This Month in the West End (June 2026)

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 29 June, 2026, 15:32

June has been the hottest month this year, so let's celebrate its end with the hottest news circulating through the West End. From new plays like Hamlet Hail to the Thief and Savage to thrilling casting announcements for Jesus Christ Superstar and Oh, Mary! to the Broadway transfer of The Lost Boys - there's a lot for us to look forward to in the theatre world!

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Summary

We've had some exciting new show announcements, like James Graham's The Standard of Living, and a new production of Hamlet starring James Norton
There've also been some thrilling casting reveals, such as Jinkx Monsoon returning to Oh, Mary! and a star-studded line-up of actors for Jesus Christ Superstar.
Some great new shows will be coming to the stage in July, such as Cats and Death Note the Musical.
We also reviewed some great shows in June, such as Sinatra the Musical and The Misanthrope.

HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF to have London premiere at the Barbican

Artwork provided by production

Hamlet meets Radiohead in this dynamic new show where Shakespeare's words are illuminated by Radiohead’s celebrated album Hail to the Thief, re-worked by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke and performed live by a cast of musicians and actors.

STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW to close in West End and Broadway

Artwork of Stranger Things Artwork provided by production

The prequel stage play to the hit Netflix series Stranger Things, which aired its final season last year, will end its run at the Phoenix Theatre on 27 December 2026 after three years, and also also close on Broadway the following month.

Jinkx Monsoon to make her West End debut in OH, MARY!

Artwork of Jinkx Monsoon in Oh Mary Artwork provided by production

Award-winning actress, comedian, and drag queen Jinkx Monsoon will be reprising her role as Mary Todd Lincoln, making her West End debut in this Olivier Award-winning play for a limited six week season from 17 August.

Gerardine Sacdalan cast as Veronica in HEATHERS THE MUSICAL

Heathers casting Geraldine Sacdalan

Heathers revealed the cast for its UK and Ireland tour and West End limited run at the Arts at Marble Arch from this July. Most excitingly, Gerardine Sacdalan (&Juliet) has been cast as the lead, Veronica Sawyer.

Star-studded line-up of King Herods announced for JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR

Artwork provided by production

Six actors will share the role of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar when it transfers to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane: Matt Bomer, Rob Brydon, Reece Shearsmith, Bob the Drag Queen, Michael Ball, Simon Russell Beale, Omid Djalili, and Layton Williams.

James Norton to Star in HAMLET in the West End

The poster of Hamlet starring James Norton, coming to the West End in 2027 Artwork provided by production

A new West End production of Hamlet is coming to the stage in August 2027, directed by Thomas Ostermeier and starring James Norton in the titular role.

YESTERDAY to be adapted into a stage musical

Film poster for Yesterday

Danny Boyle will direct a musical adaptation of the 2019 film Yesterday, which imagines a world without the Beatles, with casting underway for the lead role.

CHICAGO 2027 UK and Ireland tour announced

Photo provided by production

Chicago is returning for a UK and Ireland tour in 2027, which will open at the New Wimbledon Theatre in London on 5 February 2027.

SAVAGE, a new play about Paul O'Grady, to have world premiere

Artwork provided by production

Danny Beard will star in a new play by Jonathan Harvey that tells the story of Paul O'Grady and his drag persona Lily Savage, which will have its world premiere in Leicester ahead of coming to the West End.

ONE DAY: THE MUSICAL to transfer to West End

One Day artwork Artwork provided by production

Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose will star in the musical adaptation of David Nicholls' best-selling and heartbreaking novel One Day (also adapted for the screen), which will have its West End premiere on 17 November.

THE TRAITORS - ACTS OF BETRAYAL announces five-show format

Artwork for The Traitors. Photo by Matt Crockett Photo by Matt Crockett

The BBC mega-hit series The Traitors is coming to the stage in a unique and thrilling stage adaptation, which consists of a five-show format where each performance will begin with the same premise before diverging into a different narrative, plus a special audience participation element on Saturdays.

