Search More results... Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas is giving a special concert in the West End this August Sydnie Christmas Live in London will play His Majesty’s Theatre in the West End on 31 August 2025 Sydnie recently performed debut shows in New York and at the Hollywood Bowl in LA The new London concert follows her sold-out ‘My Way’ UK tour in 2024 The concert at His Majesty’s Theatre will also be filmed for broadcast in the US The concert announcement comes as Sydnie Christmas releases her new version of wartime anthem ‘We’ll Meet Again’ to commemorate VE Day’s 80th anniversary. The song was first recorded by forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn in 1939. Listen to ‘We’ll Meet Again’ here Last year Sydnie released a special version of Starlight Express after Andrew Lloyd Webber saw Sydnie’s performance on Britain’s Got Talent. Watch the video of Sydnie Christmas singing ‘Starlight Express’ Sydnie also performed for King Charles at the 2024 Royal Variety Performance last year, and released a Christmas album Sydnie Christmas Live in London is playing at His Majesty’s Theatre on 31 August 2025 Tickets on pre-sale from 10am on 7 May and general sale from 10am on 9 May Comments and reviews are subject to our participation guidelines policy, which can be viewed here Our policy is for readers to use their REAL NAMES when commenting Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Search Filter by Exact matches only Search in title Search in excerpt Search in contentFilter by Categories London Shows - Now Booking London Shows - Coming Soon Sign-up for Offers Shows | Offers | Musicals | News Please note: All tickets are subject to availability. Ticketing powered by members of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers [Read more] Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Here's our complete guide to bagging cheap theatre tickets for the UK's top shows Savings on top shows can be hard to come by but if you're keen to find theatre tickets for less While this guide offers the best sites and methods for saving on theatre tickets there's also an element of luck and timing involved A top tip is to do your ticket shopping last minute Sometimes if a show hasn't sold enough and there are lots of seats remaining prices will plummet for last-minute buyers Even sold-out shows may have tickets returned on the day as people realise they can no longer make it so it's always worth checking with the box office or online but will occasionally offer cut-price entry to an eclectic selection of shows these only cover London and you don't get to choose which shows are offered If you're looking for London shows and can trot along in person, it's worth checking out the TKTS booth in Leicester Square it's often cheaper to find theatre tickets outside of the capital While some of the UK's most renowned shows are put on in the West End and around London the UK has a thriving theatre scene and there are fantastic shows to be found wherever you're based For more exciting things to do across the UK, take a look at the best kids theatre shows and best UK family days out and we have some top tips and tricks for you when buying West End seats The price of a West End theatre show ticket varies depending on where you sit and what you see: limited-run shows, such as Punch as you can only experience it for a limited number of weeks and less for a seat where a pillar could potentially block part of the stage or if you're a long way away But there are some cases where a cheaper ticket will be one seat over from one with a so-called unobstructed view if you're not too bothered about where you sit we'd recommend picking the cheapest seats to save money if you'd like to go to a West End show for the experience but you're not concerned about which show you see To get your hands on cheap theatre tickets all of which periodically offer chances to snap up cheap tickets The latter leans more towards experiences and immersive shows Take a look at their current deals using the links below Another great way to snag some cheap theatre tickets is by signing up to our Going Out newsletter It's completely free to sign up and will be delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday packed full of the latest deals on theatre and concert tickets as well as recommendations of what to do at the weekend We've scoured the web for some of the very best deals available right now from Harry Potter fans to classic musical lovers Have you heard Brendan Gleeson's West End debut is coming to the stage soon Les Misérables is one of the best-loved shows on the West End. The tragic drama based on the book of the same name by Victor Hugo first ran in London in 1985 and has been performed continuously ever since That makes it the second longest-running musical in the world and the longest in the West End there's quite a disparity in ticket pricing the best deals are to be had via Ticketmaster Roald Dahl's hit children's novel Matilda is re-imagined as a musical in this thrilling stage production. It's another West End favourite, and it's even been made into Matilda the Musical movie starring Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull the cheapest deal for Matilda The Musical is £24 tickets at Love Theatre Hamilton's longstanding icon status on the West End means tickets are in very high demand and finding cheap tickets is something of our forte and we've found some tickets for a snip at Ticketmaster Wicked is one of the longer running musicals in the West End but has had renewed popularity since the song Popular went viral on TikTok It's currently in the Apollo Victoria Theatre and is one of our favourites we've managed to find tickets available at Ticketmaster for just £27.50 The Lion King is one of the most beloved shows on the West End. The 1994 Disney film has been reimagined as a spectacular theatre production While The Lion King tickets are still cheaper than those of a limited-time-only show's the musical's popularity means that finding tickets for under 45 quid is no mean feat no mean feat for anyone other than the RadioTimes.com team Ticketmaster sells the cheapest seats at £39.50 each Cabaret follows the story of struggling American writer Clifford Bradshaw as he wanders into the seedy yet exciting Kit Kat Klub and meets Sally Bowles and promises to be an electrifying night out the cheapest tickets for Cabaret are at ATG Tickets for £30 If you just can't get enough of the Harry Potter franchise then it's time to tick Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off your list if you haven't already The play is set 19 years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and follows the story of Albus Severus Potter (son of Harry) as he enters Hogwarts The play has won countless awards and has been staged at theatres all over the world So grab your best pink outfit and head over to the Savoy Theatre The cheapest tickets are £25 at ATG Tickets featuring the original works of Turner as well as other artists like Marvin Gaye and Ann Peebles will answer any questions you have about the rock legend's life and upbringing and will have you crying as well as tapping your feet while it does the cheapest tickets you can buy for TINA - The Tina Turner Musical are £22 ones from Ticketmaster If you're not based in London and don't want to travel to the capital With many shows touring around up and down the country there are some great deals to be had on theatre all around the UK For more savings on theatre tickets across the UK take a look at our recommendations for cities near you: Plus, ever wondered are concert hospitality tickets worth it? How to get cheap London West End theatre ticketsHere's our complete guide to bagging cheap theatre tickets for the UK's top shows but if you're keen to find theatre tickets for less there's also an element of luck and timing involved Sometimes if a show hasn't sold enough and there are lots of seats remaining so it's always worth checking with the box office or online these only cover London and you don't get to choose which shows are offered If you're looking for London shows and can trot along in person, it's worth checking out the TKTS booth in Leicester Square it's often cheaper to find theatre tickets outside of the capital While some of the UK's most renowned shows are put on in the West End and around London the UK has a thriving theatre scene and there are fantastic shows to be found wherever you're based For more exciting things to do across the UK, take a look at the best kids theatre shows and best UK family days out The price of a West End theatre show ticket varies depending on where you sit and what you see: limited-run shows, such as Punch and less for a seat where a pillar could potentially block part of the stage or if you're a long way away We can't speak for all theatres, but one of our RadioTimes.com writers went to see Wicked and bought cheap seats where the view was supposed to be partially obstructed if you're not too bothered about where you sit we'd recommend picking the cheapest seats to save money if you'd like to go to a West End show for the experience but you're not concerned about which show you see It's completely free to sign up and will be delivered straight to your inbox every Thursday Sign up for our Going Out newsletter to receive the latest updates on new ticket releases plus inspiration for how to spend your weekend By entering your details you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply We've scoured the web for some of the very best deals available right now Have you heard Brendan Gleeson's West End debut is coming to the stage soon Getty / NurPhotoLes Misérables is one of the best-loved shows on the West End. The tragic drama based on the book of the same name by Victor Hugo there's quite a disparity in ticket pricing Getty / David M. BenettRoald Dahl's hit children's novel Matilda is re-imagined as a musical in this thrilling stage production. It's another West End favourite, and it's even been made into Matilda the Musical movie starring Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesUnfortunately Hamilton's longstanding icon status on the West End means tickets are in very high demand and and we've found some tickets for a snip at Ticketmaster GettyImages/Darren BellWicked is one of the longer running musicals in the West End It's currently in the Apollo Victoria Theatre and is one of our favourites we've managed to find tickets available at Ticketmaster for just £27.50 Getty / George RoseThe Lion King is one of the most beloved shows on the West End. The 1994 Disney film has been reimagined as a spectacular theatre production While The Lion King tickets are still cheaper than those of a limited-time-only show's the musical's popularity means that finding tickets for under 45 quid is no mean feat Getty / Douglas Sacha Getty / Douglas SachaSet in Berlin during the Jazz Age John Wreford/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesIf you just can't get enough of the Harry Potter franchise then it's time to tick Harry Potter and the Cursed Child off your list if you haven't already Getty ImagesWe've all heard of Tina Turner will answer any questions you have about the rock legend's life and upbringing If you're not based in London and don't want to travel to the capital Plus, ever wondered are concert hospitality tickets worth it you are agreeing to site title privacy policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Subscribe to RT!Subscribe to Radio Times magazine and get £10 issues for £10! Could your home unlock your dreams?Releasing equity from your home could help give you the retirement you've been dreaming of? Holiday brochuresNeed inspiration of where to go next Request a free brochure and start your journey Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. London Hello! I'm Andrzej, the theatre editor of Time Out London, and me and my freelancers review a heck of a lot of theatre. This page is an attempt to distil the shows that are on right now into something like a best of the best based upon our actual reviews, as opposed to my predictions, which determine our longer range what to book for list and you’ll definitely see shows that got four stars above ones that got five – this is generally because the five star show is probably going to be on for years to come (hello Hamilton) and I'm trying to draw your attention to one that’s only running for a couple more weeks It’s also deliberately light on the longer-running West End hits simply because I don’t think you need to know what I think about Les Mis before you book it (it’s fine!) 5 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Johan PerssonWhat is it Mark Rosenblatt’s wildly acclaimed debut play about Roald Dahl’s antisemitic behviour in the early ’80s makes the leap from Royal Court to West End Because it’s a brilliant play that wades right into the thorny hinterland between revulsion at Israel’s military actions and out and out Jew hatred and because we get to see the brilliant John Lithgow doing his not inconsiderable Olivier-winning ‘thing’ as Dahl 5 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: You Me Bum Bum Train 2024What is it The cult immersive adventure for one is back in London after an eight-year absence – and it’s as good as ever though we can’t tell you much more than than because they make you sign an NDA It’s sold out but there are copious opportunites to volunteer while it’s not impossible it might extend 5 out of 5 starsRecommendedWhat is it Well if you don’t know what Hamilton is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s virtuosic hip-hop inflected account of the life and times of relatively obscure US Founding Father Alexander Hamilton is pretty much the biggest musical of our times And it remains sensational an exhilarating celebration of multiculturalism that’s also a witty but broadlyt accurate romp through US history 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Manuel HarlanWhat is it? The RSC’s lavish stage adaptation of the Studio Ghibli classic is back for its third London run It’s a lovely – albeit very faithful – retelling of the beloved film but it’s the spectacular puppet incarnations of furry forest spirit Totoro and whatever the hell the Catbus is that will really blow your mind 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Helen MurrayWhat is it tense revival for Patrick Marber’s 1995 debut play about a group of depressed men whose only joy comes from an out of hours poker game Marber’s writing hasn’t faded a jot and indeed some of his musings on London gentrification feel positively prescient In a cast full of excellent portrayals of desperate men the real standout is Hammed Animashaun as dopey dream Mugsy with his plan of converting a public toilet into a restaurant 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedMarc BrennerWhat is it James Graham’s furiously exciting play about Gareth Southgate and the England men’s team has come how to the National Theatre for one final run Completists may be thrilled that Graham has updated his play to account for the Euro 2024 tournament Truth be told it hasn’t changed the play massively (we got an identical result to Euro 2020) but it’s still an enormously enjoyable show and the penalty taking scenes are astoundingly tense Ryan Calais Cameron’s slick drama about Sidney Poitier finally makes it to the West End Having wowed us with the almost totally stylistically opposite For Black Boys… Cameron proves he’s a major talent with this stylist and tense drama aboyt a young Sidney Poitier stepping into the bearpit of Red Scare-era Hollywood 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Marc BrennerWhat is it Having slowly worked its way up to the West End from humble fringe origins the now expanded Benjamin Button relocates F Scott Fitzgerald’s short story about a man who ages backwards to rural Cornwall One of the quirkier and more unusual musicals to enter Theatreland in recent years Jethro Compton’s sea shanty-driven musical is eccentric Why go? Although the current West End iteration is a ‘new’ version that was ushered in in 2019 – and indeed there have been judicous updates throughout its long life – Les Mis is popular for the reason it’s always been popular: soaring songs, stirring story, memorable characters and a commitment to keeping it stocked with world class singing talent. What is it? Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magnum opus is still going strong in the West End after almost 40 years. Why go? To this day it looks utterly ravishing, with jaw dropping sets and impressive special effects. The plot – about a brooding psychopath who stalks a Parisian opera house – is wildly problematic, but it’s just extremely impressive theatre, with some deliciously bombastic songs, and as with Les Mis, the dedication to keeping first rate performers has kept it fresh decades after other shows have gone off the boil. Photo: Danny KaanNot sure whether to shell out for that show? Find out what our theatre team made of London's new openings Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! tiktokfacebooktwitteryoutubeAbout us Contact us Broadway Off-Broadway Off-Off Broadway Cabaret Dance Opera Classical Music Minneapolis / St. Paul Connecticut Atlanta Chicago Los Angeles Central New York WEST END UK Regional Canada Australia / New Zealand Europe Asia Latin America Africa / Middle East TV/Movies Music The show will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 2 August 2025 Production photos have been released for the West End transfer of The Royal Court Theatre’s production of Giant written by Mark Rosenblatt and directed by Nicholas Hytner Best Supporting Actor (Elliot Levey) and Best New Play which premiered at the Royal Court in September 2024 will run at the Harold Pinter Theatre until 2 August 2025 Tony and Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (Conclave The Crown recently announced as Dumbledore in HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter TV series) stars as Roald Dahl with Aya Cash (The Boys You’re the Worst) making her West End debut as US Publisher Jessie Stone Olivier Award-winner Elliot Levey (Cold War Olivier Award-nominee Rachael Stirling (The Divine Mrs S) returns as Felicity Crosland and completing the cast is Tessa Bonham Jones (Dune: Prophecy The Young Woman and the Sea) as Hallie and  Richard Hope (Hijack) as Wally Saunders A world-famous children’s author under threat The Witches is about to hit the shelves and Roald Dahl is making last-minute edits explicitly antisemitic article won’t die down Across a single afternoon at his family home and rocked by an unexpectedly explosive confrontation Dahl is forced to choose: make a public apology or risk his name and reputation Inspired by real events, Giant explores with dark humour the difference between considered opinion and dangerous rhetoric offering a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon The production features lighting design by Anna Watson sound design by Alexandra Faye  Braithwaite and casting by Arthur Carrington with additional US casting (Jessie Stone)  by Daniel Swee General Management is by Short Street Productions Ltd and Mark Rubinstein is Executive Producer for the West End Production The Royal Court’s production of Giant will be lead produced in the West End by Brian and Dayna Lee Elliot Levey John Lithgow and Aya Cash John Lithgow Aya Cash John Lithgow, Elliot Levey, Aya Cash John Lithgow, Elliot Levey Aya Cash, John Lithgow Rachael Stirling Tessa Bonham Jones Richard Hope Richard Hope, John Lithgow Rachael Stirling, John Lithgow Aya Cash, John Lithgow, Rachael Stirling Following a sell-out run at the Royal Court the play everyone is talking about is transferring to the West End John Lithgow reprises his role as Roald Dahl in the West End transfer of Mark Rosenblatt's critically acclaimed play The Royal Court's production of Giant is now open at the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre Production photos have been released for the West End transfer of The Royal Court Theatre’s production of GIANT It’s 1983 and beloved author Roald Dahl is about to release The Witches he’s currently under scrutiny for the antisemitic language he used in a book review that spoke against Israel’s murderous invasion of Lebanon Collected in his childhood kitchen are Dahl They’re waiting for a sales executive sent by Dahl’s American publisher in order to compel him to retract and apologise His piece didn’t go down well in the States and his numbers are now at stake Mark Rosenblatt’s playwriting debut has rinsed most of the awards found in British theatre at this point The playwright has received two nods at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards last month as well as an Olivier while John Lithgow and Directed by Nicholas Hytner The playwright received two nods at the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards last month as well as an Olivier while John Lithgow and Elliot Levey bagged the acting categories at the latter It’s everything an excellent play should be Each side of the argument is so passionate and eloquent At a stage when Kneecap have seen their US visa revoked after speaking out against the Palestinian genocide at Coachella and JK Rowling continues to spew transphobic hate Giant’s West End transfer is utterly momentous Rehearsal images have been released for the West End transfer of The Royal Court Theatre’s production of GIANT the award-winning debut play from Mark Rosenblatt and exclusive discounts on tickets to your favorite shows © 2025 - Copyright Wisdom Digital Media, all rights reserved. Privacy Policy Tanyel Gumushan Burlesque will play in the West End this summer revolves around a small-town girl named Ali Rose (played by Christina Aguilera) who moves to Los Angeles and stumbles upon a struggling burlesque lounge owned by Tess (played by Cher on screen) Penned now for the stage by Antin, the theatrical version has tunes by Aguilera, Sia and Diane Warren, as well as additional tunes by Jess Folley and Todrick Hall and additional material by Kate Wetherhead It was first seen in Manchester and Glasgow last year Burlesque the Musical will now open at the Savoy Theatre on 10 July and run until 6 September 2025 Hall will both direct and choreograph the West End staging after starring in the original runs as Sean “This is a huge milestone in my life and career I’ve always dreamt of being involved in the creative side of a brand new original musical flattered and ecstatic to make my directorial debut with Burlesque the Musical!” The full creative team and casting are to be revealed Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today charged with attempted murder after four pedestrians were hit by a car A man has been charged with four counts of attempted murder after allegedly driving into four pedestrians in the West End of London on Christmas Day was also charged with causing serious injury by driving while disqualified and possession of a bladed article in a public place One victim remains in a critical condition and is receiving treatment in hospital Gilheaney appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Friday to be formally charged He was remanded to appear at the Old Bailey next month Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said a suspect was arrested within minutes of the “violent attack in the early hours of Christmas Day in central London” investigators have worked tirelessly to build the case and have today charged Anthony Gilheaney with four counts of attempted murder one of which remains in critical condition in hospital.” The Metropolitan police said officers were called at 00.45am on Wednesday after reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in the capital’s theatre district Cundy described it as an “isolated incident which is not terror-related” On Christmas Day blood and items of clothing including a jacket shoes and a hat were strewn across the pavement in front of a branch of Caffè Concerto Forensic officers were seen bagging up shoes and other items of clothing from the pavement A police cordon stretched between the Gielgud Theatre Our very own Paul Mescal is set to make a comeback to the Irish stage at the Abbey Theatre The Irish actor signed on for two productions at the National Theatre in London one for Death of a Salesman and the other for A Whistle in the Dark - which will then move to the Abbey The production is set to hit the stage in 2027 - how exciting Nicola Coughlan is set to re-unite with her Derry Girls co-star Siobhán McSweeney for a production on London’s West End The girls are set to star alongside each other in and will also be joined by Normal People actor Éanna Hardwick This show will hit the stage at the National Theatre from the 4th of December 2025 until the 28th of February 2026 keep SPIN loud with Shannon Keenan on the hour everyday from 10am-5pm Developed by Square1 Although the shows participating in this year’s iteration haven’t been announced yet, Kids Week is set to run throughout the summer holidays with tickets available to purchase on Tuesday, 10 June, for select performances from 21 July to 31 August 2025. