Best West End Shows in London
© Johan Persson
From musicals to cabaret, political drama to topical plays, London's West End theatres have a wealth of choice for top class drama.
Hit musical telling the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers.
Hamilton
Victoria Palace Theatre,
Victoria Street London, SW1E 5EA
Theatre
Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5EA
Tube: Victoria Station
Dates: 06th December - 01st August 2020
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Pulitzer Prize winning hip hop musical, which won 11 Tony Awards in 2016, tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers, who served as chief staff aide to General George Washington and was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr. "Hamilton has been a sensation in America," says the Daily Telegraph, and with tickets re-selling for £3,000, that success is clearly going to be repeated across the pond. The story of an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington's right-hand man, told to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R & B and Broadway, "could not be more timely" (Guardian).
The hit musical about a chorus girl who gets away with murder returns to the West End.
Chicago
Phoenix Theatre,
Charing Cross Road London, WC2H 0JP
Theatre
Phoenix Theatre, Charing Cross Road, Soho, London, WC2H 0JP
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Station
, Leicester Square Station, Covent Garden Station
Dates: 26th March - 05th January 2019
Last staged in the West End back in 2012 - when it concluded a 15-year run - hit musical Chicago returns to London for the first time in five and half years. After a UK and international tour, it will transfer to the Phoenix Theatre in March. Written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, the long running show tells the saga of a chorus girl who gets away with murder thanks to her sleazy lawyer, Billy Flynn. The original show was a flop in the 1970s as audiences found the subject matter too bleak. However, recent Broadway and London revivals of Chicago have been huge successes, spawning the film version which swept the boards at the Oscars. It's an all singing and dancing affair with some show-stopping set pieces. This musical has been a real hit with audiences and features some memorable show tunes, but above all, it's the costumes and slick style that make it such an unforgettable experience. Dozens of fishnet-clad chorus girls, regular celebrity appearances in the lead roles and a chic, pared-down set create a sense of timeless cool.
A fearless coming-of-age story about a boy's drag queen dreams.
Apollo Theatre, 29 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7EZ
Tube: Piccadilly Circus Station
, Leicester Square Station
Dates: 06th November - 29th August 2020
Tom MacRae's musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie transfers to London's Apollo Theatre after an acclaimed run at the Sheffield Theatre. Despite being openly gay and confident enough in himself to tackle the school bullies, 16-year-old Jamie is still reserved when it comes to opening up about his drag queen dreams. Directed by Jonathan Butterell and starring Dan Gillespie Sells, this fearless coming-of-age story follows Jamie as he overcomes the prejudice and steps into the limelight.
This musical adaptation is an uplifting show that's all about accepting people for who they are.
Kinky Boots
Adelphi Theatre,
18-20 Maiden Lane, The Strand London, WC2R 0NS
Theatre
Adelphi Theatre, 18-20 Maiden Lane, The Strand, London, WC2R 0NS
Tube: Covent Garden Station
, Charing Cross Station, Embankment Underground Station, Leicester Square Station
Dates: 21st August - 05th January 2019
Inspired by a true story and based on the 2005 British film of the same name, Kinky Boots is all about accepting people for who they are. Charlie, the Northampton boy who grows up to inherit the fading family shoe factory, spots a niche market which might just save the firm. His chance encounter with drag queen Lola (brilliantly played by Simon-Anthony Rhoden) leads to a change from boring brown brogues to kinky red boots. The best musical numbers are when the Lola's troupe of dancing drag queens, the Angels, get to do their high kicks in high heels - most memorably jumping into the splits and doing a back flip in those six-inch stilettos. Cyndi Lauper's soundtrack fits in well around the storyline and, after some wobbly moments where it looks like the show won't go on, it all comes to a climatic close with a glittering finale at the shoe show in Milan. A feel good show that 'lifts you up' and not just on reinforced high heels.
The multiple award-winning musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's celebrated children's book.
Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, Seven Dials, Soho, London, WC2H 9HU
Tube: Covent Garden Station
, Leicester Square Station, Tottenham Court Road Station
Dates: 18th October - 24th May 2020
The Royal Shakespeare Company's multiple award-winning musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's celebrated children's book Matilda is a big hit at the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End. Directed by Matthew Warchus and adapted by seasoned playwright Dennis Kelly and the award-winning Australian musical comedian Tim Minchin, Matilda puts its child stars at the heart of the show. Described by WhatsOnStage as "a piece which is by turns riotously funny and gut-wrenchingly poignant", the much praised production - which tells the story of a special little girl with an extraordinary imagination - lives up to expectations and thrills and delights both adults and children alike. Book tickets now to see Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre London. Back when it first opened in London in 2011 Telegraph theatre critic Charles Spencer gave Matilda five stars, claiming it was "the best British musical since Billy Elliot that will surely be the toast of the West End. I predict that this show will be unstoppable."
