London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2018
Wondering what theatre to book and what plays to see? From fringe to the West End: London's best theatre
London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2018
BEST PLAYS ON NOW
Murderous teens: Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket ★★★★★
Cult teen movie Heathers gets a shrewd and sassy musical theatre makeover and some killer songs on the West End. Make sure you wear your plaid mini skirt and shoulder pads!
read our review
New-age epic: An Adventure, Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Spanning six decades and three continents, hope, betrayal and disappointment in love are delicately interwoven in Vinay Patel’s three-hour epic An Adventure, which premieres at the Bush Theatre.
read our review
Masterpiece of avant-garde: Exit the King, National Theatre ★★★★★
Avant-garde playwright Eugène Ionesco's Exit the King is staged with flair, verve and a patchwork of references
read our review
Millennial mental illness: Dust, Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Milly Thomas's monologue about a suicidal woman is a sharp, smart and vital portrait of millennial mental illness.
read our review
A stunning Swan Song: King Lear, Duke of York's Theatre ★★★★★
If you only see one Shakespeare, make it this: the almighty Ian McKellen plays King Lear in Jonathan Munby's triumphant production
read our review
Teenage dreams: Dance Nation, Almeida Theatre ★★★★★
A bold, brilliantly funny new play explores the turmoil of early adolescence through the world of American competitive dance. Think: Dance Moms, meets Judy Blume novels via avant garde theatre.
read our review
Hard-hitting tragedy: Othello, Shakespeare's Globe ★★★★★
Mark Rylance returns to the Globe as the villainous Iago in wife Claire van Kampen's excellent production.
read our review
A trivial comedy for serious people: The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★★
Oscar Wilde's best-known play is revived in the final chapter of Dominic Dromgoole's year-long season, with an abundance of charm, wit, and satire.
read our review
State-of-the-nation: Allelujah!, The Bridge Theatre ★★★★★
Alan Bennett returns after a five-year hiatus from the stage, alongside long-standing creative partner, Nicholas Hytner, with a relevant, sharp-witted, and at times surreal hospital drama, set in a geriatric ward.
read our review
Resplendent revival: The King and I, Palladium Theatre ★★★★★
This resplendent revival of The King and I captures all the charm and escapist glamour of Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic 1951 musical, with enough intelligence to reconcile the problematic imperialist undertones.
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.
read our review
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 ★★★★★
Whether or not you approve of the script (no spoilers here) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is every bit as magical as we'd hoped on stage. The sheer theatrical spectacle is enough to make you wonder if maybe, just maybe, there might be some wizards involved. Performances and staging are of the superlative quality you'd expect and the atmosphere as the story unfolds is electric. Unfortunately, tickets are about as elusive as a Hogwarts letter.
find out how to get tickets
Delightful disaster: The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre ★★★★★
Slapstick silliness reigns supreme in this behind-the-scene play about an ill-fated production. Even those who are fearful of farce will find themselves won over by the infectious comic talents of Mischief Theatre Company.
And Mischief Theatre's follow up show, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery which is now running at the Criterion Theatre, is more of the same irresistible silliness. It would be a crime to miss it.
read our review
Mini miracle: Matilda, Cambridge Theatre ★★★★★
Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius with magic powers who brings anarchy then justice upon her little world is, it turns out, perfectly adapted for the stage. This production, underpinned by the likes of Tim Minchin and playwright Dennis Kelly, has raked in the awards, from a few Tonys in its New York run to a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Olivier Award wins (seven in 2012).
read our review
Murderous teens: Heathers, Theatre Royal Haymarket ★★★★★
Cult teen movie Heathers gets a shrewd and sassy musical theatre makeover and some killer songs on the West End. Make sure you wear your plaid mini skirt and shoulder pads!
read our review
New-age epic: An Adventure, Bush Theatre ★★★★★
Spanning six decades and three continents, hope, betrayal and disappointment in love are delicately interwoven in Vinay Patel’s three-hour epic An Adventure, which premieres at the Bush Theatre.
