*Back to the Future* has been a family favourite since the film starring Michael J Fox as Marty McFly came out in 1985 – and now there’s a musical version! With a rocking score plus all the beloved songs from the film, it’s a rollicking adventure with spectacular visual effects and lovable performances. 

Read our guide to all the activities you can make time for that will make your day all the more thrilling. See you at the clock tower!

Book [*Back to the Future: The Musical*...

Make a day out of 'Back to the Future: The Musical' in London

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We can't promise time travel, but there's never a dull moment with all these exciting attractions in London! 

Mark Rosenblatt’s new play *Giant*, starring Tony winner John Lithgow, will transfer to the West End's Harold Pinter Theatre next year, following a run at the Royal Court this September. The play will run from 26 April 2025 – 2 August 2025.

Directed by Nicholas Hytner (*[Guys & Dolls](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/25504-guys-and-dolls-tickets), Straight Line Crazy, La Belle Sauvage*) and designed by Bob Crowley, the play follows the acclaimed children's author Roald Dahl over the course...

John Lithgow-led 'Giant' to transfer to the West End in 2025

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The play follows the acclaimed children's author Roald Dahl over the course of a single afternoon, in the wake of scandal caused by an explicitly antisemitic article. 

Do you hear the people sing? You will do soon if you’ve booked a trip to one of the West End’s longest-running and most popular musicals, *[Les Misérables](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/300-les-miserables-tickets)*. Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s show, adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel, is a revolutionary epic packed with unforgettable songs like “I Dreamed A Dream” and “Bring Him Home”.

Make your *Les Misérables* outing even more incredible by adding other activities to your...

Make a day out of 'Les Misérables' in London

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Make your trip to the West End's revolutionary musical even more memorable by adding visits to an historic London pub, a French restaurant, and a museum full of historic treasures.

You can-can-can have an unforgettable night of bohemian entertainment in the West End now that Baz Luhrmann’s legendary movie *[Moulin Rouge!](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/23350-moulin-rouge-the-musical-tickets)* has become an equally spectacular stage musical. Like the film, it juxtaposes a romance set in 19th-century Paris between cabaret star Satine and aspiring composer Christian with modern pop music – in fact, the show boasts more than 70 songs in total!

Make your trip even better...

Make a day out of 'Moulin Rouge!' in London

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Make your trip to this spectacular West End musical even more memorable by adding in a trip to a world-famous art gallery, an airborne adventure, and a delicious French meal.

For the first few performances of a West End show, the show is typically in previews. The preview period allows the show to be performed in front of an audience to help spread the word of a new production, as well as allow the actors and creatives to continue working on reaching the show’s finishing point. 

Once the preview period finishes, West End shows typically invite reviewers for the official opening night. Shortly after, theatre critics publish their reviews, allowing the general public...

Book tickets to the best-reviewed West End shows

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Discover five-star West End shows to see in London right now, including *Guys & Dolls* and *Six*. Get tickets to hit musicals and plays on London Theatre. 

In December 1997, a group of United Nations delegates at the Kyoto Conference Centre had just hours left to agree a climate deal that might save the world. That’s the riveting subject for the explosive political thriller *[Kyoto](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/42734-kyoto)*, which is hitting the West End in spring 2025 following its acclaimed premiere earlier this year.

The show is written by Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, the powerhouse duo behind the award-winning play *The Jungle*,...

Learn all about the real history behind 'Kyoto'

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The gripping political thriller set during the vital 1997 UN climate conference is coming to @sohoplace in the West End. Ahead of your trip, find out what really happened!

Neither Alexander Hamilton nor Aaron Burr, the protagonists of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical phenomenon, ever came to London. Thomas Jefferson, the Act II antagonist, visited for six weeks in spring 1786. He described the architecture as “in the most wretched stile I ever saw” and "both town and country fell short of my expectations." Ouch. However, Jefferson certainly made the most of the entertainments and shopping the city had to offer. 

On the other hand, Benjamin Franklin, who first visited...

Make a day out of 'Hamilton' in London

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Explore some fascinating Anglo-American ties, including the Benjamin Franklin House, Kew Palace, and two historical churches.

New casting has been announced for the long-running West End production of [*The Mousetrap*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/333-mousetrap-tickets). The show is currently enjoying 70th anniversary celebrations as part of a UK tour.

The new cast includes Lara Lemon (*Witness for the Prosecution*) as Mollie Ralston, Harry Bradley (*The Play That Goes Wrong*) as Giles Ralston, Richard Leeming (*The Haunting*) as Christopher Wren, Rekha John-Cheriyan (*The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*) as Mrs...

Agatha Christie's 'The Mousetrap' announces new West End cast 

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*The Mousetrap* is currently enjoying 70th anniversary celebrations as part of a UK tour. It's is the West End's longest-running production.

LondonTheatre.co.uk has launched its Black Friday and Cyber Monday theatre ticket sales, with up to 40% off over 50 participating shows, including long-running play [*The Mousetrap*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/333-mousetrap-tickets) and West End favourite [*Les Misérables*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/300-les-miserables-tickets).

