13 London Theatre Shows To Book Now

What if two of history’s most brilliant minds couldn’t stand each other – but still had to work side by side? Liz Duffy Adams’ acclaimed play Born With Teeth imagines a fiery partnership between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, set during the dangerous winter of 1591 when England was rife with plots, paranoia and betrayal. Forced to collaborate on a new work, the rival playwrights meet in secret over tankards of ale in the backroom of a pub – sparring with words, wit and passion. Starring Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve) as Shakespeare and Doctor Who’s Ncuti Gatwa as the irreverent Marlowe, it’s an electrifying two-hander that explores ego, envy and creativity against a backdrop of political intrigue.

Wyndham’s Theatre, Charing Cross Road, WC2H 0DA; until 1st November

Visit DELFONTMACKINTOSH.CO.UK

Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane scandalised audiences in the 1960s – and over 60 years later it remains just as provocative. At its centre is the dangerously charming lodger Sloane, who arrives on the doorstep of siblings Kath and Ed and proceeds to upend their lives with his beauty, manipulation and barely concealed menace. In this new staging at the Young Vic, Rizzle Kicks star Jordan Stephens makes his hotly anticipated stage debut in the title role, bringing swagger and unpredictability to Orton’s queer cult classic. Tamzin Outhwaite stars as Kath, caught between maternal instinct and lust, while Daniel Cerqueira plays her possessive brother Ed. Directed by Nadia Fall, this revival promises to crackle with uneasy desire and sharp social commentary – the hallmarks that cemented Orton’s reputation as one of theatre’s most daring voices. 

Young Vic, 66 The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8LZ; until 8th November

Visit YOUNGVIC.ORG

Wilde’s sharpest comedy is back – this time with a glittering cast and a fresh West End run. The Importance of Being Earnest already delighted audiences at the National Theatre earlier this year and now transfers to Covent Garden’s Noël Coward Theatre with a line-up guaranteed to draw crowds. Singer and actor Olly Alexander steps into the role of Algernon, opposite Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack – two bachelors with double lives that spin into chaos when love and lies collide. The legendary Stephen Fry takes centre stage as Lady Bracknell, alongside Hugh Dennis, Shobna Gulati and Sharon D Clarke. Directed by Max Webster, the production brings Wilde’s razor wit and sparkling dialogue to life with a modern sensibility, while still savouring all the flamboyant details audiences love.

Noël Coward Theatre, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4AU; until 10th January 

Visit EARNESTONSTAGE.COM

James Graham, one of Britain’s most acclaimed playwrights, brings a raw, real story to the West End with Punch. Based on Jacob Dunne’s memoir Right From Wrong, the play explores the devastating consequences of a single moment of violence. At 18, Dunne threw a punch that killed a stranger. He served time in prison – and was later transformed by an extraordinary meeting with his victim’s parents. It’s a story of guilt, redemption and the power of forgiveness, written with Graham’s trademark balance of political urgency and human compassion. Following sell-out runs in Nottingham and at the Young Vic, the production transfers to Shaftesbury Avenue with its original award-winning cast, including David Shields, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Shalisha James-Davis. Expect a night of theatre that is as thought-provoking as it is deeply moving, proving once again why Graham is one of the most vital playwrights of our time.

Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, W1D 7EZ; 22nd September-29th November

Visit PUNCHTHEPLAY.COM

This autumn, a brand-new 620-seat theatre opens its doors at Westfield White City – and it launches with a classic. Dirty Dancing will be the inaugural show at Capital Theatre, a state-of-the-art venue designed so no audience member is ever more than nine rows from the stage. The beloved musical adaptation of the 1987 film brings all the hits and iconic dance sequences back into the spotlight, including Hungry Eyes, Time of My Life and, of course, that lift. After two blockbuster West End runs, this revival promises even more energy, romance and choreography to get you dancing in your seat. Directed by Adam Kenwright and Karl Sydow, it’s the perfect crowd-pleaser to christen the capital’s newest performance space. 

Capital Theatre, Ariel Way, White City, W12 7SL; 23rd October-1st March

Visit DIRTYDANCINGONSTAGE.CO.UK

Panem comes to Canary Wharf this October as Suzanne Collins’ dystopian phenomenon makes its world stage premiere. Adapted by acclaimed playwright Conor McPherson and directed by Matthew Dunster (2:22 A Ghost Story), The Hunger Games brings the drama, danger and high-stakes survival of Collins’ novel to a purpose-built new venue, the Troubadour Theatre. Leading the cast, Mia Carragher steps into Katniss Everdeen’s boots, joined by Euan Garrett as Peeta and Joshua Lacey as Haymitch, alongside a strong ensemble that includes Tamsin Carroll and Stavros Demetraki. With Collins herself backing the adaptation, expectations are high – and from the scale of the production, it looks set to deliver. 

