Top 10 best plays in London right now
Published on 17 July 2024
Last updated on 22 October 2026
Summary
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The top plays to see in London right now
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A guide to the best plays you can see in the West End
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All the plays you shouldn’t miss while in London
Not to brag, but the West End doesn’t just have the best plays in London; it has the best plays in the world. The original theatreland offers everything from classic comedies and tragedies to innovative immersive productions and groundbreaking contemporary theatre. With so much quality and choice, how do you know what to see? We’ve put together our top 10 best West End plays to help guide you through choosing what to see.
Paranormal Activity
Think you’re brave enough to spend a night in a haunted house? Paranormal Activity brings the terrifying supernatural phenomenon to the West End, turning a seemingly ordinary home into the setting for a truly chilling theatrical experience.
Based on the hit horror film franchise, this spine-tingling stage adaptation follows a couple whose new home soon becomes the centre of increasingly disturbing events. As unexplained noises, strange movements and sinister occurrences begin to escalate, their search for answers takes a terrifying turn.
If you love a good scare, Paranormal Activity is the perfect excuse to experience horror up close. Expect plenty of tension, unexpected twists and moments that will have you questioning every creak you hear on the way home. Just remember to leave the lights on! Get your tickets today.
The Standard of Living
What does it really mean to live well? The Standard of Living explores the expectations, ambitions and everyday dilemmas that shape our lives, brought to the stage with a standout performance from Rory Kinnear.
This thought-provoking play takes a closer look at the choices we make and the standards we set for ourselves, asking questions about success, happiness and what we owe to the people around us. With sharp observations and plenty to reflect on, it offers a compelling look at the pressures of modern life.
The Standard of Living is an opportunity to see one of Britain's most acclaimed actors in a gripping stage production. Discover it for yourself and book your tickets today.
The Lives of Others
From the acclaimed film to the London stage, The Lives of Others brings a gripping story of surveillance, secrecy and moral conflict to the West End. Starring Keira Knightley, Luke Thompson and Stephen Dillane, this powerful drama explores what happens when the line between duty and conscience begins to blur.
Set in East Berlin during the Cold War, the story follows a Stasi officer assigned to monitor a playwright and his partner. As he listens in on their private lives, his loyalty to the state is tested in unexpected ways, forcing him to confront the human cost of the system he serves.
Tense, thought-provoking and deeply human, The Lives of Others is a compelling choice for anyone who loves political thrillers and stories that stay with you. Witness this acclaimed story brought to life on stage and book your tickets today.
The Cherry Orchard
A stellar cast leads this fresh take in this critically acclaimed reimagining of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, starring Kristin Scott Thomas and Stephen Mangan in a classic play about family, change and the end of an era.
When an aristocratic family returns to their beloved estate, they face the prospect of losing their home and its cherished cherry orchard. With mounting debts and an uncertain future, they must confront a changing world and decide whether to cling to the past or embrace what comes next.
Blending comedy and tragedy, The Cherry Orchard is a moving exploration of nostalgia, social change and the difficulty of letting go. Chekhov's timeless masterpiece continues to resonate with modern audiences, making this West End production a must-see for fans of classic theatre. Book your tickets today.
My Neighbour Totoro
This award-winning stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s 1988 film has been charming audiences and critics since soot sprites invaded the Barbican back in 2022.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s My Neighbour Totoro earned its status as one of the best theatre plays in London after it won six Olivier Awards and five WhatsOnStage Awards during its initial run. Since, it’s played at the Barbican for a second limited season, before finding a home at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, where it’s playing until 3 January 2027.
My Neighbour Totoro is the beautiful tale of two young girls trying to navigate their new home and emotions after being forced to move to a quiet village. Full of charm and magic, it’s fast becoming a favourite among theatre fans.
The Play That Goes Wrong
Head to The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess Theatre for some tomfoolery and disastrously good entertainment.
The slapstick comedy has been described as a cross between Fawlty Towers and Noises Off. Between collapsing floors, sticky doors, actors forgetting lines, injuries, and more, it’s a non-stop laugh-a-thon.
When it opened in 2014, the show’s creators - Mischief Comedy - were little-known. Now, they have some of the biggest and best comedy shows in London. Recommended for audiences aged 8+, the fabulous farce is a great way to cultivate new theatre lovers. So what are you waiting for? Get The Play That Goes Wrong tickets now!
The Mousetrap
Now for some theatre history: Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. The longest-running play in the world, The Mousetrap, has been staged at St Martin's Theatre since 1958.
The record-breaking whodunnit has had audiences sitting at the edge of their seats while the suspenseful thriller unfolds for over 75 years. As it's written by arguably the best crime writer of all time, it’s full of twists and turns that can still surprise audiences today.
There’s a reason it’s the longest-running play in the world and one of the best theatre plays in London. So be part of history and book your tickets today.
Witness for the Prosecution
Another Agatha Christie classic, Witness for the Prosecution is a thriller like none other in the West End. Staged in a bonafide Council Chamber in London County Hall, watch and feel like you’re part of the jury in this gripping play.
The tense plot follows the case of Leonard Vole who’s trying to convince the court and you of his innocence. But when a surprise witness takes the stand, anything can happen.
The low-stakes immersive production is a great way to feel involved in the show without feeling out of your comfort zone. It’s the perfect way to dip your toe into alternative theatre telling and settings, all while watching a gripping story unfold. Get your tickets to see Witness for the Prosecution today.
Oh, Mary!
Following its Tony Award–winning Broadway run, Oh, Mary! is currently playing at the Trafalgar Theatre. Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) leads the cast until 5 December 2026 with Jane Krakowski (30 Rock) taking over from 7 December 2026 - 16 January 2027. This wildly inventive dark comedy reimagines the hidden life of Mary Todd Lincoln in the turbulent weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, blending sharp wit with outrageous, heartfelt moments.
There’s a reason audiences on both sides of the Atlantic can’t stop talking about it: it’s fearless, hilarious, and surprisingly moving in all the best ways. If you’re in the mood for something delightfully different from the rest of London’s theatre offerings, Oh, Mary! delivers laughs, invention, and a fresh theatrical voice.
The Hunger Games On Stage
You loved the books. You adored the movies. Now it’s time to volunteer as tribute at the live experience with Hunger Games On Stage at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre.
Watch as Katniss battles to the death in this adrenaline-pumping stage-adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ internationally acclaimed book series. With unbelievable stunts, pyrotechnics, a moving stage and more, it’s a truly unique theatrical experience.
What’s the most popular show in London?
There is so much to see in the West End, and things change so quickly that picking just one popular show is nearly impossible.Current critically acclaimed, limited-run shows include: Stranger Things: The First Shadow and Hay Fever starring Richard E. Grant and Christine Baranski. Upcoming shows that we predict will be popular include Ivanov starring Chris Pine at the Bridge Theatre, Pride at the Bridge Theatre, The Truth at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, The Guilty starring Russell Tovey at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and Amadeus starring Michael Sheen at the Noel Coward Theatre.
What show not to miss in London?
You can’t go wrong with London theatre, but if we had to pick three shows you'd regret missing, it would probably be Pride, The Mousetrap, and Oh, Mary! Whether you’re after a bestseller, a family favourite or a star-studded show, London has the West End play for you.
