a side by side of three theatre production posters

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Look, I really don’t like drawing attention to it, but I did go to drama school. And so the prospect of the curtain lifting on a dazzling new musical or thought-provoking play is a pretty darn exciting one for me. We’re being rather spoilt this year with the number of shows heading to the capital city, with the likes of Cynthia Erivo, Sadie Sink, and Self Esteem all gracing one of London’s legendary stages. So, without further ado – here are the best theatre shows opening in London in 2026.

Theatre shows opening in London in January Already Perfect

🎭 What? A hopeful, honest, and uplifting new musical about identity, self-reckoning, and what it takes to make peace with yourself and your story.

📍Where? King’s Head Theatre, Islington

🗓️ When? January 9 – February 15

Sunny Afternoon A previous production photo of Sunny Afternoon - 4 people on stage, playing different instrumentsCredit: Kevin Cummins

🎭 What? An Olivier Award-winning musical documenting the highs and lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands, The Kinks.

📍Where? Alexandra Palace Theatre

🗓️ When? January 15 – January 31

Beautiful Little Fool

🎭 What? The story of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, told through the eyes of their adult daughter, Scottie, years after the parties of the Roaring Twenties are over.

📍Where? Southwark Playhouse

🗓️ When? January 15 – February 28

American Psycho

🎭 What? A dark and thrilling musical, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis.

📍Where? Almeida Theatre

🗓️ When? January 23 – March 14

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Actors on stage during a production of the unlikely pilgrimage of Harold FryCredit: Brinkhoff Moegenburg

🎭 What? A funny, profound, and life-affirming new musical about an ordinary man heading on a pilgrimage of love, humanity, and second chances.

📍Where? Theatre Royal Haymarket

🗓️ When? January 29 – April 18

Theatre shows opening in London throughout 2026 Dracula Poster of new 'Dracula' production and headshot of Cynthia Erivo, who will star in all 23 roles in the playCredit: Mark Seliger

🎭 What? A heart-racing reimagining of the classic horror – with Cynthia Erivo taking on all 23 roles. Yes, really.

📍Where? Noël Coward Theatre

🗓️ When? February 4 – May 30

TEETH ‘N’ SMILES The artwork for TEETH 'N' SMILES, featuring a woman with the title of the show covering her mouth like tapeCredit: Jono White

🎭 What? Rebecca Lucy Taylor (AKA Self Esteem) makes her West End debut as the explosive lead singer of a failing band in the 50th anniversary of David Hare’s rebel play.

📍Where? Duke of York’s Theatre

🗓️ When? March 13 – June 6

Romeo and Juliet Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe on the poster of the new Romeo and Juliet revival in LondonCredit: Helen Murray

🎭 What? Sadie Sink and Noah Jupe make their West End debuts in the timelessly tragic tale of love, loss, and innocence.

📍Where? Harold Pinter Theatre

🗓️ When? March 16 – June 6

Kinky Boots

🎭 What? Strictly’s Johannes Radebe stars as larger-than-life drag queen, Lola, in this dazzlingly joyous new production of identity, self-acceptance, and friendship.

📍Where? London Coliseum

🗓️ When? March 17 – July 11

Avenue Q

The Avenue Q announcement image

🎭 What? The charmingly mischievous musical about life on New York’s rundown Avenue Q returns to to the West End twenty years after its debut.

📍Where? Shaftesbury Theatre

🗓️ When? March 20 – August 29

The Last Five Years

🎭 What? Two musical theatre powerhouses (Rachel Zegler and Ben Platt) join forces for a very special limited-time run of Jason Robert Brown’s beloved musical.

📍Where? The London Palladium

🗓️ When? March 24 – March 29

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Poster for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's NestCredit: Old Vic Theatre

🎭 What? Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera star in this bold new reimagining of Ken Kesey’s countercultural masterpiece.

📍Where? Old Vic Theatre

🗓️ When? April 1 – May 23

Grace Pervades Ralph Fiennes and Miranda Raison on stage in Grace PervadesCredit: Marc Brenner

🎭 What? Ralph Fiennes and Miranda Raiso will star in a play about the extraordinary story of Henry Irving and Ellen Terry, the greatest stars of the Victorian stage.

📍Where? Theatre Royal Haymarket

🗓️ When? April 24 – July 11

1536

🎭 What? An electrifying drama about three working-class women in rural Essex during the period in which King Henry VIII was married to Anne Boleyn.

📍Where? Ambassadors Theatre

🗓️ When? May 2 – August 1

End of the Rainbow

The announcment image for End of the Rainbow

🎭 What? Beloved drag queen, Jinkx Monsoon takes to the stage in this bittersweet story of Judy Garland, the voice that defined a generation.

📍Where? Soho Theatre, Walthamstow

🗓️ When? May 15 – June 21

High Society

🎭 What? A delicious dollop of Golden Age musical theatre featuring Helen George and Felicity Kendal.

📍Where? Barbican Theatre

🗓️ When? May 19 – July 11

Beetlejuice

Poster for Beetlejuice the musical, which lands in London in 2026

🎭 What? The musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s weird and wonderful movie is finally landing in the West End, following a few successful stints on Broadway.

📍Where? Prince Edward Theatre

🗓️ When? May 26, 2026 – April, 2027

Jesus Christ Superstar

The announcement poster for Jesus Christ Superstar

🎭 What? Sam Ryder will star as Jesus in the iconic musical written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

📍Where? The London Palladium

🗓️ When? June 20 – September 5

Pride The poster for Pride, a new musicalCredit: National Theatre

🎭 What? A funny and fiercely heartfelt retelling of a true story about two threatened communities that band together and discover they have more in common than they could have ever imagined.

📍Where? National Theatre

🗓️ When? June 11 – September 12

CATS

🎭 What? One of the West End’s longest running musicals of all time is returning to London, but this time for an al-fresco performance. Sounds pretty purr-fect, right?

📍Where? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

🗓️ When? July 25 – September 12