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Thursday Matinees In London

If you’re wondering what theatre matinees are on Thursdays, the short answer is most of them! No other weekday has as many afternoon performances to choose from, and the long-running musicals are all available to book including Hamilton, The Phantom of the Opera and Cabaret. Thursday matinees begin between 2pm and 2.30pm, so you can avoid rush hour in central London, and tickets are often cheaper than Saturday and Sunday matinees. If you have annual leave to use up, clear your calendar for a midweek theatre trip and check out Wednesday matinees for even more weekday afternoon entertainment.

47 Shows in London

Shadowlands

Shadowlands

Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville stars as Chronicles of Narnia author C.S Lewis, in this acclaimed play about love, loss and faith.

Sinatra The Musical

Sinatra The Musical

This swingin’ new musical, from a Tony and Olivier Award-winning creative team, tells the story of Frank Sinatra’s remarkable career.

Les Miserables

Les Miserables

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

Hamilton

Hamilton

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

Oliver!

Oliver!

Matthew Bourne directs a thrilling revival of Lionel Bart’s musical, featuring “Consider Yourself”, “I’d Do Anything” and more.

The Lion King

The Lion King

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

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Immerse yourself in a world of spectacle and faded glamour at this unmissable jukebox musical, based on Baz Luhrmann’s film.

Back to the Future

Back to the Future

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

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

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

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+.

My Neighbour Totoro

My Neighbour Totoro

The Olivier Award-winning adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s film is a magical West End experience. Best for age 6+.

Disney's Hercules

Disney's Hercules

Experience Disney’s beloved film on stage in this dazzling new musical, featuring “Zero to Hero” and more. Best for age 6+.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Mark Addy and Jenna Russell star in this “pitch-perfect” (The Times) new musical, based on the bestselling novel.

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+.

MJ the Musical

MJ the Musical

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

Hadestown

Hadestown

Tony Award winner Anaïs Mitchell's genre-defying take on Greek mythology takes audiences on an unforgettable trip to the Underworld.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

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

Kinky Boots

Kinky Boots

The fabulous and feel-good Tony, Olivier and Grammy-winning musical struts back into the West End, starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe.

Paddington The Musical

Paddington The Musical

Join a little bear for a very big adventure! Paddington finds a new home in London in this brand new musical adaptation of the beloved book.

I’m Sorry, Prime Minister

I’m Sorry, Prime Minister

Griff Rhys Jones and Clive Francis reunite as Jim Hacker and Sir Humphrey in Jonathan Lynn’s razor-sharp political comedy.

The Producers

The Producers

This major revival of Mel Brooks' hilariously irreverent musical about a strategically planned Broadway flop transfers to the West End.

Starlight Express

Starlight Express

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

Six the Musical

Six the Musical

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

High Society

High Society

The vibrant and hilarious Cole Porter returns to London for the first time in over a decade, starring Felicity Kendal.

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.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Love’s logic unravels, identities shift, and magic reigns in this sunlit summer dream, as Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy returns.

The Play That Goes Wrong

The Play That Goes Wrong

Mischief Theatre’s hilarious comedy of errors will leave you in stitches, as an am-dram group's latest murder mystery goes awry.

Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary!

This deliciously dark Tony Award-winning comedy turns history on its head and puts Mary Todd Lincoln in the spotlight.

Inter Alia

Inter Alia

Rosamund Pike stars in this searing drama about motherhood and masculinity from the award-winning team behind Prima Facie.

The Car Man

The Car Man

Matthew Bourne's sizzling take on Bizet's Carmen, set in 1960s small-town USA, returns to London.

Into The Woods

Into The Woods

Olivier Award winner Jordan Fein directs this major revival of Sondheim's subversive fairytale musical at the Bridge Theatre.

Marie and Rosetta

Marie and Rosetta

Beverley Knight stars in this musical play about lesser-known, but highly influential, soul duo Rosetta Tharpe and Marie Knight.

Cats

Cats

Regent’s Park artistic director Drew McOnie directs this brand new production of the iconic, award-winning Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity

A couple are haunted by their past in this terrifying new play set in the spine-chilling universe of the Paranormal Activity film franchise.

Grace Pervades

Grace Pervades

Ralph Fiennes stars in this vibrant new play about theatrical legends Henry Irving and Ellen Terry from Tony-winning playwright David Hare.

Avenue Q

Avenue Q

The raunchy and hilarious Tony-winning puppet musical - “Sesame Street for grown-ups” (EW) - returns to the West End.

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

Come Alive! The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

Step under the big top! Iconic songs from The Greatest Showman meet breathtaking circus acts in this brand‑new immersive family spectacle.

Dog Man: The Musical

Dog Man: The Musical

Crime-biting capers and comic book chaos await in this hilarious musical adventure for kids, based on Dav Pilkey’s hit series!

The Tempest

The Tempest

Innovative theatremaker Tim Crouch tackles Shakespeare’s tragicomedy about magic, freedom and power in this metatheatrical new production.

Ivanov

Ivanov

Chris Pine makes his London stage debut in this contemporary reimagining of Chekhov's comic drama about the melancholic Nikolai Ivanov.

My First Ballet: Cinderella

My First Ballet: Cinderella

This charming twist on the classic fairy‑tale is a sparkling, family‑friendly introduction to ballet for children aged 3+.

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

Sharp tongues, sparring lovers and mischievous plots abound in this stylish, status-obsessed new staging of Shakespeare’s timeless rom-com

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

This uplifting, moving musical tells the remarkable true story of an innovative boy who dreams of saving his Malawain village from drought.

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+.

Archduke

Archduke

Pulitzer finalist Ravji Joseph's darkly comic play reimagines the events leading up to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

As You Like It

As You Like It

Escape into the Forest of Arden with this revelatory and joyous festival-themed staging of Shakespeare’s beloved pastoral comedy.

The Afronauts

The Afronauts

Zambia, 1964; a schoolteacher rallies misfit dreamers to train as astronauts and defy the space race’s status quo.

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