All the West End plays opening in 2023

Find out all the West End plays in 2023, and get your tickets to shows in London now.

While some West End shows continue in London’s theatres for years, many plays run for a limited time. 2023 is no exception. With plenty of star-studded plays all gearing up for 2023 performances, don’t miss out on the variety of shows and stories this year.

From classic revivals and award-winning plays coming back for a second time (or more), to new plays and world premieres, there’s something for everyone. Here's a rundown of all the West End plays opening in 2023, listed by show name in alphabetical order. We’ll update this list with more information once it’s made available. Bookmark this page to stay updated on the latest London play news and tickets.

Book tickets to West End plays in 2023 on London Theatre.

Book tickets to West End plays in 2023

2:22 - A Ghost Story

After performances at the Lyric Theatre, 2:22 - A Ghost Story continues its record-breaking run. Danny Robins's ghost play moves to its fifth West End theatre.

2:22 - A Ghost Story is at the Apollo Theatre from 14 May to 17 September. Book 2:22 - A Ghost Story tickets on London Theatre.

A Little Life

The world-leading director Ivo van Hove is sure to have a masterstroke with the English language premiere of Hanya Yanigahara's critically-acclaimed novel. Happy Valley actor James Norton leads as Jude, a high-flying lawyer whose crippling secrets come to light. There's a talented ensemble too: Luke Thompson, Omari Douglas, and Zubin Varla are part of the A Little Life cast.

A Little Life is at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 25 March to 18 Jun. 2023. Book A Little Life tickets on London Theatre.

Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Daniel Rigby plays a maniac in a London-based adaptation of a comical satire. When a person falls to their death, can the aforementioned maniac shake up the police system? Accidental Death of an Anarchist is at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 12 June to 9 September. Book Accidental Death of an Anarchist tickets on London Theatre.

Bleak Expectations

Bleak Expectations is the riotous story that Charles Dickens could only dream of. Follow Pip as he attempts to avoid Mr Gently Benevolent, defeat the Hardthrasher and get up to mischief. An all-star cast including Sue Perkins, Jo Brand, and Tom Allen will participate.

Bleak Expectations is at the Criterion Theatre from 3 May to 3 September. Book Bleak Expectations tickets on London Theatre.

Brokeback Mountain

Mike Faist and Lucas Hedges will play cowboys Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar in the world premiere of Brokeback Mountain. Eddi Reader sings Dan Gillespie Sells's original country score in the 90-minute play.

Brokeback Mountain is at @sohoplace from 10 May to 12 August. Book Brokeback Mountain tickets on London Theatre.

Hamnet

What happened to Hamnet Shakespeare? When the plague steals 11-year-old Hamnet from his loving parents, Agnes and William, a lifelong lesson in love, grieving, and relationships begins. Lolita Chakrabarti adapts Maggie O' Farrell's bestselling novel.

Hamnet is at the Garrick Theatre from 30 September to 6 Jan. 2024. Book Hamnet tickets on London Theatre.

My Neighbour Totoro

Following a sensational world premiere, My Neighbour Totoro will return for a second season at the Barbican. The Studio Ghibli story follows two sisters who uncover ancient spirits. My Neighbour Totoro is at the Barbican from 21 November to 23 Mar. 2024.

Patriots

How did Russian billionaire businessman Boris Berezovsky become public enemy number one? He was in the president's inner circle at one point. When oligarchs fight, they mean business. After performances at the Almeida Theatre, Patriots transfers to the West End. Tom Hollander stars.

Patriots is at the Noël Coward Theatre from 26 May to 19 August. Book Patriots tickets on London Theatre.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Can the Cornley Drama Society make it to Neverland? As they battle technical hitches and flying mishaps, reaching the second star to the right makes for an awfully big adventure. Mischief Theatre brings their trademark comedy to J. M. Barrie's beloved tale.

Peter Pan Goes Wrong is at the Lyric Theatre from 23 November to 14 Jan. 2024. Book Peter Pan Goes Wrong tickets on London Theatre.

Rose

Maureen Lipman stars in the one-woman play about a Jewish woman who flees Nazi Europe to live in the United States.

Rose is at the Ambassadors Theatre from 23 May to 18 June. Book Rose tickets on London Theatre.

Shirley Valentine

Shirley Valentine is more than a housewife. She has hopes, dreams, and ambitions. So when a friend invites her on a two-week holiday, the vacation changes her life. Sheridan Smith plays Shirley in Willy Russell's one-woman play.

