Top 10 shows to see this Halloween
10. Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre, West End
There's only one witch ruling the roost in the West End, and she's down in the magical land of Oz. With a stellar cast and one of the most iconic soundtracks in recent memory, Wicked would certainly make for a fun Halloween treat. The cast now includes Sophie Evans and Alice Fearn (assuming the mantle of the woman in green).
9. Jekyll and Hyde
Ambassadors Theatre, West End
The National Youth Theatre brings a spooky twist on a classic to the Ambassadors Theatre with Evan Placey's Jekyll and Hyde. In some ways a sequel (with equally gory murders) and in other ways a complete departure from the original, this shocking play is brought into the West End just in time for Halloween. The show is directed by JMK Award-winner Roy Alexander Weise, who is also lined up to direct Nine Night at the National next year.
Read our review of Jekyll and Hyde here.
8. Witness for the Prosecution
London County Hall, Westminster
There's been a murder, and now it's up to the audience to work out who the culprit is…Agatha Christie's classic novella-turned-play is a tense thriller based on a grisly death, here set inside the grand site-specific venue of London's County Hall. Audiences sit inside a genuine courtroom, hearing accounts of the death and pleas for the defence, all to determine whether or not the accused is sentenced to hang…
See the show's full casting announcement here.
7. The Soulless Ones
Hoxton Hall, Hoxton
Hoxton Hall hosts a spooky immersive show entitled The Soulless Ones, courtesy of Hammer House, a film company dabbling in theatre. A vampiric masquerade takes a deadly turn as audience members are lured into a satanic and dangerous ritual, all within one of London's most decadent venues. As the show itself teases, don't dare go in alone – you may not make it back out again in one piece!
6. Dracula
Sutton House, Homerton
Continuing the theme of vampires, Tea Break Theatre company present something equally spooky and immersive with their adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula, within the National Trust site Sutton House, a Tudor house in Homerton. As is to be expected from Tea Break, this will be a visceral show that takes you way back in time, among the creaky floorboards and cobwebbed beams of an ageing house.
5. The Addams Family
UK Tour
The Addams Family is a kooky classic, with the original TV show and subsequent films becoming cult sensations for generations since the '70s. The whole clan, including the likes of Wednesday and Uncle Fester (played by Les Dennis), has been touring across the UK since May. The musical also has an all-star cast including Carrie Hope Fletcher, Samantha Womack and Cameron Blakeley.
Watch the cast of The Addams Family in rehearsals and singing a piece from the show.
4. London Horror Festival
The Old Red Lion Theatre
Why have one horror show when you can have a whole festival of them? That's what the Old Red Lion in Islington has been doing this month, as they host the London Horror Festival. Shows include a reworking of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven, a few nights from the Underground Clown Club and a double-bill from comedian James Hamilton.
3. Young Frankenstein
Garrick Theatre, West End
The stage adaptation of Mel Brooks' legendary 1974 film opened to a raft of rave reviews last week, including the full five stars from WhatsOnStage. Hadley Fraser, Ross Noble and Summer Strallen star in the gag-stuffed musical, tracing the adventures of Frederick Frankenstein, Victor's grandson. Due to demand the show has just extended its booking through to September next year, but what better time to see it than Halloween…
See our interview with the cast of Young Frankenstein.
2. The Woman in Black
Fortune Theatre, West End
The Woman in Black has become a firm fixture in the West End, delighting and haunting audiences since 1989 at the Fortune Theatre. But this year the show has something extra special up its sleeve, having cut its interval thereby turning into a punchy one-act experience. For the uninitiated, the show sees the audience haunted by a floating, malevolent presence.
1. The Exorcist
Phoenix Theatre, West End
There couldn't be any other for number one could there? The reigning monarch of horror movies comes to the West End for the first time, with a cast including Adam Garcia and Jenny Seagrove. What is more, the show recently unveiled Ian McKellen as the voice of the demon in the production, infecting the body of a young girl.