Where to See Stars on Stage in London in 2025
Nothing generates a buzz quite as much as a celebrity appearing in a play or musical. Some of our very best screen actors began their careers treading the boards, and their return to London theatre is an exciting opportunity to see them in their element, live on stage. London theatre in May steps up a notch after the Olivier Award winners have been announced and you might even be able to brag about seeing them in one of the best theatre shows in London.
Below, we’ve put together our pick of the biggest stars in the West End this year. Book quickly if you spot an actor you’d love to see perform live because tickets will sell fast!
1. Brendan Gleeson in The Weir
The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges star Brendan Gleeson makes his West End debut this year in a revival of Irish playwright Conor McPherson's haunting drama. This is a huge coup for London theatre fans, as Gleeson has never appeared on our main stages and was last treading the boards over a decade ago! With BAFTA, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations under his belt, we think he could snag his first Olivier nod as well...
2. Stephen Fry in The Importance of Being Earnest
National Treasure Stephen Fry stars as Lady Bracknell as the National Theatre’s “effervescent, exuberant, and proudly loud” (Broadway World) revival of Oscar Wilde’s hilarious comedy transfers to the West End with a star-studded cast including It’s a Sin star Olly Alexander, Shobna Gulatti and Hugh Dennis. When BFFs Jack and Algy create witty alter egos - both named Ernest - to escape their social engagements, their lies lead to a series of hilarious misunderstandings when the men both find themselves romantically entangled with women who have a particular fondness for the name.
3. David Harewood in Othello
David Harewood made history in 1997 when he became the first Black actor to play Othello at the National Theatre. The SAG award-winning Superman and Homeland star returns to the role almost 20 years later, in this explosive new production of Shakespeare’s political drama. When Captain Othello passes over his friend Iago for promotion, it sparks a revenge plot that can only end in tragedy… Joining Harewood are BAFTA winner Toby Jones (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) as the scheming Iago and Caitlin Fitzgerald (SweetBitter) as Desdemona.
4. Bryan Cranston in All My Sons
Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston stars as Joe Keller in this brand new production of Arthur Miller's American classic by innovative director Ivo Van Hove. Following a turbulent wartime, the Kellers are trying to get their life back on track. But when the daughter of Joe’s former colleague brings news that her father is being tried for criminal manufacturing during the war, what comes to light will shatter their world forever. Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu star alongside Cranston in this explosive, powerful and unmissable drama.
5. Sheridan Smith in Woman in Mind
Sheridan Smith returns to the West End this winter for the first time since her critically acclaimed performance in Shirley Valentine. Smith stars as Susan, a woman whose reality splits in two after a blow to the head, causing her to imagine an idealised version of her troubled family life in Alan Ayckbourn’s darkly comic drama. Best known for her roles on Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Cilla, Smith is also an Olivier and BAFTA winner and Emmy nominee.
6. Cynthia Erivo in Dracula
Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award-winning Wicked superstar Cynthia Erivo returns to the West End in this one-woman adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic gothic novel. When Jonathan Harker travels to the Transylvanian estate of Count Dracula, he believes it to be a business trip like any other. But there’s something strange, almost inhuman, and incredibly…hungry about the Count… Adapted and directed by Kip Williams, director of the recent Olivier-winning solo production of The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook, Dracula promises to be bloody brilliant - don’t miss out!
7. Hugh Bonneville in Shadowlands
Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville leads the cast as C.S Lewis in Shadowlands, transferring to London following a critically acclaimed 2019 run at the Chichester Festival Theatre. This biopic is based on the true story of Narnia author Lewis and his wife Joy Davidman’s unexpected, tragic and tumultuous romance. The SAG award-winning, BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Bonneville reprises his role from the production's original run of this “deeply poignant” (Guardian) play - dont miss it, secure your tickets today.
8. Beverley Knight in Marie and Rosetta
Olivier and MOBO-winning actress and singer Beverley Knight stars in this brand new drama, fresh from an acclaimed run in Chichester. This musical play tells the story of two forgotten icons of the rhythm and blues scene as they tour the segregated South. Knight’s previous credits include award-winning roles in Sylvia, Memphis, and The Drifters Girl, and her performance as lesser-known musical legend and “Godmother of Soul” Sister Rosetta Tharpe promises to be just as rockin’. Secure your tickets today!
9. Johannes Radebe in Kinky Boots
We know what a West End audience wants - Kinky Boots! Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe stars as Lola in this revival, strutting into the West End for a limited run following an acclaimed UK tour. This fierce, fabulous and funny Tony-winning musical tells the story of Charlie Price, who teams up with drag queen Lola to save his the failing shoe factory he inherited from his father. Their solution - create a line of specialised boots for drag performers! Secure your tickets today!