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Official London Theatre | TKTS (@londontheatre) As the longest-running initiative of its kind, Kids Week has welcomed over 2.5 million young people and their families to experience the magic of live theatre for over 25 years children can see some of London’s best theatre shows for free when accompanied by a full-paying adult up to two additional children’s tickets can be purchased at half price with no booking fees attached—making this incredible deal the perfect summer treat for families on the hunt for some world-class theatre that doesn’t break the bank The official list of participating shows for 2025 will be announced very soon Kids Week has always featured a dazzling line-up of West End hits including The Lion King We promise to keep you in the loop as the theatre shows are announced. Alternitively, you could visit their official website to be first in-the-know Any child aged 17 or under can go to selected performances of any participating show for free if they’re accompanied by a full-paying adult Adults can also buy up to two extra children’s tickets at half-price if you have got a larger family Relive the golden era of pop music at Gloucestershire Cricket on Friday 11 July as the stars of London’s West End perform An Evening of ABBA Dance the night away on the outfield at the Seat Unique Stadium to some of your favourite ABBA classics including former cast from the smash hit musical Mamma Mia come together to perform a dazzling concert of ABBA’s sensational music Backed by a fabulous West End band and packed with classic hit after fantastic hit this one-night concert spectacular is an evening no ABBA fan should miss Premium Party Passes include access to our Korev Terrace with a private bar and outstanding view of the performance Grace Room Hospitality with a complimentary welcome drink and hire of one of our exclusive private boxes with bar waiter service and balcony access General Admission Tickets and Premium Party Passes will be sold by our event partner Yuup An Evening with ABBA will be bought to you by Square Leg Productions Square Leg Productions A new production of Conor McPherson’s award-winning drama The Weir is coming to the West End this autumn, led by Hollywood star Brendan Gleeson Written and directed by Conor McPherson (Girl From the North Country) this new production of The Weir will play at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London from 12 September to 6 December 2025 the play will run at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin from 8 August to 6 September 2025 Brendan Gleeson will star as local garage owner Jack in The Weir The Weir is produced in Dublin and London by Ireland’s Landmark Productions and Kate Horton Productions (Unicorn) Until recently Kate Horton ran stage and screen producer Fictionhouse with director Dominic Cooke two British Independent Film Awards and three IFTA Awards Gleeson started his acting career on stage in Dublin before performing at the RSC in Stratford upon Avon He is a member of the Passion Machine Theatre company in Dublin starring in plays including Roddy Doyle’s Brownbread Wasters and Home; and writing three plays for the company His other Dublin stage work includes Patrick Süskind’s The Double Bass and The Walworth Farce directed by Seán Foley at the Olympia Theatre where he will star in The Weir this August ahead of London Brendan Gleeson made his film acting debut in The Field in 1990 before his breakthrough role in Braveheart in 1995 opposite Mel Gibson for which he was nominated for an Academy Award The Weir premiered at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs at the Ambassadors Theatre in July 1997 and won the 1999 Olivier Award for Best New Play The production transferred to the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre where it ran for two years The play has subsequently been produced around the world including a major London revival at the Donmar Warehouse in 2013 directed by Josie Rourke and starring Brian Cox as four local men gather in an isolated pub in rural Ireland Their usual banter and everyday lives are disrupted by the arrival ofa woman called Valerie The stories they weave to impress her are gripping Little do they know that she has a profoundly personal story of her own the sharing of which will leave them all shaken Actor Brendan Gleeson said in a statement: “Conor McPherson’s The Weir is one of the rarest plays around The last time I appeared on stage was ten years ago and then to play in the West End for the first time at the beautiful Pinter Theatre – and to work with Conor on his profoundly moving Writer and director Conor McPherson said: “I can hardly believe it’s thirty years since I wrote The Weir – and about thirty years since I first met the wonderful Brendan Gleeson It’s an absolute honour to bring this play to life again with one of the great titans of Irish acting I’m hugely looking forward to directing my play for the very first time and sharing this production with audiences in Dublin and in London very soon.” Producer Kate Horton said: “Along with a multitude of theatregoers I was spellbound by Conor McPherson’s play The Weir when it first premiered at the Royal Court I’ve since been granted three wishes; to have Conor agree to direct his own masterpiece for the first time for the magnificent Brendan Gleeson to agree to lead the cast and for the brilliant Anne Clarke to join me as co-producer they are titans of Irish and International theatre The Weir is a beautiful play about human connection the endurance of hope and the essential power of storytelling It will be a joy to share this production with audiences.” Producer Anne Clarke said: “In the way that people remember where they were when something significant happened – the moon landings or who shot JR – I remember where I was when Kate Horton called to tell me that she had been working with Conor McPherson on a new production of The Weir and that Brendan Gleeson had agreed to play Jack They were hoping the production would open in Dublin I had been lucky enough to work with Brendan before when he played Dinny in The Walworth Farce at the 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin alongside his sons Brian and Domhnall and the thought of working with him on Conor’s sublime play was a thrill And I had known and admired Kate’s extraordinary body of work as a producer for many years so the opportunity to work with her was another thrill and I can’t wait for audiences in both Dublin and London to see it.” Conor McPherson is having a busy year. His new play The Brightening Air starring Chris O’Dowd and Rosie Sheehy is currently playing at The Old Vic until 14 June 2025. The Brightening Air also stars Brian Gleeson (Peaky Blinders) Other new Conor McPherson projects include the return of his hit musical Girl From the North Country McPherson has also written a new stage show based on the hit movie and book franchise The Hunger Games, with The Hunger Games on Stage opening at new East London venue Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre on 20 October 2025 The Weir is running at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 12 September to 6 December 2025 More about The Weir tickets at the Harold Pinter Theatre London shows and musicals to book for in London’s theatres in 2025 London’s theatre scene is the most exciting in the world: perfectly balanced between the glossy musical theatre of Broadway and the experimentalism of Europe it’s flavoured by the British preference for new writing and love of William Shakespeare but there really is something for everyone Between the showtunes of the West End and the constant pipeline of new writing from the subsidised sector with well over 100 theatres and over venues playing host to everything from classic revivals to cutting-edge immersive work This rolling list is constantly updated to share the best of what’s coming up and currently booking: these choices aren’t the be-all and end-all of great theatre in 2025 the biggest and splashiest shows coming up alongside intriguing looking smaller projects.   both to avoid sellouts but to get the cheaper tickets that initially go on sale for most shows but tend to be snapped up months before they actually open Please note that the prices quoted are the ‘official’ prices when the shows go on sale – with West End shows in particular it can unfortunately be the case that if they sell well Want to see if these shows live up to the hype? Check out our theatre reviews Check out our complete guide to musicals in London.  And head over here for a guide to every show in the West End at the moment Photograph: Courtesy Emilio MadridWhat is it? After debuting last year in New York, Stephen Sondheim’s final musical transfers to the National Theatre. It’s a darkly comic adaptation of two films by Luis Buñuel: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Exterminating Angel. Where is it? National Theatre.  Why book? There’s no denying that part of the appeal is to be part of a little piece of history – the first UK audience to the last musical by Stephen Sondheim. But also it’s crucial to point out that he was the single greatest composer of musicals who has ever lived, by all accounts Here We Are is pretty damn good. It certainly has a cast to die for, including Rory Kinnear, Jane Krakowski and Martha Plimpton.  Photo: Neal Street ProductionsWhat is it? Big names Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman star as a pair of recovering alcoholics in the latest from caustic Northern Irish playwright David Ireland. Why go? Ireland is a writer on the up, with his short, wildly un-PC dark comedies finding increasingly large audiences. I’s always a pleasure to see Freeman. But there’s no denying that ther stager return of Lowden – flush from the success of Slow Horses – is the biggest draw in an enticing show. Photo: Shakespeare’s GlobeWhat is it? Arthur Miller’s allegorical masterpiece about the Salem witch trials becomes the first revival by a playwright other than Shakespeare to be staged at the Globe’s open air theatre. Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.  Why go? Miller’s momentous play never dims in power or relevance. But there’s something very special about the idea of the Globe’s iconic space now finding room for the classics, and the sprawling, Shakespearean epic – sent just a few decades after the Bard’s death – should be the perfect starting point. Drew McOnie’s first season in charge of the Open Air Theatre gets off with a bang via the UK premiere for smash UK musical Shucked Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.  Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally’s multi Tony-nominated 2022 musical comedy is funny as hell It concerns a comically isolated rural farming community which must send representatives to the big city after their corn crop starts to fail US director Jack O’Brien will restage his smash show with a new A transfer for last summer’s superb Open Air Theatre production of Bock & Stein’s classic play about life and change in the old shtetl It’s a wonderful production from Jordan Fein and a perfect balance between the musical’s jollier beginnings and much darker ending What is it? The hottest Broadway show of the last couple of years – and most Tony nominated play ever – David Adjmi’s Stereophonic is a fictionalised account of the making of Fleetwood Mac’s landmark Rumours album.   Where is it? Duke of York’s Theatre.  Why go? It’s got to be worth it for the hype alone with several of the Broadway cast transferring along with the show praising the delicately worked account of a band at a creative peak but personal low trying to struggle through the recording process with original songs provided by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Bridge TheatreWhat is it It’s the return of the Nicholas Hytner’s sublime immersive 2019 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream The original production was simply a total joy – for those with ‘immersive’ tickets it was a big queer rave in the woods that you were invited to There’s some fun textual innovation: Hytner has basically swapped the lines of fairy antagonists Oberon and Titania But the main deal here are the good – nay Why go? London Road has to be seen – and heard – to be believed, as nothing even remotely like it has come along before or since. An ultimately deeply unsettling exploration of the nature of community via choral song, it’s beautiful and disturbing in equal measure, and almost certainly not what you are expecting. Photo: Phil HillWhat is it? Disney’s new stage musical, an adaptation of its Greek myth-themed 1997 film, with Luke Brady starring as the muscular demigod. Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane.  How much is it? £29.50-£158.50. Why go? The original film is obscure-ish by Disney standards, but much loved by those who know. And while it might seem like a slightly random choice of adaptation, word from Germany – where this production debuted – is very good. the entire original team of cast and creatives of Sarah Kane’s final play 4.48 Psychosis reunite to restage one the mostly bleakly powerful plays in British theatre history.  Where is it? Royal Court Theatre.  Sold out but all Monday tickets go on sale on the morning of performance The play is a strange and haunting masterpiece and there’s undeniably a bragging rights element to bagging tickets to a show where demand will vastly outstrip supply But there is definitely the hope that hugely talented director James Macdonald will find some new magic here and perhaps banish the shadow of Kane’s suicide which hung heavy over the original production Why go? Co-written with Tim Rice, Evita was always Webber’s best musical, and Lloyd’s tough, witty take preserved its grit and romance while cutting out the twee stuff. Also there’s the small matter of Zegler: one of the hottest stars on the planet, this should be an explosive UK stage debut.  Photo: National TheatreWhat is it? The last Lyttelton theatre show to be programmed by Rufus Norris prior to his departure looks like a good one: following the Jodie Comer-fuelled West End smash Prima Facie, writer Susie Miller and director Justin Martin join forces with another big star for follow-up Inter Alia. Why go? Rosamund Pike has had an excellent few years on screen with the likes of Saltburn and The Wheel of Time. Now it’s long past time we get to see her on stage again: it will be  thrill to see her make her National Theatre debut to star as Jessica Parks, a maverick high court judge who precariously balances her work and her home life.  Photo: Felicity McCabeWhat is it? Less than a year after making his Doctor Who-era stage return in the NT’s sublime The Importance of Being Earnest, Ncuti Gatwa is back at it again. He’ll star as the legendary playwright Christopher Marlowe opposite Edward Bluemel as William Shakespeare; the year is 1591 and in a paranoid Elizabethan England the two are collaborating on Henry VI together with a mix of flirtation and suspcion. Why book? Earnest was great, but it was a big ensemble play – if you want to see Gatwa do some proper leading man stuff, this is your chance at last. And it’s staged by the RSC, ie it’ll be classy as hell. Okay, it does sound a bit like slash fiction, penned by an American playwright barely known in this country. But it’s also an RSC production, directed by the company’s co-leader Daniel Evans – if that’s not a mark of quality assurance, then what is? Image: Feast CreativeWhat is it? This classic 1947 musical romance from My Fair Lady writers Lerner & Loewe hasn’t been staged in the UK in over three decades. Now Drew McOnie directs it as the centrepiece to his first season in charge of the OAT. Why go? The songs are sumptuous – hopefully top Scots playwright Rona Munro’s dramatically rewritten book has taken the cringe out of this story of two American pals who get lost in Scotland and discover a magical vanishing village.  Photo: Guy J SandersWhat is it? Katie Mitchell’s second play for the David Byrne-era Royal Court threatens makes last year’s non-linear poetry adaptation Bluets look positively commerical. A collaboration between the legendary avant-garde director, playwright Nina Segal and sound artist Melanie Wilson, Cow | Deer is a wordless work about a day in the life of a cow and a deer Why book? Big in Europe, Katie Mitchell is probably the most revered experimental director in the world today. The cliche is that the British are too boring to get her and that she has to go abroad to find an audience – but this is truly as wild as theatre gets, and it’s coming to London only. Book because you’re a Mitchell-head or simply because you’re curious. Heck, book because you like cows. Photo: National TheatreWhat is it? This is a bold opener for Indhu Rubasingham’s first season in charge at the National Theatre: first time playwright (though he’s got decent pedigree as an actor) Nima Taleghani offers up what sounds like a racously modern – and probably quite foul-mouthed – adaptation of Euripides’s shockingly violent Ancient Greek tragedy. Why book? It’s a bit of a gamble – Taleghani is the first ever playwright to make his debut in the huge Olivier – but the audacity is presumably part of the point, plus there are some very reliable names to steady it. Rubasingham herself will direct the show, which has a cast including James McArdle, Clare Perkins and Ukweli Roach. Photo: National TheatreWhat is it? It’s been 15 years since the National Theatre staged Shakespeare’s masterpiece. But new NT boss Indhu Rubasingham isn’t messing around, and her deputy Robert Hastie’s production is her very first piece of programming in the Lyttelton. Hiran Abeysekera – best known for his Olivier-winning turn in the Hastie-directed Life of Pi – will take on the mantle of Shakespeare’s Great Dane. Why book? Abeysekera is an unknown as a Shakespearean and the only advance vibes we’re getting from the production are ‘playful’. But it’s the greatest play ever written at the country’s most important theatre – if it’s not great everyone should hang their heads. Image: Guy J SandersWhat is it? Marianne Elliott (War Horse, Curious Incident) directs Nick Payne’s first Royal Court play since his smash hit Constellations, as Nicola Walker stars as a woman trapped in a haze of grief in the seven years after her son goes missing. Why book? Frankly the talent involved is ridiculous and it has all the makings of a Royal Court smash hit, in the same way that last year’s similarly starry Giant did. And if you think it sounds a bit conventional, worry not – apparently in Payne’s play all seven years of grief happen simultaneously, which sounds pretty mind-blowing. Image: Troubadour Canary Wharf TheatreWhat is it? After a decade of false starts, a stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’s dystopian YA classic The Hunger Games is coming to London in October, opening at a brand new in-the-round theatre in Canary Wharf. Where is it? Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. How much is it? £tbc – tickets on sale March 27. Why book? We’re not going to lie: the odds are most audience members will be fans of the books. Unlike recent stage outings for Harry Potter, Stranger Things and the TBC Game of Thrones play, this isn’t a new story: it’s the first bool adapted for stage. But despair not, theatre nerds: it has a thrilling creative team led by top playwright Conor McPherson – you can probably expect a darker, grungier take than the films. Belgian super director Ivo van Hove helms a cast led by Bryan Cranston Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu for Aruthur Miller’s monumental drama about Joe Keller an American businessman who may have done something terrible That cast is to die for and Van Hove’s 2014 production of Miller’s A View from the Bridge is one of the greatest British theatre shows of the century – it’s fair to say hopes are very high Police say they are treating Aidan Chapman’s death as homicide and will review charges over incident A man who was among four pedestrians hit by a car on Christmas Day in the West End of London has died in hospital was seriously injured in the incident on Shaftesbury Avenue and died on New Year’s Eve Police said they were treating the death as homicide and an “isolated incident which is not terror-related” and that a postmortem examination would take place in due course Aidan Chapman Photograph: Metropolitan police/PAChapman was one of four pedestrians who were hit after a Mercedes-Benz E-Class car was driven on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in London’s theatre district although the three others are understood not to have sustained life-threatening injuries in the incident which the Met said was reported to its officers at 12.45am on Christmas Day A police cordon on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street covered the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues in the city centre Chapman’s parents said: “The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare “We are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan funny soul and the world is a darker place without him appeared in Westminster magistrates court last week charged in relation to the incident and a number of offences in relation to the crash including causing serious injury by driving while disqualified and possessing a knife in a public place after he was accused of carrying a small knife in Lincoln’s Inn Fields earlier on the same day He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on Friday 24 January The Met said the charges would be reviewed after news of Chapman’s death said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time “My team are continuing to conduct inquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related “We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dashcam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.” musicals and plays you need to see in London this year Whether you're a local or in town for a special occasion a West End show is a brilliant way to spend an evening From award-winning musicals to book adaptations and from re-tellings of iconic stories to limited-time shows But how do you choose what to see in London genres and cast to give you our pick of the best plays Plus, we've put together a series of theatre guides so check out the longest-running West End shows, best musicals on tour and the best plays in London Like everything at the moment, the price of seeing a show is going up. However, the RadioTimes.com team specialises in helping you do the things you love for less, so we've written a guide for how to get cheap theatre tickets Did you know we've also put together a list on the best operas in London? Plus, here's how you can see the 2025 Olivier award-winning shows on stage When we say Burlesque was this Digital Writer's sister's whole personality when she first watched it But we have a sneaky feeling that once you see this show at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End Burlesque The Musical is finally coming to London alongside new songs by Todrick Hall and Jess Folley this musical about self-discovery is sure to be a sizzler Buy Burlesque The Musical tickets from £25 at ATG Tickets You'll feel Zero to Hero when you secure tickets to see Hercules in London's West End Following in the footsteps of productions like Disney's The Lion King Hercules is the latest hit Disney film to hit the West End stage in an all-singing Disney's Hercules will be performing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End from June 2025 Buy Hercules tickets from £33 at TodayTix For more information on Disney's Hercules, including the run-time, be sure to read our Hercules tickets guide this classic '70s sitcom came to the West End stage Alongside director of the Only Fool and Horses Musical Cleese has turned three iconic episodes (The Hotel Inspectors The Germans and Communication Problems) from the original series into one two-hour play As well as seeing the show on the West End you can also see Fawlty Towers on tour in the UK and Ireland next year and in 2026 For more information about the Fawlty Towers UK tour A limited-time-only show with an all-star cast featuring on RadioTimes.com's best West End shows list Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams (of Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives fame) will play the iconic role of Miranda Priestly alongside Olivier Award winner Matt Henry as Runway’s Creative Fashion Director With an original score by none other than Elton John The Devil Wears Prada at London’s Dominion Theatre is sure to be a fantastic experience Buy The Devil Wears Prada tickets from £31.25 at LOVE Theatre Now here's a play with who's-who buzzwords: four-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton is joining forces with her real-life daughter, Bridgerton's Bessie Carter for Mrs Warren's Profession — a play which will also see her reunite with Dominic Cooke Mrs Warren's Professions is a commentary on society as it follows Vivie who learns about how her mother truly built her fortune Buy Mrs Warren's Profession tickets from £31 at London Theatre Direct Ewan McGregor is returning to the West End this year performing his first on-stage role for 17 years in My Master Builder The play will be performed at Wyndham's Theatre for a limited time only — from 17th April to 12th July 2025 — and it tells the story of Elena Solness a publishing magnate preparing to throw a party in the Hamptons to celebrate her architect husband Buy My Master Builder tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets you already know you're going to enjoy the musical This production at the Savoy Theatre comes from an award-winning creative team composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) plus director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book Of Mormon) so you can expect plenty of laughs and killer songs Buy Mean Girls tickets from £28 at TodayTix The Great Gatsby Musical is coming to London Coliseum from April this year The Tony Award winning musical is based on the timeless American novel by F Scott Fitzgerald and it features a jazz and pop-influenced original score If you're looking for a special night at the theatre this spring Buy The Great Gatsby Musical tickets from £25 at London Theatre Direct Retrograde follows Sidney Poitier at the time in his life where he was about to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. The RadioTimes.com Going Out team are particularly excited about this production as it's written by Ryan Calais Cameron who gave us one of our favourite plays of all time Retrograde stars Ivanno Jeremiah (who you might recognise from Humans) you might've already heard that Olivier and Tony nominated actor Colman Domingo has joined Nica Burns as a producer for the West End transfer of Retrograde Buy Retrograde tickets from £23 at TodayTix The smash-hit production of Till the Stars Come Down  transfers to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket this July for 13 weeks only This bright and bubbly show follows the wedding of Sylvia and Marek a family gathers to welcome a newcomer into their midst But as the vodka flows and dances are shared passions boil over and the limits of love are tested Buy Till the Stars Come Down from £24 at LOVE Theatre The Bridge Theatre is bringing back Nicholas Hytner's A Midsummer Night's Dream The show previously ran in 2019 and received countless five-star reviews for it's mind-boggling spectacle which can only be compared to real magic chaos descends and the audience are right in the midst of it as the Shakespearean comedy unfolds The show is running from 31st May to 23rd August 2025 Buy A Midsummer Night's Dream tickets from £24 at London Theatre Direct After A Midsummer Night's Dream winds down the Bridge Theatre is being taken over by Stephen Sondheim's classic: Into the Woods This story of fairy tales colliding is clever with its unbelievable vocal moments and displays of magic The show is playing from December 2025 to April 2026 Buy Into The Woods tickets from £28 at TodayTix This beloved musical has been an instant classic since it first came to the stage in 1960 Its sensational soundtrack boasts timeless tracks like Food Glorious Food Now the adaptation of the Dickens tale is heading to the Gielgud Theatre from December 2024 until April 2025 Buy Oliver! tickets from £24 at LOVEtheatre Cabaret is currently showing at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse in London's West End A night at Cabaret promises to be an experience as well as a night out — guests are invited to immerse themselves in the club experience and can even drink and dine before diving into the world of inhibition-free Berlin The cast of Cabaret, like 2:22 A Ghost Story, is ever-changing, and to find out who is starring in the production you'll be going to see, read our guide on the current Cabaret London cast Buy Cabaret tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets