This Month in the West End (October 2026)
Shehrazade Zafar-Arif
29 October, 2026, 17:27
October marked the start of longer nights, colder weather, spooky season - and also a whole lot of exciting theatre news. We had announcements of some fantastic new shows like The Notebook and The History Boys coming to the West End, plus a star-studded casting announcement for Quentin Tarantino's highly anticipated The Popinjay Cavalier, and some thrilling news from Andrew Lloyd Webber. Read on to find out what you might have missed this month in the West End.
Summary
- We have some exciting new shows to look forward to in 2027, like The Notebook and The History Boys.
- There were some thrilling casting announcements, like Sacha Baron Cohen leading The Popinjay Cavalier and Glenn Close as Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar.
- Next month we'll see some great new show openings, including new shows like Eurotrash and Nero.
- We reviewed some of the most highly anticipated shows in the West End, from RENT to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
THE NOTEBOOK musical to open in West End in 2027
Photo by Julieta Cervantes
The musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' beloved and bestselling romance novel The Notebook will have its UK premiere at the newly renamed Judi Dench Theatre, currently known as the Shaftesbury Theatre. With music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a book by Bekah Brunstetter, it will open on 10 March 2027, in time for the 30th anniversary of the book's publication.
Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Quentin Tarantino's THE POPINJAY CAVALIER
Artwork by James Paterson
Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for creating and playing comic characters including Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev and Brüno Gehard, will make his West End debut playing the title role in the world premiere of Quentin Tarantino's debut play, The Popinjay Cavalier, a swashbuckling comedy that will open at the Phoenix Theatre on 23 February 2027.
Glenn Close to play Herod in final week of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Headshot provided by production
Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award winner Glenn Close, best known for her iconic screen roles including Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction and Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians, will play fan-favourite King Herod in the final week of the record-breaking London season of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. She will perform from Monday 4 January to Saturday 9 January 2027.
Jesus Christ Superstar Tickets
THE HISTORY BOYS to return to the West End
Artwork provided by production
Nicholas Hytner's Olivier and Tony Award-winning production of The History Boys will return to the West End for the first time in two decades. Written by Alan Bennett and later adapted into a film, voted Britain's favourite play in 2013, The History Boys will come to the Theatre Royal Haymarket on Saturday 10 April 2027.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's new Mona Lisa musical to open in autumn 2027
Photo by Tricia Baron
Globally celebrated composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced a new musical about an art heist that involved the theft of the Mona Lisa. This musical, which reportedly involves the iconic Mona Lisa herself climbing out of her frame, is expected to open in London in autumn 2027, with more details to be revealed.
THE GUILTY to transfer to West End in 2027
Photo by Helen Murray
The Donmar Warehouse’s production of The Guilty, starring Russell Tovey, is set for a West End transfer after a sold-out run at the Donmar Warehouse this summer. This one-man psychological thriller will come to the Harold Pinter Theatre on 18 January 2027.
THE TRUTH set to return to the West End next summer
Artwork provided by production
After playing to packed houses at the Apollo Theatre this summer, Florian Zeller's smash-hit comedy The Truth will return to the West End next year, playing at the Theatre Royal Haymarket ahead of a UK tour. The original cast of the Apollo Theatre will reunite for the 2027 run which opens on Thursday 29 July 2027.
What London shows are opening in November 2026
We have many exciting new show openings to look forward to in November: from Christmas-themed shows The Snowman or Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas to the world premiere of Eurotrash starring Ben Whishaw to the much-anticipated return of Pride the Musical. And if you fancy a trip to Ancient Rome, take your pick between Julius Caesar by candlelight and Nero starring Andrew Barth Feldman. Check out the full list of new shows opening this month.
What London shows are closing in November 2026
We're also seeing the curtains close on a number of shows next month. 28th November will be your last chance to catch Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp in Affluenza. Shakespeare's wittiest comedy Much Ado About Nothing also closes at the Globe on 24th November. Broadway classic Kimberly Akimbo finishes its run on 14th November, as does the new musical tragedy Franz & Marie.
And finally, here are some of the biggest shows we reviewed in September:
Review: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? at Soho Place Theatre
★★★★
Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup star in this scintillating revival of Edward Albee's classic play about two married couples engaged in a toxic game that exposes the worst parts of themselves, directed by Marianne Elliot. Read our review of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf Tickets
Review: THE CHERRY ORCHARD at Harold Pinter Theatre
★★★★
Ian Rickson and Conor McPherson bring to the stage a bold new production of Anton Chekhov's final and perhaps most melancholic play. Kristin Scott Thomas plays Russian landowner Lyubov Ranevskaya, who finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat from a changing world. Read our review of The Cherry Orchard.
Review: FRANZ & MARIE at Charing Cross Theatre
★★★★
Photo by Danny Kaan
This new musical is based on the unfinished German tragedy Woyzeck and features music by Kentish indie folk band The Singing Loins. Set in the twisted world of late 19th century European folklore, a soldier named Franz begins suffering from PTSD and hallucinations while going to extreme lengths to provide for his family. Read our review of Franz & Marie.
Review: RENT at Tom Stoppard Theatre
★★★★
Jonathan Larson's RENT is one of the most beloved pieces of musical theatre out there, and Luke Sheppard's production was one of the most anticipated revivals of the year. Gaten Matarazzo stars as Mark Cohen in this sweeping, heartbreaking musical about a group of struggling artists in Manhattan's East Village, navigating love, loss, and the looming threat of HIV/AIDS. Read our review of RENT.
Review: Tru at the Menier Chocolate Factory
★★★★
Photo by Johan Persson
Jesse Tyler Ferguson stars as Truman Capote in the Broadway transfer of this intimate one-man-led play that paints a portrait of the great American writer reflecting on his life and work in the aftermath of a scandalous memoir, drawn entirely from Capote's own words. Read our review of Tru.
Review: AFFLUENZA at Riverside Studios
★★★★
Noah Schnapp stars in this biting and darkly funny new play by Andy Sandberg, a legal drama based on shocking true events in which a drunk and wealthy teenager causes a devastating car accident and the ensuing legal fallout sheds harsh light on moral accountability, privilege, and the American justice system. Read our review of Affluenza.
If you're looking for more inspiration for what shows to see before the year runs out, check out our list of the top must-see shows of this autumn, and also our coverage of all the best shows to watch in honour of Halloween.
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This Month in the West End (October 2026)
29 October 2026 at 17:27
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