Right now, we're living in a golden age of theatre.

Earlier this year, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre published their annual report which found that more than 37 million people visited a UK theatre last year, 17.64 million in the West End alone. That, dear reader, is nearly three million more than Broadway attracts each year, and two million more than the entire Premier League.

Another independent study also found that visiting a play, musical or dance is one of the top 10 joy-giving activities we can do. This research, The Joy Test, was commissioned by Immediate in partnership with the University of Sussex, with nearly 10,000 participants exploring the motivations and emotional impact our leisure activities. Theatre ranked as number seven on a national level – and three for audiences of Radio Times.

Put plainly by Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive at the National Theatre: "Those are remarkable figures, and they underline something we don’t always say loudly enough: theatre isn’t niche, it’s central to how people choose to spend their time."

With that in mind, we've put in some time to rank our absolute top West End shows available in London right now.

Every one of these shows has been seen and given five out of five stars by your reviewing team, and we want to tell you exactly why. From off-beat comedies, to glitzy favourites to poignant plays, there's just so much to see, so here's every five-star show we'd recommend right now.

Meet your critics: Olivia & Joanna

Hi! We're Olivia and Joanna, your Radio Times theatre critics who have reviewed more than 60 West End shows between us. While our tastes sometimes differ, we can definitely agree the best musical is Fiddler on the Roof and that Operation Mincemeat is a work of genius. On musical theatre karaoke nights our picks would be A Little Priest from Sweeney Todd (Olivia) and Maybe This Time from Cabaret (Joanna).

Our top 5 best West End shows of the summer

– Best West End play

When is it on until: 2 Jan 2027

Cole Escola's smash Broadway hit is heading to London's West End, much to the delight of UK theatre fans. This comedy follows the story of Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination and is sure to have you in stitches—especially if you're a theatre nerd. Escola will be returning to the role in August followed by drag legend Jinx Monsoon.

We love this show for its unhinged ranting mixed with proper emotion. It's hilarious, unexpected and oddly moving at all times.

Tickets available at:

Into the Woods

– Best West End musical

When is it on until: 22 Sep 2026 to 9 Jan 2027

After having seen this production twice this year, once at the Bridge Theatre and then again at the Noël Coward, it's no wonder that book writer James Lapine described it as "the best production I've ever seen, and I include my own."

The show is a mash-up of well-known fables Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. In the first act, these stories fold around the quest of a cursed baker in search of the ingredients to bring him a child from the evil witch. In the second, a reckoning comes in the form of a giant, and all our fairy-tale heroes are forced to answer the question of what can happen after happily ever after comes?

The pitch-perfect cast are the perfect complement to Sondheim and Lapine's thought-provoking and witty musical. Particular stand-outs include Gracie McGonigal's hilariously abrasive Little Red and Kate Fleetwood's beautifully nuanced Witch. Add these performances to one of the most visually stunning sets on the West End and you've got a perfect production.

And the best part? This production simply gets better every time you see it, thanks to the richness of the book and score, the supremely talented cast and the hidden details in the costume and set design.

Read our full Into the Woods review.

Tickets available at:

Paddington the Musical

– Best West End show for families

When is it on until: 2028

The on-stage version closely follows Michael Bond's original book and the 2014 movie; a young bear leaves the shores of Peru and arrives at Paddington station wearing the simple note: "Please look after this bear." After a chance encounter, he finds a home with the Brown family at their beautiful house in Windsor Gardens. But, as the synopsis reads "London isn’t all cream teas and friendly faces – and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when Paddington’s life is suddenly in peril, the Browns must decide just how far they’re willing to go – and what they’re willing to risk – to give this special bear a home."

Now the winner of seven Olivier Awards, this show is a simply wonderful experience. From the minute Paddington enters the stage, the ensemble belting out his name in a pleasingly Hamilton-esque introduction, you're guaranteed to tear up because he is just so. damn. cute. With music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, the songs definitely carry McFly's brand of universal appeal, blending orchestral layers with fluffy pop and few healthy belters for good measure. Plus, the set and extravagant dance routines work to turn this whole thing into a huge spectacle.

Read the full Paddington review here.

Tickets available at:

– Best West End comedy show

When is it on until: February 2027

This sharp-witted comedy tells the real-life story of a WWII operation, and answers the question: how did a well-dressed corpse wrong-foot Hitler? If you're thinking that this musical sounds extremely bizarre, you'd be absolutely right. A favourite of several members of the team, this musical is sure to have you humming its soundtrack for the weeks after, but bear in mind it books up quickly and you may need to get Rush tickets to see it.