Mamma Mia!
Novello Theatre,
Aldwych London, WC2B 4LD
Theatre
Novello Theatre, Aldwych, Covent Garden, London, WC2B 4LD
Tube: Covent Garden Station
, Temple Station
Dates: 06th September - 19th September 2020
Through the story-telling magic of the songs of ABBA, we meet Donna, a feisty forty-something single mum, who recalls the distant memories of carefree days and careless nights whilst her daughter Sophie dreams of tradition, romance and a big white wedding. Mamma Mia! is an infectious and funny musical featuring 22 of ABBA's best known songs, and after eight wonderful years at the Prince of Wales the production moves to the beautiful Novello Theatre. Without losing even a pinch of its singalong sparkle, Mamma Mia remains a great night out with plenty of audience participation and some rousing moments. Book tickets now to see Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre.
The story of the genie and the lamp, told in technicolour.
Aladdin
Prince Edward Theatre,
28 Old Compton Street London, W1D 4HS
Theatre
Prince Edward Theatre, 28 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS
Tube: Leicester Square Station
, Tottenham Court Road Station, Covent Garden Station, Piccadilly Circus Station
Dates: 27th May - 24th August 2019
The Broadway hit from the producer of The Lion King, Aladdin is a popular choice for a family outing in the West End. The story of the genie and the lamp is told in technicolour with familiar characters and some new ones you've never met before. Heading up the cast as Aladdin is Matthew Croke who makes his debut in a leading role in the West End, joining Jade Ewen and Trevor Dion Nicholas as Jasmine and the Genie. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (the Tony and Olivier Award-winning director of The Book of Mormon), this stage show features songs from the 1992 animated Disney film as well as new music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin. NB: Aladdin is recommended for ages 6 and up, children under the age of 3 will not be admitted into the theatre and all persons aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult and may not sit on their own within the auditorium.
Fabulous feel good musical based on the smash hit 2003 film.
School of Rock
Gillian Lynne Theatre,
166 Drury Lane London, WC2B 5PW
Theatre
Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
Tube: Holborn Station
, Covent Garden Station
Dates: 24th October - 01st March 2020
Students at a prestigious prep school "stick it to the man" with encouragement from their substitute teacher - wannabe rock star Dewey Finn - in the feel good musical based on the smash hit 2003 film. With a new score by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater and a book by Julian Fellowes, this musical adaptation has already proved to be a hit on Broadway. Finn has made a rocking band out of his class of straight-A students but the big question is: can he get them to the Battle of the Bands without their parents and the school's headmistress finding out?
Aldwych Theatre, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DF
Tube: Covent Garden Station
, Temple Station, Holborn Station
Dates: 21st March - 23rd January 2021
Phyllida Lloyd, director of Mamma Mia!, helms a life-affirming musical based on the life of legendary artist Tina Turner, written by Katori Hall with Frank Ketelaar and Kees Prins. Featuring the iconic songs that propelled Turner to fame, Tina, the stage spectacular charts her rise from humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to the top of the global music charts. Adrienne Warren makes her West End debut in the title role opposite Kobna Holdbrook-Smith - last seen on stage playing Laertes in Hamlet at the Barbican alongside Benedict Cumberbatch - as Ike Turner.
Follow two fresh faced young Mormon Missionaries who find themselves posted to Uganda.
Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry Street, London, W1D 6AS
Tube: Piccadilly Circus Station
, Leicester Square Station
Dates: 01st January - 04th April 2020
Creators of Southpark (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) have turned their satirical eyes to the cheery world of musicals. With a helping hand from the composer (Robert Lopez) of Avenue Q, this ballsy comedy has collected an obscene amount of Tony Awards and landed in London at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 2013. The plot follows two fresh faced young Mormon Missionaries who find themselves posted to Uganda, humour ensues as they follow their faith through some fairly trying situations. With quick witted references to the musical genre, and its own set of well crafted tunes, The Book of Mormon has brought a breathe of fresh air into the West End theatre scene. Tickets for The Book of Mormon are on sale now and selling out fast. The unique brand of ballsy humour was a big hit across the pond but some themes verge on the downright rude and this show is certainly not for the easily offended.
