London musicals

What is it? Technically known as Beetlejuice The Musical. The Musical. The Musical, this massive scale Broadway adaptation of the classic Tim Burton comedy horror movie has been a big hit in the States. For those unfamiliar, Burton’s 1988 film concerns a couple who die and awaken in the afterlife, only to discover that a ghastly new family has occupied their dream home. They summon the batshit mental ‘bio-exorcist’ Betelgeuse to drive the interlopers away, with catastrophic results.

Where is it? Prince Edward Theatre.

What is it? It’s finally happened: human civilization has finally lasted long enough that there is a second British production of Cats. Audaciously bagged by the Open Air Theatre as its big 2026 summer musical, but embarking on a UK tour thereafter, it’ll be directed and chroegraphed by OAT boss Drew McOnie. He’s a slick, commercial director with something of a dance focus, but he’s unlikely to do a Jamie Lloyd-style deconstruction of it, but any new take will probably feel inherently radical purely by dint of trying something different in any way.

Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

What is it? What a long, strange trip it’s been. Indie-folk musician Anaïs Mitchell’s musical retelling of the Orpheus story began life in the mid-’00s as a lo-fi song cycle – going through the next 14 years blow-by-blow would be time-consuming, but in short thanks to what I can only describe as THEATRE MAGIC, Hadestown is now a full-blown musical directed by the visionary Rachel Chavkin, its success as a show vastly outstripping that of the record.

Where is it? Lyric Theatre.

What is it? Okay, let’s just get this out of the way. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ludicrously hyped rap musical Hamilton is stupendously good. Even if it’s become a slight victim of its own cultural ubiquity, it is undoubtedly the musical of our age.

Where is it? Victoria Palace Theatre.

What is it? Technically the longest running musical of all time (despite basically getting replaced by a new production a few years back) Les Mis could be transposed to space, or underwater, or to the height of the Hittite empire and it would basically be the same show as long as the singing was on point.

Where is it? Sondheim Theatre.

What is it? The original jukebox musical (or certainly the longest lasting), it may be basic as hell but it's impossible not to fall for Mamma Mia!'s twinkling charms.

Where is it? Novello Theatre.

'Matilda' must be making its creators, playwright Dennis Kelly and comedian-songsmith Tim Minchin, a very pair of proud parents.

What is it? Director Alex Timbers’s dementedly maximalist ‘remix’ of Baz Luhrmann’s smash 2001 film is pure sensory overload. Frequently I found myself cackling hysterically at it, on my own, for no particularly good reason, other than how *much* it all is.

Where is it? Piccadilly Theatre.

What is it? Have we finally reached Peak Paddington? The young Peruvian bear’s spectacular film-begat renaissance finally goes there and offers up a big splashy West End musical. Super-producer Sonia Friedman has done the honours, assembling a crack team headed by playwright Jessica Swale doing the book and kids’ author and McFly member Tom Fletcher on songs, all directed by Luke Shepherd, who did such a good job with the smash revival of Starlight Express.

Where is it? Savoy Theatre.

What is it? I’m not sure any show ‘deserves’ to be the most successful entertainment event of all time, but I’ll hand it current holder of that title, The Phantom of the Opera – it still works hard for its audience.

Where is it? His Majesty’s Theatre.