Best London West End shows for 2025 booking now including Disney’s Hercules, The Great Gatsby and Elektra

After years of setback from Covid, the West End is back on track – with hotly anticipated new theatre productions following up a year of smash hits on stage. The works of Shakespeare, Greek tragedy, modern classics and stomping new shows will all have their place in the sun as performers tread the board.

Proven box office successes like Wicked, Hamilton, Hadestown and Disney’s The Lion King are taking bookings well into 2025. But besides these West End staples, a host of new shows are coming into town.

For those of us living and working in the capital, we’ll be spoilt for choice for world-class theatre next year. Here we count down the heavyweight shows coming to London.

Disney’s Hercules

After the success of Frozen over three years until its closure on September 8, a new Disney musical is taking over the much-vaunted slot at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in the summer. Disney’s Hercules is the new stage show inspired by the 1997 animation, itself a take on the ancient Greek myth. Preview performances run from June 6 to June 23, before regular performances commence on June 25 and will continue throughout the year. Tickets begin at £25, rising to £152, and you can buy them at London Theatre Direct and ATG.

Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with music and lyrics by eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (The Little Mermaid) and Tony Award winner David Zippel, Hercules “delivers a thrilling night out that leaves you ready to climb Mount Olympus. Get ready for a wise-cracking, column-shaking, underworld-rocking ride of adventure and self-discovery. In tunics”.

Elektra

Academy Award winner Brie Larson will bring one of Greek tragedy’s greatest heroines to life. The Captain Marvel actress stars as Elektra at the Duke of York Theatre from January 24 to April 12. It is the first time Sophokles’ play has been performed in over a decade, with a translation by award-winning poet Anne Carson. Tickets begin at £25, rising to £125. Get tickets from ATG and Love Theatre.

The play tells the story of the Mycenaen princess Elektra, who is haunted by her father’s murder at the hands of her mother Clytemnestra and her lover. Consumed by a thirst for vengeance, Elektra’s fortunes change when her long-lost brother Orestes returns from the Trojan War, and she urges him to take bloody retribution against the usurpers.

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Kyoto

Kyoto is the hottest political thriller in town, and after an acclaimed run at Stratford-upon-Avon, the show is moving to London’s Soho Place Theatre from January 9 for a strictly limited 16-week season. The drama surrounds the Kyoto Conference Centre of December 11, 1997. The nations of the world are in deadlock and 11 hours have passed since the UN’s landmark climate conference should have ended. Time is running out as a US oil lobbyist outmanoeuvres nation states into a chokehold during negotiations.

With lauded performances from Stephen Kunken (Billions and The Handmaid’s Tale), and Olivier award-winning directors Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin (Stranger Things: The First Shadow) Kyoto comes to Soho Place Theatre from January 9 to March 3, with tickets from £25 to £95.

Inside Number 9

The popular BBC TV series comes to life on stage, weaving its signature web of twisted tales and black humour. From the eerie to the absurd, Inside Number 9 – Stage/Fright combines comedy and horror with a dramatic script that will leave you guessing until the very end. The show will run at Wyndham’s Theatre from January 16 to April 5, tickets are almost entirely sold out but standing tickets are available from £22.75.

Familiar characters and stories will mix with brand new material by the genius of creators Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, who will also perform in the production, as they bring their unique brand of storytelling to the West End for a strictly limited season.

Richard II

Bridgerton and Fellow Travellers star Jonathan Bailey brings one of Shakespeare’s great tragic heroes Richard II to life in Nicholas Hynter’s production of Richard II at The Bridge Theatre from February 10 to May 10.

Richard II, destined to be overthrown by his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, is one of Shakespeare’s most complex roles, described as a man who is “charismatic, eloquent and loved by his friends. And a disastrous King – dishonest, capricious and politically incompetent.” Tickets start at £19.50, rising to £135 for premium seats. You can get tickets at Bridge Theatre and Love Theatre.

