See the shows performing at West End Live 2023

After you see these hit musicals performing at the annual musical theatre event in Trafalgar Square, book tickets to see them in full in the West End.

One of the best events of the summer for musical theatre fans is the annual West End Live, which sees the incredible casts of leading London shows step out of the theatre and congregate in Trafalgar Square. It’s a chance to sample dozens of productions all in one weekend: 17-18 June in 2023.

Even better, it’s all free, and you don’t need to book tickets – just show up on the day. That said, it is a popular one, so make sure you get there in plenty of time if you don’t want to miss out on seeing the West End’s biggest stars.

Here’s our guide to some of the most exciting performances you can catch at West End Live 2023. And if any of those inspire you, book tickets to see the full show!

Discover the full lineup of shows performing at West End Live in 2023.

Back to the Future: The Musical

Great Scott! Prepare for 1.21 gigawatts of zany sci-fi adventures with the stage musical adaptation of the hit Michael J. Fox-led movie. You may well get to hear one of the iconic songs used in the film at West End Live, like “The Power of Love,” alongside a fantastic entry from the original rock score.

Book Back to the Future: The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Cabaret

Willkommen to the award-winning revival of Kander and Ebb’s Cabaret, which transformed the Playhouse Theatre into the Kit Kat Club. We definitely recommend you visit the venue for the full immersion, but you’ll get a tantalising sneak peek at West End Live, with current leads Maude Apatow and Mason Alexander Park.

Book Cabaret tickets on London Theatre.

42nd Street

Come and meet those dancing feet! The ultimate backstage musical is back in the West End, once again telling that irresistible story of a striving ingenue and a fading diva. You can check out their moves at West End Live, with an exciting new cast featuring Ruthie Henshall, Adam Garcia, Nicole-Lily Baisden, and Les Dennis.

Book 42nd Street tickets on London Theatre.

Hamilton

You definitely want to be in the room where it happens to see Hamilton in all its glory – but the next best thing is catching Lin-Manuel Miranda’s trailblazing historical musical at West End Live. Don’t throw away your shot! The current London cast is led by Reuben Joseph, Simon-Anthony Rhoden, Shan Ako, Allyson Ava-Brown, and Trevor Dion Nicholas.

Book Hamilton tickets on London Theatre.

Aspects of Love

Curious to see how Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical has been updated in the lavish West End revival – and how Michael Ball fares, swapping the boyish role of Alex for suave Uncle George? Check out the Aspects of Love cast at West End Live, where Ball may well make audiences swoon with his “Love Changes Everything.”

Book Aspects of Love tickets on London Theatre.

Mamma Mia!

My my, how can we resist a spot of ABBA? West End Live just wouldn’t be the same without Mamma Mia!’s dancing queens, belting out beloved hits from the Swedish supergroup. This year, you might well see Mazz Murray as mum Donna, Meg Hateley as daughter Sophie, and Josie Benson and Gemma Goggin as Donna’s besties.

Book Mamma Mia! tickets on London Theatre.

The Lion King

The cast of this long-running West End family favourite will definitely be feeling the love at West End Live. Relive the Disney magic with them via Elton John and Tim Rice’s catchy songs, like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata” – and then treat your kids to the full Lion King adventure this summer, complete with incredible puppetry.

Book The Lion King tickets on London Theatre.

Ain't Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations

Who can resist Motown legends The Temptations? This new musical tells their extraordinary story, and you can get a taste of it via the West End Live performance. Join Cameron Bernard Jones, Kyle Cox, Sifiso Mazibuko, Tosh Wanogho-Maud and Mitchell Zhangazha as they groove their way through hits like “Get Ready” and “My Girl.”

Book Ain't Too Proud tickets on London Theatre.

Crazy For You

Fresh from an acclaimed run in Chichester, this gorgeous Gershwin musical comedy comes tap-dancing into the West End this summer. Charlie Stemp, Carly Anderson, Tom Edden, and Natalie Kassanga have the joy of delivering classic songs like “I Got Rhythm” and “Someone to Watch Over Me” at this year’s West End Live.

Book Crazy For You tickets on London Theatre.

