Menu
Book tickets

Best West End Shows

Experience the finest entertainment theatreland offers with these very special productions: the award-winners, the sell-outs and the Broadway transfers. Every show has a big impact, from the most popular dramas, scariest horrors and best-loved sing-along musicals to serious works so inspiring they change lives. Check these best West End shows out and make your next trip to the capital memorable.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Cambridge Theatre

4.6 8 reviews 4.6 8 reviews Tickets from £20.00
Theatregoers (88%) i

If you enjoy some spontaneous entertainment, grab a ticket for Showstoppers! The Improvised Musical. The multi award-wining show takes suggestions from the audience and turns them into a unique treat for theatregoers.

  • Booking until: Monday, 27 July 2026
  • Running time: 2hr. Inc. 1 interval.
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical tickets
Pay No Fees
Wicked tickets Wicked

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

4.7 6006 reviews 4.7 6006 reviews Tickets from £28.00
Families (93%) Teenagers (88%) Couples (87%) Theatregoers (89%) i

Now in the 10th longest-running West End stage production in British history, Wicked is the multi-award winning musical based on the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Dubbed Best Musical of the Decade by Entertainment Weekly, Wicked continues to be one of the West End's most popular family musicals.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027
  • Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Wicked tickets
Special Prices
Oliver! tickets Oliver!

Oliver!

Gielgud Theatre

4.9 292 reviews 4.9 292 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Anyone (93%) i

Lionel Burt's timeless musical Oliver! is making a triumphant return to the West End this Winter. Bringing Dickens’ classic tale and its unforgettable songs back to life, audiences can look forward to a fresh revival of this timeless story from Cameron Mackintosh and Matthew Bourne. It'll leave you asking for more!

  • Booking until: Sunday, 4 October 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 40min. Incl. interval.
  • Starring: Simon Lipkin
Oliver! tickets
Akram Khan's Giselle tickets Closes 18 January 2026 Akram Khan's Giselle

Akram Khan's Giselle

London Coliseum

4.7 10 reviews 4.7 10 reviews Tickets from £78.00
Theatregoers (90%) i

In January 2026, the English National Ballet will bring a bold reimagining of the classic romantic ballet, Giselle, to the grand stage of the London Coliseum, directed and choreographed by Akram Khan.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 18 January 2026
  • Running time: 2hr Incl. 1 interval.
Akram Khan's Giselle tickets

Matilda The Musical

Cambridge Theatre

4.7 1441 reviews 4.7 1441 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Families (97%) i

Matilda The Musical takes audiences of all ages on an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, heart, and the inspiring tale of a courageous little girl with extraordinary powers. The show has won over 100 international awards since it opened in London in 2011.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 17 January 2027
  • Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 Intermission.
Matilda The Musical tickets

Les Miserables

Sondheim Theatre

4.9 3171 reviews 4.9 3171 reviews Tickets from £29.00
Teenagers (85%) Couples (93%) Theatregoers (96%) i

Les Misérables has retained its crown as the longest-running musical in the West End for nearly 40 years. Over 130 million people worldwide have been captivated by this timeless tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption. This is a must-see on your plans when you visit London.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 3 October 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 50min. Incl. 15min interval.
Les Miserables tickets

All My Sons

Wyndham's Theatre

4.9 36 reviews 4.9 36 reviews Tickets from £120.00
Theatregoers (94%) i

Directed by Ivo van Hove, “Bryan Cranston is magnetic in this masterful staging” (The Independent) of Arthur Miller's 1946 play. Returning to London for the first time since the 2019 production at The Old Vic, the play follows a self-made businessman during World War II faces the fallout of his actions and the breakdown of his family.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 7 March 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 15min. No Interval.
  • Starring: Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Paapa Essiedu
All My Sons tickets

Cabaret

Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse

4.7 242 reviews 4.7 242 reviews Tickets from £36.00
Theatregoers (93%) i

The immersive and electrifying West End production of Cabaret has captivated London’s theatre scene. Enter the transformed Playhouse Theatre, where you're transported directly into the vibrant and turbulent world of 1930s Berlin.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 26 September 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Cabaret tickets
Top Hat tickets Closes 26 January 2026 Top Hat

Top Hat

Queen Elizabeth Hall

4.8 268 reviews 4.8 268 reviews Tickets from £92.00
Couples (91%) Theatregoers (94%) i

Heady, romantic, and colourful, with stunning choreography and witty dialogue, Top Hat returns to London this winter for a six-week limited run. Kathleen Marshall brings to life this musical adaptation of the 1935 Hollywood classic, packed with Irving Birling's greatest hits.

