The theatres in London are allowed to reopen with social distancing but most London musicals are not run yet.
The first theater to reopen is the Regent Park Open Theater, featuring the musical Jesus Christ Superstar that is Sold out for the next week.
Another show that runs with social distancing and will run throughout September is the Sleepless musical based on the movie “Sleepless in Seattle”.
At the end of October, the play The Mousetrap comes back.
In addition, In mid-November, the musical SIX will be the first musical to come back.
The new musical Back to the future is now on sale for shows from May 2021
Tickets for most of the musicals are now on sale for show dates starting after November 2020.
However, The musicals: Lion King, Hamilton, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, and Phantom of the Opera will reopen in London only in 2021.
On the other hand, most of the tourist sites/attractions are already reopened, you can find more about it on our London tourist attraction page.
London Theatre 2020-2021
London is a city of culture with a wide variety of Musicals and Theatre Plays, some of which are new for 2020/2021 and many that have been running for a long time.
Below we listed the shows we loved most and the tickets website we recommend, we will regularly update this page with new musicals.
Classic theatre Plays and Musicals
Let’s begin with the most successful and recommended theatre plays and musicals that are running for several years in London:
– The Mousetrap
The Mousetrap is the longest run play in the world, based on the Agatha Christie novel.
On sale for show dates starting from 23 October 2020.
– The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong a play that everything that can go wrong… does…very stupid play but in a funny way.
Run in the West End at the Duchess Theatre
On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– Wicked
Wicked is a Spectacle show, Great for teenagers and adults as well.
Run near Victoria station at the Apollo Victoria Theatre On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– Matilda
Matilda – Smart and witty, great for children that speak good English and for adults as well. The musical runs in the Covent Garden area in Cambridge Theatre.
On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– Mamma Mia the musical and the party
Mamma Mia the musical is great for who likes ABBA songs, it is a good feeling musical.
In addition, if you are looking for a special experience you should look at the Mama mia the party
The musical runs in Novello Theatre in the Coven Garden area, The party is next to the O2 arena.
Both on sale for show dates starting January 2021
– The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a very funny musical with cynical jokes and political satire, therefore It best suits for open-minded people.
Not suitable for kids below 15 y/o.
The musical home is Prince of Wales Theatre next to Piccadilly Circus Station. On sale for show dates starting January 2021.
– The Lion King the musical
The Lion King is Disney’s most popular musical and great for all the family.
At the Lyceum Theatre. – Will come back in Spring 2021.
– Les Miserables
Les Miserables is a classic musical that runs more than 30th year, new production now at the renew Sondheim Theatre. – Expected to be reopened again only in early 2021
New Musicals in London
The musicals below run in London less than 3 years on the west end and are recommended by us:
– Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – the new “Billy Elliot”/”Kinky Boots” – Won the best new musical!
– On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– Six the musical
SIX is a pop musical about the story of the six wives of Henry VIII.
The six wives are on the stage together and competing between themself on who is the most miserable, In other words, this musical is like a spice girl show meet the history class.
We know many people that think that this is the best musical in London right now, we love it but for modern musical, we prefer Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and & Juliet.
– On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– The Tina Turner Musical
The Tina Turner Musical is a hit musical that gets a great review from everyone, we really like it too.
– On sale for show dates starting December 2020 to January 2022!
– Come From Away
Come From Away is a musical of the true story about 7000 people that force to land in Canada on 11/9. Emotional personal stories that come together, more a play than a musical in a good way.
– On sale for show dates starting November 2020.
– Pretty woman the musical
Pretty woman is a new Musical base on the famous movie, start to run in Feb 2020, and got great reviews.
– On sale for show dates starting October 2020.
– The Prince of Egypt the musical
The Prince of Egypt is a spectacular New musical with a huge cast and orchestra of almost 60 artists
– On sale for show dates starting December 2020.
– & Juliet
& Juliet is one of the best musicals of this year, the musical is about what happens to Juliet if she decides to choose her own fate – On sale for show dates starting April 2021.
– Hamilton
Hamilton is the biggest Broadway hit in London right now.
Will run again in early 2021
– Mary Poppins the musical
Mary Poppins is Disney’s pyrotechnical entertainment musical for all the family.
Will run again from early 2021
– Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen is a big hit in NYC that just starts to run in London with an emotional story.
Will run again from early 2021
New Musicals in London 2021
– Cinderella
The musical Cinderella is a new production by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
– On sale for show dates starting March 2021
– Hairspray The Musical
Hairspray The Musical is coming back to London with Michael Ball in the London Coliseum. – On sale for show dates starting April 2021
– Frozen
Frozen the musical is base on the Disney movie and set for a West End transfer from Broadway from April 2021.
– Back to the future the musical
Back to the future – the musical is the musical we have been waiting for is coming to London after a successful run in Manchester, further, We wrote about Back to the future and some more new musical in London on the page “Back to the future – Musical in London 2021“.
on sale for show dates starting from 14 May 2021.
– Sister act
Sister act is a great classic musical above all it is a big opportunity to see Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Saunders on stage.
will run only a few weeks on July-August 2021 – Almost sold out.
– Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat After last summer’s success the big musical is coming back from July 2021 in the London Palladium.
More about new musicals in London in 2021 can be found on our page Back to the future – London musicals in 2021.
New Theatre play in London (not musicals)
– Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is One of the best theatre play in London, base on the last book of Harry Potter, be sure to buy tickets for both parts.
– On sale for show dates starting 21 February 2021.
As well, We recommend not to miss the Harry_Potter studio in London
– Witness for the Prosecution
Witness for the Prosecution is a play based on Agatha Christie’s book, The theater is in London County Hall and looks like a courtroom in the old London City Hall.
