Must-see new London theatre shows in 2027: What’s coming to the West End

After a roaring success at Bristol Hippodrome, Disney’s musical adaptation of The Greatest Showman is finally making its way to the London West End. Arriving at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in Spring 2027, a venue known for welcoming major Disney productions, from Frozen to Hercules, the new musical reimagines the beloved story of how the extraordinary can become the new ordinary, bringing dreamers, outsiders and trailblazers to the stage.

Rediscover the awe-inspiring story of entertainer and self-made showman P.T. Barnum, determined to put on a show like no other as he gathers a band of outcasts to create a circus that dares to dream big. Expect breathtaking acrobatics, spectacular stunts and plenty of theatrical magic. Following its Bristol premiere, the production was praised for its innovative staging, showstopping choreography and powerful vocals, with Oliver Tompsett and Samantha Barks already confirmed to reprise their roles as P.T. Barnum and his wife, Charity.

Brought to the stage by the team behind The Lion King and Aladdin, this dazzling new adaptation of the hit film is set to feature fan-favourite songs including ‘The Greatest Show’, ‘A Million Dreams’ and ‘Never Enough’, alongside the Golden Globe-winning anthem and my personal favourite, ‘This Is Me’.

One we’ve been waiting a long time to see return to the West End, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is ready to make us dream with pure imagination once again, this time with a brand-new production that’s sure to delight audiences. Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name, this scrumptious musical stars none other than West End royalty Michael Ball as the incomparable and eccentric factory owner Willy Wonka.

Get your golden ticket ready and step into a world of pure imagination as we follow kind-hearted young Charlie on his extraordinary journey inside the world’s greatest chocolate factory. Discover a series of rooms filled with extraordinary inventions, from a flowing chocolate river to the ever-mischievous Oompa-Loompas. But look a little closer, as not everything inside Wonka’s marvellous factory is quite what it seems!

This brand-new production is set not only to revive a much-loved classic but also to bring fresh magic to the story for a new generation, creating a theatrical experience for children and adults alike. Alongside some of the best-known songs from the 1971 film, including the showstopping ‘Pure Imagination’ recently re-recorded, the musical will also feature original music and lyrics, giving audiences even more reason to get their golden tickets ready.

One of the most exciting announcements for the 2027 London theatre season, Nanny McPhee is getting its world premiere in a brand-new production brought to life by none other than Emma Thompson, the original Nanny McPhee herself, who returns as the writer behind this new musical. Set to be the ultimate family show of 2027, it promises to bring all the magic and mischief we know and love from the films, inspired by Christianna Brand’s Nurse Matilda books.

The story begins when the no-nonsense Nanny McPhee arrives at the Brown family home in London, where chaos reigns supreme. The seven mischievous children have already driven away no fewer than 17 nannies, leaving their father desperate for a solution. Enter Nanny McPhee, armed with her magical walking stick and rather unconventional methods, ready to restore order and take on this unruly brood. But with a little magic, a few unexpected lessons and plenty of mischief along the way, things are about to get interesting!

Emma Thompson has already shared videos teasing the show and offering a glimpse into her creative process, giving us even more reason to get excited. With spellbinding effects, theatrical illusions and plenty of stage magic expected, this new musical looks set to bring the much-loved story to life in a spectacular way for audiences of all ages.

We’ve been fans of the reality TV sensation The Traitors for a long time, even trying our hand at coming out victorious in the immersive experience inspired by the show. But when we heard that a new theatre production inspired by the hit series was coming to the West End, blending audience participation with immersive elements in a format rarely seen on stage, we knew it was one to look out for.

Led by Ted Lasso star Nick Mohammed as the Host, The Traitors – Acts of Betrayal brings the game of trust and deception to the stage, as alliances form, factions emerge and contestants try to outwit one another while exposing the Traitors hiding in plain sight. With five different endings playing across the week, no two visits are necessarily the same, making the day you choose to attend part of the experience.

And on Saturdays, theatregoers get to step right into the action, with the audience helping decide who gets to wear the famous cloak and influencing the direction of the story. With different endings to discover throughout the week, this is one production that could tempt even the most dedicated fans to return for another performance, just to see how the game unfolds next!

The musical adaptation of the hit 2004 Hollywood film starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams is finally getting its European premiere, transferring to London’s West End following a hugely successful run on Broadway. The Notebook Musical is brought to the stage by an award-winning creative team, with a book by playwright Bekah Brunstetter, music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, and co-direction by Michael Greif, best known for his work on Dear Evan Hansen. The Broadway production received rave reviews in 2024 and earned three Tony Award nominations, including Best Book of a Musical, as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. If that’s anything to go by, The Notebook is definitely one to look out for.

