There are some big shows on the way
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 2026 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.
To Kill a Mockingbird
After a London run in 2022 – 2023, Aaron Sorkin’s stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s classic To Kill a Mockingbird is returning to the West End this year for a limited summer season at the Wyndham’s Theatre. Bartlett Sher is back on directing duties, with Richard Coyle reprising the role of Atticus Finch, the lawyer who defends African American man Tom Robinson on fabricated rape charges.
Thurs 25th June – Sat 12th September 2026
Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, London, WC2H 0DA
mockingbirdplay.com
The Oresteia
The Bridge Theatre is staging a new production of The Oresteia, written and directed by Simon Stone (after Aeschylus & others), this summer. Stone is known for his radical reimagining of classic works, including Yerma and Phaedra, and he returns to the Bridge Theatre after putting on The Lady from the Sea at the venue last year. The play follows a contemporary family as they wake up in a Greek myth and can’t find a way out of their hellish destiny. Mary-Louise Parker will play Montie, David Morrissey will play Christopher, Tom Glynn-Carney will play Augie, Rosie Sheehy will play Alice, Lloyd Hutchinson will play Melville, John Macmillan will play Jerome and Archie Madekwe will play Lorenzo.
Thurs 2nd July – Sat 19th September 2026
Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
bridgetheatre.co.uk
Ivanov
Chris Pine is making his London stage debut in 2026, starring in Simon Stone’s adaptation of Chekhov’s Ivanov, which will be his second outing at the Bridge Theatre following The Lady of the Sea. Pine will be starring as the titular character, who appears to have a successful career and a strong marriage but is also battling piling debts and an unwell wife – can he save his career, marriage and will to live all at once?
Sat 4th July – Sat 19th September 2025
Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG
bridgetheatre.co.uk
High Society
The most swell party of the year has come to the Barbican as Cole Porter’s iconic musical High Society plays this summer. Freddie Fox is making his musical theatre debut in the show, starring alongside Helen George, Felicity Kendal, Julian Ovenden, Carly Mercedes Dyer, Nigel Lindsay and Malcolm Sinclair as the society wedding of the season descends into chaos.
Until Sat 11th July 2026
Barbican Theatre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
Trainspotting The Musical
Thirty years on from the iconic film, Trainspotting The Musical, written by Irvine Welsh and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger, is getting its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer. Renton (played by Robbie Scott in his West End debut), Sick Boy, Begbie, Spud, Tommy and Kelly will be joined by a live band, with some of the famous tracks from the movie being joined by new original songs.
Weds 15th July – Sat 5th September 2026
Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, London SW1Y 4HT
trainspottingthemusical.co.uk
Oh, Mary!
Cole Escola’s Tony Award-winning historical comedy Oh, Mary! has come to London after going down a storm on Broadway. The show centres around Mary Todd Lincoln in the lead-up to husband Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and her alcoholism, disinterest in the Civil War and dream of becoming a cabaret singer. Historically accurate? No. Hilarious? Yes.
Until Sat 18th July 2026
14 Whitehall, London, W1A 2DY
trafalgartheatre.com
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Shakespeare’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream is returning to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre with a new production directed by Atri Banerjee, featuring folk-infused melodies composed by Maimuna Memon.
Until Sat 18th July 2026
Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NU
openairtheatre.com
Glengarry Glen Ross
After directing David Mamet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway, Patrick Marber back in London to stage a new version of it, with gender-flipped cast. Indira Varma and Rosa Salazar are amongst the all-female cast for the play, which follows four real estate agents who are in a brutal competition with each other after their bosses reveal that all but the top two will be fired.
Until Sat 18th July 2026
The Old Vic, The Cut, London SE1 8NB
oldvictheatre.com
As You Like It
Following the success of its debut production last year – a rehearsed reading of Twelfth Night, opened by Sir Ian McKellen – Trans What You Will Theatre will be staging a production of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, the comedy of cross-dressing and mistaken identity, this July performed entirely by an all-trans and non-binary cast and creative team. The show will be playing at the Space Theatre and simultaneously livestreamed to a global audience. Elliot Page will be introducing the play live from New York on 24th July.
