10 Exciting New Shows in London in 2024-2025
2024 has proven itself an incredible time for theatre in the capital, and a huge number of fantastic shows are gearing up to open over the next 12 months. As we head into the last weeks of the year, you can book now for lots of exciting London theatre shows in December and beyond that people will be hyping up for months to come! Expect the return of some of the biggest hits of yesteryear and new writing that will transport you all around the world from the comfort of your seat. There’s never been a better time to visit London and immerse yourself in a new play or musical.
Below, we have listed our pick of the most hyped, must-see plays and best musicals in London over the coming year. Get excited, but most importantly get booking so you don’t miss out on the shows everyone will be talking about!
Can't wait for opening night? Find a bargain on currently open shows in London with our Last Minute London Theatre page. Find the best offers and discounts and see which shows have late availability for the next 7 days!
Below, we have listed our pick of the most hyped, must-see plays and best musicals in London over the coming year. Get excited, but most importantly get booking so you don’t miss out on the shows everyone will be talking about!
Can't wait for opening night? Find a bargain on currently open shows in London with our Last Minute London Theatre page. Find the best offers and discounts and see which shows have late availability for the next 7 days!
1. 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.
2. Elektra: Brie Larson’s electrifying West End debut
Hollywood comes to London in 2025 as Academy Award winner Brie Larson makes her West End debut in a towering Greek tragedy. Best known for her acclaimed performances in Room and Captain Marvel, Larson teams up with director Daniel Fish, who led the bold new version of Oklahoma at the Young Vic. This is set to be a truly electrifying production with an unforgettable central performance.
3. 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. Book early for this, because it's a must-see when it opens in the West End
4. The Great Gatsby: this decadent new musical gets the green light
The Coliseum's big summer musical roars into London, fresh from Broadway! This “lush, bewitching, and dazzling” (The New York Times) musical adaptation of F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic delighted NYC audiences and snatched a Tony Award. With a jazz and pop-inspired score, lavish costumes and divine dance numbers on the biggest stage in London, this adaptation promises a “fresh and fun spin” (Entertainment Weekly) on the story of enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby. So pop the champagne, and come down to the swinging-est party in town - tickets are on sale now!
5. Richard II: Jonathan Bailey stars in an epic Shakespeare play
Set a date with a Shakespearean epic as Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) stars in Richard II at the Bridge Theatre. This is the first production at the venue after the five-star Guys and Dolls closes, and director Nicholas Hytner isn’t holding back - a brilliant actor and an incredible story of a frivolous king who is unfit to rule make this a must-see in 2025.
6. Hercules: a star is born with Disney's new musical!
Who put the “glad” in “gladiator”? The producers of this huge new West End musical, because Disney’s Hercules musical is confirmed to premiere at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in summer 2025. Featuring Alan Menken’s iconic songs, the heroic tale of a demi-god who discovers his own path and saves Mount Olympus is one of the biggest openings of the next 12 months.
7. Clueless the Musical: the 90s classic with songs by KT Tunstall
As if! It’s the film that inspired a generation to wear yellow plaid and always make sure their outfits were perfect, and now Clueless is bringing 90s nostalgia, fashion and fun to the West End. Written by the film’s screenwriter and director Amy Heckerling, this trendy new musical features original songs from KT Tunstall. It’s Clueless for the 21st century, and we’re buggin’! Get ready to roll with the homies and book your tickets now.
8. Unicorn: provocative polyamory play sparkles on 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.
9. Sing Street: heartwarming new musical from the makers of Once
This musical from the team behind Once promises to tug on audiences’ heartstrings when it opens at the Lyric Hammersmith. Based on the 2016 film, the musical is set in 1980s Dublin and follows 16-year-old Connor, who joins a band to impress his crush. Bursting with new-wave hits inspired by bands including Duran Duran and The Cure, and boasting a Tony Award-winning creative team, Sing Street had sell-out runs in Boston and New York, and is sure to have London audiences humming its tunes all the way home.
10. Manhunt: the chilling story of Raoul Moat
You might not know the name Robert Icke, but this Olivier Award-winning writer and director has taken the West End by storm. His productions - including Hamlet starring Andrew Scott and Oedipus starring Mark Strong - are some of the most acclaimed dramas of the last decade and anything he's attached to is a hot ticket. Now, he steps away from reimagining classics and takes on a true crime story that’s sure to be psychologically fascinating and theatrically gripping.
London Theatre Shows By Month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberLondon Theatre Rumours
At SeatPlan we keep our ear to the ground to bring you the latest news of upcoming shows in London. We have gathered all the industry whisperings on new West End musicals and plays coming in 2024 and beyond, so set an Alert for your most anticipated shows, and we will let you know when they’re confirmed.Broadway musical Jagged Little Pill, inspired by Alanis Morissette’s iconic album, was rumoured to open in London in late 2022, but this has been pushed back.
Other rumoured new London musicals that are transferring from Broadway include Tootsie and Beetlejuice.
For families, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of David Walliams’ book The Boy in the Dress is reportedly looking for a West End home, and Emma Thompson is developing Nanny McPhee the Musical.
Birmingham Rep’s UK premiere of Shakespeare spoof Something Rotten! was unfortunately postponed, but good news: a staged concert performance, starring Jason Manford, received standing ovations at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in August 2024, and we wouldn't be surprised to see a full West End season announced soon.
Derren Brown’s mind-bending version of H.G. Wells’ sci-fi story The Invisible Man was rumoured to be opening in 2022, but has been delayed.
Exciting film adaptations include It’s a Wonderful Life with music by Paul McCartney and book by Lee Hall (Billy Elliot). Ealing Comedy favourite Kind Hearts and Coronets has also been picked up for a stage adaptation, by Stephen Fry.
Lloyd lovers should keep their eyes peeled - not only are his productions of The Tempest and Much Ado About Nothing running back to back this winter and spring at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, but Andrew Lloyd Webber has confirmed that the acclaimed director will lead a revival of Evita in 2025. Jamie Lloyd previously directed a production of Lloyd Webber's iconic musical - about Argentine political leader, activist and actress Eva Perón - at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2019 to critical acclaim, so we can’t wait to see where he takes it next!
