The Rehearsal Pictures for The Fifth Step have been released today! This is ahead of their opening at @sohoplace theatre on 10th May. The show will play for a limited 11-week season until 26th July.
The Fifth Step is starring Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden. Freeman is known for his extensive work as an actor in TV and film. Some of his credits to name merely a handful, would include The Hobbit, Sherlock and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Lowden is also a familiar face on our screens. His breakout role was with the BBC for War and Peace and he went on to star in Dunkirk and Mary Queen of Scots.
The Fifth Step is a provactive and subversivley funny play written by David Ireland and it is making its west end premiere following its success at the Edinburgh International Festival which Lowden also performed in. Leading the rehearsal process is director Finn den Hertog who directed the first iteration of this play too.
The Fifth Step is about two men in an Alcoholics Anonymous group. Freeman will play James who agrees to sponsor Luka (played by Lowden) as part of their 12 step recovery programme. As they bond and approach step 5 of their programme, they are forced to open up. Additionally, they need to be vulnerable and confront difficult truths. Some of which, have the potential to destroy the important trust which develops between them.
The rehearsal pictures show Freeman, Lowden and the creative team working hard on this exciting play. Also shown in the images are Joseph Ayre (Hijack, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and Joe Rawlinson-Hunt (The Tempest, The Ocean at the End of the Lane). Ayre and Rawlinson-Hunt will cover Luka and Cover James, respectively.
Check out these great rehearsal pictures below. Make sure to secure your tickets for The Fifth Step at @sohoplace before they sell out!
Martin Freeman and Jack Lowden in Rehearsals
Finn Den Hertog Directing The Fifth Step
Jack Lowden In Rehearsals
Martin Freeman in Rehearsals for The Fifth Step
Jack Lowden in Rehearsals for The Fifth Step
Joe Rawlinson-Hunt in Rehearsals for The Fifth Step
Joseph Ayre in Rehearsals for The Fifth Step
Katherine Nesbitt Associate Director in Rehearsals for The Fifth Step
The new cast for The Play That Goes Wrong was announced earlier this week. The new cast will begin performances on 3rd June 2025. It is the 11th cast change since the show began playing in 2014 at The Duchess Theatre.
Not only that, but the show also announced that it is extending into August 2026! The show is already the longest running comedy play in the West End. What’s more, it’s the 10th longest running show that is currently on the West End.
The Play That Goes Wrong follows a drama society who are attempting to perform a murder mystery style play where, despite all of their best efforts, anything that could go wrong, does!
Joining the cast and making her theatrical debut is Izzy Edmunds-Clarke. She is making her debut playing Annie. Jonty Peach (Operation Mincemeat) is also joining the new cast as Jonathan. Jack Hardwick (The Bodyguard) as Chris and Robert Jackson (Brief Encounter) as Robert.
Charlotte Scott (Matilda) will play Sandra alongside Mitesh Soni (A Christmas Carol) as Dennis. Completing the lead cast is Tom Wainwright (Magic Goes Wrong) who will play Max and Ronnie Yorke (The Tempest) who will play Trevor.
The understudies are Alex Blackie, Jake Burgum, Kitty Devlin, Louise Hoare and Ed Shamwana.
The Savoy Theatre have confirmed that Paddington the Musical will premiere at their venue later this year. The new musical is set to open on 1st November 2025 so pack your marmalade sandwiches and head to the West End!
The show will be based on the much loved book series written by Micheal Bond and subsequent film series. The show will follow the bear’s journey from Peru to London in his search for somewhere to call home.
Paddington the Musical has been in development for 2 years. Frontman of McFly, Tom Fletcher is witting the music for this new show. Although Fletcher wouldn’t give away how or in what form Paddington would appear on stage he said it was pure “theatrical magic”. Regarding writing the show he did say this:
“This unique and special bear is at the very heart of our nation… I’m aware of the awesome responsibility we all have in taking on his story. It’s beyond exciting, and an absolute dream come true…”
Directing Paddington the Musical is Luke Sheppard. Sheppard has directed many popular West End shows such as Starlight Express and Just For One Day which is opening at the Shaftesbury Theatre later in May.
Olivier Award winning playwright Jessica Swale will write the book for the show. Swale said it is a priviledge to bring this character to the stage. She also added that:
“Paddington is so much more than a fictional character. This special bear has come to represent hope, kindness and acceptance, so it’s never felt like a more apt time to bring this story to the stage.”
