Welcome to our bumper guide to the musicals, plays and shows to see in London. Whether you’re a regular thespian or looking for a fun night out, there’s something for everyone
Musicals & Performances
& Juliet (booking to 25 June)
The most famous love story of all time, remixed. What if Juliet’s famous ending was really her beginning? A smash-hit musical featuring hit songs by Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys and Ellie Goulding. Watch what might have happened if Juliet had decided to choose her own fate. Please check for times. Tickets £22.50-£99.50.
Shaftesbury Theatre, 210 Shaftesbury Ave, WC2H 8DP. T: 020-7379 5399. www.shaftesburytheatre.com. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road/Holborn.
Back to the Future the Musical (booking to 3 July)
Turn your Flux Capacitor on and get ready for 1.21 gigawatts of pure entertainment. An electrifying ride back in time as the 1985 blockbuster film is transformed into a musical adventure by the movie’s co-writers, Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis. Check for times. Tickets from £19.95.
Adelphi Theatre, Strand, WC2R 0NS. T: 020-7087 7754. www.lwtheatres.co.uk. Nearest station: Charing Cross.
The Book of Mormon (booking to 30 April)
This controversial satire, from the writers of TV’s South Park, follows the exploits of two hapless missionaries from the Church of Latter Day Saints. It has fully established itself as one of London’s most popular musicals and one of the hottest tickets in town. Check for times and prices.
Prince of Wales Theatre, Coventry St, W1D 6AS. T: 0844- 482 5110. www.thebookofmormonmusical.com/london. Nearest station: Leicester Square/Piccadilly Circus.
Cabaret (booking to 1 Oct)
Welcome to the Kit Kat Club. Home to an intimate and electrifying new production starring Oscar, Golden Globe, BAFTA, Tony and Olivier award-winner Eddie Redmayne as ‘The Emcee’ and Bafta Nominee and British Independent Film Award winner Jessie Buckley as ‘Sally Bowles’. In a time when the world is changing forever, there is one place where everyone can be free. This is Berlin. Relax. Loosen up. Be yourself. Check for times. Tickets from £30.
Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Ave, WC2N 5DE. T: 0333-009 6690. www.atgtickets.com. Nearest station: Charing Cross
Cinderella: The Musical (booking to 29 May)
Cinderella can’t wait to leave Belleview. Loud-mouthed and dripping with disdain, will she get the not-so-fairy-tale ending she wants so much? Romantic musical featuring an original story and book by Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell. Check for times and prices.
Gillian Lynne Theatre, 166 Drury Ln, WC2B 5PW. T: 020-7087 7750. www.andrewlloydwebberscinderella.com. Nearest station: Covent Garden/Holborn.
Cirque du Soleil: LUZIA (12 Jan-13 Feb)
A spellbinding circus show inspired by the people, places, and stories that define Mexico. Prepare to be transported to an imaginary Mexico and be met with grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances by world-class artists. The show is full of twists and turns – contortionists bend their bodies and your mind as you wonder how it’s at all possible. Integrating water into performances, Cyr Wheel artists roll and spin under the rain in a level of acrobatic complexity that has never been seen under the Big Top before. Suspended from a trapeze, an aerial artist flies and twirls through pouring showers too. This epic evening of entertainment will excite all ages and will be something you talk about for years to come. Check for times and prices.
Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP. T: 020-7589 8212. www.royalalberthall.com. Nearest station: South Kensington.
Come From Away (booking to 12 Feb)
A community on a Canadian island hosts 7,000 stranded passengers after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The musical is based on actual events that took place on September 11, 2001 and the days that followed. Winner of four Olivier awards, including Best New Musical. Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets from £20.
Phoenix Theatre, 110 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0JP. T: 0844-871 7629. www.phoenixtheatrelondon.co.uk. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road.
The Drifter’s Girl (booking to 26 March)
Beverley Knight stars as the manager of one of the world’s best vocal groups, The Drifters. Discover the remarkable story of one of the world’s greatest vocal groups, and the truth about the woman who made them. Alongside her husband, Faye Treadwell fought for three decades to turn Atlantic Records’ hottest vocal group into a global phenomenon. Beverley Knight is not scheduled to perform in The Drifters Girl from 17-22 Jan 2022. Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £20.
