The best shows coming to the West End in 2025

A fantastic 2025 London theatre calendar features big Hollywood names, new musicals, the return of a smash-hit show, and all kinds of plays and musicals.

We’ve still got plenty of theatre action in London this year – but it’s never too early to start getting excited about all the great shows to come in 2025! There’s a bumper crop of plays and musicals hitting the West End and beyond, so it’s a perfect time to plan a visit.

Don’t miss the big Hollywood names hitting London stages next year, from Tom Hiddleston and Cate Blanchett to Jonathan Bailey and Sigourney Weaver. Plus there’s the return of the massively successful My Neighbour Totoro and the welcome transfer of American cult hit Titanique.

Follow our guide to the best shows coming your way in 2025, and start planning your theatre trips now.

Book West End tickets on London Theatre.

Disney’s Hercules

If you loved the 1997 animated film version of the Ancient Greek tale, you won’t want to miss this thrilling stage musical of Disney’s Hercules (that would be a big myth-take!). The story follows the mortal son of gods Zeus and Hera who must grow up on Earth and learn what it means to be a real hero.

Featuring songs by the legendary Alan Menken, including “Go the Distance”, “From Zero to Hero” and “I Won’t Say I’m in Love”, this new production is directed by Tony-winner Casey Nicholaw, whose hits include The Book of Mormon and Aladdin.

Check back for Disney’s Hercules tickets on London Theatre.

My Neighbour Totoro

A record-breaking hit for the Barbican, this gorgeous, multi-Olivier Award-winning RSC adaptation of the Studio Ghibli film is truly magical theatre, thanks to its imaginative stagecraft, otherworldly puppets, transporting music, and heartfelt storytelling. It’s back in 2025 by popular demand.

The family-friendly plot follows two young sisters, Satsuki and Mei, who move to the Tokyo countryside with their dad when their mother gets sick. There they discover, and take comfort in, the woodland spirits that are all around them – including the massive, furry Totoro.

Book My Neighbour Totoro tickets on London Theatre.

Titanique

All aboard the Ship of Dreams, girlfriends! We can never get enough of the Titanic story, which is why we’ve already seen both a stage musical of it and, of course, the almighty Oscar-winning movie. This cult-hit Off-Broadway show combines the two and adds knowing humour: it’s a campy musical delight.

Titanique is narrated by the one and only Céline Dion, giving her version of the tragic tale of Jack and Rose, and it’s jam-packed with songs – including the indelible “My Heart Will Go On.” Beginning in December and running into spring 2025, it’s a must-sea event.

Check back for Titanique tickets on London Theatre.

The Seagull

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett returns to the London stage to star as the great actress (but difficult mother) Arkadina in Chekhov’s The Seagull. This new Barbican production is helmed by Thomas Ostermeier, who recently directed Matt Smith in The Enemy of the People in the West End.

Blanchett was last seen here in When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other at the National Theatre in 2019. In The Seagull, she will reunite with Tom Burke, her co-star in Steven Soderbergh’s new movie Black Bag.

Check back for The Seagull tickets on London Theatre.

Richard II

Jonathan Bailey swaps Bridgerton for the Bridge Theatre as he takes on the title role of Shakespeare’s Richard II, the charismatic but unwise king whose poor leadership results in a national crisis. This exciting production is directed by Bridge boss Nicholas Hytner.

Bailey has recently become globally famous for his screen work, but he is also an accomplished stage actor. He won an Olivier Award for Stephen Sondheim’s Company, and starred in an acclaimed West End revival of Mike Bartlett’s Cock in 2022.

Book Richard II tickets on London Theatre.

Punch

James Graham has become our national playwright, telling contemporary stories via intelligent, humorous and heartfelt dramas such as the gripping TV crime drama Sherwood and, on stage, hit plays like Dear England, Best of Enemies, and This House.

His latest work, Punch, is about teenager Jacob Dunne, whose impulsive act – punching a stranger – had deadly consequences and changed the course of several lives. Graham’s empathetic play had a sold-out run in Nottingham and is now coming to the West End.

Book *Punch* tickets on London Theatre.

The Lonely Londoners

Roy Williams adapts Sam Selvon’s iconic novel about the hopes, dreams and difficult realities experienced by the Windrush generation. Ebenezer Bambgoye’s acclaimed production transfers to the Kiln Theatre in 2025 following a sold-out run at Jermyn Street Theatre.

Set in 1950s London, a group of arrivals reckon with their new home, including Henry “Sir Galahad” Oliver, Big City, Lewis, Moses, Tanty, and Agnes. Through words and song, they movingly convey their story – a vital part of Black British and Caribbean history.

Book The Lonely Londoners tickets on London Theatre.

Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest

Fresh off the success of his bold reimagining of Sunset Boulevard – which is heading to Broadway, still led by Nicole Scherzinger – director Jamie Lloyd has enticed three more big names to join him for his next project: revivals of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest.

Both at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Much Ado will feature the hotshot Hollywood duo of Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell playing the sparring lovers Benedick and Beatrice, while Sigourney Weaver will make her West End debut as Prospero in The Tempest.

Check back for Much Ado About Nothing and The Tempest tickets on London Theatre.

Inside No 9 – Stage/Fright

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are bringing their dark comic TV hit Inside No 9 to theatre. Stage/Fright will feature an original story, but with some of the familiar and beloved characters from the show, and makes its world debut in the West End in January 2025.

The full cast is yet to be announced, but we’ll likely see some big comedy names appearing alongside Pemberton and Shearsmith, who are performing in the show. Both have theatre experience: Pemberton was in the recent West End revival of The Pillowman, and Shearsmith’s credits include Hangmen and The Unfriend.

Check back for Stage/Fright tickets on London Theatre.

Play On!

Duke Ellington meets Shakespeare in this new jazz musical take on Twelfth Night. Vy is a songwriter trying to make it in 1940s Harlem, but struggling to be taken seriously in a man’s world. Soon she’s swept up by club owner The Duke and nightclub singer Lady Liv – and in a big muddle of mistaken identities.

This toe-tapping twist on a classic tale is directed by Michael Buffong, artistic director of Talawa, and features the stylish environs of New York’s Cotton Club, Ellington’s glorious music, and propulsive street dance moves. Start your 2025 with a bang!

Book Play On! tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: My Neighbour Totoro (Photograph courtesy of the production)