New Shows in London

Full of magical special effects, joyful musical numbers, laugh-out-loud comedy, and dazzling sets, Elf: The Musical returns to the West End as part of a UK-wide tour just in time for Christmas. Join Buddy, the human raised as an elf, as he journeys to the Big Apple to search for his roots. This heart-warming holiday classic is sure to leave the whole family enchanted.

The stage musical based on the beloved children's picture books returns to London in time for the festive season. Follow The Gruffalo's Child on a dangerous, thrilling adventure into the wintry woods, where the Big Bad Mouse lurks. With unforgettable songs, familiar characters, and lots of laughs and scary fun, this is the perfect show for the whole family to enjoy a bit of Christmas magic together.

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.

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.

Conor McPherson’s darkly atmospheric and powerful play, The Weir,returns to the stage almost thirty years after it first premiered to critical acclaim and praise in the West End and on Broadway. McPherson directs, with Brendan Gleeson making his West End stage debut in the role of Jack.

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.

Told across 90 minutes and 11 scenes, depicting 70 years and five versions of one extraordinary woman, Tracy Letts’s Mary Page Marlowe is a stunningly original and deeply moving portrait of a life. Susan Sarandon and Andrea Riseborough star as the titular character at various points in her life over the course of this non-chronological play.

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.

Ralph Fiennes and Miranda Raison star as Henry Irving and Ellen Terry in this new play by acclaimed playwright David Hare and directed by Jeremy Herrin. Grace Pervades transfers to London after a wildly successful run at the Theatre Royal Bath. Don't miss this witty, dramatic historical play about two theatre legends and the resounding impact they had on an industry we all love.

BAFTA-winning children’s presenter Maddie Moate, best known from CBeebies and YouTube, returns to the West End this Christmas, with a thrilling STEM adventure in Santa’s workshop. This clever, interactive show is perfect for children aged four and upwards, filled with festive fun, science experiments, and plenty to learn.

In this collaboration between Irish drama and British theatre, the Abbey Theatre and the National Theatre come together for the revival of the Irish masterpiece about a killer who becomes a folk hero. Starring Irish national treasures like Nicola Coughlan, Éanna Hardwicke, and Siobhán McSweeney, this darkly comic play comes to the National Theatre this winter.

This original play by Calum Finlay, which first premiered at the Watermill Theatre in 2024, is based on the life of German composer Fanny Mendelssohn, older sister of Felix Mendelssohn. Bold, witty, and joyful, Fanny gives a voice to a brilliant composer who spent her life overshadowed by her brother.

Beauty and the Beast: A Horny Love Story brings a raunchy, outrageously funny, and unabashedly queer take on the classic love story, in which mama's boy Bertie attempts to charm a foul-tempered beast in a castle badly in need of a makeover. The award-winning He's Behind You! team returns with this witty, camp, and bombastic adult panto packed with original songs.

The National Theatre’s sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre this autumn. Oscar Wilde’s final and best-loved farce is full of scathing satire of Victorian society, endlessly quotable witticisms, featuring a deliciously tangled story about mistaken identities and impersonations that’ll leave you in peels of laughter.

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.

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s visually stunning and ambitious production of The Sleeping Beauty arrives on the Royal Albert Hall stage for the first time. In this dazzling, bewitching spectacle, witness the classic fairy tale come to life, full of gorgeous sets, costumes, choreography, and a score that will take your breath away.

A self-made businessman during World War II faces the fallout of his actions and the breakdown of his family in Arthur Miller’s 1946 play, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Bryan Cranston.

Tribute artist and mega George Michael fan Rob Lamberti has spent his career channelling the music of the iconic musician who influenced an entire generation. Now he brings the legacy of George Michael to life on the West End stage, in an electric, energetic show that features some of George's most popular songs and honours his legendary musical career.

Fans of Rachel Zegler, rejoice - the Snow White and The Hunger Games star returns to the London Palladium after winning our hearts in Evita. Off the back of a phenomenally successful West End debut, Zegler will perform a curated list of music theatre classics and songs from her music career in a one-night-only, intimate, and utterly magical concert.

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.

Mozart's classic Italian comedy about swapped fiancees and the games we play in love is transported to Coney Island in the 1950s. Phelim McDermot's revival of Cosi Fan Tutte is a rollercoaster of fun, flair, and wit, told through a sparkling score full of unforgettable melodies.