If you're a comedy fan — or maybe you just need a bit of a pick-me-up — be sure to take a look at the best London comedy shows Theatre fans will be aware that The Woman in Black ended its 33-year stint on the West End last year; the terrifying play was performed at the Fortune Theatre in the heart of London's West End, and filling the boots of The Woman in Black is Operation Mincemeat This sharp-witted comedy tells the real-life story of a WWII operation and answers the question: how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler If you're thinking that this musical sounds extremely bizarre A favourite of several members of the RadioTimes.com team this musical is sure to have you humming its soundtrack for the weeks months and maybe even years after heading to see it Buy Operation Mincemeat tickets from £39.50 at ATG Tickets If you love socialising but dislike how noisy it can be sometimes, take a look at our guide on how do Loop Earplugs work is one of the most popular London theatre shows and it's easy to see why; set to the soundtrack of ABBA songs the story follows Sophie as she prepares for her wedding day on the idyllic islands of Greece and it's to have her dad (who could be one of three people) walk her down the aisle.. Buy Mamma Mia! tickets from £14.70 at LOVETheatre If you watched the Platinum Jubilee concert you would have caught a glimpse of this bizarre retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives each wife takes it in turns to share their story of how they were wronged by the Tudor King and why that means they should be the lead singer of the wives’ pop group Buy Six the Musical West End tickets from £39.68 at LOVETheatre Originally debuting at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 Buy Six the Musical UK tour tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets For date inspiration in the capital city, take a look at best London art exhibitions, best London date ideas, and best London rooftop gardens As the winner of the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album Hamilton is a brilliant choice if you’re in London this winter and want to treat yourself to a West End show you can now get £25 tickets in the Black Friday sale R&B and Broadway is the musical backdrop to this show which tells the true(ish) story of Alexander Hamilton one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right-hand man Buy Hamilton tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre Want to experience the music from your favourite shows in a different light? Check out our guide to the best candlelight concerts around the UK Adapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved book of the same name Matilda is taking bookings up to May 2025 for the Cambridge Theatre in London You know exactly what you’re getting with this musical: wholesome There are also a handful of RSC £10 tickets available for 16-25 year olds Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £20 at Matilda the Musical For more day out inspiration in London and beyond, take a look at the best pottery experiences and best steam train experiences Based on the 1994 Walt Disney movie of the same name The Lion King musical play features music from Elton John actors in decadent animal costumes and giant hollow puppets The show opened in the Lyceum Theatre over 20 years ago in 1999 and is still going strong after more than 7,500 performances It’s the top-earning title in box-office history and even the Royal Family have seen a performance of this much-loved story If you're a film fan (Disney or otherwise), here's how to get cheap cinema tickets and the best London luxury cinema experiences Plus, check out the top Disney Plus offers for this month Wicked knows a thing or two about being ‘Popular’ This musical 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) we went to see the musical with our families and it’s deserving of every single nomination A Wicked UK tour is coming to a city near you Read out article for everything you need to know If the hugely enthusiastic description on From The Box Office is anything to go by Back to the Future: The Musical will be a truly electrifying experience The musical follows the plot of the blockbuster film: teenager Marty McFly is blasted back in time to the year 1955 by eccentric scientist Doc Brown and unwittingly changes the course of history If you watched Britain's Got Talent in 2022, you might have caught a sneak peek of Back to the Future: The Musical on Britain's Got Talent the musical has kept extending its West End run so there's even more opportunities to go and see it Buy Back to the Future: The Musical tickets from £22.68 at LOVETheatre comes this comedy musical about two Latter-Day missionaries who are posted to a remote Ugandan village to preach the faith of the Church and to convert its inhabitants to Mormonism as you'd expect from the creators of South Park Buy Book of Mormon tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play written by Jack Thorne and based on JK Rowling’s original story Ron and Hermione 19 years after they saved the wizarding world and they’re joined by a new generation of wizards and witches to stop mysterious evil forces for another time Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £15.75 at The Ticket Factory Les Misérables is a musical that needs no introduction What makes West End’s longest-running musical so magical is how immersive it is; with the backdrops of paintings by Victor Hugo and the powerful performances from every single member of the cast you feel like you’re at the heart of the action It's the perfect time to go and Hear The People Sing as tickets are currently reduced up to 23% in the TodayTix Black Friday sale Buy Les Misérables tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre The musical includes all of the late great Tina Turner's much-loved songs from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll — with her live performances selling more tickets than any other solo artist across the globe It showcases all the ups and downs along Tina's way and you'll leave the theatre feeling very motivated Buy TINA: The Tina Turner Musical tickets from £12 at Fever Who doesn't love a good murder mystery? The genre has really made a comeback in recent years, especially with the likes of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club books and there's no better introduction to the genre than the queen of crime herself Trust us, the tale of Leonard Vole, accused of murdering a widow in cold blood, is sure to keep you guessing right up until the end. Want to find out more? Check out our five star Witness for the Prosecution review Buy Witness for the Prosecution tickets from £20 at London Theatre Direct It's one of the most popular theatre shows and one of the West End's most enduring love stories Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera has been performing for over 30 years now If you aren't already familiar with the compelling plot who seeks to control the Paris Opera House and trains her to sing the music of the night We're huge Stranger Things fans here at RadioTimes.com so trust us when we say this production is a must-see for any fans of the series and is filled with the same friendship and nostalgia that fans are familiar with from the screen Buy Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets One of our RadioTimes.com Digital Writers went to see this jukebox musical with their mum and sister They particularly liked that everyone got up out of their seats for the final song to sing and dance along Moulin Rouge follows the story of Christian a young writer who meets and falls in love with cabaret dancer and this musical shows their love story filled with joy Buy Moulin Rouge! tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre The RadioTimes.com Going Out team are lucky enough to attend and review plays across London our Digital Writers are across all of the new releases these are the shows we've awarded five stars While not all of them are booking at the moment we'll keep updating this list with our latest 5/5 recommendations Hayley Atwell and Tom Hiddleston are to die for in this ecstatic Jamie Lloyd production of Much Ado About Nothing Read our Much Ado About Nothing review Sex Education's Asa Butterfield makes for a stunning stage debut in this one-man play and you wouldn't believe that it was Butterfield's first stage performance as he reflects on his life and how he very nearly became Harry Potter You'd be right in thinking that the plot lends itself to comedy Read our Second Best review With The Woman in Black retiring from the West End we've had a ghost-shaped hole in our hearts; luckily Inside No.9 Stage/Fright is here to fill London theatre's spooky void Audiences were told at the end of this play that 'what happens inside no so we won't go into too much detail of what comedy duo Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have in store we can say audiences will be left on the edge of their seats and you'll be unsure as to what will happen next.. Read our Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright review Set against the neon lights of I Love You Will U Marry Me Standing at the Sky’s Edge told the story of three generations living on Sheffield’s Park Hill estate Richard Hawley's beautiful musical explored themes of community While it isn't performing in London at the moment we're sure this isn't the last you'll see of Standing at the Sky's Edge Read our Standing at the Sky's Edge review whose full title is For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy is another play which is absolutely deserving of its five star review For Black Boys is a choreopoem: it blends dialogue with poetry dance and movement to tell this important story Writer Ryan Calais Cameron is a master of the tonal shift with the tale shifting in a heartbeat from laugh-out-loud moments to lines that read like a gut punch Read our For Black Boys review Witness for the Prosecution is currently booking at London’s County Hall on the Southbank the Agatha Christie thriller shows no sign of slowing down When this show made its West End debut in 1953 it would have been impossible for anyone to tell how long it would last murder holds up as if no time has passed at all and that's why we awarded it five stars in our review Buy Witness for the Prosecution tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct If there ever was a one-line review which would have us racing to the ticketing office to purchase seats it would be Louise Griffin's 'A huge risk pays off' for Enemy of the People The cast were particularly spectacular in this play we loved the chemistry between Matt Smith and Jessica Brown Findlay while Paul Hilton stole the show throughout with his hilarious Read our An Enemy of the People review There's always room for a classic at London's West End Kate starred Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar and Broadway legend Stephanie J Block; the adaptation from director Bartlett Sher was lively and we liked how it brought some much-missed glamour and spectacle back to the London stage Read our Kiss Me, Kate review It's rare that we'd describe a five-star musical as 'like watching a car crash in slow motion' and it's still absolutely deserving of its flowers Regardless of your own backgrounds or experiences with mental health or grief the story of an emotionally fraught family on the precipice of danger and longing for something normal (or even just Next to Normal) delivered an emotional gut punch Read our Next to Normal review and whether you've got a matinee or evening performance Most shows run for two hours to two and a half hours A matinee performance usually starts at 2:30pm whereas the evening performances will begin around 7:30pm If you're travelling to London for a West End show it makes sense to spend a few days in the city; especially if you're planning on seeing an evening performance which will have you leaving the theatre at around 10pm (that's our bedtime!) There are a number of websites, like Holiday Extras where you can book your theatre tickets and hotel in one go You can choose which theatre show you'd love to see then select how many nights you'll stay around your chosen date and it'll suggest hotels just a stone's throw away from the theatre as it's a package deal — a theatre show and hotel combo — you'll save a couple of quid Book a West End show and hotel stay at Holiday Extras Travelling to the West End when you live outside of London can seem like a mean feat But we're here to reassure you that it can be done with minimal faff and on a budget Train timetables are usually released 12 weeks in advance and train operators put cheap train tickets on sale shortly afterwards the more expensive the train tickets will be so be sure to snap up tickets as soon as possible Railcards are also a great way to save a couple of quid on your travel — 1/3 of the total ticket fare to be precise. Find the right Railcard for you at Trainline If you live too far away from London to comfortably travel there and back in one day, and let's face it, a lot of us do, you may want to consider an overnight stay. Airbnb offers private rooms and entire homes all across London so you're bound to find somewhere that fits your budget For more information, take a look at our West End tips and advice article you might as well spend a bit more to get closer to the action at a West End show with all the different parts of the auditorium it can be tricky to know where to select seats which guarantee the best viewing experience; so we've done the difficult work for you Here's the breakdown of all the seats in a theatre and where to sit for maximum viewing enhancement The Stalls are considered the best seats in the house as they're on the ground floor and closest to the stage there will be rows and rows of ground-floor seats or right at the back; the closer you are to the stage is the next level up from the ground floor The Dress Circle gives audience members an advantage as they can see what's happening across the whole stage — something that people in the stalls might not be able to do particularly for props or characters at the back of the stage and will be one of the cheaper theatre tickets available (unless the theatre has a Balcony which not many of them do) You'll be able to see everything on the stage The cheapest seats in the house are Restricted View. All theatres will sell tickets for what they deem a 'restricted view'. However, as we mentioned earlier, one of our RadioTimes.com team went to see Wicked with their mum and the supposedly 'restricted' view was anything but We can't guarantee this will be the case in all theatres and you may find your view obstructed by a safety rail or a pillar Sitting in a box is an excellent way to make your trip to the theatre even more memorable Typically located on the same level as the Dress Circle a box can be hired out for just you and your party which means you get perks like strangers not squeezing past you to go to the loo during a dramatic moment Wondering what could be the perfect gift for your theatre-loving friend or family member The obvious choice is to buy them theatre tickets but with people's jam-packed schedules and with so many plays and musicals with a whole-host of genres to choose from buying specific theatre tickets for a specific date might not be the easiest idea That's where a London theatre gift voucher comes in Theatre gift cards are a great present idea for a loved one as you can use them on a range of theatre shows The West End theatre gift cards are flexible as a lot of them can be redeemed for up to 12-months from the time of purchasing So where can you buy these brilliant vouchers from the Going Out team have put together a list for you below — you're welcome This next deal is perhaps out of a lot of people's budgets it does actually save you money in the long run TodayTix is offering theatre lovers a ticket to every single show in the 2024 theatrical season with its All You Can Seat package you'll receive access to premium Band A tickets to all West End shows and a personal concierge to assist with planning and booking There are just 10 All You Can Seat tickets musicals and plays you need to see in LondonFancy a night out at the theatre We've considered everything from budget Plus, we've put together a series of theatre guides so check out the longest-running West End shows, best musicals on tour and the best plays in London Like everything at the moment, the price of seeing a show is going up. However, the RadioTimes.com team specialises in helping you do the things you love for less, so we've written a guide for how to get cheap theatre tickets Did you know we've also put together a list on the best operas in London? Plus, here's how you can see the 2025 Olivier award-winning shows on stage ATG EntertainmentWhen we say Burlesque was this Digital Writer's sister's whole personality when she first watched it But we have a sneaky feeling that once you see this show at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End Buy Burlesque The Musical tickets from £25 at ATG Tickets Johan PerssonYou'll feel Zero to Hero when you secure tickets to see Hercules in London's West End Following in the footsteps of productions like Disney's The Lion King Disney's Hercules will be performing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London's West End from June 2025 Buy Hercules tickets from £33 at TodayTix For more information on Disney's Hercules, including the run-time, be sure to read our Hercules tickets guide Fawlty Towers - The Play Hugo GlendinningIn spring 2024 this classic '70s sitcom came to the West End stage For more information about the Fawlty Towers UK tour Matt CrocketA limited-time-only show with an all-star cast featuring on RadioTimes.com's best West End shows list Buy The Devil Wears Prada tickets from £31.25 at LOVE Theatre Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesNow here's a play with who's-who buzzwords: four-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton is joining forces with her real-life daughter, Bridgerton's Bessie Carter for Mrs Warren's Profession — a play which will also see her reunite with Dominic Cooke Mrs Warren's Professions is a commentary on society Buy Mrs Warren's Profession tickets from £31 at London Theatre Direct Photo by Julia Reinhart/Getty ImagesEwan McGregor is returning to the West End this year The play will be performed at Wyndham's Theatre for a limited time only — from 17th April to 12th July 2025 — and it tells the story of Elena Solness Buy My Master Builder tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets If you're a fan of the Mean Girls movie you already know you're going to enjoy the musical Buy Mean Girls tickets from £28 at TodayTix Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty ImagesFresh from its Broadway run If you're looking for a special night at the theatre this spring Buy The Great Gatsby Musical tickets from £25 at London Theatre Direct Credit - Mark SeniorRetrograde follows Sidney Poitier at the time in his life where he was about to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. The RadioTimes.com Going Out team are particularly excited about this production as it's written by Ryan Calais Cameron you might've already heard that Olivier and Tony nominated actor Colman Domingo has joined Nica Burns as a producer for the West End transfer of Retrograde Buy Retrograde tickets from £23 at TodayTix LOVE TheatreThe smash-hit production of Till the Stars Come Down transfers to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket this July for 13 weeks only Buy Till the Stars Come Down from £24 at LOVE Theatre Bridge TheatreThe Bridge Theatre is bringing back Nicholas Hytner's A Midsummer Night's Dream The show previously ran in 2019 and received countless five-star reviews for it's mind-boggling spectacle which can only be compared to real magic Buy A Midsummer Night's Dream tickets from £24 at London Theatre Direct Bridge TheatreAfter A Midsummer Night's Dream winds down the Bridge Theatre is being taken over by Stephen Sondheim's classic: Into the Woods Buy Into The Woods tickets from £28 at TodayTix LOVEtheatreConsider Yourself lucky— Oliver Buy Oliver! tickets from £24 at LOVEtheatre ATG TicketsCabaret is currently showing at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse in London's West End The cast of Cabaret, like 2:22 A Ghost Story, is ever-changing, and to find out who is starring in the production you'll be going to see, read our guide on the current Cabaret London cast Buy Cabaret tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets If you're a comedy fan — or maybe you just need a bit of a pick-me-up — be sure to take a look at the best London comedy shows Operation MincemeatTheatre fans will be aware that The Woman in Black ended its 33-year stint on the West End last year; the terrifying play was performed at the Fortune Theatre in the heart of London's West End, and filling the boots of The Woman in Black is Operation Mincemeat If you're thinking that this musical sounds extremely bizarre Buy Operation Mincemeat tickets from £39.50 at ATG Tickets If you love socialising but dislike how noisy it can be sometimes, take a look at our guide on how do Loop Earplugs work Photo by Brittany Long/WireImage Photo by Brittany Long/WireImageGimme and it's easy to see why; set to the soundtrack of ABBA songs and it's to have her dad (who could be one of three people) walk her down the aisle.. Buy Mamma Mia! tickets from £14.70 at LOVETheatre London Theatre DirectIf you watched the Platinum Jubilee concert Buy Six the Musical West End tickets from £39.68 at LOVETheatre Buy Six the Musical UK tour tickets from £15 at ATG Tickets For date inspiration in the capital city, take a look at best London art exhibitions, best London date ideas, and best London rooftop gardens The cast of Hamilton on stage during the Olivier Awards Jeff Spicer/Getty ImagesAs the winner of the 2016 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album Buy Hamilton tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre Want to experience the music from your favourite shows in a different light? Check out our guide to the best candlelight concerts around the UK BenettAdapted from Roald Dahl’s much-loved book of the same name Buy Matilda the Musical tickets from £20 at Matilda the Musical For more day out inspiration in London and beyond, take a look at the best pottery experiences and best steam train experiences GettyImages/Ralf-Finn HestoftA story we all know and love If you're a film fan (Disney or otherwise), here's how to get cheap cinema tickets and the best London luxury cinema experiences Plus, check out the top Disney Plus offers for this month GettyImages/Darren BellWicked knows a thing or two about being ‘Popular’ A Wicked UK tour is coming to a city near you London Theatre DirectIf the hugely enthusiastic description on From The Box Office is anything to go by If you watched Britain's Got Talent in 2022, you might have caught a sneak peek of Back to the Future: The Musical on Britain's Got Talent the musical has kept extending its West End run so there's even more opportunities to go and see it Buy Back to the Future: The Musical tickets from £22.68 at LOVETheatre GettyImages/Jeff Spicer/StringerFrom the creators of South Park as you'd expect from the creators of South Park Buy Book of Mormon tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre Photo by Sam Tabone/WireImage via Getty Images Photo by Sam Tabone/WireImage via Getty ImagesHarry Potter and the Cursed Child is a two-part play written by Jack Thorne and based on JK Rowling’s original story Buy Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets from £15.75 at The Ticket Factory GettyImages/Vince TalottaLes Misérables is a musical that needs no introduction It's the perfect time to go and Hear The People Sing Buy Les Misérables tickets from £30 at LOVETheatre London Theatre DirectAldwych Theatre welcomes you to TINA The musical includes all of the late great Tina Turner's much-loved songs from her humble beginnings in Tennessee to the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll — with her live performances selling more tickets than any other solo artist across the globe It showcases all the ups and downs along Tina's way and you'll leave the theatre feeling very motivated Buy TINA: The Tina Turner Musical tickets from £12 at Fever Sam BarkerWho doesn't love a good murder mystery? The genre has really made a comeback in recent years, especially with the likes of Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club books and there's no better introduction to the genre than the queen of crime herself Trust us, the tale of Leonard Vole, accused of murdering a widow in cold blood, is sure to keep you guessing right up until the end. Want to find out more? Check out our five star Witness for the Prosecution review Buy Witness for the Prosecution tickets from £20 at London Theatre Direct London Theatre DirectIt's one of the most popular theatre shows and one of the West End's most enduring love stories Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera has been performing for over 30 years now If you aren't already familiar with the compelling plot Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images Mike Kemp/Getty ImagesWe're huge Stranger Things fans here at RadioTimes.com Buy Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets from £30 at ATG Tickets Benett/Dave Benett/Getty ImagesOne of our RadioTimes.com Digital Writers went to see this jukebox musical with their mum and sister The duo unfortunately can't be together Buy Moulin Rouge! tickets from £24 at LOVETheatre these are the shows we've awarded five stars we'll keep updating this list with our latest 5/5 recommendations Jamie Lloyd Co.Hayley Atwell and Tom Hiddleston are to die for in this ecstatic Jamie Lloyd production of Much Ado About Nothing Read our Much Ado About Nothing review Dave BennettSex Education's Asa Butterfield makes for a stunning stage debut in this one-man play and you wouldn't believe that it was Butterfield's first stage performance You'd be right in thinking that the plot lends itself to comedy Read our Second Best review Steve Pemberton in Inside No.9 Stage/Fright Marc BrennerWith The Woman in Black retiring from the West End we've had a ghost-shaped hole in our hearts; luckily Inside No.9 Stage/Fright is here to fill London theatre's spooky void Audiences were told at the end of this play that 'what happens inside no so we won't go into too much detail of what comedy duo Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith have in store we can say audiences will be left on the edge of their seats and you'll be unsure as to what will happen next.. Read our Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright review Elizabeth Ayodele as Joy and Samuel Jordan as Jimmy Credit: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg Brinkhoff-MoegenburgSet against the neon lights of I Love You Will U Marry Me Richard Hawley's beautiful