Rory Kinnear and Natalia Osipova to star in world premiere of James Graham's THE STANDARD OF LIVING

Rory Kinnear and Natalia Osipova. Headshots provided by production Photo provided by production

James Graham's (Dear England) new play explores the life and legacy of British economist John Maynard Keynes. Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear and ballerina Natalia Osipova star as Keynes and his wife Lydia in this gripping drama coming 21 September.

THE LOST BOYS musical to have UK premiere

Photo by Matthew Murphy

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical adaptation of the 1987 cult classic film is coming to the UK! No details around venue or dates have been revealed yet.

What London shows are opening in July 2026

There's some truly exciting shows opening in July. From acclaimed director Simon Stone's take on The Oresteia to Shakespeare's least performed comedy Love's Labours Lost, you'll be spoiled for choice. Experience the magic of Cats in the glorious outdoors of Regent's Park, lose yourself in the 1950s with Grease the Immersive Movie Musical, or relive a beloved anime onstage with Death Note the Musical. Check out the full list of new shows opening this month.

What London shows are closing in July 2026

At the same time, there are many shows we'll be saying goodbye to this month. The Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's magical production of A Midsummer Night's Dream closes on 18 July, as does the all-female Glengarry Glen Ross. Richard Nelson's witty historical play Springwood will end on 25 July, as does Rajiv Joseph's darkly funny play Archduke.

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

PRIDE at National Theatre, Dorfman

★★★★★

Photo by Manuel Harlan

This new musical celebrates a powerful and often overlooked moment in British and queer history, in which activist Mark Ashton rallied a group of gay men and lesbians to support the miners striking across the country. Read our review of Pride.

CYRANO DE BERGERAC at Noël Coward Theatre

★★★★

Photo provided by production

Adrian Lester stars in this adaptation of the 1897 play by Edmond Rostand, in which the charismatic but large-nosed Cyrano falls in love with the beautiful Roxane but hides his love and instead helps the handsome but inarticulate Christian woo her. Read our review of Cyrano de Bergerac.

SINATRA THE MUSICAL at Aldwych Theatre

★★★★

Sinatra The Musical. Featuring Joel Harper-Jackson and Phoebe Panaretos. Photography by Birgit and Ralf Brinkhoff Photo by Birgit and Ralf Brinkhoff

This brand-new musical celebrates the life and legacy of the legendary Frank Sinatra, chronicling the struggles he faced in his career, all the way up to his triumphant comeback, along with the personal details of his marriage to Nancy Sinatra and his affair with Ava Gardner. Read our review of Sinatra the Musical.

THE MISANTHROPE at National Theatre, Lyttelton

★★★

Sandra Oh (Alice) in The Misanthrope at the National Theatre. Photo by Marc Brenner Photo by Marc Brenner

Sandra Oh stars in Martin Crimp's adaptation of Moliere's comedy The Misanthrope, which updates the setting to 1990s London and reimagines his aristocratic anti-hero Alceste as a female novelist named Alice. Read our review of The Misanthrope.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Shakespeare’s Globe

★★★★

Photo by Marc Brenner

In Shakespeare's wittiest comedy, long-time rivals Beatrice and Benedick butt head and trade barbs while their family and friends, while planning the wedding of young lovers Hero and Claudio, decide to match-make them. Hilarity and chaos ensue. Read our review of Much Ado About Nothing.

WAR HORSE at National Theatre

★★★★★

Jo Castleton, Tom Sturgess, and Joey in War Horse 2026 at the National Theatre. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg Photo by Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Twenty years after its world premiere, the legendary production of War Horse makes a triumphant return with the heartwarming story of a young boy searching for his beloved horse among the cavalry during the First World War. Read our review of War Horse.

June was also Pride Month, but you can continue to celebrate queer-themed stories with these Best Theatre Shows to Watch for Pride Month. You can also check out All the Celebrities You Can See Onstage This Year for more inspiration for how to fill your summer with theatre magic.