Jamie Manton directs Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht’s gripping, beautiful opera about three fugitives in a desert boomtown where dreams come true, told through a rich score that blends opera and jazz in a truly unique cultural and musical experience.  

The beloved British musical comes home after strutting its way through Broadway. Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge 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.

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.

Handel’s comedic masterpiece about the beautiful Partenope and her four hapless suitors is a colourful, laugh-out-loud opera and a dazzling tale of love and mistaken identities. Now this 18th century Italian opera is getting a 1920s makeover with its new revival at the London Coliseum.

Benjamin Britten's quirky, off-beat coming-of-age comedic opera comes to the English National Opera for the first time, directed and designed by Antony McDonald and conducted by Daniel Cohen. Don't miss this perfect May Day comedy about springtime revelry in a small town.

Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s harrowing, poignant opera, based on Sister Helen Prejean’s memoir about her experiences counselling a murderer on death row, returns to the London stage 25 years after its world premiere.

Places aren't haunted, people are. Witness the horror phenomenon based on Oren Peli's Blumhouse film franchise, now on the stage for the first time. An American couple moves into a haunted house in London, running from their past, and are tormented by terrifying supernatural entities.

Beloved children’s book character Paddington Bear gets his own musical, directed by Luke Sheppard with music by Tom Fletcher. This heart-warming story of a lost bear searching for a home in London will premiere at the Savoy Theatre in November this year.

La Traviata is one of Verdi's most famous operas, telling the tragic story of the romance between the doomed courtesan Violetta and the romantic Alfredo. Inspired by history, with a timeless story that will leave you in tears, and a powerful, moving score full of the most well-known operatic melodies, this is a must-watch for all opera lovers.

Frederick Ashton’s joyful ballet is a love letter to the countryside, a light-hearted pastoral tale about a battle of wills between Lise and her mother over the question of marrying for love or for money. This whimsical, humourous ballet features dancing chickens, a dizzying ribbon dance, clog-dancing and an adorable Shetland pony, making it a comic masterpiece that will leave you smiling long after you've left the theatre.

Puccini's Tosca is a story of love, murder, and political intrigue, in which the fierce heroine Floria Tosca must use all her wits to rescue her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, from the cruel police chief Scarpia. Puccini's operatic thriller will take your breath away with its intense storytelling, powerful score, and unforgettable characters in the heart of Rome.

Equal parts fairy tale, farce, and moral allegory, The Magic Flute is arguably Mozart's most popular opera. This thriling, 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.

Witness a timeless story of love and redemption in this dazzling, spectacular production of Puccini's Turandot. Drawing on Chinese and Italian theatrical traditions, this captivating opera about a cold-hearted princess and her mysterious suitor is filled with rich, emotional depths, a breath-taking cultural fusion, and a truly unforgettable score.

The iconic Latin American magical realism novel comes to life in this breathtaking, enchanting ballet set on a Mexican ranch, where true love and family duties come into conflict. The stunning choregraphy and spellbinding score will sweep you away into this timeless, heart-rending story by one of the most beloved authors of the genre, retold in a brand new way.

Court conspiracy meets baroque opera in this visually stunning production of Handel’s classic opera about a pair of lovers torn about by accusations of infidelity. Dutch director Jetske Mijnssen, in her Royal Opera debut, brings the powerful, gripping, emotionally thrilling story to life with conduction by Stefano Montanari.

Who wants to live forever? This haunting, enigmatic opera puts the human soul on trial, staged for the first time with the Royal Opera. Director Katie Mitchell reimagines through a contemporary lens this classic opera by Czech composer Leoš Janáček about a tormented immortal grappling with the realities of eternal life. Set to an eerie, uniquely modern musical score, this epic opera will stay with you long after you've left the theatre.

Stefan Herheim and Speranza Scappucci bring to life Verdi’s famous opera that retells the story of the Sicillian Vespers’ uprising: a tale of revolution, divided loyalties, and revenge that has resonated through time and place and continues to be relevant today, characterised by a sweeping, epic score.

The Royal Ballet and Opera introduces a mixed programme combining the talents of George Balanchine, Cathy Marson, and Justin Peck as they present three vastly different but equally astounding and beautiful ballets. Fall in love with Serenade, be swept away by Everywhere We Go, and marvel at the world premiere of a new Cathy Marson ballet. This evening of dance and storytelling is a must-watch for ballet lovers.