musical explored themes of community While it isn't performing in London at the moment we're sure this isn't the last you'll see of Standing at the Sky's Edge Read our Standing at the Sky's Edge review Johan Persson/ For Black Boys Johan Persson/ For Black BoysThe trailblazing Olivier-nominated hit Read our For Black Boys review Witness for the Prosecution Sam BarkerWitness for the Prosecution is currently booking at London’s County Hall on the Southbank and that's why we awarded it five stars in our review Buy Witness for the Prosecution tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct Matt Smith as Dr Stockman in Enemy of the People Manuel HarlanIf there ever was a one-line review which would have us racing to the ticketing office to purchase seats it would be Louise Griffin's 'A huge risk pays off' for Enemy of the People Read our An Enemy of the People review Johan PerssonThere's always room for a classic at London's West End Read our Kiss Me, Kate review Next to Normal Marc BrennerIt's rare that we'd describe a five-star musical as 'like watching a car crash in slow motion' but that's exactly what Next to Normal is and it's still absolutely deserving of its flowers Read our Next to Normal review and whether you've got a matinee or evening performance If you're travelling to London for a West End show it makes sense to spend a few days in the city; especially if you're planning on seeing an evening performance which will have you leaving the theatre at around 10pm (that's our bedtime!) There are a number of websites, like Holiday Extras You can choose which theatre show you'd love to see then select how many nights you'll stay around your chosen date and it'll suggest hotels just a stone's throw away from the theatre as it's a package deal — a theatre show and hotel combo — you'll save a couple of quid Book a West End show and hotel stay at Holiday Extras But we're here to reassure you that it can be done with minimal faff and on a budget Train timetables are usually released 12 weeks in advance Railcards are also a great way to save a couple of quid on your travel — 1/3 of the total ticket fare to be precise. Find the right Railcard for you at Trainline If you live too far away from London to comfortably travel there and back in one day, and let's face it, a lot of us do, you may want to consider an overnight stay. Airbnb offers private rooms and entire homes all across London so you're bound to find somewhere that fits your budget For more information, take a look at our West End tips and advice article it can be tricky to know where to select seats which guarantee the best viewing experience; so we've done the difficult work for you Here's the breakdown of all the seats in a theatre The Stalls are considered the best seats in the house as they're on the ground floor and closest to the stage The Dress Circle gives audience members an advantage as they can see what's happening across the whole stage — something that people in the stalls might not be able to do You'll be able to see everything on the stage The cheapest seats in the house are Restricted View. All theatres will sell tickets for what they deem a 'restricted view'. However, as we mentioned earlier, one of our RadioTimes.com team went to see Wicked with their mum and the supposedly 'restricted' view was anything but We can't guarantee this will be the case in all theatres but with people's jam-packed schedules and with so many plays and musicals with a whole-host of genres to choose from That's where a London theatre gift voucher comes in the Going Out team have put together a list for you below — you're welcome This next deal is perhaps out of a lot of people's budgets you'll receive access to premium Band A tickets to all West End shows we now finally have much more info on the year’s biggest Brit musical Paddington supremacy continues. The last year has seen the beloved Peruvian bear expand his portfolio to encompass a third film, a permanent London immersive experience, and his own limited edition run of Time Out magazine it sounds like we’re getting the origin again as the young bear turns up at Paddington Station we presumably shouldn’t expect a straight up retelling of the first film – we’re promised this is ‘Paddington as you’ve never seen him before’ though rumour has it the bear himself with be a puppet rather than a bloke in a bear suit Paddington the Musical is at the Savoy Theatre from Nov 1. Tickets go on sale May 15, or sign up here for priority booking on May 13.  The best new London theatre shows to book for in 2025. Why are there so few bins in the City of London? The West End is set to sparkle with star power in 2025 performing in a stellar array of London musicals It’s hard to think of a starrier year for the West End as a stunning selection of shows open in 2025 featuring a talented line-up of stage and screen stars Check out our round-up of Stars on Stage in London in 2025 Also see: All Shows playing in London in 2025 | Hot List 2025 – Critics’ Picks Oscar winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody, No Time To Die) and Olivier Award-winner Indira Varma (Macbeth, Present Laughter, Game of Thrones) star in the world premiere of Ella Hickson’s intimate and revelatory version of Sophocles’ transcendent tragedy Oedipus Book tickets to Oedipus at The Old Vic in London  Oscar winner Brie Larson (Room, Lessons in Chemistry, Captain Marvel) stars in an electrifying new take on classic revenge thriller Elektra Also stars Stockard Channing (The West Wing Grease) as Clytemnestra, Marième Diouf (Romeo and Juliet The Globe) as Chrysothemis, Greg Hicks (Grapes of Wrath and Patrick Vaill (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Oklahoma!) as Orestes Book tickets to Elektra at the Duke of York’s Theatre London The Almeida Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Years transfers to London’s West End for a strictly limited season starring Deborah Findlay (Orlando), Romola Garai (Vigil), Gina McKee (Dear England), Anjli Mohindra (Noises Off) and Harmony Rose-Bremner (Hamnet) Book tickets to The Years at the Harold Pinter Theatre London Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) makes his hugely anticipated stage debut in new play Second Best – a playful poignant story about how a 10 year old child actor narrowly missed out on the role of a lifetime playing Harry Potter Book tickets to Second Best at the Riverside Studios London West End and Broadway stars Marisha Wallace (Guys & Dolls, Dreamgirls) and Billy Porter (Pose) are joining the London cast of Rebecca Frecknall’s multi-award-winning musical Cabaret from 28 January 2025 Book tickets to Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club in London James Macdonald directs Nicola Walker (Unforgotten, The Split, Last Tango in Halifax), Stephen Mangan (Episodes, The Split) and Erin Doherty (The Crown) in Mike Bartlett’s explicit, funny and provocative new play Unicorn Book tickets to Unicorn at the Garrick Theatre London Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Wicked) stars in a major new production of Shakespeare’s Richard II at the Bridge Theatre Book tickets to Richard II at the Bridge Theatre London Trevor Nunn directs award-winning actor Brian Cox (Succession) and Nicole Ansari-Cox (Deadwood) in the West End premiere of Oliver Cotton’s explosive new play The Score Book tickets to The Score at the Theatre Royal Haymarket London Oscar winner Cate Blanchett stars in a major new production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre in 2025 Book tickets to The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre London Hollywood star Ewan McGregor makes his long-awaited return to the London stage in My Master Builder a thrilling new play directed by Michael Grandage Book tickets to My Master Builder at the Wyndham’s Theatre London Stephen Sondheim’s final musical Here We Are gets its UK premiere at the National Theatre this year featuring an exceptional cast including Tracie Bennett (Follies End of the Rainbow) and Denis O’Hare (American Horror Story reprising their roles from the New York production Joining them are Jane Krakowski (30 Rock), Martha Plimpton (Sweat), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Modern Family), Rory Kinnear (No Time to Die), Richard Fleeshman (Company), Harry Hadden-Paton (Downton Abbey), Cameron Johnson (Guys & Dolls) Book tickets to Here We Are at the National Theatre London Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow (3rd Rock From the Sun) stars as Roald Dahl in the West End transfer of Giant Giant offers a complicated portrait of a fiendishly charismatic icon Book tickets to Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre London Tamsin Greig (Green Wing, Episodes) and Tony Award nominee Finbar Lynch star in The Deep Blue Sea Terence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love directed by Olivier Award winner Lindsay Posner Book tickets to The Deep Blue Sea at the Theatre Royal Haymarket London and welcome to the Time Out theatre reviews round up From huge star vehicles and massive West End musical to hip fringe shows and more, this is a compliation of all the latest London reviews from the Time Out theatre team which is me – Time Out theatre editor Andrzej Łukowski – plus our freelance critics New theatre openings in London this month A-Z of West End shows. 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Helen MurrayPatrick Marber’s reputation as a playwright was sealed with 1997’s Closer but wowee his debut Dealer’s Choice is good a hugely enjoyable drama about masculine desperation that follows a single eventful night at an after hours poker game 3 out of 5 starsRecommendedPhoto: Johan PerssonIbsen’s original Master Builder is a weird and US playwright’s Raicek’s celebrity-studded new version does a lot to address its issues even if she’s created new problems of her own in trying to ‘fix’ the story Photo: Johan PerssonNever at any point during The Great Gatsby’s near century in copyright did F Scott Fitzgerald or his heirs allow a musical adaptation and you have to hand it to them: they were right… Photo: Mark DouetAmerican writer Neil LaBute invariably takes big swings in his plays his first UK premiere in an age is no exception At a time of intense debate around euthanasia and assisted dying in the real world an American couple who are facing her terminal cancer ‘A dirty act done publicly’ thundered an infamous Telegraph review genuinely horrified by the Norwegian dramatist’s dabblings with STIs euthanasia and a lil’ bit of good old blasphemy. Still even if your jaw no longer drops that it would ‘go there’ euthanasia and blasphemy haven’t become twee… Speed starts off in wilfully mundane Britcom territory but ends up somewhere rather more Reeves-friendly… Half a century’s worth of history squashed down into just 80 minutes is a mission so ambitious that it feels doomed to fail Which is a particular misfortune in the case of Shanghai Dolls Amy Ng’s play about the little-known relationship between Jiang Qing To assume that’s this play is just going to be a pastiche of a fast-patter period piece is to underestimate Ryan Calais Cameron who smashed the West End with his beautiful play For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy.  The number of people visiting a West End show has jumped 11% since pre-pandemic levels with over 17.1 million theatregoers attending a London theatre in 2024 That 17.1 million matches the total from 2023 making the West End the world’s leading destination for theatre and performance According to the Society of London Theatre’s annual box office data report for 2024 nearly 5 million more people attended a West End show last year than they did a Broadway show And an astonishing 18,500 performances took place in 2024 The growing attendance at West End theatres stands in stark contrast to other forms of competing entertainment For every £1 spent on a West End theatre ticket an additional £1.27 is spent in local London businesses meaning that the theatre sector in London generates £2.39 billion annually in GVA (Gross Value Added) Co-CEOs of Society of London Theatre & UK Theatre said in a joint statement: “There is nothing quite like the experience of sitting in a theatre collectively immersed in the ground-breaking and entertaining performances on offer in the West End and beyond The numbers speak for themselves – despite a decade of rapidly expanding entertainment options theatre remains as popular and vital as ever This success is a testament to the creativity of our theatre makers and performers the vision and bravery of producers who bring stories from page to stage and staff who welcome audiences night after night has been instrumental in the sector’s swift recovery from the pandemic It continues to empower theatre producers to expand productions and attract investment from the UK and overseas Mounting world-class productions is becoming increasingly difficult SOLT & UK Theatre members are working harder than ever to ensure theatre remains both exceptional and accessible to as many people as possible Just as every great production is a team effort the future of our industry relies on collaboration – between theatre organisations we must come together to protect and grow this vital art form – ensuring its magic continues to shine for generations to come.” The Society of London Theatre represents approximately 230 London-based producers including all the major subsidised theatrical organisations in London Their annual awards, the Olivier Awards Read the full 2024 report here There are over a hundred theatres of all shapes and sizes throughout London from tiny fringe venues above pubs to iconic internationally famous institutions like the National Theatre where there are strict definitions based upon capacity there is no hard and fast definition of a West End theatre West End theatres are all commercial theatres – that is to say they receive no government funding – and on the whole they are receiving houses that is to say they don’t have in house artistic teams creating the work that they show (although often theatre owners like Andrew Lloyd Webber or Nica Burns may commission or even create the work) They are mostly based in the West End of London although it’s not a hard and fast rule with two major ‘West End’ theatres at Victoria Most West End theatres are Victorian or Edwardian although Theatre Royal Drury Land and Theatre Royal Haymarket have roots a couple of centuries before that while @sohoplace is the newest (it opened in 2022) Capacity is similarly all over the shop: the 2,359-set London Coliseum is the biggest; the smallest is generally held to be the 350-set Arts Theatre Many mid-size theatres like the Harold Pinter Duke of York’s or Wyndham’s are greatly in demand for drama and serve as home to several different productions every year like the Lyceum or His Majesty’s have played host to a single musical for decades and these are my pick of the shows to see in the West End right now – a mix of classics that have been around for years and more modern fare that’s just passing through If you want to look further afield for great shows, don't forget our pick of the best new theatre openings this month RECOMMENDED: your complete A-Z guide to West End theatre shows RecommendedWhat is it You know what it is: Lin-Manual Miranda’s audacious hip-hop musical about US founding father Alexander Hamilton is the defining work of commercial theatre this century Even if it didn’t feel queasily enmeshed in America’s confounding last couple of decades and inner debate over whether it wants to be a shining liberal beacon or a far-right ethnostate… Hamilton is simply a remarkable musical hip hop and some truly staggering earworms joined together in one damn-near perfect whole.  RecommendedPhoto: Manuel HarlanWhat is it? After two blockbuster seasons at the Barbican the RSC’s lavish stage adaptation of the 1988 Studio Ghibli classic is now set up in the West End Not only is it a faithful adaptation of a beloved story but My Neighbour Totoro is about as stunning a spectacle as you could hope to see on stage There have never been official pictures released of the stupendous Totoro and Catbus puppets - but trust me perhaps the weirdest West End and Broadway hit of the modern era You’ve really never seen anything quite like Hadestown a surreal pyre of Greek myth and New Orleans voodoo jazz that basically comes across like the greatest concert you never expected to be attending How much is it? £39.50-£89.50 (though £89.50 flat rate Wed-Sat). Why go? SplitLip Monty Python-esque comedy musical about a real life World War 2 operation delightfully mixes catchy songs, quirky good cheer and at least one startlingly emotional ballad that’ll set you reeling. What is it? Nascent playwrighting superstar Ryan Calais Cameron follows up his smash For Black Boys with a taut three-hander thriller about pioneering Black film star Sidney Poitier’s fraught rise to fame in Red Scare-era America. Why go? Ivanno Jeremiah is superb as the poised, wary young Poitier, the dialogue crackles and pop beautifully, and Cameron’s evocation of a paranoid, divided America feels alarmingly relevant to today.  Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’s ultra-sassy electro-pop musical about the six wives of Henry VIII is the quintessential British musical of the present day messy and just 80 minutes long (with correspondingly reasonable top prices) it’s a burst of fun that fits perfectly into a big night out RecommendedWhat is it it’s technically a different Les Mis to the one that opened at the Barbican back in 1985 – a ‘revised’ version was brought in to the West End in 2019 – but fundamentally it is the epic story of ex-con Jean Valjean’s quest for redemption in post-Revolutionary France Whatever you think about the new version (the revolve is out lavish projections are in) the songs remain wondrous and producer Cameron Mackintosh always keeps it topped up with world class singing talent still going strong in the West End after almost 40 years Almost half a century on and the production values on this thing are still remarkable - with its underground rivers it’s hard to imagine a new show looking as good as this again RecommendedWhat is it Tim Minchin’s smash Roald Dahl adaptation is the most successful new British musical of the twenty-first century and has been going strong in the West End since 2011 It’s an exuberent celebration of being clever and being good while not feeling obliged to follow every rule in the book that’s probably the best kids’s musical in London 4 out of 5 starsRecommendedJOHAN PERSSONThis review is from 2013 Brace yourself for a shock: ‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Broadway-munching musical is not particularly shocking there are ‘fucks’ and ‘cunts’ and gags about baby rape – but most of it is deployed ironically; beneath it all this is a big-hearted affair that pays note-perfect homage to the sounds and spirit of Broadway’s golden age The strapping young Latter Day Saints missionaries in ‘The Book of Mormon’ are as cartoonish as any ‘South Park’ character with the endearing alpha-male woodenness of the ‘Team America’ puppets traversing the globe like groups of pious meerkats convinced they can convert the heathen through sheer politeness then as Stephen Ashfield’s scene-stealingly repressed Elder McKinley declares in glorious faux-Gershwin number ‘Turn it Off’ ‘Don’t feel those feelings – hold them in instead!’ His advice is ignored by the show’s heroes highly-strung Elder Price (Gavin Creel) and dumpy The pair are sent to Uganda in an effort to convert a village to Mormonism a religion that essentially tells the penniless villagers how great distant America is The locals are not keen: Price cracks and unwisely clashes with a crazed local warlord; Cunningham makes up his own version of Mormonism which involves fucking frogs to cure oneself of Aids all-dancing life into the absurdities of literal Mormon dogma without ever being particularly mean It’s the mildest thing Parker and Stone have done atheist in outlook but conciliatory towards anyone whose beliefs make them happy If they and co-creator Robert ‘Avenue Q’ Lopez are angry about anything it’s ‘The Lion King’: ‘Mormon’ neatly sidesteps accusations of racism by making its Uganda a scathing and explicit parody of that musical blockbuster’s misty-eyed romanticism From Casey Nicholaw’s kitsch choreography to the sheer detail of a book that hops with elan from Biblical Egypt to eighteenth-century America to a sort of vaginal version of hell It also has as hard-working and well-drilled an ensemble as you’ll see on the West End for me ‘Mormon’ is only the best West End musical since the stronger ‘Matilda’ It offers a series of great-to-sublime songs and set pieces as a whole it lacks the satiric purpose and angry animating spark of its creators’ other work Trey Parker and Matt Stone are not West End messiahs and it’s hard not to love their smash musical.  London is a fantastic place to try traditional cuisines from around the world — all in one place As someone who has visited London many times I have firsthand experience at various restaurants that I'd love to share While keeping my focus on the areas where West End theaters are located while also keeping an eye out for all of the various types of food that one might want to indulge in I've created a comprehensive list for where you should eat in London before seeing a West End show Using both my own experience as well as online reviews you're bound to find a restaurant that will blow your socks off just as much as the show that you're about to see will Dean Street Townhouse is located in the Soho area of the West End This restaurant is perfect if you're hoping to get some classic British dishes but in a more upscale environment The Dean Street Townhouse is located in a Georgian townhouse that was built back in the 1700s The interior design makes you feel as if you are inside someone's lavish London home and tables that make up the seating arrangements This is a great restaurant to visit either before a matinee performance of a show There are great mains that include seafood dishes like monkfish with prawn curry and grilled dover sole I thoroughly enjoyed the special that was offered — a scallop dish that was covered in a creamed spinach sauce and garnished with peas There are also some classic British meat dishes deanstreettownhouse.com right off of the popular Charing Cross Road It is a French restaurant that is very moderately priced so it won't completely break the bank for a quality meal With all of the pubs in the area being too crowded to be seated quickly I saw Cafe Boheme conveniently tucked away with a table free for me to dine I was relieved to see that the restaurant had thousands of positive reviews Although this restaurant is located in such a busy area of London, it juxtaposed that energy with a quiet, calming atmosphere. At night, it's dimly lit with light fixtures on the wall, and the decor is very reminiscent of a bar you'd visit in France. On the menu, you can start with some classic French dishes like soupe du jour you can keep it light with a sandwich or salad — all of which looked delectable going off the tables around me but I went with the entrecote with frites and béarnaise sauce It tasted exactly like the steak frites I've had in France There was also a great selection of wine to choose from and the waiter recommended a glass of red that went perfectly with my dish cafeboheme.co.uk which is where many popular streets and of course This is a modern Thai-inspired restaurant that is very popular for tourists and locals alike so you can watch the chefs prepare meals while you immerse yourself in the ambiance of the restaurant The Thai food served at Kiln is specifically influenced by the areas bordering Thailand, including Myanmar, Loas, and Yunnan. The menu even has a warning on it, sharing that many of the dishes can be very spicy, so ask the waiter before ordering. The dishes on the menu are described to be Thailand street food, but you won't be seeing many traditional Thai dishes There are meals like Omm of Mussels with Aubergine and Broad Beans Customers on Google Maps seem to be incredibly pleased with their experiences at Kiln One customer shared that it was the best dining experience that they've ever had and that getting to watch the chefs cook the meal added to the overall experience Other customers noted that the food is always fresh and the flavors in many of the dishes are bold and interesting One thing to note is that the restaurant only takes walk-ins so be sure to get there with ample time in order to arrive on time for your show kilnsoho.com The origin of fish and chips stems back to England Hobson's Fish & Chips is a great choice to scratch that craving There are two locations around the West End — Soho and Charing Cross Both West End locations are near several theaters so choose the one closest to where you'll be seeing a show Although Hobson's is a sit-down restaurant or aren't in the mood to sit through a full-serviced meal the restaurant gets fresh fish delivered every single day which are from British home grown potatoes The fish and chips are prepared in a traditional way which gives the fish that extra crunchy texture as it offers an entirely gluten-free menu as well I visited the Charing Cross location with a friend who lives in London and didn't need to try the gluten-free option He shared that he loved how large the fish serving was and how the malt vinegar went perfectly with the natural flavorings My gluten-free version looked almost identical to my friend's and I couldn't believe how delicious it was It was the perfect quick meal to grab before I saw a matinee hobsonsfishandchips.com Punjab Restaurant is located in Covent Garden along the quaint windy roads where West End theater pop up left and right which is the food that is eaten in the northern part of India Punjab restaurant is actually the oldest Indian restaurant that serves Punjabi cuisine in the U.K It's been open since 1946 and is still thriving today I visited Punjab restaurant with my friend who is originally from Punjab in India but now resides in London because he wasn't sure that the cuisine would live up to what he is used to from home he excitedly shared to me that this is exactly what you would receive at a restaurant in Punjab He said that the balance of flavors was absolutely perfect and the consistency of the sauces were spot on We ordered three dishes to share — the lamb korma paneer butter masala (cottage cheese based) They were all very different from one another which was exciting to get to experience all of the different flavors I would definitely recommend getting more than one dish per person when ordering With the meats cooked perfectly and the flavors of the sauces tasting like absolute heaven I will dream of coming back to this restaurant punjab.co.uk beautiful restaurant to visit before seeing a West End show It's an upscale French cuisine restaurant that is located in the heart of Covent Garden you will be instantly transported to a flower filled