Best Theatre Shows In London

• Where: a secret Central London spot (revealed the week before the show)

Ever got an urge to stand up and join in when watching your favourite musical? Well now you can with the West End Musical Brunch. This one-of-a-kind event invites you to step into the spotlight alongside the stars of London's iconic West End, and features live performances from the biggest names, including past stars of Wicked, Les Miserables, Hamilton, and more.

But here's the twist - the audience is part of the show. After an hour of bottomless cocktails and soft drinks, you'll be belting out Defying Gravity, singing Fame at the top of your lungs, and dancing to Grease Lightning, all while enjoying a delicious two-course meal. It's your chance to become part of the magic and immerse yourself in the world of musical theatre.

• Where: 2 Shepperton Road, London, N1 3DT

Nestled next to Regent's Canal in Islington is the characterful Rosemary Branch Theatre, an award-winning pub that's just waiting for your visit. From comedies to plays and improv, this artsy spot has a little something for everyone to be dazzled by.

Bring your friends along, nurse a cold pint and catch some of the best up-and-coming comics as they try out their new material, or watch independent shows that creatively tackle interesting themes and get your mind spinning hours after it's over. What's more, for some of the best theatre plays in London, tickets are super affordable, typically starting from around £8 per person.

• Where: The Ballroom at The Red Lion, 640 High Road Leytonstone, London, E11 3AA

The Poetry Brothel brings immersive spoken word to The Ballroom at The Red Lion. In a city where the streets once thrummed with unruly song, grassroots gatherings fade like chalk washed from stone, yet something stirs.

Inspired by the forbidden Bal des Folles, you can expect breathtaking theatre and performances that will send a shiver down your spine. Bag your tickets to a night of incredible theatre from just £8.80. 

• Where: The Bloomsbury Ballroom, Bloomsbury Square, London WC1B 4DA

Fancy hitting up some of the best theatre in London? Known for its luxurious atmosphere and world-class talent, this spot offers an immersive journey through global cultures with stunning choreography, intricate costumes, and awe-inspiring performances. 

A vibrant performance that is set to dazzle the audience, Kinky Boots is coming to the London Coliseum in 2026. This story features a struggling shoe factory in Northampton, and a bold idea on how to save business.

Expect lots of dazzling routines and plenty of laughs, with a score by Cyndi Lauper. Starring Johannes Radebe as Lola, this is set to be spectacular.

• Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5JF

Head to Theatre Royal Drury Lane to catch Hercules, the fantastic musical adaptation of Disney's classic film. Written by Tony winners Robert Horn and Kwame Kwei-Armah and featuring new songs from Alan Menken and David Zippel, this is a truly brilliant performance.

Join Hercules as he battles monsters, defies the gods, and discovers what it truly means to be a hero. Following acclaimed runs in the U.S. and Germany, this larger-than-life show is ready to go the distance in London, with tickets starting from just £31 each.

• Where: Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, London, SE1 2SG

From £43, step into the immersive world of Into the Woods at the Bridge Theatre, where beloved fairy tale characters collide in a story of wishes, magic, and consequences. Follow the Baker and his Wife on a desperate quest to break a wicked curse, meeting Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel along the way.

With Stephen Sondheim's iconic score and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning book, this production blurs the line between audience and performer, creating a thrilling, unforgettable evening in the round.

• Where: Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, Fulton Road, London, HA9 8TS

Get ready for a thrill ride at the Starlight Express, held at the Starlight Auditorium in the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. This electrifying musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber spins a high-speed tale of Rusty, a once-reliable steam engine determined to leave his outdated ways behind and race his way to victory, both on the track and in winning the heart of the sleek Pearl.

Set entirely on roller skates, the show is a dazzling spectacle of rapid choreography, bold set designs, and a heart-pounding race to claim the title of Fastest Engine in the World. As Rusty faces off against rivals like Greaseball, the arrogant diesel, and Electra, the flashy new electric engine, he must overcome every obstacle and prove that being a true champion is about more than just speed.

• Where: Ambassadors Theatre, West Street, London, WC2H 9ND

The super smash hit from the silver screen, Paranormal Activity, is spooking the stage at Ambassadors Theatre for a limited run. Get ready to leap out of your seat as all manner of ghosts and ghouls drive James and Lou to the edge of madness.

