We’ve already seen a massive wave of brilliant new shows hit the West End, and there’s still more to come. From new productions of classic shows to exciting revivals and stage adaptations of cult films – there’s a little bit of everything to tickle anyone’s fancy.
To help you get the most out of musical theatre, here are some of the top musicals in London. Some you may have seen already, and some you’ll be eagerly looking forward to like the rest of us. Just be quick, as plenty are on for a very limited run!
2020
Be More Chill at The Other Palace
If you’re into 80s music and love a little romance, Be More Chill will tick all your boxes! This weird and wacky musical features a Tony Award-winning score and follows the story of a girl (who wants to be noticed), a boy (who wants to fit in) and the supercomputer inside his head (who wants to take over the world!)
Opening from: 12 February 2020
Booking until: 3 May 2020
Carousel at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Rediscover Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel – lauded for its innovative approach to classical musicals – in the stunning surroundings of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Set in a coastal New England town, the multi-award winning love story follows that of a carousel barker, Billy and a mill worker named Julie. When Billy commits a failed armed robbery, what will their future entail?
Opening from: 31 July 2020
Booking until: 19 September 2020
City Of Angels at Garrick Theatre
After its successful run at Donmar Warehouse in 2014, Josie Rourke’s critically acclaimed production of musical comedy City Of Angels returns to the West End for a limited season. Set in 1940s Hollywood, City Of Angels tells two stories simultaneously – a screenwriter with a movie to finish (played out in full colour) and a private eye with a case to crack (with a film noir feel). Packed with plenty of glamour and jazz, this swinging show is set to be a musical masterpiece.
Opening from: 5 March 2020
Booking until: 5 September 2020
The Drifters Girl at Garrick Theatre
Calling all R ‘n’ B and soul fans: West End’s leading lady Beverley Knight is coming to town in this brand new musical. Follow the remarkable story of the world-famous vocal group, The Drifters, and Faye Treadwell, the trailblazing woman who created them. The inspiring show will feature an unbelievable soundtrack of some of the most iconic songs in history including Save The Last Dance For Me, Under The Boardwalk and Stand By Me.
Opening from: 1 October 2020
Booking until: 13 January 2021
Hairspray at the London Coliseum
Look who’s back! Don’t miss Michael Ball reprising his Olivier Award-winning role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray the Musical. The huge-hearted, smash-hit musical is set in Baltimore, 1962. Tracy Turnblad is a big girl with big hair and big dreams. Can she make it on the local TV dance show, win the heart of teen heartthrob Link Larkin and bring everyone together – whatever their colour, size or hairdo? Well if you want a change, you’ve really got to shake things up!
Opening from: 23 April 2020
Booking until: 29 August 2020
Pretty Woman: The Musical at Piccadilly Theatre
Think: Julia Roberts, Richard Gere and one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time. Yes, you’ve got it…Pretty Woman: The Musical is coming to the West End in 2020, and just in time for Valentine’s Day! With original music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner-Bryan Adams and his long-time songwriting partner, Jim Vallance, the soundtrack is as incredible as you’d expect. Having broken the box office record four times and winning three Audience Choice Awards, grab your tickets for the UK premiere of this classic rom-com turned musical!
Opening from: 14 February 2020
Booking until: 2 Jan 2021
The Prince Of Egypt at Dominion Theatre
Fans of the classic DreamWorks animated film, The Prince Of Egypt, will be excited to hear that the musical adaption will be gracing us all at the Dominion Theatre. Take a seat and be transported to the sands of Ancient Egypt where two young brothers live in a kingdom of privilege. When a secret is revealed, they are divided and find their destinies changed forever. With music and lyrics by the renowned Stephen Schwartz of Wicked, the show will include 5 of the acclaimed songs from the film including Deliver Us, All I Ever Wanted, Through Heaven’s Eyes and the Academy Award-winning hit, When You Believe.
Opening from: 5 February 2020
Booking until: 12 September 2020
Sunday In The Park With George
Jake Gyllenhaal is coming to the West End this year in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Sunday In the Park with George. Running for a strictly limited run at the Savoy Theatre from June 2020, Gyllenhaal will be joined by Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford in the acclaimed musical which tells the story of painter Georges Seurat (Jake Gyllenhaal) in the months leading up to the completion of his most famous painting. Consumed with the need to finish the painting, will George realise the consequences of his actions before it’s too late?
Opening from: 11 June 2020
Booking until: 5 September 2020
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Half a century on, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will have us all dreaming again at the London Palladium in summer 2020. Follow one of the world’s most beloved family musicals in a story about Joseph, and his eleven brothers. When sold into slavery in Egypt, Joseph discovers that he has a magical ability to interpret dreams. Can he use this superpower to reunite his family?
Opening from: 2 July 2020
Booking until: 6 September 2020
Hello, Dolly!
Multi-Olivier and BAFTA award-winning Imelda Staunton stars in this classic British musical which follows a strong-willed matchmaker, as she travels to Yonkers, New York to find a match for the miserable unmarried half-a-millionaire Horace Vandergelder. This brand new production directed by Dominic Cooke promises to give you the night of your life and features a number of iconic scores including Put On Your Sunday Clothes, Ribbons Down My Back, Before the Parade Passes By, and – of course – Hello, Dolly! So put on your Sunday Clothes and get ready for a good boogie.
Opening from: 11 August 2020
Booking until: 6 March 2021
There are loads of other musicals playing in London right now! Find out more about London musicals here or book theatre tickets here.