Frozen the Musical

No, we can’t ever let it go! Disney’s smash-hit movie is proving just as popular as a family-friendly stage musical, introducing new generations to theatre. Frozen fans can also hear their favourite songs performed at West End Live by current London stars Samantha Barks, Emily Lane, Djavan van de Fliert, Craig Gallivan and Oliver Ormson.

Book Frozen tickets on London Theatre.

Glory Ride

This new musical tells the incredible true story of Tour de France-winning cyclist Gino Bartali, who used his status to help smuggle people out of Mussolini’s Italy – saving thousands of lives. Get a feel for how his tale unfolds (in a show directed by Come From Away choreographer Kelly Devine) via the West End Live performance.

Book Glory Ride tickets on London Theatre.

The Wizard of Oz

If you clicked your heels together and wished for a return of The Wizard of Oz, you’re in luck. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the London Palladium for the full spectacular production, led by Georgina Onuorah, Jason Manford, Gary Wilmot and Dianne Pilkington, but first fly “Over the Rainbow” at West End Live.

Book The Wizard of Oz tickets on London Theatre.

The Book of Mormon

Trey Parker, Matt Stone, and Robert Lopez’s satirical musical is still the most shocking and raucously entertaining show in the West End. Don’t believe us? See their West End Live performance, with Don Simpson and Connor Peirson starring as the mismatched Mormon missionaries trying to say “Hello” to an African village.

Book The Book of Mormons tickets on London Theatre.

Les Misérables

You’ll definitely hear the people sing once again, as the flag-waving revolutionary musical marches on West End Live. You might well get Lucie Jones singing “I Dreamed A Dream” or Josh Piterman asking God to “Bring Him Home” – but whichever number it is, it’ll definitely make you dream of seeing the full show with its ace new cast.

Book Les Misérables tickets on London Theatre.

Heathers the Musical

How very! The cult favourite stage adaptation of the 80s teen movie is currently strutting its stuff at The Other Palace. Show your devotion to the Heathers clique by donning your finest blazer and knee socks and heading to the “Candy Store” – aka cheering them on at West End Live, led by cast members like Miracle Chance and Olivia Barnett-Legh.

Book Heathers tickets on London Theatre.

The Phantom Of The Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music of the night is still a West End stalwart, as audiences continue to flock to his dramatic tale set in the Paris Opera House. You might not find a chandelier at West End Live, but you will find current Phantom stars such as Jon Robyns, Holly-Anne Hull and Matt Blaker in fine voice.

Book The Phantom Of The Opera tickets on London Theatre.

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical

As we mourn the late, great Tina Turner, we can celebrate her story and her incredible music living on in this stirring West End musical. Enjoy a preview of the astonishing Tina, led by Kristina Love, Elesha Paul Moses, and Caleb Roberts, as they tear into numbers like “River Deep Mountain High”, “Proud Mary,” and “The Best.”

Book Tina – The Tina Turner Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Wicked

You can’t have West End Live without a green-skinned girl defying gravity – and this year is no exception. Join Alexia Khadime and Lucy St. Louis (the first ever Black co-leads in Wicked history) as these very different witches bond “For Good,” before seeing them take to the sky in the blockbuster London production.

Book Wicked tickets on London Theatre.

Matilda the Musical

The small but mighty Roald Dahl heroine is still bossing the West End and standing up to bullies like Miss Trunchbull in Tim Michin and Dennis Kelly’s gloriously anarchic musical adaptation – a joy for audiences of all ages. See the Matilda cast in action at West End Live before enrolling at Crunchem Hall (aka the Cambridge Theatre).

Book Matilda the Musical tickets on London Theatre.

The Time Traveller's Wife

The highly anticipated stage musical version of Audrey Niffenegger’s bestselling book comes to London this autumn, with original songs from Joss Stone and Dave Stewart. How will that epic, decades-spanning romance work as a theatrical piece? Time-travel yourself: get an early glimpse of stars David Hunter and Joanna Woodward performing.

Book The Time Traveller’s Wife tickets now.

Six

Finally, let’s get down with the Queens of Six, who will be bringing their right royal swagger to West End Live 2023. All they wanna do is share some of the bangers from the show, as they reclaim history (or “herstory”) from toxic husband Henry VIII. There’s no way you can miss seeing them – either at West End Live or reigning in the West End.

Book Six tickets on London Theatre.