Top 10 Best Plays in London 2022-23
The West End may be synonymous with the bright lights and soaring melodies of its hit musicals, but it’s also one of the best places to experience intimate dramas, rib-tickling comedies and gripping whodunnits. Big names are a common 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. 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.
Major revivals, bold new work and magical book-to-stage adaptations make the best plays in London a bright and varied bunch. 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.
1. To Kill a Mockingbird: a powerful adaptation of the classic novel
save £18.50![To Kill A Mockingbird London]()
![To Kill A Mockingbird London]()
Harper Lee's tale of racism and injustice in the Southern states of America is a runaway hit in the West End, after huge acclaim on Broadway. Richard Coyle stars as lawyer Atticus Finch, with a script by Academy Award winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network). This tense and engaging courtroom drama is a hot ticket with 5 star reviews.
2. Good: David Tennant wows in a dark, compelling drama
David Tennant delivers an incredible performance in this gripping drama about a German professor who finds his morals tested as the Nazi Party comes into power. Playwright C.P. Taylor's classic is a powerful exploration of how and why so many "good" people enabled a fascist regime, and director Dominic Cooke's production is a challenging and relevant revival.
3. A Christmas Carol: the Old Vic's festive tradition
The Old Vic's annual festive treat returns this year, with Owen Teale taking on the iconic role of Scrooge. Snuggle up and immerse yourselves in this warming tale of charity, selflessness and community - it's become a firm favourite amongst London audiences wanting to get into the Christmas spirit.
4. Best of Enemies: a dynamic and insightful political play
No fees![Best of Enemies London]()
![Best of Enemies London]()
Playwright James Graham has turned his pen to all manner of political and cultural curiosities, including the infamous Coughing Major in Quiz and the rat-race of tabloid journalism in Ink. His latest work about the debates that changed American politics stars Zachary Quinto and David Harewood as Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr. Funny, charged and incisive, this fantastic play is in London for a limited season.
5. The Doctor: a gripping moral debate with Juliet Stevenson
Juliet Stevenson stars in this tense moral thriller, adapted and directed by theatrical heavyweight Robert Icke. Having previously opened to huge acclaim at the Almeida Theatre, this story about a Jewish doctor who finds herself embroiled in a controversy about religion, ethics and identity was an instant conversation starter. Join the debate during its anticipated transfer to the West End.
6. 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 award-winning delight from Mischief Theatre follows in the hazardous footsteps of Noises Off and is perfect for fans of Britain's fine tradition of unpredictable slapstick comedy.
7. Life of Pi: Yann Martel's novel transformed into a visual feast
Black Friday![Life of Pi London]()
![Life of Pi London]()
This acclaimed production of Yann Martel’s Booker Prize-winning novel has wowed audiences in the West End with a breath-taking world of adventure, friendship and imagination. Extraordinary puppets conjure the sights and sounds of monkeys, birds and the fearsome tiger Richard Parker in the Wyndham's Theatre auditorium. This Olivier Award-winning theatrical achievement isn't one to miss.
8. 2:22 A Ghost Story: a star-studded supernatural thriller
This spine-tingling supernatural thriller has hooked audiences at three different West End theatres since 2021, thanks to a tense but captivating story about a possibly haunted dinner party. The edge-of-your-seat play features a starry cast (including Laura Whitmore and Matt Willis) and plenty of bumps in the night! Do you dare join them to discover the truth?
9. Witness for the Prosecution: Agatha Christie's courtroom drama
save £21.50![Witness for the Prosecution London]()
![Witness for the Prosecution London]()
Few shows are staged in a venue as unique as London County Hall, home of this 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 - even on the jury benches.
10. The Mousetrap: still gripping after 70 years
With a surprise ending that’s been faithfully protected by audiences for 70 years, this West End institution is the ultimate murder mystery. 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 until the end.
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