This Month in the West End (March 2026)

Shehrazade Zafar-Arif 27 March, 2026, 08:53

Spring is finally here, and there's plenty going on in the world of theatre. Join us for 'This Month in the West End', where we recap all the hottest news from March, as well as what we have to look forward to in April. From casting announcements for exciting new shows like Beetlejuice the Musical and Jesus Christ Superstar, to big stars like Gillian Anderson and Leslie Odom Jr coming to the West End, to a brand new play by Quentin Tarantino - here's everything you might have missed in theatreland this past month.

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Here are some of the most thrilling pieces of news that broke in March and set the theatre world abuzz.

Leslie Odom Jr to reprise his role as Aaron Burr in Hamilton

Leslie Odom Jr. Image provided by production.

Leslie Odom Jr, Broadway's original Aaron Burr, will be making his West End debut, reprising his Tony and Grammy Award-winning role as Alexander Hamilton's friend, rival, and killer in the London production of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, for a strictly limited season from 3rd July to 5th September 2026.

Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup to star in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup. Headshots provided by production.

X-Files and Sex Education star Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup (High Noon) will lead a thrilling new staging of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, in which two pairs of married couples engage in terrifyingly toxic games. Directed by Marianne Elliot, it will open at @sohoplace this autumn.

Quentin Tarantino's The Popinjay Cavlier is coming to the West End

Quentin Tarantino

Oscar-winning American film-maker Quentin Tarantino will make his West End debut as a theatre writer and director with a brand new play called The Popinjay Cavalier, which has been described as a "swashbuckling comedy" set in 1830s Europe. It will open in the West End in early 2027.

Trainspotting the Musical will have its world premiere at the Theatre Royal Haymarket

Artwork provided by production.

A brand new musical adaptation of Irvine Welsh's cult classic 1993 novel, which was adapted into a film by Danny Boyle starring Ewan McGregor, is coming to the Theatre Royal Haymarket on 15th July 2026. Robbie Scott will be playing lead character Mark Renton in his West End debut. The musical will feature original songs as well as tracks from the film, such as Iggy Pop’s Lust For Life and Lou Reed's Perfect Day.

Jamie Muscato and Celinde Schoenmaker to star in Love Never Dies

Artwork provided by production.

The thrilling sequel to The Phantom of the Opera is coming to the London Palladium this autumn in a special two-night-only concert production, as part of the celebrations for the 40th anniversary of The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. Jamie Muscato (One Day, The Great Gatsby) will play the Phantom, with Celinde Schoenmaker (Guys & Dolls, Les Miserables) making her return as Christine.

Meanwhile, some of the most anticipated new shows dropped some exciting casting announcements.

David Fynn cast as Beetlejuice in Beetlejuice the Musical

David Fynn in BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL. Artwork provided by production.

Olivier Award nominee David Fynn (School of Rock) has been cast in the iconic role of bio-exorcist Beetlejuice in the musical adaptation of Tim Burton's cult classic 1988 film about deceased couple who try to haunt the new inhabitants of their former home. This zany, spooky horror comedy is coming to the Prince Edward Theatre from 20th May for a strictly limited run.

Tyrone Huntley, David Thaxton, and Desmonda Cathabel cast in Jesus Christ Superstar

Tyrone Huntley, David Thaxton, and Desmonda Cathabel. Headshots provided by production.

Further casting has been announced for the West End production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, opening at the London Palladium on 20th June 2026. Tyrone Huntley will return to his critically acclaimed, Olivier-nominated role of Judas Iscariot, with Desmonda Cathabel (Hadestown) to play Mary Magdalene and David Thaxton (Sunset Boulevard) to play Pontius Pilate.

Alongside these, here are some more new shows that will be landing in, or returning to, the London stages this year.

The Comedy About Spies to return to the West End this summer

Artwork provided by production.

The Comedy About Spies, winner of Best New Play at the WhatsOnStage Awards 2026, and nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play, will return to the West End for a strictly limited 8 week season from 1st August 2026.

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical returns this summer

grease secret cinema Photo provided by production.

This smash-hit immersive theatrical experience that takes you into the world of the beloved film is coming back to Evolution London in Battersea Park for eight weeks from 21st July, following its sold-out 2025 run.

Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story On Stage returns to London this autumn

Photo provided by production.

A reimagining of Karl Sydow's record-breaking global hit, Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage, based on the popular 1987 romantic drama, is returning to London, opening at the new purpose-built Capital Theatre in West London from 16th October 2026.

