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- On May 23, 2025
Jukebox Musicals are a-plenty in London’s West End. They’re always crowd pleasers for both your regular theatre go-er or your first-timer. A Jukebox musical is a musical which uses songs that are already established and are put into a show. They are a great way to get into watching musicals as nothing beats watching a show with toe tapping hits you are already familiar with. Audiences love them so no wonder the West End is full of them. Here’s the low down of the musicals featuring hits from your favourite artists currently playing in the West End.
Mamma Mia!
Arguably the most well-known of the jukebox musicals, Mamma Mia has been wowing the West End for 26 super trouper years. This musical is made up of some of ABBA’s greatest hits. This includes the title number alongside Dancing Queen and Honey Honey to name a few. West End audiences have loved the show so much, in fact, that it was produced into a blockbuster film starring Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan. The film became the fastest-selling DVD of all time, selling 1,669,084 copies on its first day of release!
The musical is set in sunny Greece. Sophie is getting ready for her wedding and finds her mother’s old diary. When she discovers the identity of 3 possible men who could be her father, she invites them all to her wedding to find out which one is hers.
Mamma Mia really is a brilliant feel good show which sells out night after night.
Book Cheap Tickets now to Mamma Mia which is currently booking until 29th March 2026 at The Novello Theatre.
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge is simultaneously a Jukebox and Movie Musical. It is based on the hit Baz Luhrhmann film of the same name starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. It follows the love story of Satine, a performer in the Moulin Rouge and Bohemian writer Christian. They have a forbidden love affair whilst they try to save the Moulin Rouge with a theatrical production.
It is one of the Jukebox musicals that features songs by a variety of artists. The show encompasses over 70 songs credited to 160 songwriters. The musical features many of the iconic songs from the 2001 movie such as Come What May and Elton John’s Your Song. As well as the film’s classic songs, it features new additions from Adele, Katy Perry, Sia, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and more. Combined, it creates a musical extravaganza unlike anything else.
Moulin Rouge is now booking until 25th October 2025 at The Piccadilly Theatre.
Tina
Tina is the first on our list of jukebox musicals, which is also a biopic. Not only does the show feature some of Tina Turner’s greatest hits but also, the story of her life. From her humble beginnings in Nutbush Tennessee to becoming the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner’s journey is nothing short of legendary. Naturally, the show features some of her biggest hits such as Simply the Best and Proud Mary.
Sadly, the show recently announced it will close this September after 7 years in The Aldwych Theatre. It is the longest-running show that the Aldwych has had. Despite this sad news, the show is rolling out of the West End with a bang! Pop Star and TV personality Fleur East is sharing the lead role of Tina for select dates over the summer.
Tina is currently playing at The Aldwych Theatre until 13th September 2025 where it will close in the West End. Book your cheap tickets now before it’s too late.
Just For One Day
Just For One Day is the newest of the West End jukebox musicals. They started performances just last week. The musical features songs from some of the 70 artists who performed at the Live Aid Charity fundraising event. Just For One Day, also known as The Live Aid Musical, is based on the historic Live Aid concert that took place 40 years ago. The event took place in London and Philadelphia simultaneously. It was organised by Bob Geldolf to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia. All of the artists performed for free and raised a whopping $127 million for the cause.
As well as using songs from the event, the musical also tells the story of the run up to the event from people who attended it. Some of the hits you can expect to hear are from artists such as David Bowie, Queen, Diana Ross, The Police and many more icons.
Just for One Day is booking until 10th January 2026 at The Shaftesbury Theatre.
Titanique
As jukebox musicals go, this one is the funniest. It is also a parody of the hit 90s film Titanic. Celine Dion famously provided the soundtrack for the film and therefore, this musical features some of Dion’s biggest hits. The show starts in the Titanic Museum where Celine Dion appears and tells the audience the story of Jack and Rose on the Titanic that fateful night in her own words.
Titanique has audiences cackling with laughter every night. So much so in fact, they won this year’s Olivier Award for The Best New Entertainment or Comedy Show. West End Star Layton Williams also won his first ever Olivier Award for his role in this production. His show stopping role of The Iceberg. You can catch Williams as The Iceberg until 10th June when the show welcomes their new cast change.
Titanique is accepting passengers on board at The Criterion Theatre until 4th January 2026.
MJ The Musical
This is one of two jukebox musicals that is inspired by pop star Michael Jackson. Although, to be clear this is a new musical and is not the same as Thriller Live. Like Tina, this musical is a biopic which follows the life of MJ, particularly the creation of his 1992 Dangerous world tour. The show wants to show the creative process that made him a global superstar.
It was a hit on Broadway where the show won 4 Tony awards before its move over to London’s West End. MJ The Musical features some of the star’s biggest hits such as Billie Jean, Beat It, Man in the Mirror, Thriller and Smooth Criminal.
MJ The Musical is playing at The Prince Edward Theatre until 28th March 2026