Highlights in the sale include musicals *[The Book of Mormon](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/287-book-of-mormon-tickets), [MJ the...

Shop Black Friday and Cyber Monday theatre tickets in 2024

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Shop theatre ticket deals on LondonTheatre.co.uk, with up to 40% off over 50 participating shows during the promotional period.

If you’re looking for Black Friday Christmas gifts, then you've come to the right place. We’ve got affordable theatre tickets to over 50 shows in London. 

Theatre tickets make great Christmas presents for friends, family, and that special someone in your life. Check out our top Black Friday tickets in the West End and do all your Christmas shopping today.

Take a look at some of the Black Friday shows in 2024! 

![The Book of Mormon - 1200 - LT -...

Here's why Black Friday theatre tickets make the best Christmas gifts

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Give the gift of theatre this Christmastime when you save up to 40% on tickets to West End and Off-West End shows — here are some of the best gift options.

After years of development, a new musical based on the life of televangelist Tammy Faye Messner will finally open in London in 2022. In a [tweet from Daily Mail entertainment reporter, Baz Bamigboye](https://twitter.com/BazBam/status/1499503057796800520), the musical will begin performances at the [Almeida Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/almeida-theatre) in autumn.

Born in 1942, the Minnesota-born Tammy Faye Messner grew up to become a prolific 20th century televangelist. She initially rose to fame through the Christian talk show, *The PTL Club,* which she hosted with her husband, Jim Bakker. Throughout her life, she built Heritage USA, a Christian theme park and took time to support HIV/AIDS patients during the epidemic. Messner died in 2007 aged 65.

The new and currently un-named musical  will feature an original story by James Graham. Graham's previous plays include *Best of Enemies* and *Quiz*. Original music is by the multi-award-winning singer songwriter Elton John, and original lyrics are by Scissor Sisters member, Jake Shears.

Casting for the new Tammy Faye musical at the Almeida Theatre, as well as performance dates and further information is to be revealed.

Photo credit: Tammy Faye Bakker (Photo courtesy of Darwin Bell on [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/darwinbell/30384516))

Elton John and James Graham's 'Tammy Faye' musical to open at Almeida Theatre

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Tammy Faye

"It's time to bring America back to God"

From a studio in South Carolina, Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker revolutionised religion.

Preaching to millions 24 hours a day, Tammy just wants to put the fun back into faith.

But a new wave of ministers wants you not to just feel God in your heart, but in your homes, in your schools and in the law too.

Tammy Faye is a new musical from legendary songwriter Elton John, Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears and award-winning writer James Graham  and features Olivier Award-winner Katie Brayben as Tammy Faye and Tony Award-nominee Andrew Rannells as Jim.

This true story, directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold is a testament of faith, resilience and the temptations of success.

God bless Tammy Faye!

Tammy Faye LON LondonTheatre

Tammy Faye and Jim Bakker changed religion. They put the fun back into faith. But at what cost?
Andrew Rannells and Katie Brayben star in the biblical musical, featuring music by Elton John and Jake Shears.
See *Tammy Faye* at the Almeida Theatre today.

Well hallelujah: the long-awaited Elton John-scored new musical [*Tammy Faye*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/26183-tammy-faye-tickets), about the 1980s American televangelist, is a heavenly pleasure. John’s toe-tapping, soul and gospel-tinged tunes and mighty pop-rock ballads (with pithy lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears) are well matched by a typically spry script from our modern history chronicler, James Graham. And they have created a phenomenal female lead role – in which the spectacular Katie Brayben makes you ardently believe in a higher power.

Tammy and preacher husband Jim Bakker, who are touring small venues with a Christian sock puppet show, rise to fame when they’re given a religious satellite channel – evangelical leaders hope television can be used to replenish their dwindling flock. Actually, it’s when Tammy presents alone (Jim is nervous and cheesy) that a star is born. She speaks honestly, from the heart, and she physically reaches out to all those lonely, disconnected people watching her – and they reach back. It’s the opposite of a judgemental church: it’s welcoming. It’s home.

In order to “put the ‘fun’ into Christian fundamentalism”, the Bakkers then essentially create a cosy morning show, with cooking segments, fashion and soft-serve interviews, and their network PTL (Praise the Lord) becomes a national sensation – much to fury of hard-line religious and socially conservative figures like Jerry Falwell, who thinks the Bakkers are undignified. Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan even stops by, hoping for an endorsement.

It’s chilling to see Reagan and Falwell eventually strike a deal – church and state becoming inseparable – and Falwell’s corrupt cabal also furthering their agenda via the Supreme Court. The modern parallels are evident: evangelicals backed Trump on the understanding that he too put conservative judges in place, leading to the repeal of Roe v Wade, and potentially more attacks on LGBTQ+ rights to come. 

Graham’s rich, well-researched script (with definite shades of his most recent play [*Best of Enemies*](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/26173-best-of-enemies-london-tickets), now in the West End) emphasises the dark side of this weaponising of television, too – although the show as a whole takes great pains to place Tammy on the right side of history. Her version of Christianity is about love, not hate, and she even interviews (and embraces) a gay pastor with AIDS live on air. That extraordinary exchange really happened, and it’s an electrifying scene. 