Weds 22nd – Fri 24th July 2026
269 Westferry Road, London E14 3RS
space.org.uk
CATS
One of the West End’s biggest sensations, running from for 21 years after originally opening in 1981, CATS is returning to London in 2026 for a very limited summer run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. The theatre’s Artistic Director Drew McOnie will be directing the new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s show, featuring iconic songs like ‘Old Deuteronomy’, ‘Macavity: The Mystery Cat’, ‘Jellicle Ball’ and ‘Memory’, before it goes on a major UK tour.
Sat 25th July – Sat 19th September 2026
Regent’s Park, Inner Cir, London NW1 4NU
openairtheatre.com
War Horse
Nearly two decades after it debuted on the National Theatre stage, War Horse is returning from a tour and galloping back to the National Theatre. Based in Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, which follows Albert’s journey to the trenches of wartime France to bring his horse Joey home, the show won fans around the world for its incredible puppetry.
Until Thurs 30th July 2026
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
Death Note: The Musical
After successful productions in Japan and Korea, the musical version of best-selling manga Death Note was staged in London back in 2023 but only for a few days. If you missed it then, you’ll have another chance this summer as it’s playing at the Barbican for a six-week run. The story follows Light Yagami as he comes across a notebook owned by Ryuk, a mythological god of death. He discovers that he can kill anyone by writing their names in the book and uses it to bring justice to the nation’s most wanted criminals. Before long, a detective known only as ‘L’ is tracking him down.
Thurs 30th July – Sat 12th September 2026
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
barbican.org.uk
The Misanthrope
Sandra Oh is making her National Theatre debut by taking on the title role in Martin Crimp’s reimagining of Molière’s social satire, directed by National Theatre Director Indhu Rubasingham. She plays Alice, a novelist who faces increasing criticism and backlash the more that she speaks her mind.
Until Sat 1st August 2026
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
Abigail’s Party
The critically-acclaimed Theatre Royal Stratford East production of Mike Leigh’s Abigail’s Party is transferring to the West End for a limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre this summer. Nadia Fall is directing the black comedy about suburban life, social class, materialism and sexual tension in 1970s England, where Beverly (played by Tamzin Outhwaite) and Laurence (played by Kevin Bishop) invite new neighbours Angela and Tony, and Sue from next door, over for drinks, with Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail seemingly having a party of her own at home.
Weds 12th August – Sat 19th September 2026
Harold Pinter Theatre, 6 Panton Street, London, SW1Y 4DN
atgtickets.com
The Guilty
The world premiere of Chloe Moss’s The Guilty, based on the films Den Skyldige and The Guilty, is playing at the Donmar Warehouse. Russell Tovey is starring as police offer Joe, who takes a 999 call from Emily and scrambles to help the woman in danger, with Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett directing.
Until Sat 15th August 2026
Donmar Warehouse, 41 Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9LX
donmarwarehouse.com
Electra / Persona
Seven years after she was last on the National stage, Cate Blanchett returns in the summer to star in the world premiere of Electra / Persona, directed and adapted by Benedict Andrews. The play, a combination of Sophocles’ Electra and Ingmar Bergman’s 1966 film Persona, tells the story of the inner life of an actress. Blanchett’s Tár co-star Nina Hoss and Ella Lily Hyland are also in the cast.
Weds 19th August – Sat 10th October 2026
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
The Story
Black Panther’s Letitia Wright is making her National Theatre debut alongside Ashley Thomas, Lorraine Toussaint and Wilf Scolding in Tracey Scott Wilson’s newsroom thriller The Story. The play follows four journalists who race to cover the story of a white teacher being killed in a black neighbourhood as they discover what they’re prepared to risk to tell their version of the truth.
Thurs 27th August – Sat 24th October 2026
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
nationaltheatre.org.uk
Titanique
After taking NYC by storm, Titanique has docked in the West End. 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?
Until Sun 30th August 2026
218-223 Piccadilly London, London, W1J 9HR
titaniquemusical.com
Thelma & Louise
The Young Vic is hosting the world premiere of Thelma & Louise, a new musical adaptation of Callie Khouri’s Oscar and Golden-Globe winning movie featuring music by Grammy-nominated Neko Case and directed by Trip Cullman. Olivier Award nominated actresses Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker are starring in the title roles as two best friends whose relationships transforms into something more dangerous after an ill-fated encounter with a stranger on a road trip.
Thurs 3rd September – Sat 24th October 2026
Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, London SE1 8LZ
youngvic.org
Man to Man
Tilda Swinton is returning to the stage for the first time in over 30 years to star as Ella/Max in a revival of Manfred Karge’s Man to Man – a role she originated in 1988 – directed by Stephen Unwin. The one-woman show follows Ella, a woman in 1930s Germany who takes on her late husband’s identity as a way to survive.
