All the Celebrities You Can See Onstage This Year

Sandra Oh in The Misanthrope

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Martin Crimp's cutting new adaptation of Moliere's comedy of manners updates the setting to 1990s London and reimagines Moliere's brutal anti-hero, the French aristocrat Alceste, as a woman novelist named Alice. And who better to play the surly, prickly, and utterly unforgettable lead than the great Sandra Oh?

Where you know her from: Sandra Oh is best known for playing the ambitious Dr Cristina Yang (a character very reminiscent of Alice!) on the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy, and Eve Polastri in the spy thriller Killing Eve. She has won multiple Emmy nominations, Screen Actors Guild Awards, and Golden Globe Awards for both performances. 2000s kids will also recognise her as Vice Principal Gupta in The Princess Diaries.

• Opens 16 June 2026.

The Misanthrope Tickets

Gaten Matarazzo in Rent

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Jonathan Larson's beloved rock opera about a group of struggling artists in Manhattan's East Village is returning to the West End just in time for its 30th anniversary. Gaten Matarazzo leads the cast as narrator and struggling film-maker Mark Cohen, in Luke Sheppard's revival of this heartbreaking story about art, love, and loss during the AIDS crisis.

Where you know him from: Gaten Matarazzo rose to fame playing Dustin Henderson in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, and recently also starred in the 2026 surreal comedy Pizza Movie. But he began his career on Broadway, playing Benjamin in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Gavroche in Les Misérables, before returning to Broadway in 2022 to play Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen.

• Opens 26 September 2026.

Rent Tickets

Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson, and Stephen Dillane in The Lives of Others

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Robert Icke directs a new stage adaptation of the German psychological surveillance thriller The Lives of Others, in which a Stasi agent in East Berlin finds his loyalties tested when he begins spying on a couple. Stephen Dillane stars as the conflicted Stasi agent Gerd Wiesler, Luke Thompson plays Georg Dreyman, the playwright who becomes the object of his surveillance, and Keira Knightley plays Dreyman's girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland.

Where you know them from: Keira Knightley is best known for her roles in award-winning and blockbuster films, such as Elizabeth Swann in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice, and Cecilia Tallis in Atonement. She is returning to the West End after fifteen years since appearing onstage in plays such as The Misanthrope and The Children's Hour. Luke Thompson won hearts as the rakish Benedict Bridgerton in Netflix's Bridgerton, and has also appeared onstage in A Little Life, King Lear, Hamlet, and Oresteia. Stephen Dillane, meanwhile, is most recognisable as Stannis Baratheon in HBO's Game of Thrones, and has also played Leonard Woolf in the acclaimed film The Hours and was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson in the miniseries John Adams.

• Opens 14 October 2026.

The Lives of Others Tickets

Cate Blanchett in Electra/Persona

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Benedict Andrews' thrilling production for the National Theatre blends ancient myth and modern psychology in this fusion of Sophocles's Electra with Ingmar Bergman's Persona, in which an actress unexpectedly falls silent during a performance of Electra. The legendary Cate Blanchett returns to the National Theatre for this bold new play that explores grief, identity and performance.

Where you know her from: You'll know Oscar-winning Cate Blanchett from a versatile repertoire of critically acclaimed and blockbuster films alike: from playing Galadriel in the Lord of the Rings films to a closeted 1950s housewife in Carol to Katherine Hepburn in The Aviator, as well as roles in Thor: Ragnarok and Ocean's 8. She has also had an illustrious stage career, and most recently played Arkadina in The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre.

• Opens 19 August 2026.

Electra/Persona Tickets

Christine Baranski and Richard E Grant in Hay Fever

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Noel Coward's 1925 farcical comedy of manners returns to the West End in an explosive, outrageously funny revival about an eccentric family who invites four hapless guests to their country house for a chaotic weekend. Christine Baranski makes her West End debut as melodramatic retired actress Judith Bliss, and Richard E Grant plays her husband David Bliss.

Where you know them from: Alongside an award-winning Broadway career, Christine Baranski is best-known for her film and television roles, from the socialite Agnes van Rhijn in The Gilded Age to lawyer Diane Lockhart in The Good Wife to hard-drinking Maryann Thorpe in the 90s sitcom Cybill. You'll recognise Richard E Grant from Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1992, where he played Dr Jack Seward, and more recently from his Academy Award-nominated portrayal of con artist Jack Hock in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018).

• Opens 22 September 2026.

Hay Fever Tickets

Harry Judd in High School Musical

Photo by Matt Crockett

The year was 2006, and we all fell in love with the dancing, singing East High School and the romance between Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez in the Disney Channel original movie High School Musical. And in 2026, we get to experience the humour, silliness, and catchy songs onstage with this highly anticipated stage adaptation. Harry Judd stars as Troy's father Coach Bolton for the London run of the show.

Where you know him from: We all know Harry Judd as a member of the British pop rock band McFly, which recently completed a major UK arena tour alongside long-time rivals Busted. But you'll have also seen him on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, which he won in 2011.

• Opens 12 October 2026.

High School Musical Tickets

Josh Radnor in Hit Machine

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Written by Jonathan Caren, this new play follows two estranged brothers, a record mogul and a struggling musician, who are unwillingly forced into a desperate collaboration after an emotionally charged reunion. Josh Radnor makes his West End debut opposite Noah Galvin, in this explosive play about brotherhood and male violence, featuring original music by three-time Grammy Award-winner Ben Harper.

