Everything you need to know about 'Beetlejuice: The Musical'

The hit stage musical adaptation of the classic movie is heading to the West End in 2026 for its keenly awaited UK debut.

Summary

• Beetlejuice: The Musical is transferring from Broadway to the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End
• The hit show is based on Tim Burton's classic horror comedy movie from 1988
• The musical features a score by Australian comedian Eddie Perfect and a book by Scott Brown and Anthony King
• Alex Brightman led the Broadway cast and was Tony nominated for his performance as Beetlejuice

Say his name three times and you’ll conjure him in the West End! Yes, Beetlejuice: The Musical, the hit Broadway stage adaptation of the classic comedy horror film, is finally crossing the pond, making its West End debut at the Prince Edward Theatre in 2026.

Based on Tim Burton’s beloved 1988 spooky movie, this weird, wonderful and wildly funny show centres on unusual teenager Lydia Deetz – plus a fair few supernatural characters. Learn all about this feverishly anticipated transfer, from its story and creative team to musical highlights and fun facts. It’s showtime!

Check back for information about Beetlejuice: The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

What is Beetlejuice: The Musical about?

The story of Beetlejuice is similar to the film, but with a few significant revisions. It follows dad Charles and daughter Lydia Deetz, who are mourning Lydia’s mother Emily, and the recently deceased couple Adam and Barbara Maitland. The latter summon a demonic force called Beetlejuice by saying his name three times: he offers to help the Maitlands scare away the Deetzes, who have moved into their house.

Lydia, who can see the ghosts, joins forces with them to ruin her father’s dinner party for his potential investors, and the guests are possessed into singing “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”. However, chaos then ensues as the devious Beetlejuice tries to take control, and it’s up to Lydia to outsmart him.

Who wrote Beetlejuice: The Musical?

Beetlejuice has music and lyrics by Australian musician and comedian Eddie Perfect, whose other Broadway work includes King Kong. He was Tony nominated for his Beetlejuice score in 2019.

The Beetlejuice book is by Scott Brown and Anthony King. The pair previously teamed up on Broadway hit Gutenberg! The Musical!, starring Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells. Brown and King were also Tony nominated for Beetlejuice.

When was Beetlejuice: The Musical first performed?

The show had a pre-Broadway tryout run at Washington D.C.’s National Theatre in 2018, and then opened on Broadway in 2019. It ran at the Winter Garden Theatre until 2023, and returned for a second Broadway run in 2025.

Beetlejuice has also embarked on a U.S. national tour, from 2022-25, and has played internationally in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Australia.

What awards has Beetlejuice: The Musical won?

In 2019 Beetlejuice was nominated for an impressive eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for star Alex Brightman. David Korins won an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Drama Desk Award for his set design, Alex Timbers won a Drama League Award for his direction, and Sophia Anna Caruso won a Theatre World Award for her outstanding debut performance.

Who are the characters in Beetlejuice: The Musical?

The characters in Beetlejuice: The Musical include:

• Beetlejuice: a crafty millennia-old demon who wants to roam free in the living world.
• Lydia Deetz: an unhappy goth teenager who feels unseen by her dad.
• Charles Deetz: Lydia’s business-focussed father.
• Adam and Barbara Maitland: a newly dead couple trying to navigate the afterlife.
• Delia Schlimmer: Charles’s secret lover, whom he hires to be Lydia’s life coach.
• Otho: Delia’s guru who comes to help them deal with Beetlejuice.
• Juno: director of Netherworld Customs and Processing in the afterlife.
• Maxine Dean: wife of a potential wealthy investor in Charles’s business.

What songs are in Beetlejuice: The Musical?