  • Booking until: Monday, 26 January 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 Interval.
Top Hat tickets

Mousetrap

St Martins Theatre

4.5 1235 reviews 4.5 1235 reviews Tickets from £27.00
Couples (86%) Theatregoers (92%) i

Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the ultimate classic whodunit that has kept audiences on the edge of their seats for decades with its suspenseful plot and surprising twists. Experience the thrill of live mystery and see why this record-breaking play remains a timeless masterpiece of London's theatre scene.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 2 January 2027
  • Running time: 2hr. Incl. 1 interval.
Mousetrap tickets
An Ideal Husband tickets Opens 8 May 2026 Opens 8 May 2026 An Ideal Husband

An Ideal Husband

Lyric Hammersmith

4.6 19 reviews 4.6 19 reviews Tickets from £12.00
Couples (89%) Theatregoers (95%) i

I love London Society! It is entirely composed now of beautiful idiots and brilliant lunatics.' So says the complicated hero of Oscar Wilde's darkly witty and scathing social satire about London high society, in which Sir Robert Chiltern finds his perfect life threatened when the devious Mrs Cheveley threatens to wreck his reputation with political scandal and blackmail. Don't miss this bold new adaptation of Wilde's outrageously funny and clever play by the Lyric's Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie.

  • Opens: Friday, 8 May 2026
    Booking until: Saturday, 6 June 2026
An Ideal Husband tickets

Into The Woods

The Bridge Theatre

4.6 9 reviews 4.6 9 reviews Tickets from £30.00
Couples (89%) Theatregoers (89%) i

Into the Woods masterfully weaves classic fairy tales into a rich, thought-provoking story. With Sondheim’s stunning score and a darkly humorous yet heartfelt narrative, it'll be the first major revival of the production in London for over nine years!

  • Booking until: Saturday, 30 May 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 40min (incl. 1 interval).
Into The Woods tickets

The Tempest

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

4 25 reviews 4 25 reviews Tickets from £8.00

Tim Crouch directs this revival of Shakespeare's powerful, moving story of freedom, power, and magic, set on a hidden, enchanted island ruled by the magician Prospero, where he, his daughter Miranda, and his unearthly servants Caliban and Ariel attempt to retell their own stories. Witness a mystical take on this classic play as you've never seen it before, in the beautiful candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 12 April 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
The Tempest tickets
Dirty Dancing tickets Opens 16 Oct 2026 Opens 16 October 2026 Dirty Dancing

Dirty Dancing

Capital Theatre

4.7 861 reviews 4.7 861 reviews Tickets from £102.00
Couples (90%) Theatregoers (87%) i

Don't miss the electrifying Dirty Dancing musical coming to the new Capital Theatre in London in 2026, where the iconic story of Baby and Johnny comes to life like never before. With breathtaking choreography, unforgettable hits like "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," and a fresh take on the classic tale, this production promises an experience that will leave you on your feet.

  • Opens: Friday, 16 October 2026
    Booking until: Sunday, 21 March 2027
  • Running time: 2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval.
Dirty Dancing tickets

Phantom of the Opera

His Majesty's Theatre

4.8 4199 reviews 4.8 4199 reviews Tickets from £28.00
Couples (93%) Theatregoers (95%) i

The Phantom of the Opera is a timeless tale of love, obsession, and tragedy set in the glamourous world of the Paris Opera House. With its haunting music from Andrew Lloyd Wbber, opulent sets, and gripping storyline, The Phantom of the Opera has been captivating audiences across the world for over 37 years.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 3 October 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 20min interval.
Phantom of the Opera tickets