read our review
Masterpiece of avant-garde: Exit the King, National Theatre ★★★★★
Avant-garde playwright Eugène Ionesco's Exit the King is staged with flair, verve and a patchwork of references
read our review
Millennial mental illness: Dust, Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
Milly Thomas's monologue about a suicidal woman is a sharp, smart and vital portrait of millennial mental illness.
read our review
A stunning Swan Song: King Lear, Duke of York's Theatre ★★★★★
If you only see one Shakespeare, make it this: the almighty Ian McKellen plays King Lear in Jonathan Munby's triumphant production
read our review
Teenage dreams: Dance Nation, Almeida Theatre ★★★★★
A bold, brilliantly funny new play explores the turmoil of early adolescence through the world of American competitive dance. Think: Dance Moms, meets Judy Blume novels via avant garde theatre.
read our review
Hard-hitting tragedy: Othello, Shakespeare's Globe ★★★★★
Mark Rylance returns to the Globe as the villainous Iago in wife Claire van Kampen's excellent production.
read our review
A trivial comedy for serious people: The Importance of Being Earnest, Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★★
Oscar Wilde's best-known play is revived in the final chapter of Dominic Dromgoole's year-long season, with an abundance of charm, wit, and satire.
read our review
State-of-the-nation: Allelujah!, The Bridge Theatre ★★★★★
Alan Bennett returns after a five-year hiatus from the stage, alongside long-standing creative partner, Nicholas Hytner, with a relevant, sharp-witted, and at times surreal hospital drama, set in a geriatric ward.
read our review
Resplendent revival: The King and I, Palladium Theatre ★★★★★
This resplendent revival of The King and I captures all the charm and escapist glamour of Rogers and Hammerstein’s classic 1951 musical, with enough intelligence to reconcile the problematic imperialist undertones.
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.
read our review
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 ★★★★★
Whether or not you approve of the script (no spoilers here) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is every bit as magical as we'd hoped on stage. The sheer theatrical spectacle is enough to make you wonder if maybe, just maybe, there might be some wizards involved. Performances and staging are of the superlative quality you'd expect and the atmosphere as the story unfolds is electric. Unfortunately, tickets are about as elusive as a Hogwarts letter.
find out how to get tickets
Delightful disaster: The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre ★★★★★
Slapstick silliness reigns supreme in this behind-the-scene play about an ill-fated production. Even those who are fearful of farce will find themselves won over by the infectious comic talents of Mischief Theatre Company.
And Mischief Theatre's follow up show, A Comedy About A Bank Robbery which is now running at the Criterion Theatre, is more of the same irresistible silliness. It would be a crime to miss it.
read our review
Drag queen teen: Everybody's Talking about Jamie, Apollo Theatre ★★★★★
Teen drag queen musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie is a young, fun and fresh celebration of being a little bit different.
Arabian nights: Aladdin, Prince Edward Theatre ★★★★★
Sparkle, spectacle and sheer showmanship makes this new Disney musical just as megawatt and magical as expected. Children will be enchanted by the love story and beloved songs; even the grumpiest of grown ups will forgive the cheesy Americanisation when the hilarious Genie emerges from the lamp.
read our review
Best foot forward: Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre ★★★★★
Sequins, stilettos and a sexy songbook: Kinky Boots the musical brings all the sass and spirit of the hit film to the stage. We defy even the dourest of audience members to leave without wanting to don his dancing shoes.
read our review
read our review
Best foot forward: Kinky Boots, Adelphi Theatre ★★★★★
Sequins, stilettos and a sexy songbook: Kinky Boots the musical brings all the sass and spirit of the hit film to the stage. We defy even the dourest of audience members to leave without wanting to don his dancing shoes.
read our review
Mini miracle: Matilda, Cambridge Theatre ★★★★★
Roald Dahl’s story of a child genius with magic powers who brings anarchy then justice upon her little world is, it turns out, perfectly adapted for the stage. This production, underpinned by the likes of Tim Minchin and playwright Dennis Kelly, has raked in the awards, from a few Tonys in its New York run to a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Olivier Award wins (seven in 2012).
read our review
