West End theatre still to arrive in 2026

Just because we have waved goodbye to summer, it isn’t all doom and gloom!

The West End has plenty of brilliant shows for us to get excited about as 2026 begins to wind down into the autumn and winter months.

My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?)

Rob Madge‘s WhatsOnStage Award-winning play will return to the West End for a third and final season. The autobiographical piece centres on Madge’s childhood, filled with Disney parades in the garden and at-home productions starring their family, with misidentified characters and technical mishaps!

Plays at Apollo Theatre from 16 September to 3 October

The Standard of Living

Earlier this year, we presented James Graham with the special WhatsOnStage Award for Services to UK Theatre. Now, the playwright will debut his new piece, directed by Nicholas Hytner, in the West End. The Standard of Living explores the life of John Maynard Keynes, the influential economist, member of the Bloomsbury Group and advocate for public arts funding whose ideas helped shape the post-war world. Rory Kinnear will lead the cast as Keynes, with Royal Ballet principal dancer Natalia Osipova as Russian ballerina and Keynes’ spouse Lydia Lopokova.

Plays at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 September to 12 December

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup will take on the roles of Martha and George, a disgruntled couple who invite the younger Nick (Josh Dylan) and Honey (Phoebe Horn) over for late-night drinks. Marianne Elliott directs Edward Albee’s defining play, which sees the night quickly escalate, in the round.

Plays at @sohoplace from 21 September to 19 December

Hay Fever

Christine Baranski will make her West End debut opposite Richard E Grant, who returns to the West End stage after 20 years, to star in Noël Coward’s comedy. Baranski will play Judith Bliss, a retired actress who invites a young admirer to her country home, only for her husband David and their children Sorrel and Simon to each invite guests of their own for the same weekend – resulting in pandemonium.

Plays at Wyndham’s Theatre from 22 September to 12 December

Into The Woods

Wishes do come true! The Olivier Award-winning revival of Into The Woods will continue its journey in the West End, with a whole host of returning cast members. Jordan Fein directs this acclaimed production of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical.

Plays at Noël Coward Theatre from 22 September 2026 to 9 January 2027

The Last Ship

Sting, the 17-time Grammy Award winner, will come to the West End with a new version of his musical, The Last Ship. He will reprise his role as Jackie White in the tale inspired by Sting’s upbringing in the shipbuilding town of Wallsend and drawing on themes first explored in his 1991 album The Soul Cages.

Plays at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 22 September to 3 October

Rent

Jonathan Larson’s much-loved musical is back, “reimagined” by WhatsOnStage Award and Olivier Award-winning director Luke Sheppard from his hit Hope Mill production. Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut in the show, alongside a whole host of stage faves. La vie bohème!

Plays at the Duke of York’s / Tom Stoppard Theatre from 26 September

The Cherry Orchard

Conor McPherson has adapted Anton Chekhov’s final play, which follows Lyubov Ranevskaya (played here by Kristin Scott Thomas) as she returns to her family estate to find her beloved cherry orchard under threat and confronts the changing social and economic landscape of turn-of-the-century Russia.

Plays at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 3 October 2026 to 9 January 2027

Don Black’s From The Heart

He is considered one of the most prolific lyricists of all time – and now he will be treating the West End to a revue run! The show, which sold out when it premiered last year, takes inspiration from the New York cabaret scene and charts Don Black’s long career through songs, stories and collaborations.

Plays at the Garrick Theatre from 8 to 18 October

Derren Brown: Only Human

Derren Brown has wrapped up a huge tour with his 11th stage show, which will conclude in the West End. Described as a “big party,” expect the unexpected from the mentalist.

Plays at Apollo Theatre from 10 October 2026 to 30 January 2027

The Lives of Others

Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and WhatsOnStage Award winner Luke Thompson lead the world premiere of this new play directed by Robert Icke. Adapted from the hit German film of the same name, it is set in East Germany in 1984, and the story follows a writer and an actor placed under state surveillance, while a Stasi officer listens from the attic above their apartment.

Plays at the Adelphi Theatre from 14 October to 9 January 2027

Jesus Christ Superstar

Missing  Sam Ryder and co? Fear not, Tim Sheader’s five-star revival of Jesus Christ Superstar will transfer to another West End theatre this autumn ahead of a UK tour. Absolutely heavenly news!

Plays at Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027

Cirque Berserk!

More than 30 acrobats, aerialists and stunt performers will take over the Garrick across half term. Combining contemporary circus with traditional acts, the show will also see the return of the motorcycle “Globe of Death” act – thrilling stuff!

Plays at the Garrick Theatre from 21 to 31 October

One Day

Just like the story’s two protagonists, the musical adaptation is moving from Edinburgh to London! After a world premiere earlier this year, Jamie Muscato and Sharon Rose will reprise their roles as Dexter and Emma, as audiences follow their long-term and fractious relationship.

Booking at the Garrick Theatre from 17 November 2026 to 14 March 2027

Cinderella

The London Palladium pantomime is back, oh yes it is! This year’s tale is Cinderella, with comedy legends Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders reuniting on stage for the first time in nearly 20 years as the wickedly hilarious stepsisters.

Plays at The London Palladium from 5 December 2026 to 10 January 2027

Bill Bailey: Vaudevillian

Much-loved comic Bill Bailey takes inspiration from the tradition of vaudeville, combining comedy, music and speciality performance alongside stories drawn from showbusiness and city life, alongside musical performance in his seven-week residency.

Plays at Theatre Royal Haymarket from 16 December 2026 to 6 February 2027

Christmas Carol Goes Wrong

Mischief’s festive fiasco is doing a lot of things right! It’s back in the West End for another Eber-knees-up following a tour.

Plays at Wyndham’s Theatre from 18 December 2026 to 23 January 2027