April is coming to a close and it has been a big month in theatre news! This April, Theatre news has been a-plenty. From star casting, show extensions plus many opening and closing this month, fear not! The Team at LSBO will keep you updated.
April Theatre News: Shows Opening
April was a big month for London Theatre and we have seen 4 shows open this month! Okay, technically one of them opens in 2 days but we’re super excited for it, so had to include it in our April round up!
Firstly, the highly anticipated The Great Gatsby Musical opened at The London Coliseum on 11th April. The adaptation of the classic novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald will send us back to the roaring 20s as we enter the glittering life of the glamourous Jay Gatsy.
Secondly, the latest production from the writers of The Play That Goes Wrong opened called The Comedy About Spies. The show opened at the Noel Coward Theatre on 14th April and released it’s production images just the other week. It follows a rogue British operative who nabbed top secret plans. With plenty of whacky characters and enough double agents to confuse even the sharpest operative, this show is sure to have us all cackling.
Following just 3 days later was My Master Builder. The Ibsen play stars Ewan McGregor and opened at The Wyndhams Theatre on 17th April. This classic play certainly has some powerful actors in with McGregor as the leading man alongside Kate Fleetwood and Elizabeth Debicki.
Lastly, we will see the opening of Giant, the 3 time Olivier Award Winning play, at the Harold Pinter. Starring John Lithgow portraying Roald Dahl, it is set to open in just 2 days following a sold out run at The Royal Court Theatre.
Shows Closing This April
The April Theatre News has truly shown a shift in theatres this month. Spring is the season of change and the West End is certainly doing just that. Altogether 6 shows are closing this month.
Mucho Ado About Nothing stunned audience members with it’s leading man Tom Hiddlestone at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The show closed earlier this month and the theatre is currently dark until Hercules opens there in June.
Another celebrity leading show that closed this month was Elektra starring Brie Larson which ended on 12th April. The show taking it’s place at the Duke of York’s Theatre is the new play Sterophonic which will open in May. The play is about a band recording a new album in the 70s as they are on the brink of stardom and perhaps the brink of a breakup?
The Years closed on 19th April at the Harold Pinter to make room for the aforementioned Giant. Both of these plays were big hitters at this years Olivier Awards. In this case, we saw The Years take home 2 Olivier Awards and was a hit amongst critics.
Some further April Theatre News to come: There are 3 shows closing this April, again in just a few days time. The Score and The Unicorn both star big names in acting such as Brian Cox and Stephen Mangan. We will be especially sad to say goodbye to Mrs Doubtfire which also closes on 26th April. Mrs Doubtfire has been entertaining audiences at the Shaftsbury Theatre for two years and we’ve loved our discounted tickets with them throughout this time.
April Theatre News: Show Extensions
It’s not all goodbyes folks, many shows announced they are here to stay!
Mamma Mia! has just celebrated its 26th birthday in the West End. This month they announced they will be staying at their home of the Novello Theatre until March 2026. Set in sunny Greece, the show features some of ABBA’s greatest hits.
A much newer (but just as fun) musical also announced they will be booking into the new year. That show is Clueless which only opened in February this year at the Trafalgar Theatre. It is based on the hit 90’s film which itself is in fact based on the Jane Austen novel, ‘Emma’.
Lastly, Tina announced they will be extending into 2026, making it the longest show to run at The Aldwych Theatre. Not only that, but they also announced a star casting of Fleur East who will be joining the cast as the title role of Tina Turner! You can read our article for more info about East’s casting and dates here.
Cast Announcements
There was only one full cast announcement in the April Theatre News Round up and that is for Fawlty Towers The Play. The show is returning to The Apollo Theatre following a succesful run at the same venue just last year. Based on the classic TV show, it will open on 24th June for a limited run, you can read about the full cast here.
New Shows Announced!
The Wyndhams Theatre announced, not one but two plays that will be fill up their diary for 2025. Following My Master Builder, the RSC produced play, Born With Teeth is making its West End Premier. Starring Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Christopher Marlowe and Edward Bluemel (My Lady Jane) as William Shakespeare. Born With Teeth will run from 13th August – 1st November. The story is a reimagining of the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time. Additionally, they announced that All My Sons will open in November and complete their 2025 season. The revival of Arthur Millers first play will star Ivo Van Hove (A View from the Bridge), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad) alongside Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) and Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You).
