Avenue Q is returning to the West End after two decades! This return is marking the shows 20th Anniversary.
The performances are set to open at The Shaftesbury Theatre from 20th March – 29th August 2026. The show opens following the end of the theatres current production, Just For One Day.
Avenue Q is a musical comedy told by puppets and written by Robert Lopez (Book of Mormon) and Jeff Marx. The story follows a recent college graduate who moves to New York and learns life lessons from his off the wall neighbours.
The revival of this multi Tony-Award Winning show features the original Broadway production. Also, it is reuniting members of the creative team behind the debut production.
Regarding the return of the production the producers remarked the following:
“(We are) beyond excited to bring Avenue Q back to the West End to celebrate its 20th anniversary. When the show first opened on Broadway, it broke all the rules – it was bold, funny, and full of heart, speaking honestly about growing up and finding your place in the world. Two decades later, its message feels more relevant than ever.
“This revival is a love letter to the original production and to everyone who’s ever seen a bit of themselves in the residents of Avenue Q. We can’t wait to reintroduce this brilliantly irreverent, endlessly uplifting show to London audiences once again.”
The Paddington Actors have finally been revealed! This has been one of the biggest secrets of modern theatre history and last nights preview revealed all!
James Hameed who is quickly becoming a West End Superstar is providing the voice and off stage puppeteering for the nations favourite bear. Hameed has recently finsihed his contract with Just For One Day – A Live Aid Musical. Prior to that, he was in the original cast of Be More Chill and joined me in an amatuer production of Phantom of the Opera nearly 11 years ago!
Hameed is one of two actors playing Paddington. The on stage performer for the bear is Arti Shah. Shah is a major name in TV and film having performed in Star Wars: Andor and The Lord of the Rings: Rings of power to name but a few. Interestingly she was also in the movie, Paddington in Peru which makes this a real full circle moment.
Audience reactions to last nights first preview has been wild. Videos of live audience reactions to seeing the marmalade loving bear live is nothing short of moving.
Paddington the Musical is coming the the West End following a decade in the making! Before it’s first preview, it even extended before it’s first public performance. The original music is written by McFly star, Tom Fletcher. The production team is the magical team behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Stranger Things: The First Shadow.
Before last night, the remaining cast of Paddington Actors was already announced. You can read all about them here. Here are the first look images of Paddington and his performers:
Paddington the Musical began previews last night. The new musical is currently booking until October 2026.
London’s Theatre Ghosts are well known to Londoners and regular theatre goers. London is steeped with history and has always been a well known home to spirits (both deceased and drinkable). With spooky season upon us, maybe it’s time for you to get acquianted with them yourself? Why not book a show at one of these haunted venues? See if you can catch a spectre with a show!
As the oldest theatre in the West End, it’s only natural that this theatre is home to the most of London’s Theatre ghosts. In fact, its is renowned for being the most haunted theatre in London, if not, the world!
London’s Theatre Ghosts in Residence:
The Man in Grey
Charles Macklin
Joseph Garibaldi AKA Joey
The Man in Grey
The Man in Grey is the most famous ghost in residence at the theatre. However noone knows who exactly he is. He appears to be wearing 18th Century attire including a grey dress jacket and cloak with riding boots and a sword. Not to mention his distinctive Tricorne Hat. Visions of him are always the same. He appears during the day at the end of the 4th row of the Upper Circle, walks to the rear gangway and disappears into the wall… Interestingly, skeletal remains were found during a renovation in 1848 in a secret room directly behind the wall he disappears in. The man was stabbed and wearing a Grey Coat. Could this be the body of the most visible Ghost in the venue?
Charles Macklin
The Ghost of the Irish Actor, Charles Macklin is also haunts the walls of this theatre despite living to the ripe old age of 97. However, his spirit seems to be full of remorse. In 1735, Macklin had a despute with a fellow actor over a wig. In the heat of the moment, Mackin struck Thomas Hallam with his cane which pierced Hallams eye and brain. Hallam died as a result of this injury. Macklin is reportedly haunting the spot in which he killed his fellow actor.
