New Shows in London

The epic rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that follows Jesus Christ in the days leading up to his crucifixion is one of the biggest cultural sensations in musical theatre. Tim Sheader directs and Eurovision star Sam Ryder stars in this iconic theatrical phenomenon that blends biblical history with a modern musical at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane..

The epic rock opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice that follows Jesus Christ in the days leading up to his crucifixion is one of the biggest cultural sensations in musical theatre. And now, for the first time since 2019, London audiences will be able to re-experience it live in the West End. Tim Sheader directs and Eurovision star Sam Ryder stars in this iconic theatrical phenomenon that blends biblical history with a modern musical, for eleven weeks only at the London Palladium.

Florian Zeller’s razor-sharp and darkly witty marital comedy about truth, lies, and everything in between comes to the Apollo Theatre, returning to London after a decade with a dizzyingly twisted story filled with adultery and deception. Stephen Mangan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Sarah Hadland and Janie Dee star in this dazzling revival of the Olivier-nominated play, directed by Lindsay Posner, which promises to leave audiences at the edge of their seats.

Aaron Sorkin's critically acclaimed stage adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird returns to the West End this summer as part of a UK and Ireland tour. Based on the 1960 coming of age novel by Harper Lee, in which six year old Scout Finch narrates the story of her father Atticus and his attempts to defend a black man falsely accused of rape in a southern town, the story has continued to inspire and fascinate readers and audiences in the decades since it was first written. Richard Coyle reprises his role as Atticus Finch in this raw, unflinching retelling of a beloved story.

For seven weeks only, Andrew Lloyd Webber's timeless, iconic musical about the life and times of a very special group of cats will be coming to Regent's Park Open Air Theatre before heading on a UK-wide tour. Don't miss the revival of this magical, memorable musical filled with colourful characters and unforgettable songs, returning to London after a decade.

Noel Coward's 1925 comedy is returning to the West End with an explosive revival at Wyndham's Theatre starring Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant. Emily Burns directs this outrageously funny play about an eccentric family who invites a group of hapless guests to their English country house for a weekend of chaos, confusion, and embarrassment. One of Coward's funniest and most beloved plays, Hay Fever has been charming audiences for the past century and now it's your chance to experience this farcical comedy of manners in all its glory.

Carrie Cracknell's Olivier-nominated revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia returns after a sold-out run at the Old Vic, transferring to the Duke of York's Theatre.Arcadia takes place across two timelines: in the past, a teenage prodigy investigates sex and mathematics with her tutor, while in the present, a group of scholars try to sniff out a historical scandal. Witty, clever, moving, and provocative, Arcadia explores the nature of time and the relationship between order and disorder.

Critically acclaimed Australian director Simon Stone returns to the Bridge Theatre to bring to life Aeschylus's epic Greek tragedy, The Oresteia, which follows the young Orestes in the bloody fallout of the Trojan War. This bold new adaptation, which reunites Stone with the creative team behind The Lady from the Sea, offers a unique modern spin on the classic play, in which a contemporary family wakes up trapped in a Greek myth.

From Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham (Dear England) comes a fascinating new play that tells the story of British economist John Maynard Keynes, exploring revolutionary ideas as he rewrote the rules of modern economics during a time of global crisis. Don't miss this new piece of work by one of Britain's most prolific and insightful dramatists, combining history, economics, and politics with powerful storytelling.

Gillian Anderon and Billy Crudup lead this latest revival of Edward Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, a brutal, outrageous drama about a married couple in a toxic spiral, who pull an unsuspecting younger couple into their terrifying games. Marianne Elliot directs this latest take on a classic that has enthralled audiences since 1962, packed with razor-sharp wit, drama, and unforgettable characters, in a scandalous exploration of a marriage gone wrong.

Based on Judith Kerr's beloved picture book and adapted by David Wood, The Tiger Who Came to Tea follows a little girl named Sophie, who's confronted by a huge, tea-guzzling tiger when he invites himself over to her house for afternoon tea. Filled with humour, heart, and infectious songs, this is the perfect summer treat for the whole family, appropriate for children of all ages. Book now and don't miss this charming, delightful story about kindness and embracing the unexpected.

English National Ballet's production of The Nutcracker has been enchanting audiences in London since 1950, and this year is no exception. Featuring over 100 dancers and musicians, watch as the classic fairytale bursts to life in the grand setting of the London Coliseum.

Developed by Sting in 2011, The Last Ship is inspired by the Grammy Award-winning musician's own childhood in a British shipbuilding town. With an inspiring, heartwarming story about a shipyard on the brink of closure and a group of shipwrights who come together to build one final ship, this new staging features a company of over 50 and a score of dazzling, beloved songs by Sting that blend rock, jazz, folk, and traditional sea shanties. With Sting himself starring, this is an unmissable theatrical experience for fans of this iconic British musician.

Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane, and Luke Thompson star in Robert Icke's stage adaptation of the German psychological thriller, The Lives of Others, in which a Stasi agent in East Berlin finds his loyalties tested when he begins spying on a couple. A star-studded cast brings to life this story of surveillance, espionage, oppression, and the struggle for personal freedom, in its first-ever stage adaptation that promises to bring a fresh take that speaks to our modern world.

Olivier Award winner Hiran Abeysekera (The Father and the Assassin) stars in a stunning new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book, in this new play by Anupama Chandrasekhar. Experience the story of Mowgli, a wild child raised by the animals of the jungle, in this epic, colourful production that brings Kipling's iconic jungle setting to life with jaw-dropping, life-sized puppets. Coming this Christmas, The Jungle Book is a piece of theatrical marvel that the whole family can fall in love with.