The last new show announced in this April’s Theatre News Round Up is the West End transfer of Punch. It is making its transfer from the Young Vic and is written by James Graham (Dear England). The story follows a young man who serves prison time after an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences. The show will open at The Apollo Theatre on 22nd September.
April Theatre News: Olivier Award Round Up
The Olivier Awards took place on Sunday 6th April at The Royal Albert Hall. The spectacluar night was hosted by Billy Porter (Cabaret) and Beverley Knight (Sister Act). The full list of winners are below:
Best Sound Design: Nick Lidster for Fiddler on the Roof.
Best New Entertainment or Comedy Play:Titanique by Tye Blue, Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli.
Best Family Show:Brainiac Live at the Marylebone Theatre.
Best Theatre Choreographer: Christopher Wheeldon for MJ The Musical.
Best Set Design: Tom Scutt for Fiddler on the Roof.
Best Lighting Design: Paule Constable and Ben Jacobs for Oliver!.
Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre:Boys on the Verge of Tears at the Soho Theatre.
Best New Opera Production:Festen by the Royal Opera at the Royal Opera House.
Best New Dance Production:Assembly Hall — Sadler’s Wells.
Outstanding Achievement Awards:
Outstanding Achievement in Opera: Allan Clayton for Festen at the Royal Opera House
Outstanding Achievement in Dance: Eva Yerbabuena for Yerbabuena
Outstanding Musical Contribution: Darren Clark for Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements and Mark Aspinall for Musical Direction, Music Supervision, Orchestrations and Arrangements for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Stranger Things Documentary
Certainly a big story in April Theatre News! Netflix released a documentary on the process of creating Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The show opened at The Phoenix Theatre back in 2023. What’s more, the show has been so popular thats it’s had a Broadway transfer. The play serves as a prequel to the hit Netflix TV show of the same name. Also, the show is produced by the same company who created Harry Potter and the Cursed Child so it is sure to please from a visual effects perspective. Check out the documentary or book your cheap tickets here.
Thats all for your April Theatre News Round up with LSBO, we look forward to seeing what May brings.
The Wyndhams Theatre has announced Born With Teeth as their next upcoming show. This will be the plays West End premier once the Wyndhams current production, My Master Builder finishes. Not only that, but The Royal Shakespeare Company are producing it and it will star Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) and Edward Bluemel (Killing Eve, My Lady Jane).
The play takes place in a pubs backroom in Winter 1591. This is a dangerous time for artists as the country is full of paranoia and conspiracy. Gatwa and Bluemel respectively will play writing sensations Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Together, they are forced into a creative union. Across three secret meetings, the rivals fight and not to mention, flirt like their lives depend on it.
Written by Liz Duffy Adams, Born With Teeth is a thrilling fictional imagining of the relationship between two literary icons at odds with their time. It is a two hander play so Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel make up the entire casting.
Daniel Evans (Quiz) will direct the show in fact, he is currently the co creative director of The Royal Shakespeare Company. They announced the new production of Born With Teeth in the creative promo video that you can watch here.
Regarding the announcement, Daniel Evans and co creative director of the RSC Tamara Harvey issued this statement:
“We look forward to sharing more of the RSC’s work with audiences in the capital and are thrilled that two such extraordinary actors as Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel will be joining us on that journey this summer”.
You can book your tickets for Born With Teeth at the Wyndhams Theatre here. The play has a limited 11 week run from 13th August to 1st November 2025.
The producers of Tina have announced that pop star and presenter Fleur East will be joining the cast as their new leading lady. She will be sharing the role with the current star of the show, Karis Anderson.
This will be both a West End and theatrical debut for Fleur East. The company will announce the remaining 2025/2026 casting in the coming months. The X Factor introduced to us all to East back in 2014. After being a contestant as part of a group in 2004, it was her solo appearance that made her a name. She was announced runner up at the semi finals however, her finale song made her the first ever X Factor contestant to hit number 1 on the UK ITunes Store Chart. Her most popular song is “Sax” and she has since made appearances on radio and TV shows.
Fleur East certainly has the vocal capacity to play the title role of Tina Turner. Tina follows the life of the legendary artist and features her songs. It has been running at the Aldwych Theatre since 2018 and recently announced it’s extension into 2026. This makes it the longest running show to ever play at this venue.