Garrick Theatre, 2 Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0HH. T: 0330-333 4811. www.nimaxtheatres.com. Nearest station: Leicester Square.
Frozen The Musical (booking to 26 June)
The beloved animated film is now playing in London’s West End, bringing Elsa and Anna’s story to the stage in this heart-melting theatrical production. With incredible special effects, jaw-dropping scenery, and all the songs you know and love, it’s an unmissable experience that will stay with you long after the curtain falls. Even the biggest FROZEN fans will be in for some surprises, as the production features brand-new music from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, writers of the unforgettable Let It Go. Wed-Sat 7pm; Thu & Sat 2pm; Sun 1pm & 5.30pm. Tickets from £20.
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine St, WC2B 5JF. T: 020-7557 7300. www.lwtheatres.co.uk. Nearest station: Covent Garden.
Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical (booking to 3 April)
From the hills of rural Jamaica, armed only with his overwhelming talent and righteous beliefs, Bob Marley applied himself with resolute determination to achieve international acclaim for his prophetic musical message – a gospel of love and unity. Celebrate Jamaica’s global superstar in this euphoric retelling of his story, featuring performers and reggae musicians. Check for times. Tickets from £15.
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7ES. T: 0330-333 4812. www.nimaxtheatres.com. Nearest station: Piccadilly Circus.
Hamilton (booking to 3 April)
Hip-hop musical based on the story of America’s founding father, Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and helped shape the very foundations of America as we know it today. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway. Check for times and prices.
Victoria Palace Theatre, Victoria St, SW1E 5EA. T: 0844-482 5138. www.hamiltonthemusical.co.uk. Nearest station: Victoria.
Jersey Boys (booking to 1 May)
Award-winning musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. They were just four guys from Jersey until they sang their very first note… They had a sound nobody had ever heard, and the radio just couldn’t get enough of it. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story — a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. Check for times and prices.
Trafalgar Theatre, 24 Whitehall, SW1A 2DY. T: 0844-871 7632. www.jerseyboysmusical.co.uk. Nearest station: Charing Cross.
Les Misérables (booking to 3 April)
The world’s longest-running musical, adapted from Victor Hugo’s classic novel. Set in France during the June 1832 Rebellion, Les Misérables tells the story of Jean Valjean, a French peasant, and his attempt to find redemption. Following his release in 1815 after serving 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, Valjean decides to break his parole and start a new life. Along the way, Valjean and a slew of characters are swept into the Rebellion, where a group of young idealists attempt to overthrow the government in Paris. Check for times. Tickets from £22.50.
Sondheim Theatre, 51 Shaftesbury Ave, W1D 6BA. T: 0844-482 5160. www.lesmis.com. Nearest station: Leicester Square.
The Lion King (booking until May 2022)
Bursting onto the stage with glorious colours, stunning effects, enchanting music and mesmerising puppetry, this is Disney’s award-winning musical adaptation of the classic film. Follow Simba’s journey from wide-eyed lion cub to his destiny as the King of the Pridelands. Tickets from £20. Tue-Sat 7:30pm; Wed, Sat & Sun 2:30pm.
Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington St, WC2E 7RQ. T: 0844-871 3000. www.thelionking.co.uk. Nearest station: Covent Garden.
Magic Goes Wrong (to 27 Feb)
Created with legendary magicians Penn and Teller, this evening of grand illusion will take your breath away with tricks and typical Mischief comedy, tickling your funny bones along the way too. A hapless gang of moderately skilled magicians present a charity event – as the accidents spiral out of control, so does their fundraising target. Tue-Fri 7.30pm; Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm; Sun 3pm & 7pm. Tickets from £27.50.
Vaudeville Theatre, 404 Strand, WC2R 0NH. T: 0330-333 4814. www.nimaxtheatres.com. Nearest station: Charing Cross.
Mamma Mia! The Musical (booking to 1 Oct)
A mother, a daughter and three possible dads. Over 65 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show. On the night before her wedding, Sophie Sheridan begins a quest to discover the identity of her father, bringing three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. The storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs brings this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship to life. Mon, Wed-Sat 7.30pm; Thu and Sat 3pm & 7.30pm; Sun 2.30pm. Tickets from £17.50.