oasis The ceiling is covered with vines and white flowers the flowers have lights strewn throughout that add to the ambiance as well With white tablecloths and comfortable leather chairs to sit in you will definitely feel taken care of while dining here The food is inspired by modern European cuisine and there are a few different menus available it is a prefixed menu where you choose either two or three courses with a glass of bubbles or a non-alcoholic cocktail included which includes the same as the lunch menu does but for a fixed price You can also choose to dine with the à la carte menu if you aren't interested in a prefixed one Some of the standouts include steak tartare and Tamworth pork lacquered with Moroccan lemon and honey Many guests on Google Maps share that the food is fresh and that the restaurant is incredibly romantic closmaggiore.com Masala Zone has three locations around the West End — Soho, Covent Garden, and Piccadilly Circus. This is an Indian restaurant, and the website shares "Our food is uniquely from the true sources of Indian food — the gourmet homes and street stalls across India's regions." I have dined here before and I enjoyed how immersive the restaurant is in both decor and through the service from the staff It feels like a more upscale dining experience and it reminded me of when I dined at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai where the decor is filled with ornate lighting fixtures The decor created a fun and lively atmosphere and the waiters matched that energy as well They were incredibly helpful with navigating the menu and led me to make the right choice for what to order you can choose to order your own main dish or you can opt for a "grazing selection," which allows you to get five to seven different dishes in smaller portions that are meant to be shared with at least two people The menu contains many dishes that people who regularly eat Indian cuisine will recognize — dishes like chicken Mangalore, butter chicken, Goa fish curry, green vegetarian biryani, and more. I went with the butter chicken and every aspect of the dish was utter perfection masalazone.com The Blaclock is a chophouse that has two locations in the West End area including one in Soho and one in Covent Garden Depending on the theater that your show is playing at one of these two locations will most likely work out to be a walkable distance to the show Each location has a different style of decor and feel but both have warm and inviting atmospheres with a modern twist One thing that you may immediately notice about the Blacklock is that the prices are fairly low for what you would expect from a steakhouse but it does provide a great amount of variety There are burgers and over 12 different cuts of steaks to choose from are available at an incredibly decent price other steakhouses in the area are serving these cuts of steak for about 10 to 25 pounds more one might wonder if the quality of the steaks could possibly be that great customers have endless positive comments about their experience at Blaclock With sentiments like the beef being cooked to perfection with a tender and soft bite to admiration for the way the food was presented it seems like Blacklock is a win all around theblacklock.com If you're looking for an upscale seafood dining experience This restaurant is located in Covent Garden by Leicester Square — its practically right in the center of where all of the West End theaters are scattered about you will get to experience a live jazz band that will accompany you during your meal there are white tablecloths spread across the tables and a beautiful horseshoe bar in the center of the restaurant you'll be able to decide between ordering à la carte or from a fixed menu The fixed menu is available between 12 p.m on Sundays it's available for the entire day you can choose between two or three courses There are many classic seafood dishes offered on the à la carte menu The main courses feature dishes like a grilled Dover sole You will also find side dishes like potatoes and roasted English carrots to round out your meal j-sheekey.co.uk There are many places to get afternoon tea in London; however Afternoon tea is perfect to have right before a matinee as it'll get you caffeinated up for the show but nice and full from the endless amounts of sandwiches and treats Sketch has a few different dining rooms within its building and it was one of my favorite dining experiences that I've ever had The entire room is a beautiful shade of pink during my visit — they have since updated to golden-yellow — and there was a string quartet who played while I enjoyed my meal The restaurant was able to provide a gluten-free menu The finger sandwiches were absolutely delicious and I was able to ask for more of my favorite I've never had a gluten-free scone that tasted so delicious in my entire life and the staff kept refilling my pot as often as they could It was an absolutely wonderful experience from the ambiance sketch.london When looking at places to eat around London's West End I considered many different neighborhoods that are in close proximity to West End Theatres I made sure to include options that will cover the entire region — that way you will have at least one option that will be walking distance to the theatre that your show is playing at I also wanted to include a variety of cuisines as London is a cultural hub with people from all over the world who have settled and opened restaurants in the city over the years To make sure that these restaurants actually belong in this list I used my own experience mixed with reviews from Google Maps For restaurants that I haven't been to myself I only included options that had at least a four star rating with over 1,000 reviews this list provides a wide range of restaurant options in both location and cuisine that come highly recommended by myself Our big annual theatre ticket promotion London Theatre Week is back for 2025 New shows joining the promotion for the first time include award-winning musical Hamilton, and new shows Titanique and The Great Gatsby London Theatre Week returns for 2025 with savings of up to £50 per ticket to top West End shows West End theatre’s popularity continues to rise with audiences now exceeding pre-pandemic levels The Society of London Theatre’s survey of attendance for the first three-quarters of 2024 saw over 13.2 million people attend the theatre in London Promotional tickets are only available for a limited time only See all the shows included in London Theatre Week here > Special ticket prices for London Theatre Week vary depending on the show for a wide selection of shows including long-running and new musicals Smash-hit musicals featured in London Theatre Week include: 101 Dalmatians at the Eventim Apollo; Back to the Future at the Adelphi Theatre; Bat Out of Hell: The Musical at the Peacock Theatre; Clueless The Musical at the Trafalgar Theatre; Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical at the New Wimbledon Theatre; Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre; Here We Are at the National Theatre – Lyttelton Theatre; Mamma Mia Acclaimed plays included in London Theatre Week The Witch And The Wardrobe at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre; The Little Prince at the London Coliseum; The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theatre; The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre; The Score at the Theatre Royal Haymarket; and Three Sisters at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse Top entertainment shows in London that are included in the promotion are: Cirque du Soleil: Corteo at the Royal Albert Hall; Musicals by Candlelight at the Actors Church Covent Garden; Oti Mabuse – Viva Carnival at the Adelphi Theatre; Sabrage at Lafayette; Same Dress Different Bodies Live at the London Palladium; Showstopper The Improvised Musical at the Cambridge Theatre; The Westway Sessions at the Vaudeville at the Vaudeville Theatre; TRASH at the Peacock Theatre; and Marisha Wallace in Concert at the Adelphi Theatre London Theatre Week brings together special prices on a host of West End and London shows London Theatre Week is running from Monday 17 February to Sunday 2 March 2025 London Theatre Week tickets are available to book now from our website plays and entertainment shows included in the promotion Book now for London Theatre Week > and moreYour hub for all things London theatre Welcome to your complete guide to West End theatre Whether you're at the beginning of planning your trip or you just want some more information on a booked show our series of guides will help you to navigate your way through this exciting and vibrant city From advice on what to wear and where to sit Dive in and learn more about what London's theatre scene has to offer Book West End shows on LondonTheatre.co.uk. Whether it's your first time in London or your tenth, there is so much to see on stage in this capital city. Discover the best musicals and plays in London with our handy guides, or check out which of your favourite celebrities can be seen on stage. From where to sit in the theatre to answering concerns about accessibility needs in West End venues, our guides provide helpful tips and advice for planning your perfect trip. Find out the best happy hours, afternoon tea spots, and pubs to bookend your theatre trips in the West End. Not sure on the difference between Soho, Leicester Square, and Covent Garden? Our guides break down what you can expect from each of these areas. Want to learn more about some of London's favourite shows? LondonTheatre.co.uk has you covered. Have you been humming along to a song ever since you left the theatre, but can't remember what it was called? We have you covered with our song guides to the West End's most exciting musicals. London's glitzy award ceremony for theatre occurs once a year and isn't an event to be missed. Find out how you can watch along as the stars of London's stages collect their awards. You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy Tom Millward The West End production of Wicked has released new production shots The award-winning musical features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz A post shared by WhatsOnStage (@whatsonstage) The 2025/26 company is completed by Iroy Abesamis Shaun Chambers (understudy Wizard and Dillamond) Jemma Revell (understudy Elphaba and Nessarose) James Titchener and Jacob Young (understudy Fiyero) with Michael McCabe serving as the executive producer for the UK production projection designs by Elaine J McCarthy and hair and wig designs by Tom Watson Music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire and Stephen Oremus with dance arrangements by James Lynn Abbott A record-breaking movie musical starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo bubbled into cinemas in November last year, with a second part due on 21 November 2025. As reported yesterday Wicked has now extended its run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre through to 31 May 2026 they have delighted audiences in London and around the country — and the world The brilliant Wicked movie is defying gravity with both cinema audiences and awards bodies — it’s a huge box office hit and it’s been nominated for 10 Academy Awards and Best Supporting Actress for Ariana Grande That makes it the perfect time to look back at Wicked’s incredible stage journey following that Yellow Brick Road all the way from its original San Francisco tryout in 2003 through Broadway Find out how this musical became so popular worldwide thanks to Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s thrillifying creative work and performers like Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth to make you green with envy Book Wicked tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk Schwartz and Holzman adapted Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel – a clever retelling of the Wizard of Oz story from the perspective of the misunderstood “wicked” witch Elphaba and ran a series of workshops with Stephanie J Block and Chenoweth in the lead roles Menzel was then cast as Elphaba instead (although Block took the part again later!) and she and Chenoweth starred in the San Franciso tryout in summer 2003 The team made some significant creative changes Wicked had its official Broadway premiere at the Gershwin Theatre on 30 October 2003 The cast also featured Norbert Leo Butz as Fiyero The show was an immediate hit with audiences and has continued to be a Broadway staple it’s currently the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history Nobody in the whole of Oz is ever gonna bring her down Menzel’s electrifying performance as Elphaba earned her the 2004 Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award – her co-star Chenoweth was also nominated and it also won awards for Eugene Lee’s scenic design and Susan Hilferty’s costumes Wicked won several Drama Desk Awards as well plus the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album and Wicked flew over the pond in 2006 to make its grand West End premiere at the Apollo Victoria Theatre on 27 September When Menzel finished her limited engagement Kerry Ellis became the first British Elphaba which was nominated for four Olivier Awards has proved just as big a hit with London audiences It is still going strong at the Apollo Victoria Wicked has followed the Yellow Brick Road from London all around the country in several major UK/Ireland tours It first went out on the road in September 2013 opening in Manchester and running until 2015 in Salford Wicked celebrated its 10th anniversary in a wonderful way: with the show’s first full Spanish adaptation Marco Villafán translated the book and lyrics and the 2013 production in Mexico City starred Ana Cecilia Anzaldúa and Danna Paola That’s not all: this global musical has also had productions in Japanese and social injustice have resonated powerfully in numerous different cultures The London production marked its big anniversary with a special gala performance on 27 September 2016 The theatre owners also gave it a very stylish present: a fabulous refurbishment of the venue returning the Apollo Victoria to its 1930s glory while upgrading facilities for a modern audience Alice Fearn) were joined at the anniversary party by Stephen Schwartz and original Broadway director Joe Mantello who proclaimed the London production “the jewel in our crown” Louis marked a significant milestone when they took to the Apollo Victoria stage on 7 March: it was the first time that the London production of Wicked starred performers of colour in both of the lead roles West End audiences have since been treated to an incredible run of Black excellence thanks to these two super-talented actresses Louis noted that getting to make history together made their Wicked experience “even more significant and special” especially in playing the sisterhood of Glinda and Elphaba Rejoicify! After years of fevered speculation, the all-star film adaption of Wicked was finally released on 3 November 2024. British musical theatre actress Cynthia Erivo plays Elphaba, alongside Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Dinklage, and a few familiar theatre faces... Jon M Chu’s blockbuster adaptation is a box office sensation (it’s the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of all time) with The Mousetrap (which has been going since 1952!) in the number one spot has never accepted limits – and on 24 April 2024 it officially became the 10th-longest-running show in the West End Executive producer Michael McCabe offered his heartfelt thanks to “the amazing audiences who have support and championed Wicked since its very first performance in 2006” There are more celebrations to come in 2026 when the London production of Wicked celebrates its 20th anniversary. Plus it was recently been announced that an intriguing new pairing will soon be seen in that black hat and floating bubble: Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen The Society of London Theatre and Westminster City Council have confirmed the dates for this year’s annual West End Live 2025 event The free celebration of West End theatre will once again take place in Trafalgar Square in Central London this year on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June 2025 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the musical theatre jamboree Thousands of theatre fans turn up for the free musical theatre event The timings of this year’s event are: Saturday 21 June The line-up for 2025 will be announced in May West End Live is partnering with Nimbus Disability and the Access Card and changing their accessible viewing areas and entrances West End Live is organised by Westminster City Council and the Society of London Theatre Four people taken to hospital after incident which police say was not terrorism-related A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after pedestrians were hit by a car in the West End of London in the early hours of Christmas Day The Metropolitan police said officers were called at 00.45am on Wednesday after reports of a collision and a car driving on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in Covent Garden Four pedestrians were taken to hospital with one in a life-threatening condition has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder Police said they believed the suspect was “involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement” They added that it had “been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related” Forensic officers have arrived at Shaftesbury Avenue Tourists in Soho have been stopping to look at the police cordon as blood was visible on the pavement opposite the Gielgud theatre located on Archer Street and Great Windmill Street covers the Windmill Soho nightclub and other venues in the city centre Deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Cundy said: “Officers responded quickly to this report working closely with City of London police to arrest a man within minutes “Detectives are quickly progressing inquiries as part of this investigation “It’s believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement “Several scenes remain in place at the location today “This has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.” Anyone with information is asked to call officers on 101 Home » News » Industry » Experiences are key to growth in London’s West End UK: The Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA) has released a report which examines the experience sector in the West End of London and its contribution to the economy.  HOLBA was the first Business Improvement District (BID) established in central London The Heart of London area consists of three subdistricts: Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus; Piccadilly and Jermyn Street; and St Martin’s Lane area.  these areas host popular tourist and cultural attractions and is worth more than £10 billion annually to the UK’s economy.  HOLBA’s latest report  – Unlocking the Experience Economy: Driving Growth in the West End – reveals that consumers in the UK are prioritising experiences over traditional purchases This demographic spent 67 per cent more than the national average between July and September 2024.   The report builds on insights from the Quarterly Real Estate Insights Report which shows that during the same period last year the area attracted 22.6 million visitors of which 14.4 million were domestic and 8.2 million were international the area experienced a 6.7 per cent increase in footfall.    HOLBA’s analysis shows that commercial occupancy rates in the Heart of London area were at 97.3 per cent while restaurants and other hospitality venues had a 100 per cent occupancy rate.   Hotels also reported a 4.5 per cent increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2023 as well as increases in occupancy rates (ranging from 1.7-2.0 per cent) More than £370 million in investment in hotel refurbishments has also been identified over the next few years as well as more than 41,000 square feet of potential development of new casino space. Real estate and public realm developments in areas such as Leicester Square Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus are also on the horizon.  chief executive of HOLBA said: “We are at a crucial moment where a unified framework and vision for the experience economy is essential to sustaining this vital sector’s growth Our report clearly identifies the challenges policymakers so we are now in a position where we can work with key stakeholders to drive solutions Our goal is to strengthen the West End’s position as a global commercial and cultural powerhouse—open for investment and powering the UK economy forward.”  said: “The West End has been London’s entertainment capital for over 150 years As a cornerstone of the experience economy it remains a vital destination for unique and memorable experiences Events and research like this are invaluable for uniting the business community and driving continued investment in our city.”    Opportunities to expand the experience economy in the area • Offering short-term leases for experiential pop-ups to retailers • Utilising the public realm to create unique experiences.  • Investing in technology and bridging the gap between the physical and virtual • Collaborating across sectors to create innovative concepts.  To download the full Experience Economy report, click here.  Serviced Apartment Awards Urban Living Festival Reading Time: 2 minutes UK: The Beaumont Mayfair has appointed Lisa Goodwin-Allen as culinary director as the hotel prepares to launch its new restaurant Rosi known more for their turns on screen than on stage Brody gave an interview where he explained he was on the standard Donmar wage and was living in a flat above the rehearsal room you’re living in the attic and you’re working in the basement and you don’t leave and nobody brings you lunch,” he said “You go out and you’ll get a sandwich at Tesco and you munch it down and try to absorb all this material and try to represent so much And you’re with 10 other people doing the same.” Then he explained why he was putting up with that I found it to be very gratifying – somewhat frightening Billy Porter in the latest cast of Cabaret says they do it because it’s the true test of talent “It's the way actors learn they want to be an actor — four years old then drama school where they focus on stage,” she explains So it’s the ultimate adrenaline buzz – the risk Some Hollywood actors acknowledge that it is not necessarily going to work The reviews aren't always guaranteed to say 'Hollywood stars turned up We love it.' They find that exciting.” But Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Debicki – who’s joining Ewan McGregor in My Master Builder – could surely find a gig in New York says that London is the global capital of drama right now “There is a real market and demand for drama here,” she explains Now we’re getting pretty good at them as well We have a great reputation in the West End our design teams from sets to costumes are the best in the world and an audience with a real hunger We also have beautiful theatres and we’re building more with innovative designs that let directors experiment and innovate we have a flourishing spread of well-informed and thoughtful critics.” as Burns and Vaughan-Barratt both point out Sigourney Weaver’s West End debut in The Tempest was almost universally panned One review’s headline simply read "Taxi for Sigourney Weaver." For audiences that can add a frisson of gladiatorial joy – what if this big screen legend can’t cut it on stage Her character is a flamboyant and slightly ham actor with Blanchett over-egging the performance for all she was worth in the first half When it came to a critical moment – she was pleading with her lover not to leave her for a 20 year old – Blanchett delivered her speech in an overly dramatic way then took off her microphone and repeated the entire speech with such pain in her voice it was staggering That’s the luxury West End audiences are enjoying this year you can really feel that her talent is undeniable when you watch her on stage She's one of the most skilled stage actors I've ever seen That’s why I can’t wait to see Gary Oldman or Martin Freeman this year “The important subtext to many of these shows – like John Lithgow in Giant for instance – is how they grew and developed in subsidised theatre,” Burns points out “The tradition of great theatre writing in the UK goes back to the 16th century but it’s as strong today thanks to the Arts Council supporting our subsidised sector That allows new writers and artists to develop and established ones to experiment Nowhere else has that very special ecosystem.” All of this was on show at the Oliver Awards ceremony at a packed Royal Albert Hall Sheila Atim and Papa Essiedu took turns on the green carpet in the evening sunshine you could briefly be forgiven for wondering if this was the West End or the West Coast Book tickets to Olivier Award-winning shows on LondonTheatre.co.uk Photo credit: Cate Blanchett, Adrien Brody, Brie Larson, Vanessa Williams, John Lithgow. (Photos courtesy of production) Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries Afternoon tea at The Grill Room is one of London's loveliest treats When it comes to food, London's West End district in the city center doesn’t have the best reputation. Popular with tourists due to the big attractions scattered around the area and packed with major theatre productions locals tend to associate it with overpriced and underseasoned food that you grab on the go one-third of whom were born outside the UK Thousands travel into the West End daily to work and play and they’ve got to eat somewhere My immigrant parents recognised this simple fact and in the 1980s we opened a Chinese takeaway in Covent Garden On weekends we would exchange meals with neighboring Indian and Caribbean restaurants, and we routinely held all our big family gatherings in Chinatown. When Christmas rolled around Mom would splurge on dinner at a fancy hotel to ensure the most picturesque family photos Admittedly, the West End is not the most budget-friendly part of London. After all, it's home to the city's poshest neighborhoods, most iconic attractions, museums and theaters I’ve fine-dined and partied across the city for decades thanks to TopTable deals (aka the 2000s' Groupon) media invitations when I worked in television and opting out of a pension plan completely (not recommended) All this personal experience has given me a shortlist of tried-and-tested spots, so visiting friends never find themselves eating at chain restaurants in Leicester Square or tourist traps by Buckingham Palace These are my favorite places to eat in the West End right now If I’m alone and catching up on work, then I’ll go to The Hoxton, Holborn for Rondo so bring a book and enjoy the morning at leisure The Full English breakfast  is so filling I’ll usually skip lunch go for their organic porridge with banana and agave or their farm-fresh eggs with sourdough toast How to get it: Rondo opens at 7am and walk-ins are welcome My favorite place for breakfast with company is The Riding House Café including Fitzrovia (tube stop: Oxford Circus) If I’m feeling indulgent I’ll do the malted deep-dish pancakes otherwise it’s always the large eggs Benedict with Kassler ham.  