
Fri 24th January – Sat 12th April 2025
St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4BG
elektraplay.com
The Hunger Games
Irish playwright and five-time Tony nominee Conor McPherson is adapting the work – both Suzanne Collins’ 2008 novel and the Jennifer Lawrence movie – which is set in the dystopian world of Panem, where Katniss Everdeen must fight to the death in an annual televised competition for the stage. Collins is endorsing the play, which is being directed by Matthew Dunster (of 2:22 A Ghost Story fame). The show will be opening in 2025, although we don’t know where yet or who’ll be amongst the cast. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Opens January 2025
Location TBC
Second Best
Sex Education’s Asa Butterfield is kicking off 2025 with his stage debut, and in a one-man play no less. He’ll be starring in Second Best, directed by Michael Longhurst at Riverside Studios. Written by Barney Norris, the show is based on David Foenkinos’s novel and follows Martin Hill, the boy who just missed out on playing Harry Potter, as he explores what his life might have been like if not for that near-miss.
Fri 24th January – Sat 22nd February 2025
101 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9BN
riversidestudios.co.uk
Dr Strangelove
Armando Iannucci (the satirist behind The Thick of It, Veep, The Death of Stalin and I’m Alan Partridge) and Sean Foley (who’ll also be directing) are bringing Stanley Kubrick’s iconic Dr Strangelove to the Noel Coward theatre this autumn, in what will be the first ever stage adaptation of one of the legendary director’s films. The 1964 black-and-white film, which satirises the fear of nuclear war during the Cold War and famously had Peter Sellers starring in three different roles, is widely considered to be one of the best movies ever made. Steve Coogan is taking on the lead for the stage version, with Giles Terera playing the role of General Buck Turgidson, and the combo of Kubrick’s source material, Iannucci and Coogan has got us very excited for this one.
Until Sat 25th January 2025
85-88 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AP
drstrangelove.com
Richard II
Nicholas Hytner is set to direct Jonathan Bailey (who’s won a legion of fans thanks to his role in Bridgerton, and will win many more as Fiyero in the Wicked film adaptation) in a new production of Richard II at the Bridge Theatre. In Shakespeare’s play, Richard II is a charismatic man but a terrible king whose divine right to rule is being confronted by Henry Bolingbroke.
Mon 10th February – Sat 10th May 2025
3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
bridgetheatre.co.uk
Much Ado About Nothing
Following Sigourney Weaver’s turn in The Tempest, Jamie Lloyd is directing more A-listers in another Shakespeare classic – this time it’s Tom Hiddleston (as Benedick) and Hayley Atwell (as Beatrice) in Much Ado About Nothing, at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Mon 10th February – Sat 5th April 2025
Catherine St, London WC2B 5JF
thejamielloydcompany.com
Starlight Express
Get your skates on because Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express, which ran in the West End from 1984 to 2002, is rolling back into the capital this summer. And this time, the musical, which famously features performers on roller skates, will run in the purpose-built Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Starlight Express tells the story of child’s train set Rusty, who magically comes to life and wants to become the fastest engine in the world to impress first-class car Pearl. The new production, which being directed by Luke Sheppard (who also took the reins for &Juliet), choreography from Ashley Nottingham and has Arlene Phillips returning as creative dramaturg, features the same music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics from Richard Stilgoe but with a big new plot twist. Fans of the original will have something new to look forward to but the classic songs, including ‘AC/DC’, ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’, ‘Make Up My Heart’ and ‘Starlight Express’ will also be present and correct.
Until February 2025
3 Fulton Rd, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 0SP
starlightexpresslondon.com
Clueless
As if! 30 years after the film was released, a musical version of Clueless will be hitting the West End. Original director Amy Heckerling has written the book and KT Tunstall is doing the music, so you’ll be able to see Beverly Hills student Cher Horowitz make over her friend Tai (including all those iconic outifts) and learn a few lessons about love along the way, with all-new songs.
Opens Sat 15th February 2025
Trafalgar Theatre, 14 Whitehall. London, SW1A 2DY
trafalgartheatre.com
Mean Girls
Get in, loser, we’re going to the theatre because Mean Girls has landed on the West End. Tina Fey has turned her iconic movie into a musical and it’s playing at the Savoy Theatre. All the characters you know and love from the film, including The Plastics, aka Regina, Gretchen and Karen, and Janis and Damian, are all there, and the story hasn’t changed either – home-schooled Cady Heron arrives at North Shore High and tries to survive – but now there’s added original songs to enjoy.
Until Sun 16th February 2025
Savoy Theatre, The Strand, London, WC2R 0ET
meangirlsmusical.com
Stranger Things
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, takes 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.
Until Sun 16th February 2025
Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JP
strangerthingsonstage.com
Just For One Day
Following a run at The Old Vic at the beginning of 2024, Just For One Day, the musical that tells the story behind both Band Aid and Live Aid is transferring to the West End. Back in 1985, the now legendary gig saw timeless musicians take to the stage to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. Two Live Aid concerts took place on the same day, one in London and one in Philadelphia, making a total of $127 million combined and going down in music history. The story of how this came to be (as well as the precursor to Live Aid, Band Aid) is being retold through a new Live Aid musical, Just For One Day. The production is written by best-selling author John O’Farrell (Mrs Doubtfire, Something Rotten) and directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, The Little Big Things) and features the songs of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox and more.
Opens Thurs 15th May 2025
210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8DP
theliveaidmusical.com
Long-Running Shows That Are Still Worth a Watch
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
It’s spectacular spectacular news for musicals fans, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is on 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.
Cabaret
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.
The Lion King
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.
Back to the Future
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.
SIX the Musical
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.
Hamilton
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.
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!
The Book of Mormon
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.
Wicked
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.
Mamma Mia!
25 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 70 million people worldwide since it premiered in 1999 and it’s still going strong at the Novello Theatre.