Based on Nicholas Sparks’ much-loved romantic novel of the same name, the musical follows the enduring love story of Noah and Allie. Set in the 1940s, it sees Noah, a poor lumber worker, fall for Allie, a wealthy young woman. Despite their very different backgrounds, the pair embark on a whirlwind summer romance. But disapproving families and social divides pull them apart, until they meet again after the war and rekindle a love that has endured separation and heartbreak.

I, for one, can’t wait to see how the musical brings that iconic rain-soaked kiss scene to life on stage!

Following a successful premiere in Canada and acclaimed performances Off-Broadway, the haunting gothic musical Nevermore is transferring to London’s Charing Cross Theatre. Retracing the tortured life of the great poet Edgar Allan Poe, this macabre production blends historical facts with fiction, wit and fantasy to bring his dark and fascinating world to the stage.

Written, composed and directed by Jonathan Christenson, Nevermore follows a young Edgar Allan Poe as he travels by steamboat from Richmond, Virginia, to New York, a journey he will never complete. As the voyage takes him deep into the recesses of his imagination, his darkest stories begin to unfold recreating the defining moments of his life, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.

If the London production is anything like previous stagings, we can expect a world of gothic splendour, with striking costumes, elaborate hair and make-up bringing Poe’s haunting universe to life. Set to an infectious, rock-infused musical score, the show combines poetic ballet with contemporary movement in a bold theatrical style that pushes boundaries and offers something a little different from the usual West End shows.

Following its sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre, Kimberly Belflower’s modern tragicomedy John Proctor Is the Villain is finally making its West End debut. Directed by Tony Award winner Danya Taymor, this acclaimed production is a powerful and often joyous exploration of girlhood, questioning what we think we know and finding the courage to challenge it.

A contemporary response to Arthur Miller’s classic The Crucible, set against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, the play follows a group of teenage girls at a small-town Georgia high school who want to set up a feminist club. In a place where feminism is far from universally welcomed, things get complicated when a charismatic teacher enters the picture, arguing that boys should be allowed to join, too. As five young women navigate their own views on sex, power and the balance between men and women, long-buried truths begin to surface, forcing them to question everything they have been taught and find their own voices.

Moving between moments of pure joy and deeply uncomfortable revelations, John Proctor Is the Villain pairs its thought-provoking themes with an infectious pop soundtrack. Expect a mix of familiar anthems, including Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ and Beyoncé’s ‘Run the World (Girls)’, bringing a punchy, contemporary edge to this bold and emotionally charged production.

Returning to the West End for the first time in 10 years, Billy Elliot the Musical is one of those stories that continues to captivate audiences and never goes out of fashion. Set in a mining town in the north of England during the 1980s, the musical follows a young boy determined to pursue his dreams, despite the prejudice and obstacles he faces along the way.

Billy’s father wants him to follow in his footsteps and step into the boxing ring. But when Billy swaps his boxing gloves for ballet shoes, his passion and exceptional talent for dancing challenge his father’s expectations, setting the two on a difficult journey towards understanding one another.

The new production has held an extensive round of auditions to discover the next generation of talent, with young dancers taking on the challenge of bringing Billy’s story to life. Expect electrifying songs by Elton John, including Electricity and The Stars Look Down, alongside breathtaking dance numbers that make this a truly memorable theatrical experience.

Also returning to the stage is Deka Walmsley, reprising the role of Billy’s dad, which he played to great acclaim in the original West End production and in Billy Elliot the Musical Live.

The legendary musical Miss Saigon is finally making its long-awaited return to the West End, more than a decade after its last revival, much to the excitement of theatregoers. The spectacular new production, produced by Cameron Mackintosh, has already received rave reviews during its UK tour, bringing audiences back to the heart of a heartbreaking love story set in war-torn Vietnam.

The story follows Kim, a young Vietnamese woman forced to work in a Saigon bar, where she meets Chris, an American GI. The two fall head over heels in love, but their romance is cut short by the fall of Saigon, which tears them apart and leaves Kim to fend for herself. Determined to give their young son a better future, she raises him in poverty while holding on to the hope of reuniting with Chris in America. What follows is a tragic story of a mother’s love, sacrifice and the desperate search for a better life in the aftermath of war.

Adapted for the stage by the creators of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon remains one of musical theatre’s most powerful love stories. Its stirring score features some of the show’s best-known songs, including The Heat Is On in Saigon, The Movie in My Mind, The Last Night of the World and The American Dream.

And if it’s anything to go by, after seeing Julianne Pundan and Jack Kane perform The Last Night of the World at Magic at the Musicals at the Royal Albert Hall, I’d do anything to see the full show!

