In addition to musicals and timeless classics, London's theatre scene is also home to innovative and thought-provoking plays. The historic venues, such as the iconic Shakespeare's Globe Theatre provide a glimpse into the past, allowing you to experience plays in an authentic and atmospheric setting. In summer, make sure to get tickets for Regent's Park Open Air Theatre and experience outdoor theatre at its finest.
Alternatively, contemporary theatres boast state-of-the-art facilities, offering immersive experiences with cutting-edge technology and innovative staging techniques.
This carefully curated list is regularly updated to highlight the best plays in London right now and the most exciting upcoming productions. Whether you’re looking for acclaimed classics, modern dramas or celebrity performances, our guide makes it easy to browse and book tickets to the city’s top plays with confidence.
London's best plays to book at a glance:
- Best comedy play in London: The Play That Goes Wrong
- Best immersive play in London: Witness for the Prosecution
- Best drama in London: To Kill a Mockingbird
- Best family-friendly play: My Neighbour Totoro
- Best play for teens: Stranger Things: The First Shadows
- Best celebrity play: Oh, Mary!
The most popular plays in London
Head to St Martin's Theatre to see The Mousetrap, the longest-running play in the world, with its first performance in London dating back to 1952. Written by Agatha Christie, the queen of murder mysteries and creator of some of the greatest detectives in fiction, this is one of the West End's most popular shows. Try to solve the mystery as the plot unfolds, but beware of the usual twists and turns that the author is known for. This masterpiece is currently booking until January 2027.
Book your tickets and discover the West End's best-kept secret!
West Street, London, WC2H 9NZ
From £31.25
Based on 1,307 reviews
Travel beyond the pages of the books as the first theatre production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes the West End by storm. Nineteen years after the last book, join Harry Potter and his trusty pals, Hermione and Ron Weasley, as a new generation boards the Hogwarts Express. Harry’s youngest son Albus Severus befriends Scorpius Malfoy and the pair find themselves entangled in a complex web of time travel and dark magic. The award-winning show is running until September 2026.
Want to know more: check out our exclusive interview with the cast.
Book your tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and prepare for a spellbinding adventure.
Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 5AY
From £31.25
Based on 1,758 reviews
Described as Fawlty Towers meets Noises Off, laugh along to Mischief Theatre’s hilarious production of The Play That Goes Wrong in London's West End. See actors from an amateur theatre company trying to put together a murder mystery play set in the 1920s. Right from the start, it becomes clear that nothing is going as planned, with props flying off the stage and actors missing their cues. Belly laughs are guaranteed! This laugh-out-loud play is booking until October 2027.
3-5 Catherine Street, London, WC2B 5LA
From £31.25
Based on 1,071 reviews
Experience a gripping courtroom drama as you witness the trial of a man accused of murder in the classic Agatha Christie thriller, Witness for the Prosecution. Step inside the magnificent London County Hall and its courtroom set, and experience the intensity of a gripping story of justice and betrayal as Leonard Vole tries to convince the jury of his innocence. The famous court case and play will be prosecuting up until April 2027.
Put your detective skills to the test by securing your tickets for Witness for the Prosecution.
BELEVEDERE ROAD, London, SE1 7PB
From £20.00
See the return of the magical adaptation of the beloved Studio Ghibli anime, My Neighbour Totoro, for a second season at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. With whimsical sets, captivating music, and a talented cast, immerse yourself in the heartwarming story of two sisters and their extraordinary encounters with the lovable forest spirit, Totoro. Embark on an extraordinary adventure and follow Totoro and friends in this extraordinary masterpiece until January 2027.
Want more details? Read our review on the Visit London blog.
Secure your seat for My Neighbour Totoro and experience the mesmerising Cat Bus for yourself!
166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
From £31.25
The Netflix sensation Stranger Things lands in London's West End with a highly anticipated brand new story. Travel back to 1959 in Hawkins, a seemingly normal town with normal people. This prequel takes you on a thrilling ride as you witness the first manifestation of the shadowy forces that lurk in the parallel dimension known as the Upside Down. It's a plot crackling with tension as friendships are tested and unbreakable alliances forged in the face of an imminent and malevolent threat. See the origins of Hawkins' supernatural terror, which is currently booking until December 2026.
Get your hands on tickets for this West End play and dive back into the world of Stranger Things.
Charing Cross Road, St James, London, WC2H 0JP
From £25.00
Experience the epic West End adaptation of one of the world’s most famous dystopian adventure novels and films, with The Hunger Games: On Stage at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. Follow the journey of fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen as she defies the odds in this captivating tale of survival, brought to the stage for the first time using extraordinary stunts, illusions and immersive storytelling. The first theatre adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ internationally acclaimed novel is booking until October 2026.