Joseph “Joey” Grimaldi
Lastly is the most friendly of London’s Theatre Ghosts Joey. Now, although Joey is the ghost of a clown, which sounds terrifying, he seems adorable! He reportedly appears to actors on stage suffering from stage fright! He helps guide actors to their correct position on stage, remember their lines and calm their nerves! Joseph Grimaldi was his full name. His reputation was as a kind and supporting man in life, which has continued on beyond the grave. He is known as the Grandfather of clowning and British Pantomime, so it’s no wonder he can’t let go of encouraging the next generation of artists!
William Terris was a succesful actor who was a regular at the theatre. He also had a hand in funding the Actors Benevolent Fund – a fund for out of work actors which still exists today. Terris unfortunatley met his untimely end at the stage door where he was stabbed dead by a rival actor. The actor in question was Richard Prince. Terris had previously helped Prince find work and had even loaned him money when Prince found himself on hard times. The conflict began when both actors were rehearsing for a production. The story goes that Prince offended Terris and consequently, Terris had him fired.
Despite this, Terris allegedly still helped him find work. Unfortunatley, Prince became dependant on alcohol and unemployable. On the day of the murder, Prince was forcibly removed from the neighbouring Vaudeville Theatre. He was also refused money from the aforementioned fund. He then waited at The Adelphi Theatre Stage Door to murder Terriss.
The Ghost of William Terris
Allegedly, Terris’ dying words were “I will come back” which seemed to be the catalyst for many a strange goings on in the theatre. Actors began hearing strange tapping noises coming from Terriss’ old dressing room. Also, unexplained footsteps began to be heard backstage. Other stories recall the appearance of strange glowing lights or orbs are seen floating above the stage area.
Lastly, sightings of him occur at Covent Garden Tube Station! He was a big fan of a bakery that existed their prior to the station being built. Perhaps he’s wandering over for a sweet treat or two?
Now this is one of London’s Theatre Ghosts that creeps me out the most! Why? I couldn’t tell you, I just find it scarier than the others.
The Dominion Theatre is built of the site of an old Brewery. This wasn’t just any old Brewery. This is the Brewery which is responsible for the London Beer Flood of 1814. Went a pipe exploded, it knocked down a wall and flooded the local area. 8 people died due to the building collapse and drowning. One of the girls killed from this tragic accident was 14 year old barmaid Eleanor Cooper. Eleanor has been spotted many times in the Theatre. She is also allegedly responsible for poltergeist activity in the building and has even appeared in an unspuspecting theatre goers selfies!
This theatre is allegedly haunted by the Ghost of Evelyn Laye. She only passed away on 1996 making her one of the more modern of London’s Theatre Ghosts. She is the more disruptive of ghosts responsible for more poltergeist-like activity. When a photgraph of the actress was removed from the Theatres office, the activity intensified! From objects being thrown and doors being slammed with no explaination. The solution to calm down this aggressive activity? Returning the photograph of Evelyn back in the pride of place.
Palace Theatre
Current Production: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The Palace Theatre is the home to two main theatre ghosts. Both of those, until recently, the venue kept two seats reserved for them at each performance. (Bring that back, I say!). The ghost of an unknown ballerina (perhaps Anna Pavlova?) is often seen dancing across the stage between performances. Lastly, famous actor Ivor Novello is frequently reported to watch the shows from the Dress Circle.
If you are thinking about booking tickets for the Hunger Games Live on stage, book in advance as the show is set to be a hit! Especially after it’s press night on 12th November.
Leading the cast is Mia Carragher as the heroic Katniss Everdeen. Euan Garrett is playing Peeta Mellark and Joshua Lacey is playinh Haymitch Abernathy. Tristan Waterson plays Gale Hawthorne with Sophia Ally as Primrose Everdeen and Ruth Everett as Mrs Everdeen. Tamsin Carroll plays Effie Trinket as well as Stavros Demetraki playing Caesar Flickerman and Nathan Ives-Moiba as Cinna. Lastly, John Malkovich is appearing via video screen in the role of President Snow.