Celebrating 30 years at the Royal Albert Hall in 2027, the award-winning circus and artistic company Cirque du Soleil is returning for the occasion with one of its best-loved productions, KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities. First performed at the Royal Albert Hall in 2023, KURIOS invites audiences into a world beyond imagination, where the laws of physics and science seem to work differently from anything we know.

This steampunk-inspired spectacle follows a mysterious inventor who opens his cabinet of curiosities and embarks on a whirlwind adventure into another dimension. Along the way, he encounters all sorts of intriguing, larger-than-life characters, setting the scene for a spectacular display of acrobatics and dazzling costumes. The result is an unforgettable circus experience filled with curiosity and wonder.

From synchronised acrobatics and human pyramids to daring high-flying stunts and astonishing contortionist acts, one thing is for sure: you’re about to witness the seemingly impossible.

London’s deliciously funny, Olivier-nominated hit play The Truth is returning to the West End this summer, bringing back its comedy of deceit by French playwright and Oscar-winning writer Florian Zeller.

Step into a world where nothing is quite as it seems, everyone is playing a game of hide-and-seek, and trust and loyalty are constantly put to the test. The story follows two couples caught in a web of secrets and lies, with Alice and Michel doing everything they can to conceal their affair from their spouses and keep the charade going. What follows is a sharp-witted comedy of mistaken assumptions, tangled alibis and uncomfortable truths, as the lines between honesty and deception become increasingly blurred, building towards an explosive finale.

The 90-minutes fast-paced comedy is returning to the stage following its previous sold-out West End run, with its award-winning cast back in action. Expect Tony Award-nominated Stephen Mangan (The Norman Conquests), comedy favourite Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, My Hero), Sarah Hadland (Miranda, The Job Lot) and double Olivier Award-winner Janie Dee (Noises Off, Follies) to bring Zeller’s deliciously twisty comedy back to life.

Get ready to have the time of your life! The brand-new production of the worldwide smash hit Dirty Dancing returns to London for a strictly limited season. Based on the 1987 film starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, it tells the love story of Baby and Johnny, two young people who couldn’t be more different from one another.

Yet, despite their contrasting backgrounds, the pair fall for each other as they spend a summer filled with unforgettable music, sensational dance moves and a growing sense of freedom as they challenge the expectations placed on them. Featuring some of the film’s most iconic songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart-stopping (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, the musical brings all the romance and energy of the original story back to the stage.

Michael O’Reilly returns as Johnny, a role he previously played at the Dominion Theatre, joined by Pippa Jackson as Baby Houseman, making her professional debut in one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles.

After its London run at the Prince Edward Theatre, the production is set to move later in the year to a new, purpose-built venue designed to bring audiences closer to the action. With just 620 seats and no more than nine rows between the stage and the back of the auditorium, it promises an intimate way to experience this much-loved story.

One of the most legendary musicals is splashing back onto the stage this summer, bringing the glamour of 1920s Hollywood to Sadler’s Wells in spectacular fashion. Having missed its smash-hit West End run years ago, Singin' in The Rain is definitely high up on my list!

Adapted from the much-loved film, the stage adaptation follows Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, two silent-film stars who appear to be very much in love, at least according to the press. But when the age of the “talkies” arrives and silent films begin to make way for movies with sound, Lina’s voice proves to be a problem. Enter Kathy Selden, an aspiring actress brought in to dub Lina’s lines. But as Kathy grows closer to Don, she soon turns their world upside down, sparking a blossoming romance along the way.

The sensational musical features high-energy dancing with choreography by Andrew Wright and Jayne Elster, alongside some of the show’s most iconic songs, from Good Morning and Make ’Em Laugh to the legendary Singin’ in the Rain.

Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancer, Karen Hauer, alongside actress, singer and presenter Natalie Anderson, playing Lina Lamont, the cast also features Grant Almirall as Don Lockwood. Known for touring in some of musical theatre’s biggest shows, including Cats, Rent and Jersey Boys, he joins the company for what promises to be a sensational revival of Singin’ in the Rain.

Please note that if you’re sitting in the front stalls you might get splashed as the spectacular tap-dancing scenes bring the rain pouring onto the stage, with more than 14,000 litres of water used throughout the show.

The smash-hit Broadway and West End musical Legally Blonde is back in spectacular fashion, taking over the London Coliseum and one of the West End’s biggest stages. Brought to life by the team behind the record-breaking revival of Kinky Boots, led by artistic director Nikolai Foster, this new production promises plenty of fun, fabulous outfits and dazzling choreography. Featuring original music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, expect some of the show’s best-loved songs, including Ohmigod You Guys, Chip on My Shoulder and Bend and Snap.