How to get it: Breakfast is served from 7:30am on weekdays; Bloody Marys are served from 10am Russell Square is such a gorgeous stroll but before you enter, stop at the red phone box at its east entrance. Inside there’s a cafe called Walkmisù (tube stop: Russell Square) and the best thing about it is the homemade tiramisu They have rotational flavors beyond the classic Many museum cafés in Central London are worth visiting for coffee. Try Espresso Bar by Muriel's in The National Gallery (tube stop: Trafalgar Square); Café Bar in The Photographer’s Gallery (tube stop: Oxford Circus); or the Courtyard Café in The Wallace Collection (tube stop: Bond Street) How to get it: The phone box is only open Friday to Sunday I’ve been going to Wong Kei since the 1990s The Chinatown fixture (tube stop: Leicester Square) is notorious for "rude" service with absolutely no frills and no small talk sit down (you might have to share a table) and order their big bowl of juicy won-ton noodle soup For something quirky, visit Fitzrovia's Attendant (tube stop: Goodge Street) a tiny coffee bar located within a former Victorian men’s public toilet (yes it still has all the original porcelain urinals and floor tiles it’s all squeaky clean – there’s been no peeing here for over half a century The team uses seasonal espresso blends from their roastery and the brew is rich and aromatic.  How to get it: The lavatory is open to customers from 8am to 5pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends Reservations aren't accepted; it's first-come As this is London, you can't visit without spilling the tea over afternoon tea. I like Mariage Frères (tube stop: Covent Garden) because their first floor salon de thé is so ornate and the view over King Street is great for people-watching Try the signature Marco Polo black if it’s your first time How to get it: The salon de thé is open from midday to 7pm If you'd like to purchase some tea to enjoy at home the counter is open from 10:30am to 7:30pm Craving Peking duck? Mom and I go to Chop Chop, in the basement of Hippodrome Casino. The papers say it’s the best roast duck in the world, and while we disagree (we’ve been to Beijing!) it is the best we’ve eaten in Central London How to get it: Open from 6pm to 4am every day My most beloved pub is Audley Public House (tube stop: Bond St) this beautiful listed building has a colorful ceiling designed by London artist Phyllida Barlow The bar serves beer from an independent supplier in Battersea called Sambrook’s Brewery but you’ll get all your liquor mainstays too How to get it: Rock up anytime between 11am and 11:30pm The menu expands to include a roast dinner on Sunday – food service starts at midday This part of London has the best Japanese food in the capital. For casual eating, try the hearty bento boxes from Tokyo Diner (tube stop: Leicester Square) A bit more upmarket is Roketsu (tube stop: Marble Arch) nine-course Kaiseki dining experience each evening that's centered around dashi (Japanese soup stock) How to get it: No reservation is required at Tokyo Diner It's open between 5pm and 11pm; closed on Mondays How to get it: Dinner is served at CUT between 6pm and 10pm There isn't a strict dress code but it's wise to leave the shorts and sportswear at home Every visitor I take to Cahoots (tube stop: Oxford Circus) has a brilliant time but then who doesn't love a 1940s-themed cocktail bar in an abandoned train station There are three rooms comprising a ticket hall a signal station and my favorite: a tube carriage The cocktails are so creative and come in funky mugs like the Winston Churchill made from Bombay Sapphire gin tropical fassionola syrup and topped with pink grapefruit soda How to get it: Come on Friday and Saturday nights for live music and themed events This is the kind of high tea you keep for special occasions – The Grill Room at Café Royal (tube stop: Piccadilly Circus) Frequented by Oscar Wilde and Princess Diana it's housed within a majestic Grade-II-listed golden boudoir and it’s only an extra £11 (US$14) to add champagne How to get it: Café Royal is open for afternoon tea daily between midday and 7:30pm Reservations are advised as it gets very busy especially during the festive season.  Friendly Society in Soho (tube: Piccadilly Circus) is a classic LGBTIQ+ hangout. As the name suggests, I’ve stepped outside with armies of new pals over the years. The crowd is diverse and they play music that makes you smile. The more you drink, the trippier the kitsch decor of disco balls and Barbie heads seems to get. How to get it: The entrance to this basement bar is in Tisbury Court, just off Wardour Street. Doors open at 4pm daily. Tony and Emmy Award-winner Sean Hayes will bring his Tony Award-winning performance in Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Doug Wright’s Good Night Direct from a critically acclaimed Broadway run the Will & Grace star will make his West End debut as Hollywood Golden Age concert pianist in the production which will play a strictly limited seven-week season at the Barbican Theatre from 31 July until 21 September Commenting on his eagerness to bring the show which earned him his first Tony Award Hayes said: “It’s thrilling to be making my West End debut at the Barbican this summer with Good Night I’m eager to introduce one of the all-time greats The response we received on Broadway was incredible and I’m hoping British audiences will appreciate the history of this fascinating man – a multi-faceted pioneer from concert pianist to infamous raconteur It’s an honour to bring this production to London.” Oscar was one of my very happiest Broadway experiences and a richly satisfying collaboration with the celebrated Sean Hayes and our director Lisa Peterson indefatigable whirlwind that was Oscar Levant to London audiences Producer Howard Panter added: “We are delighted to be bringing Good Night Following the huge success of our previous summer productions the Barbican summer has become a highly anticipated fixture in London’s theatrical calendar Oscar alongside our recently announced Fiddler on the Roof this season once again promises world-class storytelling and unforgettable performances.” said: “We are delighted that major Broadway hit will be part of the Barbican’s summer season this year Along with the transfer of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s glorious production of Fiddler on the Roof we are thrilled to offer this terrific double bill of theatrical magic to our audiences brought to our stage by our partners Trafalgar Theatre Productions.” Centered on a fictionalised 1950s episode of the late-night US talk show The Tonight Show featuring Levant with host Jack Paar Further casting and the full creative team will be confirmed at a later date The winners have been announced for the 2025 OffWestEnd Awards (Offies) which celebrate Off-West End theatre in London.  was held at Central Hall Westminster in London produced by former Society of London Theatre head and producer of the Olivier Awards The awards were hosted by Divina De Campo, with performances including Mischief Comedy, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, West End star Frances Ruffelle, and Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream winner and current star of White Rose The nominations were announced in January and the winners include a diverse array of emerging grassroots talent and stars of stage and screen performing across London’s Off-West End venues.  New for 2025 has been a change in their awards process with a category-less model aiming to create a more dynamic and transparent way of recognising theatre. Nearly 600 productions at over 100 venues were assessed for the awards using a three-tier assessment process to narrow down the list to the following nominees.  A number of London venues came in with multiple wins Shifters first produced at the Bush Theatre and then transferred into the West End’s Duke of York’s Theatre including for actors Heather Agyepong and Tosin Cole Lynette Linton and Daniel Bailey were honoured for their work at the Bush Theatre, while Mischief Theatre (The Play That Goes Wrong) was recognised for a decade of success in London and the West End Nowhere else is there an awards system of this scale and rigour – assessing thousands of shows across hundreds of venues through an unparalleled cohort of assessors These assessors – practitioners and enthusiasts alike – make the Offies the most deeply embedded theatre network in existence.” No city has as flagrant a disregard for its own culture as London is not an arts cinema with those leather sofas where people bring you bottles of chilled white wine it is famous for its all-night movie marathons (pyjamas and pillows) and its unusual levels of audience interaction from “Sing-Along-a-Rocky Horror” to “Solve-Along-a-Murder She Wrote” where punters raise miniature placards of Jessica Fletcher’s face at suspicious moments the audience joined arms for the burning of Edward Woodward and sang “Summer Is Icumen In” Under every seat was a paper bag containing a red liquorice bootlace to be eaten at the moment the missing girl’s “naval string” was found hanging on a tree The Prince Charles, beloved of Quentin Tarantino, has its roots in London’s long tradition of freaky cinema. It should certainly be what they call an “asset of community value” being the only place in London where you can catch a mainstream movie you missed or take your child to see Home Alone as part of its sell-out December season a staple of Christmas for people who cannot afford The Nutcracker At the end of January, the company that owns the cinema’s freehold – run by the 58-year-old billionaire Asif Aziz, once the subject of a Times piece that asked if he was “the meanest landlord in Britain” – demanded a six-month break clause in the lease the world’s first YMCA – on nearby Great Russell Street – also bought by Aziz was closed after a desperate attempt by locals to save it The Prince Charles Cinema started a petition in response to the threat to its future which received 150,000 signatures in 24 hours was something familiar to Londoners – what I like to call the metaphorical packing of the bindle: “Right like Dick Whittington: there is nothing left for us here.” The second reaction was: where is Sadiq Why isn’t Labour speaking about this rapacious gutting of London’s heartland Aziz bought the Trocadero in 2009 and closed it down converting the 19th-century building into 700 sleeping cocoons without windows some of which are as small as 7m sq (the Zedwell Hotel Piccadilly Circus) these budget cocoons retail at £203 per night Aziz acquired the freehold for the Prince Charles in 2022 for just £13m and the firm’s accounts now state that the property “is being redesigned to be used as a hotel” Any such development will be referred to the Mayor of London He has been pictured smiling with Sadiq Khan when his charitable organisation the Aziz Foundation funded the Ramadan Nights festival and his company is one of the supporting partners that make up “Team London” in the Mayor’s Opportunity London scheme a collaboration with property developers and “business improvement districts” The copy on the Zedwell Hotels website celebrates the history of the places that have been destroyed There is a page about the Trocadero mentioning the four theatres it housed “Sadly… we have been reduced to a blog portal that informs you about the similar places you can visit,” it says even odder: “London is among the top places in the world where one can see the ancestral way of life intact…”  This kind of talk embodies the slide into mindless acceptance that accompanies London’s property development: the sense that everything has its time But I am not nostalgic about the Prince Charles Cinema a venue which sold 250,000 tickets in 2024 Every show I have attended there in recent months has been sold out while I have often been the only customer at screens in the multiplexes next door for comment and her office said they can’t speak out on a matter between the cinema and its landlord “City Hall is currently in touch with the operators of the cinema to explore what we can do to support them and encourages all parties to come to the table to find a resolution.” Aziz’s foundation has funded £77,000 worth of internships in the offices of Labour MPs: a conflict of interest for the party It is absolutely possible to change planning policy tax breaks and power dynamics with developers You won’t get Labour criticising any London building work given the need for new homes and the state of the rest of the country To which I’d say: we need special attention – because no city in the UK has developers with the same flagrant disregard for its own culture as London As the journalist Jim Waterson pointed out at the end of January the Prince Charles is one of the few places remaining in the West End of London with a deep meaning to Londoners My friends and I were students at the University of London 20 years ago the BT Tower our way to work out where home was There was a late-night bar built in to a brothel on Archer Street; the Africa Club in Covent Garden its rum and Coke served by an elderly couple; the tiny blues bar in Denmark street built in a 17th-century forge; heavy metal at the Intrepid Fox The centre of town was the spine of our cultural experience as the Instagrammable temples of consumption replaced them My friends and I still head to the West End like homing pigeons whenever we want to feel alive We move through the streets feeling the buzz the comfort and the energy – even while the high We are reduced to portals that inform you about similar places you can visit Can you see the ancestral way of life intact?”  I’ve watched as tourists stare at the giant screen outside the Outernet which destroyed part of Denmark Street: one Sunday afternoon it showed eBay items you could point your phone at and buy on the spot the tiny little comedy pub opposite that has survived all the changes I’ve told myself: they haven’t destroyed it all – you can still see plays and shows in the West End… That’s how the mind is slowly recalibrated by the actions of London’s developers and the failure of the state to stand in their way: towards loss It is not enough to say that the Prince Charles is an anomaly [See also: The costs of Labour’s growth boosterism] This article appears in the 12 Feb 2025 issue of the New Statesman, The Reformation What do we actually mean when we say \"The West End?\" We all know it's the world capital of theatre and the home of all things musical (sorry not sorry Broadway) but what actually defines this historic and cultural heartland to be officially counted as a West End theatre the venue must sit on select London streets Shaftesbury Avenue and The Strand – although there is some wiggle room the West End has 39 official theatres but it all started with the Theatre Royal Drury Lane which first opened in 1663 Originally known as the Theatre Royal in Bridges Street the venue was built on the orders of Restoration dramatist Thomas Killigrew and King Charles II’s famous mistress Nell Gwynn is said to have performed on its stage Nowadays the theatre is still known for hosting the most famous names of the day – often a Hollywood stay looking to cut their teeth in Shakespeare in fact (looking at you Tom Holland) – while others prioritise launching the latest rom-com musical or a new hidden gem (Operation Mincemeat is a classic example) dozens more theatres have sprung up from the London cobblestones from the giant Apollo Victoria Theatre with over 2,000 seats you won't be surprised to learn the some of the West End's staple shows have been around for a long time you'll find a list of the top 20 longest running West End shows We've also got a roundup of the top 10 oldest shows still running to this day Here's a list of the top 20 longest-running West End shows of all time Not just the longest-running play in the West End but the longest-running play in THE WORLD Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has had a home in London for over 70 years having first opened in 1952 – that's more than 28,000 performances the show has had an astonishing 460 actors and actresses starring in it who holds the Guinness World Record for ‘Most Durable Actor’ with 4,575 performances as Major Metcalf and Nancy Seabrooke who served a record-breaking 15 years as an understudy Monday to Saturday at the Sondheim Theatre Although well behind The Mousetrap in years Les Misérables still holds the title for world's longest-running musical The beloved Boublil and Schonberg show has now been seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries but it's at the West End where you really get to see the magic unfold How long has The Phantom of the Opera been running When and where can I see The Phantom of the Opera Monday to Saturday at His Majesty's Theatre Just on the heels of Les Mis is Andrew Lloyd-Webber's most loved musical Telling the haunting story of a mysterious man hiding in a Paris Opera House this classic show has accrued over 70 major theatre awards and still contains one of the highest sung notes in musical theatre: an E6 performed by the actress who plays Christine we can only thank ABBA for the music and lay all our love on Judy Craymer for bringing this sparkling stage show to life this show has brought joy to dancing queens all over the world and even became the first became the first Western musical ever to be staged in the People’s Republic of China The show currently features Stevie Doc as Sophie and Tobias Turley as Sky who were chosen from the reality TV series Mamma Mia How long has Disney’s The Lion King been running When and where can I see Disney’s The Lion King The Lion King has been performed over 9,000 times in the UK and is also Broadway's 4th longest-running show With a heart-breaking story and music written by Elton John and Tim Rice the beloved Disney film comes with an endless list of iconic songs How long has Starlight Express been running When and where can I see Starlight Express Wednesday to Sunday at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express is back on the West End and now playing at the specially designed Starlight Auditorium at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre Starlight Express is performed entirely on roller-skates an old child's train set which magically comes to life and decides to compete for the crown of 'Fastest engine in the World!' The show first ran from 1984 to 2002 but has now been revived for a new run Buy Starlight Express tickets at Ticketmaster Tuesday to Sunday at Apollo Victoria Theatre The popularity of this musical defies gravity. Wicked, the re-told story of The Wizard of Oz, has won over 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award. The show is now being made into a film and has been seen by over 12 million people in London alone When and where can I see Matilda The Musical Matilda is a delightful family musical with fun songs gorgeous set pieces and a surprising number of daring stunts Following the same story as the Roald Dahl novel How long has The Play That Goes Wrong been running When and where can I see The Play That Goes Wrong The Play that Goes Wrong is the West End's longest-running comedy that took the country by storm in 2012 slapstick masterpiece been to Broadway and back and spawned several spin-offs including Peter Pan Goes Wrong and A Comedy About a Bank Robbery How long has The Book of Mormon been running When and where can I see The Book of Mormon Monday to Saturday at Prince of Wales Theatre The Book of Mormon is a hilarious musical satire brought to you by the creators of South Park a rising star in the Mormon church who struggles with his faith after being sent to Uganda the original cast recording became the fastest-selling Broadway cast album in the history of iTunes and shot to the top 5 of the Billboard 200 charts Buy The Book of Mormon tickets at TodayTix For all things West End, check out our Going Out section. We've got the best West End shows, best kids theatre shows and how do TodayTix Rush tickets work Check out our Clueless musical review. These long-running West End shows make you realise how young Broadway isThe West End has a long you won't be surprised to learn the some of the West End's staple shows have been around for a long time That's what we're here to answer you'll find a list of the top 20 longest running West End shows We've also got a roundup of the top 10 oldest shows still running to this day Here's a list of the top 20 longest-running West End shows of all time Eric Harlow/Mirrorpix via Getty ImagesHow long has The Mousetrap been running Monday to Saturday at St Martin's Theatre Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap has had a home in London for over 70 years having first opened in 1952 – that's more than 28,000 performances Deen Van MeerHow long has Les Misérables been running Les Misérables still holds the title for world's longest-running musical but it's at the West End where you really get to see the magic unfold Johan PerssonHow long has The Phantom of the Opera been running Monday to Saturday at His Majesty's Theatre Just on the heels of Les Mis is Andrew Lloyd-Webber's most loved musical Brinkhoff-MoegenburgHow long has Mamma Mia GettyImages/Ralf-Finn HestoftHow long has Disney’s The Lion King been running and is also Broadway's 4th longest-running show McCormack / Stringer/ GettyHow long has Starlight Express been running an old child's train set which magically comes to life and decides to compete for the crown of 'Fastest engine in the World!' The show first ran from 1984 to 2002 but has now been revived for a new run Buy Starlight Express tickets at Ticketmaster Nicky J Sims/Getty ImagesHow long has Wicked been running The popularity of this musical defies gravity. Wicked, the re-told story of The Wizard of Oz, has won over 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards, two Olivier Awards, a Grammy Award. The show is now being made into a film and has been seen by over 12 million people in London alone Matilda The MusicalHow long has Wicked been running London Theatre DirectHow long has The Play That Goes Wrong been running The Play that Goes Wrong is the West End's longest-running comedy that took the country by storm in 2012 TodayTixHow long has The Book of Mormon been running Buy The Book of Mormon tickets at TodayTix For all things West End, check out our Going Out section. We've got the best West End shows, best kids theatre shows and how do TodayTix Rush tickets work Check out our Clueless musical review Don't let the stress of Central London put you off a night at the theatre There's no denying that a night at the theatre can be the most magical and there's always a piece of etiquette you seem to have forgotten but someone in the stands is sure to remind you of That's all before you take on the beast that is Central London at night – after all not all of us are adept at sidling through crowds or standing outside a pub in five-degree weather With that in mind, our Going Out team has put together this list of handy tips and tricks to make your night at the West End easier From how to get the cheapest ticket prices to clothing tips and when to time your meal this guide will give you the hacks you need for a stress-free evening we've reviewed over 30 London theatre shows and trust us not all of those visits were smooth sailing so allow us to share our wisdom and mistakes with you now For recommendations on what to go see, here's how you can see the 2025 Olivier award winners we'd suggest taking a look at TodayTix's Rush Tickets Rush tickets are last-minute seats that you can buy for a theatre performance going on that evening They go on sale at 10am each morning and are available on a first-come first-serve basis – so you really have to be quick if you want to grab a seat – and the number on sale and where they are in the theatre is subject to the availability of that evening's performance But they're so worth it as most Rush seats cost around £25 per person The price of the ticket depends on the base price for the show right now the base price for Wicked is £33 Shop TodayTix Rush tickets SeatPlan is a brilliant website which has over 250,000 photos of theatre seat views All you have to do is pick the show of your choice and an image preview will pop up showing you what your view will be like This is a great way of ensuring the seat you're picking is worth the money and you won't have a stray pillar blocking the view Shop theatre tickets at SeatPlan Covent Garden tube station is slap bang in the middle of the West End it's also known for its 193 steps which you are advised not to go up that just leaves the option of the lifts which always have very long queues in rush hour Leicester Square is the next stop on from Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line or you can get on a different line to Charing Cross They're specifically for theatre-goers with limited time and there are dozens of restaurants that offer them Most theatre shows start at 7-7:30pm so you'll want to aim for a 5:30-6:00 dinner Try and pick a restaurant that's near to your theatre and remember to book in advance The question of when to arrive is always disputed but to be honest as long as you're in your seat before the lights go down it doesn't matter That being said if you want time to get a drink then we'd suggest arriving at least 20 minutes to half an hour before It is a truth universally acknowledged that there must always be a massive queue for the theatre toilet The fact is a lot of the West End's oldest venues have just one or two cubicles to their name (Trafalgar Theatre is particularly guilty of this) the best we can do is suggest you go as soon as you arrive at the theatre to get it out the way Try not to go in the interval if you can help it and don't be afraid to leave your section to seek out quieter toilets – normally the quietest toilets can be found further up the building Most London theatres now offer a pre-order service for drinks during the interval All you have to do is go to the bar before the show starts and place your order You'll then be notified where to collect your items which will be ready and waiting for you when the interval starts This hack means there's no need to scramble for the bar as soon as the first act ends try not to carry a big bag or anything bulky Obviously this isn't always possible if you're coming straight from work with a backpack but just remember some of the West End's theatres are very small and have very little leg room Arts theatre and Fortune theatre in particular have limited space while there's less of a worry for the bigger or newer theatres like the London Coliseum There is no official dress code for a night at the theatre although smart-casual is the word most often thrown around Our top tip would be to just dress comfortably as you'll be sitting for at least two hours; skirts and looser trousers would probably be preferable over a pair of tight jeans It would also be best to take a cardigan or jumper with you – some of those older theatres are a bit drafty and you don't want to be shivering by the end of it Everyone has experienced the embarrassment of a sudden coughing fit so just try and be prepared with water and possibly a tube of cough drops That way you won't interrupt any dramatic moments or aggravate the people around you Rustling snacks in the theatre is a big no-no Our advice: skip the Minstrels altogether and wait for the ice cream Serving ice cream in the interval is a long-standing West End tradition that began in Victorian times and isn't something you'll find in Broadway or other countries set yourself a challenge of trying all the different flavours Just be prepared to go to battle with the flimsy wooden spoon You can also take a look at our wide range of reviews, like the Clueless musical review, The Seagull review and the longest-running West End shows. 