This Month in the West End (November 2025)

The most talked about theatre news in November 2025

Avenue Q announces West End return for 2026

Artwork for Avenue Q.

Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty’s multi-award winning musical, Avenue Q is heading back to the West End in 2026. As part of the Shaftesbury Theatre’s renovation plans, the hit musical will head back for the first time in 20 years in a more intimate setting than what you usually expect from this space. We know this is going to be incredibly popular with audiences in the New Year!

London revival of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest announced

Giles Terera and Aaron Pierre.

Spring is blooming with more exciting news for theatregoers with The Old Vic revealing their plans for a revival of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest from April. Based on the popular novel by Ken Kesey, Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera will star in this powerful production set in a psychiatric institution. Further casting for the production is to be announced.

Back to the Future the Musical to close in the West End

Back To The Future The Musical production image.

Sad news came this month from the West End this month with Back to the Future Musical announcing it would be closing. The stage adaptation, based on the beloved 80s’ film, made its London debut at the Adelphi Theatre - its home for the last five years. The show will play its final performance on 12 April 2026, ahead of a UK tour which is scheduled to begin next Autumn. We’ll be sad to see this fantastic show leave!

Jesus Christ Superstar to play at the London Palladium

Sam Ryder. Photo by Jack Robinson

If you loved the 2016 production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, you’ll be glad to know it's back in a unique staging at the London Palladium next summer! Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera-type musical will star BRIT and Emmy nominated singer Sam Ryder, who makes his West End debut in the show from 20 June 2026!

Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe to star in new production of Romeo and Juliet

Noah Jupe and Sadie Sink. Photo by Helen Murray

More West End debuts are on the cards in 2026 with the news that Stranger Things star Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe, who will star in the upcoming film Hamnet, will star as the doomed star-crossed lovers in a new production of Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy is to once again make its way to the London stage but this time in a new production by film producer James Bierman. Performances begin in March at the Harold Pinter Theatre.

What London shows are closing in December 2025

London says goodbye to some brilliant productions during the month of December, wrapping up quite a spectacular year for theatre in the city. Joe Locke, star of TV series Heartstopper, will finish his West End debut in Samuel D Hunter’s play Clarkston whilst over at the Harold Pinter Theatre experience what The Telegraph hailed as “one of the greats” with Brendan Gleeson’s performance in The Weir. If you enjoy experiencing some magic Off-West End, After Sunday has been receiving critical acclaim over at the Bush Theatre.

What London shows are opening in December 2025

The end of the year may be in sight but there’s still a plethora of new shows lighting up the London stages in December. If you like something a bit spooky then the newest addition to the West End, Paranormal Activity, is set to give you a thrill. The highly anticipated revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods opens at the Bridge Theatre and High Noon, based on the gripping 1952 Western classic, takes to the stage in a new adaptation by the award-winning screenwriter Eric Roth.

If you'd like to find out what other shows are heading to the London stage, you can just read our 'New London Theatre Shows Opening in December 2025' guide.

What London Shows We Reviewed in November 2025

Othello, Theatre Royal Haymarket ★★★★★

David Harewood and Toby Jones in Othello. Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

Othello, Shakespeare’s tragedy of love and jealousy has never been more handsomely realised nor delivered with more assuredness, in a production where the women are finally permitted to fully shine. David Harewood and Toby Jones star in Tom Morris’ production which is full of things to praise!

Read our full review of Othello

Ballet Shoes, National Theatre (Olivier) ★★★★

The cast of Ballet Shoes. Photo by Alastair Muir

Noel Streatfeild’s best-selling 1936 children’s story about three adopted sisters, has never been out of print. When it was adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver, it proved one of the National’s biggest and most popular productions of 2024. Now it returns to the Olivier for a further run, which is scheduled to continue until February next year.

Read our full review of Ballet Shoes

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story ★★★★

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story at Alexandra Palace. Photo by Mark Douet.

A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story plays within the cavernous expanse of Alexandra Palace, Dickens’ ghostly classic as adapted by Mark Gatiss. Directed by Adam Penford, this year marks the production’s third outing at the venue, having previously played to captivated audiences in 2021 and again in 2023.

Before you leave us for another month (and the last edition of our ‘Month in the West End’ of the year) - we’ve got tons of theatreland inspiration on our website, including Everything You Need to Know About Paddington: The Musical and Christmas shows to watch in London in 2025.