In terms of comedy, the show pokes fun at just about everyone, from cockneys to the upper class, and wastes no time in satirising the ‘brave’ men behind the scenes at the government who feel they’re the ones really putting in the effort to win the war. The opening two songs especially, Born To Lead and God That’s Brilliant, do a great job of establishing these ‘great minds’ whose only plan is to kill Hitler when he’s on a train. Plus, every song becomes a wild ride with lighting, choreography and set design constantly in motion.

Read our Operation Mincemeat review here.

Tickets available at:

Midnight at the Never Get

– Best new West End show

When is it on until: 12 Sep 2026

Midnight at the Never Get is a new story written by Sam Bolen, Max Friedman and Mark Sonnenblick set in 1960s New York. In an intimate nightclub, basement singer Trevor Copeland puts on the cabaret act he and songwriter Arthur Brightman performed hundreds of times throughout their professional and personal relationship. Talking through the story of their – at the time, illegal – love, he uncovers the tensions, politics and differences that drove them apart.

The music carries the flavour of the Great American Songbook with witty lyrics, urbane delivery and complex jazz harmonies blending together to bring us a song sheet perfectly reminiscent of Cole Porter. The songs feel stolen out of time and are definitely repeat listens for classic musical fans. This, and the stellar swing band behind it makes the production feel as if it could have been made 60 years ago, which is entirely the point. For the queer community, it's the tender old-school tale of love they deserved when Kiss Me Kate and High Society were hitting the stage, but it's only now a story like this can be brought to the fore. However if you're thinking its just a schmaltzy romance, it's worth saying there is so much more to this story, I just can't tell you what it is.

Read our full review here.

Tickets available at:

More 5-star best West End shows you can see in London this month

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

When is it on until: 16 Oct to 9 Jan 2027

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's omnipotence over the West End is proven once again with the London Palladium's new run of Jesus Christ Superstar. Not 12 months out from Evita, it becomes clear that adapting their work to that venue is a meeting of divine inspiration, as this production easily becomes the frontrunner for show of the year.

From the off, this show has a wonderfully eerie feel to it. The ensemble are in constant flow with every movement carrying a deeper meaning thanks to incredible choreography from Drew McOnie. Instead of the expected group of rabble rousing supporters, their devotion to Jesus comes across as stranger and far more disturbing. This version does such an effective job at showing the unsettling nature of the crowd; there can be no mistaking that Jesus has lost control. What’s more, the decision to have Sam Ryder's Jesus start the production by revelling in the so-called glory and attention, only to become frightened and tired by it later on, helped this even more so.

Every single member of the principal cast was exceptional: David Thaxton's Pilate made me cry, Desmonda Cathabel's Mary Magdalene took my breath away, Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Herod made me laugh and Matty J and Bob Harms as Annas and Caiaphas were the funkiest Romans I’d ever seen. Lastly, Sam Ryder. If his version of Gethsemane wowed you at the Big Night of Musicals, just wait for this.

Read our full review here.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

The Mousetrap is the ultimate escapism as you’re transported back in time. St Martin’s Theatre feels appropriately olde worlde and the play itself is the epitome of a whodunnit. The history of the production takes it from a play to an experience. From the play run number on your program, to the theatre, you’re constantly reminded of just how long The Mousetrap has been running.

The essence of the play is simple – a small cast of 8 with everything playing out in one room, one set design. But, that leaves nowhere to hide with the cast rise to the occasion as you investigate the murder of Mrs Boyle. Everything from set design to costume feel so considered. The play ends by the audience being asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside of the theatre. This supposedly comes from Christie becoming frustrated with the twist of her plots being spoilt in reviews but it also has the added benefit of you leaving feeling like you're part of a secret club.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: December 2026

The musical follows the story of Eurydice, a young girl who goes to work in the underworld after being invited there by Hades, to escape poverty. Hades runs the underworld, whereas his wife Persephone — Our Lady of the Underground — runs a speakeasy behind Hades’s back. Orpheus, Eurydice’s singer-songwriter lover, attempts to rescue his love from the underworld, but will they both make it out?

Unsurprisingly, Hadestown is the recipient of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for the Best Musical Theatre Album, and we challenge you to not stamp your feet in time to some of the huge, sing-a-long tracks, such as musical's Way Down Hadestown and When the Chips Are Down. The brilliant live band blends American folk with New Orleans-inspired jazz, and you'll hear the recurring sound of a steam train, which represents the two lovers' fateful journey.

Read full Hadestown review.

Tickets available at:

Kit Kat Club (Playhouse Theatre)

When is it on until: January 2027

Cabaret is a classic tale of sex, dancing and oppression in 1930s Germany. With beloved songs, genre-defining dances and a gorgeous revolving stage it's definitely not one to miss.