Shirley Valentine is at the Duke of York's Theatre from 17 February to 3 June. Book Shirley Valentine tickets on London Theatre.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Could you survive in Hawkins, Indiana? In 1959, it appears to be a regular town; a popular suburbian place to raise a family. But when Henry Creel moves to the area, he quickly discovers that getting a fresh start isn't as easy as expected. Enter a new theatrical dimension at the Stranger Things prequel, opening in the West End in 2023.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow is at the Phoenix Theatre from 17 November. Book Stranger Things: The First Shadow tickets on London Theatre.

The Crucible

The Olivier-nominated revival of Arthur Miller's The Crucible transfers to the West End's Gielgud Theatre. Lyndsey Turner directs an electrifying new production that explores the consequences of power and abuse.

The Crucible is at the Gielgud Theatre from 7 June to 2 September. Book The Crucible tickets on London Theatre.

The Lehman Trilogy

Join the Lehman brothers as they set up an investment banking company that, upon its crash, triggered a financial collapse felt world over. Hadley Fraser, Michael Balogun, and Nigel Lindsay play the Lehman brothers in the five-time Tony-winning play. Sam Mendes directs.

The Lehman Trilogy is at the Gillian Lynne Theatre from 24 January to 20 May. Book The Lehman Trilogy tickets on London Theatre.

The Pillowman

Steve Pemberton and Lily Allen will star in the highly-anticipated revival of Martin McDonagh's Olivier Award-winning play. Allen will play Katurian, a writer whose works bear similarity to a spate of murders.

The Pillowman is at the Duke of York's Theatre from 10 June to 2 September.

Vardy vs. Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial

We all followed that trial between footballers' wives Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy. But what really happened? Liv Hennessey adapts a weeks worth of court transcripts into a shocking courtroom drama. If you're a fan of tabloid scoops and court cases, you'll need to watch this play. Will you be the next Wagatha Christie?

Vardy vs. Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial is at the Ambassadors Theatre from 6 April to 20 May.

Book Vardy vs. Rooney: The Wagatha Christie Trial tickets on London Theatre.

West End plays in 2023

2:22 - A Ghost Story

We're not all spooked just yet. Danny Robin's haunting story of a couple who are convinced of a ghost living in their new house equally haunts the West End too. 2:22 - A Ghost Story moves to its fourth theatre in under two years, now occupying the Lyric Theatre in early 2023. Girls Aloud singer Cheryl made her West End debut as Jenny. 2:22 - A Ghost Story was at the Lyric Theatre from 21 January to 23 April.

A Streetcar Named Desire

The Oscar-nominated actor Paul Mescal made his West End debut as Stanley in the Tennessee Williams play. The production opened at the Almeida Theatre in late 2022, and then played a further seven weeks in the West End. A Streetcar Named Desire was at the Phoenix Theatre from 20 March to 6 May.

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy

After performances at New Diorama Theatre and the Royal Court, For Black Boys transferred to the West End. Based on the For Colored Girls play, this adaptation sees six young Black men share what it means to live in modern Britain. Expect bold storytelling, movement, and poignant reflections on society. For Black Boys was at the Apollo Theatre from 25 March to 7 May.

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons

Josie Rourke directed The Serpent's Jenna Coleman and Poldark's Aidan Turner in an intriguing play that explores the way we use language. When the pair are restricted to speaking 140 words a day, they turn to all means of communications: charades, morse code, eye contact, and even drums. Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons was at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 18 January to 18 March.

Medea

Dominic Cooke directed longtime collaborators Sophie Okonedo and Ben Daniels in a new adaptation of Medea. Euripides's play follows Medea, a revenge-fuelled woman as she seeks to harm the men who previously abandoned and betrayed her. Will she get to her unfaithful husband? Medea was at @sohoplace from 10 February to 22 April.

My Son's a Queer, (But what can you do?)

Anything is possible when the stage — the Ambassadors Theatre — is your living room. Rob Madge's solo show is all about queer joy and acceptance, ending with a recreation of a childhood Disney parade.

My Son's a Queer, (But what can you do?) was at the Ambassadors Theatre from 25 January to 1 April.

Noises Off

Michael Frayn's Noise Off was the genre-defining "play-within-a-play". The zinging comedy sees an acting company at different moments of a show: the final rehearsals, opening night, and the final matinee. For 2023, a star-studded cast took the mammoth play on, including Felicity Kendal and Matthew Kelly. Noises Off was at the Phoenix Theatre from 19 January to 11 March.

The Unfriend

Mark Gatiss directs Steven Moffat's debut play. It's a chaotic family comedy, following a married couple whose unsuspecting holiday friend has questionable religious and political views. Reece Shearsmith and Amanda Abbington star. The Unfriend was at the Criterion Theatre from 15 January to 16 April.