The Hunger Games book series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 52 languages. The films are also a smash hit, grossing more than $3.4 billion globally. This production is the world premiere of a live version on the story. It is a dystopian tale about class and control. Each year 2 young people from each district are pitted against each other in a fight to the death. Katniss finds herself as a symbol of the rebellion against the capitol, could this be the games which changes everything?
Oliver is the Olivier Award-winning revival which is currently playing at the Gielgud Theatre. It is the classic show which is based on a Charles Dickens novel. Oliver is about a Victorian orphan of the same name who finds himself trying to survive on the streets of East London. This show has so many classic hits including Food Glorious food and Oom Pah Pah to name a few!
What good is sitting alone in your room? Come hear the music play at Cabaret this October. The current stars of this West End show are in fact, Broadway power couple Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney. Cabaret is also based on a novel about Berlin in the time of the rise of the Nazis. Set in a Cabaret Club, it follows a cabaret singer Sally Bowles who is also a character from the books memoir.
Titanique is one of the hottest shows you can catch this October. It is a spoof of the classic film Titanic which Celine Dion provided the iconic soundtrack. Naturally, this musical retells what really happened with Jack and Rose that fateful night from Celine Dion’s eyes. As well as her performing some of her greatest hits! This new comedy is also Olivier award winning so it’s definitely one to fill your October with laughter.
Another Olivier Award winner that you can catch this winter, Operation Mincemeat has taken the West End and also, Broadway by storm! This home grown British Musical started at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and sells out most nights. The musical is based on a real military operation which took place in WWII. The stellar cast of 5 actors impressively multi-role to tell this moving and hilarious story.
Operation Mincemeat is currently playing at The Fortune Theatre until 30th May 2026.
With less than 1 week to catch this show in the West End you MUST add this to your list of October shows. Starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel as Kit Marlowe and Shakespeare respectively, this show simply sizzles. Across three secret meetings in the backroom of a pub, with the table as their stage and battlefield, the characters sharpen their pens – and let their genius fly.
October is the perfect time to get ready for Christmas right? The team at the Aldwych Theatre certainly think so! Based on the beloved film, Elf is the funny and charming tale of Buddy, who mistakenly crawled into Santa’s bag as a baby and was raised as an elf!
Way too tall and not so great at his job, Buddy is the North Pole’s biggest misfit… and knows he’ll never belong. When Santa tells him the truth, Buddy heads to New York to find his birth father (who turns out to be quite high on the naughty list).
Book now to spread Christmas Cheer at Elf the Musical at the Aldwych Theatre which opens on 28th October until 3rd January 2026.
Chris Pine is set to make his London Theatre debut at The Bridge Theatre!
This marks the Hollywood A-listers return to the stage in over a decade. Pine is most well known for his role as Captian Kirk in the Star Trek films. Next year, he is performing in the Checkov play, Ivanov. SImon Stone will direct and rework this production. Stone currently has a production running at the venue, the smash hit, Our Lady From The Sea.
Chris Pine originally studied theatre before making it big on screen. Regarding his upcominf return to theatre, Pine said the following:
“I’m delighted to be collaborating with Simon on his new production of Chekhov’s Ivanov. I’m excited to bring this complex character and story to life and to take part in Simon’s singular creative process. It’s been over ten years since I was on stage and to be able to return to it in London at the Bridge Theatre is a thrill. I can’t wait to start.”
Ivanov follows Nikolai Ivanov. A landowner who is increasingly in debt. Although he seems to have everything, he feels increasingly detached from his own life. His marriage is strained, his finances are faltering, as well as his sense of purpose slipping away.
Chris Pine will star in the play next year, with previews beginning on 4th July 2026 and running until 19th September.
Following todays announcement, Stone commented:
“After admiring Chris from afar for a long time, it was a delight to discover that not only is he a thespian from way back but he’s uniquely sensitive and brilliantly intelligent too. Ivanov is the most knotty of his male characters, a challenge and a gift. I just can’t wait to unleash Chris’ version on London audiences.”