Tammy’s support for the gay community also gives Rupert Goold’s production licence to be gloriously, ecstatically camp. The wall of TV screens in Bunny Christie’s design light up like a cross, or switch to a rainbow disco; Lynne Page’s period routines are knowingly kitsch (one features a penis pump); Neil Austin’s lighting is a riot of pink, blue and orange; Katrina Lindsay supplies marvellous frocks with pussy-bow ties; and Suzanne Scotcher’s wigs for Tammy, including a ginormous bubble perm, are almost another character.

There are also religious re-enactments at the theme park, Heritage USA, which Jim Bakker sets up – all featuring total drama-queen actors. The flogging of Christ becomes weirdly homoerotic. It’s hugely entertaining, but also underlines a serious point about the peculiar contradictions in the evangelical movement: they love flamboyant show business, and figures like Tammy are really camp icons, yet there’s also virulent homophobia. The greatest censure here is reserved for such sheer hypocrisy.

However, the show suffers from what we might term The *Evita* Problem. Though it is eventually critical of the Bakkers, as it’s revealed that they took millions from ordinary people to fuel their extravagant lifestyle, they remain sympathetic figures. Even Jim sexually assaulting a female fan is framed as the desperate act of a closeted gay man. Tammy is even more protected: the script suggests she was completely unaware of the extent of Jim’s fraud. She becomes a straightforward heroine – a compassionate feminist survivor battling the evil patriarchy. 

Though John's score lacks breakout earworms, it supports the narrative superbly. He gives Tammy big girl-power anthems, which the incredible Brayben delivers with barnstorming conviction, blowing the roof off the Almeida. Her character journey is a vocal one too, from sweet crooning to rock-star defiance, and she captures the natural charisma and candour that made Tammy an early TV star. That admiring approach is a morally murky choice from the creative team, but Brayben gives a knockout performance.

American actor Andrew Rannells is perfectly cast as the endearingly hapless Jim, and, among a vivid and versatile ensemble, Amy Booth-Steel is excellent as Tammy’s increasingly critical friend Jan. But the standout supporting turn comes from Zubin Varla as antagonist Falwell, tormented by a spiritual crisis as he grapples with whether he should sell his soul to television if it means saving the soul of America.

The show is rather overcrowded (even if detours like the Pope holding a secret crisis summit are delightfully bonkers); a tighter focus could create a more complex, and challenging, portrait of the Bakkers. But it’s thrilling to see the birth of a new original musical of this quality: it restores your faith in the power, and in the sheer entertaining fun, of the medium. Praise *Tammy Faye*!

*[Tammy Faye is at the Almeida Theatre to 3 December.](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/show/26183-tammy-faye-tickets)*

*Photo credit: Andrew Rannells and Katie Brayben in Tammy Faye at the Almeida Theatre (Photo by Marc Brenner)*

'Tammy Faye' review – Elton John's divine new musical is camp, colourful and compassionate

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The Almeida Theatre is a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Islington, London. This magnificent small-scale theatre venue is renowned for its incredible productions and intimacy, providing a unique theatre experience that's hard to come across in most larger venues. With a repertoire spanning modern adaptations of classic plays to exciting new writes, the Almeida ensures a vibrant and diverse range of plays. The theatre has an innovative auditorium with a capacity of just 325, which is designed to pull the audience into the action, regardless of where they're sitting. Also of note, the foyer functions as a friendly mixed-use space, serving food and drinks before the shows and during the intervals.

*How to Get There*

The Almeida Theatre is located in Islington, an area well-served by public transport. The nearest tube station is Angel (Northern line), which is approximately a 10-minute walk away from the theatre. Also, from Kings Cross St Pancras station, you can reach the theatre in a short bus ride, taking buses 19, 30, 73, 205 or 476. For those preferring to drive, there's limited pay and display parking on Almeida Street and nearby streets. However, during match days, when Arsenal FC is playing at home, the area is much busier, and parking can be more challenging to find.

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Almeida Theatre

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The Almeida Theatre opened in 1980. Prior to the theatre, the building was home to a lecture hall and a collection of reading rooms. The building is Grade II-listed by English Heritage.

The Almeida Theatre aims to propel the next generation of British theatre creatives to stardom. World premieres often take place at the Almeida Theatre, including *American Psycho*, *King Charles III*. It's also been home to plenty of adapted plays too, reinvigorating centuries old plays with a newer lease of life. Plays at the Almeida Theatre regularly transfer to the West End too, including *The Doctor* and *Summer and Smoke.*

Almeida Theatre - London Theatre

The Almeida Theatre, opened in 1980 in a Grade II-listed building, aims to advance British theatre creatives and often hosts world premieres.

Almeida Theatre - TodayTix

London's Almeida Theatre is an intimate, 325 seat theatre in Islington, renowned for diverse and vibrant plays. Reachable via tube and buses, with limited parking.

Elton John and James Graham's 'Tammy Faye' musical to open at Almeida Theatre

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