West End shows still to arrive in 2025

There’s a lot of fantastic theatre to look forward to for the rest of the year!

In London, you can look beyond the West End (there’s a new Into the Woods revival coming to the Bridge), to specially built venues (The Hunger Games at Canary Wharf Theatre) and new theatres (Dirty Dancing at Capital Theatre). Plus, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into across the UK. Each month, we do a round-up of our favourite shows opening up and down the country, so keep an eye out for those, in addition to our daily news on the website.

In addition to the following shows that will enjoy long runs, there are plenty of short stints to get excited about in the West End. These include a concert of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, an interactive, live game of Dungeons and Dragons, Little Dancer in concert, an evening with John Cameron Mitchell, and much more!

A special shout-out to the various children’s theatre, introducing the magic of live performance to young people, creating memories that last a lifetime. Options for first trips to see a show include: The Smeds and The Smoos (Lyric Theatre, 18 July to 7 September), CoComelon: Sing-A-Long Live (St Martin’s Theatre throughout summer), and the Olivier Award-nominated Maddie Moate’s Very Curious Christmas (Garrick Theatre, from 12 December).

Here are our picks of top shows yet to open in the West End in 2025!

Till the Stars Come Down

You’re invited to the West End staging of Beth Steel’s highly-acclaimed play! Portraying a family’s dynamics during a wedding in a former mining town, when it was first seen at the National Theatre, our chief critic gave it a five-star write-up, describing the piece as an “utterly unmissable play” and “a theatrical event to remember.”

Plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 1 July 2025

Good Night, Oscar

Sean Hayes will reprise his Tony Award-winning role in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican this summer, alongside stage favourite Rosalie Craig. Set in 1958, it revolves around a notorious late-night talk show appearance…

Plays at the Barbican Theatre from 31 July 2025

Every Brilliant Thing

Brilliant news! Every Brilliant Thing will celebrate ten years with a star-studded stint in London. Told from the perspective of a child who begins making a list of life’s joys for their mother amid her struggles with depression, the play spans decades, showing how the list shapes their own life. Featuring a rotating cast, performers will include Lenny Henry, Jonny Donahoe, Ambika Mod and Sue Perkins.

Plays at @sohoplace from 1 August 2025

A Man for All Seasons

The Martin Shaw-led production of Robert Bolt’s play, which explores the events surrounding Henry VIII’s demand for a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, which would clear the way for him to marry Anne Boleyn, and devout Catholic Thomas More’s extraordinary act of defiance, will spend some time in London after a short tour.

Plays at Harold Pinter Theatre from 6 August 2025

Born With Teeth

In what our editor-in-chief called a “magnificent choice”, Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel will play two famous writers, Marlowe and Shakespeare, as they develop a tense and complex connection against a backdrop of conspiracy and surveillance. A new piece of writing by Liz Duffy Adams, Daniel Evans, co-artistic director of the RSC, will be on directing duty.

Plays at Wyndham’s Theatre from 13 August 2025

The Producers

They must be doing something right, The Producers has bagged a West End transfer! Directed by Patrick Marber, the “hugely entertaining” production of the seminal Mel Brooks’ musical will feature Andy Nyman as Max Bialystock, Marc Antolin as Leo Bloom, Trevor Ashley as Roger de Bris, Raj Ghatak as Carmen Ghia, Harry Morrison as Franz Liebkind and Joanna Woodward as Ulla – all reprising their roles from the sold-out run at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

Plays at the Garrick Theatre from 30 August 2025

The Weir

Brendan Gleeson is making his return to the stage for the first time in a decade in Conor McPherson’s The Weir! Directed for the first time by McPherson, the play is set across an evening in a rural County Leitrim pub, where regulars share stories about folklore, ghosts, and fairies with a young woman recently arrived from Dublin, before she tells her tale.

Plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 11 September 2025

The Importance of Being Earnest

The National Theatre’s delightfully pink production of The Importance of Being Earnest will cross the Thames! Olly Alexander is set to lead Oscar Wilde’s treasured comedy about hidden identities, cucumber sandwiches and unexpected romances.

Plays at the Noël Coward Theatre from 18 September

Punch

James Graham’s Punch returns to London this year, while running concurrently on Broadway. The impressive feat is pulled off by the WhatsOnStage Award-nominated piece, which looks at forgiveness, toxic masculinity, class, and the education system.

Plays at Apollo Theatre from 22 September 2025

Othello

David Harewood returns to his landmark role of Othello in a new production directed by Tom Morris. Joining them to tell the Shakespeare tale of manipulation and jealousy will be Toby Jones as Iago and Caitlin FitzGerald as Desdemona. PJ Harvey will be providing music.

Plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 23 October 2025

Paddington the Musical

London promises to look after this bear! The Tom Fletcher/Jessica Swale-penned musical will be directed by Luke Sheppard when it receives its world premiere at the Savoy Theatre. Expect all the marmalade-covered shenanigans and laughter from the much-loved books by Michael Bond and the award-winning StudioCanal films.

Plays at the Savoy Theatre from 1 November 2025

All My Sons

Bryan Cranston, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Paapa Essiedu will lead a revival of Arthur Miller’s play, which follows self-made businessman Joe Keller, when his wartime manufacturing success comes back to haunt him when his business partner faces criminal charges and his eldest son goes missing. Ivo Van Hove directs.

Plays at Wyndham’s Theatre from 14 November 2025

The Spy Who Came in From the Cold

John le Carré’s very first novel to debut in the West End is The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. Set to star are Rory Keenan as Alec Leamas, who is drawn back into espionage for one final mission. While navigating a world of deception, his connection with the idealistic Liz Gold, played by Agnes O’Casey, begins to challenge the detachment that has defined his career.

Plays at @Sohoplace from 17 November 2025

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

The Goes Wrong gang are back, this time attempting to tackle Charles Dickens’ classic. Mischief fans will be familiar with the piece, as a televised version of the same concept was seen in 2017, but there’s a chance to laugh along in person for longer, as the play is also touring!

Plays at the Apollo Theatre from 6 December 2025

Sleeping Beauty

The London Palladium’s annual pantomime is back – oh yes it is! This year’s title is Sleeping Beauty, and an all-star line-up has been assembled in Catherine Tate, Julian Clary and many, many more. We wouldn’t expect anything less.

Plays at The London Palladium from 6 December 2025