Theatre
Feature
Celebrities on stage: all the big names playing the West End
Here’s your breakdown of all the A-listers you’ll be able to see live in London over the next few months
London has been inundated with big stars on its stages lately and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. From major musicals to gritty new dramas, there are lots of shows either already running or due to arrive soon that can count some pretty famous faces in their casts. This season, London welcomes Hollywood actors, chart-topping singers, and even Margot Robbie as a producer… Read on to find out who else will be treading the boards in London’s West End.
Oh, Mary!
Starring: Cole Escola, then Jinx Monsoon
Playing now at the Trafalgar Theatre
Original Broadway performer and show creator Cole Escola stars as Mary Lincoln at the Trafalgar Theatre – although this is not the Mary you think you know. This irreverent take on history reimagines Mary as a frustrated cabaret performer, with little regard for historical accuracy and a whole lot of laughs. When Escola departs the show on 15 Aug, Jinkx Monsoon is on hand to step into Mary’s shoes – you won’t want to miss either of them.
Hamilton
Starring: Leslie Odom Jr
Playing now at the Victoria Palace Theatre
Leslie Odom Jr, Broadway’s original Burr, takes his Tony-winning role to the West End for a limited run this summer. His Burr trails Alexander Hamilton through history, wondering how Hamilton always manages to stay one step ahead – until he doesn’t. You won’t want to miss his extraordinary performance.
The Oresteia
Starring: Mary-Louise Parker, David Morrissey, Tom Glynn-Carney and Rosie Sheehy
Playing now at the Bridge Theatre
There’s a lot of talent in this reimagined Greek tragedy, brought to the stage by Simon Stone. Mary-Louise Parker (The Sound Inside), David Morrissey (Gone), Tom Glynn-Carney (House Of The Dragon) and Rosie Sheehy (The Brightening Air) star in this twisted family drama turned gruesome thriller, which follows one wealthy London family’s journey from passive aggression and blood money to full-on aggression and lots of blood. Catch it at the Bridge Theatre.
The Devil Wears Prada
Starring: Vanessa Williams
Playing now at the Dominion Theatre
Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives) reigns as the terrifying Miranda Priestly until 19 September 2026, so there’s still time to witness just how formidably she commands the stage. A former Miss America winner, Williams understands just how cutthroat the fashion and beauty industry can be better than anyone – and her Miranda certainly takes no prisoners.
Cabaret
Starring: Jamie Muscato, Joy Woods
Playing now at the Playhouse Theatre
Jamie Muscato and Joy Woods are the latest names unveiled as part of the Cabaret cast, playing the Emcee and Sally Bowles respectively. At the Kit Kat Club in the Playhouse Theatre, Berliners come to forget their troubles and be entertained – but there’s a darkness spreading through the city outside that can’t be held at bay forever. Woods stars until 5 Sept, whilst Muscato continues until 19 Sept.
Cyrano de Bergerac
Starring: Adrian Lester
Playing now at the Noël Coward Theatre
Olivier Award-winner Adrian Lester (Riviera, Hustle) will make you laugh and cry as wordsmith and soldier Cyrano, who can do seemingly anything except be vulnerable with the woman he loves. When Roxanne falls instead for the handsome but not intellectually gifted Christian, Cyrano steps in to help the lad out, and find an outlet for the words he can’t speak aloud. Catch it before it leaves on 5 Sept.
1536
Producer: Margo Robbie
Playing now at the Ambassador’s Theatre
With Margo Robbie’s LuckyChap attached to produce, the transfer of 1536 to the West End is set to be a big event. The cast is an exciting mix of talent as well, with Liv Hill (Three Girls), Siena Kelly (Black Mirror, Adult Material) and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education, A Mirror) all set to reprise their roles from the Almeida Run. Expect a vibrant, surprisingly modern historical drama about female friendship in an anti-woman world.
I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical
Starring: Alexandra Burke
Playing now at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
Returning to London this summer, I’m Every Woman – The Chaka Khan Musical boasts X-Factor alum and platinum-selling recording artist Alexandra Burke in the titular role. Burke takes centre stage as Chaka’s incredible life story unfolds, in a show that celebrates her extraordinary five-career.
“Almost seventeen years ago, with my late mother by my side, I sang Chaka for my very first non-televised audition for The X Factor,” said Burke of the casting. “To think that all these years later I’ve been given the opportunity to play the superstar that is Chaka Khan in the West End would have been simply unimaginable for me back then… This truly is a dream role for me, my first originating, and I’m still pinching myself wondering if I’m dreaming!”
