13 West End shows are closing in the next fortnight

To quote the legendary Corinne Bailey Rae, the more things seem to change, the more they stay the same (okay, maybe it was Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr first) and that definitely applies in the case of the West End!

The London theatre’s bedrock has been the rule that new productions fill the gaps when old ones close. With that in mind, here are 13 West End shows wrapping up their runs over the next two weeks as the London summer theatre season makes way for big autumn productions (expect plenty of previews for those in due course!).

Tao of Glass

Performer Phelim McDermott channels his love for composer Philip Glass in an intimate, genre-defying fusion of music, puppetry, and storytelling. A deeply personal exploration of memory and the creative process that is as visually mesmerizing as it is musically profound. @sohoplace, until 29 August

Brainiac Live / Horrible Histories Barmy Britain

The ultimate family double-bill for curious minds and lovers of all things sticky, loud, and historical. Expect explosive science experiments alongside bloody, brilliant British history brought to life with trademark irreverence and theatrical flair. Both wrap up on the same day at different West End theatres. Garrick Theatre, until 30 August / Apollo Theatre until 31 August

Jesus Christ Superstar

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic rock opera has stormed The London Palladium for the summer, thanks to the vocal work of the likes of Sam Ryder, Tyrone Huntley, Desmonda Cathabel and David Thaxton. It will, of course, be trotting a mile or so over to Theatre Royal Drury Lane to continue to the fun into the autumn, so don’t expect it to be gone long. The London Palladium, until 5 September

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Judith Kerr’s beloved bedtime story leaps from page to stage with the agility and poise of a performer in a tiger outfit – offering many future theatre fans their very first stage experience! Theatre Royal Haymarket, until 5 September

Trainspotting the Musical

This is the last chance audiences will have to catch the musical reimagining of Irvine Welsh’s cult classic! Theatre Royal Haymarket, until 5 September

Cyrano de Bergerac

A triumph of modern staging, Edmond Rostand’s classic romance is reinvented with blistering spoken-word poetry and razor-sharp wordplay courtesy of writers Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson, alongside stars Adrian Lester and Susannah Fielding. Just incredible drama. Noël Coward Theatre, until 5 September

Hercules

Disney’s heroic myth arrived on the West End stage in a spectacle for the ages last year, and now it will go the distance right the way out of Drury Lane. Featuring Alan Menken and David Zippel’s gospel-infused, powerhouse score, including “Zero to Hero” and “A Star Is Born”, don’t miss it before it leaves! Theatre Royal Drury Lane, until 5 September

The Gruffalo

Tall Stories’ stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book continues to delight audiences of all ages, and has had another stand-out success

Now You See Me Live

Riffing off the brand and vibes of the successful film franchises, globally revered magicians have been ruling the roost at the London Coliseum this August – and will now be disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Arcadia

Tom Stoppard’s intellectual tour de force effortlessly weaves together 19th-century romance, modern academic rivalry, mathematics, and landscape gardening. It feels right that it was the show that ushered in a rebrand for the West End theatre, now the Tom Stoppard. Duke of York’s Theatre, until 12 September

The Truth

Florian Zeller’s razor-sharp comedy turns infidelity into an art form, and proved a palpable hit with West End audiences – with its all-star cast of Stephen Mangan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Sarah Hadland, and Janie Dee. Apollo Theatre, until 12 September

To Kill a Mockingbird

Aaron Sorkin’s powerful, acclaimed adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel returned to the West End for a summer season following a successful tour. Wyndham’s Theatre, until 12 September

The following shows aren’t technically in the West End (yet… ahem…) but they are running at major London theatres.

Pride

Based on the hit 2014 British film, this uplifting and funny musical tells the true story of London-based gay and lesbian activists who raised funds to support striking Welsh miners in 1984. It will be sailing down the Thames to the Bridge Theatre after its National run ends. Dorfman Theatre, until 12 September

Death Note

Adapted from the world-famous manga, this acclaimed Japanese rock musical follows light Yagami, a brilliant student who discovers a supernatural notebook with the power to kill. Packed with high-octane theatricality and a soaring score by Frank Wildhorn, it’s a dark, tense battle of wits between good and evil. Barbican Theatre, until 12 September

Later in the month we also big farewell to Cats, How the Other Half Loves, The Producers, Abigail’s Party, The Oresteia and The Comedy About Spies!