Further casting for this production is to be announced.
The Nutcracker family musical is opening at the St. Martin’s Theatre for the Festive season.
The St. Martin’s Theatre currently houses the longest running show on the West End, The Mousetrap. It is sharing the stage throughout the festive period whilst the festive show plays primarily in the mornings.
The Oliver Award Winning creatives, Little Bulb Theatre are bringing The Nutcracker family musical to the West End. Not to be confused with the classic ballet, this bold and brilliantly silly tale is told through clever cardboard creations, comic characters and a chorus of cheeky musical mice.
It follows two squabbling siblings who receive a mysterious nutcracker from their flamboyant Aunt on Christmas Eve. However, it sets them off on a fantastical journey into ‘The Mousey Realm’. Can they put their differences aside and stop the evil Mouse King before he ruins Christmas? Only time will tell.
Clare Beresford, Dominic Conway, Lakeisha Lynch-Stevens and Caroline Partridge devised the piece. As well as Alexander Scott, Edith Tankus and Shamira Turner, with direction by Alexander Scott. They are yet to announce the casting.
Regarding the announcement of The Nutcracker Family show heading to the West End, Little Bulb said the folllowing:
“We are beyond excited to bring our madcap, ‘80s action film inspired version of The Nutcracker to the iconic St Martin’s theatre for our West End debut! … But, here’s a twist in the tale… our version of this Christmas classic is told by the mice! That’s right, a chorus of cheeky mice playing in the home of the world’s most famous Mousetrap! What could possibly go wrong?”
Also, the show permits babes in arms under 12 months. This makes it great for young families! Any child over the age of 12 months requires a ticket.
Spooky Season has officially begun! As the nights are drawing in, we feel the pull for cosy and scary shows to enjoy. Here’s our recommendations for all the shows you can catch this October on the run up to Halloween.
Starring Brendan Gleeson this spooky, one act play encapsulates the feel of a cosy night in at your local. This play has received rave reviews and is a powerful display of storytelling which is an ancient human response to the longer nights.
Set on a stormy night, four local men gather in an isolated pub in rural Ireland. Their usual banter and everyday lives are disrupted by the arrival of a woman called Valerie. The stories they weave to impress her are gripping, haunting and deeply unsettling. Little do they know that she has a profoundly personal story of her own, the sharing of which will leave them all shaken.
This musical qualifies as a spooky show as it features the lord of the underworld, Hades. Also, they are performing a Halloween special performance this year hosted by Hades.
Hercules is Disney’s hit new musical based on the animated film of the same name. The show is set in Ancient Greece. A time of gods, mortals… and Hercules, who isn’t quite either. But if he’s not a god, how can he possibly save the world from Hades? It’s one thing flexing those pecs, but going from zero to hero requires a different kind of strength.
Hercules is currently booking until 28th March 2026 at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane with a special Halloween performance on Friday 31st October.
Based on the hit Netflix series, Stranger Things: The First Shadow acts as a prequel to the story. The show is produced by the same team behind Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Therefore, the special effects are equally thrilling and terrifying. The play is a great thriller to watch this spooky season.
Set in Hawkins in 1959, it is seemingly a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy… and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.
This play is finishing its tour at The Peacock Theatre. It is based on the film which stopped me from sleeping for a week and fleeing my house not only at witching hour, but also 3 o’clock in the afternoon!
Ghost Stories mixes the very best of theatre with the buzz of a thrill-ride, delivering something truly unique. When Professor Goodman, arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings –as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child –Goodman finds himself at the outer limits of rationality, and fast running out of explanations.
After exhilarating audiences for three years in the West End and across the world with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Ghost Stories is back in London for a strictly limited, 6-week Halloween season run.
This is a great spooky season show as the colour scheme and back to school vibes feel very autumnal. Not only that, Miss Trunchball also feels like something straight from your nightmares.