The Lion King

Lyceum Theatre

4.8 7715 reviews 4.8 7715 reviews Tickets from £39.00
Families (98%) Teenagers (90%) Couples (90%) Theatregoers (90%) i

Disney's The Lion King is an unparalleled West End theatrical experience, bringing the enchanting world of the African savannah to the stage in a mesmerising spectacle for all ages. Adapted from the 1994 animation film, The Lion King has been selling out to audiences for over two decades.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 1 November 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
The Lion King tickets

Woman in Mind

Duke of York's Theatre

4 12 reviews 4 12 reviews Tickets from £54.00

Acclaimed British playwright and director Alan Ayckbourn’s jaw-dropping 1985 play returns to the stage after fifteen years in a breath-taking new revival. In Woman in Mind, melancholy housewife Susan dreams up the perfect, loving family to replace her existing one, but the hallucinations of her ideal family members begin encroaching further on reality in this darkly surreal story of domestic horror.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 28 February 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
  • Starring: Sheridan Smith
Woman in Mind tickets
Special Prices
Mamma Mia! tickets Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

Novello Theatre

4.8 5205 reviews 4.8 5205 reviews Tickets from £18.00
Families (94%) Teenagers (92%) Couples (94%) Theatregoers (92%) i

The third-longest-running musical in West End history, Mamma Mia! is an irresistibly joyous musical set to ABBA's timeless hits. The show contains 23 of the biggest ABBA hits, including unforgettable hits like "Dancing Queen", "Waterloo" and the title song "Mamma Mia".

  • Booking until: Saturday, 26 September 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 interval.
Mamma Mia! tickets
Special Prices
The Book of Mormon tickets The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

Prince of Wales Theatre

4.8 5616 reviews 4.8 5616 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Couples (87%) i

The Book of Mormon is a wildly entertaining, award-winning show that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Audiences worldwide have been captivated by this production which pushes boundaries whilst delivering laughs and unforgettable performances.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 16 May 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
The Book of Mormon tickets

The Play That Goes Wrong

Duchess Theatre

4.7 2106 reviews 4.7 2106 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Families (90%) Teenagers (89%) Couples (90%) Theatregoers (92%) i

The Play That Goes Wrong is an unmissable comedy, delivering laugh-out-loud moments as a fictional theatre company attempt to perform a murder mystery production collapses. Known for its brilliantly timed physical humour and unexpected mishaps, The Play That Goes Wrong is the longest-running comedy in the West End for a reason!

  • Booking until: Sunday, 31 January 2027
  • Running time: 2hr. Incl. 1 interval.
The Play That Goes Wrong tickets

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

President Hotel

4.7 431 reviews 4.7 431 reviews Tickets from £55.00
Couples (96%) Theatregoers (92%) i

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience debuted in Brisbane back in 1997 and is now a huge success across the world, including here in London. Enjoy the antics of Basil, Sybil and Manuel in a 2 hour interactive production whilst tucking into a 3-course lunch or dinner.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 20 December 2026
  • Running time: 2hr.
Faulty Towers The Dining Experience tickets
Sunny Afternoon tickets Closes 31 January 2026 Sunny Afternoon

Sunny Afternoon

Alexandra Palace

4.6 352 reviews 4.6 352 reviews Tickets from £22.00
Couples (91%) Theatregoers (90%) i
Sunny Afternoon, the stage musical inspired by the songs of The Kinks, is packed with Kinks chart hits and a feast of real-life drama exploring the band's lives, times, successes, failures, challenges and troubles.
  • Booking until: Saturday, 31 January 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 40min. Incl. interval.
Sunny Afternoon tickets
High Society tickets Opens 19 May 2026 Opens 19 May 2026 High Society

High Society

Barbican Theatre

4.2 6 reviews 4.2 6 reviews Tickets from £42.00
Anyone (100%) i

Don't miss the party of the year with Cole Porter's much-loved musical comedy in this sparkling revival directed by Rachel Kavanaugh. A witty, laugh-out-loud that pokes fun at Oyster Bay high society, this musical takes you right into the wedding preparation for the latest nuptials of pretentious socialite Tracy Lord, which quickly descend into chaos with the arrival of her ex-husband. High Society stars Call the Midwife's Helen George and Anything Goes's Felicity Kendal and features many of Porter's classic songs such as 'Just One Of Those Things', 'Let's Misbehave', 'I Love Paris', 'Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?', and more.

