This Month in the West End (August 2026)

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 27 August, 2026, 15:40

Autumn is only upon us, so let's look back at everything that happened in the world of theatre back in August. From thrilling casting announcements like Skylar Astin and Sarah Hyland joining the cast of Cabaret to withdrawals like Ariana Grande leaving the cast of Sunday in the Park With George, plus the announcement of exciting new shows like Nanny McPhee and The Greatest Showman, not to mention the start of London Theatre Week - it's been a whirlwind of a month in the West End!

Summary

We've had some thrilling new show announcements for 2027, like The Greatest Showman and Nanny McPhee.
There've been some exciting casting announcements, like Skylar Astin and Sarah Hyland making their West End debuts in Cabaret, Noah Schnapp making his stage debut in Affluenza, and Lolly Adefope taking on the title role in Oh, Mary!.
We have a lot of great new openings to look forward to in September, like The Standard of Living and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
We reviewed some of the most anticipated new shows in August, like I'm Every Woman and the new revival of Cats.

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN is coming to the West End in 2027

The Greatest Showman - Oliver Tompsett & Samantha Barks - Photo by Sebastian Nevols Photo by Sebastian Nevols

Disney Theatre Group have announced that the new stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman is coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in spring 2027. Oliver Tompsett (&Juliet, Wild About You, Pretty Woman) and Samantha Barks (Frozen, Les Misérables) will reprise their roles, leading the cast as P.T Barnum and Charity Barnum.

The Greatest Showman Tickets

TRAINSPOTTING THE MUSICAL cancels its UK tour

Artwork provided by production

The world premiere of Trainspotting the Musical will no longer be embarking on a UK tour following its London run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Writer Irvine Welsh has cited low ticket sales and the financial challenges of taking a production of this scale on tour.

Trainspotting Tickets

Shaggy to reprise his role in Sting's THE LAST SHIP

The Last Ship production photo Photo provided by production

Global reggae icon Shaggy will reprise his role as the Wallsend Ferryman for two performances only in Sting's newly adapted musical, The Last Ship, coming to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this autumn.

The Last Ship Tickets

Skylar Astin and Sarah Hyland join the cast of CABARET

Skylar Astin and Sarah Hyland Headshots provided by production

Cabaret has announced new casting for autumn 2026, with American stars Skylar Astin (Pitch Perfect) and Sarah Hyland (Modern Family) to lead the cast as the Emcee and Sally Bowles, making their West End debuts, from 21 September 2026.

Cabaret Tickets

Ariana Grande withdraws from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE

jonathan bailey and ariana grande sunday in the park with george Headshots provided by production

Ariana Grande has officially withdrawn from the upcoming 2027 revival of Sunday in the Park with George, which she was due to star in opposite Jonathan Bailey. According to her representative, the pop singer has decided to take a step back from the public eye after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour.

Sunday in the Park With George Tickets

Noah Schnapp to make his stage debut in the world premiere of AFFLUENZA

Noah Schnapp in Affluenza. Photo provided by production. Photo provided by production

Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp will make his stage debut in the world premiere of Andy Sandberg's Affluenza, which will be the first world premiere of Mainstage Season 26/27 at Riverside Studios, London.

Aflluenza Tickets

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET to transfer to the Arts at Marble Arch this autumn

The cast of Million Dollar Quartet Photo provided by production

The Barn Theatre's production of Million Dollar Quartet will transfer to London this autumn for a strictly limited season. It will play at the Arts at Marble Arch, filling the slot left by Burlesque the Musical, which recently postponed its London run.

Million Dollar Quartet Tickets

Lolly Adefope to make West End debut in OH, MARY

Lolly Adefope. Photo by Oliver Rosser Photo by Oliver Rosser

British comedian and BAFTA nominee Lolly Adefope, best known for BBC's Ghosts, is making her West End debut in the title role of the award-winning West End production of Cole Escola's Oh, Mary! for a 10-week season from 28 September.