The Score

Acclaimed stage actor and star of HBO’s hit series Succession Brian Cox portrays composer Johann Sebastian Bach in Oliver Cotton’s new play, The Score. Originally presented at the Theatre Royal Bath, it will run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from February 20 to April 26.

Set in spring 1747, in Potsdam, Prussia, The Score begins as Johann Sebastian Bach reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, Europe’s most ambitious and dangerous leader, in search of a new patron. The two men could hardly be more different. Bach is deeply religious, while the warlike king is cynical and an atheist, who nevertheless harbours a profound love of music – setting the two men on a dangerous collision course. Tickets are available from £15, rising to £150. You can get tickets at Love Theatre, London Theatre Direct, and Ticketmaster.

Much Ado About Nothing

Tom Hiddleston is Benedick and Hayley Atwell is Beatrice as they bring to life Shakespeare’s savagely funny and beautifully tender battle of wits, Much Ado About Nothing, playing at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from February 10 until April 5, 2025. Jamie Lloyd continues his season of Shakespeare at the theatre, following a run of The Tempest with Sigourney Weaver. The Jamie Lloyd Company has established a reputation for accessibility and is offering 25,000 tickets at £25 for under 30s, key workers, and those receiving government benefits. Regular tickets begin from £35.

Clueless: A New Musical

Clueless is a new musical comedy based on the 1995 film with Alicia Silverstone, a light-hearted teen romance that transitions the plot of Jane Austen’s Emma to 1990s California – with some iconic fashions to boot. The original film’s writer-director Amy Heckerling returns with an adapted script especially for the show, plus an original score by multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall (behind hits “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”. Clueless plays at The Trafalgar Theatre from February 15 to June 14, with tickets from £25 to £115.

My Neighbour Totoro

Hayao Miyazaki’s critically-lauded 1988 animated film is reimagined on stage in this clever adaption, which tells the story of two young girls forced to move to a remote part of Japan to improve their ailing mother’s health. Once there, they meet an enchanting woodland sprite and other mythical creatures with whom they become firm friends, embarking on a string of adventures.

After two sell-out runs at the Barbican, My Neighbour Tortoro is coming to the Gillian Lynne Theatre from Saturday, March 8, until Sunday November 2. Tickets range from £25 to £140.

The Deep Blue Sea

Tamsin Grieg headlines Terence Rattigan’s The Deep Blue Sea, comes to the Theatre Royal Haymarket from May 7 to June 21, with tickets ranging from £25 to £150. This 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love in a new production that received rave reviews this year at the Theatre Royal Bath.

The Great Gatsby

One of the most anticipated shows of 2025, The Great Gatsby is a new musical based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel – coming to the London Coliseum after a triumphant, Tony Award-winning run on Broadway. The plot follows mysterious millionaire, Jay Gatsby, who entertains the rich and famous with riotous parties at his Long Island mansion yet never joins in – awaiting the return of long-lost love Daisy, who is far from the idealised image Gatsby believes her to be. The Great Gatsby runs from April 11 to September 7, with tickets from £20 to £225.

Returning and extended West End shows for 2025

The Devil Wears Prada

With music by Elton John, The Devil Wears Prada has seen rave reviews from critics over Vanessa Williams’ turn as ruthless magazine editor Miranda Priestley. The 2006 film became a pop culture standard, and the musical adaptation has already played a run in Chicago. The Devil Wears Prada continues its run at The Dominion Theatre. Tickets start at £31 and you can get them from London Theatre Direct and TodayTix.

Hadestown

Eurydice, tired of living in poverty, goes to work in the Greek underworld to escape the cold and poverty as her lover, Orpheus, attempts to rescue her. Hadestown is a musical retelling of the ancient Greek myth. Hadestown is continuing its run at the Lyric Theatre, with sold out performances from February 11 and March 9. Bookings are available up to the close of September 2025 and tickets start at £20.

MJ The Musical

Centred around the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour, MJ looks at the King of Pop’s creative mind and what catapulted him to legendary status. MJ The Musical is playing at Prince Edward Theatre, with bookings available to September 2025, and tickets start at £20.

