Top 10 Best Plays in London 2025
The West End is synonymous with the bright lights, gripping plots and soaring melodies of the very best theatre shows in London, and if you're looking for intimate dramas, rib-tickling comedies and gripping whodunnits, there is nowhere we'd recommend more! Big names are a familiar sight in West End plays so you’ve even got the chance to see your favourite actor live on stage!
Major revivals, bold new work and magical book-to-stage adaptations make the best plays in London a bright and varied bunch no matter your tastes. If you’re not sure where to start, here are the shows we think will make your next trip to the theatre the best yet.
Picked your perfect play? Check out London plays, for the next 7 days for offers, the latest availability and discounts for shows in London over the next 7 days!
Major revivals, bold new work and magical book-to-stage adaptations make the best plays in London a bright and varied bunch no matter your tastes. If you’re not sure where to start, here are the shows we think will make your next trip to the theatre the best yet.
Picked your perfect play? Check out London plays, for the next 7 days for offers, the latest availability and discounts for shows in London over the next 7 days!
1. The Mousetrap: still gripping after 70 years
With a clever surprise ending that’s been faithfully protected by audiences for 70 years, this West End institution is the ultimate murder mystery. Queen of Crime Agatha Christie brings all the best tropes of the genre to this fantastic play: an unknown killer; an isolated country house; and enough twists and turns to have even the smartest amateur detectives second-guessing whodunnit until the final moments.
2. The Play That Goes Wrong: the West End’s funniest show
Join the hopeless Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society as they perform a 1920s murder mystery where legs aren’t the only thing being broken! With sets collapsing and the cast going spectacularly off-script, this Olivier Award-winning delight from Mischief Theatre follows in the hazardous footsteps of Noises Off and has become one of the most popular plays in London. It is perfect for fans of Britain's fine tradition of unpredictable slapstick comedy.
3. My Neighbour Totoro: Studio Ghibli magically realised on stage
Find your spirit with tickets to the "awe-inspiring" (Time Out) West End transfer of Studio Ghibli's beloved film on stage. This six-time Olivier Award winner is a breathtaking triumph from the Royal Shakespeare Company and Joe Hisaishi that has already enjoyed two sold-out seasons at the Barbican Theatre. Now, it is one of 2025's biggest theatre events for anyone who wants to escape into a world of whimsy, sisterhood and childhood imagination.
4. Fawlty Towers: Basil welcomes new guests in this hilarious play!
Que? You heard that right: Basil Fawlty is back in business and this time, he's welcoming you for a short but sweet stay in the West End. Written by the legendary John Cleese, this brand-new stage adaptation of the classic '70s sitcom is packed with your favourite characters - from bumbling Manuel to forgetful Major - nods to the show's funniest moments, and some extra surprises to keep you on your toes.
5. Stranger Things: phenomenal theatre in a new dimension
Unlock the spine-chilling secrets of Hawkins in this jaw-dropping 5-star prequel play, from the creators of the internationally-acclaimed Netflix series. In 1959, Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado are normal teens, in a normal town, until Henry Creel arrives... From the Duffer Brothers and an award-winning creative team comes an unparalleled theatrical experience that will shock, surprise and grip fans of the Upside Down.
6. Kyoto: a five star climate change thriller
We wouldn’t have bet on a play about the 1997 Climate Conference being one of the most gripping shows of the year, but Joe Robertson and Joe Murphy’s five-star Kyoto was without a doubt the runaway hit of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s 2024 season. Taught, intense and completely engrossing, this is political drama at its very best. With a magnetic performance from Tony Award winner Stephen Kunken as oil lobbyist Don Pearlman, this a must-see.
7. Witness for the Prosecution: Agatha Christie's courtroom drama
Few shows are staged in a venue as unique as London County Hall, which is home to a totally gripping courtroom drama about a young man accused of murder. You will be completely immersed in all of the twists, turns and drama of Agatha Christie's play, with seats available right at the heart of the action. You can even take a spot on the jury benches, and help decide the man's fate...
8. The Years: a dazzling history of a life through the decades
This stunning play, starring Gina McKee and Tuppence Middleton, transfers to the west end following a sell-out run at the Almeida theatre. Based on the award-winning novel by Nobel Laureate Annie Ernaux, five actors play one woman throughout all the stages of her life - from daughter to grandmother, through the swinging sixties to a post 9/11 21st century. Bold, moving and evocative, this “dazzling history of a time and of a life” (De Standaard der Letteren) has a strictly limited run at the Harold Pinter Theatre. Don’t miss out - book today.
9. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: the magic remains alive
The magical world of Harry Potter is back in this fantastic two-part family show, which follows Harry, Ron, Hermione and their teenage children as they grapple with the weight of the past and dark forces threaten to return. Featuring dazzling special effects that will completely enchant old and new fans of the franchise, remember to #KeepTheSecrets of this landmark production, which is brilliant entertainment for adult fans of the franchise and families wanting to share the magic together.
10. Unicorn: provocative polyamory play sparkles in the West End
This provocative and hilarious new play from Mike Bartlett (Cock, The 47th) trots into the Garrick theatre this February. From the outside married couple Nick and Polly seem to have it all - well paying jobs, beautiful children, a lovely home. But something is missing. Will bringing the enigmatic Kate into the mix add a bit of sparkle back into their relationship? Starring Stephen Mangan and Nicola Walker, fresh from sharing the screen on The Split, this polyamory comedy-drama promises a truly unique experience.