A thrilling new musical is coming to London, based on the cult classic 1993 novel by Irvine Welsh and the equally iconic 1996 film starring Ewan McGregor. Experience Trainspotting in a whole new light, with beloved, eccentric characters like Renton, Spud, Sick Boy, and Franco, set to a soundtrack filled with original songs as well as unforgettable tracks from the films like Iggy Pop's Lust For Life and Lou Reed's Perfect Day. Fans of the pop culture sensation won't want to miss this new spin on the darkly funny and cynical story of addiction and finding reasons to choose life.

Cate Blanchett stars in this thrilling production that blends ancient myth and modern psychology, fusing Sophocles's Electra with Ingmar Bergman's Persona. An actress suddenly falls silent during a performance of Electra and what follows is an unsettling, intense encounter between two women. Directed by Benedict Andrews, this bold new play explores grief, identity and performance.

Drag royalty Divina De Campo stars in the darkly comic and unexpectedly moving story of six teenagers who die in a freak rollercoaster accident and find themselves suspended in a limbo where they each need to make their case for why they deserve a second chance at life. After a breath-taking sold-out run in 2025, Ride the Cyclone returns to enchant and enthrall London audiences at the Southwark Playhouse Elephant. Don't miss this tongue-in-cheek tragicomedy spearheaded by a delightfully talented cast.

Adapted by Conor McPherson and directed by Ian Rickson, The Cherry Orchard, Anton Chekhov's final play, is coming to the Harold Pinter Theatre in a bold, powerful new staging that explores a family on the brink of change and a world in transition. Award-winning actress Kristin Scott Thomas plays Lyubov Ranevskaya, an aristocratic Russian landowner who returns to her childhood estate and finds her family home and beloved cherry orchard under threat.

Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Caroll's beloved and eccentric story of Alice in Wonderland through extraordinary acts from some of the greatest performers around the globe. Featuring aerialists and acrobats, mind-bending contortionists, exquisite puppetry, and special guest musical acts, you'll get to experience your favourite characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts and see the mind-boggling world of Wonderland come to life as you've never seen it before.

Step into the Globe's decadent, joyful summer season with Chelsea Walker's production of Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare's wittiest comedy, in which polar opposites Benedick and Beatrice clash in a battle of the sexes while their friends attempt to matchmake them. Full of mistaken identities, witty banter, and hilarious antics, Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies for its sharp-tongued hero and heroine, and tricksy, mischievous plot.

One of the most iconic films of the nineties is coming to the stage, in a brand-new musical adaptation of Thelma & Louise, directed by Trip Cullman and starring Amy Lennox and Rachel Tucker as the unforgettable road tripping heroines who wind up on the run from the FBI after one of them kills a would-be rapist. Funny, clever, and thrilling, it offers a fresh take on a story of violence and female friendship that feels even more relevant to today's gender politics. Book now and get ready for a razor-sharp and heart-racing story that will have you on the edge of your seat throughout.

David Nicholls's best-selling novel has broken hearts all over the world with the heartbreaking love story of Em and Dex, who meet up on the same night every year since their first meeting. Written by David Greig with music and lyrics by Abner and Amanda Ramirez (of acclaimed US band Johnnyswim), this dazzling, powerful musical captures all the joy, heartbreak, and unpredictability of the classic story we all know and love, starring musical theatre icons Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose in the lead roles.

From award-winning director Jordan Fein comes the Olivier Award-winning revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved and classic musical, in which characters from the Brothers Grimm’s unforgettable fairy tales come together in a desperate search for a happily ever after. Combining a fantastic score, memorable storytelling and endearing characters with a dark and clever twist on the fairy tales we all know and love, Into the Woods is a darkly humorous and heartfelt story that has been enchanting audiences for years. 

Mischief Theatre's A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong is a laugh-out-loud comedy that transforms the beloved holiday classic into a chaotic disaster filled with mishaps and mayhem. With brilliant physical comedy and unexpected twists, it's the perfect festive treat that will have you in stitches from start to finish.

Award-winning actor, comedian and Strictly Come Dancing winner, Bill Bailey is back with a brand new show that brings the timeless art of vaudeville to life. With a thrilling blend of comedy, music, and variety acts, Vaudevillean is packed with stories of showbiz and city life, designed to amuse and amaze. With his trademark wit, charm, and talent, Bailey sets out to enthrall audiences with good family fun that will sweep you away from the humdrum of daily life, and entertain you with stories of the strange and spectacular.

With a book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, Rent follows a group of impoverished artists living in Manhattan's East Village, navigating love and loss, grappling with the realities of poverty, and living with the invisible, inevitable threat of HIV/AIDS. Filled with unforgettable songs such as 'Rent', 'La Vie Boheme', 'Take Me or Leave Me', and 'Seasons of Love', Rent is one of the most beloved pieces of theatre of all time, and now London audiences can experience it all over again.

Charles Dickens' classic Christmas story returns to the stage in this spooky, heartwarming stage adaptation by Matthew Warchus, now in its ninth year. Step into the gloom of Victorian London and join the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a ghostly journey through time in this imaginative, immersive theatrical experience that the whole family can enjoy this festive season.

