London’s theatre scene rarely pauses. Every week seems to bring a new opening or a brilliant fringe production that starts gathering word-of-mouth momentum. The West End alone welcomes more than 15 million audience members a year, making it the world’s busiest theatre district after Broadway and with nearly 40 West End venues and hundreds of fringe theatres, there’s always something new to see.
In this guide, we reveal the productions currently drawing attention and filling theatre seats in London.
Matilda The Musical
London’s Cambridge Theatre continues to draw crowds with Matilda The Musical, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s spirited staging of Roald Dahl’s much-loved tale. Far from a simple children’s fable, the production celebrates the brilliance of imagination and the rebellion of a young girl determined to rewrite her fate.
Since opening, the show has cemented its place among the West End’s most cherished family attractions, collecting seven Olivier Awards, including Best Musical, alongside four Tonys during its Broadway run. Directed by Matthew Warchus, with a script by Dennis Kelly and a mischievous and sharp-tongued score from Tim Minchin, Matilda shows no signs of loosening its grip on London’s imagination, with performances currently booking through 17 January 2027.
Wicked
At London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre, Wicked continues its gravity-defying reign as one of the West End’s most enduring successes, with performances now booking until 3 January 2027. Nearly 18 years after its London debut, the production has drawn more than 12 million audience members and has secured its place as the West End’s tenth longest-running show.
Adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel, the musical traces the unlikely bond between two aspiring witches whose paths diverge into legend. Its accolades are exceptionally impressive, with more than 100 major honours to date, including three Tonys, two Oliviers and multiple WhatsOnStage awards. The current cast features Zizi Strallen as Glinda and Emma Kingston as Elphaba and is a production that remains a box-office powerhouse and a firm fixture of London’s West End.
Come Alive! The Greatest Showman
Earl’s Court has become the latest home of theatrical spectacle, as the Empress Museum hosts Come Alive!, a lavish live production inspired by the hit film The Greatest Showman – now booking until 27 September 2026. Featuring circus craft and soaring vocals, the show transforms the venue into a modern big top, where audiences are immersed from the moment they arrive with themed dining, interactive installations and pre-show entertainment.
Once inside, the production unleashes a flurry of aerial choreography, impressive visuals and spectacular performances of Pasek and Paul’s anthems. West End favourite Simon Bailey leads the company as the Showman, joined by Anoushka Tandon-Sangar and a troupe of international acrobats, dancers and musicians.
Paddington The Musical
Paddington Bear has taken up residence in the West End, as Paddington The Musical appears at the Savoy Theatre, with performances until 25 October 2026. Adapted from Michael Bond’s beloved stories and their film counterparts, the production charts the duffle-coated Peruvian stowaway’s journey to London, unfolding as a warm-hearted celebration of family, kindness and fresh starts.
Developed by the producer behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the musical pairs a script by Jessica Swale with original songs by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, under the direction of Luke Sheppard.
The Devil Wears Prada
London’s Dominion Theatre has become the latest runway for high-fashion theatrics, as The Devil Wears Prada appears on the West End stage in a much-anticipated musical adaptation of Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling novel and the hit 2006 film.
With a score by Sir Elton John and lyrics by Shaina Taub, the production reimagines the story of Andy Sachs, a recent graduate who lands a job at the fashion bible Runway, only to find her personal life swallowed by the ruthless glamour of the industry and the expectations of its legendary editor. That role, the icily commanding Miranda Priestly, is played by Emmy nominee Vanessa Williams, whilst Taila Halford and Olivier Award winner Matt Henry round out the principal cast. The musical is currently booking until April 2026.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, London
London’s West End continues to bask in theatrical wizardry with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the stage phenomenon that has amassed more than 60 major awards, including a record-breaking haul at both the Oliviers and the Tonys. Adapted from a story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, the production revisits the Boy Who Lived nearly two decades after the defeat of Voldemort. The narrative shifts to his youngest son, Albus, whose unexpected placement in Slytherin and growing bond with Scorpius Malfoy ignites a fresh confrontation with old dangers and buried history.
Mamma Mia!
At London’s Novello Theatre, Mamma Mia! remains one of the West End’s most reliable feel-good powerhouses, luring generations of theatregoers to its sun-soaked tale of love, family and pop nostalgia.
Built around the enduring songbook of ABBA, the show marries an original storyline with recognisable hits, from “Dancing Queen” to “Take a Chance on Me.” Night after night, audiences rise to their feet, proving that this jubilant party on a Greek shoreline still knows how to bring the house down.
The Gruffalo
London’s Lyric Theatre will welcome a familiar creature back to the stage next summer, as The Gruffalo returns for a limited West End run from 17 July to 6 September 2026. Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved picture book has become a firm family favourite.
Since first debuting, the production has toured internationally, introducing generations of children to the mouse, the deep dark wood and the monster who has been voted the nation’s favourite bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners.
My Neighbour Totoro
The West End has opened its doors to one of animation’s most cherished creations, as My Neighbour Totoro settles into the Gillian Lynne Theatre, now booking until 30 August 2026.
After two sold-out engagements at the Barbican, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage adaptation of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1988 Studio Ghibli classic has emerged as a critical and commercial triumph, collecting six Olivier Awards, including Best Entertainment or Comedy Play. With original film composer Joe Hisaishi overseeing the production and a script by Tom Morton-Smith, the show captures both the wonder of childhood and the healing power of fantasy.
Hercules
London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane has opened its doors to Mount Olympus, as Disney’s Hercules storms into the West End until 18 July 2026. The beloved 1997 animated film has been reimagined as a stage musical, with Luke Brady taking on the muscle-bound demi-god searching for belonging in the mortal world. Directed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw, with a book adapted by Kwame Kwei-Armah and Robert Horn, the musical matches its heroic premise with spectacle and wry humour.
As ever, this is only a snapshot of what’s currently lighting up the capital’s stages. In a typical year, more than 60 new productions open in the West End alone, while long-running favourites, some of which have been playing for 20 years or more, continue to pack out theatres. As the season unfolds, fresh arrivals will inevitably jostle with those established hits. For now, the city’s stages are as busy and as exciting as ever.