10. Self Esteem in Teeth ’N’ Smiles
Self Esteem aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor returns to the West End, following her acclaimed performance as Sally Bowles in Cabaret, in this brand new revival of David Hare’s Teeth ’N’ Smiles. Taylor stars as Maggie, a shambolic rock star who is trying to keep her grip on her band, and her reality, as they play a disastrous gig at a 1970s Cambridge University ball. This new production features updated songs by Taylor, who is an Ivor Novello and Attitude Award winner and Mercury, NME and Brit nominee.
11. Rosamund Pike in Inter Alia
Saltburn and Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike returns to London for the West End transfer of Inter Alia, the explosive new drama from the award-winning team behind sell-out smash Prima Facie. Pike plays Jessica Parks, a maverick crown court judge who’s known for her fiercely feminist views. But when a shocking incident rocks her own family, Jessica must reassess her beliefs. The National production of Inter Alia marked the Emmy, Golden Globe winner and BAFTA and Academy Award Nominee’s first stage performance in over 15 years - dont miss it!
12. Gary Oldman in Krapps Last Tape
Gary Oldman stars in this breathtaking one man show, a revival of Samuel Beckett’s surreal, acclaimed masterwork about a man who listens to past recordings of himself on his 69th birthday. Oldman directs, set designs and stars in the production, which transfers to London fresh from a smash-hit sell-out run at the York Theatre Royal. The Academy Award, BAFTA, SAG and Golden Globe winner is best known for his roles in Slow Horses, the Fifth Element, the Harry Potter films,and Francis Ford Copolla's Dracula - this is a rare chance to see Oldman work his magic live on stage.
13. Chris Pine in Ivanov
Hollywood superstar and Emmy nominee Chris Pine stars in Ivanov, a brand new reimaging of Anton Chekov’s play from award-winning writer-director Simon Stone. Pine is best known for his roles in the reboot of Star Trek, the Wonder Woman franchise and Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves, with Ivanov marking his London Theatre debut. This dark tragi-comedy follows the hapless, depressed and down on his luck Nikolai Ivanov, who must piece together his life, marriage and career after an affair.
14. Tilda Swinton in Man to Man
Academy Award winner,We Need to Talk About Kevin and Narnia star Tilda Swinton returns to London in Man to Man, performing a role she first originated over three decades ago. The gender-bending, genre-defying Swinton is the perfect choice for the role of Ella/Max in this blistering one-woman show, which tells the story of a widow in 1930s Germany who adopts her late husband’s identity in an act of desperation. Exploring identity, transformation and just how far people will go to survive, Man to Man promises to be unmissable theatre.
Can you meet West End stars at the stage door?
Stagedooring is a very popular tradition for London theatregoers and many actors are more than happy to meet fans after the show. It is a great way to get an autograph or photo with your favourite actor, and let them know how much you enjoyed their performance.
Some theatres may have restrictions on stage door meet and greets, and this is often communicated on their social channels or with a note pinned to the stage door. If you are unsure, ask the box office team and they will be happy to provide more information.
Actors are more likely to meet fans at the stage door after evening performances than matinees, because they will need to change, rest and eat between shows in the afternoon.
How do I meet actors at the stage door?
People usually stage door after they have attended a performance, and at very popular shows you may be asked to present your ticket to prove you attended that day. If you are planning to head to the stage door after a show:
Come prepared. Bring a pen (ideally a felt tip), something you would like signed such as a theatre programme, and have your phone camera ready.
Be prepared to wait for a while. Actors will be getting changed backstage, and sometimes hosting guests after a performance.
Listen to and follow directions from the theatre staff. Their priority is to ensure the stage door is well-managed and safe for everyone involved.
Be respectful of the people around you and do not try to skip the line, interrupt conversations or push others out of the way. Everyone is excited to meet their favourite actor but if the stage door gets rowdy or out of hand, it may end early.
Be respectful of the actor’s time and always say thank you! Meeting fans at the stage door is not part of an actor’s job, but many enjoy being able to meet fans and thank them for attending the show.
Be polite if the actor is unable to meet and greet. Sometimes actors simply aren’t able to come to the stage door and this will be communicated to anyone waiting as soon as possible.
Can you send cards or gifts to actors at the theatre?
Theatres have different policies for accepting gifts from fans. You may also be able to hand over a small card or letter at the stage door. If you would like to give an actor a gift, email the box office to ask before your visit and see what is allowed. Food items are less likely to be allowed for safety reasons.
What happens if an actor does not appear at a performance?
The appearance of any actor in a West End show is always subject to scheduling, illness, injury, holiday entitlement, or other unforeseen circumstances. When you book your tickets, you are doing so for the production rather than a specific actor, and therefore are not usually entitled to a refund or exchange unless the performance is cancelled.
Most shows have very talented understudies who will deliver amazing performances. You may even be able to brag in a few years' time that you saw a hot new rising star before they became popular!
Some shows advertise holiday dates for leading actors ahead of time, so always check these before booking. We have listed any holiday dates, or other dates that celebrities are not performing, on the production page.