Expect jump scares, creeping dread and popcorn flying high in the air from the moment the curtain goes up. Grab your ticket from just £94 - if you dare.

• Where: Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, London, WC2B 4DF

Downton Abbey and Paddington star, Hugh Bonneville, is back to bring his critically acclaimed performance in Shadowlands to the West End. The historic stage of the Aldwych Theatre is transported to 1950s Oxford for a journey through the life and loves of legendary author C. S. Lewis.

Wall-to-wall rave reviews and a limited run mean tickets may soon be hard to come by. Snap yours up from just £37. 

• Where: Savoy Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0ET

Step into the world of one of Britain's most beloved characters in this unmissable new production at the Savoy Theatre. Paddington The Musical is packed with catchy songs, dazzling dance numbers and, of course, plenty of marmalade sandwiches.

With music from McFly's Tom Fletcher, incredible costumes and stunning sets, this is Paddington as you've never seen him before. Grab your tickets to the action from just £55.

• Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Back on the West Stage for a strictly limited run, The Gruffalo is live at the Lyric Theatre. You'll join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's classic picture book.

Expect sensational songs, big laughs and monstrous fun from start to finish. It gets even better - tickets start from a bargain £13.

• Where: Adelphi Theatre, Strand, London, WC2R 0NS

Get ready to rev up your time machine and journey to the past with Back to the Future: The Musical at the Adelphi Theatre. This time-travelling stage sensation brings the iconic 1985 film to life, with Marty McFly, the ultimate rock 'n' roll teen, accidentally zipping back to 1955 in Doc Brown's legendary DeLorean. Now, Marty's got a heavy task ahead of him - making sure his young parents fall in love to avoid erasing his existence from the future.

Packed with all the nostalgic characters and epic moments you know and love, including The Power of Love and Johnny B. Goode, this musical is a timeless adventure. With a mix of magic, laughs, and heart-pounding excitement, it's a show that'll have you wishing you could hop in the DeLorean and experience it all over again. Afterwards, you can even enjoy a themed afternoon tea at the Cumberland Hotel.

• Where: SohoPlace, London, W1D 3BG

For the first time ever, a John le Carré novel is making the leap from page to stage - and it's his most iconic: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold. Following a sold-out run at Chichester Festival Theatre, this gripping Cold War thriller makes its West End premiere this autumn.

Set in shadowy, divided Berlin, the story follows British intelligence officer Alec Leamas on a final, perilous mission that tests the boundaries of loyalty, truth, and emotional vulnerability. With razor-sharp dialogue and a suspenseful, morally complex narrative, this theatrical debut brings one of the world's most celebrated spy novels to life. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Jeremy Herrin and adapted by David Eldridge, this is a must-see for lovers of espionage, theatre, and timeless storytelling.

Looking for a feel-good show that's bound to blow you away? Then check out Dirty Dancing, being shown at Capital Theatre in Shepherd's Bush. This follows the story of the hit film, featuring fantastic dance numbers and songs like “Hungry Eyes” and “(I've Had) The Time of My Life”.

• Where: His Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QL

Often considered to be one of the most amazing productions in history, Phantom of the Opera is Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece. You can see it at His Majesty's Theatre for as little as £37 per person, starring Dean Chisnall as The Phantom, Lily Kerhoas as Christine Daaé and Joe Griffiths-Brown as Raoul.

This performance has been seen by over 160 million people all over the world, in 21 different languages. Expect a stunning show, featuring songs like Music of the Night, All I Ask of You, Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again and more.

• Where: Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES

Hadestown is a Broadway sensation that has won hearts worldwide. Created by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, this award-winning musical is a must-see at the Lyric Theatre.

With 8 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, and a Grammy Award® for Best Musical Theatre Album, Hadestown invites you on a spellbinding journey to the underworld and beyond. Through two intertwined love stories - one of Orpheus and Eurydice, full of passion and tragedy, and another between the powerful King Hades and his wife Persephone - the production explores themes of love, sacrifice, and fate in a mesmerising performance you won't forget.