Novello Theatre, Aldwych, WC2B 4LD. T: 0844-482 5115. www.mamma-mia.com. Station: Covent Garden.
Mary Poppins (3 April)
Disney and Cameron Mackingtosh’s multi-award-winning musical is flying high at the Prince Edward Theatre. Watch the magical story of the world’s favourite nanny, triumphantly brought to the stage with dazzling choreography, incredible effects and unforgettable songs. Have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time. Mon, Thu-Sat 7.30pm; Wed 7pm; Sat-Sun 2.30pm.
Prince Edward Theatre, Old Compton St, W1D 4HS. T: 0844-482 5151. www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk. Station: Tottenham Court Road. D7.
Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker (7 Dec-30 Jan)
A Nutcracker! like no other, adored by critics and audiences alike, with family-sized helpings of Bourne’s trademark wit, pathos and magical fantasy. Follow Clara’s bittersweet journey from a darkly comic Christmas Eve at Dr. Dross’ Orphanage, through a sparkling winter wonderland to the candy kingdom of Sweetieland. Influenced by the lavish Hollywood musicals of the 1930’s and with Tchaikovsky’s glorious score and Anthony Ward’s delectable sets and costumes, this is a Christmas show that you will remember for years to come. Check for times. Tickets from £15.
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Ave, EC1R 4TN. T: 020-7863 8000. www.sadlerswells.com. Station: Angel.
Matilda the Musical (booking to 18 Dec 2022)
Prepare to be enchanted by the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. Based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book, brought to life by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Winner of 99 international awards, including 24 for Best Musical, Matilda continues to delight audiences in London. Check for times. Tickets £20-£122.50.
Cambridge Theatre, 32-34 Earlham St, WC2H 9HU. T: 0844-412 4652. www.matildathemusical.com. Station: Covent Garden.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical! (to Autumn 2022)
Enter a world of splendour and romance; of eye-popping excess, glitz, grandeur and glory. A glamorous stage version of Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film, where bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows. This is a theatrical celebration of truth, beauty, freedom and love. Pop the champagne and prepare for this new musical mash-up extravaganza. Check for times. Tickets from £25.
Piccadilly Theatre, 16 Denman St, W1D 7DY. T: 0333-0096 690. www.thepiccadillytheatre.com. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
Only Fools and Horses (to 26 Feb)
Mais ouis, mais ouis, the world may have changed a lot since we first bid a jovial ‘au revoir’ to the Trotters of Peckham, but good ‘ol Del Boy, Rodney and the rest of the gang haven’t changed a bit… well, apart from the odd spontaneous bursting into song, and the occasional dancing across the market, there. Based on the landmark, record-breaking television series and starring Paul Whitehouse as the much-loved Grandad, Tom Bennett as loveable rogue Del Boy Trotter, Ryan Hutton as his hapless brother Rodney. This is the critically acclaimed feel-good, family celebration of traditional, working-class London life and the aspirations we all share. Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £17.50.
Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1Y 4HT. T: 020-7930 8800. www.trh.co.uk. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
The Phantom of the Opera (booking to 9 July)
Based on the 1910 eponymous novel by Gaston Leroux, the long-running musical masterpiece has just celebrated 35 years at London’s West End. Watch as the mysterious, masked musical genius living in the underground labyrinth beneath the Paris Opéra House becomes obsessed with the beautiful soprano, Christine Daaé. Check for times. Tickets from £22.50.
Her Majesty’s Theatre, 57 Haymarket, SW1Y 4QL. T: 0844-412 2707. www.thephantomoftheopera.com. Station: Piccadilly Circus.
Pretty Woman: The Musical (booking to 2 April)
Get ready to fall in love with London as the record-breaking box office smash-hit musical returns to the stage at its glamorous new home – the Savoy Theatre. Vivian and Edward are unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other…and themselves. Experience the moments you love from the Hollywood movie and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way in this dazzlingly joyous theatrical take on a love story for the ages. Tue-Fri 7.30pm; Wed & Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets from £15.