Abigail’s Party
Starring: Tamzin Outhwaite
Opens 12 Aug at the Harold Pinter Theatre
TV star Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, Red Cap, Hotel Babylon) takes on the role of Beverly in Mike Leigh’s ferocious black comedy of suburban life in the 1970s. As Beverly hosts friends and neighbours at her Essex home, it soon becomes clear that the real party is raging next door, thrown by Sue’s teenage daughter Abigail. Small talk soon becomes inappropriate flirtation, awkward bickering and all kinds of tension…
Hadestown
Starring: Nathan Sykes
From 15 Sept at the Lyric Theatre
The Wanted‘s Nathan Sykes plays Orpheus this autumn as a new cast comes to the Lyric Theatre, also including Olivier Award winner Danielle de Niese (Rise and Fall of The City of Mahagonny) as Persephone. Now is as good a time as any to experience this truly phenomenal take on one of the most beautiful – and heartbreaking – Greek myths.
The Standard Of Living
Starring: Rory Kinnear
Opens 21 Sept at the Theatre Royal Haymarket
What is a good life? James Graham is heading back to the West End with The Standard of Living, a world premiere drama about economist John Maynard Keynes. Olivier Award winner Rory Kinnear will play Keynes, opposite Royal Ballet principal Natalia Osipova making her West End acting debut as Lydia Lopokova, the celebrated Russian dancer who became Keynes’ wife. In the tradition of Graham’s pieces (Best Of Enemies, Dear England, Punch) this promises to be a powerful watch.
Oliver!
Starring: Matt Lucas
From 22 Sept at the Gielgud Theatre
Matt Lucas joins Cameron Mackintosh’s hugely successful revival of Oliver! this September, playing gang leader Fagin for a six-week run as Simon Lipkin steps away to take paternity leave. “I’ve always wanted to appear in Oliver!” said Lucas. “It was the first West End musical I ever saw, aged 6, and I adored it. Apparently, despite my considerable range, I am considered slightly too old now to play the title role, so instead I shall be appearing as Fagin.”
Hay Fever
Starring: Christine Baranski, Richard E Grant
Opens 22 Sept at Wyndham’s Theatre
Emmy and two-time Tony winner Christine Baranski makes her West End debut opposite Academy Award nominee Richard E Grant in Noël Coward’s classic comedy this autumn, brought to the stage in a new revival production by Emily Burns. Baranski stars as Judith Bliss, the retired actress wistfully recalling her heyday. When she attempts to soothe the ache by inviting a young fan to stay, she is unaware that the other Blisses – her husband David and children Sorrel and Simon – have each invited guests of their own. What follows is a lot of chaos and not a lot of compromise…
RENT
Starring: Gaten Matarazzo
Opens 26 Sept at the Duke of York’s Theatre
Stranger Things alum Gaten Matarazzo leads this major new revival of one of the most defining works of musical theatre ever put to stage. Jonathon Larson’s RENT returns to the West End 30 years after its premiere, helmed by Oliver Award-winning director Luke Sheppard. Matarazzo plays Mark, the aspiring filmmaker documenting the lives of his friends as they chase art, love and survival through one unforgettable year. This one’s going to be spectacular.
The Cherry Orchard
Starring: Kristin Scott Thomas, Stephen Mangan
Opens 3 Oct at the Harold Pinter Theatre
Academy Award nominee Kristin Scott Thomas returns to Chekov almost twenty years after her Olivier-winning turn in The Seagull. This time she’ll be starring in The Cherry Orchard, Chekov’s brilliant tragicomedy about family and change, playing Lyubov Ranevskaya as she returns to her childhood estate to find the old way of life under threat. Joining her is actor and comedian Stephen Mangan, starring opposite her as Lopakhin. Olivier and Tony Award nominated Director Ian Rickson and Olivier Award winner Conor McPherson bring this one to the stage.
The Lives Of Others
Starring: Keira Knightly, Luke Thompson
Opens 14 Oct at the Adelphi Theatre
Academy Award-winner Kiera Knightly and Olivier Award-nominee Luke Thompson star in Robert Icke’s new adaptation of the 2007 Oscar-winning film. In East Germany, 1984, a writer and actor are placed under state surveillance, listened in on and observed by the Stasi man who lives in the attic over their apartment. But is he only witnessing the couple, or is he being changed by them? Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s brilliant drama comes to the West End for a limited run this autumn.
High School Musical
Starring: Harry Judd, KayCee Stroh
Opens 12 Oct at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
McFly’s Harry Judd steps into Coach Bolton’s trainers as High School Musical returns to the London stage. “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining this incredible new production of High School Musical,” said Judd. “It’s such an iconic film that meant so much to me growing up and now getting to share that same excitement with my own family— makes this even more special.” He’s joined by original cast member KayCee Stroh, who played Martha in the film series, and now takes on the role of Ms Darbus for the stage.
Ivanov
Starring: Chris Pine
Opens 27 Jul 2027 at the Bridge Theatre
Chris Pine stars in this startling modern revival of Chekov’s tragicomedy, created by the same team that brought The Lady From The Sea to life. Nikolai has forgotten how to be happy. It might be his debts, it might be his wife’s health concerns, it might be burnout, or it might be nothing at all. Whatever’s causing it, it’s time to get his life and marriage back on track, and the Lebedevs’ party might be just the place to do it…