Mrs Doubtfire

Classic 90s comedy Mrs Doubtfire’s musical adaptation had a sell-out run in Manchester, and it’s been warmly received in London too. When voice actor Daniel sees his ex wife’s ad for a nanny, he transforms into the perfect one, becoming part of the family once more. Mrs Doubtfire is playing at Shaftesbury Theatre, with bookings currently available up to the end of April 2025, and tickets start at £25.

Hamilton

One of the major Broadway and West End hits of the past few years, Alexander Hamilton’s story as a founding father of the United States is unconventionally told in the Lin-Manuel Miranda musical. It uses hip-hop and rap to tell his – and America’s – story, and is so popular it has productions in the US, UK, Australia, Manila, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. Hamilton is playing at Victoria Palace Theatre, and tickets start at £40. Get them at London Theatre Direct, TodayTix, ATG, and Love Theatre.

Wicked

Now a major Hollywood blockbuster starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the stage show Wicked is still going strong in the West End after 18 years. Why was the Wicked Witch of the West so evil? You’ll find out in Wicked, the musical about Elphaba’s origin story and her relationship with Glinda The Good. Wicked is playing at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, and tickets start at £29.50. Get them from London Theatre Direct, ATG, TodayTix, and Love Theatre.

Back To The Future The Musical

The Back To The Future film franchise lends itself surprisingly well to the stage. When Marty McFly gets accidentally transported from 1985 to 1955, he has to make sure his parents fall in love before returning home. Back To The Future is playing at the Adelphi Theatre, and tickets start at £19.55.

Disney’s The Lion King

Disney’s The Lion King is a childhood favourite for many, and the West End play brings it to life with powerful artistry and incredible vocals. Disney’s The Lion King is playing at Lyceum Theatre, and tickets start at £35. Get them from London Theatre Direct, ATG, and TodayTix.

Harry Potter And The Cursed Child

Set in the Harry Potter trio’s adulthood, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child follows Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Draco’s kids as they embark on their Hogwarts journeys. After discovering a Time-Turner, Harry’s son attempts to change the past, with dire consequences. The Cursed Child is playing at the Palace Theatre, and tickets start at £38.

Les Miserables

Affectionately known as Les Mis, the long-running musical is set in 19th-century France and is based on Victor Hugo’s novel. It follows Jean Valjean as he attempts to change his life following a bout in prison, as he and the cast eventually get swept up in the French Revolution. Les Mis is playing at the Sondheim Theatre, and tickets start at £37.50.

Mamma Mia!

The first production of Mamma Mia! opened in 1999, and the film-turned-musical is still going strong today. Based on the film, it follows Sophie as she invites three men she believes to be her father to her wedding, without her mother’s knowledge. Mamma Mia! is playing at the Novello Theatre with bookings available up to September 2025, and regular tickets start at £55.

Six

Forget Wolf Hall, this is Tudor history with a bang! We’ve never heard Henry VIII’s wives tell their stories in their own words, but Six changes that. His six wives take to the stage to tell their stories: divorced, beheaded, live. Six is playing at the Vaudeville Theatre, and tickets start at £34.50.

The Book Of Mormon

Beloved musical comedy The Book of Mormon follows two missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they attempt to preach to a Ugandan village. The Book of Mormon is playing at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and tickets start at £23.

The Phantom Of The Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera is one of the most successful musicals of all time. It tells the tale of the Phantom, who hides beneath the Paris Opera House. Ashamed of his appearance and feared by the public, he seeks to control the Opera House. When he finds an orphaned chorus girl, he trains her to sing his music. The Phantom Of The Opera is playing at His Majesty’s Theatre, and tickets start at £27.50.

Tina

The Tina Turner musical follows the musical legend from her youth as Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush Tennessee to her life as Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The musical is an ode to her life, her struggles, and her hit songs. Tina is playing at the Aldwych Theatre, and tickets start at £20.

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