Must-see new theatre shows hitting London's West End in 2025

Find out what's trending in London's theatreland and what new musicals and plays you can expect to see in 2025.
Carole Rocton
Written by Carole Rocton Edited by Kirstine Spicer 23 January 2025
Women in long light blue dresses are at the centre of the stage, with other members of the production in white in the background.
See Disney's highly anticipated musical production of Hercules, which will premiere in the West End in 2025. Image courtesy of SEE Tickets/ Photo credit Johan Persson.

London’s West End is never short on excitement, with timeless classics like The Lion King drawing in crowds year after year. But 2025 is set to take it up a notch with a mix of new productions, big comebacks and star-studded performances that will make this year one to remember. The best part? Hollywood’s biggest stars are stepping onto the stage, with Gladiator’s star Paul Mescal leading the charge in one of 2025’s top productions.

Discover our top picks for must-see shows in 2025, as this year promises an exhilarating lineup of theatrical excellence.

London theatre 2025: A spectacular year of entertainment

  • New immersive show: Fans of The Greatest Showman rejoice as the immersive experience features world-class circus acts, acrobats, and mind-blowing stunts.
  • Bold productions: From the hilarious Titanique musical to Chekhov’s The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, London’s stages are filled with innovative and bold new shows.
  • Star power: Don’t miss Jonathan Bailey in a captivating new production of Richard II sure to make waves this season. With fresh stories and unforgettable performances, London’s theatre scene is bursting with excitement!

Hercules The Musical

After its successful premiere in Hamburg in March 2024, Disney's Hercules The Musical is set to bring the beloved 1997 animated classic to London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane in June 2025. Get ready for a thrilling adventure as Hercules, the young demigod, embarks on his journey from zero to hero. With music and lyrics by the legendary Alan Menken, the show transports you to Ancient Greece, where Hercules – played by Luke Brady, known for his role in The Prince of Egypt – will flex his muscles to save the world from Hades. 6 June 2025 to 10 January 2026

My Neighbour Totoro

The two actresses playing the roles of Mei and Satsuki are in their bedroom at night, pointing to the window where a strange creature is standing.
Immerse yourself in the fantastical world of Studio Ghibli's best-selling anime My Neighbour Totoro, now coming to London's West End. My Neighbour Totoro production images, 2022 Photo by Manuel Harlan (c) RSC, with Nippon TV

After two successful seasons at the Barbican and winning an impressive six Olivier Awards in 2023, the RSC’s stage adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli film My Neighbour Totoro is making its anticipated West End debut this season. Based on Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 masterpiece, the story follows two sisters, Mei and Satsuki, as their everyday life takes an exciting turn. From the mischievous black furballs populating their family’s quirky old house to the adorable baby forest spirits and, not to forget, the giant Totoro taking over the stage, we are in for a treat. 8 March to 2 November 2025

Richard II

Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey returns to the London stage in one of Shakespeare’s most gripping plays, Richard II. This much-anticipated revival explores the rise and fall of the infamous king, whose poor decisions and questionable alliances ultimately led to his downfall. Over the years, the role of Richard II has been brought to life by some of theatre’s greatest talents, including Sir Ian McKellen. Now, all eyes are on Bailey as he steps into the iconic role, offering his own take on the troubled monarch. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this new adaptation will show at the Bridge Theatre, a venue known for its innovative staging, and promises a fresh perspective on the timeless classic. 20 February to 10 May 2025

The Great Gatsby

The cast of The Great Gatsby stand on the stage and pose for the audience while wearing outfits in the style of the 1920s in a variety of colours.
See the stage adaptation of one of F Scott Fitzgerald's greatest novels and immerse yourself in the Golden Age of Jazz with The Great Gatsby musical at the London Coliseum. Image courtesy of SEE Tickets.

Step into the dazzling world of the roaring 20s as the Tony Award-winning musical The Great Gatsby makes its way to London. Prepare to be transported to an opulent mansion in Long Island, where enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby entertains the crème de la crème at extravagant soirées. Lavish and filled with decadence, these parties are the talk of the town, yet Gatsby himself remains curiously absent and behind the glitz and glamour lies a tale of heartbreak. See F Scott Fitzgerald's novel brought to life in an unforgettable evening of music, romance and intrigue. 11 April to 7 September 2025

The Comedy About Spies

Mischief Theatre is back with a bang with The Comedy About Spies, their newest production featuring the original cast of the smash hit The Play That Goes Wrong. Fresh from the side-splitting success of their festive improv show, Movie Night (In), Mischief Theatre is set to deliver another chaotic spectacle. This time, the story revolves around spies running amok in central London, desperately hunting for a mole who holds the key to a catastrophic weapon. Chaos escalates when top-tier agents confuse actors auditioning for the next James Bond movie with actual spies. Packed with twists, turns, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this new production guarantees a night of pure comedic gold. 14 April to 3 August 2025

Oliver! The Musical

Women and men dressed in period costumes from the Victorian era dance and sing together in a party-like setting in the new production of Oliver! The Musical.
See the Dickens masterpiece Oliver Twist live on stage with the new theatrical production of Oliver! The Musical at the Gielgud Theatre. Image courtesy of Storyhouse PR/ Photo credit: Johan Persson.