Regarding the announcement, Producer Tali Pelman said:
“I am a huge admirer of Fleur East, who has always struck me as an extraordinary woman; an exceptional talent who, like Tina Turner, will not allow herself to be defined by others. Fleur’s generosity, optimism, kindness and determination are all qualities that are truly Tina… I am tremendously excited that our journey together has begun!”
Fleur East will make her West End Debut in this iconic role from 24 June to 13 September 2025. East and Anderson are sharing the role so patrons are advised to check the website for East’s performance dates.
Fawlty Towers the Play has just announced its new cast! Following a successful run at the Apollo Theatre, the show is returning to the West End this June. The new cast is led by Danny Bayne (Only Fools and Horses The Musical) as Basil Fawlty. Mia Austen (Ludwig) will play Sybil and Hemi Yeroham (La Cage Aux Folles) is reprising his role as Manuel. Also reprising his role is Paul Nicholas (Just Good Friends) as The Major. Joanne Clifton (Shrek The Musical) will play Polly and Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous) is Mrs Richards.
The Fawlty Towers new cast also includes Greg Haiste as Mr Hutchinson / Wilhelm, Emily Winter as Miss Tibbs, and Dawn Buckland as Miss Gatsby. John Hasler will play Mr Thurston/Günter, Adam Elliott is Mr Walt and Neil Stewart is Taxi Driver/ Mr Firkins / Mr Kerr / Mr Sharp. Josie Brightwell will be Johanna and Liz alongside Ashleigh Harvey as Debbie and Ben Jacobson as Ken. Lastly, we have Matthew Gordon as Mr Dale and Raymond Rose as Philip.
Fawlty Towers the Play was adapted by the original star of the much loved TV show, John Cleese. In fact, he has taken some of his favourite episodes and adapted them for stage. Regarding Fawlty Towers new cast Cleese said:
“I’m thrilled with the top-class group of comedy actors that we’ve assembled for Fawlty Towers’ return to the West End stage this June. September this year marks exactly 50 years since the first ever episode was broadcast on the BBC and here we are, all these years later, still making theatres rock with laughter.”
Londons theatres are the home of many talented actors whether known by a few or millions. In fact, there are currently many celebrities in the West End you can see on stage right now. Going to watch a West End show is thrilling and adding a celebrity into the mix can be an exciting addition. Watching well known stars on stage display their craft in the flesh is an unforgettable experience. It is an opportunity to say you have watched one of the greatest actors of a generation in real life! …Or at least the one you follow on every social media platform!
The first name you may be more familiar with than the latter. Imelda Staunton is one of the most regular of celebrities in the West End. This is owing to her theatrical roots as she began her career as an actress in repertory theatre in the 70s. It wasn’t until the early 2000s however that we saw Imelda Staunton catapulted onto our screens. Particularly, in 2007 she terrified us all as she entered the Harry Potter Universe in her role as Professor Umbridge. This is arguably her most famous role, or at least the one that made her a household name.
You may also recognise her voice from the Chicken Run films (low brow) or her talented portrayal of The Queen in Netflix’s The Crown (High Bow). Maybe you were even lucky enough to catch her on the west end recently in Hello Dolly! The show in which she won this year’s Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Bessie Carter is perhaps a less well known name but a famous face nonetheless. Bessie Carter is best known for her role in Bridgerton as one of the Featherington Sisters.
By booking this show, not only will you see two stars on stage but you will also see real life mother and daughter on stage playing the roles of mother and daughter. That’s Right! Bessie Carter is Imelda Staunton’s daughter in reality. The play is about Mrs. Warren, a self made woman and her terse relationship with her modern daughter. For more information on this show and to book your tickets to this unique star studded play, click here.
Vanessa Williams crossed the Atlantic to join us here as one of the celebrities in the West End and recently announced she’s extending her run in The Devil Wears Prada! This celebrity started her career in music which really catapulted her career. People loved her music so much, she was nominated for Grammy awards not once, but 3 times over! Vanessa Williams journeyed into acting and her most iconic role in my humble opinion was in the hit TV Series Ugly Betty. Williams portrays cut throat Creative Director in MODE Magazine which is not too dissimilar to her role in The Devil Wears Prada.
You can catch this diva live until 18th October 2025. She plays the role of Miranda Priestly, Editor in Chief at a cut-throat magazine in which is movie musical is set.