Sat 5th September – Sat 24th October 2026
Royal Court Theatre, 50-51 Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS
royalcourttheatre.com
Cyrano de Bergerac
Following an acclaimed run at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon last year, Cyrano de Bergerac has transferred to the West End, running at the Noël Coward Theatre over the summer. Adrian Lester is reprising his role at the titular hero, who is witty and romantic but feels held back by his large nose, with Susanna Fielding returning as his love interest Roxane.
Until Sat 5th September 2026
Noël Coward Theatre, 85-88 St Martin’s Lane, London, WC2N 4AU
cyranowestend.co.uk
Jesus Christ Superstar
The Olivier Award-winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar from Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has returned to town ten years on for a limited-edition run at the London Palladium. Sam Ryder ia making his West End debut in the show, which follows Jesus in the last days of his life as seen through the eyes of Judas, with iconic songs like ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’ and ‘Superstar’. The role of King Herod is being shared by six actors, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams and Julian Clary all taking it on across the run.
Until Sat 5th September 2025
London Palladium, Argyll Street. London, W1F 7TF
jesuschristsuperstar.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.
Until Sun 6th September 2026
Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0JP
strangerthingsonstage.com
The Turn of the Screw
Henry James’ spooky novella is getting reimagined for the stage this autumn by Olivier-award-winning playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. The story follows a young governess hired to look after two children in a remote and seemingly idyllic country house. But, as you may have guessed, not everything is quite what it seems…The Turn of the Screw served as inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, so this is definitely one for the horror fans. The cast is led by rising star Amy Tara, who is joined by West End veteran Jim Fish. Nicky Allpress directs.
Fri 11th September – Sat 10th October 2026
Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL
arcolatheatre.com
The Truth
Florian Zeller’s Olivier Award-nominated comedy The Truth is getting a West End run this summer, with a translation by Christopher Hampton and direction by Lindsay Posner. Stephen Mangan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Sarah Hadland and Janie Dee are starring the in the play, which follows Michel, who embarks on an affair with his best friend’s wife and attempts to convince everyone around him that honesty is overrated.
Until Sat 12th September 2026
Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ
thetruthplay.com
Arcadia
Following an acclaimed run at The Old Vic, the Carrie Cracknell-directed production of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia has transferred to the West End for a run at the Duke of York’s Theatre. The play explores science and romance, the beauty of curiosity and the thrill of discovery. In a country house in 1809, teenage prodigy Thomasina Coverly is ahead of her time in her exploration of mathematics, nature and the human heart. In the same house in the present day, author Hannah Jarvis is investigating a mysterious chapter in the life of Lord Byron as the past begins to resurface.
Until Sat 12th September 2026
Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4BG
arcadiawestend.co.uk
The Standard of Living
Nicholas Hytner is directing the world premiere of The Standard of Living, a new play written by three-time Olivier Award winner James Graham. Playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Standard of Living tells the story John Maynard Keynes (played by Rory Kinnear), the radical economist, Bloomsbury Group member and husband to ballerina Lydia Lopokova (played by Royal Ballet Principal Natalia Osipova) who was the driving force behind arts funding in Britain, and who helped build a new financial model that helped reshape the West.
Mon 21st September – Sat 12th December 2026
Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London, SW1Y 4HT
standardoflivingplay.com
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Marianne Elliot is directing a star-studded production of Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at @sohoplace this autumn. Gillian Anderson will be playing Martha and Billy Crudup will be playing George, alongside Josh Dylan as Nick, and Phoebe Horn as Honey, in the play that sees new professor Nick and his wife Honey drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games during an after-party. As the drinks flow, the evening culminates in some devastating truth-telling.
Mon 21st September – Sat 19th December 2026
4 Soho Pl, Charing Cross Rd, London W1D 3BG
whosafraidofvirginiawoolfplay.co.uk
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 on the stage in the West End. The show 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.
Until Sat 26th September 2026
268-269 Tottenham Ct Rd, London W1T 7AQ
devilwearspradamusical.com
Rent
It’s been a decade since Rent was last staged in London and almost 20 years since it was revived on the West End, and now Luke Sheppard (Paddington, Starlight Express, & Juliet) is bringing it back to town this autumn. Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo, who already has a fair few musical theatre credits under his belt, will be making his West End debut in the show. He’ll playing Mark in Jonathan Larson’s classic musical, inspired by La Boheme, that sees a group of young artists and friends try to make their way in New York at the peak of the AIDS crisis.