  • Opens: Tuesday, 19 May 2026
    Booking until: Saturday, 11 July 2026
  • Starring: Felicity Kendal, Helen George
High Society tickets
Kinky Boots tickets Opens 17 Mar 2026 Opens 17 March 2026 Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots

London Coliseum

4.8 1230 reviews 4.8 1230 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Teenagers (85%) Couples (93%) Theatregoers (95%) i

The beloved British musical comes home after strutting its way across the UK on a sell-out tour in 2025! Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and featuring music and lyrics by pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this story of the unlikely team-up between a shoemaker and a drag queen is sure to leave a smile on your face.

  • Opens: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
    Booking until: Saturday, 11 July 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval.
  • Starring: Johannes Radebe
Kinky Boots tickets

Austentatious

Vaudeville Theatre

5 8 reviews 5 8 reviews Tickets from £26.00
Families (88%) Teenagers (100%) Couples (100%) Theatregoers (100%) i

Experience a hilarious new Jane Austen novel with the smash-hit comedy Austentatious. Inspired entirely by a title from the audience and performed in period costume with live musical accompaniment - it’s a riotous, razor-sharp show where swooning is guaranteed.

  • Booking until: Monday, 6 July 2026
  • Running time: 1hr 50min. Incl. 1 interval.
Austentatious tickets

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Palace Theatre

4.7 92 reviews 4.7 92 reviews Tickets from £34.00
Families (87%) Teenagers (85%) Theatregoers (88%) i

Rediscover the Wizarding World 19 years after the epic Battle of Hogwarts with the multi-award-winning production, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Jampacked with spectacular spells, embark on a mind-blowing race through time with one of London's most popular plays!

  • Booking until: Sunday, 26 July 2026
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child tickets
Matthew Bourne The Red Shoes tickets Closes 18 January 2026 Matthew Bourne The Red Shoes

Matthew Bourne The Red Shoes

Sadlers Wells

4.9 35 reviews 4.9 35 reviews Tickets from £144.00
Teenagers (86%) Couples (91%) Theatregoers (97%) i

Based on the film by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and Hans Christian Anderson's fairytale; Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes heads to London for the Christmas season at Sadler's Wells. This powerful tale of obsession, possession and one girl's dream to be the greatest dancer in the world has captivated audiences for years!

  • Booking until: Sunday, 18 January 2026
  • Running time: 2hrs. Incl. 1 interval.
  • Playing at: Sadlers Wells
  • Booking until: Sunday, 18 January 2026
Matthew Bourne The Red Shoes tickets
HMS Pinafore tickets Closes 7 February 2026 HMS Pinafore

HMS Pinafore

London Coliseum

4.8 18 reviews 4.8 18 reviews Tickets from £14.00
Families (89%) Teenagers (89%) Couples (94%) Theatregoers (94%) i

A clueless Captain, a spirited siren and pompous petty officers come together in this hilarious tale of love, honour, and duty that pokes fun at the British class system. Cal McCrystal’s revival of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera, set aboard the HMS Pinafore, makes its much-anticipated return to the stage.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 7 February 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 15min. Incl. 1 interval.
HMS Pinafore tickets
Special Prices
Hamilton tickets Hamilton

Hamilton

Victoria Palace

4.7 1104 reviews 4.7 1104 reviews Tickets from £23.00
Teenagers (86%) Couples (88%) Theatregoers (94%) i

The award-winning and record-breaking Hamilton is delighting audiences at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Now in its eighth year, this is a hugely popular musical based on America's founding father Alexander Hamilton's life with a book, music, and lyrics written by musical theatre icon Lin-Manuel Miranda.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 3 October 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 15min interval.
Hamilton tickets

