12 Exciting New Shows in London in 2025

Alec Leamas is ready to retire from his long career in the British Intelligence Agency - until his boss tempts him with one last, deeply personal and highly dangerous job. Undercover in enemy territory, Leamas finds himself falling for librarian Liz Gold. Will his convictions or his heart win out? Adapted from the acclaimed novel by John le Carré, this stylish play marks the first time Le Carré’s work has been performed on stage, and comes to London following a sell-out run in Chichester.

American playwright Arthur Miller is one of the most-performed in the world, with classics including Broken Glass and Death of a Salesman exploring the crushing reality of the American Dream. This year, visionary director Ivo van Hove teams up with Hollywood actor Bryan Cranston for a heartbreaking revival of All My Sons. Set post-World War II, this tragic play follows one family as their patriarch must contend with the consequences of his wartime decisions.

All aboard as the stage adaptation of the Academy Award-winning Western film pulls into London this December. When a figure from Will Kane’s past threatens his future, he must make a tough decision. As the clock ticks down in real time, Will must choose if he should stay and face his demons, or flee on the high noon train with his beloved. High Noon features an adapted script from the Oscar-winning writer behind Forrest Gump and stars Oliver and Tony winners Denise Gough and Billy Crudup.

This stunning solo show returns to London for a strictly limited run, following a critically acclaimed premiere at Sheffield Theatres and a run at the Southwark Playhouse. Co-written and performed by Olivier nominee Jack Holden (Cruise), this story of a small town who tackle a criminal bully and seek to take justice into their own hands is inspired by a jaw-dropping true story. Holden takes on over half a dozen roles in a “virtuoso solo performance” (The Stage), accompanied by live music performed on stage. You won’t want to miss it - secure your tickets today.

This hilarious history-ish play from Tony winner and Pulitzer finalist Cole Escola shoves aside her famous presidential husband, Abe, and puts Mary Todd Lincoln firmly in the spotlight. Delving into the hidden hopes, desires and troubles of the first lady in the weeks leading up to her husband's infamous assassination, Oh, Mary! puts a blackly satirical, tongue-in-cheek and fabulously queer slant on this famous couple. The long-awaited London transfer stars Mason Alexander Park (The Sandman, Cabaret) - dont miss this “smartly stupid riot” (Variety).

All your musical theatre wishes have come true this winter as Stephen Sondheim’s subversive fairytale musical returns to London in a brand new staging at the Bridge Theatre. Directed by Olivier Award winner Jordan Fein (Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof), Into the Woods takes beloved storybook characters and asks - what happens after happily ever after? Featuring beloved songs including “Agony” and “No One is Alone”, this promises to be a truly unmissable production of an iconic show. Make a wish for tickets!

This stunning new show from Succession writer and Bruntwood Prize for Playwrighting winner Anna Jordan comes to London for a strictly limited run to celebrate the 30th anniversary of acclaimed theatre company Frantic Assembly. Lost Atoms charts a relationship between two people as they traverse their past and imagine their future. Are they destined to be together, or doomed from the start? This kaleidoscopic love story is moving, funny and unmissable - book your tickets today.

When Harold’s humdrum life is disrupted by the news that an old friend is terminally ill, he copes in the most unexpected of ways - by setting out on an unplanned cross-country walk. As Harold traverses the country and shares small acts of kindness with strangers along the way, he uncovers forgotten memories about himself, too. This “pitch-perfect” (The Times) musical, based on the best-selling novel, stars Mark Addy (Game of Thrones) and Jenna Russell (Hello, Dolly!) and comes to London following a critically acclaimed run at Chichester Festival Theatre.

Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey Appleby return for one last laugh in this final chapter of the beloved comedy series. Griff Rhys Jones stars as Jim Hacker, who is now an Oxford don and seeks out his old pal as Sir Humphrey, played by Clive Francis, to help save him from cancellation. Written by BAFTA-winning Yes, Minister co-creator Jonathan Lynn, I’m Sorry Prime Minister is dedicated to Lynn’s late writing partner Antony Jay and is filled with nostalgia, biting political comedy and plenty of laughs. Secure your tickets today!

This powerful play about grief, love and police violence is a lyrical “verbal feast” (Chicago Tribune), mashing up heightened Shakespeare-inspired verse with hip hop rhythms in a piece that’s part magic realism, part brutal political examination, all dazzling. Written by the late Chadwick Boseman, best known for his acting work in Black Panther and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, the UK premiere of this breathtaking play comes to the Globe for a strictly limited run.

While it might “suck to be you”, it’ll suck just a little bit less this Spring as Avenue Q returns to the West End for the first time in over two decades. This hilarious, irreverent musical about a borough of New York populated by disaffected puppets and humans, who must muddle through life is “Sesame Street for grown-ups” (EW). Featuring hit songs including “It Sucks to be Me”, “The Internet is For P*rn” and “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist”, this equal opportunity offender is sidesplitting, silly and surprisingly heartfelt.

It’s showtime, London! This hilarious, Tony-nominated adaptation of the Tim Burton film has had rumours of a London transfer swirling since it premiered on Broadway in 2019, and now the West End can say his name at last. Lydia Deetz is grieving her mum and feels ignored by her dad, so she enlists mild-mannered ghosts, The Maitlands, to haunt him into caring again. But the couple are new to the whole "being dead thing", and when they fail to spook Lydia's dad, unhinged demon Beetlejuice steps in, and chaos ensues…