We really liked it, the show is a great success.
Tickets are not on sale now, the paly suppose to back on spring 2021.
– The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time is Suppose to come back in 2021/2022
More in Ask a Local – London:
– Where to get tickets for shows in London.
– London tourist attraction page
– Football in London page
– The London Deal page
– Recommended Hotels and Apartments in London page
– Public transport in London and more information pages about transportation tickets in London and bikes in London.
Immersive theatre in London
– The Great Gatsby
An immersive theatre show that is also a kind of a party.
There are no marked seats, the audience stands or sits around the actors, and occasionally splits into different rooms where the plot continues in all sorts of directions.
Admission is restricted to ages 14 and up.
This is definitely not a routine theatre play but we really enjoy the Immersive experience.
The show has moved from south London to the West End to a new space near Bond Street Station in Gatsby’s Mansion.
Tickets are now on sale for shows from December 2020 to January 2021
– Doctor Who: Time Fracture
Another theatrical experience based on the science fiction series that ran for many years on the BBC.
Expected to be an extraordinary experience.
Tickets for show dates from February 2021.
The War of the Worlds – A combination of theater technology and music.
Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds is a great new experience combining theater technology and music.
The experience has several different rooms in a building in the city of London, in each of the rooms you will have a different section of the story “War of the Worlds”. Some of the segments are with VR glasses and impressive virtual reality and some are performed by actors.
A list of London theater performances currently running can be found on the website: https://aal.londontheatredirect.com/plays
Recommended theatre ticket websites
Buying online in advance will find you a better seat and in most cases will be cheaper Therefore we recommend you buy your theatre tickets online.
Our favorite tickets websites are:
London Theatre Direct – One of the most reliable and popular ticket websites for musicals, there are dedicated pages by subject, type of show like:
- Musicals page
- Theatre Plays page
- Opera page
- Concerts page
- Dance and Ballet page
- Last Minutes / the same day tickets page
- Combinations of musical and dinner.
Encore tickets – One of the biggest and reliable companies for musicals tickets company, Official partner of over 160 UK theatres and attractions.
LOVETheatre – This site is especially good for deals combining theatre/musicals and dinner
ATG Tickets – Reliable ticket company, In addition, it owns some of the theatres in the UK.
More information about the tickets website you can find on our page London Show and Concert Tickets.
List of Musicals that Used to Run in London and Not Currently Running
The Phantom Of The Opera
The Phantom Of The Opera is a classic musical that run in London for many years. The reopened date is not clear
School of Rock
School of Rock – Fun musical with kids playing live on stage. Based on the film with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater.
The story of a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school who dreams of becoming a rock star, and when he realizes his students have musical talent he forms a rock group to win the battle of the bands. (Not Currently Running)
Waitress
Waitress is a big hit on Broadway that arrived on London west end. – Not Currently Running in London, however, it supposes to start a UK tour in late 2020
Funny Girl
Funny Girl opens at the Savoy Theatre following a very successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
This is a remake of the famous and successful musical in the 60s and later made into an Oscar-winning movie both starring Barbara Streisand. It is the story of Fanny Brice, who rose from the Lower East Side of New York to become one of Broadway’s biggest stars. She enjoyed great acclaim on stage as a comedienne but offstage she faced a doomed relationship with the man she loved. Some of the songs you can expect to hear are “People”, “You Are Woman, I Am Man” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade”.
Sunset Boulevard opens for a limited run at the London Coliseum run by the ENO.
Off West End theatre -In addition to the many popular theatre plays and musicals in London’s West End, there were be a number of smaller productions off-West End.
Groundhog Day – The Musical – Groundhog Day is a musical written by Tim Minchin (who also wrote the Mathilda musical), based on thi great movie.
Jesus Christ Superstar, Running Wild, Pride, and Prejudice in Regent’s Park – Jesus Christ Superstar the musical will be at the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park The Open Air Theatre will also be showing Running Wild, Henry V by William Shakespeare, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Mrs. Henderson Presents – A true-life story of Mrs. Henderson who ran the Windmill Theatre in London’s Soho before the outbreak of World War II and refused to close it during the bombings.
Kinky Boots use to be our most favourite – Smart funny and great cast
Young Frankenstein Musical – Funny – Mel brooks style
Dreamgirls – Great big voices
42nd street – One of our favorites- huge cast
Motown
Motown – The musical portrays the true-life story of Berry Gordon, the founder of Motown, who helped propel the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, and so many other famous names. The musical includes 50 of the greatest songs, including ‘Dancing In’, ‘My Girl’, ‘I heard It Through The Grapevine’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘The Street’ and so many more.
Aladdin
The musical Aladdin is base on Disney’s famous movie is remade into a thrilling and bright musical that is a must-see.
Aladdin falls in love with the princess Jasmine but they cannot be married as he is not a prince.
The musical includes some of the famous songs from the movie as well as a few new songs written specifically for the musical by Alan Menken.
Aladdin played in London until the end of Aug 2019 and was replaced by Mary Poppins.
The Wedding Singer – A new musical base on the movie with the same name.
More musicals that are not currently running in London
Cats
We Will Rock You – Queen songs
Beetlejuice
Heathers
Billy Elliot
Bad Jews
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Sunny Afternoon
Miss Saigon
War Horse
Wonder.land
Bend It Like Beckham – The Musical
Jersey Boys
Guys and Dolls
In the Heights
Beautiful Musical – The Carole King Musical
Stomp
Annie – Great Happy musical