Now You See Me Live to premiere at the London Coliseum this summer

Image provided by production.

The global stage show based on Lionsgate's worldwide blockbuster franchise is coming to London after a sold-out global tour in Australia and Singapore. Filled with high-tech illusions, solo stunts, and jaw-dropping magic tricks, it will premiere at the London Coliseum for five weeks only from 31st July 2026.

The Olivier Awards

In an exciting time for theatre, the nominations for the 2026 Olivier Awards were also announced, with the awards ceremony to take place next month. Here are the list of nominations, and here are our recommendations for Olivier Award-nominated shows that you can see in London.

What London shows are opening in April 2026

There are some thrilling new shows opening across London this month. You can catch acting legend Ralph Fiennes play Henry Irving in Grace Pervades, escape into a world of mischievous fairies in the sun-soaked Globe Theatre with A Midsummer Night's Dream, or sink into the nostalgia of a beloved classic reimagined with The Karate Kid: The Musical. You can find the full list of new shows opening this month here.

What London shows are closing in April 2026

We're also saying goodbye to several productions this month, so make sure you catch them before they leave the stage. Back to the Future: The Musical takes its last bows on 12th April after five years, before embarking on its first-ever UK-wide tour. Arthur Miller's harrowing drama Broken Glass will also close on 18th April, and the Broadway sensation Jaja's African Hair Braiding will end on the 25th. It's also your last chance to see dynamic singing duo Marie & Rosetta, closing 11th April, and hear sassy sea witch Ursula tell her side of the story in Unfortunate, closing 5th April.

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

Teeth n Smiles at the Duke of York Theatre

★★★

Noah Weatherby (Inch), Rebecca Lucy Taylor (Maggie), Samuel Jordan (Smegs) and Jojo Macari (Peyote) in TEETH 'N' SMILES at Duke of York’s Theatre. Photo by Helen Murray Noah Weatherby, Rebecca Lucy Taylor, Samuel Jordan, and Jojo Macari in TEETH N SMILES. Photo by Helen Murray.

Half a century after its first staging, this revival David Hare's 1975 play about ageing rock star Maggie (Rebecca Lucy Taylor) takes you back into the gritty glamour of the 1970s for a theatrical experience packed with a classic rock score and an emotionally stirring story that pays homage to rock 'n' roll. Read our review of Teeth n Smiles.

Summerfolk at the National Theatre

★★★★

Sid Sagar (Kirill Akimovich Dudako) in Summerfolk at the National Theatre. Photographer Johan Persson. Sid Sagar in SUMMERFOLK. Photo by Johan Persson.

Robert Hastie's revival of Russian playwright Maxim Gorky's Summerfolk is a dramatised commentary on the Russian bourgeois class and the changes occurring around them in the early 20th century, filled with rich, eccentric characters and witty satire. Read our review of Summerfolk.

Deep Azure at Shakespeare's Globe

★★★★

Aminita Francis as SK Good, Imani Yahshua as SK Evil and Jayden Elijah as Deep in Deep Azure c. Sam Taylor Aminita Francis, Imani Yahshua, and Jayden Elijah in DEEP AZURE. Photo by Sam Taylor.

From the late Chadwick Boseman comes a powerful and lyrical epic about a young black woman coping with the loss of her fiance who was killed by the police, a story influenced by the poetry of Shakespeare and powered by the pulse of Hip-Hop theatre. Read our review of Deep Azure.

Marie & Rosetta at @sohoplace

★★★★

Beverley Knight (Sister Rosetta Tharpe) and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu (Marie Knight) in Marie and Rosetta at @sohoplace. credit Johan Persson. Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu in MARIE & ROSETTA. Photo by Johan Persson.

Marie & Rosetta tells the true story of Rosetta Tharpe, the godmother of rock n roll, and her protege Marie Knight, in a rollicking celebration of gospel and blues music that features the powerful vocals of Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu. Read our review of Marie & Rosetta.

Broken Glass at the Young Vic

★★

broken glass young vic Image provided by production.

A rarely performed play by the great Arthur Miller, Broken Glass follows a woman who wakes up with a strange paralysis after reading about the atrocities committed against Jewish people in Nazi Germany. It's a harrowing, emotional story about the dangers of disconnecting with the realities of our world. Read our review of Broken Glass.

Before you leave us until next month, there's plenty more theatreland inspiration to be found on our website. Check out the Best Family Shows to Watch in London This Easter for inspiration on how to make the most of the school holidays.