London Theatre Guide: best plays on now in London, 2019
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
Battling brothers: True West, Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★★
Johnny Flynn and Kit Harington thrill as warring brothers in this atmospheric revival of Sam Shephard's murky macho comedy.
read our review
L'chaim: Fiddler on the Roof, Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★
Trevor Nunn brings life, laughter and authenticity to the story of a small Jewish community on the brink of the Russian revolution.
read our review
A poignant drama with a human touch: Sweat, Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★
A Pulitzer-winning study of the racial divides and industrial malaise in the USA's poorest city, Sweat is a formidably drawn and often painful portrait of working class America.
read our review
All in the family: Nine Night, Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
After the Windrush generation dominated headlines, Nine Night is nothing short of timely. The bombastic debut from actor turned writer Natasha Gordon invites into the traditions, tensions and triumphs of a Jamaican family in London.
read our review
Indie musical: Hadestown, National Theatre ★★★★★
Ancient Greek myth meets American blues and jazz in this riotous folk opera version of Orpheus and Eurydice.
read our review
A tale of bumbling chivalry: RSC's Don Quixote, Garrick Theatre ★★★★★
This lively update of Miguel Cervantes' classic tale the knight-errant and his squire Sancho Panza bubbles over with imagination.
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.
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
From dusty tale to bubbling pantomime: Doctor Faustus, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ★★★★★
Female comedians Pauline McLynn and Jocelyn Jee Esien liven up Doctor Faustus into a giggling romp for the 2019 Sam Wanamaker Winter season.
read our review
A rousing and smart take on a classic: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, Almeida Theatre ★★★★★
The mighty Simon Russell Beale bears the crown in this new, pared-back version of Shakespeare's Richard II, subversively re-imagined by director Joe Hill-Gibbins.
read our review
Battling brothers: True West, Vaudeville Theatre ★★★★★
Johnny Flynn and Kit Harington thrill as warring brothers in this atmospheric revival of Sam Shephard's murky macho comedy.
read our review
L'chaim: Fiddler on the Roof, Menier Chocolate Factory ★★★★★
Trevor Nunn brings life, laughter and authenticity to the story of a small Jewish community on the brink of the Russian revolution.
read our review
A poignant drama with a human touch: Sweat, Donmar Warehouse ★★★★★
A Pulitzer-winning study of the racial divides and industrial malaise in the USA's poorest city, Sweat is a formidably drawn and often painful portrait of working class America.
read our review
All in the family: Nine Night, Trafalgar Studios ★★★★★
After the Windrush generation dominated headlines, Nine Night is nothing short of timely. The bombastic debut from actor turned writer Natasha Gordon invites into the traditions, tensions and triumphs of a Jamaican family in London.
read our review
Indie musical: Hadestown, National Theatre ★★★★★
Ancient Greek myth meets American blues and jazz in this riotous folk opera version of Orpheus and Eurydice.
read our review
A tale of bumbling chivalry: RSC's Don Quixote, Garrick Theatre ★★★★★
This lively update of Miguel Cervantes' classic tale the knight-errant and his squire Sancho Panza bubbles over with imagination.
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.
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
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
From dusty tale to bubbling pantomime: Doctor Faustus, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ★★★★★
Female comedians Pauline McLynn and Jocelyn Jee Esien liven up Doctor Faustus into a giggling romp for the 2019 Sam Wanamaker Winter season.
read our review
Excavating and examining abuse: The Cane, Royal Court Theatre ★★★★★
A new play about the legacy of violence, The Cane marks Mark Ravenhill's much anticipated return to the Royal Court Theatre.
read our review
A new play about the legacy of violence, The Cane marks Mark Ravenhill's much anticipated return to the Royal Court Theatre.
read our review
A rousing and smart take on a classic: The Tragedy of King Richard the Second, Almeida Theatre ★★★★★
The mighty Simon Russell Beale bears the crown in this new, pared-back version of Shakespeare's Richard II, subversively re-imagined by director Joe Hill-Gibbins.
read our review