Black Panther star Letitia Wright will star in the UK premiere of Tracey Scott-Wilson's The Story, a smart and slick newsroom drama about an ambitious young reporter's investigation of a murder of a white teacher in a black neighbourhood. Clint Dyer (Othello, Death of England) directs this thrilling mystery play about the elusive nature of the truth, which offers a raw look at the relationship between race and media.

This bold, electrifying musical is based on the beloved 2010 film starring Christina Aguilera and Cher, adapted for the stage by Steven Antin in collaboration with Christina Aguilera. Step into a seductive underground world filled with sequins, shimmer, and feather boas, where newcomer Ali will discover her voice and an unexpected found family in the heart of a glamorous nightclub. Get ready for a story of glitz, grit, and heart, featuring music by pop icons like Christina Aguilera, Sia, Diane Warren, Todrick Hall and Jess Folley.

Dav Pilkey's beloved children's book series comes to the stage in the musical adaptation of Dog Man, the story of a half-man half-dog police officer conjured up from the minds of budding comic book artists George and Harold. Follow Dog Man as he solves crimes, fights villains, and does his best not to chew on the furniture, in this joyful, funny, and heartwarming musical by Kevin Del Aguila and Brad Alexander.

One of Britain's most beloved musicals is returning to the West End after ten years. Based on the 2000 film, Billy Elliot the Musical tells the story of a young boy in a northern mining town who dreams of being a ballet dancer. This uplifting, heartwarming story about the transformative power of art and following your dreams features a glorious soundtrack by Elton John, and the much-anticipated 2027 revival will reunite the original creative team, including director Stephen Daldry.

Don't miss a rare opportunity to catch one of Shakespeare's least performed comedies, in which a group of men who have sworn off women are tempted by the arrival of a group of women in Navarre, leading to a battle of wits and desires, and a story filled with wordplay and poetry. Indiana Lown-Collins brings this rarely staged play to life through energetic flamenco dance, inviting you to join a celebration of fiery romantic tension and joyous revelry this summer.

Josh Radnor (How I Met Your Mother) and Noah Galvin (Dear Evan Hansen) make their West End debuts in this thrilling new play about two estranged brothers, a record mogul and a struggling musician, reunited in a desperate collaboration that brings to light the trauma of their shared childhood. With original music by three-time Grammy Award-winner Ben Harper, this is a breath-taking story about brotherhood and male violence, creative theft, and the cost of turning personal pain into art.

A personal and powerful collaboration between composer Philip Glass and performer-director Phelim McDermott (Improbable), Tao of Glass explores life, loss, and the question of where true inspiration comes from. Part concert and part performance, it features ten meditations on life, death, and Taoist wisdom, set to ten brand new pieces of music from Glass. It's presented by McDermott, alongside an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers bringing this beautiful story to life.

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.

Experience one of theatre's most entertaining comedies with the play that marked Alan Ayckbourn as one of the English stage's most brilliant comedians. In How the Other Half Loves, three couples find their lives entangled after accusations of infidelity lead to a web of misunderstandings, deceptions, and lies. Filled with wit, mayhem, and sly social commentary, it is a raucous take on sex, class and marital misunderstanding. 

Kasper Holten's beautiful production brings to life Mozart's darkest opera in a story of debauchery and desire, full of passion, murder, twists, and cutting emotional tension. Inspired by the legend of the notorious Spanish libertine of fiction, Don Juan, this thrilling opera follows the seductions and conquests of the remorseless Don Giovanni, retold by an all-star cast.

August Wilson's landmark 1985 play, set in the 1950s, is the sixth installment in his ten-part Pittsburgh Cycle, exploring the evolving African-American experience in the face of race relations. In this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning drama, Troy, a working class 53-year-old man, struggles to provide for his family as head of the household. From one of America's most influential 20th century writers comes a powerful story about race, class, and ambition.

Experience Shakespeare's famous tragedy about star-crossed lovers in a whole new light with this ballet reimagining developed by Rudolf Nureyev in 1977 and revived for its 50th anniversary year. The English National Ballet Philharmonic perform Prokofiev's soaring score live to bring to life the tragic story of doomed lovers Romeo and Juliet and the feuding Montagues and Capulets. With electrifying drama, a gorgeous score, and jaw-dropping choreography, this is an unmissable treat for fans of ballet and Shakespeare alike, and has stood the test of time since it was first created.

ENO Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon reimagines Puccini's timeless opera, exploring the art of resistance and love in the face of political censorship. In a concert hall in a European state overrun by civil war, opera singer Floria Tosca and her lover Cavaradossi are hunted by the sadistic police chief Scarpi. Experience this thrilling opera in a whole new light in this gripping new production that feels urgently relevant to the modern age, featuring some of Puccini's most iconic arias, in a story about the enduring power of love and art to defy tyranny.

Equal parts fairy tale, farce, and moral allegory, The Magic Flute is arguably Mozart's most popular opera. This thrilling, visually stunning, and epic tale takes the classic story of a prince on a quest to rescue a princess and packs it with deep philosophical themes and marvellous, powerful music that will resonate deeply with you.

Lucy Kirkwood's fiercely clever and timely 2016 play follows two retired nuclear scientists at the end of the world, forced to grapple with the consequences of their actions. Directed by Rachel O'Riordan and starring Meera Syal, this poignant, harrowing story explores themes of inter-generational accountability, personal morality, and the environmental crisis, which feel just as relevant to our modern age as they did when they were written.

Anton Chekhov's thrilling, keenly observant, and clever comic drama has enchanted audiences and thrilled critics for generations. In this bold new adaptation by Simon Stone (The Lady From the Sea), the story of Nikolai Ivanov, an unhappy government official searching for an escape from the humdrum of a midlife crisis is retold in a modern setting. Chris Pine makes his London stage debut as one of Chekhov's most complicated heroes.

