Theatre
Preview
Everything new coming to the West End in 2026
Our mega round-up of all the new shows heading to London across the New Year
There’s a lot to get excited about in London theatre for 2026. We’ve got huge Broadway musicals finally making their way across the pond, major Hollywood stars taking to our stages, and untold stories finally getting their moment.
JANUARY
Already Perfect
Arriving 9 Jan, The King’s Head Theatre
Tony Award-winner Levi Kreis brings this brand-new musical to the stage at the start of the year, in which he’ll play himself. Preparing to have his Broadway show filmed for the archives, Kreis spirals in his dressing room, until a confrontation with his sponsor Ben splits the room. Out of the crack in time steps Kreis’ younger self – brash, confident, and ready to lead Kreis on a journey through his memories that he’ll never forget. You’ll only have until 15 Feb to catch this one, so don’t delay.
Cirque Du Soleil: OVO
Arriving 9 Jan, Royal Albert Hall
The world-famous circus outfit return to the Royal Albert Hall, this time to immerse audiences in the fascinating world of OVO. Packed full of unbelievable acrobatics inspired by the smallest things in nature, OVO is a celebration of creepy crawlies both real and imagined. With dazzling design and a Brazilian-inspired live score, this explosion of colour and energy is exactly what January needs.
Black Is The Color Of My Voice
12 Jan & 19 Jan, Duchess Theatre
Following sell-out seasons in Adelaide, Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh and London, Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play inspired by the life of Nina Simone tours the UK. Black Is The Color Of My Voice will make two stops at the Duchess Theatre this January, to tell the story of a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after her father’s death.
Sunny Afternoon
Arriving 15 Jan, Alexandra Palace Theatre
The Olivier Award Best New Musical winner returns to London to tell the story of one of Britain’s greatest bands, The Kinks. Packed with hits from the band’s catalogue including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’ and ‘All Day And All Of The Night’, Sunny Afternoon is set in a Britain on the brink of the rebellious 60s, as The Kinks traverse the highs and lows of their career.
Mrs President
Arriving 23 Jan, Charing Cross Theatre
Star of stage and screen Keala Settle comes to the West End to star as Mary Lincoln, navigating life after the death of her husband. Under scrutiny, she turns to Matthew Brady, the world’s first celebrity photographer, to help her redefine her image and her story. But as their relationship deepens, the lines between artist and subject become blurred. Reimagined by director Bronagh Lagan following its original staging at the Charing Cross Theatre in 2025, make sure to get in and see it before it leaves on 8 March.
Arcadia
Arriving 24 Jan, The Old Vic
Two centuries apart in the same house, genius burns. A teenage prodigy studies mathematics as the adults around her fail to hide their passion. Many years later, scholars pursue the ghosts of that household, in a quest for greater understanding of the universe and of each other. Carrie Cracknell directs this new staging of the electric masterpiece from the late Tom Stoppard.
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Arriving 29 Jan, Theatre Royal Haymarket
This new musical arrives in the West End pursued by a lot of buzz, after a sold-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre. Adapted by Rachel Joyce from her best-selling novel and featuring music from chart-topping singer-songwriter Passenger, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry follows an ordinary man pulled out of his ordinary life when a letter from a long-lost friend sets him on an unexpected quest.
I’m Sorry, Prime Minister
Arriving 29 Jan, Apollo Theatre
BAFTA Award-winning co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister Jonathon Lynn brings the long-awaited final chapter of the British political satire to the stage. Jim Hacker is hoping for a quiet retirement at the tranquil Hacker College, Oxford, until he finds himself cancelled by the college committee. Can Sir Humphrey Appleby help him outmanoeuvre everyone?
FEBRUARY
Shadowlands
Arriving 5 Feb, Aldwych Theatre
Hugh Bonneville stars in this new revival of William Nicholson’s West End hit. Celebrated author C.S. Lewis finds his life unexpectedly changed by the love of American poet Joy Davidman, who transforms his orderly academic life. Following a sell-out run at the Chichester Festival Theatre, Shadowlands comes to the West End for a strictly limited season.
Marie & Rosetta
Arriving 28 Feb, @sohoplace
The untold story of the godmothers of rock ‘n’ roll comes to sohoplace in February, starring electric musical theatre talents Beverley Knight and Ntombizodwa Ndlovu. It’s 1946 in Mississippi, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s exuberant guitar playing has changed gospel music. Saintly young singer Marie Knight agrees to join her on tour, but first Sister Rosetta has to teach her to throw off the opinions of the straight-laced church folk and put a little more swing in her style. Featuring a ton of rock and gospel hits, this roof-raiser is not one to miss.
