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.
The Duchess
This is your chance to see Jodie Whittaker on stage for the first time in over 10 years. The Doctor Who actress is returning to the West End to star in The Duchess at Trafalgar Theatre for a limited run this autumn.
Adapted and directed by Zinnie Harris, The Duchess is based on The Duchess of Malfi. Recently widowed, the Duchess (Whittaker) decides to remarry beneath her class despite her family’s objections. When her brothers find out about her marriage, their greed and rage lead them to cruelly punish her, repressing her power.
The vivid and complex play explores the patriarchy and female resistance. Highly anticipated, we expect it to be one of the absolute best plays in London this year, so don’t miss out and get your tickets now.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
And what list of best plays in London would be complete without a Shakespearean number? RSC’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will play at the Barbican this winter for a strictly limited season.
Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy follows two unhappy couples who escape the court of Athens and land themselves in an enchanted forest. While there, they encounter a troupe of amateur actors rehearsing a play while fairies cause chaos by interfering with the humans.
Starring Mathew Baynton (Ghosts) as Bottom, you can expect bags of charm and silliness coupled with the precision and excellence associated with the RSC.
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. Currently, People, Places and Things, starring Denise Gough, Slave Play starring Kit Harington and John Cleese's Fawlty Towers - The Play. 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 My Neighbour Totoro, Macbeth, starring David Tennant, Oedipus at the Old Vic, starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma, Oedipus starring Mark Strong and Lesley Manville and Dr. Stranglove, starring Steve Coogan.
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 Duchess, and People, Places and Things. However, you can find out more about shows that’ll suit your taste by exploring the best musicals for families and the best comedy shows in London.