West End

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

Funny Girl At The Savoy Theatre – Tickets On Sale Now

News, West End
Funny Girl starring Sheridan Smith at the Savoy Theatre. Tickets now on sale

Having broken box office records at the Menier Chocolate Factory a few months ago. It has been announced that legendary musical Funny Girl will transfer to the Savoy Theatre in London for a strictly limited season and tickets are now on sale. Starring Sheridan Smith and Darius Campbell, Funny Girl tells the fascinating bitter-sweet story of Fanny Brice (Smith), whose vocal talents and comedic ability see her rise from Brooklyn music hall singer to Broadway star, and her tempestuous relationship with gambler Nicky Arnstein. Featuring some of the most iconic songs in film and theatre history, including “People” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade”. This bold new production, with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill, a book by Isobel Lennart from an original story by Miss Lennart, with revisions by Harvey Fierstein, is directed by Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch & Spring Awakening on Broadway). … Read more

Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds Comes To The Dominion Theatre

News, West End
The War Of The Worlds at the Dominion Theatre London

Following 8 years of international arena tours, Jeff Wayne’s The War Of The Worlds will make its theatrical stage debut at the Dominion Theatre in February 2016. Since its inception in 1978, Jeff Wayne’s original double album has become one of the most ground-breaking and bestselling musical works of all time – with over 15 million copies sold and 330 weeks in the UK Album Charts to date, a number one album in 11 countries, two international hit singles, a number-one music DVD, and huge critical acclaim across the globe (and probably the universe!). In a new production re-imagined for the stage, the iconic score will be played live and conducted on stage by Jeff Wayne. The show will include new music, star cast, and a full supporting company of performers – as well as video walls, the iconic Martian Fighting Machine, special effects and in 3D holography Liam Neeson … Read more

REVIEW: Waste, National Theatre ✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Waste at the National Theatre

Barker’s play is extraordinary, especially given that it was written over a century ago and revised by him in the late 20’s, the original having been banned from performance. The notions and complex philosophies which underline the narrative are as fresh, vital and important now as then. The need to invest in the future, to educate the young properly. The hopelessness of political cabals. The marginalisation of women. Double-standards in public life. The dirty compromises of party politics. The terror a true rebel with a proper cause can create in the complacent and borne to rule.

REVIEW: All On Her Own – Harlequinade, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Harlequinade at the Garrick Theatre starring Zoe Wanamaker and Kenneth Branagh

The revival of Harlequinade, directed by Branagh and Ashford, now playing at the Garrick Theatre (in a 100 minute experience that includes All On Her Own and no intervals) is something of a revelation. Mostly, Harlequinade is seen in conjunction with The Browning Version, one of Rattigan’s masterpieces, usually as a curtain raiser. To my mind, that combination has never worked and Harlequinade has always seemed pale and irksome by comparison with The Browning Version. But, here, released from the curtain raiser position, placed directly in the spotlight, splendidly set up by the intense darkness of All On Her Own, the play can shine.

REVIEW: The Winter’s Tale, Garrick Theatre ✭✭✭✭✭✭

Reviews, West End
Judi Dench in The Winter's Tale

Dench’s verse speaking is unrivalled. She picks each word and gives it full, accurate weight, landing the sense, purpose and exact emotion of every glittering phrase. She is wily, wise and wonderful. Her pained berating of Leontes when she tells him Hermione is dead is one of the greatest moments in theatre I have ever witnessed. So powerful, it knocks the breath from your body.

Glenn Close at the English National Opera

Events, News, West End
Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum

Glenn Close was photographed on the stage of the London Coliseum this week ahead of her appearance as faded screen star Norma Desmond in a semi-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard. Based on Billy Wilder’s classic film, Sunset Boulevard originally premiered in London at the Adelphi Theatre in 1993, where it ran for almost four years and played to nearly two million people. It went on to open on Broadway in 1994 to what was then, the biggest advance in Broadway history, $37.5million. Sunset Boulevard will run at the London Coliseum from 1 April – & May 2016 for 43 performances. BOOK NOW FOR SUNSET BOULEVARD Photos: Richard Hubert Smith

Don’t Miss These Great Christmas Shows

Features, News, West End
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre

BritishTheatre.com is pleased top bring you our selection of fabulous Christmas shows which are now on sale for your enjoyment during the festive season. We hope that you and your family enjoy some of these amazing productions. SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW – ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL – BOOK NOW This is theatre like you’ve never seen before. Comedy and spectacle provide fun for the whole family, never more than when this incredible show fills the Royal Festival Hall with a heart-stopping blizzard of snow. No theatre or circus finale quite compares with this, and, as an added communal pleasure, Polunin and co release into the auditorium a batch of giant coloured balls that slowly bounce off upstretched arms, as if everyone had been invited to play a slow-motion, slightly ominous game of beach-ball. THE SNOWMAN – PEACOCK THEATRE – BOOK NOW When a young boy’s snowman comes to life on Christmas Eve, … Read more

Jamie Lloyd to direct Uzo Aduba, Zawe Ashton and Laura Carmichael in The Maids

News, West End
Uzo Aduba to appear in Jamie Lloyd's production of The Maids at Trafalgar Studios.

The Jamie Lloyd Company has announced that it’s first production for 2016 will be the UK premiere of a contemporary adaptation of The Maids by Jean Genet at Trafalgar Studios. The production will star Uzo Aduba (Orange Is The New Black), Zawe Ashton (Spendour) and Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey). In a luxurious bedroom, two maids fantasise about killing their employer, playing out dangerous and sadistic scenarios as they plan her violent death. An intense psychological thriller seething with unique theatricality and brimming with intrigue, The Maids is a vicious analysis of the class system, and a provocative exploration of gender and sexuality. Uzo Aduba and Zawe Ashton will play the maids, Solange and Claire. Laura Carmichael will play Madam. Uzo Aduba said, ‘I wanted to be a part of The Jamie Lloyd Company because they’re interested in doing exciting work that is new, with a twist to it. It’s work … Read more