OVO - Cirque du Soleil

Royal Albert Hall

4.9 14 reviews 4.9 14 reviews Tickets from £60.00
Anyone (93%) i

The circus is back in town with this buzzing, colourful adventure as OVO Cirque du Soleil returns to the Royal Albert Hall. The story of a mysterious egg and the love between a ladybug and a fly is told through a series of thrilling, mind-boggling acrobatics, and a visually stunning set and costume design that immerses you right into the wondrous world of its insect characters. Come be amazed at the myriad of tricks and effects blended into the magic of storytelling.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 1 March 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 5min. Incl. 1 Interval.
OVO - Cirque du Soleil tickets

Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie

London County Hall

4.7 270 reviews 4.7 270 reviews Tickets from £19.00
Couples (90%) Theatregoers (96%) i

Step into London’s historic County Hall for Witness for the Prosecution, where Agatha Christie’s gripping courtroom drama unfolds in an unforgettable, immersive setting. This acclaimed production brings you up close to the suspense as shocking twists keep you guessing right until the final verdict.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 4 October 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 20min. Incl. 1 interval.
Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie tickets
SIX tickets SIX

SIX

Vaudeville Theatre

4.8 453 reviews 4.8 453 reviews Tickets from £41.00
Teenagers (92%) Couples (87%) Theatregoers (90%) i

SIX reinvents history with a fresh twist, giving the six wives of Henry VIII the spotlight to finally share their own stories. With catchy, empowering songs and electrifying choreography - this show is executed in a fierce pop concert that has captivated audiences worldwide.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 31 January 2027
  • Running time: 1hr 20min. No interval.
SIX tickets

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

Empress Museum

4.8 353 reviews 4.8 353 reviews Tickets from £58.00
Anyone (90%) i

Loosely based on the 2017 movie everyone loves, Come Alive! - The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is a new London attraction situated in a purpose-built big top. With the finest in musical theatre and extraordinary circus skills, this is one for all the family to enjoy!

  • Booking until: Sunday, 27 September 2026
  • Running time: 1hr 40min. Incl. 1 interval.
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular tickets

Hadestown

Lyric Theatre

4.7 186 reviews 4.7 186 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Couples (85%) Theatregoers (95%) i

Back in London five years after its sold-out run at the National Theatre, Hadestown transports audiences to a realm where love, hope, and redemption collide. The winner of 8 Tony Awards, Hadestown offers a unique fusion of ancient mythology and modern storytelling.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 27 September 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
  • Playing at: Lyric Theatre
  • Booking until: Sunday, 27 September 2026
Hadestown tickets

Back to The Future the Musical

Adelphi Theatre

4.8 1530 reviews 4.8 1530 reviews Tickets from £23.00
Families (97%) Teenagers (93%) Couples (92%) Theatregoers (92%) i

Love the Back To The Future movie made popular in the 1980s? See it on the stage in a spectacular award-winning stage musical with a book by Bob Gale, and a musical score by the Emmy and Grammy Award-winning Alex Silvestri and six-time Grammy Award-winner Glen Ballard in the heart of the West End.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 12 April 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 40min. Incl. 1 interval.
Back to The Future the Musical tickets

Magic Mike Live!

London Hippodrome

4.8 32 reviews 4.8 32 reviews Tickets from £47.00

This sizzling, sexy dance production inspired by the hit Magic Mike film franchise starring Channing Tatum is the perfect show for a girls' night. Step into mythical Club Domina, a purpose-built venue in London's Hippodrome Casino, where you'll experience a group of talented, attractive artists perform a thrilling variety of 360-degree dance and acrobatic feats combined with one-of-a-kind acts.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 3 January 2027
  • Running time: 1hr 30min. No interval.
Magic Mike Live! tickets

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Piccadilly Theatre

4.9 1604 reviews 4.9 1604 reviews Tickets from £24.00
Couples (94%) Theatregoers (92%) i

Inspired by the 2001 film by Baz Luhrmann that starred Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor; passion, romance and spectacle collide in the dazzling extravaganza, Moulin Rouge The Musical! With its electrifying performances, extravagant costumes, and memorable score, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a breathtaking celebration of love and the transformative power of art.

