Top 10 best plays in London right now
Published on 17 July 2024
Last updated on 12 December 2025
Not to brag, but the West End doesn’t just have the best plays in London; it has the best plays in the world. The original theatreland offers everything from classic comedies and tragedies to innovative immersive productions and groundbreaking contemporary theatre. With so much quality and choice, how do you know what to see? We’ve put together our top 10 best West End plays to help guide you through choosing what to see.
My Neighbour Totoro
If you missed the award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1988 film at the Barbican, then here’s your chance to not make the same mistake twice. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s My Neighbour Totoro earned its status as one of the best theatre plays in London after it won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards during its initial run. Since, it’s played at the Barbican for a second limited season, and it’s now headed to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in 2025.
My Neighbour Totoro is a beautiful tale of two young girls trying to navigate their new home and emotions after they move to a quiet village when their mum falls ill. Full of charm and magic, it’s fast become a favourite among theatre fans.
The My Neighbour Totoro characters don’t stop at humans. The show features the mythical Totoro, soot sprites, a cat bus and more - all brought to life by incredible puppets.
Though it’s based on an animated film and features a story about children and cute creatures, please be aware that it may not be suitable for younger audience members with a suggested age of 6+. You can get tickets here, and we’ll even help you find the best seats at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Another magnificent stage adaptation comes in Stranger Things: The First Shadow. A prequel to the TV series, the Stranger Things play is a new story that expands upon the discoveries made in season four.
Not for the faint-hearted, the award-winning play is tense, spooky and nerve-wracking. It follows the story of a young Henry Creel as he tries to settle in a new school while experiencing strange, paranormal events which are turning his world upside down. Featuring Stranger Things characters you know and love - like Hopper, Joyce and Bob - it’s the perfect fix while you wait for season five to drop.
The Stranger Things play is currently on at the Phoenix Theatre. It has a 12+ recommendation, so please check the content warnings before booking your tickets to Stranger Things.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Head to The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre for some tomfoolery and disastrously good entertainment.
The slapstick comedy has been described as a cross between Fawlty Towers and Noises Off. Between collapsing floors, sticky doors, actors forgetting lines, injuries, and more, it’s a non-stop laugh-a-thon.
When it opened in 2014, the show’s creators - Mischief Comedy - were little-known. Now, they have some of the biggest and best comedy shows in London. Recommended for audiences aged 8+, the fabulous farce is a great way to cultivate new theatre lovers. So what are you waiting for? Get The Play That Goes Wrong tickets now!
The Mousetrap
Now for some theatre history: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The longest-running play in the world, The Mousetrap, has been staged at St Martin's Theatre since 1958.
The record-breaking whodunnit has had audiences sitting at the edge of their seats while the suspenseful thriller unfolds for over 70 years. As it's written by arguably the best crime writer of all time, it’s full of twists and turns that can still surprise audiences today.
There’s a reason it’s the longest-running play in the world and one of the best theatre plays in London. So be part of history and book your tickets today.
Witness for the Prosecution
Coming in hot from Agatha Christie once more, Witness for the Prosecution is a thriller like none other in the West End. Staged in a bonafide Council Chamber in London County Hall, watch and feel like you’re part of the jury in this gripping play.
The tense plot follows the case of Leonard Vole who’s trying to convince the court and you of his innocence. But when a surprise witness takes the stand, anything can happen.
The low-stakes immersive production is a great way to feel involved in the show without feeling out of your comfort zone. It’s the perfect way to dip your toe into alternative theatre telling and settings, all while watching a gripping story unfold. Get your tickets to see Witness for the Prosecution today.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
As seven books, eight films, and three further spin-off films weren’t enough to satisfy Potterheads, this may quench the unrelenting thirst for the Wizarding World. Like Stranger Things, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child expands a world you know and love to give you the extra taste you desperately crave.
The action takes place after The Deathly Hallows when Harry and his pals have grown up and had kids of their own. But while Harry’s working for the Ministry of Magic, his son Albus struggles to fit in at school. Finding solace in Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius, the pair go on a magical adventure with disastrous consequences. It seems the enchanted acorn doesn’t fall far from the whomping willow tree.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is split into two performances. That means you’ll have to buy two tickets and make two trips to the Palace Theatre to satisfy your Harry itch.
All My Sons
Bryan Cranston, Paapa Essiedu, and Marianne Jean-Baptiste headline this electrifying West End revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons at Wyndham’s Theatre, directed by visionary Ivo van Hove.
Set in the aftermath of World War II, the play follows the Keller family as buried secrets about wartime profiteering and personal sacrifice begin to surface, prompting a devastating reckoning.
Audiences and critics alike have praised this production for its raw emotional power and remarkable performances - Cranston in particular has been singled out for his intense, unforgettable turn as Joe Keller. If you love heavyweight drama that lingers with you long after the final curtain, this is one of the most compelling plays in London right now.
Shadowlands
The Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Shadowlands has finally made the leap to the West End! Playing at the Aldwych Theatre until the 9th May 2026, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff star in this beautifully moving telling of C. S. Lewis’ and American poet, Joy Davidman’s, relationship.
This thoughtful drama explores faith, grief, and the transformative power of love with tenderness and depth, and audiences are already hailing it as a richly rewarding theatrical experience.
Fans of character-driven stories and quiet emotional intensity will find much to admire here - this isn’t just a story about a famous writer, it’s a portrait of human vulnerability and connection that resonates long after you leave the theatre.
Oh, Mary!
Fresh from its Tony Award–winning Broadway run, Oh, Mary! is currently playing at the Trafalgar Theatre, with Mason Alexander Park leading the cast. This wildly inventive dark comedy reimagines the hidden life of Mary Todd Lincoln in the turbulent weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, blending sharp wit with outrageous, heartfelt moments.
There’s a reason audiences on both sides of the Atlantic can’t stop talking about it: it’s fearless, hilarious, and surprisingly moving in all the best ways. If you’re in the mood for something delightfully different from the rest of London’s theatre offerings, Oh, Mary! delivers laughs, invention, and a fresh theatrical voice.
Arcadia
Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia - widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the modern era - returns in a major revival at the Old Vic.
Shuttling between the 19th century and the present day, this richly layered play marries witty intellectual rigour with deep emotional insight as it explores love, mathematics, chaos, and the nature of truth.
This production has been earning plaudits for capturing both the play’s dazzling language and its surprising emotional heart, making it a must-see for lovers of smart, beautifully crafted theatre. Whether you’re already a Stoppard fan or have long meant to discover his work, Arcadia is one of those rare plays that rewards repeated thought and reflection long after you leave the theatre.
What’s the most popular show in London?
There is so much to see in the West End, and things change so quickly that picking just one popular show is nearly impossible. Current critically acclaimed, limited-run, shows include; Othello at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Twelfth Night at the Barbican, and Paranormal Activity at the Ambassadors Theatre. Current staples such as Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child also rank highly.
Upcoming shows that will be popular include High Noon at Harold Pinter Theatre starring Billy Crudup and Denise Gough, Woman in Mind at Duke of York’s Theatre starring Sheridan Smith and Romesh Ranganathan and the West End transfer of Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike at the Wyndham’s Theatre.
What show not to miss in London?
You can’t go wrong with London theatre, but if we had to pick three shows you'd regret missing, it would probably be My Neighbour Totoro, The Mousetrap and Kenrex. Whether you’re after a bestseller, a family favourite or a star-studded show, London has the West End play for you.
