London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2021
Wondering what theatre to book and what plays to see? From fringe to the West End: London's best theatre
BOOK AHEAD...
Memory play: The Glass Menagerie, Duke of York's Theatre
Amy Adams makes her West End debut in Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie. Jeremy Herrin directs the production from new company Second Half Productions. Read more.
Final farewell: The Human Voice, Harold PinterTheatre
Ivo van Hove and Ruth Wilson reunite to bring Jean Cocteau’s The Human Voice to the Harold Pinter Theatre. Read more.
Starry Chekhov: The Seagull, Harold PinterTheatre
Emilia Clarke swaps her dragons for a Seagull in a fresh version of Chekhov's classic play, as part of Jamie Lloyd's theatre season. Read more.
French classic: Cyrano de Bergerac, Harold Pinter Theatre
French classic Cyrano de Bergerac is revived by the Jamie Lloyd Theatre Company, with Scottish star James McAvoy shining in the titular role. Read more.
Raffish dark comedy: The Southbury Child, Bridge Theatre
Alex Jennings plays a raffish vicar in this dark new comedy about family, faith and community. Read more.
A trio of talent: Street Line Crazy, Bridge Theatre
Writer David Hare, director Nicholas Hytner and actor Ralph Fiennes return to the Bridge Theatre with Hare’s latest play, Street Line Crazy. Read more.
Identity conflict: Cock, Ambassadors Theatre
Cock, Mike Bartlett’s 2009 Olivier-winning play, makes its West End debut. Marianne Elliott directs, and Taron Egerton, Jonathan Bailey, Phil Daniels and Jade Anouka star. Read more.
With Jodie Comer: Prima Facie, Harold Pinter Theatre
Killing Eve’s Jodie Comer makes her West End debut in Suzie Miller’s award-winning play Prima Facie. Justin Martin (The Walk, The Jungle) directs. Read more.
Courtroom classic: To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre
Aaron Sorkin's smash-hit stage adaptation of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird comes to the West End, with Rafe Spall starring as Atticus Finch. Read more.
Gothic musical: Wuthering Heights, Gielgud Theatre
Emily Brontë’s gothic novel Wuthering Heights comes to the National Theatre in a music and dance-heavy production by Emma Rice’s Wise Children. Read more.
SHOWING NOW....
Star-powered revival: Cabaret, The Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Jessie Buckley and Eddie Redmayne star in director Rebecca Frecknall’s revival of Cabaret, staged inside an intimate reconstruction of the musical’s Kit Kat Club. Read more.
Spectacular, Spectacular: Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Piccadilly Theatre
After impressing on Broadway, the stage musical of Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge brings spectacular spectacular theatre to London in autumn 2021. Read more.
Lifeboat survival: Life of Pi, Wyndham's Theatre
Following a critically acclaimed run at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, Lolita Chakrabarti's adaptation of Life of Pi opens in the West End in a feat for puppetry and theatrics. Read our review.
By Zadie Smith: Wife of Willesden, KilnTheatre
Northwest London's literary queen Zadie Smith pens her first play, giving a Willesden twist to Chaucer's Wife of Bath. Read our review.
Karaoke classic: Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), Criterion Theatre
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) reimagines Jane Austen’s 1813 novel with sparky storytelling, gutsy humour, feisty feminism and impassioned outbursts of karaoke. Read our review.
Brilliant bass: Get Up, Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical, Lyric Theatre
Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) reimagines Jane Austen’s 1813 novel with sparky storytelling, gutsy humour, feisty feminism and impassioned outbursts of karaoke. Read our review.
Feel-good true story: Come From Away, Phoenix Theatre ★★★★★
This utterly heart-warming musical about those stranded in a tiny Canadian town in the aftermath of 9/11 will restore your faith in humanity and leave you with a huge smile. Read our review.
Heart-melting: Frozen the Musical, Theatre Royal Drury Lane ★★★★★
Frozen glitters at the West End’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where a cast led by Samantha Barks and Stephanie McKeon bring to life the sisterhood-championing story. Read our review.
Rags to riches: Cinderella, Gillian Lynne Theatre
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Killing Eve writer Emerald Fennell reinvent the fairytale format with a new Cinderella musical. Read more.
Combs and curlers: Hairspray, London Coliseum
Michael Ball reprises his role as Edna Turnblad in an all-new West End production of Hairspray. Read more.
Dark fantasy: The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Duke of York's Theatre ★★★★★
After an impressive premiere at the National Theatre, this modern myth from the mind of Neil Gaiman comes to life on the West End. Read our review.
When you believe: The Prince of Egypt, Dominion Theatre ★★★★★
The stage of adaptation of 1998 Dreamworks animate film features Stephen Schwartz's award-winning songs and plenty of spectacle to enthral kids. Read our review.
Magical mishaps: Magic Goes Wrong, Apollo Theatre ★★★★★
The masterful comics at Mischief Theatre deliver more raucous slapstick in this disastrous – and dangerous – magic show. Read our review.
Herstory: Six the Musical, Vaudeville Theatre
The six wives of Henry VIII finally tell their stories via rock/pop anthems in this infectious girl power alternative history, that began at the Edinburgh Fringe and continues to delight on the West End. Read more.
Poptastic: & Juliet, Shatesbury Theatre ★★★★★
This jukebox musical gives Juliet a feminist alternative ending full of soaring pop hits, glitter and fun. Read our review.
Viral hit: Dear Evan Hansen, Noel Coward Theatre ★★★★★
Smash-hit musical Dear Evan Hansen brings a heartfelt story of teenage isolation and a soaring songbook to London.
Here we go again: Mamma Mia! The Party, O2 ★★★★★
Greek Island paradise and golden pop music come to life as Sweden's hit immersive Abba experience transports us to a taverna with feasting, singing and lots of dancing. Read our review.
Virtual reality: War of the Worlds, the immersive experience ★★★★★
Immersive theatre company dotdotdot return to London with a new experience based on The War of The Worlds. Don a VR headset and become a character in the story. Read our review.
Courtroom drama: Witness for the Prosecution, County Hall ★★★★★
Director Lucy Bailey takes over London Country Hall for an immersive, site-specific production of Agatha Christie's Witness for the Prosecution.
read our review
Exceeds expectation: Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre ★★★★★
The London transfer of Lin-Manuel Miranda's magnificent hip-hop music is every bit as brilliant as we had hoped. Make it your mission to get tickets.
Party with Gatsby: The Great Gatsby immersive theatre ★★★★★
The roaring20s come to life with sparkle, drama and a large yet intimate party in this immersive production of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Read our review.
Pure magic: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre ★★★★★
read our review
Delightful disaster: The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre ★★★★★
Musicals don't come much funnier than this whipsmart satire by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. The story of two Mormons travelling about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get still shocks and delights.