Does this name need any introduction? One of the biggest stars on stage at the moment, Scottish born Ewan McGregor truly is a household name, beloved by many different types of people and generations. My first experience of the talented performer was watching Moulin Rouge where he played a young writer in love with a damned actress he could never be with. This film is what he earned his first Golden Globe for! The musical film and has since been turned into a live musical on the West End. You may also recognise him from the action packed Star Wars prequel trilogies as Obi-Wan Kenobi. McGregors credits are extensive, so much so that he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2024.
In My Master Builder, McGregor will play the lead role of an architect unveiling his newest design. Inspired by Ibsen, the new play by Lila Raicek lays bare the vulnerabilities we expose, when we leave ourselves open to love.
Rachel Zegler is one of the newer celebrities in the West End that you can catch. Zegler was catapulted into stardom back in 2021 for her role as Maria in the film remake of West Side Story. At just 20 years old her vocal skills and beautiful story telling of this lead role blew us all away. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical for this role. This made her the youngest person to win in this category and she was the first person of Colombian descent to do so also.
As one of the youngest stars on stage, Zegler has a whopping 2.5 million follows on instagram. Her upcoming role as Evita will open at Londons Palladium in June. Such a young starlet in a traditional Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical could be a great way to experience theatre across the generations.
STEPHEN MANGAN – ERIN DOHERTY – NICOLA WALKER Unicorn
In Mike Bartlett’s new play Unicorn you can see not one but three big names. The comedy which is currently playing at London’s Garrick Theatre stars the following celebrities in the West End: Stephen Mangan, Erin Doherty and Nicola Walker.
Stephen Mangan is a British actor, comedian, writer, presenter – he does it all! He however did start his career on the stage and has performed in a huge amount of plays since the late 90s. Since then he has starred in a wide range of TV and film. He is probably best known for his roles in Alan Partridge, Green Wing and the award winning series Episodes.
Erin Doherty rose to fame for her role as Princess Anne in the third series of The Crown. She most recently appeared in Stephen Graham’s new Netflix TV show Adolescence. The show received a lot of media attention as each episode was filmed entirely in one uncut take.
Nicola Walker is best known for the many British TV shows that she has appeared in – most notably Spooks and Unforgotten. She often stars in many BBC and ITV dramas and was actually nominated for a BAFTA for her role in Last Tango in Halifax.
Billy Porter is an American actor, singer and all round icon. Porter is no stranger to the stage and started his career in a variety of Broadway shows. He is probably best known for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots for which he took home the Tony.
The star then went on to star in all three seasons of the TV show Pose. His performance gained him three Golden Glove nominations and in 2019 he won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He is now one award away from EGOT recognition as he has won an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony Award and is now just missing an Oscar. In 2020 he even made it on to the Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world. You won’t want to miss this global star who is currently playing the Emcee in Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.
Starring alongside Porter is another stage superstar from across the pond. Marisha Wallace is another Broadway veteran who starred in the original Broadway productions of both Aladdin and Something Rotten! She then continued her career over here as an alternate Effie White in the West End production of Dreamgirls. Since then she has starred in a multitude of West End shows including Oklahoma!, Hairspray and Guys & Dolls. She also took part in the 2024 series of Celebrity Big Brother and was the fifth housemate to be evicted.
You can catch these two celebrities in the West End until 24th May.
Two stars on stage here from different sides of the Atlantic! Corbin Bleu was a star in the one of the highest anticipated new Disney musicals of the 21st century. That’s right, you guessed it: High School Musical. Bleu played Zac Efrons best friend Chad in the hit Disney musical. The musical went on to have 2 more movies and a disney original tv series made as a rsult of the success of the first movie. Although he is most recognisable for his work when he was younger with Disney and Nickelodeon. Bleu’s CV is extensive! From a thriving music career, to films and even made his broadway debut as Usvani in In The Heights.
Amber Davies reached fame on the hit reality TV show Love Island. Not only was she on the show but she won the third series of it. The love she found may not have lasted long but her love for theatre is much longer lasting. She has been in many daytime television shows including This Morning and Lorraine. Although Amber Davies gained her fame from reality TV she has worked extensively in Musical Theatre including the hugely popular Back To The Future.
Martin Freeman is an English actor with Emmy and BAFTA Awards under his belt. The first film that made him a household name was Love Actually. The hit ensemble christmas film many of us watch religiously each year stars Freeman in his awkward meet of his true love. Another christmas film Freeman “sparkle and shines” in is Nativity. He went on to play Watson alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the hit BBC show Sherlock. He was the lead role in The Hobbit Trilogy before landing a role in the Marvel Universe. Martin Freeman is truly one of the most versatile celebrities on stage you can catch at the moment. We’re excited to see him in The Fifth Step when it opens at The Soho Place in May.