Water St, London, London, E14 5GX
From £38.25
Plays to see before they leave the West End
Immerse yourself in Victorian theatre by seeing Grace Pervades, David Hare's new play starring the award-winning actor Ralph Fiennes, following its world premiere season in Bath. Discover how their on- and off-stage relationship transformed theatre, bringing audiences to some of their historic performances over the years, as well as exploring the challenges of balancing the realities of running a theatre venue with achieving perfection on stage in groundbreaking performances. The play is now on in the West End for a limited run until 11 July 2026.
Book your tickets now for Grace Pervades and delve into Irving's plays and performances.
18 Suffolk Street, St James, London, SW1Y 4HT
From £25.00
Don't miss your chance to see the critically acclaimed Cole Escola play Oh, Mary!, as it transfers from Broadway to the West End for a strictly limited four-month run. Take a deep dive into 19th-century America as Mary Todd Lincoln, who, while serving as First Lady, dreams of returning to the spotlight of her former cabaret performances, all the while navigating secrets, expectations, and the looming plot against her husband's life. See the award-winning play making its first London run until 18 July 2026.
14 Whitehall, Westminster, London, SW1A 2DY
From £36.75
Prepare to be spooked by the new stage adaptation of the Paranormal Activity thriller, based on Oren Peli's film series. This spine-tingling show, paired with unsettling special effects, takes theatregoers on a captivating journey as they meet an American couple who have just moved to London and are trying to escape their troubled past at all costs. They soon discover that it is not just places that are haunted, but people too, as they become consumed by a supernatural presence in their new home. Prepare for mind-blowing illusions in this spectacular performance, showing until 3 October 2026.
Secure your tickets now for the world's first staged adaptation of Paranormal Activity!
West Street, London, WC2H 9ND
From £34.25
New plays coming to London in 2026
Following a sold-out, critically acclaimed run with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Edmund Rostand’s hilarious and heart-wrenching tale arrives on the West End stage, starring Adrian Lester in the title role. Cyrano de Bergerac, who is loosely based on the 17th-century novelist and playwright, is a fiercely independent man who struggles with his self-esteem due to his comically large nose. As the woman he desires falls for another man, what will he do to woo her? Don't miss this limited-run production, playing at the Noël Coward Theatre from 13 June to 5 September 2026.
Secure your seats now to see this hilariously funny, yet heartwarming play before it sells out!
After Sherlock Holmes, the 2026 season at the iconic Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park continues with A Midsummer Night's Dream, a powerful new adaptation of Shakespeare's most spellbinding comedy. Four lovers flee their kingdom amid a bitter dispute, only to find themselves drifting apart in an enchanted forest. There, mistaken identities, fairies and potions intertwine in a realm of dreams. Directed by Atri Banerjee, this blissful new production is showing for a limited four weeks, from 20 June to 18 July.
Make sure to secure your tickets for A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre.
Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London, NW1 4NU
Transferring to the West End after a celebrated run at the Old Vic, Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece Arcadia arrives at the Duke of York's Theatre this June, for a strictly limited 12-week run. In a country house, two centuries apart, teenage prodigy Thomasina Coverly explores the unpredictable forces that govern both the universe and the human heart, while in the present day, author Hannah Jarvis and literature professor Bernard Nightingale investigate a mysterious chapter in the life of Lord Byron. See this dazzling collision of science and romance, past and present, order and disorder, from 20 June to 12 September 2026.
Buy your tickets to see Tom Stoppard's gripping play this summer.
Don't miss the return of this award-winning play, based on Harper Lee's classic novel: To Kill a Mockingbird, returning to London's West End for a limited run this summer. This captivating production, starring Richard Coyle as Atticus Finch, transports us to 1934 Alabama, where Atticus defends a man falsely accused of rape amidst a climate of racism and prejudice. Telling a story that inspired change and sparked much-needed conversations when the novel was first published, this production is not to be missed, running from 25 June to 12 September 2026.
Charing Cross Road, London, WC2H 0DA
London plays: FAQs
What is the best play to see in London?
London is renowned for its vibrant theatre scene, offering a variety of iconic venues where you can enjoy some of the best plays in the world. The West End is world-famous for its wide selection of plays, ranging from long-loved classics to bold new productions.
The best plays include long-running shows such as The Mousetrap, the oldest London production, as well as new productions boasting incredible puppetry, such as My Neighbour Totoro.
How much does it cost to see a play in London?
The price of tickets varies significantly depending on the show chosen, the day of the week and the seating. Often, Stalls tickets come with a premium price, but other seats in the rear Stalls and within the Dress Circle offer a decent view at a fraction of the price. Make sure you check Visit London's tips on booking tickets, matinee performances and the latest offers and last-minute ticket options.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for plays in London?
Although last-minute tickets are available, it is highly recommended that you book in advance to secure seats for your favourite show, as some West End theatre productions are in high demand. Doing so gives you the best chance of getting seats for the top show on your list.
