West End

West End Plays: The latest West End news and venues. Buy West End tickets for musicals, plays and other theatre events.

Show Boat To Close Early

News, West End
Show Boat transfers from Sheffield to the New London Theatre

Despite superb notices from the critics Daniel Evan’s production of Show Boat will now close on 27 August 2016. Show Boat transferred from the Sheffield Crucible where it received rave reviews and was scheduled to run until January 2017 at the New London Theatre. Producers David Ian, Bob Bartner and Norman Tulchin said: “We could not be more proud of Daniel’s production of Show Boat. This first class cast and creative team have delivered an exceptional production and we are delighted that London audiences have had the opportunity to see this five star show.” BOOK NOW FOR SHOWBOAT

FIRST LOOK: Kenneth Branagh In The Entertainer

News, West End
Book Now for Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer at the Garrick Theatre

BritishTheatre.com are pleased to bring you this first look at Kenneth Branagh in The Entertainer. Set against the backdrop of post-war Britain, John Osborneʼs modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an examination of public masks and private torment. John Hurt will return to the London stage for the first time in a decade as patriarch Billy Rice opposite Kenneth Branagh, who as previously announced, will play Archie Rice in Rob Ashford’s production. Also joining the company will be Phil Dunster (Graham), Jonah Hauer-King (Frank Rice), Pip Jordan (dancer), Crispin Letts (Brother Bill), Sophie McShera (Jean Rice), Greta Scacchi (Phoebe Rice) and Kate Tydman (dancer). The Entertainer will be the final production in the Plays At The Garrick season presented by the Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company. BOOK NOW FOR THE ENTERTAINER

Five Reasons To See: The Phantom Of the Opera

Features, News, The Phantom Of The Opera, West End
Celinde Schoenmaker as Christine Daae in The Phantom Of The Opera

This week, we headed down to the West End to check out The Phantom of the Opera, which is still pulling in huge crowds 30 years since it opened. Here’s our top five reasons to join the millions who have seen it. 1. Set and staging The show is a visual feast, with Maria Björnson’s set design still inspiring awe after all these years. Whether it’s the smoke filled gondolas or majestic staircases, it makes for a spectacular and surprising experience. Combined with Harold Prince’s direction and Gillian Lynne’s choreography, Phantom still wows 30 years later. 2. Costumes The show is also resplendent with some wonderful costumes, particularly during the Masquerade sequence at the start of the second half. Set in 1881, Phantom takes advantage of the colour and elaborateness of the period’s outfits. You may leave lamenting that we do not still wear gowns and top hats! 3. Music … Read more

Youth Based Secret Garden To Open In The West End

News, West End
The Secret Garden Ambassadors Theatre

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Tony award-winning musical The Secret Garden, a special youth oriented production is heading to the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited summer Season. The show will run from 27 July to 31 August 2016. The musical, based on the 1911 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, with a script and lyrics by Pulitzer prize and Tony award-winning winner Marsha Norman and music by Grammy award-winner Lucy Simon. Orphaned while living in India, 10 year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire, England to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald, whom she has never met. There, the ill-tempered and lonely Mary meets Martha, a chambermaid, who tells her of a secret garden which belonged to her aunt Lily before she died. Mary’s search for the garden introduces her to a slew of other characters including Dickon (Martha’s brother), Ben (the head gardener), Neville (her other uncle), and … Read more

REVIEW: The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, Criterion Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Book Now for The Comedy About A Bank Robbery at the Criterion Theatre

The Comedy About A Bank Robbery is uproariously funny. It is irreverent and energetic, with a versatile and imaginative set that lends itself brilliantly to unapologetic silliness. Perhaps most importantly, the script is not only very clever, but its characters are extremely consistent. They are desperate to fulfil their best laid plans, so when things go wrong, you really feel for them. Then things keep getting worse, and worse. And the belly laughs pour forth.

UK Premiere of An American In Paris Coming To The Dominion Theatre

Dance, News, West End
Book now for An American In Paris at the Dominion Theatre

It was announced today that Christopher Wheeldon’s multi award-winning new Broadway musical An American In Paris will open at London’s Dominion Theatre in March 2017. An American In Paris is inspired by the Oscar Winning film of the same name with timeless music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin. Jerry Mulligan is an American GI striving to make it as a painter in a city suddenly bursting with hope and possibility. Following a chance encounter with a beautiful young dancer named Lise, the streets of Paris become the backdrop to a sensuous, modern romance of art, friendship and love in the aftermath of war… Following their success on Broadway, Robert Fairchild (a New York City Ballet Principal dancer) will play Jerry Mulligan and British Royal Ballet dancer Leanne Cope will play Lise Dassin. These acclaimed, award-winning stars, who will be making their West End debuts, will lead a company … Read more