The team behind the 2025 production of Three Sisters, Caroline Steinbeis and Rory Mullarkey reunite as director and translator for Chekhov's timeless story of ambition and desire, inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet. In this outstanding piece of Russian drama, the lives of four individuals intersect on a rural estate when Konstantin Treplev, a brooding young experimental playwright, falls deeply in love with a local ingenue named Nina, who finds herself drawn to Konstantin's mother Arkadina's lover Boris. What follows is a thrilling psychological drama.

King of Tango German Cornejo and his spectacular dance company return to present a night of authentic Argentine tango and a score that celebrates the legacy of the great tango composer Astor Piazzolla. Ten world class dancers and a live orchestra of musicians and singers come together to spin a story of passion, desire, and drama, told through one of the most irresistible dance forms.

Ben Whishaw and Kathryn Hunter star in Colin Teevan's stage adaptation of Christian Kracht's internationally best-selling novel about a mother and son on a chaotic road trip through the Swiss Alps as they attempt to give away their family fortune and escape their dark history. Witness a darkly comedic story of redemption, connection, and family unfold as part of the Young Vic's exciting 2026/27 season.

Celebrate 21 years of Peppa Pig with this brand new stage show packed with music, adventures, and all your children's favourite characters, as Peppa and her family prepare for the arrival of a new baby.

This festive season, Jack and the Beanstalk returns to the Lyric Hammersmith in this delightful panto retelling full of madcap adventure, larger-than-life characters, and unforgettable song and dance numbers. Don't miss this classic English fairy tale about a boy and a magic beanstalk, now told with a twist, full of fun for the whole family.

This modern classic from Caryl Churchill, one of Britain's most influential playwrights, offers a daring and satirical exploration of gender, power and the legacies of empire, by transposing a colonial administrator and his family from Victorian-era colonial Africa to 1970s London. Directed by Dominic Cooke and featuring a fiercely talented cast, this revival of Churchill's landmark work is filled with audacious theatricality and razor-sharp wit.

Adapted from the bestselling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Smartest Giant in Town heads to London for a limited festive run. Follow the heart-warming tale about friendship and helping those in need through a puppet-filled adventure, perfect for younger audiences.

La Traviata is one of the most influential and most performed operas in the world, and Peter Konwitschny's Olivier Award nominated production brings a bold, minimalist take on this classic piece. Witness the heartbreaking love story of Violetta and Alfredo, torn apart by family and duty, forced into an inevitable sacrifice. Startlingly modern and relatable, this production is driven by the characters' emotional truths, set to a score that includes some of Verdi's most recognisable melodies.

Step into the dazzling, decadent world of 1920s Chicago and experience the longest running American musical in Broadway and West End history, in which two divas, Roxie Hart and Velma Kelly, try to dodge their murder convictions by sparking a media frenzy. Get ready for two feisty heroines you can't help but cheer for, dazzling choreography, and an iconic score featuring songs like 'All That Jazz' and 'Cell Block Tango', when this beloved, long-running musical returns to the stage.

Holy Fool is a tense, darkly witty exploration of the absurdity of tyranny, the bravery of resistance and the triumph of the human spirit. Witness the story of Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich, one of the greatest musical figures of the 20th century, as he quietly resists the tyrannical rule of Stalin's regime through the power of his music.

David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori's Tony Award-winning new and original musical tells the story of Kimberly, whose rare disease causes her to age at four times the normal rate. This funny, heartwarming story of a teenage girl who looks like a seventy-year-old woman has delighted and enchanted Broadway audiences with its unique story and unforgettable soundtrack, and now it's transferring to London. Don't miss this quirky coming of age story with a twist.

Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin) returns to a career-defining role after over 30 years, in German dramatist Manfred Karge's powerful story of resilience and survival during wartime. Directed by Stephen Unwin (The Conquest of the South Pole), Man to Man tells the story of Ella Gericke, who adopts her late husband's identity in order to get by in 1930s Germany.

Matthew Warchus and Stephen Beresford bring to life the remarkable true story of a group of gay and lesbian activists who allied themselves with miners during the strikes of 1984. Fierce, funny, and moving, Pride tells the story of two threatened communities who came together during a powerful moment in British and queer history, told through a score of original songs inspired by protest anthems, pop, rock, disco and the Welsh choral tradition.

From the creative duo behind 42 Balloons, Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote, comes a charming new musical about the messy love story between Earth and Humanity. Packed with original pop songs, whimsical comedy, and a powerful message about climate change, Hot Mess is coming to The Other Palace this summer.

Jump on board a delightful journey this Winter with the musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Room on the Broom. Brought to the stage by acclaimed theatre company Tall Stories, this show is packed with enchanting puppetry, sing-along songs and hilarious fun, making it the perfect family treat.

Based on the classic 1952 MGM musical comedy starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, the joyful, witty musical adaptation of Singin' in the Rain returns to the stage, packed with romance, high-energy choreography, and dazzling set design that will immerse you right into the glamorous world of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Set during the transition from silent film to talkies and featuring a silent film actor forced to adapt, a leading lady with a terrible voice, and a chorus girl who dreams of being a serious actress, Singin' in the Rain will have you bobbing your head along to its irresistible soundtrack.

