The stage show you should see based on your relationship status

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and we all know that a theatre date is always a good idea.

Whatever your relationship status, there are plenty of shows to enjoy on the night itself – or to book as a gift for your beloved. Speaking of, with only one month to go to the WhatsOnStage Awards, a ticket to our celebration ceremony is the perfect experience to share with your loved ones. It provides an opportunity to get your gladrags on and be part of an exclusive evening with star-studded performances and a bunch of surprises, in the heart of the West End. Get your ticket to join us here!

First date – The Phantom of the Opera

If you’re looking to impress, we can’t think of a better show than Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Its big, sweeping score, impressive sets, and decadent costumes leave plenty to talk about in the interval, and it will surely make for an unforgettable experience. With a bit of luck, your relationship will last just as long as the show has been in the West End!

Galentine’s Day – The Devil Wears Prada

Lucky for us, the theatreworld embraces chick flicks with the same devotion as a 2010s sleepover – and I fully mean that as a compliment. Grab your gal pals and head into town for a fashionable night out at The Devil Wears Prada (ideal ahead of the release of the film sequel) or catch the WhatsOnStage Award-winning Mean Girls or Legally Blonde out on tour in the coming weeks. You know it’s “What You Want”!

Bromance – The Producers

If you’re after a night of belly laughs, there are two very classic crowdpleasers currently playing in London: The Producers and The Book of Mormon. New to the latter? Maybe do some initial research.

Long-term relationship – Hadestown

If they’re not willing to travel to the underworld and back for you, then they’re not worth it. Luckily, if things are Serious (with a capital ‘S’), you know you can count on them to bring you flowers and a ticket to the much-loved musical, Hadestown.

Situationship – Back to the Future

It’s only a matter of time before you both figure it out… but while you may not know exactly what you are to one another, you can instead bask in the 80s nostalgia of Back to the Future. Expect spectacle special effects, catchy tunes and all your favourite lines, whether you catch it in London or take your own DeLorean to one of the cities it is flying out to on tour.

Happily single – Six

An evening of righting the wrongs of your ex with the Six Queens? Count us in.

Single, but ready to mingle – Moulin Rouge! the Musical

It’s impossible to resist the romantic allure of Moulin Rouge!, with its rich Parisian sets, glamorous pop music arrangements and chic love story (if you forget the ending).

Besties – Here and Now

If your besties are the ones who have a hold on your heart, then you can celebrate them with the WhatsOnStage Award-nominated new musical Here and Now, which is stepping out about towns across the country. A jukebox musical featuring all of the hits from Steps makes for a “foot kickin’, finger clickin’, leather slapping, hand clappin’” night out.

Anti-Valentine’s – American Psycho

Romance not your thing? We’ve got you. Enjoy cult musical American Psycho back at its original home of the Almeida a decade later. Alternatively, get yourself to Paranormal Activity in the West End or 2:22 – A Ghost Story on tour and scare yourself silly – dare to go alone?

Out and proud – Titanique

Set sail with Céline Dion and the gang (read: the characters in James Cameron’s Titanic) in the outrageously funny, award-winning Titanique, or hop on board Priscilla for a new tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Alternatively, saunter over to the Trafalgar Theatre for a night out with cabaret star Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary!. All are a guaranteed hoot.

Unlucky in love – The Play That Goes Wrong

If you need some comic relief and some reassurance that things could, in fact, be worse (but work out for the best), you can count on the Mischief gang. See The Play that Goes Wrong in the West End or a seasonal Christmas Carol Goes Wrong out on the road.

It’s complicated – Cabaret

Dark, seductive and thought-provoking, the Kit Kat Club invites you to leave your troubles outside for some high-impact theatre that stays with you.

Recently dumped – Mamma Mia!

Gimme gimme gimme a ticket to see Mamma Mia!. It’s a jukebox favourite for a reason and can be enjoyed solo or with company. You can dance, jive, and have the time of your life in the West End or on tour. If nothing else, it just shows how much hassle relationships can end up being…

Third-wheeling – Wicked

We all know there’s a bunch of third-wheeling going on between the Elphaba, Glinda and Fiyero love triangle, so nobody would blink an eyelid if you crashed a date night to Wicked.

Just talking – The Battle

Bio-musicals are a great date while you’re in that ‘just talking’ stage. Find an artist or genre that you’re both into and bond over the backstories. May we suggest the UK tours of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical or Sunny Afternoon? Or get yourselves tickets to be among the first to see the new Britpop drama, The Battle. 

Self care – Hercules

A solo theatre day is one of life’s best instances of self-care. Whether you’re seeing a Disney hit like Hercules, Matthew Bourne’s Red Shoes, or a modern classic like Hamilton, you deserve it.