West End Shows: What's On in London Right Now

London's West End is one of the busiest theatre districts in the world, and the line-up changes constantly as long-running favourites continue, new productions open and limited runs come and go. This guide rounds up the major shows playing in the West End right now, grouped so you can find the right night out quickly, whether you want a blockbuster musical, a gripping play or something the whole family will enjoy. We refresh it regularly, and every show links through to live dates and availability.

The biggest musicals in the West End right now

These are the long-running hits that define the West End, the shows most visitors have on their list. Most have been playing for years and run to packed houses, so booking ahead is worth it for the best seats and dates.

• The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, Disney's spectacular staging of the animated classic and still one of the hottest tickets in London.
• The Phantom of the Opera, Andrew Lloyd Webber's enduring gothic romance, playing at His Majesty's Theatre where it has run for decades.
• Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, the epic musical of revolution and redemption that remains a benchmark for the form.
• Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, a modern blockbuster with one of the West End's most loved scores.
• Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, the feel-good ABBA singalong that sends audiences home dancing.
• Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, Lin-Manuel Miranda's genre-defining hip-hop history of America's founding.
• Matilda the Musical, the Royal Shakespeare Company's inventive, big-hearted take on the Roald Dahl favourite.
• The Book of Mormon, the sharp, irreverent comedy from the creators of South Park.
• Moulin Rouge! The Musical, a lavish, pop-fuelled spectacle that turns the Piccadilly Theatre into a Parisian nightclub.
• Six at the Vaudeville Theatre, the pop-concert reinvention of the six wives of Henry VIII, and the ideal short night out.
• Hadestown at the Lyric Theatre, the Tony-winning folk retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

New and recently opened musicals

The West End is not just long-runners. These newer arrivals and revivals are among the most talked-about shows in town.

• The Devil Wears Prada at the Dominion Theatre, the musical adaptation of the hit film, with a score by Elton John.
• Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, the immersive, multi-award-winning production that transforms the Playhouse Theatre into 1930s Berlin.
• Heathers the Musical, the cult high-school comedy that has built a devoted following.
• Disney’s Hercules at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, a brand new Disney stage musical bringing the animated hit to London.
• Beetlejuice at the Prince Edward Theatre, the anarchic, fourth-wall-breaking comedy musical based on the Tim Burton film.
• Paddington the Musical at the Savoy Theatre, a warm new family musical starring London's favourite bear.
• Oliver!, Lionel Bart's classic brought back to the West End in an acclaimed new staging.
• Titanique at the Criterion Theatre, a joyous, Celine Dion-soundtracked comedy that reimagines the story of the Titanic.

Long-running plays and thrillers

If you prefer drama, comedy or a good mystery, the West End's plays are every bit as strong as its musicals.

• The Mousetrap at the St Martin's Theatre, Agatha Christie's whodunnit and the longest-running play in the world.
• The Play That Goes Wrong, the accident-prone farce that has become a comedy institution.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, the multi-award-winning continuation of the Harry Potter story.
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow, the hit prequel play that brings the world of Hawkins to the stage with astonishing effects.

The best West End shows for families

Plenty of West End shows are built for younger audiences and mixed-age groups. These are among the safest bets for a family trip.

• The Lion King, a visual feast that works for all ages.
• Matilda the Musical, funny and clever, and a favourite with children and adults alike.
• Paddington the Musical, a gentle, charming choice for younger children.
• My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, the enchanting Studio Ghibli stage adaptation.
• The Gruffalo, a lively, shorter show ideal for the very youngest theatregoers.

How to see what's on and book

West End line-ups rotate regularly, with new shows opening and limited runs closing throughout the year, so it is always worth checking current listings before you plan. For the latest shows, dates and live availability across every London venue, see the full range of West End shows and through tickadoo. Booking ahead gives you the widest choice of seats, and midweek and matinee performances often have better availability than weekend evenings.