Friday Matinees In London

Friday matinees are a fantastic way to start your weekend early, so book a half day at work and head into London for world-class entertainment. More shows are now playing on Friday afternoons including the hilarious The Book of Mormon and the West End’s own version of drinks at your local, Choir of Man. Performances start any time between 2pm and 4pm on Fridays, so if you can get into London in the mid-afternoon, you can enjoy a show before dinner. This is the perfect way to kick off a mini-break and leaves even more time for other activities the next day. If you are in town all weekend, check listings for Saturday matinees too.

16 Shows in London

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

From the creators of South Park this outrageous, multi-award winning musical tells the hilarious story of two naïve Mormon missionaries.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Discover the thrilling origins of the Upside Down in this incredible new prequel to the Netflix series, co-created by the Duffer Brothers.

Mean Girls

Mean Girls

Fetch news alert! Tina Fey's Mean Girls musical, based on the hit film, is now in London.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical

Discover gods, monsters and teenage destiny as this epic musical, based on Rick Riordan’s best-selling books, plays in London.

The Choir of Man

The Choir of Man

Experience the ultimate pub lock-in in London, thanks to nine normal guys with incredible voices - and a real bar on stage!

My First Ballet: Swan Lake

My First Ballet: Swan Lake

Learn about friendship, honesty and forgiveness in this specially adapted version of Swan Lake for younger audiences. Best for age 3+.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Shakespeare’s wild and boisterous comedy sees Middle England collapse into brilliant chaos - performed in the open air at the Globe.

The Enormous Crocodile

The Enormous Crocodile

Gobble up a fantastic family musical this summer! Roald Dahl’s book is turned into a snappy show with songs and puppets. Best for age 3+.

Twelfth Night

Twelfth Night

Get swept into a love triangle this summer with Shakespeare’s romantic tragicomedy about love, loss and hidden identity at the Globe.

The Smeds and The Smoos

The Smeds and The Smoos

Fly through space on an alien adventure in this exciting stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s picture book. Best for age 3+.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show that is now a West End favourite! Best for age 3+, babes in arms under 18 months.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet

Experience a fresh take on one of the greatest love stories of all time, in this Wild West-inspired production of Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Rough Magic

Rough Magic

Join Shakespeare’s Weird Sisters as they cook up a magical and surprising family show, based on Macbeth. Best for age 5+.

Get Down Tonight

Get Down Tonight

This groovy, feel-good musical charts the beginnings of KC and the Sunshine Band, and is jam-packed with the band’s beloved disco hits!

Troilus and Cressida

Troilus and Cressida

Heroes, honour and the reality of war unravel in Shakespeare’s epic Trojan satire. A rarely-performed drama with a gripping conclusion.

Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas

Maddie Moate's Very Curious Christmas

Join BAFTA-winning children's presenter Maddie Moate for her live science show, perfect for curious kids and their adults! Best for age 4+.

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