The London Theater Tickets Everyone Will Be Fighting Over This Winter — Including Quentin Tarantino’s First Play

A London trip has a way of filling itself: a new restaurant, a very long lunch, cocktails that turn into dinner. But this winter, the theatre deserves a reservation of its own. Teri Hatcher has taken over Miranda Priestly’s office in The Devil Wears Prada, Sarah Hyland is playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret, and Glenn Close arrives in Jesus Christ Superstar for just six days in January. By February, Sacha Baron Cohen will be starring in Quentin Tarantino’s first play. Suddenly, one night in the West End doesn’t seem quite sufficient.

The established musicals are still very much part of the appeal, from Moulin Rouge!’s lavish Parisian fantasy to the live circus acts of Come Alive! And with several acclaimed plays approaching their final performances, timing matters. Below, the musicals, major openings and star-led productions to know through February 2027, with the dates worth planning around.

Photo Credit: Sarunyu L/Shutterstock.com

The Musicals

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Piccadilly Theatre

For a big, glamorous West End evening, Moulin Rouge! makes its intentions clear from the moment you enter. The theatre becomes an elaborate version of the Parisian nightclub, with red velvet, extravagant scenery and costumes to match. At its centre is the romance between writer Christian and performer Satine, told through a pop soundtrack that expands on the film’s musical mash-ups. An easy fit for a London itinerary already heavy on dressing up and going out.

Million Dollar Quartet

The Arts at Marble Arch | London season ends December 6, 2026

On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins came together at Sun Records in Memphis for a session that became rock ’n’ roll history. Million Dollar Quartet takes audiences inside that encounter, with actors playing their instruments live and a songbook that includes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever” and “Great Balls of Fire.” The timing makes this London run especially fitting: the production will be onstage for the session’s 70th anniversary.

Christopher Erasmus is Johnny Cash, Connor Payne plays Elvis Presley, Joe Bence plays Jerry Lee Lewis and Joey Bradick takes on Carl Perkins. Darren Day stars as producer Sam Phillips, alongside Jenay Naima as Dyanne, Geraint Downing as Brother Jay and Josh Haberfield as W.S. “Fluke” Holland.

Day is not scheduled to appear November 24–December 6, except for the December 4 anniversary performance. Following its December 6 London closing, the production begins a UK tour in Cardiff on January 26, 2027, reaching Churchill Theatre in Bromley February 22–27. A further West End reopening has not been announced.

The Devil Wears Prada

Dominion Theatre | Teri Hatcher appears through February 6, 2027

The fashion may be fabulous, but the job is still a nightmare. Teri Hatcher takes on Miranda Priestly in the musical adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada, which follows aspiring journalist Andy Sachs into the exacting world of Runway magazine. Elton John’s score and a wardrobe worthy of the subject give the familiar story its stage appeal. Hatcher’s February departure is a casting deadline; the musical itself continues.

Cabaret

Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre | Sarah Hyland through January 23, 2027; Skylar Astin through December 12, 2026

Book a little extra time for this one. The Playhouse has been reconfigured as the Kit Kat Club, making the setting part of the evening before the main performance begins. Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland plays Sally Bowles, with Pitch Perfect’s Skylar Astin as the Emcee. Set in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power, the musical moves between the seductive freedom of the nightclub and the increasingly dangerous world outside.

Hamilton

Victoria Palace Theatre

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical follows Alexander Hamilton from his arrival in America through the Revolution, political ascent and personal scandals that helped shape his legacy. Hip-hop, R&B and traditional musical theatre give the history its momentum, while the relationships make it more than a lesson in the founding fathers. For American visitors, seeing the story in London adds another layer of interest.

Wicked

Apollo Victoria Theatre

Before the ruby slippers and the yellow brick road, Elphaba and Glinda were two very different young women trying to find their place in Oz. Wicked builds its story around their friendship, examining who gets labelled a hero and who ends up the villain. The elaborate staging and “Defying Gravity” are the obvious draws, but it’s the relationship between its two leads that gives the production its staying power.

Les Misérables

Sondheim Theatre

Some visitors want the newest opening; others want the full West End experience they’ve been imagining for years. Les Misérables belongs firmly on the latter list. Adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel, it follows Jean Valjean through a story of justice, sacrifice and redemption in 19th-century France, with “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own” and “One Day More” among the reasons its score has become so enduring.