Cabaret is currently showing at the KitKat Club at the Playhouse in London's West End and, like 2:22 A Ghost Story, has a constantly changing cast. Right now you can see Busted's Matt Willis who, we can unequivocally say, gives off one of the best and most accomplished performances we've ever seen. Completely unrecognisable, he masters the Emcee's transformation from salacious to terrifying Nazi drone, alongside a wondrous Katie Hall as Sally Bowles. We'd strongly recommend seeing this pair but if not, Jamie Muscato and Joy Woods are taking over soon and are sure to keep up the streak.

Tickets available at:

Witness for the Prosecution

When is it on until: Ongoing

impossible for anyone to tell how long it would last. Yet, 70 years later, on the stage of the London County Hall, this thrilling tale of love, lies and of course, murder holds up as if no time has passed at all.

Based on the 1925 short story, Traitor Hands, the play follows Leonard Vole, a young man accused of murdering a widow in cold blood to get a hold of her fortune. Despite protesting his innocence, the evidence of the case seems to be against him, helped along by those determined to see him face the noose. As the courtroom drama unfolds and secrets are revealed, the members of the jury (who are in fact paying members of the audience) must decide Leonard’s fate: innocent or guilty?
Read our full Witness for the Prosecution review.
Tickets available at:

Six the Musical

When is it on until: Ongoing

By now, you've probably caught a glimpse of this bizarre retelling of the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives. In the musical, each wife takes it in turns to share their story of how they were wronged by the Tudor King, and why that means they should be the lead singer of the wives’ pop group. It's the perfect show for a camp, glitzy, fun-loving night at the theatre and great for getting any young fans into history. The soundtrack is unbelievable catchy and makes this show as much a pop concert as it is a musical.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: 12 Sep

When someone is given the power of God, just how far will they go? That's the question Death Note: The Musical leaves with you when the curtains come down at the Barbican Theatre. Inspired by the incredibly popular manga series by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, Ivan Menchell’s adaptation paired with Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy’s music and lyrics will have a novice gripped from start to end.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: September 2026

The Producers follows a "delicious" scheme set up by two – you guessed it — theatre producers, the devious Max Bialystock (played by Andy Nyman) and the wide-eyed ex-accountant Leopold Bloom (played by Marc Antolin), who would love nothing more than to be a real-life Broadway producer. The scheme is devised after Bloom lets it slip that it's more profitable to create a Broadway flop than a Broadway success, and the two producers set out to create the biggest flop of them all... And what could be a bigger failure than the musical Springtime for Hitler, written by Nazi sympathiser Franz Liebkind (played by Harry Morrison)?

Read our The Producers review.

Tickets available at:

The Book of Mormon

Prince of Wales Theatre

When is it on until: Ongoing

From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes this comedy musical about two Latter-Day missionaries who are posted to a remote Ugandan village to preach the faith of the Church, and to convert its inhabitants to Mormonism. It's packed full of wicked and sometimes shocking humour— not for the faint of heart, but it's sure to have you in stitches.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: August 2026

What do you get when you cross the incredible discography of Celine Dion with one of the most iconic films of all time? You get Titanique, a production which tells the story of Jack and Rose from Titanic through our narrator, the iconic Celine Dion herself. Expect lots of laughs, chaos and expletives, with lots of little easter eggs for fans of pop culture and musical theatre. Above all, it's a crazily fun experience, proven by the fact comedians like Tom Allen want to be a part of it.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

A blend of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B and Broadway is the musical backdrop to this show, which tells the true(ish) story of Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers and George Washington’s right-hand man. Now on stage for a over a decades, Hamilton is still an unmissable musical and you don't need us to tell you how flawless it is. Honestly at this point, it's a religious experience for theatre fans and songs like My Shot, Satisfied, and Guns and Ships will stay in your head for weeks.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

Wicked knows a thing or two about being ‘Popular’! This musical is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz, and it tells the story of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and her friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch of the South). It was nominated for six Tony awards, including Best Actress, and obviously, has produced an incredible set of films, plus it's celebrating 20 years this autumn so now's the time to go back.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

Les Misérables is a musical that needs no introduction. After 20 years as a prisoner in 19th century France, Jean Valjean struggles to return to a normal life. At every corner, he is dogged by the ruthless Police Inspector, Javert.

Your critic Olivia has seen this show three times, and with 40 years at the West End under its belt it's easy to understand why. In equal parts devastating and inspiring with the best of the best performing every night, it's probably a six-star.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

It's the story we all know and love, soundtracked by the songs of one of the nation's favourite bands. Sophie's wedding is approaching on the Greek island of Kalokairi, and she's determined to invite her father. The only problem is, she doesn't know who he is. Cue a heart-warming and feel-good time with some of ABBA's most iconic songs.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing

A story that undoubtably formed a big part of our childhood. Based on the 1994 Walt Disney movie of the same name, The Lion King musical play features music from Elton John, actors in decadent animal costumes and giant hollow puppets. The show opened in the Lyceum Theatre over 20 years ago in 1999, and is still going strong after more than 7,500 performances.