Everybody's favourite boy wizard all grown up.
Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1A 4AF
Tube: Leicester Square Station
, Covent Garden Station, Tottenham Court Road Station, Piccadilly Circus Station
Dates: 07th June - 24th January 2021
Judging by the 36,000 retweets Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling got when she announced the Cursed Child on Twitter back in June 2015, Harry Potter the Play is going to be a HUGE hit. Showing in London since summer 2016, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne (whose theatre credits include Hope and Let The Right One In), and John Tiffany, the Olivier and Tony award winner director of Once. One play presented in two parts, both are meant to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings. An all-star creative team is behind the production including movement by Steven Hoggett, set designs by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions - this is a show about the boy wizard, after all - by Jamie Harrison and musical supervision by Martin Lowe. Theatrical magic.
Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8DP
Tube: Tottenham Court Road Station
, Covent Garden Station, Holborn Station
Dates: 11th February - 20th April 2019
Telling the story of Berry Gordy, who went from being a featherweight boxer to Motown music mogul, Motown The Musical transfers from Broadway to the West End in 2016, staged at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the nostalgic musical explores thr success of Gordy's record label and how he launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and many more. Audiences are treated to more than 50 Motown tracks such as My Girl, Dancing In The Street, Ain't No Mountain High Enough and I Heard It Through The Grapevine.
A box office busting, rewarding big-budget show that left will leave you utterly spellbound.
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre,
17 Wilton Road London, SW1V 1LG
Theatre
Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Road, Victoria, London, SW1V 1LG
Tube: Victoria Station
Dates: 07th September - 28th November 2020
Prepare to see Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West in a whole new light after going to see Wicked, currently showing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. 'The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz' has gripped the hearts of over 44 million people across the world, breaking box office records and winning more than 100 international awards. Introducing us to some very familiar characters years before they met Dorothy, the classic musical shows how Elphaba (The Wicked Witch) starts off as a clever, lively lady with green skin, while Glinda is superficial, beautiful and popular. Set in a Hogwarts-esque school for witches, it sees Elphaba gradually become disillusioned as the world of Oz slowly falls under the Wizard's fascist regime - expect goose bumps as she concludes the first half with the musical's most memorable number, Defying Gravity. The second half is set during the events from The Wizard of Oz, weaving the plots together very neatly, including the backstories of The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, The Lion and those terrifying flying monkeys. Younger children will love the set and special effects, while older kids and teens will be thoroughly absorbed by the mythology and romance. For adults, the greatest pleasures come from some good jokes and the intricacies of the plotting. This is a rewarding big-budget show that left us utterly spellbound. Offers are now available on tickets for Wicked, London.
42nd Street
Theatre Royal Drury Lane,
Catherine Street London, WC2B 5JF
Theatre
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF
Tube: Covent Garden Station
, Holborn Station, Temple Station
Dates: 20th March - 20th October 2018
Grammy Award winner Sheena Easton plays legendary diva Dorothy Brock in the hit Broadway musical 42nd Street at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The multi Tony-Award-winning musical, with an all-singing, high-kicking cast of over 50, tells the story of a chorus line girl who is thrust into a musical's lead when the usual star suffers an injury. Sheena Easton makes her West End debut, starring alongside Tom Lister as the big shot director Julian Marsh and Clare Halse as overnight sensation Peggy Sawyer, with choreography by Randy Skinner. Written by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, 42nd Street has played to audiences for nearly 40 years.
The world's longest running musical is set on the barricades of the French revolution.
Les Miserables
Sondheim Theatre,
51 Shaftesbury Avenue London, W1D 6BA
Theatre
Sondheim Theatre, 51 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London, W1D 6BA
Tube: Piccadilly Circus Station
, Leicester Square Station
Dates: 01st January - 13th July 2019
Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew. But will fate allow him to? The acclaimed, long running musical extravaganza Les Miserables, awarded Olivier prizes in 2012 and again in 2014, continues at the Queen's Theatre. It's far more serious than the conventional musical, and this allows for grand, operatic choral numbers that have an emotional power far beyond the West End norm. Book tickets for Les Miserables, London now for a brilliantly executed and intense evening.