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

Empress Museum, Earl’s Court | Booking into August 2027

If the soundtrack to The Greatest Showman was the part you couldn’t get enough of, start here. Come Alive! brings its songs into a circus setting, pairing live vocals with aerial performances and acrobatics. It follows an original story rather than recreating the film, giving the circus artists room to become the main attraction. This is one for an evening built around spectacle, particularly if your idea of dinner and a show could use a little more show.

The Phantom of the Opera

His Majesty’s Theatre

Phantom celebrates 40 years in London in 2026, a milestone that makes this a particularly apt time to see it. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical follows soprano Christine Daaé and the mysterious figure who becomes obsessed with her, against the backdrop of a Paris opera house. The candlelit underground lake, sumptuous costumes and sweeping score are still central to its appeal. For theatrical romance on a grand scale, it earns its place.

Mamma Mia!

Novello Theatre

A wedding on a Greek island brings a young woman’s search for her father into collision with her mother’s past. The story gives ABBA’s songs ample room to work their magic, from “Dancing Queen” to “The Winner Takes It All.” Mamma Mia! is a straightforward choice when the brief is a joyful evening, familiar music and very little desire to spend the interval analysing anything.

Photo Credit: John Wreford/Shutterstock.com

The Lion King

Lyceum Theatre

Even if you know the film by heart, the stage production offers a reason to revisit it. Julie Taymor’s masks, puppetry and costumes turn the animals of the Pride Lands into a theatrical world that feels entirely distinct from the animation. Elton John and Tim Rice’s familiar songs remain, with Simba’s journey unfolding on a scale that makes this as much a visual experience as a musical one. 

SIX

Vaudeville Theatre

Henry VIII’s six wives take the stage as pop performers, each making the case that her experience deserves top billing. The concert format gives the show its pace, while the lyrics turn a familiar slice of British history into something playful and contemporary. It’s an appealing option for visitors who want musical theatre with the energy of a live gig.

Hadestown

Lyric Theatre

Anaïs Mitchell’s musical intertwines the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice with those of Hades and Persephone, using folk, blues and jazz to build its underworld. Orpheus’ attempt to bring Eurydice home becomes a story about faith, love and the cost of survival. The music and atmosphere make it a distinctive choice among the West End’s larger spectacles.

Matilda The Musical

Cambridge Theatre

Roald Dahl’s brilliant, bookish heroine finds herself surrounded by adults who underestimate her, most memorably the terrifying Miss Trunchbull. Tim Minchin’s clever songs preserve the story’s mischief while giving its themes of courage and independence real feeling. It’s a family show with enough wit to keep the grown-ups thoroughly involved.

Oliver!

Gielgud Theatre

Lionel Bart’s musical brings Dickens’ orphan into a London populated by pickpockets, criminals and the occasional act of kindness. Songs including “Food, Glorious Food,” “Consider Yourself” and “As Long as He Needs Me” are a large part of the attraction, but the story gives the production its emotional range. A familiar title that still offers plenty for a first-time audience.

Paddington The Musical

Savoy Theatre

The bear from Peru brings his suitcase and his search for a home to the Savoy. Paddington’s arrival in London lends itself naturally to a family theatre outing, with the Brown family and the city’s unfamiliar customs supplying the adventure. For visitors travelling with children, the setting makes it especially easy to fold into a day exploring the capital.

RENT

Tom Stoppard Theatre, formerly the Duke of York’s | Gaten Matarazzo through January 10, 2027

Jonathan Larson’s musical follows a group of young artists navigating love, friendship and illness in New York’s East Village. This anniversary revival stars Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo as filmmaker Mark, bringing a recognisable screen name to a role rooted in observing the lives around him. “Seasons of Love” remains the signature song, but the ensemble’s relationships are the heart of the story. The run continues after Matarazzo’s departure.

Jesus Christ Superstar

Theatre Royal Drury Lane | Closes January 9, 2027

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera tells the story of Jesus’ final days largely through Judas’ perspective, examining faith, loyalty and the pressures of public adoration. The date for celebrity watchers is January 4–9, when Glenn Close plays King Herod for the final week. With just six days in the schedule, this is a booking to make around her engagement.