After charming audiences with sell-out concert performances, Wild About You is coming to the Charing Cross Theatre with its first fully staged production. In this heartbreaking story about finding yourself, Billy, a young man feeling lost about his future before it has even begun, finds a trunk of letters written to him by his late mother, whom he'd been told abandoned him as a child. Get ready for a musical experience packed with a rich palette of contemporary music that feels both fresh and deeply human.

Kimberly Belflower's bitingly funny and urgent revisionist take on Arthur Miller's The Crucible follows five high school girls as they study the classic play and navigate sexual politics and gender inequalities in small-town Georgia. After a sold-out Broadway run, this witty play about feminine rage is making its way over to the Royal Court Theatre to bring the Salem Witch Trials to the modern age.

Jamie Muscato and Celinde Schoenmaker star in this dazzling sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, in a two-night-only concert. Return to the magical, mystical world of the Phantom in another story of love, obsession, and desire that continues the tangled relationship between the mysterious Phantom and the beautiful, talented Christine, this time on Coney Island. Featuring visually stunning spectacle and an epic score, this is an unmissable theatrical treat for lovers of the original musical.

The London Palladium's beloved festive tradition returns this Christmas with a brand-new panto retelling of Cinderella: the magical rags to riches fairytale that we all know and love, told with several cheeky, delightful twists. This fabulous, funny, and outrageous retelling stars Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, alongside iconic comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reuniting onstage as the ugly stepsisters. Get ready for a one-of-a-kind festive treat with this sassy panto, filled with spectacular costumes, dazzling special effects, and lots of laughter.

Gluck's rarely performed opera, Iphigénie en Tauride, makes its ENO debut in a new staging by Olivier award-winning director Lyndsey Turner. Siblings Iphigenie and Oreste are separated by the bloody legacy of their parents, Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. What does fate have in store for these doomed siblings? Find out in this heartbreaking story of a family divided by fate and united by hope, a powerful take on a classic Greek myth, told through a thrilling score and a talented cast of performers.

Kenneth MacMillan’s devastating and powerful 1974 ballet comes to life onstage, set to Jules Massenet’s score. In the seedy underbelly of 18th century Paris, Manon finds herself torn between the steadfast love of Des Grieux and the temptations of wealth and luxury. MacMillan’s work has enchanted and awed audiences with its nuanced understanding of human psychology, and now it’s your chance to experience this timeless, devastating story of hedonism and desire.

Damiano Michieletto brings Bizet’s electrifying, sensual opera about jealousy, obsession and desire to life, conducted by Sesto Quatrini. The fiercely independent Carmen, one of opera’s most memorable heroines, seduces the respectable Don José, but soon finds herself the victim of his jealousy and possessiveness when her affections start to wander. The second-most performed opera in The Royal Opera’s repertoire, Carmen has remained immensely popular over the years for its heady combination of passion, sensuality and violence.

This mixed programme features Jerome Robbins's Dances at a Gathering and Kenneth MacMillan's Song of the Earth. Experience the music of masters like Chopin and Mahler through parallel performances, each packed with stunning choreography, exploring the profundity of human connection and community, and the transience of life and death, with two performances that present starkly contrasting but equally exquisite visions of humanity.

Handel’s clever, thrilling, and magical opera comes to life with this Olivier Award-winning production by Richard Jones, which returns with many of the original cast. On a magical island, the enchantress Alcina transforms her lovers into animals, but her latest victim’s wife Bradamante embarks on a deadly quest to rescue him, leading to a battle of wits between the two women. With its strong female heroine, dazzling plot twists and firecracker arias, Handel’s Alcina has become a favourite for opera lovers.

The iconic, award-winning musical returns with the uplifting and upbeat story of Tracy Turnblad, who dreams of being a dancer, featuring beloved hit songs like Welcome to the 60s and Good Morning Baltimore. Neil Hurst returns to the role of the formidable Edna Turnblad in this delightful touring production of Hairspray, a story that's been charming audiences since the original film first released in 1988.

Tina Fey's iconic 2004 film was hugely popular with Broadway audiences and now its here in London! Mean Girls is a fun, high-energy experience that hilarious explores high school drama, friendship and self-identity.

Step into the Globe's highly anticipated 2026 summer season with a classic Shakespearean comedy, in which young lovers Rosalind and Orlando navigate romance while hiding out in the Forest of Arden. Featuring mistaken identity, disguises, and live music, Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine team up to bring this light-hearted and euphoric story of love, lust, and revelry to life in the gorgeous open-air Globe Theatre.

Based on Wladyslaw Szpilman's internationally acclaimed memoir, which was the inspiration for Roman Polanski's Academy Award-winning 2002 film, The Pianist is a new musical that recounts Szpilman's harrowing experiences as a renowned pianist in 1930s Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. It features Szpilman's own music with new lyrics and is freshly orchestrated by Simon Lee, bringing his music and story together on the stage for the first time, in a love letter to the extraordinary power of creativity.

A panto classic returns - witness the story of Cinderella as you've never seen it before. Filled with show-stopping songs, hilarious comedy, and some delightful twists on this beloved fairy tale, this is the perfect festive treat for the whole family. Children and adults alike will delight in the humour, whimsy, and magic as a talented cast of performers bring to life this cheeky, chaotic version of Cinderella.

Ferocious, brutal and damning, this is an epic story of a life ravaged by ecological disaster. Written by the multi-award-winning Titas Halder, it explores the fallout of the 1984 Bhopal disaster, in which a pesticide plant released toxic gas that killed thousands in the Indian city, from the perspective of a young girl and her family. Relive the horror of a dark period in Indian history from the perspective of one family in this raw, deeply human story based on shocking true events.