Sat 26th September 2026 – Sat 13th February 2027
Duke of York’s Theatre, St Martin’s Ln, London WC2N 4BG
thedukeofyorks.com
The Cherry Orchard
Kristen Scott Thomas is back in the West End to star in a new production of Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Ian Rickson. The show sees Scott Thomas and Rickson reunite following their award-winning production of The Seagull. In The Cherry Orchard, she plays Lyubov Ranevskaya, who after returning to her childhood estate after years abroad, finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat, and the pull of memory difficult to escape.
Sat 3rd October 2026 – Sat 9th January 2027
Harold Pinter Theatre, Panton St, London SW1Y 4DN
atgtickets.com
Oliver!
Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne, who first worked together on a revival of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! back in 1994, have teamed 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’.
Until Sun 4th October 2026
Gielguld Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6AR
oliverthemusical.com
The Lives of Others
A star-studded stage version of Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Oscar-winning film The Lives of Others, is coming to the West End this autumn. Robert Icke is directing the production at the Adelphi Theatre, with Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson and Stephen Dillane starring in the drama set in 1984 East Germany, where a writer and an actor are placed under state surveillance by a Stasi man in the attic.
Weds 14th October 2026 – Sat 9th January 2027
Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London WC2R 0NS
lwtheatres.co.uk
Dirty Dancing
A new purpose-built theatre is coming to London and Dirty Dancing is going to be its first production. Adam Kenwright and Karl Sydow are bringing the 620-seat Capital Theatre to Westfield London, a state-of-the-art venue where every guest will be no more than nine rows rom the performance stage area. Following two West End runs, the Dirty Dancing musical will be the first show to run at Capital Theatre, featuring all the famous choreography (including that lift) and hit songs that you’ve come to know and love.
Opens Fri 16th October 2026
Ariel Way, London, W12 7SL
dirtydancingonstage.co.uk
Paddington The Musical
The UK’s Paddington obsession shows no signs of cooling – we’ve had three movies and now we’ve got a stage musical all about the marmalade sandwich-loving bear from Peru. The show tells the story of Paddington’s arrival into London and how he gets taken in by the Brown family before his life is put in peril. Olivier Award winner Jessica Swale has done the book, McFly’s Tom Fletcher has done the original music and lyrics, and Luke Sheppard is directing.
Until Sun 25th October 2026
Savoy Ct, Strand, London WC2R 0ET
paddingtonthemusical.com
Hamlet Hail to the Thief
Following its world premiere at Aviva Studios and the Royal Shakespeare Company last year, Thom Yorke’s Radiohead/Shakespeare crossover Hamlet Hail to the Thief is coming to London for a run at the Barbican. The production, directed by Steven Hogget and Christine Jones, is an abridged version of the Shakespeare tragedy that focuses on Hamlet and Ophelia confronting the corruption in the war-like Elsinore, fused with music from Radiohead’s 2003 album Hail to the Thief.
Sat 31st October 2026 – Sat 23rd January 2027
Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, EC2Y 8DS
hamlethailtothethief.com
White Rabbit Red Rabbit
Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour is bringing his acclaimed play White Rabbit Red Rabbit back for a London run, this time as the inaugural production from his new company There & Then, which he’s founded alongside award-winning director Omar Elerian. The play, first performed in 2011 explores obedience, choice and freedom of expression, and features a different performer each night, who takes to the stage having not seen the script, had a chance to rehearse, or been directed, for a one-off experience. During this run, the likes of David Harewood, David Tennant, Jo Joyner, Asim Chaudhry, Luke Thompson, Jodie Whittaker, Kathryn Hunter, Kunal Nayyar, Archie Madekwe and Riz Ahmed will be performing.
Until Mon 2nd November 2026
Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5LA
nimaxtheatres.com
LEAR
The Yard in Hackney Wick has been rebuilt (the original site, made from reclaimed materials was only supposed to last six months when it opened in 2011, it lasted fifteen) with a 220-seat curved auditorium, a dedicated space for its artist development programme, and new backstage and dressing rooms. It’s christening the new venue with a bumper programme, including a LEAR, reimagining of Shakespeare’s King Lear by Artistic Director Jay Miller and playwright Simon Stephens, and starring Sir Ian McKellen.