Tips for seeing Stars on Stage
When wanting to see celebrities in the West End, it can be good fun but is also not always guaranteed that you will see your favourite star. The magic of live theatre is that it is live and illness and injury means anything could happen. Often, these shows will include on their website any pre agreed holiday their Stars on Stage will have pre arranged so be sure to check them before making your booking.
Book your cheap tickets for these shows and many more with us today at LSBO.
There has been a boom in the movie musical in the West End over the past year. With Clueless the Musical opening just last month, it seems like this popular trend in West End musical theatre isn’t going anywhere. Musicals that have been adapted from movies can be a great way to get interested in theatre. With so many great adaptations of classic movies opening left right and centre, it’s hard to know which one to pick. Fear not, here at Leicester Square Box Office, we’ve compiled a list of the hottest musicals created from your favourite blockbuster films.
Based on the smash hit 2006 film starring Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) and Meryll Streep (Mamma Mia), this musical is headlined by Hollywood award winner and grammy nominated Vanessa Williams. With new music written by Elton John, this musical follows the story of an aspiring new journalist at her first job in the cut-throat fashion industry. This star studded adaptation strutted down the runway into The Dominion Theatre in October 2025 and has recently announced its extension into 2026.
Tina Fey cult classic has turned into a pop culture classic. Some call it modern day Shakespeare with its iconic phrases such as “You can’t sit with us!” and people celebrating “October 3rd”. The film starred Hollywood megastars including Lindsey Lohan, Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried (Les Miserables). This movie musical follows home-schooled Cady who transfers to an American high school as she tries to understand this strange new land. She finds herself making friends and enemies along the way and in fact, becomes involved in a scheme to bring down “The Plastics”.
An animated movie that many of us grew up with, The Lion King. The Lion King itself is actually based on the play Hamlet but told with cute cuddly lions. The musical uses stunning puppetry to create the lions and other wild animals. The show is in its 25th year in the West End. This animated movie musical already had a score written by Elton John so it is full of familiar songs from the original Disney film.
Starring comic legend Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfires comedy chops have made it to the West End. With brand new music written for this adaption, the musical version of Mrs. Doubtfire is all singing and all dancing. Going through a divorce, out of work actor Daniel creates the perfect disguise to spend more time with his children: a Scottish Nanny. Throughout the story we see Daniel’s growth and development as a person but moreso, as a father.
Baz Luhrmann’s romantic film starred Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor (My Master Builder). Aspiring writer Christian falls in love with the diamond of the Moulin Rouge, Satine. Their love is forbidden and the couple try anything to stay close to each other, primarily writing a new show for the Moulin Rouge. The original movie musical featured hit pop songs of the time. Some of these iconic numbers have remained but the west end version has also added some more recent pop hits.
This 1985 classic sci-fi movie adaptation takes you back in time. When Marty McFly is accidentally sent back in time to 1955 in an eccentric Scientists Delorean. The only road home to get back to the future is by making sure his parents met and fall in love. This musical won the 2022 Olivier Award for best new musical and features songs from the iconic film plus new hits written especially for this time travelling production.
Off to the 90s now, Clueless was a hit rom-com starring Paul Rudd (Friends). The movie was based on Jane Austen’s Emma and has been a hit since it opened at The Trafalgar Theatre. KT Tunsell has written original songs for this new movie musical and is an ode to 90s music genres. The musical follows Cher who wants to be perfect in every way. Cher thinks she knows all the answers including matters of the heart. She wants to prove she is a good person but ends up meddling with people’s lives in the process.
Pop sensation Christina Aguilera blew us all away with her powerful vocals when this film hit our scenes in 2021. She performed alongside Kirsen Bell (Frozen) and Stanley Tucci (The Devil Wears Prada). The story is of a girl from a small town with a big dream. After failing her audition in a burlesque club, she works there as a bartender. She manages to get a job performing there, not just dancing but singing too, changing her life and the burlesque scene forever.
That brings us to the end of the movie musicals currently playing in London’s West End. Of course, there are other shows currently on that have been so successful in theatres that producers have not been able to resist adapting them to screen! Take the Box Office smash Wicked for example which has been playing in the West End for 19 years and was turned into a movie just last year.
