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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.

55 Shows in London

The Lion King

The Lion King

Disney’s spectacular musical features stunning puppetry and an unforgettable score by Elton John. Best for age 6+.

Wicked

Wicked

Discover the untold story of the witches of Oz, with spellbinding songs, a powerful story and incredible visual spectacles. Best for age 7+.

Hamilton

Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hugely popular musical Hamilton follows the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers of America.

The Phantom of the Opera

The Phantom of the Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational musical has been enchanting audiences since 1986 with its haunting tale of love and obsession.

Les Miserables

Les Miserables

Hear the people sing in the world's longest-running musical, which has been in the West End since 1985.

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Tina: The Tina Turner Musical

Discover the life and career of a global superstar in this electrifying show, featuring hits "Proud Mary" and "River Deep Mountain High".

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.

Matilda the Musical

Matilda the Musical

Tim Minchin's mischievous musical adaptation is a hilarious, heart-warming modern classic for the whole family. Best for age 6+.

ABBA Voyage

ABBA Voyage

The Swedish pop group are projected into the ABBA Arena in a cutting-edge digital performance, promising a concert experience like no other.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

Dance the night away to ABBA’s greatest hits at the hilarious West End musical that inspired the film.

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

Cirque du Soleil: Corteo

Celebrate 40 years of Cirque du Soleil with this spectacular show that merges reality, illusion, and breathtaking acrobatics.

Back to the Future the Musical

Back to the Future the Musical

Great Scott! The legendary time-traveling comedy is back in this incredible musical adaptation that will delight the entire family.

MJ the Musical

MJ the Musical

Discover the creative mind and artistry behind the King of Pop in this Tony Award-winning musical.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

Enjoy a Christmas classic as London’s most popular festive ballet returns for another exhilarating season. Best for age 5+.

Shrek The Musical

Shrek The Musical

Enjoy ogre-sized family fun this summer with blockbuster musical Shrek. Under 3s not permitted. Under 14s must attend with an adult.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire

She’s in the West End, dearies! The classic Robin Williams film is now a hilarious, heart-warming musical comedy.

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.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

Agatha Christie’s classic whodunnit is the world's longest running show. Can you keep the secret?

Blippi: Wonderful World Tour

Blippi: Wonderful World Tour

Learn about the world around you with Blippi! The hit series brings its energetic educational show to London this summer. Best for age 2+.

Starlight Express

Starlight Express

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s exhilarating musical, performed entirely on rollerskates, returns to London at the dazzling Starlight Auditorium.

Standing at the Sky's Edge

Standing at the Sky's Edge

The award-winning new British musical, inspired by Sheffield’s iconic Park Hill Estate, transfers to the West End.

Fawlty Towers

Fawlty Towers

Make a reservation for this hilarious play, based on the ‘70s sitcom. Written by John Cleese & guaranteed to make you cry with laughter!

Dr. Strangelove

Dr. Strangelove

Steve Coogan stars in the world premiere stage adaptation of Kubrick’s Cold War satire, adapted by Armando Iannucci (The Thick of It).

Witness for the Prosecution

Witness for the Prosecution

The landmark production of Agatha Christie's courtroom thriller is set inside the magnificent council chamber of London County Hall.

Mean Girls

Mean Girls

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

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.

Oedipus

Oedipus

Lesley Manville and Mark Strong star in director Robert Icke’s radical version of the Greek tragedy, now a modern-day political thriller.

Six the Musical

Six the Musical

Henry VIII’s embattled ex-wives reign over the West End with their fist-pumping histo-remix.

The Comedy of Errors

The Comedy of Errors

Long-lost siblings, mistaken identity and incredible plot twists abound as Sean Holmes’ exuberant production returns by popular demand.

The Rocky Horror Show

The Rocky Horror Show

Dress up for Time Warps and pelvic thrusts at the ultimate cult musical, starring Jason Donovan as the iconic Dr Frank’n’Furter.

The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo

Introduce your children to the magical world of live theatre as their favourite picture book bursts onto the stage! Best for age 3+.

The Wizard Of Oz

The Wizard Of Oz

Click your heels and wish for fun! The technicolour musical returns, starring Aston Merrygold and The Vivienne. Best for age 6+.

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!

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

Enjoy sparring lovers and mischievous plots as Shakespeare’s timeless comedy returns to the Globe in an Elizabethan dress production.

Room On The Broom

Room On The Broom

Cats, frogs, witches and… you! This adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s picture book is a delightful family play. Best for age 3+.

The Duchess

The Duchess

Jodie Whittaker stars in Zinnie Harris’ radical new version of John Webster’s blood-soaked revenge tragedy, The Duchess of Malfi.

The Taming of the Shrew

The Taming of the Shrew

Step inside the Globe for Shakespeare’s witty and barbed comedy. A battle of the sexes that divides opinion - so watch for yourself!

The Lehman Trilogy

The Lehman Trilogy

Discover the sprawling history of a firm and family that triggered the financial crisis in this Tony Award-winning epic.

Tom Fletcher's The Creakers

Tom Fletcher's The Creakers

Head under the bed and meet the Creakers as Tom Fletcher’s best-selling children’s book becomes a rocking new musical. Best for age 6+.

Aladdin: The Pantomime

Aladdin: The Pantomime

Hop onto a magic carpet ride over the streets of Hammersmith with this exuberant family show!

Giselle

Giselle

Mary Skeaping’s striking production of the timeless ballet returns, with music performed by the English National Ballet Philharmonic.

Only Fools and Horses the Musical

Only Fools and Horses the Musical

Join Del Boy and Rodney in this pukka musical, created by Paul Whitehouse and Jim Sullivan, back in London for three weeks only!

Death of England: Michael

Death of England: Michael

Roy Williams and Clint Dyer’s acclaimed series of monologues about British identity are performed together for the very first time.

Circa's Duck Pond

Circa's Duck Pond

Ballet and circus collide for a Christmas show like no other in this inventive reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Best for age 8+.

Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

Shakespeare’s tragedy returns to the Globe for the first time in 10 years. A stunning new production with Spoken English and BSL.

The Smartest Giant in Town

The Smartest Giant in Town

Julia Donaldson’s story about helping others is adapted into an engaging family musical. Best for ages 2+. Babes in arms under 12 months

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World

Enjoy a pop-fuelled history lesson at this hit musical, based on suffragette descendant Kate Pankhurt’s award-winning picture book.

The Pirates of Penzance

The Pirates of Penzance

The English National Opera’s hit revival of Gilbert & Sullivan’s farce returns for even more swashbuckling fun and catchy tunes.

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out

Join Peppa on an exciting adventure at the beach and zoo this Christmas! Perfect for the youngest theatre fans. Best for age 3+.

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+.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic story of a man who ages in reverse becomes a dazzling folk musical set on the coast of Cornwall.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel

Follow the breadcrumbs for a festive treat! Simon Armitage’s version of the beloved fairytale returns for Christmas. Best for age 5+.

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+.

Slava's Snow Show

Slava's Snow Show

Celebrate the joy of being silly as Slava’s whimsical silent clowns return to London for festive family fun. Best for age 8+.

Cymbeline

Cymbeline

Love and rebellion fill the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as Shakespeare’s late tragi-comedy returns, directed by Jennifer Tang.

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