West End Shows That Started at Fringe Venues

Many big London shows started small at Off West End or Fringe venues. With the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival wrapping up, it seemed apt to round up all the shows that started off in these humble beginnings.

What is an Off West End/ Fringe Show?

These are shows which are generally in smaller venues which is not in London’s main theatre district. It is typically a smaller venue and isn’t funded by the big producers. This can range from pub theatres that seat 40 people to purpose-built theatres that still seat 100s. Generally, these Off West End or Fringe venues are producing new work and therefore taking a risk. A lot of the productions currently playing in London are made up of Broadway Transfers or revivals and so these venues are essential for giving a platform to new and imaginative work.

What Shows Started at Fringe Venues?

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
• The Choir of Man
• The Play That Goes Wrong
• Operation Mincemeat
• Clueless the Musical
• Six The Musical

Out of all these shows, two of them actually started all the way up in Scotland at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They were so popular at the festival which takes place every August in Edinburgh that they made it big, not only in the West End, but worldwide!

More information on West End Shows that started at Edinburgh Fringe Venues

Six The Musical
Original Edinburgh Fringe Run – 2017

Six The Musical started at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. A group of Cambridge University Students wrote it in 2017. Duo Toby Marlowe and Lucy Moss were inspired by both historical queens and queens of pop when writing this musical. Their run at the Fringe was so successful in fact, that Fringe venues invited them back the following year. Following this, they got a West End transfer to The Arts Theatre before moving to it’s current home, The Vaudeville Theatre. As well as it’s home in the West End, the show has gone global! It is also on Broadway and a UK and North American Tour. It was also translated into Japanese and had a Japanese tour as well as a stint on Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Six is about Henry VIII’s ex-wives and rewrites herstory. The concept imagines the queens in a pop group. They are arguing over who will be the bands lead singer by deciding which of them had the worst experience with Henry. Each of the Queens are inspired by an amalgamation of various pop stars such as Beyonce, Ariana Grande and Avril Lavigne to name a few.

Book tickets for Six which is currently booking until 27th June 2026 at The Vaudeville Theatre.

The Choir of Man
Original Edinburgh Fringe Run – 2017

The Choir of Man performed at the Fringe in the same year as Six in 2017- it was a great year for Edinburgh Fringe Venues! After a successful summer in Edinburgh, the team went to perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival the following year.

The Choir of Man didn’t get a spot on the West End until 2021 at the Arts Theatre which is still its home today. Just like Six, The Choir of Man can also be caught if you take a holiday with Norwegian Cruise Lines.

The story follows a mans pub choir and as such is set in a pub. It is a celebration of community and invites the audience to celebrate life with them as the stage is a working bar!

Book cheap tickets for The Choir of Man at The Arts Theatre until 4th January 2026.

Can I get Discounted Tickets for The Choir of Man?

Yes! Here at Leicester Square Box Office, we have a limited amount of same day discounted tickets which can be purchased at our kiosk in Leicester Square or over the phone.

More information on West End Shows that started at London Fringe Venues

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Original Fringe venue – The Southwark Playhouse – 2019

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button started at the Southwark Playhouse which is one of the most active of London fringe venues. It had a short run in 2019 and then had another in 2023. From there, they transferred this new musical to The Ambassadors Theatre in the West End! The show has since gone on to win not one, but three Olivier Awards including Best New Musical. Also, it has recently extended its run until 11th October 2025.

The musical is based on a short story by F.Scott Fitzgerald. It is about a man who is born old and ages backwards. This adaptation is set in a Cornish Fishing Village. The ensemble is made up of actor musicians who bring the story to life and create a vibrant feel to the show.

Book tickets for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button at The Ambassadors Theatre which must end on 11th October 2025.

The Play That Goes Wrong
Original Fringe Venue – The Old Red Lion Pub Theatre – 2013

The Play That Goes Wrong was created by a bunch of drama school students and started at a pub theatre which is one of London’s many fringe pub venues. The play then opened At The Trafalgar Studios. In 2014, The Play That Goes Wrong opened in the West End at The Duchess Theatre which is still it’s home today. This makes it the longest running play to show at the venue and also the longest running comedy play ever in the West End.

The Play That Goes Wrong is a comedy about an amateur dramatics group who are trying to perform a classic murder mystery play. “Trying” being the keyword here. This comedic adventure has gone global! The show is currently also on a UK Tour and is performing off-Broadway. Previously, they also toured Australia and the US with a home on Broadway and in Chicago.

Secure tickets for The Play That Goes Wrong at The Duchess Theatre which is currently booking until 29th August 2026.

Operation Mincemeat
Original Fringe Venue – New Diorama Theatre

Operation Mincemeat started at The New Diorama in 2019 before heading to The Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios before moving to it’s current home, The Fortune Theatre.

The show is based on a military operation which took place in the second world war. Based on a true story, this musical is funny, touching and award winning! It is also playing on Broadway with the original West End cast.

Operation Mincemeat is booking until 28th February 2026 at The Fortune Theatre.

Clueless the Musical
Original Fringe Venue – Churchill Theatre, Bromley

The concept for this musical actually started off Broadway in 2018. The ideas of this non traditional jukebox musical was scrapped and a new work in progress version of the musical with all original songs began. This short run with original songs by KT Tunstall took place at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley in 2024. Clueless The Musical then received its West End transfer to The Trafalgar Theatre earlier this year! The show is closing at the end of August before heading on tour in the UK.

Clueless is based on the hit 90’s film of the same name which, in turn, is based on Jane Austen’s novel, Emma. It follows the spoiled, rich girl Cher on her mission to play matchmaker. Her ex-stepbrother challenges her to look at her motives. Does she really want to help people, or does she just enjoy meddling? As if!

Where can I get discounted tickets for Clueless?

You can nab discounted tickets for Clueless on the same week that you’d like to go with Leicester Square Box Office.

Clueless the Musical must close on 23rd August at The Trafalgar Theatre.