The sine-tingling Agatha Christie drama, Witness for the Prosecution is a courtroom drama that follows the tale of Leonard Vole - accused of murdering a wealthy widow. This is being performed at London County Hall in Waterloo, with tickets starting from as little as £16 per person. Get ready for some jaw-dropping scenes, in this nail-biting story of justice and secrets.

• Where: Lyceum Theatre, 22 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ

The multi-award-winning Lion King has wowed audiences on the West End for the past three decades. With stunning sets, innovative costumes and incredible performances, you're immediately transported to the Pride Lands.

On top of the iconic songs you know and love, from I Just Can't Wait to be King to Can You Feel The Love Tonight, there's new, exciting additions to the score for the stage. Join the 110 million people have already experienced the show worldwide – grab your tickets from just £39.

• Where: Novello Theatre, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4LD

Take a chance on a night full of sunshine and ABBA hits with Mamma Mia! - the world's most fabulous musical. Set on a dreamy Greek island, this feel-good extravaganza brings together love, laughter, and a whole lot of Dancing Queen energy, all set to ABBA's timeless tunes.

Join Sophie as she embarks on a quest to find her father, throwing her mom Donna's past into the mix, just days before Sophie's wedding. The result? A delightful Mama Mia moment of love, confusion, and reunion that'll have you super trooping your way through a show packed with hilarious twists, heartfelt moments, and of course, dancing in the aisles. 

• Where: Palace Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up where the last book left off - 19 years after the Battle of Hogwarts in the Second Wizarding War. Harry, now an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, is still grappling with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs.

Follow our hero and his youngest son Albus as they discover that sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. Tickets to this fantastic adventure at Palace Theatre start from just £34.

• Where: Cambridge Theatre, Earlham Street, London, WC2H 9HU

Based on Roald Dahl's classic tale, Matilda: The Musical is guaranteed to put a smile on your face as one of the best theatre shows in London for families. Created by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this brilliant show follows the story of a young girl who is misunderstood by her parents but is finally recognised as a genius when she starts school.

Since its debut in 2010, this musical has won over 100 international awards. With terrifying teachers, revolting children, and a touch of magic, Matilda: The Musical is a riotous celebration of imagination and resilience and you'll find this performance at Cambridge Theatre, with tickets beginning at £25 per person.

• Where: Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, Kingsway, WC2A 2HT

I'm Every Woman tells the untold story of Chaka Khan, the fierce, fearless force behind some of the most iconic tracks in music history. From funk and soul to pop and activism, Chaka's voice has echoed across generations - and now her story does too.

Expect high-energy choreography by Jade Hackett, emotional depth, and a soundtrack that will have you dancing in your seat. This is a tribute not just to the music, but to the resilience, heart, and power of a woman who changed the game.

• Where: Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London, WC2E 7RQ

Step into the world of The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre and be transported to the heart of Africa with a dazzling stage production inspired by the beloved Disney film.

Running in London for 22 years, this award-winning musical features evocative African rhythms and stunning choreography, alongside spectacular special effects and masterful puppetry. Follow Simba's transformation and destiny in a show that combines heart, humour, and breathtaking artistry, making it a must-see for families and theatre lovers alike.

SIX: The Singalong is louder than ever, giving fans the chance to sing their hearts out with the queens themselves at the Vaudeville Theatre. With tickets starting at £42, it's a rare chance to be part of the show, not just watch it.

Expect glitter, girl power, and a crowd that knows every word - this is history rewritten as a pop concert.

• Where: West Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NZ

A murder mystery that has captivated audiences for more than 70 years, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap is bound to have you on the edge of your seat. This is being shown at St Martin's Theatre, with tickets starting from only £28.

The characters are snowed in at a remote country house, where seven strangers realise they may not survive the night. Everyone is a suspect, and there are plenty of secrets to be uncovered.

Where: Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4HS

Beetlejuice is trading the underworld for the West End stage at the Prince Edward Theatre this May. Packed with jaw-dropping effects, a killer score and bags full of fun, it puts all the magic of the Tim Burton classic right before your eyes.

Expect comedy, chaos and a loudmouthed demon who just won't stay buried. Tickets to the gloriously gothic show start from just £25.