MARCH
I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical
Arriving 5 Mar, Peacock Theatre
The incredible story of multi-platinum-selling artist and Grammy winner Chaka Khan comes to the stage, starring singer and musical theatre performer Alexandra Burke. Featuring not only hits from Chaka but from an array of famous friends, this brand-new musical shines the spotlight on the woman behind the music. I’m Every Woman will play at the Peacock Theatre for four weeks early, so mark your calendars.
Teeth ‘N’ Smiles
Arriving 13 Mar, Duke of York’s Theatre
Celebrating 50 years since the original staging, David Hare’s rebel play returns to London to tell the story of Maggie Frisby. Once the voice of 60s counterculture, her band is scattered, and Maggie is left disillusioned. Still, fuelled by booze and fury, she’s tearing through the night, unwilling to let her voice die. Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka pop star Self Esteem, stars.
Kinky Boots
Arriving 17 Mar, London Coliseum
The award-winning musical struts back into the West End this March to deliver a big dose of joy. This brand-new production stars Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe as drag queen Lola who forms an unlikely alliance with Charlie Price, a young man who has recently inherited his father’s shoe factory. Together, the two come up with an unorthodox solution to both their problems. A larger-than-life celebration of individuality and unity, you won’t want to miss this one when it heads to the London Coliseum for a 17-week run.
Inter Alia
Arriving 19 Mar, Wyndham’s Theatre
Jessica Parks’ career as a London Crown Court Judge exists ‘inter alia’ – among other things, like motherhood, friendship and the pressure to have it all. Her life is carefully balanced, but when an unlikely event rocks her world, will she be able to hold it all together? This “swaggering epic” from Olivier Award-winning writer Suzie Miller transfers to the West End following a sold-out, critically-acclaimed run at the National Theatre.
APRIL
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Arriving 1 April, The Old Vic
Chief Bromden has lived silently in his psychiatric facility for years, but he has a story to tell. When provocateur Randle P. McMurphy arrives, it sparks something in Bromden and the other patients that reminds them what it once meant to be free. Based on Ken Kesey’s masterpiece, Clint Dyer’s bold new version stars Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera and invites audiences to consider the original story in a new light.
Grace Pervades
Arriving 24 Apr, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Ralph Fiennes stars as Sir Henry Irving, the greatest actor of the Victorian age, in this celebrated new play from David Hare. Fresh from a sell-out run at the Theatre Royal Bath, Fiennes and Miranda Raison tell the story of Irving’s relationship with actress Ellen Terry after she joins his Lyceum Theatre company, and how their unique bond changed theatre forever.
MAY
High Society
Arriving 19 May, Barbican Theatre
Golden age musical theatre returns to London this summer with the revival of this Cole Porter classic. Helen George stars as socialite Tracy Lord, as plans for the society wedding of the year devolve into chaos, all whilst a beady-eyed reporter hunts for scandal. With a 28-strong cast and a lavish design, this is set to be a theatrical treat.
Beetlejuice
Arriving 20 May, Prince Edward Theatre
The musical adaptation of the Tim Burton classic finally arrives from Broadway, to deliver a story that’s spooky, twisted, and strangely heart-warming. When motherless teenager Lydia Deetz feels her life is moving outside of her control, she calls on the afterlife for help – and finds two bumbling ghosts and a demonic ghoul named Beetlejuice at her beck and call. However, Beetlejuice isn’t quite as altruistic as he might pretend… Definitely make sure to secure your seats for this one.
JULY
Ivanov
Arriving 4 July, Bridge Theatre
Chris Pine comes to the West End to star in Chekhov’s tragicomedy this summer. Nikolai has forgotten how to be happy – or perhaps he never was in the first place. With a perfect wife and a successful career, everything in his life is in place, and a few debts and his wife’s illness should be manageable hurdles. Will a party at the Lebedevs’ be the stage he needs to save his marriage, his career and his will to life?
OCTOBER
Dirty Dancing
Arriving 16 October, Capital Theatre
The musical phenomenon returns to the stage in a new purpose-built venue this October, a space designed to transport you to Kellerman’s resort in the summer of ’63 where Baby’s meeting with dance instructor Johnny Castle turns her world upside down. This fresh take on the classic story features a soundtrack of 35 familiar hits and a huge company of over 40 performers. It’s never been more guaranteed – you really will have the time of your life.