Francesca Mills stars in this new production of acclaimed British dramatist Jim Cartwright's modern classic, directed by Robert Hastie. Mills plays Little Voice, who sings in the sanctuary of her bedroom until she's forced into the spotlight and made to confront the perils that come with fame and stardom. Revived multiple times and adapted into film, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a powerful, heartrending story that has been enthralling audiences for decades.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Olivier Award-winning producers of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer present Tim Crouch’s groundbreaking An Oak Tree, one of the most influential new plays of our time. It heads to London's Young Vic for a limited run this May.

Dressed in flippers and not much else, comedic star Garry Starr pays tribute to the western literary canon by recreating and performing every Penguin Classics novel ever published. Witness classic works like Moby Dick and The Little Prince as you've never seen them before, in this one-of-a-kind, riotously funny comedy show.

Step into a prehistoric world and meet an incredible line-up of hyper-realistic dinosaurs, including a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor, Segnosaurus, and of course, everyone's favourite Tyrannosaurus Rex. Jaw-dropping puppetry brings these remarkably life-like dinosaurs to life, giving children of all ages a chance to get up close and personal with these prehistoric marvels in an interactive experience that is both educational and entertaining. Winner of the Olivier Award for Best Family Show in 2024, this is the perfect summer treat for the whole family to enjoy together.

Ancient Rome comes to the beautiful candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as Julius Caesar kicks off Shakespeare's Globe's winter season. Joe Hill-Gibbins (Ghosts, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) returns to direct Shakespeare's brutal and timely tale of friendship, betrayal and political violence, staged for the first time ever in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. In this classic Roman tragedy, the ambitious dictator Caesar's growing power causes his allies to turn against him in a murderous plot, but public opinion quickly turns against them, giving way to bloody civil war.

Commemorating 30 years since the death of Jonathan Larson, this stirring new show celebrates the life and legacy of the composer behind RENT and tick.. tick… BOOM! Follow Larson as a young man in New York City, following his heart and trying to change the world, with this rare and exhilarating window into his creative world, featuring previously unheard songs from the late composer’s archives. It’s an intimate portrait of an artist who was ahead of his time, honouring his extraordinary work through his early, experimental, and never-heard work, brought to life with bold theatricality and contemporary resonance.

Jay Presson Allen's 1989 play about the great American novelist, screenwriter, and playwright Truman Capote is coming to London, with Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the helm of this funny and heartbreaking one-man play. Get ready for an unflinching portrait of the brilliant mind behind In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's as Capote reckons with his career in the aftermath of his scandalous unfinished memoir, with an intimate, powerful, and utterly unique theatrical experience.

Martin Guerre is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, creators of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon, in which a man returns to his wife and village after years away, only to be suspected of being an imposter by his community. Based on a remarkable historical mystery, retold many times in many mediums, this latest revival comes with new lyrics, new folk-inflected orchestrations and an immersive in-the-round staging.

Ewa Dina makes her Young Vic debut directing Theresa Ikoko's award-winning play Girls, a poignant and devastating portrait of Nigeria in 2014, when hundreds of girls were kidnapped from their homes by extremist group Boko Haram. Follow best friends Tisana, Haleema, and Ruha as they struggle to survive while navigating their changing friendship in the wake of fear and religious differences. Don't miss this powerful, harrowing story of friendship, survival, and the impossible choices we're faced with.

La Distance is an intimate, inventive play by Portuguese playwright and director Tiago Rodrigues that explores separation, hope, and the bond between parent and child, set within a collapsing world. Set in a dystopian future where the earth is dying and half of humanity relocates to Mars, a father desperately tries to salvage his relationship with his daughter across the vast expanse of space.

From Fringe legends and cult hits to rising stars and world premieres, experience all the magic of Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Shedinburgh, landing in London for the first time in an immersive venue built in the Young Vic. This month-long residency will celebrate the creativity and diversity of the Fringe, showcasing over 40 shows from artists including Inua Ellams, Sara Pascoe, Bryony Kimmings and Rosie Jones. If you've never been to Fringe, here's your chance to experience it right here in London.

From Young Vic Artistic Director and CEO Nadia Fall (Entertaining Mr Sloane) comes the first UK staging in 20 years of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, a riveting instalment in a decade-by-decade, ten-play chronicle of the African-American experience in the twentieth century. Set in Pittsburgh in 1903, it’s a powerful look at the rich history and spirituality of the African-American people, and a searing exploration of resistance, redemption, and the enduring search for freedom.

From Olivier and BAFTA award-winner debbie tucker green, a unique voice in modern British theatre, comes a powerful dystopian play about a futuristic world where the state sponsors air conditioning and gives the people free cigarettes in exchange for unquestioning compliance. The Young Vic presents the world premiere of dissent, an explosive new play about humanity's capacity for monstrous behaviour, a powerful piece of drama that explores the darkest sides of human instincts.

The Fortune Theatre hosts an intimate two-night-only concert featuring Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black in a stirring tribute to the New York cabaret scene, featuring many of his celebrated songs, including the theme songs from franchises such as James Bond and musical theatre classics that you know and love. If you love Black's work, or if you're passionate about music in general, this is an evening you won't want to miss.

Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells return to the West End as Salieri and Mozart in Peter Shaffer's drama about ambition, betrayal, and jealousy. Directed by Jeremy Herrin (The Spy Who Can in From the Cold), Amadeus tells the story of court composer Antonio Salieri, who finds himself driven wild with jealousy by the younger prodigy Mozart. A dazzling soundtrack brings the iconic composers' music to life in a timeless story that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Created by Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, Hamlet Hail to the Thief is a dynamic new version of Hamlet where Shakespeare's words are illuminated by Radiohead's music. Experience Shakespeare's greatest tragedy retold through Radiohead's celebrated album Hail to the Thief, in a unique theatrical experience performed live by a cast of musicians and actors, which combines theatre, music and movement.

Kate Prince's electrifying, powerful musical about the life and career of feminist activist Sylvia Pankhurst returns to London. Set to a sizzling soundtrack that fuses hip hop, funk, and soul, it chronicles Sylvia's childhood, her complicated relationship with her mother and sister, fellow activists Emmeline and Christrabel, and her struggle to reconcile her pacifism with her activism. Fans of Hamilton will love this bold new musical about revolution and loyalty.

Following sold-out runs at the Unicorn Theatre, Unicorn Associate Director Robin Belfield brings the enchanting Anansi the Spider to the beautiful Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Step into a world where animals can talk and walk on two legs, and follow the mischievous trickster Anansi, as he outwits stronger foes with his tricks and scheming. With jaw-dropping puppetry and family-friendly thrills, this is the perfect summertime theatrical treat for the whole family, with a powerful celebration of West African and Caribbean mythology and folklore.

Spirited Away – A wondrous fantasy

Studio Ghibli is a famous Japanese animation studio based in Koganei, Tokyo, a highly respected presence in the international animation industry. Now their classic movie Spirited Away is coming to London's West End for 2024, adapted for the stage and in theatreland for a three month run. This is the European premiere, and the fun takes place at the London Coliseum from April.

From the great and influential composer Kaija Saariaho comes a powerful but rarely staged opera, Adriana Mater, a harrowing exploration of war, redemption, and motherhood. Left pregnant after an assault by a soldier, Adriana struggles to raise her son to resist the temptations of revenge and break the cycle of violence. In this collaboration between Artistic Director Annilese Miskimmon and Music Director Designate André de Ridder, inspired by war correspondent Amin Maalouf's experiences, witness a moving story that feels urgently relevant to our times.

This dark, unsettling, and Pulitzer-winning opera comes from contemporary Chinese-American composer, performance artist and activist Du Yun and librettist Royce Vavrek. Combining Yun's eclectic and genre-defying musical style with a dynamic, immersive staging, Angel Bones shatters operatic tradition to tell a harrowing story about a struggling couple who find a pair of angels in their garden and abuse their heavenly gifts for their own greed. Witness a powerful exploration of modern slavery and human trafficking through a truly unique opera.

This hilarious pairing of two operettas tell a delightfully chaotic and joyfully absurd story about love and marriage. In The Zoo, a pair of young lovers get engaged, and then in Trial by Fury, we see them going head to head in a courtroom. Filled with wit, romance, and unexpected twists, these rarely performed works come together in tandem to show a rare glimpse at Sullivan's early works. Lovers of Gilbert & Sullivan and newcomers alike will be instantly charmed by the humour, satire, and irresistible sound of this witty double act.

A comic opera in two acts composed by British-Russian Elena Langer, this exuberant black farce is based on Nikolai Erdman's twice-banned 1928 play The Suicide, in which a man's suicide is due to be broadcasted life on television - but what happens when he changes his mind? Darkly funny and clever, it is a satire about our fixation on fame, and the shameless exploitation for profit, entertainment and voyeurism of other people's misery, all which feel deeply relevant to our modern world.

Adapted from Lars von Trier's multi-award-winning 1996 film of the same name, Missy Mazzoli's Breaking the Waves follows a married couple navigating a strange new reality in the wake of the husband's debilitating accident. This hauntingly beautiful story, packed with psychological depth, explores the nature of love and a test of faith, set to a hypnotic and utterly unique score from one of the most influential composers of the modern age.

Director Philipp Stölzl makes his Royal Opera debut with this playfully surreal new production of Verdi's gripping, passionate opera based on a real historical royal assassination. Consumed by desire for his best friend's wife, King Gustavo is warned of his impending death by a fortune teller. Experience a tangled web of passion and treachery, prophecy and politics told through a visually stunning and emotionally resonant opera. 

The wildly popular BBC mega-hit series, The Traitors, is coming to the stage for the first time. Studio Lambert and Neal Street Productions will bring to life this clever mix of murder mystery and reality television where a group of contestants compete for a cash prize while trying to weed out the traitors in their midst. The Traitors has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique premise, twists and turns, and nail-biting tension, and we can't wait to see how that translates onstage.

Miss Saigon returns to the Prince Edward Theatre over a decade after it last played in London. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg's epic musical immerses audiences into the last days of the Vietnam War, with the story of a doomed romance between American marine Chris and Vietnamese prostitute Kim, in a harrowing exploration of the horrors of wartime. Filled with unforgettable songs like 'The Heat is On in Saigon' and 'The Movie in My Mind', this sweeping, powerful historical musical has been enchanting audiences for over three decades.

The Full Monty is coming to the New Wimbledon Theatre as part of a UK wide tour celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of the iconic, riotously funny British comedy film. In this feel-good musical, six unemployed men in Sheffield decide to become male strippers to make a bit of cash, and discover surprising truths about themselves along the way. Re-experience this uplifting story full of heart and humour, every bit as joyful today as it was thirty years ago.

