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London musicals

Read up-to-date reviews and buy tickets for musical theatre in London

Welcome to the ultimate destination for London musicals…

It had fantastic reviews – but is it still kicking after five cast changes? Time Out brings you news, up-to-date reviews and discounted tickets in its comprehensive guide to all London’s musicals: the best shows, the worst shows and the weirdest and most wonderful alternative choices.  

West End musicals at a glance

'Billy Elliot the Musical' Blood Brothers Heather Headley and Lloyd Owen Chicago Ghost Andile Gumbi as Simba in the London production Matilda Adam Cooper (Don Lockwood), Scarlett Strallen (Kathy Seldon) and Daniel Crossley (Cosmo Brown) Rosalie Craig (Mother) Tom Chambers (Jerry Travers) Wicked

A-Z of West End musicals

  • Billy Elliot the Musical

    Recommended
    Until Sat Dec 15, Victoria Palace Theatre

    The best film to musical adaptation ever? Lee Hall's book is ferociously funny; Elton John's songs the icing on the cake.

  • Blood Brothers

    Until Sat Nov 24, Phoenix Theatre

    Willy Russell's gently political musical about Merseyside twins separated at birth remains lively enough, but the score is really showing its age.

  • The Bodyguard

    New
    Nov 6-Apr 27 2013, Adelphi Theatre

    Thea Sharrock will direct this expensive-looking jukebox stage adaptation of the 1992 Whitney Houston film.

  • Chicago

    Until Jan 26 2013, Garrick Theatre

    Barry and Fran Weissler's successful production of the Kander & Ebb show is now settled in to its third London home, the Garrick.

  • Dreamboats and Petticoats

    Recommended
    Until Sat Nov 24, Playhouse Theatre

    Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran's rock'n'roll nostagia musical is shamelessly feel-good and tremendous fun.

  • Ghost the Musical

    Until Apr 20 2013, Piccadilly Theatre

    A gleaming piece of stagecraft whose smoke, mirrors, full-throttle heartache and beguiling special effects put it light years ahead of many of its ageing competitors.

  • Jersey Boys

    Recommended
    Until Feb 17 2013, Prince Edward Theatre

    This thrilling, witty account of the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is as good as the jukebox musical gets.

  • Les Misérables

    Recommended
    Until Sat Oct 27, Queen's Theatre

    Rejuvenated by its updated 2011 score, London's second longest-running West End show is an impressive spectacle.

  • Let It Be

    Sep 14-Jan 19 2013, Prince of Wales Theatre

    'Let It Be' is 'a media rich theatrical concert' (!) which features a journey through The Beatles's back catalogue from rockin' beginnings to psychedelic end days.

  • The Lion King

    Until Sat Sep 8, Lyceum Theatre

    Julie Taymor's Disney adaptation is visually stunning, though Elton John's songs are unmemorable.

  • London Road

    Jul 28-Sep 6, National Theatre, Olivier

    Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork's astonishing verbatim musical is back for seconds

  • Mamma Mia!

    Until Sat Sep 1, Prince of Wales Theatre

    Buoyed by the phenomenal success of the film, Phyllida Lloyd's Abba-based jukebox musical continues tirelessly.

  • Matilda the Musical

    Recommended
    Until Feb 17 2013, Cambridge Theatre

    The RSC and Tim Minchin's join forces to save the British musical.

  • Shrek the Musical

    Until Mar 31 2013, Theatre Royal Drury Lane

    DreamWorks' scatologically jolly green giant of a stage show is great fun, but the songs are weak.

  • Singin' in the Rain

    Recommended
    Until Feb 23 2013, Palace Theatre

    An exuberant production with spot-on performances from Adam Cooper and Scarlett Strallen.

  • Sweeney Todd

    Recommended
    Until Sat Sep 22, Adelphi Theatre

    Jonathan Kent's Chichester production of Stephen Sondheim's gory masterpiece transfers to the West End.

  • Ragtime

    Until Sat Sep 8, Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

    This dark American fable is a very brave piece of programming for the Open Air Theatre.

  • Rock of Ages

    Until Sat Oct 20, Shaftesbury Theatre

    Lame, unsubtle hair metal jukebox musical starring Justin Lee Collins and Shayne Ward.

  • Thriller Live

    Until Sun Sep 23, Lyric Theatre

    A jubilant tribute to the deceased King of Pop and his formidable back catalogue.

  • Top Hat

    Until Jan 26 2013, Aldwych Theatre

    Vintage glamour and hoofing galore in this stage adaptation of the 1935 screen musical, with Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen in the Fred and Ginger roles.

  • The Phantom of the Opera

    Until Apr 27 2013, Her Majesty's Theatre

    Andrew Lloyd Webber's enormo-smash musical may still have one foot in the '80s. But the songs and sets still have the power to awe.

  • We Will Rock You

    Until Sat Oct 20, Dominion Theatre

    Ben Elton's hit Queen musical is silly, hypocritical and utterly lightweight. But if you want to go to a Queen tribute then this is your gig.

  • Wicked

    Until Apr 27 2013, Apollo Victoria

    This 'Wizard of Oz' musical prequel isn't perfect. But it's smart, stylish and the most popular show on the West End.

  • The Wizard of Oz

    Until Sun Oct 28, London Palladium

    The acting may not have much colour but, visually speaking, Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage remake of MGM's 1939 special effects blockbuster is radiant.

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