The catchy score of Beetlejuice features the following songs:

Act I

"Prologue: Invisible" – Lydia and Ensemble
"The Whole 'Being Dead' Thing" – Beetlejuice and Ensemble
"Ready, Set, Not Yet" – Adam and Barbara
"The Whole 'Being Dead' Thing, Pt. 2" – Beetlejuice and Ensemble
"The Whole 'Being Dead' Thing, Pt. 3" – Beetlejuice
"Dead Mom" – Lydia
"Fright of Their Lives" – Beetlejuice, Adam, Barbara and Ensemble
"Ready, Set, Not Yet" (reprise) – Barbara and Adam
"No Reason" – Delia and Lydia
"Invisible" (reprise)/"On the Roof" – Beetlejuice
"Say My Name" – Beetlejuice, Lydia, Barbara and Adam
"Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)" – Delia, Charles, Maxie, Maxine and Ensemble

Act II

"Girl Scout" – Skye
"That Beautiful Sound" – Beetlejuice, Lydia and Ensemble
"That Beautiful Sound" (reprise) – Beetlejuice and Ensemble
"Barbara 2.0" – Barbara and Adam
"The Whole 'Being Dead' Thing, Pt. 4" – Beetlejuice
"Good Old Fashioned Wedding" – Beetlejuice
"What I Know Now" – Miss Argentina and Ensemble
"Home" – Lydia
"Creepy Old Guy" – Lydia, Adam, Barbara, Beetlejuice, Charles, Delia and Ensemble
"Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" / "Dead Mom" (reprise) / "Home" (reprise) / "Day-O" (reprise) – Lydia, Barbara, Adam, Delia and Charles

Where is Beetlejuice: The Musical playing?

The show is having its UK premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre on Old Compton Street in the heart of London’s West End. The theatre has a capacity of 1,727.

When is Beetlejuice: The Musical playing?

Beetlejuice is booking from May 2026 to April 2027. The full show schedule is to be confirmed.

How long is Beetlejuice: The Musical?

The running time of the West End show is to be confirmed. On Broadway the runtime is 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Who is in the cast of Beetlejuice: The Musical?

West End actors will be lining up to play the vivid, eccentric characters in this hugely popular show. Alex Brightman (School of Rock) originated the lead role of Beetlejuice on Broadway and was Tony nominated. Sophia Anne Caruso played Lydia Deetz, and the cast also featured Rob McClure and Kerry Butler.

We don’t yet know who will succeed them in the hauntingly brilliant roles in the West End. It will be exciting to see whether any of the Broadway cast, such as Brightman, join the London company, or whether British actors will breathe new life (and death!) into these fantastic characters.

Who is in the creative team of Beetlejuice: The Musical?

Beetlejuice is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Alex Timbers. His previous productions include Moulin Rouge!, American Utopia, Gutenberg! The Musical, and Here Lies Love, and his screen work includes TV series Mozart in the Jungle and John Mulaney’s recent stand-up specials.

The show also features choreography by Connor Gallagher (The Robber Bridegroom), set design by David Korins (Hamilton), costume design by William Ivey Long (The Producers), lighting design by Kenneth Posner (Kinky Boots), puppet design by Michael Curry (The Lion King), and special effects design by Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child).

What are some fun facts about Beetlejuice: The Musical?

• The original movie of Beetlejuice had a starry cast, led by Michael Keaton as the title character, plus Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, and Catherine O’Hara. It was such a fan favourite that it inspired spin-offs like an animated TV series and the stage musical.

• Many of the movie cast reprised their roles in the 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, joined by Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Willem Dafoe. There is a reportedly a third film under discussion too.

• The musical’s lead role is a vocally challenging one because you have to master Beetlejuice’s signature growl. Alex Brightman developed a special technique, “ventricular fold phonation”, to nail the sound without damaging his voice.

• The show features incredible puppetry, illusions, design and video elements, combining to conjure up all the supernatural elements in this spooky story. Watch out for jaw-dropping special effects moments like levitation, fire, and, of course, Beetlejuice riding a giant sandworm.

• Beetlejuice: The Musical has lots of Easter eggs for devoted Tim Burton fans. You might spy some familiar names written on the tombstones, for example, or a nod to The Nightmare Before Christmas in the design of the graveyard. See how many references you can spot!

Main image credit: Beetlejuice: The Musical (image courtesy of the production). Inset: Beetlejuice: The Musical on Broadway (photos by Matthew Murphy)