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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.

59 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+.

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.

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+.

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.

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".

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.

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.

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker

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

Oliver!

Oliver!

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

MJ the Musical

MJ the Musical

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

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake

Experience Swan Lake reinvented! The popular ballet, adapted by Matthew Bourne, makes its return at the Sadler’s Wells.

Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire

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

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.

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!

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+.

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.

Guys and Dolls

Guys and Dolls

The Bridge Theatre transforms into the streets of New York and clubs of Havana in a new, immersive production of the classic musical comedy.

The Mousetrap

The Mousetrap

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

The Snowman

The Snowman

Now in its 27th year, this Christmas ballet is a true staple of the festive season for London theatregoers. Suitable for all ages.

Six the Musical

Six the Musical

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

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 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.

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.

The 39 Steps

The 39 Steps

The smash-hit comedy thriller, inspired by Hitchcock’s classic film, returns to the West End for the first time in 10 years this summer.

Next to Normal

Next to Normal

The Pulitzer Prize-winning musical makes its long-awaited West End debut after wowing audiences at the Donmar Warehouse.

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.

Starlight Express

Starlight Express

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

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.

Why Am I So Single?

Why Am I So Single?

The creators of smash-hit musical, SIX, bring you a big new fancy musical about two besties who find themselves very, very single.

English National Ballet - Akram Khan's Giselle

English National Ballet - Akram Khan's Giselle

Prepare to be spellbound by Akram Khan’s groundbreaking reinvention of the great Romantic ballet, in London for a strictly limited season.

The Merchant of Venice 1936

The Merchant of Venice 1936

Tracy-Ann Oberman reprises her acclaimed performance as Shylock in this urgent reinvention of Shakespeare’s tragedy, set in 1930s London.

Oedipus

Oedipus

Rami Malek and Indira Varma star in an exciting new version of Sophocles’ tragedy about fate and free will.

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.

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).

Just For One Day

Just For One Day

Discover the story behind Live Aid in this exhilarating jukebox musical. Featuring songs from David Bowie, Diana Ross, Elton John and more.

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.

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!

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Ghosts star Mathew Baynton delights as Bottom in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s magical and mischievous production.

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.

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.

Aladdin: The Pantomime

Aladdin: The Pantomime

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

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+.

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+.

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+.

The Buddha of Suburbia

The Buddha of Suburbia

Hanif Kureishi’s novel is adapted into a joyful five-star play, transferring to London direct from the Royal Shakespeare Company.

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+.

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+.

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.

Princess Essex

Princess Essex

The Globe welcomes an Edwardian beauty pageant in Anne Odeke’s new play about a trailblazing woman who shook up the competition.

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!

All’s Well That Ends Well

All’s Well That Ends Well

Shakespeare’s rarely-performed story of a woman who will do anything in the name of love plays at London’s only candlelit theatre.

A Christmas Carol (ish)

A Christmas Carol (ish)

Nick Mohammed stars in a playful take on Dickens’ Christmas fable, featuring an all-star cast of British comedy talent. Best for age 10+.

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+.

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.

Three Sisters

Three Sisters

Anton Chekhov’s masterful domestic drama is performed by candlelight. A new version by Rory Mullarkey.

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