The story follows an extraordinary young girl called Matilda Wormwood, a precocious and intellectually gifted girl who faces neglect and mistreatment at the hands of her shallow and self-absorbed parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, and the tyrannical school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda’s awful parents are only interested in watching TV and her school life isn’t much better with the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull who makes the children’s lives a misery every day. Luckily one day Matilda discovers that she has superpowers and she decides it’s time to teach these grown ups a lesson they will never forget! With a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, we see Matilda take a stand to change her own destiny.
Matilda is currently booking until 24th May 2026 at The Cambridge Theatre. We sell rush tickets Tuesday – Thursday exclusively in person or on the phone.
With a spectacularly spooky set, this show is one of the longest-running shows in the West End. It also features the phantom, who is not a ghost but a man who haunts the Paris Opera house. He lives underground the opera house in a candlelit lair which is very apt for spooky season.
The legendary musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber that tells the tale of a mysterious musical genius who lives in the shadows of the Paris Opera House. He becomes obsessed with a young soprano named Christine, whom he teaches to sing ‘the music of the night’. But as Christine’s star rises, she attracts the attention of a handsome suitor from her past, and the Phantom’s jealousy turns into rage. He begins to terrorize the Opera House with his sinister threats, and will stop at nothing to make Christine his.
Musical Con 2025, is returning to ExCel London for it’s fourth year on 18th and 19th October. Musical Con is a 2 day event which celebrates all things musical theatre. Visitors can expect anything from exclusive performances of West End Shows to Masterclasses and also meet and greets with some of the industry’s biggest names. What’s more, some shows are even hosting reunions on this event.
Musical Con Line Up: Saturday
Morning:
10:00 Backstage Theatre – The Jonathan Larson Legacy Talk
10:15 Masterclasses – Danny Becker: Top Secret Songs (Masterclass) Workshops – Heathers Workshop with Gary Lloyd Stage Door – Emma Flynn and Keelan McAuley (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Ryan Kopel (Selfie and Autograph Experience)
10:20 Main Stage – Opening Ceremony
11:00 Main Stage – Show Spotlight: The Producers
11:00 Backstage Theatre – Besfort Williams: Multidiscipline for an 8-Show West End Vocalist (Talk)
11:00 am Stage Door – Jordan Luke Gage (Photo Experience)
11:10 Stage Door – Layton Williams (Selfie and Autograph Experience)
11:30 The Fan Zone – Solo & First-Time Attendee Fan Meet
11:45 Main Stage – Oscar the Crown (New Show Spotlight)
Afternoon:
12:00 Main Stage – Wild About You (New Show Spotlight)
12:00 Backstage Theatre – The Royal Treatment Fan Panel
12:00 Stage Door – Kerry Ellis (Photo Experience) The Fan Zone – Bracelet Trading (Fan Meet)
12:15 Masterclasses – Ivano Turco: Wall in My Head (Masterclass) Workshops – Disney’s Hercules: Zero to Hero Workshop Stage Door – Jeevan Braich (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
12:30 Main Stage – Clueless Cast Reunion
13:00 Main Stage – Star of Musical Con (Competition) Backstage Theatre – The Black Print West End (Panel)
13:00 Stage Door – Francis Mayli-McCann (Photo Experience) The Fan Zone – PhanFans (Fan Meet)
13:15 Masterclasses – Carly Burns: Bat Out of Hell (Masterclass) Workshops – Layton Williams: Jamie (Workshop) Stage Door – Laura Dawn Pyatt (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
14:00 Main Stage – Artist Spotlight: Kerry Ellis
14:00 Backstage Theatre – Light at the End of the Tunnel (Fan Panel)
14:00 The Fan Zone – Les Amis (Fan Meet)
14:15 pm Masterclasses – Ryan Kopel: Waving Through a Window (Masterclass)
14:25 Stage Door – Layton Williams (Photo Experience)
14:45 Main Stage – CAPA College Showcase Stage Door – Dean John-Wilson (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
