The famous English literary Shakespeare has written 154 sonnets and around 38 plays which include collaborations with other writers. When thinking about English literature, his name is the one that always comes up, a writer who has influenced literature so extensively that he is known worldwide and still influences writers to this day. Although his form of sonnet writing was existent before his time, his sonnets were specifically named the Shakespearean sonnet - present in some of his most famous works including Romeo and Juliet. It has become the dominant way of writing English sonnets and is thus an integral part of the literary world.
His tragedies, comedies and histories are still performed today centuries after his death in 1616 in numerous venues in London and across the world, from classical versions to those that are modern and reinterpreted.
Where can I watch a Shakespeare play in London?
You can find several locations in London that perform his plays. The most popular venue is the Globe Theatre and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, which sits within Shakespeare’s Globe. Other venues across London also offer Shakespeare productions but on a more periodical basis like the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Barbican and West End theatres.
What Shakespeare plays are on in London in 2025?
Find a list of all the Shakespeare plays in London for 2025 that you can still see in 2025.
Twelfth Night or What You Will
Follow the story of Viola who is shipwrecked with her twin brother Sebastian who she thinks drowned. She makes it to shore and with the help of a captain manages to work for Duke Orsino disguised as a man. Duke Orsino is madly in love with Olivia who is not interested in him and rejects his advances. Olivia falls in love with Cesario, a new employee of Orsino. Viola dressed like a man falls in love with Orsino. The story is about a love triangle between a man and two women with many twists and turns.
14 August – 25 October at the Globe
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8 December – 17 January at the Barbican
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The Merry Wives of Windsor
Observe broke Sir John Falstaff pursuing two wealthy married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, to better his finances. The women become aware of him pursuing both of them and decide to humiliate him in return. Meanwhile three eligible men pursue the hand of Mistress Page's daughter who is in love with a man who her parents consider unsuitable for her. The tricks the two wives play on Falstaff become bigger and more extreme.
15 August – 20 September at the Globe
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Watch the conflict between four Athenian lovers and six amateur actors who all end up in a forest that is home to fairies who manipulate the humans. Part of the plot involves the Duke Theseus and the Amazon Queen Hippolyta who are about to get married. The actors plan to showcase a play at their wedding but have difficulties deciding who the main character should be. On another plain, Oberon the King of the fairies and his queen Titania are in the forest and get into a quarrel. He plans to give her a potion that makes her fall in love with an animal which leads to a series of misadventures.
Until 23 August at the Bridge Theatre
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14 September at the Globe
15 November – 31 January at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
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Troilus and Cressida
Experience the Trojan War through the eyes of prince Troilus who starts a love affair with Cressida. She is forced to leave with her father to go to a Greek camp. In the meantime Troilus and his brother Hector engage in several combat situations. Cressida is seduced by a Greek warrior which leads Troilus to fight him and others.
26 September – 26 October at the Globe
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Hamlet
Witness the former King of Denmark, Hamlet's father, appear to his son as a ghost telling him to avenge his death. The current King of Denmark, Hamlet's uncle, married Hamlet's mother after killing Hamlet's father. The plot leads down a deadly path for many parties involved. Find out where the path leads both of them.
25 September – 22 November at the National's Lyttelton Theatre
Othello
Follow the story of Othello. Set in Venice and Cyprus, Othello, a military commander, believes one of his soldier’s claims that his wife is having an affair. Instead of giving her the benefit of a doubt he kills her out of jealousy, only to find out later that her affair was made up by the disgruntled soldier for not getting promoted by Othello. Unable to cope with the loss of his wife, Othello commits suicide.
23 October – 17 January at Theatre Royal Haymarket
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Romeo and Juliet
Be part of one of the most famous love stories and tragedies of all times. Two Italian feuding families bring forth a love that is doomed to fail. Romeo Montague and Juliet, a Capulet, fall in love at a party. They get married in secret in the hope that this will end their families' feud. Juliet comes up with a clever idea to escape with her beloved Romeo. But a series of tragic events leads to their tragic death, dying in each other's arms.
5-8 November at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Are any of Shakespeare's plays set in London?
The following six plays are mainly or in part set in London: Henry VI, Richard III, King John, Richard II, Henry V, Henry VIII,
What is the name of Shakespeare's famous theatre in London?
The Globe Theatre is the famous Shakespeare theatre in London. It first opened in 1599 and burned down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII. It was rebuilt and closed in 1642. The current Globe Theatre opened in 1997 and has been open since then. It is an open-air theatre holding up to 1,570 guests in total.
Which of Shakespeare's plays is most widely performed?
His most famous works are most likely Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth and a Midsummer Night's Dream. The most widely performed Shakespeare play depends on which source you rely on, but most sources cite A Midsummer Night’s Dream, others single out Romeo and Juliet or Hamlet as well as the Merchant of Venice.
Has the Globe performed all plays by Shakespeare?
Neither the original Globe Theatre that burned down in 1613 nor the rebuild has performed all of Shakespeare’s plays but there are also limited records available to crosscheck all the performances at this theatre but it has performed most of his plays.
Which plays are visited the most at the Globe, tragedies or comedies?
While both genres are performed at the Globe Theatre it seems that tragedies draw in bigger crowds which could be because humans seem to be drawn to tragedies as they connect us more with our emotions. According to Aristotle and Hume, tragedies are tied to gaining pleasure through creating fear and pity and thus providing a form of catharsis for us.
What are the most iconic plays that were shown at the Globe?
According to the Shakespeare’s Globe website, the most iconic plays performed at the Globe Theatre include Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, Hamlet and King Lear.
Make your way to the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and book a guided tour of the Globe Theatre for further information on Shakespeare and a look behind the scenes or see an imagined relationship between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe unravel on stage in Born with Teeth. If that isn’t enough, enjoy more plays and shows in London that cater to all tastes and preferences.