Adapted from the now-iconic film starring Reese Witherspoon, the 2027 revival sees Amber Davies return to the role of Elle Woods, bringing her signature pink wardrobe and chihuahua along for the ride. We follow Elle’s journey as she swaps the sunny Californian coast for the halls of Harvard Law School, determined to win back her ex-boyfriend, Warner.

But Elle soon discovers that there’s much more to her than meets the eye. Constantly underestimated because of her looks and bubbly personality, the sorority queen and fashionista sets out to prove that she can hold her own in the courtroom. Along the way, she discovers that she doesn’t need to change who she is to succeed, combining her sharp legal mind with her unapologetically pink sense of style. It’s a feel-good story about finding your confidence, challenging expectations and staying true to yourself.

Don’t miss the chance to see Peter Shaffer’s iconic play Amadeus return to the West End for its first revival in a decade. This gripping drama explores the rivalry between two musical legends, Antonio Salieri and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, in a story of jealousy and ambition. The original stage production won five Tony Awards, while its film adaptation went on to win eight Oscars. Now, Michael Sheen takes on the role of Salieri, having previously played Mozart in the Old Vic’s 1998 production, earning an Olivier Award nomination for his performance.

Set in Vienna in 1820, the play introduces us to Salieri, a successful composer held in high regard by the Viennese elite. But his world is turned upside down when he encounters the young Mozart, whose extraordinary musical talent quickly captures everyone’s attention. Convinced that Mozart has been blessed with a divine gift, Salieri becomes consumed by jealousy, setting out to destroy the very genius he believes he can never match.

With Michael Sheen and Callum Scott Howells leading the cast, Amadeus is certainly one to look out for in 2027. I’m particularly curious to see Michael Sheen take on Salieri this time around, having previously played Mozart in the Old Vic production back in 1998. 

Following a sold-out run at the Donmar Warehouse last year, the stage adaptation of the gripping thriller The Guilty is making its West End debut. Based on the Danish film Den Skyldige, this tense production takes audiences into a seemingly quiet night shift that soon turns into a race against time. We follow Joe, a police officer working at a call centre, as he answers what appears to be a routine 999 call. But when a woman named Emily calls in, claiming to be in serious danger, Joe soon realises that something far more sinister is unfolding.

Kidnapped and trying to avoid alerting her captor, Emily attempts to communicate with Joe in code, dropping clues in the hope that he can work out where she is being held. But as the night unfolds, the situation becomes increasingly unsettling, with unexpected twists revealing that not everything is as it first appears. With the clock ticking, Joe is forced to take matters into his own hands as he tries to work out what is really happening.

Told in real time, The Guilty promises a tense theatrical experience that keeps you guessing as the case unfolds. Russell Tovey also reprises his role as police officer Joe, following the play’s successful run at the Donmar Warehouse, as this gripping thriller makes its long-awaited West End debut.

The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play August: Osage County is returning to the London West End with a brand-new production and a star-studded cast. Once hailed by The Guardian as the first great American play of the 21st century, this gripping family drama is back in London for the first time in almost two decades. Set in Oklahoma, it follows the dysfunctional Weston family as they reunite at their family home following a crisis, bringing years of tensions and unresolved issues bubbling to the surface.

At the centre of it all is Violet, the family matriarch, whose pill addiction and sharp tongue make family life anything but easy. Her daughter Barbara tries to keep everyone together, but as the family gathers, old wounds reopen and long-buried secrets come to light. And with resentments spilling over around the dinner table, the reunion soon turns into a series of uncomfortable confrontations.

Taking on this modern American classic is a sensational cast led by two-time Olivier Award winner Lesley Manville (Ghosts, Oedipus) and two-time BAFTA winner Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House, Poppy Shakespeare). With such a strong cast bringing the Weston family to life, this revival is one to keep an eye on in 2027.

A brand-new production of West Side Story is heading to the National Theatre next winter, co-directed by Marianne Elliott and Miranda Cromwell, the same creative team behind Death of a Salesman.

One of musical theatre’s all-time favourites, the show is set to return to London with its iconic music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The production will also feature choreography adapted for the stage by Julio Monge, who worked on the 2021 film adaptation, bringing those much-loved dance numbers back to the stage.

This will be the first major London revival of West Side Story since 1998, making it one of the productions to look out for in 2027. Set in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the 1950s, the story follows two rival street gangs fighting for control of their neighbourhood. But when Tony and Maria fall head over heels for each other, despite belonging to opposing groups, their romance only adds to the tensions already brewing around them. As violence escalates and the pair struggle to find a way to be together, their story unfolds as a modern-day take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with tragic consequences.