What are the top London theatre shows in 2024?

2024 is an exciting time for West End theatre. Prestige, star-driven plays in London are always popular so don't wait to book Dr Strangelove tickets with Steve Coogan, Juno and the Paycock with Mark Rylance or The Duchess with Jodie Comer for poignant and stimulating evenings out. Staple, crowd-pleasing West End musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Wicked are also great choices that continue to delight packed-out crowds every night. This year also welcomes lots of acclaimed new musicals such as The Devil Wears Prada! , a folk-inspired take on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button , and Why Am I So Single? , a new show from the creators of SIX . If you're thinking about booking, avoid disappointment and do it today; they are some of the best London theatre shows all year and tickets will fly out of the door.

What are the showtimes for West End Theatres?

Most West End shows start at 7.30pm for their evening performances, while 2.30pm or 3pm are standard for London matinee shows . There are some exceptions to this, such as Matilda and Frozen , which start evening performances at 7pm. Shows aimed specifically at young children may adhere to even earlier showtimes. Always check showtimes thoroughly when booking London theatre tickets and planning your visit.

Where in London is the West End?

The West End is located in the Western region of Central London; West of the City of London and East of Mayfair. Many West End theatres can be found along major thoroughfares such as the Strand, Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. Popular tourist areas such as Leicester Square and Covent Garden are part of the West End. Tube stations that are well located for West End theatres include Tottenham Court Road, Leicester Square and Covent Garden.

Why is the London theatre district called 'The West End'?

The theatre district is located in Central London, but just to the West of what is known as 'the City of London'; the commercial district surrounding tube stations such as Bank and Monument. In the early 19th Century, areas West of Charing Cross were highly fashionable and this is when the term 'the West End' became widely used. While the urban sprawl of London now extends much farther West than the theatre district, the majority of popular theatres are located in what was traditionally the Western end of the city, before it merged with the nearby city of Westminster to become the city recognisable today.

Where can I buy London theatre tickets?

You can find tickets to top London shows right here on SeatPlan. Browse our listings, which are kept up-to-date with the latest musicals, plays, dance shows and opera in the capital, and avoid queues with our hassle-free online booking experience. You won't have to worry about remembering your tickets on the day either - they're delivered straight to your inbox and can be shown on your phone or printed out. We regularly have offers and discounts available that beat box office prices; for discounted tickets take a look at cheap theatre tickets in London .

London Theatre Shows in October 2024

New shows in October 2024 make the most of the spooky season, with bizarre but brilliant Cold War satire Dr Strangelove hitting the stage, starring Steve Coogan; and Greek tragedy Oedipus, starring Mark Strong, creating brilliant unease. If you prefer musicals, get into the Halloween spirit with some of the scariest rom-com ice queens: Regina George in Mean Girls and Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada. Just make sure you don’t run into any fashion horror stories on your way to the theatre!

Over half term, kids can return to Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, discover the witches of Oz in Wicked or meet a little girl with extraordinary powers in Matilda. Dressing up is welcome so they can feel totally immersed in the magic!

Dr. Strangelove

One of the year's biggest plays arrives just in time for Halloween, and it is guaranteed to blow your mind! Steve Coogan takes on three roles in the first-ever stage adaptation of Stanley Kubrick's Cold War satire, which brings black comedy aplenty to London. With The Thick Of It creator Armando Iannucci writing the script, this is UK talent at its best. The show runs for a strictly limited season, so book early to experience this huge world premiere.

The Devil Wears Prada

A perfect Halloween outing and a must-see show in October, The Devil Wears Prada is a fiendishly good new musical based on the hit film. Featuring original songs by Elton John, the story of college grad Andy and her experience with notoriously ruthless fashion editor Miranda Priestly is fun, fierce and fabulous on stage. Gird your loins and book tickets now to see the show of the season - and make sure you're fashionably early to avoid Miranda's wrath!