Top West End musicals to see this summer

This essential list features all the musicals, from Kiss Me, Kate to Hello, Dolly!, that are perfect for a summer trip to the West End, whatever the weather.

Summer in London means one thing: it's musicals season! Sure, we have fantastic musical theatre in the capital all year round, but the sunnier months always seem to be a particularly exciting time for big song-and-dance shows – ideal for filling the school holidays with family trips to spectacular productions.

You’ll find plenty of blockbuster West End entertainment this summer, thanks to the likes of Kiss, Me Kate, Hello, Dolly!, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Wizard of Oz.

Or, if you prefer your musicals outdoors, you’re in luck there too, as Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre gets set for Fiddler on the Roof. The open-air venue always puts on a great musical – it's tradition!

Follow our guide to the best summer musicals in London that you can book for now, and get ready for a hot, hot, hot season of theatre.

Kiss Me, Kate

Cole Porter’s beloved backstage musical gets an exciting revival at the Barbican this summer, with Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar and Tony-winning Broadway leading lady Stephanie J Block playing the warring exes who are mounting a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew.

The supporting cast in Bartlett Sher’s production include Georgina Onuorah, Nigel Lindsay, Hammed Animashaun and Peter Davison. So, brush up your Shakespeare and prepare for a sizzling production – it’s going to be too darn hot!

Book Kiss Me, Kate tickets on London Theatre.

Hello, Dolly!

This lavish and long-awaited Hello, Dolly!, starring Imelda Staunton as the titular matchmaker who spies a potential husband for herself, is finally making hitting the West End in summer 2024 – and it promises to be a match made in heaven.

Dominic Cooke, who directed the incredible Follies at the National, is at the helm, and this fabulous company also features Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Tyrone Huntley and Harry Hepple. It’s a classic musical gloriously reborn.

Book Hello, Dolly! tickets on London Theatre.

Mrs Doubtfire

The film comedy favourite Mrs Doubtfire, starring Robin Williams, has been transformed into a stage musical, and it's now a massive hit in the West End – there’s truly something for everyone in this big-hearted, innovative show.

Gabriel Vick plays Daniel, the feckless father who, by dressing up as the titular Scottish nanny, learns to be a better father, partner, and man. But there’s also plenty of slapstick fun and great songs along the way — the perfect summer family fare.

Book Mrs. Doubtfire tickets on London Theatre.

The Wizard of Oz

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to this star-studded production of The Wizard of Oz, featuring songs from the original beloved movie musical, plus fantastic additions by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Flying over the rainbow in this family summer musical are Aviva Tulley, Aston Merrygold (from JLS), Benjamin Yates, Nic Greenshields, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne. There’s no place like home… except possibly the West End!

Book The Wizard of Oz tickets on London Theatre.

Fiddler on the Roof

There’s nothing more blissful than enjoying a top-notch musical in the sunshine – and, when the British weather cooperates, that’s exactly what you get at the magical Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

This year, they’re giving us a new production of Fiddler on the Roof, in which Tevye the milkman is trying to get his five daughters wed – and to balance new ideas with cherished traditions. Jordan Fein, co-director on Oklahoma! at the Young Vic, is directing.

Book Fiddler on the Roof tickets on London Theatre.

Mean Girls

Get in, loser – we’re going to London! Yes, the Broadway musical version of the iconic Tina Fey-scripted movie comedy is finally coming to the West End, and it’s going to be one of the hottest tickets of the summer.

Follow Cady Heron as she navigates the treacherous world of high school, and infiltrates The Plastics: queen bee Regina George and her sidekicks Karen and Gretchen. It’s got all the brilliant characters and lines from the film, plus new songs and jokes. That’s so fetch!

Book Mean Girls tickets on London Theatre.

Starlight Express

Another incredible summer musical coming down the tracks is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic Starlight Express, which is back in town in a completely fresh production helmed by & Juliet and The Little Big Things director Luke Sheppard.

The Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre will be completely transformed into an immersive arena for this rollerskating spectacular, but you’ll also get a fantastic blast of nostalgia from Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe’s 80s pop-rock score. Full steam ahead!

Book Starlight Express tickets on London Theatre.

A Chorus Line

Still a singular sensation, this legendary musical puts the spotlight on the hard-working members of the chorus. Michael Bennett interviewed dancers about their real experiences and put them into this raw, funny and inspiring show about what we do for love.

Nikolai Foster’s brand-new (not replica) production hits Sadler’s Wells this summer, following its impressive Leicester Curve run. Former Royal Ballet principal Adam Cooper stars as dictatorial director Zach alongside Carly Mercedes Dyer as his old flame Cassie.

Book A Chorus Line tickets on London Theatre.

Heathers The Musical

London just can’t get enough of this musical adaptation of the darkly funny high school movie, which originally starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. Following its long West End stint, school’s back in session for an encore summer run at Soho Place.

Outcast Veronica Sawyer is unexpectedly snapped up by the indomitable Heathers clique. But when new boy JD appears, the cut-throat battle for teen popularity takes a turn for the (literally) murderous. Andy Fickman directs this cult-hit show. How very…

Book Heathers The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Next to Normal

Another thought-provoking entry in the summer musicals diary is Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Pulitzer-winning Broadway show Next to Normal. It follows a woman with bipolar disorder and tackles big issues like grief, depression, and addiction.

This West End transfer following a hugely acclaimed run at the Donmar Warehouse, with returning cast including Caissie Levy (the original onstage Elsa in Frozen and Molly in Ghost) and Trevor Dion Nicholas (Hamilton, Bonnie & Clyde, and Aladdin in the West End).

Book Next to Normal tickets on London Theatre.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

This summer is an exciting time for new British musicals in the West End, including this total gem of a two-hander. It’s a romcom with a modern twist, and charmingly played by the Olivier-winning Sam Tutty and rising star Dujonna Gift.

Bumbling Brit Dougal and cynical New Yorker Robin meet as Dougal’s estranged dad prepares to marry Robin’s high-powered sister. Will they succumb to the magic of the city, and to each other? Grab a slice of this perfectly sweet treat.

Book Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) tickets on London Theatre.

Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder!

Another fantastic British success story is this new musical by Jon Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones, about misfit duo Kathy and Stella and how their Hull-based true crime podcast takes off when their favourite author is murdered – and they try to crack the case.

This sharply funny, endlessly creative show is really more about friendship than dead bodies, and it’s powered by the chemistry between Bronté Barbé and Rebekah Hinds. The West End cast for this summer run also features Hannah Jane Fox, Elliot Broadfoot, David Slatter, Imelda Warren-Green and Elliotte Williams-N’Dure.

Book Kathy and Stella Solve A Murder! tickets on London Theatre.

Guys & Dolls

Fancy a holiday to the Big Apple this summer? Well, you can get the next best thing – plus amazing musical performances from the likes of Celinde Schoenmaker – at the fabulously immersive Guys & Dolls at the Bridge Theatre.

Nicholas Hytner’s production of Frank Loesser’s wonderful musical comedy plunges you into the streets of New York – from the clubs and diners to the sewers where the gamblers bet big. Lady luck is definitely smiling on this production.

Book Guys & Dolls tickets on London Theatre.