11 theatre hacks for a stress-free evening at the West EndDon't let the stress of Central London put you off a night at the theatre and there's always a piece of etiquette you seem to have forgotten but someone in the stands is sure to remind you of That's all before you take on the beast that is Central London at night – after all not all of us are adept at sidling through crowds or standing outside a pub in five-degree weather With that in mind, our Going Out team has put together this list of handy tips and tricks to make your night at the West End easier we've reviewed over 30 London theatre shows and trust us For recommendations on what to go see, here's how you can see the 2025 Olivier award winners we'd suggest taking a look at TodayTix's Rush Tickets first-serve basis – so you really have to be quick if you want to grab a seat – and the number on sale and where they are in the theatre is subject to the availability of that evening's performance But they're so worth it as most Rush seats cost around £25 per person Shop TodayTix Rush tickets SeatPlan is a brilliant website which has over 250,000 photos of theatre seat views This is a great way of ensuring the seat you're picking is worth the money and you won't have a stray pillar blocking the view Shop theatre tickets at SeatPlan it's also known for its 193 steps which you are advised not to go up They're specifically for theatre-goers with limited time and there are dozens of restaurants that offer them Most theatre shows start at 7-7:30pm so you'll want to aim for a 5:30-6:00 dinner Try and pick a restaurant that's near to your theatre and remember to book in advance as long as you're in your seat before the lights go down it doesn't matter then we'd suggest arriving at least 20 minutes to half an hour before The fact is a lot of the West End's oldest venues have just one or two cubicles to their name (Trafalgar Theatre is particularly guilty of this) and don't be afraid to leave your section to seek out quieter toilets – normally the quietest toilets can be found further up the building GettyMost London theatres now offer a pre-order service for drinks during the interval You'll then be notified where to collect your items which will be ready and waiting for you when the interval starts This hack means there's no need to scramble for the bar as soon as the first act ends Obviously this isn't always possible if you're coming straight from work with a backpack but just remember some of the West End's theatres are very small and have very little leg room Arts theatre and Fortune theatre in particular have limited space while there's less of a worry for the bigger or newer theatres like the London Coliseum Our top tip would be to just dress comfortably as you'll be sitting for at least two hours; skirts and looser trousers would probably be preferable over a pair of tight jeans It would also be best to take a cardigan or jumper with you – some of those older theatres are a bit drafty and you don't want to be shivering by the end of it That way you won't interrupt any dramatic moments or aggravate the people around you and isn't something you'll find in Broadway or other countries You can also take a look at our wide range of reviews, like the Clueless musical review, The Seagull review and the longest-running West End shows The critically acclaimed Fiddler on the Roof which enjoyed a sold-out run at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre transfers to London’s Barbican Theatre for a limited eight-week season from 24 May to 19 July 2025 Featuring iconic songs such as ‘If I Were A Rich Man’ and ‘Tradition’ this celebrated production continues the Barbican’s partnership with Trafalgar Theatre Productions It is led by the powerhouse creative team of director Jordan Fein (Oklahoma! choreographer Julia Cheng (Cabaret) and designer Tom Scutt (Winner of the 2024 Tony Award for Cabaret) Theatre charity Acting for Others has announced the return of its annual West End Flea Market the Flea Market will once again take place at St Paul’s Church and Churchyard in Covent Garden Last year, the event raised over £80,000 for Acting for Others Early bird tickets will be on sale in April with the general on-sale date will be announced at a later date Some of the biggest West End shows come together for the event setting up a variety of uniquely designed stalls offering theatrical memorabilia There is also a Best Dressed Stall competition Acting for Others is also back with its Golden Bucket Awards on Thursday 10 April 2025 The awards celebrate the supporters and fundraisers who have been crucial in raising funds for the charity since its inception in 2020 Also back this year is The Big West End Walk Last year’s event raised over £4,000 for Acting for Others and this year’s walk will take place on Sunday 7 September 2025 West End stars and famous faces will take to the streets to join the Acting for Others team in walking to 58 West End theatres covering 16 miles across London Further fundraising events for Acting for Others include Players: All the World’s a Stage and Bravo for Dan Players: All the World’s a Stage is a free art exhibition created by Christine Youldon celebrating the art of theatre through portraits of talent both on stage and behind the scenes Mall Galleries from 18 – 22 March 2025 All profits from the sale of the paintings and catalogue will be donated to Acting for Others Bravo for Dan is an event set up by acting student Tash Collins in remembrance of her dad Dan who was a long-time supporter of the arts and will be raising funds for Acting for Others The evening will feature a Night of Performances monologues to dance from Tash’s cohort at Boden’s Performing Arts College with the event taking place on Tuesday 11 March 2025 at Boden’s Performing Arts College Acting for Others’ podcast series Backstage Curry Increase in revenues offset by rise in costs at musical theatre company The producer of hit West End shows including Hamilton Mary Poppins and Les Misérables has reported a dip in profits as cost increases more than offset an increase in revenues which runs eight venues in the West End of London including the Noël Coward and Prince of Wales theatres reported profits of £43.2m for the year to the end of March 2024 down on the £45.4m it made in the previous 12 months who started out as a stagehand in the West End has amassed an estimated £1.25bn fortune spinning a hugely successful producing career into a musical theatre empire The business credited the performance of productions including Les Misérables The Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon in the UK and overseas markets which opened in Manchester in November 2023 The huge popularity of star-studded shows such as Hamilton, which has prices as high as £300, has fuelled a surge in ticket prices. For the most in-demand West End shows, the average top ticket price rose by 50% between 2023 and 2024 “All key titles owned by the company are proving to be more in demand than ever and many productions are planned for the next few years,” the company said in filings submitted to Companies House “Since the balance sheet date, the three principal activities of the group – the production and management of theatrical shows throughout the world, the operation, restoration and refurbishments of eight theatres in the West End of London and the worldwide exploitation of secondary theatrical rights have traded profitably.” Cameron Mackintosh started out as a stagehand and went on to become a producer of hit West End shows and theatre tycoon Photograph: Matt Crossick/Rex/ShutterstockThe company revenues decline in its UK and Europe operation which accounts for more than half of total turnover declines in these markets were more than offset by an almost 30% increase in income from North America thanks to productions including Les Misérables Despite the overall increase in group revenues Free daily newsletterGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning The company’s total cost of sales rose from £94.5m to £106m and the average number of staff across the year grew from 1,074 to 1,136 While total staff costs rose from £62m to £76m the company said it was maintaining margins which may have been helped by ticket price increases The company also said spending by theatregoers beyond the initial purchase of their tickets had increased “Secondary spend per head increased while margins and costs have been controlled,” it said “The future of all areas of the business is expected to be extremely strong.” Mackintosh built his fortune by producing the original performances of Les Misérables This enabled him to move into theatre ownership, with eight venues in London. He also owns a controlling stake in Music Theatre International the largest owner of amateur Broadway theatre rights in the world Knighted in 1996 for services to British theatre 2027 will mark Mackintosh’s 60th year in the industry opened at the Kenton theatre in Henley-on-Thames in June 1967 Check out our guide to new shows opening in London and the West End in 2025 A huge number of new London shows are scheduled to open during 2025 There’s everything from Broadway transfers to home-grown British musicals We will continue to add to this list as more shows start booking Also check out our All Shows playing in London in 2025 transforming the West End to celebrate International Women’s Day Culture and they’ll probably tell you that they don’t have enough time or energy to see as much art as they’d like the good news is that there’s a handy cheat: in just a few days time Art of London’s Art After Dark is turning the West End into a gigantic exhibition space making it a one-stop shop for would-be culture vultures The spectacular seasonal event – running from Thursday 6 to Saturday 8 March and later this year in October – supports its mission to showcase a ‘gallery without walls’ in the capital with three nights of free late-night gallery openings and a clutch of exclusive restaurant offers to celebrate the occasion All eyes will be on the West End over three days as the area becomes an immersive experience courtesy of award-winning multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian Referred to as the ‘Willy Wonka of design and science’ her sensory masterpiece Piccadilly Un:Plugged invites you to disconnect from everyday life and ponder the mysteries of the universe Inspired by the district’s vibrant culture the 360-degree exhibition will reflect on astronomy outer space and environmentalism through surrealist art – and it’s also the ideal spectacle to whet your appetite for March’s partial solar eclipse Visitors to Piccadilly Un:Plugged can look forward to asteroid-sized moon rocks scattered across Piccadilly Circus a pair of towering inflatable sculptures inspired by Schrödinger’s famous quantum physics thought experiment and an otherworldly soundscape that seemingly connects planet Earth with the moon courtesy of a partnership with Jodrell Bank observatory It’s all guaranteed to inspire awe and wonder This allows you to discover up to 20 galleries on a single night with a combination of independent displays and commercial exhibitions Simply grab a map from participating venues – everyone from Browse & Darby to Colnaghi and Larkin Durey among others – and take a self-guided tour at your leisure while uncovering myriad hidden gems in Piccadilly and St James’s is like a bar crawl – only with inspiring and intoxicating art on the menu instead of drinks the capital’s most iconic institutions will throw open their doors until 9pm on Friday 7 March – meaning you’ll finally have time between finishing work and going to bed to enjoy them you’ll get to take in over 220,000 works spanning centuries of history at The National Portrait Gallery while the Royal Academy of Arts will be showcasing more than 130 works by 10 influential Brazilian artists and the exhibition at The National Gallery will transport you to the heart of 14th-century Siena All that culture can help you work up an appetite but Art After Dark has exclusive dining offers for attendees – simply quote ‘Art After Dark’ Here are three of our favourite foodie offers Art of London champions art and culture in the West End. To discover more about Art After Dark: Spring Edition 2025, which runs 6-8 March, visit artoflondon.co.uk Our annual line-up of the Top 20 most exciting London Shows we think you need to see in 2025 We hope there is something for everyone in this eclectic list of shows in a West End season which is shaping up to be BIG One of the greatest character film actors of his generation, you’ll know Brendan Gleeson for a million screen things, from Braveheart to the Harry Potter films, and most especially his two classic works with Martin McDonagh and Colin Farrell, In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin He started off as a stage actor in Dublin in the ’80s and has periodically returned to the Irish theatre ever since he’ll do so this summer as he stars in a revival of Conor McPherson’s all-time classic chiller The Weir about a group of lost souls telling ghost stories in an isolated Irish pub This new production will debut at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre in August and then move on the Harold Pinter Theatre in September for what will and not only is The Weir back but he’s directing it this time (as he did with The Brightening Air and Girl from the North Country).  It’s quite the year to be having and it has to be said there’s a little something for everyone here but if you want a stone cold spooky-but-lyrical classic with a towering famous actor at the start of it then The Weir could be the place for you to start.  Take a first look at London stunning new 1,000-seat theatre. We’ve still got plenty of theatre action in London this year – but it’s never too early to start getting excited about all the great shows to come in 2025 There’s a bumper crop of plays and musicals hitting the West End and beyond Don’t miss the big Hollywood names hitting London stages next year, from Tom Hiddleston and Cate Blanchett to Jonathan Bailey and Sigourney Weaver. Plus there’s the return of the massively successful My Neighbour Totoro and the welcome transfer of American cult hit Titanique Follow our guide to the best shows coming your way in 2025 Book West End tickets on London Theatre DisneyMusicalsMust seeIf you loved the 1997 animated film version of the Ancient Greek tale you won’t want to miss this thrilling stage musical of Disney’s Hercules (that would be a big myth-take!) The story follows the mortal son of gods Zeus and Hera who must grow up on Earth and learn what it means to be a real hero Featuring songs by the legendary Alan Menken “From Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say I’m in Love” this new production is directed by Tony-winner Casey Nicholaw whose hits include The Book of Mormon and Aladdin Book Disney’s Hercules tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk My Neighbour TotoroFamily showMust seeA record-breaking hit for the Barbican multi-Olivier Award-winning RSC adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film is truly magical theatre The family-friendly plot follows two young sisters who move to the Tokyo countryside with their dad when their mother gets sick the woodland spirits that are all around them – including the massive Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk TitaniqueMust seeParodyCeline DionAll aboard the Ship of Dreams We can never get enough of the Titanic story which is why we’ve already seen both a stage musical of it and This cult-hit Off-Broadway show combines the two and adds knowing humour: it’s a campy musical delight Titanique is narrated by the one and only Céline Dion giving her version of the tragic tale of Jack and Rose and it’s jam-packed with songs – including the indelible “My Heart Will Go On.” Running into spring 2025 Check back for Titanique tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk The Seagull Celebrities on stagePlayOscar winner Cate Blanchett returns to the London stage to star as the great actress (but difficult mother) Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull This new Barbican production is helmed by Thomas Ostermeier who recently directed Matt Smith in The Enemy of the People in the West End Blanchett was last seen here in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the National Theatre in 2019 her co-star in Steven Soderbergh’s new movie Black Bag Book The Seagull tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk Unlock your 24-hour London itineraryUnlock your exclusive guide Head to one of The Breakfast Club’s central London branches for a slap-up English cafe classic Is there anything more British than the changing of the guards Arrive early for a good spot to watch this historic event ShakespeareCelebrities on stageJonathan Bailey swaps Bridgerton for the Bridge Theatre as he takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s Richard II the charismatic but unwise king whose poor leadership results in a national crisis This exciting production is directed by Bridge boss Nicholas Hytner Bailey has recently become globally famous for his screen work but he is also an accomplished stage actor He won an Olivier Award for Stephen Sondheim’s Company and starred in an acclaimed West End revival of Mike Bartlett’s Cock in 2022 Book Richard II tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk PunchMust seeNew playJames Graham has become our national playwright telling contemporary stories via intelligent humorous and heartfelt dramas such as the gripping TV crime drama Sherwood and whose impulsive act – punching a stranger – had deadly consequences and changed the course of several lives Graham’s empathetic play had a sold-out run in Nottingham and is now coming to the West End Book *Punch* tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk The Lonely LondonersMust seeRoy Williams adapts Sam Selvon’s iconic novel about the hopes dreams and difficult realities experienced by the Windrush generation Ebenezer Bambgoye’s acclaimed production transfers to the Kiln Theatre in 2025 following a sold-out run at Jermyn Street Theatre a group of arrivals reckon with their new home they movingly convey their story – a vital part of Black British and Caribbean history Book The Lonely Londoners tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk Much Ado About NothingShakespeareCelebrities on stageFresh off the success of his bold reimagining of Sunset Boulevard – which is heading to Broadway still led by Nicole Scherzinger – director Jamie Lloyd has enticed three more big names to join him for his next project: revivals of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest The Tempest has recently finished its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with the hotshot Hollywood duo of Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell playing the sparring lovers Benedick and Beatrice Check back for Much Ado About Nothing tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk 9 — Stage/Fright'Must seeComedySteve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are bringing their dark comic TV hit Inside No 9 to theatre but with some of the familiar and beloved characters from the show have theatre experience: Pemberton was in the recent West End revival of The Pillowman and Shearsmith’s credits include Hangmen and The Unfriend Check back for Stage/Fright tickets on London Theatre Harry’s Bar and Mark’s Club have all joined an initiative that started in the depths of the pandemic Business Sign up for our email featuring expert insight and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and SMEs I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice Some of London’s elite private members’ clubs including celebrity haunts Annabel’s and Harry’s Bar have joined forces to help feed the homeless at a West End Church Harry’s Bar and Mark’s Club have all joined an initiative that started in the depths of the pandemic lockdown in 2020 The service offers lunch twice a week in a large dining room It is already supported with donations of food from five-star hotels including the Connaught The addition of the West End private members’ clubs will mean the service can continue to serve around 140 people per week parish priest of Mount Street Jesuit Centre at Farm Street refer to the homeless diners as guests and serve them sitting at tables helped serve lunch to around 75 people on a visit to the Central London Catholic Churches Homeless lunch service run from Farm Street Church The Lord Mayor donned an apron to serve lunch of chicken The Lord Mayor said: “Talking to people having lunch at the Farm Street centre it’s clear the reasons why people end up sleeping rough or facing homelessness are complex and varied While some may have substance problems in the past for others it can just be bad luck or family rifts that mean they fall through the cracks “The hospitality trade has been great and Father Dominic deserves credit for getting the private members’ clubs involved They are showing a real commitment to the wider community which should be applauded.” Father Dominic said: “Thanks to our food donors and an amazing band of volunteers we can keep providing food and I hope a sense of dignity to people who have ended up homeless Full list of 50 stores and locations revealed Sunshine and showers forecast for Easter bank holiday weekend Marks & Spencer unveils £90 million investment in London food halls Enter the AXA Startup Angel competition to win £25,000 “While our service took off in the pandemic it is great to see that spirit of community continuing Thank you to the private members’ clubs for joining our team – your contribution is making a significant difference.” Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer UK tourists face major travel shake-up as Dubai airport set to close David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London 'shut down' by council over noise complaints David Beckham’s 50th birthday bash 'shut down' over noise complaints A number of great plays are set to open in London during 2025 These include major revivals of classic dramas featuring A-list talent new work from some of the UK’s and the world’s most exciting playwrights for all of the new Plays opening in the West End and across London in 2025 More shows to be added as they start booking NEW SHOWS in 2025 ALL SHOWS in 2025 Reviews are coming out from London’s theatre critics for Clueless The Musical at the West End’s Trafalgar Theatre in London Clueless The Musical is now playing at the Trafalgar Theatre until 14 June 2025 Clueless The Musical stars Emma Flynn (Beautiful, Little Shop of Horrors) as Cher Horowitz, played by Alicia Silverstone in the movie; with Keelan McAuley (Heathers The Musical, Grease) as Josh. Clueless The Musical also stars Chyna-Rose Frederick as Dionne Joining Rachel Kavanaugh in the creative team are: music supervision and arrangements by Carmel Dean costumes by Tony Award-winner Paloma Young sound by Rob Bettle & Sam Clarkson for Sound Quiet Time and casting by Olivia Laydon for Jill Green Casting Clueless is set in the glitzy world of Beverly Hills a wealthy and popular high school student who spends much of her time matchmaking — only to realise that she might not understand love as well as she thinks Clueless The Musical is playing the Trafalgar Theatre Book tickets to Clueless, The Musical at the Trafalgar Theatre in London "In the ranks of musical adaptations of cult movies and it’s what Mean Girls should have been" Amy Heckerling’s musical adaptation of her 1995 film about a rich Beverley Hills brat finding wisdom and true love is It features a powerfully-sung breakout performance from young New Yorker Emma Flynn as the plaid-clad protagonist Cher Horowitz I could mutter about yet another risk-averse cross-genre exploitation of existing intellectual property – not just of the movie but of its inspiration Jane Austen’s Emma – but frankly it’s more fun to just enjoy it." "Though it’s not – to steal the title of the first song in KT Tunstall’s score – Perfect after that strong opener there’s barely a memorable number until the witty first-act closer" "It’s fine but unremarkable and it’s driven forward by the energy of Flynn’s endlessly self-believing Cher hair-flicks and swishy pelmet skirts she somehow channels both Alicia Silverstone in the original movie and Sabrina Carpenter today after the interval and the catchy Spring in LA (which recalls Hanson’s period-appropriate MMMBop) performances and choreography all kick up multiple gears." accompanied by superior choreography from Lizzi Gee" big-hearted new staging of the 1995 movie Clueless still has plenty to sing about That's largely down to the bright and breezy score by Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall But it's also thanks to a sustained burst of Californian sunshine from American starlet Emma Flynn as wilful but loveable Beverly Hills bimbo Cher." in a part that's made all the jauntier by Tunstall's tunes "There are neat comic turns from Chyna-Rose Frederick and Romona Lewis-Malley as Cher's friends" but it is as flawless as Cher's complexion – and a sunny who wrote the original screenplay and here provides the frequently laugh-out-loud funny book for Clueless on stage" "The Trafalgar is a bit small for big dance numbers and scenic transformations but kudos to director Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographer Lizzi Gee for shoe-horning a full-scale musical into a compact space." "Kavanaugh’s staging has a cinematic fluidity as scenes merge slickly into each other and there’s a lovely running joke that almost any piece of furniture can be transformed into a moving car." the principal distinguishing feature of Clueless is its leading lady who’s surely first cousin to Elle Woods and Wicked’s Glinda American newcomer Emma Flynn is delivering the most entrancing West End musical debut since Eva Noblezada broke our hearts in Miss Saigon." if you booked this as