The New Arrivals And Limited Runs

Dirty Dancing — The Classic Story on Stage

Prince Edward Theatre | January 19–April 24, 2027

The summer romance between Baby and dance instructor Johnny returns to London for a limited season. Set at Kellerman’s resort in 1963, the stage adaptation brings the film’s dancing and familiar soundtrack into the theatre, including “Hungry Eyes” and “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.” Fans know what they’re waiting for. This run is at the Prince Edward Theatre, following a change from the previously advertised Capital Theatre.

Cinderella

London Palladium | December 5, 2026–January 10, 2027

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders playing the Ugly Sisters is a Christmas casting decision worth celebrating. The comedy duo reunites alongside Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather for the Palladium’s annual pantomime, with Nigel Havers also in the company. For American visitors unfamiliar with British panto, expect a fairy tale with audience participation, broad comedy and considerably more attitude than the storybook version.

Billy Elliot The Musical

Adelphi Theatre | February 12–July 31, 2027

Billy Elliot returns to the West End with Elton John’s score and a story that gives its dance sequences something substantial to say. Set in a mining community during the 1984–85 strike, it follows a boy whose interest in ballet challenges his family’s expectations. The relationship with his father is as important as his ambition, making the show a moving choice whether or not ballet is usually your thing.

One Day — The Musical

Garrick Theatre | November 17, 2026–March 14, 2027

David Nicholls’ story of Emma and Dexter has already found devoted audiences on the page and screen; now it arrives with music by Johnnyswim’s Abner and Amanda Ramirez. Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose lead the adaptation, which revisits the pair on the same date across the years. For anyone drawn to a complicated love story, this is one of the winter’s new openings to watch.

Pride

Bridge Theatre | From November 12, 2026

Based on the film about gay activists supporting striking Welsh miners, Pride brings an unlikely alliance to the musical stage. The production transfers to the Bridge following runs in Cardiff and at the National Theatre, with a score influenced by pop, rock, disco and Welsh choral music. Its appeal lies in the relationships between two communities discovering how much they have in common.

Little Dancer

Theatre Royal Haymarket | February 15–March 27, 2027

Degas’ famous sculpture provides the starting point for a musical about the young dancer behind it, Marie van Goethem. New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck stars, with Susan Stroman directing and choreographing. The combination of ballet, art history and musical theatre makes this an especially interesting addition for visitors who might otherwise split their evenings between a show and a dance performance.

The Choir of Man

The Arts at Marble Arch | From December 10, 2026

Set in a pub called The Jungle, The Choir of Man builds its evening around singing, live music and the friendships formed over a drink. Familiar songs take the place of a conventional musical score, giving the production an informal, sociable feel. It returns to London at The Arts at Marble Arch after Million Dollar Quartet finishes its season.

The Plays And Stars To Know

The Popinjay Cavalier

Phoenix Theatre | February 23–June 13, 2027

Sacha Baron Cohen stars in Quentin Tarantino’s first play, which the filmmaker has also written and will direct. The comedy follows actor Rupert Sebastian Thomas Jr. to Paris in the 1830s, where a few ill-advised remarks put his plans in jeopardy. Swordplay, disguise and an adventure inspired by classic stage and screen romances promise something quite different from the season’s drawing-room dramas.

eurotrash

Young Vic | November 13, 2026–January 9, 2027

Ben Whishaw and Kathryn Hunter lead this adaptation of Christian Kracht’s novel, following a mother and son on a journey through Switzerland. Family history and inherited wealth complicate the trip, bringing uncomfortable questions about the past into the present. The pairing is a major draw, particularly for audiences who want to see familiar screen performers in the more intimate setting of the Young Vic.

Suddenly Last Summer

National Theatre, Olivier | February 19–April 24, 2027

Emma Corrin and Harriet Walter star in Tennessee Williams’ drama, directed by Michael Grandage. At its centre are conflicting accounts of a young man’s death and the efforts of his mother to control what is said about it. Williams’ examination of power, repression and family loyalty gives two compelling performers plenty to work with.