  • Booking until: Saturday, 11 July 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets

The Devil Wears Prada

Dominion Theatre

4.7 514 reviews 4.7 514 reviews Tickets from £30.00
Teenagers (85%) Couples (90%) Theatregoers (92%) i

Based on Lauren Weisberger's best-selling 2003 novel and the 2006 blockbuster film, The Devil Wears Prada features an all-star, award-winning creative team including Elton John and Jerry Mitchell. Experience this fabulous musical for yourself in the West End!

  • Booking until: Saturday, 26 September 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 1 interval.
  • Starring: Vanessa Williams
The Devil Wears Prada tickets

Starlight Express

Troubadour Theatre - Wembley

4.8 211 reviews 4.8 211 reviews Tickets from £20.00
Families (97%) Teenagers (90%) Couples (90%) Theatregoers (91%) i

Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary musical is back in London for the first time in 40 years! Starlight Express is one of the most thrilling live shows with its unique combination of roller-skating stunts and high-energy performances. Its imaginative story of train engines with distinct personalities captivates audiences of all ages.

  • Booking until: Sunday, 3 May 2026
  • Running time: 2hr 30min. Incl. 15min interval.
Starlight Express tickets

ABBA Voyage

Abba Arena

4.9 978 reviews 4.9 978 reviews Tickets from £48.00
Anyone (93%) i

Step into the world of ABBA like never before with ABBA Voyage, a revolutionary blend of live performance and cutting-edge technology. Described as 'ground-breaking' by Metro, ABBA Voyage is one of the most popular immersive experiences London has to offer.

  • Booking until: Friday, 31 July 2026
  • Running time: 1hr 40min. No interval.
  • Playing at: Abba Arena
  • Booking until: Friday, 31 July 2026
ABBA Voyage tickets
There are no shows matching your criteria. Reset filters

West End theatre tickets for legendary shows

Sometimes a musical captures the world’s imagination, taking off like a rocket. Now and again a new piece of drama has an unexpected impact so powerful it shoots to the top, selling out on tour and on Broadway. Occasionally there’s a magic show so extraordinary it makes the news. This category celebrates the West End productions making the biggest waves right now.

See a musical that gives you insights into the life and times of a band you’ve adored since childhood. Treat the family to the stage version of a book millions of children around the globe have loved for decades. See a play dating back hundreds of years whose message resonates just as powerfully today. Or one that started life small then grew and grew. These shows are rated highly, often by millions of theatregoers.

Some of these productions have been running continually in London for decades. Others are international phenomena, here for a strictly limited season before taking off on tour. Either way you won’t want to miss out. These productions attract packed houses, draw people in from every corner of the UK and beyond, get the best reviews from critics and appeal to the most people. Which will you see first?

Best West End Shows Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do tickets for popular West End shows sell out?

Tickets for in-demand West End shows can sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially if they have a limited run, or around peak season, i.e. close to Christmas. We’d advise booking as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment.

How long are popular West End shows typically on for?

Some long-running shows such as The Lion King, Les Miserables, or Wicked are staples of the West End and remain on stage for years due to popular demand. For new premieres, the lifespan of a popular play typically ranges for three to six months, though this can often be shorter. Extremely popular shows can have their run extended due to heavy demand.

How expensive are tickets for popular West End shows?

Ticket prices vary widely across productions and venues, and often depend on how far in advance you book, whether or not it’s a peak time, and which seats you opt for. According to The Stage, the average lowest ticket price across West End shows is approximately £30.55.

Do some shows only play during certain times of the year?

Certain shows have a limited seasonal run, with the big ones being Christmas-themed shows, that play around the holidays, such as The Snowman and A Christmas Carol. Pantomimes are also most frequently performed around Christmas-time.

Why you should book your theatre tickets with London Box Office

  • Secure Tickets from Authorised Retailers
    STAR Member

    All our theatre tickets comply with the rules set by the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), and our online ticketing platform is secured with SSL technology and available 24/7.

  • Dynamic Seating Plans
    Dynamic Seating Plans

    We have created dynamic seating plans for most West End theatres to make it easier for you to choose your preferred seats.

  • Instant Confirmation
    Instant Confirmation

    Your booking is confirmed in real-time with the theatre. Simply print or show your confirmation on your mobile phone to get into the theatre and access your seats on the day of the performance.