Mon 16th November 2026 – Sat 2nd January 2027
The Yard Theatre, Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, London E9 5EN
theyardtheatre.co.uk
One Day The Musical
It’s been a film, it’s been a Netflix series and now David Nicholls’ beloved book One Day has been adapted into a musical, and it’s coming to London. The show, adapted by David Grieg and directed by Max Webster, with music and lyrics by Abner and Amanda Ramirez, had its world premiere in Edinburgh earlier this year, and Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose will be reprising their roles as Dexter and Emma, who meet on their graduation day and whose lives intertwine for years afterwards, for the London run at the Garrick Theatre.
From Tues 17th November 2026
Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0HH
onedaymusical.com
Cinderella
French & Saunders are reuniting on the West End stage for the first time in 17 years as they’ll be starring as the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella at the London Palladium. Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge will all be starring in the panto, with the likes of Dex Lee joining to play Prince Charming and Hope Dawe playing Cinderella.
Sat 5th December 2026 – Sun 10th January 2027
London Palladium, Argyll Street, London, W1F 7TF
palladiumpantomime.com
My Neighbour Totoro
Adapted for the stage by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tom Morton-Smith and original composer Joe Hisaishi, My Neighbour Totoro sold out its world premiere run at the Barbican in the autumn of 2022 and picked up a slew of awards along the way. It proved to be so popular that the show returned for another 18-week season at the end of 2023, and now it’s back for a third go, playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre until 2027. Hayao Miyazaki’s film tells the coming-of-age story of sisters Satsuki and Mei, who move to the countryside to be closer to their hospitalised mother, where they discover a world full of magical creatures and spirits. It’s known for its enchanting animal characters, including the Catbus (a twelve-legged cat that’s also a bus) and the eponymous Totoro (who looks like a giant rabbit), who are brought to life through incredible puppetry and groundbreaking production.
Until Sun 10th January 2027
Gillian Lynne Theatre,166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
lwtheatres.co.uk
The Hunger Games
Irish playwright and five-time Tony nominee Conor McPherson has adapted 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 is playing at the brand new Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, which has been purpose built to host the world premiere of this show. Mia Carragher is playing Katniss Everdeen, with Euan Garrett as Peeta Mellark, Joshua Lacey as Haymitch Abernathy, Tristan Waterson as Gale Hawthorne, Tamsin Carroll as Effie Trinket, and Stavros Demetraki as Caesar Flickerman, with John Malkovich appearing via screens as President Snow. May the odds be ever in your favour.
Until Sat 14th February 2027
Wood Wharf, London, E14
thehungergamesonstage.com
Sinatra The Musical
Sinatra The Musical, based on the life and career of, you guessed it, Frank Sinatra, is opening in the West End this summer. The musical, which had a run at the Birmingham Rep in 2023 and has been produced with the blessing of the Sinatra Estate, is a biographical story, starting with Sinatra’s legendary performance at NYC’s Paramount Theatre on New Year’s Eve, 1942. As his fame grows, he’s torn between his wife Nancy and screen icon Ava Gardner, and when his affair derails his career, he prepares to stage a great showbiz comeback. Tony Award-winning writer Joe DiPietro is has written the musical, which will feature over 20 Sinatra hits, including ‘That’s Life’, ‘Come Fly With Me’, ‘The Best Is Yet To Come’ and ‘One For My Baby’, with Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall directing. Joel Harper-Jackson will be playing Sinatra, with Ana Villafañe as the Ava Gardner, Phoebe Panaretos as Nancy Sinatra, and Jenna Russell as Dolly, Sinatra’s mother.
Until Sat 10th April 2027
Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, London WC2B 4DF
sinatramusical.com
Beetlejuice: The Musical
After multiple smash hit runs on Broadway, Beetlejuice: The Musical has finally come across the pond for a stint in the West End, playing at the Prince Edward Theatre. The same creative team, including Scott Brown (book), Anthony King (music), Eddie Perfect (lyrics) and Tony Award-winning Alex Timbers (director) have come over for the London production, based on Tim Burton’s cult movie, where a recently deceased couple hire bio-exorcist Beetlejuice to drive the new living family out of their home.
Until Sat 17th April 2027
Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS
beetlejuicemusical.co.uk
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 27th June 2027
29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES
hadestown.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.
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.