Hay Fever

Wyndham’s Theatre | Closes December 12, 2026

Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant play Judith and David Bliss in Noël Coward’s comedy about a family whose theatrical behaviour makes a weekend visit increasingly uncomfortable for its guests. Baranski, particularly familiar to American audiences from The Good Wife and The Good Fight, returns to her stage roots opposite an equally charismatic leading man. The pleasure here is the casting as much as Coward’s dialogue.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

@sohoplace | Closes December 19, 2026

Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup play Martha and George in Marianne Elliott’s production of Edward Albee’s drama. When a younger couple comes over for drinks, an already volatile marriage becomes an evening of escalating games and revelations. The intimate theatre puts the audience close to the confrontation, making this one of the season’s most intriguing screen-to-stage pairings.

The Cherry Orchard

Harold Pinter Theatre | Closes January 9, 2027

Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Mangan lead Chekhov’s story of a family unable to confront the impending loss of its estate. Ian Rickson directs Conor McPherson’s adaptation, placing memory, money and social change at the centre of the drama. Scott Thomas’ return is reason enough to take notice; the creative team adds to the appeal.

The Lives of Others

Adelphi Theatre | Closes January 9, 2027

Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson and Stephen Dillane star in Robert Icke’s adaptation of the Oscar-winning film. Set in East Berlin, the story follows the surveillance of an artistic couple and the effect it has on the officer listening to their lives. It’s a substantial cast for a thriller whose tension comes from the invasion of the most private spaces.

Photo Credit: Sarunyu L/Shutterstock.com

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Palace Theatre | Booking through June 2027; no announced closing date

Harry, Ron and Hermione are adults now, with a new generation discovering that the past is far from settled. The nine-time Olivier-winning play continues the story through Harry’s son Albus, combining family tensions with the stage magic that has become its signature. London now presents a single-part version, making it considerably easier to fit into a weekend itinerary.

Tru

Menier Chocolate Factory | Closes November 14, 2026

Jesse Tyler Ferguson plays Truman Capote in this solo biographical drama, finding the writer alone at Christmas amid the fallout from his literary and social life. It offers a very different setting for the Modern Family star: one performer, a complicated figure and a room full of memories. With the run ending in mid-November, it needs an early place in the diary.

August: Osage County

Noël Coward Theatre | January 18–April 10, 2027

Lesley Manville and Anna Maxwell Martin lead Jeremy Herrin’s revival of Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning play. A family gathering in Oklahoma exposes addictions, fractured marriages and grievances that have been developing for years. The writing moves between dark comedy and confrontation, with the mother-daughter casting giving this revival particular weight.

No Man’s Land

Donmar Warehouse | February 13–April 10, 2027

Simon Russell Beale and Rupert Everett star in Harold Pinter’s play, directed by Patrick Marber. An encounter between two older men becomes an increasingly uncertain exchange of memories, claims and shifting power. For visitors who enjoy intimate theatre and performances they can discuss over a drink afterwards, the Donmar is a compelling February stop.

My Neighbour Totoro

Gillian Lynne Theatre | Current run listed through January 10, 2027

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film follows sisters discovering the spirits of the countryside after moving to a new home. Large-scale puppetry brings Totoro and the other creatures to life, with Joe Hisaishi’s music helping preserve the film’s atmosphere. Its six Olivier Awards are impressive, but the real attraction is seeing how that animated world becomes a physical presence onstage.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Phoenix Theatre | Closes December 27, 2026

Set before the television series, The First Shadow takes audiences back into Hawkins’ past, using ambitious scenery, illusions and effects to tell its origin story. The production won two Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play, and has become a draw for fans interested in how the show’s supernatural world translates to live performance. The confirmed December closing makes this one to prioritise before Christmas.

The Play That Goes Wrong

Duchess Theatre | Booking through January 30, 2028; no announced closing date

The Cornley Drama Society is attempting a murder mystery. The scenery, props and performers have other ideas. Mischief’s Olivier-winning comedy builds its appeal on tightly choreographed disaster, allowing an increasingly desperate cast to carry on as the production falls apart around them. A useful choice for a group with different tastes, particularly if the shared requirement is simply a very funny evening.

Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart

London Coliseum | February 14–15, 2027 only

Patti LuPone brings her theatrical concert to London for two performances, exploring love and its complications through a programme spanning Broadway and contemporary songwriting. For devotees of musical theatre, the opportunity is the voice and interpretation of a three-time Tony winner in an evening built around her. The Valentine’s dates are a rather good excuse to make an occasion of it.

Dates reflect announced schedules. When booking to see a particular performer, check the cast notice for that performance.

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