Troubadour Theatre, Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf, E14; 20th October

Visit THEHUNGERGAMESONSTAGE.COM

The inimitable David Harewood returns to Othello nearly three decades after becoming the first Black actor to play the role at the National Theatre, this time bringing all the gravitas of a career-defining performance to the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Starring opposite him, Toby Jones takes on Iago – one of Shakespeare’s most chilling villains – while Caitlin FitzGerald plays Desdemona. Directed by Tony Award-winner Tom Morris, and with an original score by PJ Harvey, this staging promises a fresh, visceral take on Shakespeare’s tragedy of jealousy, manipulation and betrayal. Harewood’s return alone makes this a must-see, but with this level of creative talent on and off stage, it’s shaping up to be one of the season’s biggest Shakespearean events in St James’s.

Theatre Royal Haymarket, Haymarket, St James’s, SW1Y 4HT; 23rd October-17th January 

Visit OTHELLOONSTAGE.COM

Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing has touched audiences across 80 countries – and now it’s finally landing in the West End. A one-person play with a big heart, it begins with a child compiling a list of life’s most joyful things to help their mother battle depression: ice cream, rollercoasters, the smell of old books. As the list grows, so does the child, and the play traces a life lived through moments both light and dark. What makes this staging unmissable is its rotating cast of performers – including Lenny Henry, Ambika Mod, Minnie Driver, Sue Perkins and Jonny Donahoe – each bringing their own warmth and perspective to the story. Directed by Macmillan and Jeremy Herrin, this is a rare chance to experience one of modern theatre’s most moving works.

4 Soho Place, Soho, W1D 3BG; until 8th November

Visit SOHOPLACE.ORG

This season also sees Susan Sarandon take to the London stage for the first time in Tracy Letts’s acclaimed play Mary Page Marlowe. Opening at The Old Vic in November, the production follows one woman’s life across multiple decades, using 11 scenes to portray Mary at different ages. It’s an intimate portrait of an ordinary life, filled with moments of triumph, regret and tenderness. With Sarandon anchoring the cast, it’s shaping up to be a major theatrical event – and a must-see for anyone who loves ambitious, thought-provoking drama. 

The Cut, Waterloo, SE1 8NB; until 1st November 2025

Visit OLDVICTHEATRE.COM

Bold, unflinching and brimming with urgency, Sophia Chetin-Leuner’s Porn Play is one of the most anticipated new works of the season. Making its world premiere at the Royal Court, it follows Ani, a bright young academic with a dark secret: an addiction to violent pornography. Played by Ambika Mod (One Day) when she’s taking a rotating break from Every Brilliant Thing, Ani’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel as her compulsions clash with her teaching career, relationships and research into Paradise Lost. Directed by Josie Rourke (former artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse), this is a play that doesn’t shy away from asking big questions about power, desire and the internet’s impact on intimacy. 

Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS; 6th November-13th December

Visit ROYALCOURTTHEATRE.COM

Few characters capture the warmth of the season quite like Paddington Bear. This November sees the world premiere of Paddington The Musical at the Savoy Theatre. With a book by Olivier Award-winner Jessica Swale and original songs by McFly’s Tom Fletcher, this adaptation brings Michael Bond’s classic stories to life with humour, charm and plenty of marmalade sandwiches. Expect dazzling choreography, inventive staging and a heartwarming story that will delight children and grown-ups alike. 

Savoy Court, Strand, WC2R 0ET; from November 

Visit PADDINGTONTHEMUSICAL.COM

John le Carré’s espionage masterpiece finally reaches the West End, marking the first time one of his novels has been adapted for the stage. The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, adapted by David Eldridge, is a taut Cold War thriller about Alec Leamas, a disillusioned British agent who accepts one final mission that could cost him everything. Rory Keenan reprises the role he originated at Chichester Festival Theatre, alongside Agnes O’Casey as Liz Gold – the idealistic librarian who complicates his carefully constructed facade. Directed by Jeremy Herrin, this is a production that balances political intrigue with piercing emotion, evoking the paranoia and shadows of divided Berlin. Stylish, atmospheric and faithful to le Carré’s tone, it’s the perfect winter escape to Soho – a chance to see a classic spy story reinvented for the stage.

4 Soho Place, Soho, W1D 3BG; 17th November-21st February

Visit SOHOPLACE.ORG

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Into the Woods is a fairytale for adults – and this winter it returns to London in a dazzling new production at the Bridge Theatre. Directed by Jordan Fein with design by Tom Scutt, this staging brings together Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel in a clever mash-up that questions what happens after ‘happily ever after’. At the heart of the story is a baker and his wife, whose desperation to break a witch’s curse of childlessness sees them embark on a quest that takes them deep into the woods where all the characters’ stories intertwine. The musical hasn’t been staged in London since 2016, so anticipation is high. With a contemporary sensibility, this revival promises to re-enchant audiences at Tower Bridge while reminding us that fairy tales are rarely simple.

Bridge Theatre, 3 Potters Fields Park, Tower Bridge, SE1 2SG; 2nd December-18th April

Visit BRIDGETHEATRE.CO.UK