Savoy Theatre, Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET. T: 0844-871 7687. www.thesavoytheatre.com. Station: Charing Cross.
The Prince of Egypt
Based on the award-winning 1998 DreamWorks Animation movie, experience the epic emotion, soaring music and breathtaking dance at the magnificent new stage version, from multi Grammy® and Academy Award®-winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell). Journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as two young men, raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. One must rule as Pharaoh, the other must rise up and free his true people; both face a destiny that will change history forever. With a huge cast and orchestra of 60 artists, it’s a spectacle that’s not to be missed. Mon-Sat 7.30pm; Thu-Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Check for prices.
Dominion Theatre, 268-269 Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 7AQ. T: 0845-200 7982. www.theprinceofegyptmusical.com. Station: Tottenham Court Road.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical (booking to Dec 2022)
Discover the untold story of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender and race. From humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner didn’t just break the rules, she rewrote them. Check for times and prices.
Aldwych Theatre, 49 Aldwych, WC2B 4DF. T: 0345-200 7981. www.tinathemusical.com. Station: Covent Garden.
Wicked (booking to 27 Nov)
In a parallel Land of Oz, Wicked tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two women, Glinda and Elphaba. Their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths until they fulfil their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. It’s a musical phenomenon. Tue-Sat 7.30pm; Wed & Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. Tickets from £19.50.
Apollo Victoria Theatre, 17 Wilton Rd, SW1V 1LG. T: 0844-871 3001. www.wickedthemusical.co.uk. Station: Victoria.
Plays
Life of Pi (to 27 Feb)
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a sixteen-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors: a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh – who will survive? Based on one of the most extraordinary works of fiction and winner of the Man Booker Prize, it has sold over fifteen million copies worldwide. Featuring breathtaking puppetry and state-of-the-art visuals, Life of Pi is a smash-hit adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Mon, Wed-Sat 7.30pm; Thu & Sat 2.30pm; Sun 3pm. Tickets from £27.50.
Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Rd, WC2H 0DA. T: 0844-482 5151. www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk. Nearest station: Charing Cross.
The Mousetrap (booking to 29 May)
The world’s longest-running play is back onstage in London’s West End. A murderer strikes at a party in a manor house in Agatha Christie’s long-running whodunnit. Seven strangers find themselves snowed in at a stately countryside home – and the killer is in their midst! One by one, their sordid pasts are revealed. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim? Can the mystery be solved before another “mouse” goes SNAP? Check for times and prices.
St Martin’s Theatre, West St, WC2H 9NZ. T: 0844-499 1515. www.the-mousetrap.co.uk. Nearest station: Leicester Square.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane (to 24 April)
Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, the acclaimed production has transferred to the West End until spring 2022. Returning to his childhood home in Sussex, a man is transported to his 12th birthday when his friend Lettie claimed the pond in the garden wasn’t a pond, but an ocean… Plunged into a magical world, their survival depends on their ability to reckon with ancient forces that threaten to destroy everything around them. Neil Gaiman’s fantasy novel is brought to life by Joel Horwood. Check for times. Tickets from £18.
Duke of York’s Theatre, 104 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4BG. T: 0333-009 6690. www.thedukeofyorks.com. Nearest station: Leicester Square.
The Play That Goes Wrong (booking to 2 April 2023)
A group of accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call at The Cornley Drama Society’s 1920s murder mystery show. But as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does – and with hilarious consequences! Check for times. Tickets from £22.
Duchess Theatre, 3-5 Catherine St, WC2B 5LA. T: 0330-333 4810. www.theplaythatgoeswrong.com. Nearest station: Covent Garden.
Witness for the Prosecution (booking to 20 March)
You have been summoned for jury service… Step inside the magnificent surroundings of London County Hall and experience the intensity and drama of Agatha Christie’s gripping story. Leonard Vole is accused of murdering a widow to inherit her wealth. Will he survive the shocking witness testimony? Will he be able to convince the jury – and you – of his innocence? See you in court. Check for times and prices.
County Hall, Belvedere Rd, SE1 7PB. T: 0844-815 7141. www.witnesscountyhall.com. Nearest station: London Waterloo.