Don't miss this one-day only special concert that brings to the stage the beloved autobiographical novel by E.R Braithwaite, in which fighter pilot turned teacher Rick Braithwaite seeks to inspire his class of troubled inner-city kids while grappling with racism and prejudice. Wayne Brady stars alongside Lulu, who returns to To Sir, With Love almost sixty years later. Featuring the classic song ‘To Sir, With Love' and a moving original score, this heartwarming, powerful story is just as resonant today as it was sixty years ago.

Based on the bestselling young adult book series by Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical brings to life the epic adventures of young demigod Percy Jackson, as he battles gods and monsters in a quest to retrieve Zeus’s stolen lightning bolt. Get ready to be immersed in a world of gods, titans, and heroes in this spectacle of stage magic with a dazzling rock music score.

After winning hearts in New York and Las Vegas, the laugh-out loud musical celebrating the popular sitcom, Friends, will come to the UK in an unmissable tour. The show is packed with all your favourite moments, unforgettable quotes, and a new original soundtrack, as it follows Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chander, Joey, and Phoebe through 1990s New York.

This festive season, the timeless story of Pinocchio, a little wooden puppet who longs to be a real boy, comes to life in the iconic wooden O of the Globe Theatre. This heart-warming, magical musical by Charlie Josephine and Jim Fortune will enchant children and adults alike, while sharing powerful lessons about family, community, and what it means to be human.

Dracula meets acapella in this satirical retelling of Bram Stoker's novel that puts a new and hilarious spin on the story of the world's most famous vampire. Dan Patterson and Jez Bond's outrageous parody reintroduces you to familiar characters such as hapless hero Jonathan Harker, vampire hunter Van Helsing, and of course, the terrifying Count Dracula himself - as you've never imagined them before. Sit back and enjoy acapella covers of your favourite songs in this mischievous and madcap musical.

Nicola Walker stars in Nick Payne's play, which presents a striking portrayal of motherhood, faith, family - and the lengths we go to for those we refuse to forget. The Unbelievers makes its debut at the Royal Court Theatre in Autumn 2025.

Celebrated actors Letitia Wright and Golda Rosheuvel, Not Your Superwomanis a brand new production which will premiere at the Bush Theatre in the Autumn. The play follows two women as they struggle to come to terms with the death of their family's matriarch.

Directed by Stephen Daldry, this astonishing new play by the ex-Young Vic Artistic Director David Lan weaves the story of displaced and stolen children following WWII, with Juliet Stevenson (The Doctor) in a starring role.

Part true crime, part Western, Kenrex is based on a real story of a small town murder which left 60 witnesses, all who denied ever seeing anything. In this glorious one man show, Jack Holden embodies a colourful cast of characters in a small town thriller about a community coming together against a tyrant.

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!

Step into the dreamy, wooden, candlelit space of the Sam Wanamaker Theatre, where for the first time Shakespeare’s Globe and Headlong bring to the stage this magical, chaotic story of tricksy fairies and confused lovers.

Adapted for the stage for the first time, John Le Carre’s The Spy Who Came In From the Cold arrives on the West End after a sold-out run in Chichester. David Eldridge and Jeremy Herrin adapt this moody, mesmerising story about a British spy during the peak of the Cold War.

Don’t panic! The beloved sci-fi franchise gets a second life on the London stage in this gloriously absurd and searingly witty stage adaptation of Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy . Join Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Trillian, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Marvin the Paranoid Android and the rest of the eccentric crew on a zany intergalactic adventure.

A film legend, a rising star, a fading talent, and an ambitious agent come together in this scathing, witty look at the darker side of 1950s Hollywood, where everyone must abide by an unspoken code to survive. Catch the UK premiere of this darkly funny and emotionally resonant play written by Michael McKeever and directed by Christopher Renshaw, where rich storytelling and a stellar cast shine a light on the realities of queerness in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Three women, separated by space and time: a 17th century minister's wife in Scotland, an 18th century Irish teenager, and a queer woman in present-day America. Told through a gorgeous, stirring blend of folk music and modern original songs performed by an all-female band, this powerful, emotionally resonant musical makes its London premiere with an unmissable 8-week run in 2026.

Don’t miss the electrifying Dirty Dancing musical coming to the new Capital Theatre in London in 2025, 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. 

Conor McPherson adapts The Hunger Games, the thrilling saga about tyranny and revolution, based on the best-selling series by Suzanne Collins. Panem comes to life in the purpose-built, state-of-the-art Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.