Where to See Stars on Stage in London in 2023-2024
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 April steps up a notch, when the Olivier Awards come along and you might even be able to brag about seeing an award-winner in a sold-out show.
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!
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. Lily James in Lyonesse
Hollywood actress Lily James has taken the film world by storm with her vibrant performances in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Pam & Tommy, and she now returns to the West End for the first time since 2019's All About Eve. In Penelope Skinner's Lyonesse, James plays a young producer who travels to the remote Cornish home of a reclusive actress, who is ready to stage a comeback. The actress is played by James' Rebecca co-star Kristin Scott Thomas, and the two have an electric chemistry that will make this world premiere unmissable.
from £188.00
2. Andrew Scott in Vanya
Andrew Scott's career has skyrocketed over the last decade, and he has become intrinsically associated with not one but two cultural zeitgeist characters: Moriarty in the BBC's Sherlock and Hot Priest in Fleabag. Nowhere are his incredible acting talents as apparent as on stage, however, and this new one-man version of Checkhovs masterful Uncle Vanya is set to be an unmissable tour-de-force. In a year packed with one-person takes on classics, the captivating Scott should be top of your list.
3. Ian McKellen in Frank and Percy
Inarguably one of our greatest ever stage and screen actors, Ian McKellen is always a joy to watch live. His Shakespearean performances are awe-inspiring, but he also has a fierce eye for comedy - never as clear as in this new play about two old men (played by McKellen and Roger Allam) who meet on a park bench, exchange pleasantries, and develop a surprising relationship.
from £45.80
4. Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard
Acclaimed singer and actress Nicole Scherzinger is famed as a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, but she has also proven her acting skills on stage with an Olivier Award-nominated turn in the 2014 revival of Cats. She is now poised to assume the lead in another of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, as director Jamie Lloyd (Cyrano de Bergerac; Evita) brings a stark and modern take on Sunset Boulevard to London for a strictly limited season that is sure to sell quickly.
from £23.80
5. Mark Rylance in Dr Semmelweis
Academy Award-winning actor Mark Rylance has gained international fame with roles in Bridge of Spies and Wolf Hall, but it is his stage work that set him apart as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He is back in the West End with historical drama Dr Semmelweis, based on the true story of a 20th-century Hungarian doctor who pioneered antiseptic procedures in childbirth. Rylance always gives intricate, compelling performances so expect an evening of first-rate entertainment.
from £232.10
6. Luke Evans in Backstairs Billy
Screen star Luke Evans returns to his theatrical roots following big Hollywood roles in Beauty and the Beast and The Hobbit for this brand new play about the Queen Mother (played by Penelope Wilton) and her loyal servant, William "Backstairs Billy" Tallon. Set in the 1970s, this remarkable true story is witty, warm and a fascinating insight into recent history, and Evans' natural charisma and light-hearted charm is sure to make it a fantastic watch.
from £35.70
7. Helen George in The King and I
Helen George is best known as the hugely popular and glamorous Trixie in Call the Midwife, and her talents in musical theatre are just as scene-stealing. George has been on UK tour, starring in this acclaimed Broadway production of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, and now transfers with it to the West End for a limited season early next year. This is a great opportunity to see a familiar face in a much-loved Golden Age show.
from £26.80
No fees8. Catherine Tate in The Enfield Haunting
She is best known for her comedy chops, but Catherine Tate is turning to the supernatural in this brand-new play. Based on true events in the 1970s, The Enfield Haunting is the story of a single mother whose house is rocked by strange disturbances and promises to be a spine-chilling experience. This is a fantastic opportunity to see Tate in a more serious role - something she is more than capable of given her brush with drama as a former Doctor Who companion.
from £29.80
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.
