Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare’s Globe, 2025
Photo: Tristram Kenton | A scene from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare @ Shakespeare's Globe. Directed by Sean Holmes. (Opening 09-04-25) ©Tristram Kenton 03-25 (3 Raveley Street, LONDON NW5 2HX TEL 0207 267 5550 Mob 07973 617 355)email: tristram@tristramkenton.com
Photo: Tristram Kenton

Shakespeare plays in London

Comedies, tragedies and histories – catch them all in the Bard's spiritual home

Andrzej Lukowski
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To say that William Shakespeare bestrides our culture like a colossus is to chronically undersell him. Over 400 years since his death, the Stratford-born playwright is virtually uncontested as the greatest writer of English who has ever lived. Even if you’re not a fan of sixteenth century blank verse – and if not, why not? – his influence over our culture goes far beyond that of any other writer. He invented words, phrases, plots, characters, stories that are still vividly alive today; his history plays utterly shaped our understanding of our own past as a nation.

And unsurpisingly he is inescapable in London. The iconic Elizabethan recreation Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is his temple, with a year-round programme that’s about three-quarters his works. Although based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company regularly visit the capital, most frequently the Barbican Centre. And Shakespeare plays can be found… almost anywhere else, from the National Theatre – where they invariably run in the huge Olivier venue – to tiny fringe productions and outdoor version that pop up everywhere come the warmer months. 

This page is simple: we tell you what Shakespeare plays are on in town this month (the answer is pretty much always ‘at least one’). We we tell you which of his works you can see coming up in the future. No other playwright is staged nearly enough to get his own page. But for William Shakespeare, it’s essential.

Shakespeare plays in London this month

  • Shakespeare
  • South Bank

What is it? Globe deputy Sean Holmes opens the 2025 season with an original to the point of eccentric Wild West take on Shakespeare’s immortal romantic tragedy.

Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.

Shakespeare plays coming soon

  • Shakespeare
  • Tower Bridge
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

What is it? The Bridge’s joyous immersive Dream from 2019 returns for 2025 with a new cast headed by JJ Feild as Oberon/Theseus, Susannah Fielding as Titania/Hippolyta, Emmanuel Akwafo as Bottom and David Moorst returning to the role of Puck/Philostrate.

Where is it? Bridge Theatre.

  • Shakespeare
  • South Bank

What is it? Michelle Terry becomes possibly the first artistic director of literally any theatre anywhere to programme Shakespeare’s comedy curio The Merry Wives of Windsor not once but twice. Following its 2019 outing, this time it’ll be directedby Globe associate director Sean Holmes, who had a great track record with the Bard’s zanier comedies.

Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.

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  • Shakespeare
  • London

What is it? Always charming but never mired in nostalgia, ever summer the Shakespeare in the Squares company tours a play by the Bard around some of London’s lovliest outdoor squares. This year’s choice of show is forever problematic battle of the sexes comedy The Taming of the Shrew.

Where is it? Various London squares – click through for full list.

  • Shakespeare
  • South Bank

What is it? Make what you will of this, but for the biggest name Shakespeare play in the Globe’s summer 2025 season, director Robin Belfield has opted to go for the play’s rarely deployed full name. We don’t really have any as to what’s likely from this production beyond that, though the accompanying publicity image suggests an upbeat and vibrant take on the story of shipwreck and mistaken identity.

Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.

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  • Shakespeare
  • South Bank

What is it? Perhaps one reason that there is no new writing in the 2025 Globe summer season is that there was actually a Shakespeare play lined up in the ‘we know you’re unfamiliar with this play but please hear us out’ category. Not seen in London for over a decade, Troilus and Cressida is Shakespeare’s extremely odd Trojan War drama that essentially combines a big chunk of the plot of the Illiad with a weirdy love story between the Trojan title characters that is basically just a subplot. 

Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.

  • Shakespeare
  • South Bank

What is it? Robert Hastie directs the first National Theatre production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece in 15 years. Hiran Abeysekera – best known for his Olivier-winning turn in the Hastie-directed Life of Pi – will take on the mantle of Shakespeare’s Great Dane. We don’t know a huge amount about the production beyond that, though the initial publicity images suggest a certain amount of irreverence, while the 7.15pm start times suggest it’ll be long, but maybe a bit clippier than the average Hamlet.

Where is it? National Theatre, Lyttelton. 

Your vote: The top ten Shakespeare plays

A guide to Shakespeare's Globe

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