Spring has sprung and it’s a great time to take the family out to one of the best west end shows for easter. With over 40 shows in the West End, it can be hard to decide what show to take the family to. We’ve got a handy list ready to help you decide whats right for you and your family. Whether its your little ones first experience of theatre or an attempt you get your sulky teenager off their phone, we’re confident we’re confident we can find something for everyone.
Our Top Tips For Securing Your West End Shows For Easter
Book In Advance – Theatre Ticket Prices are super dynamic. Shows over peak periods such as weekends and school holidays can get sold out early and actually push prices higher closer to the time. Book Early to see shows this easter to avoid disappointment.
Consider Asking for Group Discounts – Maybe you’re a big family or planning a trip with some friends, lots of theatres do discounted tickets for groups of 10+.
Check Age Restrictions – Many shows have age recommendations and even restrictions, do your research before you go. You know your family best and know what is appropriate for them.
Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King is a visual spectacle. It follows the powerful story of Simba as he journeys from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.
The show uses breathtaking puppetry and is now in its 24th year in London. This show is great for all ages as it’s timeless and well loved disney show is reimagined on a west end stage. This could be a great choice for your little ones first taste of theatre but also for the older generations as the show speaks to all. The solgan for the show “see it now, remember it forever” that was certainly my experience when I saw it aged 11.
Based on the hit film with featuring Robin Williams, the show follow out-of-work actor Daniel will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. Mrs. Doubtfire features all the hilarious moments you love from the movie, plus fabulous new songs and dazzling dance numbers.
This show will be closing in the West End before its goes on it’s tour so be sure to buy your tickets early for this show for easter.
The Pop Culture Classic film written by Tina Fey has been adapted for the West End. It is at the Savoy Theatre following a highly anticpated transfer from Broadway. The show opens with Damian and Janis relaying to the audience their cautionary tale about their friend Cady who tried to tear down “The Plastics”.
This show is great for slightly older children and teens. It is laugh out loud funny with insane vocals and a cool use of technoloy in the production. It’s extremely empowering for women and girls. You’re not a regular mom, you’re a cool mom.
Book your cheap Mean Girls tickets and other shows for easter today.
The classic 80s film sees Marty McFly sent back in time in his neighbours Delorean car. He ends up stuck in the 50s trying to get back to the future. The only way to do it? Making sure his parents fall in love.
This show has toe tapping classics from the movie. This is a great show to span across generations why not watch the film all together one night before or after watching the show? The show won the award for Best New Musical when it opened in 2022 3 times over!
This play is one of the funniest shows for easter that you could book. Its is a call back to that farcical comedy of the old classic sketch shows. Everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. This flag ship production has been so successful for Mischief Theatre who created the company that have in fact had many off shoots of the same name. For example, we have the recently announed A Christmas Carol Gone Wrong and more accesible, on your tv screens, The Goes Wrong Show.
This is a give easy comedy and in a smaller west end theatre so is great if your family wants to see something a little different.
Ready to laugh your fake moustaches off? Click here.
Following a wildly succesful run at the Barbican, My Neighbour Totoro has recently opened in the West End’s Gillian Lynne Theatre. The show is based on the much loved Studio Ghibli animated film of the same name.
The story follows two sister whos moher is sick and thus the family have relocated to the countryside. Whilst there, they meet ‘soot sprites’. Eventually they encounter more magical creatures and the ancient protector of the forest she calls “Totoro”. They soon become wrapped up in magical adventure with their new friends.
This show has recently opened and highly anticipated. Book cheap tickets before the easter break to avoid disappointment.
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child – The Palace Theatre Age recommendation 10+ (no babes in arms).
Harry Potter is the most awarded play in the history of the West End. The show follows the children of the characters we know and love from the wizarding world, particularly an unlikely friendship between Harry Potter’s and Draco Malfoy’s sons.
The production in London is in 2 parts so you make a full day out of this epic theatrical experience. The show is on in many other cities across the globe but London is the only place you can expierence the full show as it was originally created. You watch the first part in the afternoon and the second part in the evening. There’s an ample break between shows so why not book one of our partner restaurants pre-theatre booking deals?
We hope this helps you decide which shows are best for you and your family and create some unforgettable memories during these weeks off.
For all West End Shows For Easter, click here and book your cheap tickets now.
