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.

49 Shows in London

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+.

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.

Hamilton

Hamilton

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

MJ the Musical

MJ the Musical

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

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.

Oliver!

Oliver!

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

Les Miserables

Les Miserables

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

Mamma Mia!

Mamma Mia!

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

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".

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire

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

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+.

The Great Gatsby: A New Musical

The Great Gatsby: A New Musical

It’s the party of the season! The Coliseum’s summer musical is a decadent adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic!

Starlight Express

Starlight Express

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

Clueless The Musical

Clueless The Musical

The iconic ‘90s film transforms into a fashionably fun musical comedy! A new version from Amy Heckerling, with songs by KT Tunstall.

The Score

The Score

See Brian Cox dominate the stage as composer Johann Sebastian Bach in this captivating new history play, directed by Trevor Nunn.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

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

Hadestown

Hadestown

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

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.

The Producers

The Producers

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

Six the Musical

Six the Musical

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

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+.

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.

Richard II

Richard II

Bridgerton’s Jonathan Bailey stars as Richard II in a new revival of Shakespeare’s History play, directed by Nicholas Hytner.

Evita

Evita

Jamie Lloyd’s sleek and gritty revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical returns, starring Rachel Zegler.

Good Night, Oscar

Good Night, Oscar

Will and Grace star Sean Hayes reprises his Tony-winning performance as wild-card composer Oscar Levant in this explosive comedy drama.

The Fifth Step

The Fifth Step

Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden star in David Ireland's subversively funny new play about two men who meet in Alcoholics Anonymous.

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 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.

Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet

Quadrophenia, A Mod Ballet

Experience the iconic The Who album about teen rebellion and self-discovery as you’ve never seen it before - a mod ballet.

Fiddler on the Roof

Fiddler on the Roof

Jordan Fein’s bold, moving and critically acclaimed revival of the classic musical returns to London for a strictly limited run.

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.

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 Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

Experience the magic of Narnia at this spellbinding stage adaptation of the children’s story. Best for age 7+.

Brigadoon

Brigadoon

This first major revival of the enchanting Highland-set musical in 35 years. With an updated script from acclaimed playwright Rona Munro.

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!

Stereophonic

Stereophonic

This stunning, record-breaking play with music, about the fraught relationships of a band recording their latest album, transfers to London.

Shucked

Shucked

This pun-tastic, Tony Award-winning musical about a corn-obsessed town comes to Regent’s Park following an a-maize-ing run on Broadway

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.

Till the Stars Come Down

Till the Stars Come Down

Tensions rise at the wedding of a working class Midlands lass and a Polish immigrant in this explosive play about family, grief and home.

The Deep Blue Sea

The Deep Blue Sea

Tamsin Greig is devastating in this gorgeous revival of Terence Rattigan’s 1950s drama about a woman embarking on a hopeless affair.

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.

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.

101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians

This musical adaptation of the children's story features original songs and stunning puppetry - it's tail-wagglingly good! Best for age 5+.

Noughts and Crosses

Noughts and Crosses

Experience Malorie Blackman’s modern classic tale of love, division and revolution on stage at Regent’s Park.

Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain

Horrible Histories - Barmy Britain

Enjoy history with all the nasty bits left in at this brilliant kids’ show! From Boudicca to Queen Victoria, best for ages 5+.

Manhunt

Manhunt

The shocking Raoul Moat case becomes a tense new drama, written and directed by Olivier Award winner Robert Icke (The Doctor; Player Kings).

The Crucible

The Crucible

Accusations of witchcraft seize a small town in this American classic, the first time it is performed on the Globe stage.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Nicholas Hytner’s boundary-breaking, immersive production of Shakespeare’s spellbinding comedy returns to the Bridge Theatre.

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+.

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