14:50 Main Stage – Bird College Showcase
15:00 Backstage Theatre – Brett Boles (Talk)
15:00 The Fan Zone – Corn Nuts (Fan Meet)
15:00 Main Stage – Surprise Fan Celebration
15:10 Stage Door – Ivano Turco (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
15:15 Masterclasses – Emma Flynn: Clueless Masterclass Workshops – Laura Dawn Pyatt: Find Your Inner Queen Workshop Stage Door – Jade Marvin, Ray Shell, Tom Pilgrim & Jeevan Braich (Photo Experience)
15:40 Main Stage – Fansens Sing Along
16:00 Backstage Theatre – Access on the West End (Panel)
16:00 Stage Door – Jess Folley (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Lauren Drew (Selfie & Autograph Experience) The Fan Zone – Queendom (Fan Meet)
16:15 Masterclasses – Besfort Williams: Looking After Your Voice (Masterclass) Workshops – Layton Williams: Titanique Inspired (Workshop)
16:20 Main Stage – Show Off (Game Show)
Musical Con Line Up: Saturday
Morning:
10:00 Main Stage – Disney Puppetry Demonstration: Larger Than Life Backstage Theatre – When the Chips Are Down (Panel) Masterclasses – Maddison Firth: Candy Store Masterclass Workshops – Laura Dawkes: Fixer Upper Workshop Stage Door – Andy Nyman (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Charlie Burns (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
10:30 Stage Door – Jay Perry (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Elie Skye (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
10:45 Main Stage – Special Reunion: Sophie’s – We Have a Dream
11:00 Backstage Theatre – All Roads Lead to West End (Panel)
11:00 Masterclasses – Puppetry on Broadway: Puppetry for the Stage Masterclass Workshops – Layton Williams: Hairspray Inspired Workshop
11:00 Stage Door – Shanay Holmes (Photo Experience) Stage Door – The Fates (Selfie & Autograph Experience) The Fan Zone – Fansies (Fan Meet, 11:00 am – 11:30 am)
11:15 Main Stage – Spotlight: 15 Years of Paul Taylor-Mills Celebration
11:30 Stage Door – Esme BowlDer (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Laura Dawkes (Selfie & Autograph Experience)
11:50 Main Stage – Jo the Little Woman Musical (New Show Spotlight)
Afternoon:
12:00 Main Stage – Artist Spotlight: Eva Noblezada & Reeve Carney Backstage Theatre – Bat Out of Hell Fan Panel
12:00 Masterclasses – Millie Readshaw: You Will Be Found Vocal Masterclass Workshops – Official Disney Hercules: Zero to Hero Workshop
12:00 Stage Door – Layton Williams (Photo Experience) Stage Door – Maddison Firth (Selfie & Autograph Experience) The Fan Zone – Ozians (Fan Meet, 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm)
The Devil Wears Prada new cast has just been announced! Starting the 21st of October there will be an almost full cast change at the Dominion. Except for one notable exception! Vanessa Williams will be staying on till the 18th April instead of leaving on her previous departure date 18th October.
The musical is based on the cult film The Devil Wears Prada. It follows Andy as she starts a job at a fashion magazine under the iconic diva Miranda Priestly. The show follows her journey as she starts to questions if success is worth her personal life and morals. Furthermore the musical features an original score by Elton John and Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead. It opened last year to tremendous success and has now extended until September 2026.
The roles of Andy and Emily will going forth be played by Stevie Doc and Taila Halfford. Since Georgie Buckland and Amy Di Bartolomeo are leaving the show. Keelan McAuley will be taking over the role of Nate from Rhys Whitefield. Alex Woodward , Anta Bah, Dean Makowshi-Clayton, Georgia Aspinall, Harry Tunningley, Jenna Bonner, Joshua Robinson, Justin-Lee Jones, Kimberley Hoyle, Mark Lamb, Selina Hamilton and Xenoa Campbell-Ledgister will be joining the ensemble. The new cast starts performances Tuesday 21st of October.
A cast album was also released earlier this month and is streaming on all stremaing sites.
Book your tickets now to see The Devil Wears Prada new cast. Or try to catch the old one if you can. The show has become a beloved staple on the West End and we’re so excited to see it continue.