Where you know him from: Josh Radnor is best known for playing hopeless romantic Ted Mosby in the beloved sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. He has also directed, and starred in the Sundance hit films Happythankyoumoreplease and Liberal Arts, and has appeared in Broadway productions like The Graduate and Disgraced.

• Opens 8 July 2026.

Hit Machine Tickets

Letitia Wright in The Story

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Written by American playwright Tracey Scott-Wilson, this whip-smart, electrifying newsroom thriller follows an ambitious and rebellious young reporter, Yvonne Wilson, who investigates the murder of a white teacher in a black neighbourhood. BAFTA Award-winner Letitia Wright makes her West End debut as Yvonne.

Where you know her from: Letitia Wright is most known for playing Princess Shuri in the MCU's Black Panther and Avengers films. She was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her role in an episode of the horror anthology series Black Mirror. Earlier in her career, she played Chantelle in the gritty, London-based crime drama series Top Boy.

• Opens 27 August 2026.

The Story Tickets

Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Marianne Elliot directs Edward Albee's scintillating, scandalous drama about a toxic married couple who invite a young couple over for drinks and force them to participate in their brutal push-and-pull of abuse and lust. Gillian Anderson takes on the iconic role of the caustic, abusive Martha, who's been played in the past by legends such as Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Rigg, and Imelda Staunton, while Billy Crudup plays her husband, boring history professor George.

Where you know them from: Gillian Anderson has had a long and illustrious career, but most of us will recognise her immediately as FBI Special Agent Dana Scully from The X-Files. Since then, she's played fan-favourite Jean Milburn in Sex Education and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in Netflix's The Crown. Onstage, she has appeared in the West End in A Streetcar Named Desire and All About Eve. Billy Crudup, who recently wowed audiences in High Noon last year, has also appeared onscreen as rock guitarist Russell Hammond in Almost Famous, the superhero Dr Manhattan in Watchmen, and won multiple Primetime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Cory Ellison in The Morning Show.

• Opens 21 September 2026.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Tickets

Indira Varma in Glengarry Glen Ross

David Mamet's play, once adapted into a star-studded 1992 film, follows four real estate agents in Chicago who go to extreme lengths to bring in more sales. Tony Award winner Patrick Marber's new revival puts a bold, fresh spin on this story of capitalism and greed by featuring an all-female cast to play the cutthroat real estate agents. Indira Varma will star as Levene, alongside Rosa Salazar, Mercedes Bahleda, Nancy Crane, Dorothy Myer-Bennett, Florence Odumosu, and Niky Wardley.

Where you know her from: Indira Varma has charmed audiences across a range of television roles, including Ellaria Sand in HBO's Game of Thrones, Niobe in HBO's Rome, and Zoe Luther in BBC's Luther opposite Idris Elba. You might have also seen her onstage as Jocasta in Oedipus at the Old Vic, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination, and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth opposite Ralph Fiennes.

• Closes 18 July 2026.

Glengarry Glen Ross Tickets

Sting in The Last Ship

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Sting's acclaimed musical, in which he himself will star as shipyard foreman Jackie White, is inspired by the singer's own childhood in in the British shipbuilding town of Wallsend. As their shipyard faces closure, a community of shipbuilders decide to build one last ship in this heartbreaking story of community and strength, featuring beloved songs by Sting such as Island of Souls, All This Time, and When We Dance.

Where you know him from: Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, better known as Sting, is a celebrated British musician and actor, previously the frontman, songrwriter, and bassist for the rock band, the Police. The 17-time Grammy Award winning artist is currently in the midst of his STING 3.0 World Tour, and The Last Ship was developed in 2011 and inspired by his 1991 album The Soul Cages.

• Opens 22 September 2026.

The Last Ship Tickets

Jesse Tyler, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams, and Julian Clary in Jesus Christ Superstar

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Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic rock opera chronicles the last week of Jesus's life up until his crucifixion, fusing bible history with musical theatre and featuring unforgettable songs such as ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’, and the title number ‘Superstar’. In a thrilling casting choice, the role of King Herod will be shared by an all-star line-up of six performers across different dates of the season: Jesse Tyler, Simon Russell Beale, Richard Armitage, Boy George, Layton Williams, and Julian Clary.

Where you know them from: Jesse Tyler Ferguson is best known for playing Mitchell Pritchett on the hit sitcom Modern Family, as well as Broadway roles in Take Me Out and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Simon Russell Beale, winner of three Olivier Awards, two BAFTAS, one Tony Award, and a knighthood, is best known for The Death of Stalin, Mary Queen of Scots, and The Choral. You'll recognise Olivier Award-nominated Richard Armitage for his film roles in The Hobbit trilogy, Fool Me Once, and Red Eye, as well as theatre roles in The Crucible and Uncle Vanya. Boy George is, of course, a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and global pop icon, and was previously seen onstage as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical on Broadway. Olivier Award-winning actor, singer, and dancer Layton Williams is best known for Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Cabaret, and Titanique, as well as for being a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing. And Julian Clary is beloved across the country for starring in the London Palladium pantos for the past decade.

• Opens 20 June 2026.

Jesus Christ Superstar Tickets

Don't miss your chance to see these stars take the London stages by storm in 2026! If you need tips on making the most of your theatre experience, check out our Top 10 Tips for Booking Your Theatre Tickets. And if you're looking for more inspiration for shows to fill up your year, have a look at our recommendations of the Best Theatre Shows to Watch for Pride Month.