Oh Mary Tickets

PRIDE to transfer to the Bridge Theatre

The cast and team of Pride at the Bridge Theatre. Photo by Justine Matthews Photo by Justine Matthews

New musical Pride will transfer to the Bridge Theatre this November following a sold out season at the National Theatre this summer. It will begin performances from 12 November, as the inaugural production under the theatre's new ownership, Trafalgar Entertainment.

Pride Tickets

NANNY MCPHEE stage musical is coming to London in 2027

Nanny McPhee artwork provided by production Artwork provided by production

A new musical adaptation of Nanny McPhee, written by Emma Thompson, will have its world premiere in London in summer 2027. Further details about dates, venue, and casting will be revealed in due course.

Nanny McPhee Tickets

London Theatre Week 2026 is back!

From 17 August until 13 September, theatre lovers can get discounted tickets on over 75 shows, including new openings, long-running hits, and more, from price points of £15, £25, and £35.Check out our London Theatre Week deals.

What London shows are opening in September 2026

September is filled with exciting new theatre openings - from brand new plays like Bloodsport: After Helen of Troy and The Standard of Living to the return of beloved classics like RENT, and the chance to see big stars on stage, like Gillian Anderson in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Tilda Swinton in Man to Man. Check out the full list of new shows opening this month.

What London shows are closing in September 2026

We're also going to be saying goodbye to a lot of shows. International stage illusion spectacular Now You See Me Live is going away on 6 September. Grease fans, don't miss your chance to see Grease the Immersive Movie Musical before it closes on 13 September. Aaron Sorkin's critically acclaimed adaptation of Harper Lee's beloved novel To Kill a Mockingbird will end its run on 12 September. Jesus Christ Superstar will finish its run at the London Palladium on 5 September - but don't worry, it will return soon for its Theatre Royal Drury Lane run!

And finally, here are some of the biggest shows we reviewed in August.

AS YOU LIKE IT at Shakespeare’s Globe

★★★

Gracie Oddie-James as Celia in As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe (c. Marc Brenner) Photo by Marc Brenner

The Globe Theatre is transformed into the Forest of Arden Shakespeare's classic pastoral comedy about young love, comical misunderstandings, and disguises. Read our review of As You Like It.

As You Like It Tickets

ABIGAIL'S PARTY at Harold Pinter Theatre

★★★★

Abigail's Party - Lauren Patel & Tamzin Outhwaite - Ellie Kurtz Photo by Ellie Kurtz

Tamzin Outhwaite stars in Mike Leigh's hilarious and darkly witty comedy of manners which packs sitcom-style humour with a sly commentary about the British middle class. Read our review of Abigail's Party.

Abigail's Party Tickets

CATS at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

★★★

Gary Wilmot in Cats. Photo by Mark Senior. Photo by Mark Senior

Andrew Lloyd Webber's time classic returns to the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre with the whimsical, dreamy story of the singing and dancing Jellicle Cats. Read our review of Cats.

Cats Tickets

I’M EVERY WOMAN at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

★★★

Photo provided by production

This jukebox bio-musical celebrates the life and career of Queen of Funk, Chaka Khan, charting her ise to fame in a turbulent musical industry, filled with beloved songs and cameos by other musical giants. Read our review of I'm Every Woman.

I'm Every Woman Tickets

NOW YOU SEE ME LIVE at London Coliseum

★★★

L-R-Rafferty-Coope-Gabriella-Lester-Matthew-Pomeroy-Andrew-Basso-in-NOW-YOU-SEE-ME-LIVE-Credit-Johan-Persson Photo by Johan Persson

Inspired by Lionsgate's worldwide blockbuster franchise about a group of stage musicians called the Four Horsemen, Now You See Me Live features a world-class magic ensemble who stun audiences with grand and shocking feats of illusion and magic tricks. Read our review of Now You See Me Live.

Now You See Me Live Tickets

It hasn't just been an exciting month in the West End alone - Edinburgh Fringe has dominated the world of theatre news during the month of August. Check out our list of 10 shows to look out for at Edinburgh Fringe which we may see in London soon. And if you're looking for more inspiration for shows to watch this year, check out this list of new book-to-stage adaptations we're excited to watch in 2026.