Get ready for an amazing 2025 London theatre lineup that includes major Hollywood stars, fresh musicals, the comeback of a blockbuster show, and a variety of plays and musicals.
London’s West End theatres are enjoying record ticket sales and drawing millions of pounds of investment as a pandemic-era tax break shifts talent from Broadway to London.
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.
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.
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.” Running into spring 2025, it’s a must-sea event.
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.
Book The Seagull tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk
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.
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 LondonTheatre.co.uk
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 LondonTheatre.co.uk
Much Ado About Nothing
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.
The Tempest has recently finished its run at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, but Much Ado is in full swing, with the hotshot Hollywood duo of Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell playing the sparring lovers Benedick and Beatrice.
‘Inside No. 9 — Stage/Fright’
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith are bringing their dark comic TV hit Inside No 9 to theatre. Stage/Fright features an original story, but with some of the familiar and beloved characters from the show.
Both Pemberton and Shearsmith, who are performing in the show, have theatre experience: Pemberton was in the recent West End revival of The Pillowman, and Shearsmith’s credits include Hangmen and The Unfriend.
