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Book tickets for shows to see in the West End this summer

See uplifting and stirring West End shows in London all summer long, including Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical, Cats, and High Society.

Julia Rank
Written byJulia Rank

Spring is finally here, so why not start thinking about summer theatre plans in the West End and beyond. There are plenty of brilliant productions to look forward to, and advance booking is always advisable!

There are the annual outdoor theatre experiences at Shakespeare’s Globe and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which allow you to combine (hopefully!) soaking up the sun with fantastic al fresco productions.

Of course, British weather isn’t always reliable, so it’s definitely worth taking a look at indoor options. And there are plenty of those in 2026, including major musical revivals like High Society and Cats and exciting new shows such as Beetlejuice and Death Note. There’s something to light up everyone’s summer nights!

Book West End tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

Summary

  • Enjoy summery romantic comedies with High Society; Hot Mess and two productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream
  • Dance lovers will relish Cats and The Car Man
  • Serious American drama is represented with To Kill a Mockingbird and Glengarry Glen Ross
  • Check out Beetlejuice and Death Note for supernatural high school chaos!

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe)

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)

High Society

Death Note: The Musical

Beetlejuice

Cats

Sinatra: The Musical

To Kill a Mockingbird

Glengarry Glen Ross

The Car Man

Hot Mess

Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical

Musical
Immersive

Don your best leather or pink varsity jacket and step back into the '50s at Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical! Experience the beloved film as never before in this production that blends the movie with all kinds of interactive experiences: sit in a diner booth alongside the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, interact with the performers at the Rydell High Carnival, and of course, hand-jive along to iconic tunes like "Greased Lightnin'", "You're the One That I Want", "Summer Nights" and more. In a glowing review last summer, LondonTheatre.co.uk’s critic observed that “Secret Cinema takes everything we adore about Grease and makes it even more electrifyin’.”

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Grease: The Immersive Movie Musical

A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare's Globe)

Shakespeare
Comedy
Outdoor theatre

It wouldn’t be summer without a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – and this year it’s being staged at both of London’s premiere outdoor theatres. First up is Shakespeare’s Globe, which is always the perfect venue for open-hearted mischief and chaos. The production is directed by Emily Lim (The Enormous Crocodile). Other productions at the Globe this summer include Mother Courage and Her Children, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost, and As You Like It.

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A Midsummer Night's Dream (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre)

Shakespeare
Comedy
Outdoor theatre

Later in the season, the Shakespeare favourite can also be seen at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre directed by Atri Banerjee (Julius Caesar, RSC), with original folk music by the multifaceted Olivier-winning performer Maimuna Memon. It marks the first time that the sylvan classic has been performed at this lovely venue in several years and it will be lovely to see it bloom again.

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High Society

Musical
Golden Age
Stars on stage

The Barbican is presenting not one, but two musicals this summer. First up is Cole Porter’s High Society, starring Call the Midwife’s Helen George as bride-to-be Tracy Samantha Lord, with Julian Ovenden as her ex-husband CK Dexter Haven, Freddie Fox as reporter Mike, and Felicity Kendal as her frazzled mother. With its glamour, sparkling score, and classic rom-com vibes, it’s sure to be the most swell-egant, elegant party of the summer.

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High Society

Unlock your 24-hour London itinerary

Unlock your exclusive guide, full of the best attractions, food, free events and more.

09:00

The Breakfast Club

Head to one of The Breakfast Club’s central London branches for a slap-up English cafe classic.

10:30

Buckingham Palace

Is there anything more British than the changing of the guards? Arrive early for a good spot to watch this historic event, which takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 10.45am.

Death Note: The Musical

Musical
Manga
Sci Fi Fantasy

Frank Wildhorn’s musical adaptation of the popular manga follows brilliant high school student Light, who discovers a notebook with the power to shape life and death, which he uses to attempt to rid the world of crime. He gets more than he bargains for when ruthless detective L follows hot on his heels. The show was hugely popular when it was presented in concert form in London in 2023, and now you have the chance to see it in a full production for 50 performances only.

Book Death Note: The Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

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Death Note: The Musical

Beetlejuice

Musical
Film adaptation
Sci Fi Fantasy

For more high school angst and supernatural chaos, try this highly anticipated Broadway import based on the Tim Burton classic. Bereaved teenager Lydia Deetz finds herself sharing her home a pair of newly deads as well as a crazed demon who wants to roam free in the land of the living. Olivier nominee David Fynn (School of Rock) takes the title role.

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Beetlejuice

Cats

Musical
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Dance
Outdoor theatre

There are also plenty of hijinks to enjoy at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre as the Jellicle Cats pounce and frolic their way back to London this summer by the light of the Jellicle moon. This new production by the venue’s artistic director Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar) features all the popular Andrew Lloyd Webber hits (with lyrics based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by TS Eliot) with thrilling new choreography and a truly magical setting.

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Cats

Sinatra: The Musical

Musical
Jukebox
Historical

Whether you’re a long-time fan of Ol’ Blue Eyes or a newcomer to his oeuvre, you’re sure to find plenty to enjoy in the classy new biographical musical. The show focuses on the period in which Sinatra was torn between his devoted wife Nancy and movie bombshell Ava Gardner. Joel Harper-Jackson (Standing at the Sky's Edge) stars in the title role and the score features over 20 of the legendary crooner's greatest hits.

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Sinatra: The Musical

To Kill a Mockingbird

Play
Book adaptation
Modern classic

Bartlett Sher’s (Kiss Me, Kate) production of Aaron Sorkin’s (The West Wing) adaptation of Harper Lee’s beloved novel returns to the West End for a summer season. The stage adaptation of the stirring story of the fight against racism and injustice has captivated audiences in the US, London, and around the UK since 2018. Richard Coyle (The Player King, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) reprises his role as upstanding lawyer Atticus Finch.

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To Kill a Mockingbird

Glengarry Glen Ross

Play
Modern classic
Award winner

There is more American drama over at the Old Vic with a revival of David Mamet’s 1983 play about four Chicago-based real estate salesmen who compete mercilessly to prove themselves the most successful in their field. This modern classic about the merciless dog-eat-dog nature of capitalism won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The twist in this new revival by Patrick Marber (The Producers) is that the characters will be played by women.

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Glengarry Glen Ross

The Car Man

Dance
Matthew Bourne
Thriller

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures takes up residence at Sadler’s Wells in August with a revival of The Car Man, one of his steamiest shows. Loosely based on Bizet’s Carmen, the action takes place in a diner in the American Midwest, where the locals’ dreams and secret desires are shaken up by the arrival of a handsome and mysterious stranger. Fans at the ready!

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The Car Man

Hot Mess

Musical
Edinburgh Fringe
New writing

Summer is Edinburgh Fringe time and if you’re not able to travel to Scotland, fear not! One of the most popular shows of last year’s Fringe comes to The Other Palace. This musical by Jack Godfrey and Ellie Coote (Babies) imagines the relationship between Earth and Humanity, the universe’s hottest couple, as a rom-com that descends into, well, a hot mess. First seen in London at Southwark Playhouse Elephant last autumn, it’s a perfectly formed delight.

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Hot Mess