Tickets available at:

And a few 4-star best West End shows for you too

Phantom of the Opera

When is it on until: Ongoing

Phantom of the Opera is one of the most popular theatre shows and one of the West End's most enduring love stories. The show has been performing for over 30 years now, and shows no sign of slowing down. If you aren't already familiar with the compelling plot, the show tells the story of the Phantom, who seeks to control the Paris Opera House. He finds a new student, a chorus girl called Christine, and trains her to sing the music of the night.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: February 2027 (Vanessa Williams until October 2026)

Like the original movie, the Devil Wears Prada follows Andrea (Andy) Sachs, a salt-of-the-earth journalist who bags a job at the biggest fashion magazine in the world: Runway. As second assistant to the Editor-in-Chief, Andy fails to understand the glamorous world she finds herself in and struggles to meet the demands of her infamous boss, Miranda Priestly. Yet, as time goes on, Andy becomes seduced by the life she once despised and begins to lose herself on the way.

Read our full Devil Wears Prada review.

Tickets available at:

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

When is it on until: September 2026

The play acts as a prequel to the series and follows a young Henry Creel, who we meet in season 4 of the Netflix show. He's just moved to Hawkins with his family, and has started at Hawkins High, alongside a mix of classmates that will be very familiar to fans – Joyce Maldonado, James 'Jim' Hopper Jr, Bob Newby and more, plus new character Patty Newby, Bob's adopted sister.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: 29 August 2026

Imagine Sesame Street meets Rent; we're talking foul-mouthed puppets bemoaning their current state of affairs. It's a parody of both gritty realism and children's puppet shows, and the result is a truly hilarious and rude show.

Tickets available at:

When is it on until: Ongoing (one-act play starting from 9 October)

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a prequel play written by Jack Thorne and based on JK Rowling’s original story. It follows Harry, Ron and Hermione 19 years after they saved the wizarding world, and they’re joined by a new generation of wizards and witches to stop mysterious evil forces for another time. As of this October the show is being condensed from two plays into one.

Tickets available at:

What time do West End shows start and finish?

Like with the price, this depends entirely on the show, and whether you've got a matinee or evening performance. Most shows run for two hours to two and a half hours, with a 15-minute interval. A matinee performance usually starts at 2:30pm, whereas the evening performances will often begin around 7:30pm.

If you're travelling to London for a West End show, it makes sense to spend a few days in the city; especially if you're planning on seeing an evening performance which will have you leaving the theatre at around 10pm (that's our bedtime!).

There are a number of websites, like Holiday Extras, where you can book your theatre tickets and hotel in one go. You can choose which theatre show you'd love to see, then select how many nights you'll stay around your chosen date, and it'll suggest hotels just a stone's throw away from the theatre.

Plus, as it's a package deal — a theatre show and hotel combo — you'll save a couple of quid, too.

Book a West End show and hotel stay at Holiday Extras

What is the easiest way to get to the West End?

Travelling to the West End when you live outside of London can seem like a mean feat. But we're here to reassure you that it can be done with minimal faff and on a budget, too.

Train timetables are usually released 12 weeks in advance, and train operators put cheap train tickets on sale shortly afterwards. The nearer your travel date, the more expensive the train tickets will be, so be sure to snap up tickets as soon as possible.

Railcards are also a great way to save a couple of quid on your travel — 1/3 of the total ticket fare to be precise. Find the right Railcard for you at Trainline.

If you live too far away from London to comfortably travel there and back in one day, and let's face it, a lot of us do, you may want to consider an overnight stay. Airbnb offers private rooms and entire homes all across London, so you're bound to find somewhere that fits your budget.

Can you get theatre gift vouchers for the West End?

Wondering what could be the perfect gift for your theatre-loving friend or family member? The obvious choice is to buy them theatre tickets, but with people's jam-packed schedules and with so many plays and musicals with a whole-host of genres to choose from, buying specific theatre tickets for a specific date might not be the easiest idea..

That's where a London theatre gift voucher comes in! Theatre gift cards are a great present idea for a loved one as you can use them on a range of theatre shows, such as Disney’s The Lion King, Cabaret, Wicked, and Moulin Rouge. The West End theatre gift cards are flexible, too, as a lot of them can be redeemed for up to 12-months from the time of purchasing.

Head to our Going Out section for exclusive interviews with West End stars, like why Elaine Paige would never return to the West End and Rachel Zegler on the Evita balcony scene.