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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.

38 Shows in London

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.

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.

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+.

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

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

Hamilton

Hamilton

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

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+.

Frozen the Musical

Frozen the Musical

Experience Disney's modern classic on stage in this spectacular musical, featuring hit song “Let It Go”. Best for age 6+.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

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

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.

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.

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.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire

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

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

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

Mean Girls

Mean Girls

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

Six the Musical

Six the Musical

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

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.

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.

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!

Starlight Express

Starlight Express

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

Heathers The Musical

Heathers The Musical

Join the murderous students of Westerburg High in this WhatsOnStage Award-winning musical, based on the cult film.

Richard III

Richard III

Globe Artistic Director Michelle Terry stars in a dynamic new production of Shakespeare’s thrilling history play.

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 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!

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+.

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!

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 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.

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

The Enormous Crocodile

The Enormous Crocodile

This riotous family musical, based on Roald Dahl’s picture book, prowls into London for a scrumptious summer season. Best for age 4+.

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 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.

Shrek The Musical

Shrek The Musical

Enjoy ogre-sized family fun this summer as blockbuster musical Shrek returns to London, for a hilarious adventure Far Far Away.

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.

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.

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