Immersive Experiences
Doctor Who: Time Fracture (to 17 April)
The Doctor needs you! Prepare to be plunged into the incredible universe of Doctor Who at this ground-breaking immersive theatrical adventure. The Universe as we know it is at stake. In a quiet corner of London, a dangerous rift in time and space has been monitored for decades, but now the Time Fracture is growing out of control. Can you help save the day? With 43 live actors and 17 different worlds to explore, take an epic journey across space and time, travel to exciting new (and old) places, confront menacing monsters and encounter ancient aliens – all while you battle to save all of existence! Please check for times. Tickets from £49.95.
Unit HQ, Davies Mews, W1K 5AB. T: 020-3053 1500. www.immersivedoctorwho.com. Nearest station: Bond Street.
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience (to 19 Dec, then from 21 Jan)
A loving tribute to the classic BBC TV series, this is a highly interactive experience where you can enjoy a three-course meal and five-star comedy. The critically acclaimed immersive phenomenon has just celebrated its tenth year in London, and will move to a new home in 2022, The President Hotel in Russell Square. Due to the high demand for tickets, the producers have also announced that they will increase the number of weekly performances to six from February onwards. Check for times and prices.
Until 19 Dec: Radisson Blu Edwardian, 9-13 Bloomsbury St, WC1B 3QD. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road. From 21 Jan: The President’s Hotel, 56 Guilford Street, WC1N 1DB. Nearest station: Russell Square. www.torquaysuitetheatre.com.
The Great Gatsby (booking to 30 Oct)
Welcome back to the roaring twenties! Jay Gatsby invites you to one of his infamous parties – this is the hottest ticket in town. The champagne flows and as the drama unfolds, the man himself will be the perfect host. You may have the opportunity to follow the other guests into smaller rooms and spaces; maybe even with Mr Gatsby himself, if you are so lucky! You need only interact as much as you are comfortable to – if you prefer to observe from the sidelines, nobody will mind. In fact, Mr Gatsby often enjoys doing exactly that himself! Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in this heart-racing adaption of F Scott Fitzgerald’s seminal tale. Check for times. Tickets from £39.95.
Gatsby’s Mansion, Immersive LDN, 56 Davies St, W1K 5HR. T: 020-3053 1500. www.immersivegatsby.com. Nearest station: Bond Street.
Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds (to 30 April)
Travel back to 1898 and begin your adventure under the green eyes of a giant Martian Fighting Machine. With The Journalist George Herbert as your guide, you’ll crawl, slide and weave your way through 24 extraordinary scenes: from the first capsule to a trip to Mars. All set to Jeff Wayne’s iconic score, it combines all the excitement of theatre, cinema, escape rooms, theme park rides and virtual reality. Hurry! Open for a limited time only. Check for times and prices.
56 Leadenhall St, EC3A 2BJ. www.thewaroftheworldsimmersive.com. Nearest station: Aldgate.
MAMMA MIA! The Party
As you’re welcomed to Nikos Taverna on the beautiful Greek island of Skopelos, a love story is starting to unfold. As a delicious four-course meal is served, it comes with a side of drama…Popular ABBA hits are performed by costumed actors while you dine in a Greek taverna. Once the sun has set, desserts have been served and the drinks are flowing, the beautiful town square is transformed into a fabulous disco. Expect a glittering finale, packed with all the classics and a chance to party your way into the night. Check for times. Tickets from £99.
The O2, Peninsula Square, SE10 0AX. T: 0844-844 9545. www.mammamiatheparty.co.uk. Nearest station: North Greenwich.
Monopoly: Lifesized (booking to September 2022)
Everything you love about the classic game can now be found on a life-size board providing a bigger and better 4D experience. Travel around the board led by one of the game pieces and when you land on a property, complete challenges such as staging a heist in Mayfair or solving a murder mystery to acquire it. With four different boards to choose from (Classic, City, Vault and Junior) pick the one that suits you best! Once you’ve mastered that one, you can come back to master the rest. Afterwards, continue the fun at the themed bar and restaurant, The Top Hat. Check for times. Tickets from £53.
213-215 Tottenham Court Rd, W1T 7PS. www.monopolylifesized.com. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road/Goodge Street.
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