After a sold-out run at the Chichester Theatre Festival, the latest revival of Oliver! The Musical makes a comeback to the West End. The musical, inspired by Charles Dickens' novel, takes us on Oliver’s journey through the harsh realities of life – from his cruel treatment at the hands of ruthless undertakers to the dangerous world of pickpockets, where he falls under the grip of the charismatic Artful Dodger. Theatregoers can rejoice as Lionel Bart’s timeless songs from the original production make a comeback. Classics like “Food, Glorious Food” and “I’d Do Anything” promise to have you humming along and tapping your feet in no time. Until 28 September 2025

A Streetcar Named Desire

The Olivier Award-winning revival of A Streetcar Named Desire returns to the West End for a strictly limited three-week run, starring Paul Mescal in an unforgettable performance. Set in the scorching heat of New Orleans, estranged sisters Blanche and Stella reunite, sparking tensions that uncover buried secrets. As Blanche seeks refuge after losing her family estate, her brother-in-law Stanley unravels the truth of her troubled past, leading to devastating revelations that change their lives forever. This production has been praised as one of the most compelling theatrical productions to see in London this year. 3 to 22 February 2025

Kyoto

The actors who play the ambassadors in the Kyoto play are holding signs with names of the countries on them.
See the groundbreaking play Kyoto and immerse yourself in the first climate conference of its kind. Image courtesy of RSC and Good Chance/Photo by Manuel Harlan.

If there’s one topic dominating headlines like never before, it’s climate change. Kyoto, the RSC’s gripping play, invites you behind closed doors to relive the high-stakes negotiations of the 1997 UN Conference. Tensions run high as negotiators face deadlock, with one key obstacle standing in the way: oil lobbyist and master manipulator Don Pearlman, who schemes to delay progress by dismissing what he dubs “nerdy disaster models”. But the tide begins to shift when the island nation of Kiribati forms a bold alliance that ultimately leads to the landmark Kyoto Protocol. Don’t miss this powerful play for your chance to take a deep dive into one of the most pivotal moments in environmental history. Until 3 May 2025

Titanique

See the Broadway smash hit sensation Titanique land on the West End for a strictly limited run this summer. We are not about to see the umpteenth retelling of the Oscar-winning film Titanic, but rather a wicked take on Jack and Rose’s story, with Celine Dion in the lead role. See the Canadian superstar steal the spotlight in this riotous parody-musical, delighting us with her showstopping singing repertoire, including a magnificent performance of “My Heart Will Go On”. Until 30 March 2025

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman

circus tent with an audience watching an acrobat do the splits on an elevated stage in a spotlight
Watch circus acts, performances and jaw-dropping stunts at COME ALIVE! London: The Greatest Showman Circus London Spectacular. © London Theatre Direct/Luke Dyson

This is the moment you’ve waited for! Step into a world of wonder as The Greatest Showman comes to life in London’s extraordinary new show: Come Alive! The Greatest Showman. Inspired by the hit movie starring Hugh Jackman, this immersive experience features a sensational cast that includes world-class performers from the West End and beyond. Whether you’re watching jaw-dropping stunts from the comfort of your seat or getting a closer look at some backstage acts during the pre-show, Come Alive! promises to be a truly unforgettable experience. With a live soundtrack of the movie's top songs, you’ll be singing along in no time. Don’t miss your chance to see the magic of The Greatest Showman like never before! Until 21 September 2025

Clueless The Musical

Clueless The Musical lands in the West End this winter, bringing the fun and hype of 90s Beverly Hills to the stage. Based on the 1995 movie, Cher Horowitz, the queen bee of Beverly Hills High, is determined to match the "girl next door" with the most popular boy at school. As Cher’s carefully constructed plans begin to unravel, she is forced to recognise that looks and popularity are not everything, confronting her own insecurities and feelings of loneliness. A fresh spin on the beloved film inspired by Jane Austen’s Emma, this musical first wowed Broadway in 2018. Get ready for a glamorous, laugh-out-loud journey through the world of Cher Horowitz. 15 February to 14 June 2025

Dirty Dancing

London’s beloved success story is back for another year with the revival of the musical adaptation of blockbuster Dirty Dancing. This time the iconic production will be staged in the new purpose-built Capital Theatre, a 620-seat auditorium where no audience member is more than nine rows from the action. Step into the summer of '63, where Baby, vacationing with her family at a resort, initially shows little interest in the planned activities – until she finds herself drawn to a certain dance instructor. What follows is an electrifying journey of sensual routines, electrifying music and irresistible chemistry. Expect to have the "Time of Your Life" as you relive the magic of this timeless story. 23 October 2025 to 29 March 2026

 

As we step into 2025, London's theatre scene is set to dazzle theatregoers with exciting new productions. Whether you're a musical fan at heart or looking for groundbreaking plays, this year's lineup is sure to offer thrilling moments. 

Looking for more inspiration? You’re in for a treat as Succession star, Brian Cox, takes the stage in The Score, while Cirque du Soleil dazzles audiences with Corteo. Ewan McGregor makes his long-awaited return to London theatre after 17 years in My Master Builder, and Academy Award winner Brie Larson delivers a powerful performance in Elektra

Don't miss out – book your tickets now and get ready for an unforgettable theatre experience!