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
Royal arrival: Anna X, Harold Pinter Theatre
The Crown's Emma Corrin makes her West End debut in Anna X, a new play set in the glittering, knife-sharp world of New York’s fashion elite. Read more.
AIDs crisis: Cruise, Duchess Theatre
Jack Holden’s Aids drama Cruise whizzes to the West End following an online premiere streamed via Shoreditch Town Hall. Read more.
Ocean romance: Anything Goes, Barbican
Crammed full of glorious and memorable songs and spectacular dance routines, the musical Anything Goes is set to open at the Barbican this summer. 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.
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.
Lifeboat survival: Life of Pi, Wyndham's Theatre
Magical theatre adaptation of Man Booker-winning novel Life of Pi hits West End stage, after five-star reviews of sell-out Sheffield production. Read more.
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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.
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Futuristic fantasy: Walden, Harold Pinter Theatre
The Harold Pinter Theatre reopens with Walden, a debut play by Amy Berryman. Gemma Arterton stars and Ian Rickson directs. Read more.
Campus courtroom: Oleanna, Arts Theatre
David Mamet's political correctness-focused two-hander about a college professor accused of sexual harassment by his pupil comes to the West End courtesy of Theatre Royal Bath. Read more.
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RETURNING FAVOURITES
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.
Family epic: Leopoldstadt, Wyndham's Theatre ★★★★★
Tom Stoppard turns his talents to a heartfelt story following a Jewish family in Austria over the beginning of the 21st century. Read our review.
Kids' favourite: Billionaire Boy, Garrick Theatre
David Walliams' hit book-cum-show Billionaire Boy returns to the West End this summer. Read more.
Reverse relationship: The Last Five Years, Vaudeville Theatre
Jason Robert Brown’s musical two-hander about a young couple in the early throes of marriage transfers to the West End after moving audiences at Southwark Playhouse. Read more.
Tartan teens: Heathers, Wyndham's Theatre ★★★★★
Cult teen movie Heathers gets a shrewd and sassy musical theatre makeover 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 Shawartz's award-winning songs and plenty of spectacle to enthral kids. Read our review.
Magical mishaps: Magic Goes Wrong, Vaudeville 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, Arts 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 our review.
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.
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.
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 roaring twenties 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.