It's Christmas in Victorian London, and performers are suddenly dropping dead in the West End. Scotland Yard rules out foul play, but Sherlock Holmes uncovers a sinister connection between the murders and a famous Christmas jingle. This festive season, get ready for a delightfully charming festive whodunnit that spoofs classic detective stories with an original story starring legendary detective Sherlock Holmes - with a Christmas twist. It's the perfect piece of festive theatre for the whole family.

Palestinian actor and comedian Alaa Shehada returns following his heartfelt and hilarious debut, The Horse of Jenin, with a new play that blends storytelling, stand-up and physical comedy in a very human tale of family and connection, hope and joy. Follow Alaa as he journeys from Jenin to Amman across the Jordan Valley, carrying a dripping container of olive oil, on a moving and funny road trip that explores the realities of the Palestinian struggle and the impacts of colonialism.

Thirty years ago, Laith's parents fled Iraq to escape Saddam Hussein's dictatorship and claimed asylum in the UK. Now his family is falling apart while Laith struggles to hide his darkest secret. Funny and moving, Insane Asylum Seekers is an autobiographical play from British-Iraqi award-winning playwright Laith Elzubaidi which explores British-Iraqi identity, generational trauma, family expectations, and the realities of the refugee experience.

Described as Black Mirror meets Succession, this new play by Tony Craze award-winning writer Chris Fung blends dark comedy, horror, and social commentary in a twisted tale of family loyalty, cabalistic elites, and what we're prepared to sacrifice for proximity to power. Brian Tran sits down for an interview for the role of the world's most powerful leader, but the interview questions become increasingly brutal, turning into a masterclass in psychological warfare. Get ready for a darkly dystopian and thrilling exploration of the realities of power.

This provocative new play from Helen Edmundson is directed by Blanche McIntyre and stars Anne-Marie Duff as Julie Robson, a woman who is constantly overlooked until a chance encounter on a station platform forces her to take a stand against the systems that shape and define the world. Driven by thought-provoking questions about what it means to raise your voice, this is an unmissable play among the National Theatre's powerful slate of 2026 plays.

For a limited, one-week run, acclaimed Portuguese playwright and director Tiago Rodrigues (Director of Festival d'Avignon) brings his compelling play to the National Theatre for its UK premiere. In South Portugal in 2028, Catarina is poised to undergo a rite of passage that's been her family tradition for seventy years: killing her first fascist. But what happens when she refuses? This is a play with a unique premise and deeply intense storytelling, forcing us to examine the darkest parts of human nature.

From award-winning writer Ava Pickett comes a brand-new original play that takes you back to the bloody end of the Trojan War. Helen of Troy returns home to Sparta after the end of the war fought in her name, and through the reality of her homecoming comes a fierce, heartbreaking story of friendship, motherhood, and rage. Lisa Spirling makes her directorial debut at Stratford East with clever, raw, and brutal play about the woman at the heart of one of the most famous wars in history.

Globe Director of Education Lucy Cuthbertson and Splendid Productions' Kerry Frampton and Ben Hales team up for a brand new original play for the Globe Theatre's magical summer season. Perfect for the whole family, it follows a boy named Cass, who invents a rich imaginary world of adventuring and heroism, inspired by his grandmother's love for Shakespeare. Don't miss this whimsical and heartwarming celebration of the joy of storytelling.

Olivier-nominated director Jaz Woodcock-Stewart (Paradise Now!, Bush Theatre) makes her Globe directorial debut with Shakespeare's rarely performed masterpiece. This is one of Shakespeare's least performed plays but remains a fascinating exploration of the harsh realities of power and politics, in which King John takes the throne after the death of his beloved brother and finds his rule challenged on all sides. 

Olivier, Tony and BAFTA-winning Mark Rylance leads this bold new production of Moliere's classic comedy, Tartuffe, in which the fraudulent holy man Tartuffe takes advantage of a wealthy man's devotion to steal his property, marry his daughter, and seduce his wife. Directed by Darren Raymond, Tartuffe (Remixed) relocates this hilarious comedy to a modern-day African-Caribbean household. It will star the graduates of award-winning drama charity Intermission Youth.

Inspired by true events surrounding a shocking legal defence, Affluenza explores the ripple effects of power and privilege in the fallout from a drunk driving accident in the Hamptons. Written and directed by Andy Sandberg, this biting and darkly funny new play unpacks moral accountability, family legacy, and the justice system, in a way that's deeply timely and urgent to modern-day America.

A smart, funny, and provocative comedy about what money can or can't buy, Sacrilegious is directed by Andy Sandberg and written by Tom Schulman, the Academy Award-winning author of Dead Poets Society. On the holiest day of the year, an idealistic young rabbi dares to challenge the billionaire president of his congregation, questions a multi-million-dollar donation, and ignites a battle for the hearts and minds of the entire community. Don't miss this razor-sharp play about the clash between principle and power.

Amidst falling birthrates and the chaos of adulthood, two couples find themselves asking what they truly want out of life, daunted by career ambitions and brunch plans, not to mention the realities of legacy and parenthood. Raw, authentic, and movingly funny, this new play by Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola explores why couples are waiting longer to have kids, or debating whether to have them at all.

In this coming-of-age story told with grit, heart, and a touch of irreverence, witness the incredible true story of deaf Welsh sniper Private Gomer Jones, who was the best marksman in his company. This brand new musical weaves together sign language, live captioning, a Foley soundscape, and a sweeping original score, and features a cast of hearing, hard-of-hearing, and deaf performers.