your big West End night out "Vibrant adaptation of the 1995 teen movie bolstered by a catchy original score by KT Tunstall" embraces the satirical spirit of the original while allowing plenty of room for Tunstall and Slater’s musical numbers to shine." lightly nuanced screenplay makes a relatively stable and inventive transition to the stage but Kavanaugh’s fluid direction ploughs through with absolute confidence Things seem a little more relaxed in the second act during which there is some superlative choreography from Lizzi Gee." "The whole show hangs on Emma Flynn’s gloriously upbeat portrayal of Cher Cher is a genuinely difficult role to pitch She injects character into Tunstall and Slater’s catchy original soundtrack and has a wonderful talent for physical comedy" "Less cynical than Mean Girls and more fun than Heathers breezy satire that thrives with its era-evocative new score." "KT Tunstall's new score brings bite and momentum to a high octane evening" producers have decided to pep up the West End with this musical version of Clueless complete with a snappy new score by KT Tunstall has freshened up the dialogue and added subtle tweakments so that it can strut into the twenty-first century with all the glitz and carefully-manicured chutzpah that made it such a hit in the first place." "The politics of flirtation has changed considerably since 1995 so it’s a delight to be able to say that Clueless: The Musical can still stand up proudly in its overpriced stilettos." tightly choreographed production whirls us through the minor dramas of Cher’s manipulations" but it’s certainly pleasing that the one political reference – Cher’s deliberately vapid debate speech – is pro-immigration to the US Lovers of the film will certainly love this maybe you should get yourself a tartan mini-skirt and go and strut your stuff along with the exuberant cast." "The cult Jane Austen-inspired high school movie gets a genuinely charming musical makeover" which like Mean Girls is adapted by its original screenwriter a sign of a labour of love if ever there was one.. she makes a strong case for the enduring appeal of Clueless her slyly clever valley-girl revamp of Jane Austen’s Emma." "The slightly random deployment of Tunstall does feel emblematic of a frustrating vagueness at the heart of the Rachel Kavanaugh-directed Anglo-American production and doesn’t quite know whether to play up its ‘90s setting or shrug it off... But at best it really works – the grunge pop of Human Barbies and the faux boyband jam Reasonable Doubts pastiche the styles of the decade nicely And wittily too: Slater’s lyrics often add something genuinely substantive to the characters without a bit more boldness it’s unrealistic to expect it to be a bigger hit than the film itself charming musical that winningly celebrates a great film and even better book." "Did the movie Clueless need a musical spin-off this stage reboot is fun — especially in the second half" with Heckerling on hand to write the script it clings awfully close to the contours of the original" The lyricist Glenn Slater is never less than adept in packing in the cheerfully time-locked teen speak; the composer KT Tunstall keeps everything chugging along very pleasantly poppy style that wouldn’t alarm any Gen Xers in the stalls who had just woken up from a coma." do not leave at the interval because in the second half Rachel Kavanaugh’s production spreads its wings." "Does a story that once felt like an exciting new take on a classic still have the shock of the new about it Yet there is little here to distress or vex you: this is a serviceable spin-off that sends you out with a smile on your face." "This perky stage-musical spin on the beloved 1995 romcom tries super-hard to please – but it’s more a ‘whatever’ than forever kinda affair" I emerged mildly amused but mainly bemused as to who this show is aimed at especially those around the age of Heckerling’s high-schoolers songwriter KT Tunstall and lyricist Glenn Slater have fashioned numbers designed to sound in keeping with the period but which are so generic they don’t ring with real-world authenticity." "No one can accuse of Rachel Kavanaugh’s production of not trying super-hard to please and while Lizzi Gee’s choreography is blandly cheery the ensemble energy is laudably impressive it’s a “whatever” not a forever kinda affair." "Back to the Nineties for this exuberant musical revamp" the writer of the film that made a star out of Alicia Silverstone gives us plenty to enjoy in the stage version" "There is plenty to enjoy in Rachel Kavanaugh’s production at the Trafalgar Theatre While a jukebox version of the movie enjoyed a run off-Broadway in 2018 ditzy heroine Cher Horowitz; she has a strong voice too." "It is mainly in terms of visuals that the show falls short the production values on display here are more Bicester Village." Lizzi Gee’s choreography builds up a head of steam in a second half where the young ensemble have a chance to cut loose Musical director Tamara Saringer leads an exuberant house band." "All credit to the young ensemble for working so hard to keep our mind off the shortcomings." "Original writer Amy Heckerling returns to adapt her iconic Jane Austen remix for the stage" totally fabulous – and pairs “clueless” with “socially IQ-less” wringing laughs from moments that felt more serious in the movie: as Cher Flynn channels Kristin Chenoweth-era Galinda in Wicked with her whimsical flourishes and pratfalls stripping all the pathos and vulnerability from the scene where she’s held up at gunpoint." "It’s only in the second act that things start to look up as Kavanaugh and Heckerling gain the confidence to part ways a bit from the movie’s script "This production works wonders with its carefully chosen cast of newcomers who deliver performances that feel youthful but not exhaustingly peppy And designers Mikoko Suzuki MacAdams (set) and Paloma Young (costume) go the extra mile to bring the aesthetic marvels of Nineties Beverly Hills to Trafalgar Theatre’s smallish stage" it’s a bit light on the catchy songs and easy-to-imitate dance routines that can pull in younger fandoms it’s a welcome excuse to revisit a classic sewn together just enough originality to make it feel like a stylish homage "The magic of the 90s cult film is lost in its try-hard transfer to the stage " so there are no surprises or deviations there The music is by that fine singer-songwriter KT Tunstall – a handful of pleasant and predominantly up-tempo numbers with lyrics by Glenn Slater (known for Sister Act and School of Rock musicals) It’s more memorable than the score for Legally Blonde while lacking the whipcrack sharpness of the Mean Girls songs." "Flynn is never less than likeable as she whirls through Cher’s dizzying array of quick-change costumes while McAuley convincingly shifts from dismissive to something far more agreeable the most nuanced character is new girl Tai (Romona Lewis-Malley)" "Where Rachel Kavanaugh’s production scores most highly is in its very peppy dancing; much kudos to choreographer Lizzi Gee." but it makes for a pleasant enough evening out." "All back to the 90s for a musical of the movie "Amy Heckerling adapts her own iconic screenplay for a lumbering production in need of more belters from composer KT Tunstall" "This musical version again transposes the story of misguided friend-zoning to Beverly Hills High but where the film pulled off the outlandish melange of Austen and Americana Rachel Kavanaugh’s production is a more lumbering hybrid." are disappointingly flat-footed except for two belters accompanied by comically energised choreography performed when Josh turns up to a dance to watch over Cher If the score could fizz with more numbers like these then what a blast this show might be But the lyrics by Glenn Slater too often serve as exposition rather than raising the emotional drama." laden with the retro “naff” factor but having less creativity and soul The theatrical deification of the 1990s evidently continues apace Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition is a jaw-dropping spectacle that allows you to discover the myths and mysteries of the fabled Boy King The 90-minute experience combines technology and real artefacts to take you to ancient Egypt and explore a bygone time You’ll even discover the secrets behind Tutankhamun’s mummification because it’s only in town for a limited 14-week run which sees our city absolutely suffused with florals Check out these special events and flower festivals for a rose-y day out 🌼 See the blooms at the free Belgravia in Bloom (May 19 – 26) This year’s displays are themed around ‘Seasons’ with floral representations of spring 🌷 The star of the floral festival calendar is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show which returns with dazzling displays and gorgeous garden designs from May 20 – 24 The mind-bending Paradox Museum will turn your universe topsy-turvy with its collection of immersive exhibitions and photo ops that challenge your perecptions you’ll be wondering ‘HOW did they do that?’ – even as you become part of the illusion the Tate Modern will mark its quarter-century birthday with a weekend-spanning celebration The gallery will host special activations each day a number of new artworks and pieces from the Tate Modern’s history will go on display alongside a new art trail and two new free exhibitions Titanic: Echoes From The Past is a new immersive experience that takes visitors on a journey to experience the historic tale of the RMS Titanic ship Combining virtual reality and guided storytelling the experience puts you right on board the ship See what it was like to be a passenger on board the ship before heading deep underwater for a closer look at the wreck as it appears today “The UK’s Ultimate Sandwich Festival” returns to London this May when the Sarnie Party drops down at the Camden Town Brewery beer hall Munch on “things-between-bread” from some of the capital’s best assemblers of “things-between-bread” The line-up includes Greg Boyce (from Dom’s Subs) funnest musical to hit the West End – Clueless the distinctly 90s high school coming-of-age caper With music helmed by Scottish pop composer KT Tunstall and loose inspiration from the Jane Austen 1815 novel Emma the feel-good musical loftily holds its own on the crowded West End its storyline will have you fall in love like a lovestruck teen once again 🔮 An Oak Tree (May 6 – May 24): Young Vic – A man attends a show by a stage hypnotist who caused the crash that killed his daughter 🧙‍♀️ The Crucible (May 8 – July 12): The Globe – Arthur Miller’s play about the Salem witch trials lands on the Globe’s iconic stage ☕ The Fifth Step (May 10 – July 26): Soho Place – Difficult conversations arise between two alcoholics as part of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous Warren’s Profession (May 10 – August 16): Garrick Theatre – A Cambridge graduate discovers her mother paid for her education by running brothels 🎸 Just For One Day (Opens May 15): Shaftesbury Theatre – The story of the legendary Live Aid concert when music brought the whole world together 🤘 Bat Out of Hell (May 21 – June 7): Peacock Theatre – A celebration of the music of Meatlof and Jim Steinman 😈 Faust (May 23 – June 10): Royal Opera House – Faust calls on the devil 🎶 Stereophonic (May 24 – September 20): Duke of York’s Theatre – A fictional band records their sophomore album inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ sessions 🎻 Fiddler on the Roof (May 24 – July 19): Barbican Centre – “Tradition meets the winds of change” in this classic musical 🎭 Red Peppers / Aged in Wood (May 28 – June 21): Theatre at the Tabard – A one-act Noël Coward and a new play with the same actors and setting 🧚‍♀️ A Midsummer Night’s Dream (May 31 – August 23): Bridge Theatre – An immersive production of the Shakespearean classic 🌏 Kyoto (Ends May 3): Soho Place – A political thriller that takes viewers to the historic climate summit at the Kyoto Conference Centre on December 11 A Comedy of Terrors (Ends May 3): Menier Chocolate Factory – A camp and comic gender-bending reimagining of Bram Stoker’s story 🕵️ Manhunt (Ends May 3): Royal Court – “The biggest manhunt in UK history” in the wake of Raoul Moat’s 2010 release from Durham Prison 💞 F**king Men (Ends May 4): Waterloo East Theatre – 10 gay men explore monogamy in this modern adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde 👑 Richard II (Ends May 10): Bridge Theatre – Jonathan Bailey helms this revival of the Shakespearean classic 🚘 Speed (Ends May 17): Bush Theatre – A speed awareness course becomes something more akin to a therapy session for its participants 🤠 Midnight Cowboys (Ends May 17): Southwark Playhouse Elephant – A musical based on the novel that inspired the Dustin Hoffman-starring film of the same name She Didn’t Write (Ends May 19): Duchess Theatre – An improvised murder mystery ⚽ Dear England (Ends May 24): Olivier Theatre – “A fictionalised account of the struggles and successes of England’s football teams” which just so happens to be the UK’s oldest professional outdoor theatre It all starts with the UK premiere of musical comedy Other productions to look forward to include Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Dream Ballets an adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s novel Noughts & Crosses Did you know that London is home to the world’s oldest museum café Tucked away inside London’s lauded V&A you’ll find a refreshment room that dates all the way back to 1868 and well worth a visit for a spot of pre- or post-museum-wandering refreshment The Hot Sauce Society Festival returns to London this May with another enormous celebration of the spiciest sauces around Visitors can check out hot sauces from over 40 traders and enjoy all manner of live entertainment Don’t miss the ‘Chilli Karaoke’ where contestants attempt to sing their hearts out immediately after eating a scotch bonnet thirsty Londoners will find a wealth of breweries and bars to rival even the famed Bermondsey Beer Mile The Blackhorse Beer Mile is celebrating its third birthday this month with a right ol’ knees up Punters are invited to explore all of the area’s offerings which are just a 10-minute stroll (or less) apart as they explore the walking tour of venues The Clapham Grand is one of London’s best destinations for themed club nights and events and they’ve got plenty on offer this May Whether you’re intrigued by the theme or want to experience the raucous atmosphere don’t miss these thrilling nights out: The burger-slinging team behind Truffle Burger have rounded up their foodie friends for a mouth-watering pop-up series highlighting some of the most viral and hyped food vendors in the world Truffle Burger & Friends will drop down at the Southbank Centre until September 21 with a rotating selection from vendors such as Harlem legend Charles Pan Fried Chicken (May 2 – May 18) to Homer Lobster Don’t miss a chance to let loose at the annual summer beer garden pop-up There are tons of food and drink options to choose from With everything from Barrioke to drag shows and brunches The London Card Show returns for yet another event full of rare and limited-edition cards and collectibles this May Previous instances have seen celebrity guests join the throng of thousands of collectors across the weekend of “trading and exclusive experiences.” February’s event even saw the highlight inclusion of a “1960s football card pack—still sealed In a city as bustling and food-crazy as London there are always new restaurants and bars to check out has teamed up with Chris Hsu to open Kung Fu Mama 🔥 Yiannis Mexis is channelling his experience at Michelin-starred restaurants to open Pyro – a celebration of cooking over fire and bold Greek flavours 🥘 Bibi’s is touching down in the City of London with its seventh location serving up their popular Mediterranean lunches and salads serving up regional food loosely inspired by the historical Duchy of Savoy which encompassed parts of France and Italy 🔥 Chef Dom Taylor is bringing his playful take on Caribbean cuisine to a permanent location 🍅 Town is an ingredient-led venture opening in Covent Garden from Stevie Parle (Pastaio 🥗 Salad-purveyors atis are opening their 11th London location in Mayfair 🍝 Osteria Angelina is a new pasta and grill restaurant from the team behind Dalston’s Angelina 💙 Hiroshige: Artist of the Open Road (May 1 – September 7): British Museum – “A rare insight into the career and legacy of one of Japan’s most celebrated artists” 🩷 The Genesis Exhibition – Do Ho Suh: Walk The House (May 1 – October 19): Tate Modern – large-scale installations and artworks that interrogate what exactly is ‘home’ 🤎 New Forms: Tea & Contemporary Design (May 12 – June 27): Newby London – A display of ” innovative contemporary teawares” aka fancy mugs and cups 💚 Feel the Sound (May 22 – August 31): Barbican Centre
- An immersive exhibition that challenges our understanding of sound and challenges us to listen with our whole bodies 🩵 Ancient India: living traditions (May 22 – October 19): British Museum – Three major world religions are explored through the development of early India’s sacred art and Hindu 🧡 Linder: Danger Came Smiling (Ends May 5): Hayward Gallery – The first London retrospective showcase of the iconic feminist photocollage artist whose work dissects “our fascination with the body and its representation.” ❤️ Mickalene Thomas: All About Love (Ends May 5): Hayward Gallery – “Vibrant large-scale portraits of Black women at rest” 💜 TRANSCESTRY: 10 years of the Museum of Transology (Ends May 11): Lethaby Gallery – A showcase of “1,000 personal artefacts donated by more than 1,000 members of the community 💙 Remus Grecu: The Silence Between (Ends May 17): BEERS London – Vivid and slightly uncanny dreamscapes that straddle the worlds of imagination and reality A new games hall is opening up inside Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social on May 8 Inside Flukes visitors will find “interactive darts oches the UK’s first interactive shuffleboards Gather your friends and challenge them to a showdown A “fancy fashion car boot” is coming to Old Spitalfields Market this May in the form of Fashion Re:Boot allowing you to freshen up your wardrobe with pre-loved pieces from sellers that range across bloggers and there will also be food and drink available for shoppers The Fitzrovia Quarter Wellness Festival is running this May to mark Mental Health Awareness Week Each day is themed around a different type of wellness from Mindful Monday to Self-Care Thursdays and there are over 50 activations and offers to check out May means two free days off work that don’t eat into your holiday allowance thanks to Bank Holidays on May 5 and May 26 Just remember – not everyone is lucky enough to get Bank Holidays off work 🎛️ Chase & Status (May 3) – The O2 🎧 Soccer Mommy (May 8) – Hackney Church 🎤 Gary Barlow and Brad Kella (May 12-13) – Royal Albert Hall 🎶 Delta Goodrem (May 14-15) – Hackney Empire 🎸 Pixies (May 16-17) – O2 Academy Brixton 🎤 Olly Murs (May 17 & 25/18) – The O2/OVO Arena 🎸 Wet Leg (May 23-24) – O2 Academy Brixton 🌟 Kylie Minogue (May 26-27 & June 2-3) – The O2 🎶 James Vincent McMorrow (May 26) – Union Chapel 🎙️ Jasmine.4.t (May 27) – The Lexington 🎙️ The Swell Season (May 28) – Royal Festival Hall MCM Comic Con returns to London at the end of the month with a no-holds-barred celebration of all things pop culture and the people behind your favourite works It’s the chance to get together with like-minded people and celebrate the worlds of gaming Food historian Marc Meltonville is giving a lecture on dining in Edwardian England as part of the Edwardians exhibition at The King’s Gallery in Buckingham Palace The lecture will explore “the breadth of dining experienced by people of all classes” Go along to discover what a typical Edwardian family might eat and contrast it with the sumptuous food enjoyed by the Royal Family at the time The talk is then followed by a private view of exhibition London’s candlelight concerts treat guests to stunning performances amidst candle-filled interiors in jaw-dropping locations Check out one of these enchanting shows this May: A unique yoga experience is taking place at London’s iconic Old Royal Naval College on the last Friday of each month Experts from Kindred Yoga Studio are leading 45-minute Vinyasa Flow classes in the stunning Painted Hall Stretch out and clear your mind in one of the most gorgeous places in all of London London is full to bursting with things to do and more that we’ve covered for May: A live-stream has been confirmed for the memorial celebration of Broadway and West End actor Gavin Creel who died on 30 September 2024 in Manhattan James Theatre in New York City on Monday 2 December 2024 at 4pm local time (9pm in the UK) The memorial celebration will be open to the public with family and friends of the Broadway star honouring the Tony Award-winning actor at the event Performers taking part in the memorial are to be announced. To receive details about admittance to the celebration at the St. James Theatre in New York, please email your name and contact information to this address Gavin Creel died from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma The family has requested that any gifts in Gavin Creel’s memory be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS The Society of London Theatre has also confirmed that four London theatres will dim their lights in Gavin Creel’s honour on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 7pm the same day that Broadway will also dim its lights Four West End theatres where Gavin performed will dim their lights: the Prince of Wales Theatre The memorial will also be live-streamed in the US and the UK although will not be available to watch as view on-demand after the memorial The Society of London Theatre is streaming the event on their YouTube channel on 2 December MCC Theater will stream on their YouTube channel at 4pm EST The time and date has been set for Broadway to dim its lights in honour of Gavin Creel The marquee of every Broadway theatre will dim its lights on Tuesday 3 December 2024 The Society of London Theatre has also said it will dim the lights of London’s theatres in co-ordination with Broadway – see below the Broadway Theatre Owners Committee confirmed that it would be dimming all Broadway theatre lights in tribute to Creel The decision to dim all Broadway lights was made by the Committee which comprises of representatives from major Broadway theatre owners it had been announced that only one theatre from every theatre owner on Broadway was to dim their lights including the Eugene O’Neill Theatre The Al Hirschfeld Theatre also planned to dim its lights and to honour Creel with a full Broadway dimming The Broadway Theatre Owners Committee has now said that it is reviewing their current dimming policy and procedures The Broadway League has traditionally announced to the press the dimming of the lights on behalf of the Broadway Theatre Owners Committee future Broadway Theatre Owners Committee announcements about dimming the light will now be made by an external PR agency said in a statement back in October: “It is hard to fathom the loss of Gavin Creel Not only was he an actor of the highest caliber but he was also a committed activist and champion for so many causes both within and outside of our industry Gavin gave of his whole self to our community both in his performances and his charitable work The Broadway community is lucky to have known him both as an actor and an individual and to have benefited from the joy that he brought into so many people’s lives.” the marquee lights of the Royal Alexandra and Princess of Wales Theatres were dimmed on 2 October 2024 Gavin made his national tour debut at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Fame and returned in The Book of Mormon after winning an Olivier Award In London, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), the trade body for London’s West End Theatres, initially put out a statement on 4 October 2024 saying that it is not possible to dim the lights for all the brilliant people that have performed in the West End Gavin will be remembered at the Olivier Awards in April We share your admiration for his work as he was a truly wonderful actor and lovely human being.” The statement was made via a tweet on X.com responding to a question from a theatre critic and blogger However, The Stage then reported that SOLT had backtracked due to pressure from theatre owners and that the West End theatres that Gavin performed in – the Adelphi Theatre (where he starred in Waitress) the Prince of Wales Theatre (The Book of Mormon) the Prince Edward Theatre (Mary Poppins) and the Gielgud Theatre (Hair) will all dim their lights The Society of London Theatre confirmed on 25 November that the four West End theatres will dim their lights in Gavin Creel’s honour on Tuesday 3 December 2024 at 7pm Recently, Broadway has dimmed its lights for British stage and screen legend Dame Maggie Smith. The lights were dimmed last week, on  7 November 2024 in New York. Read more here Broadway also recently dimmed its lights for actor Adrian Bailey on 17 October 2024; Bailey died on 22 September 22 aged of 67 following a fall at his home a candlelit vigil to commemorate the life of Gavin Creel took place in London at the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden Actor Marisha Wallace said in a statement on social media ahead of the event that “London was Gavin’s second home and he did four shows in the West End We will get together and share our beautiful memories of our friend Gavin’s extensive Broadway and West End credits included Thoroughly Modern Millie and an Olivier Award-winning performance in The Book of Mormon in London There has been an outpouring of tributes from former colleagues family and fans since the tragic news about his death who produced Creel in Hair and Mary Poppins both made heartfelt tributes about Gavin Creel and also amendments to who announced the dimming of the lights; Updated 11 November 2024 with a date for Broadway’s dimming of the lights; Updated 26 November 2024 with news of the live stream of Gavin’s memorial service The highly anticipated first-ever live stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ internationally acclaimed book ‘The Hunger Games‘ and Lionsgate’s motion picture will begin performances on Monday 20 October 2025 at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre a brand new 1,200 seat venue situated right in the heart of London’s vibrant Canary Wharf Heralded by the New York Times as the best playwright of his generation the multi award-winning Conor McPherson has adapted the first book from Suzanne Collins’ epic series and the first film from Lionsgate’s iconic film franchise for this live theatrical production The production will be helmed by renowned director Matthew Dunster(2:22 – A Ghost Story with a world-class creative team who will bring the show to breathtaking life Get the best deals and latest updates on theatre and shows by signing up for WhatsOnStage newsletter today!