The best London shows to see in 2024

Find out the best shows to see in London in 2024, including big Broadway transfers and intriguing premieres, and start planning your trips to the capital now.

We’ve seen some incredible theatre in 2023, and next year looks set to be just as exciting – if not more! There’s a ton of great London shows opening in 2024, from starry revivals and bold premieres to Broadway hits heading to the West End.

You won’t want to miss Sir Ian McKellen’s return to Shakespeare in Player Kings. Matt Smith is back on stage too with An Enemy of the People, as is Succession’s Brian Cox in Long Day’s Journey Into Night, while Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick co-star in Plaza Suite.

Broadway’s MJ The Musical moonwalks over the pond, and the acclaimed Hadestown also gets a fresh London run. Plus homegrown hit Standing at the Sky’s Edge completes its journey from Sheffield to the West End – and gird your loins for The Devil Wears Prada and Mean Girls.

Book tickets to London shows in 2024 on London Theatre.

Hadestown, Lyric Theatre

Journey way down to Hadestown, Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony-winning musical which fuses New Orleans jazz and American folk to tell the story of an Ancient Greek myth in a whole new way. The show previously stopped by the National Theatre on its way to Broadway – now we finally get to see it in the West End.

Follow lovers Orpheus and Eurydice as they battle to survive the Depression, and to stay together. The fantastic London cast features Dónal Finn, Grace Hodgett Young, Zachary James, Melanie La Barrie and Gloria Onitiri.

Book Hadestown tickets on London Theatre.

Player Kings, Noël Coward Theatre

Sir Ian McKellen is back in the West End, starring as another knight, Sir John Falstaff, in this fresh reworking of Shakespeare’s Henry IV Parts 1 and 2. Falstaff is the raucous pal of Prince Hal, but can the latter become the leader that England needs while retaining his friendship?

Shakespeare’s plays get a bold new slant from the acclaimed writer and director Robert Icke, who has previously put his stamp on the Oresteia, The Doctor, and an Andrew Scott-starring Hamlet. His team-up with McKellen is sure to be one of the theatrical highlights of 2024.

Book Player Kings tickets on London Theatre.

MJ The Musical, Prince Edward Theatre

The King of Pop is moonwalking into the West End as this hit Broadway musical makes its much-anticipated transfer. Myles Frost, who won the Best Actor Tony for his incredible portrayal of Michael Jackson, is also coming over with the show.

Directed and choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, the high-voltage production follows Jackson as he prepares for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and looks back on his journey to stardom. It features indelible tunes like “Billie Jean,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller”.

Book MJ The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

An Enemy of the People, Duke of York’s Theatre

Matt Smith heads to the West End in Thomas Ostermeier’s contemporary staging of Ibsen’s classic play. He stars as Dr Thomas Stockmann, who discovers the terrible truth about the spas that finance his entire town, and must weigh his ethical responsibility against the community’s needs.

Smith is known to millions for his roles in Doctor Who and House of the Dragon. He’ll be joined in An Enemy of the People by Jessica Brown Findlay, Priyanga Burford, Zachary Hart, Paul Hilton, Nigel Lindsay and Shubham Saraf.

Book An Enemy of the People tickets on London Theatre.

Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Gillian Lynne Theatre

Robert Hastie’s phenomenal Sheffield Crucible production, which went on to wow audiences at the National Theatre and win the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, now makes a triumphant transfer to the West End.

Chris Bush’s wonderful book follows three generations of inhabitants at the titular estate, cleverly interweaving songs by Richard Hawley. The cast includes Laura Pitt-Pulford, Elizabeth Ayodele, Samuel Jordan, Joel Harper-Jackson, Rachael Wooding, Mel Lowe and Lauryn Redding.

Book Standing at the Sky’s Edge tickets on London Theatre.

Plaza Suite, Savoy Theatre

Broadway audiences went crazy for this revival of Neil Simon’s relationship comedy and its stars, the real-life married couple Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Now London gets the chance to see the pair in action as Plaza Suite comes to town.

The play gives us an intimate view of three couples who all happen to stay in the same suite at the Plaza Hotel. Hilarious and heartfelt, it’s a comic gem – plus this is the Sex and the City star’s much-anticipated West End debut.

Book Plaza Suite tickets on London Theatre.

Hello, Dolly!, London Palladium

Imelda Staunton is back in a stage musical – and it’s a glorious one. Jerry Herman and Michael Stewart’s timeless comedy centres on matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi, who uses her talents to find love for everyone, including herself.

Staunton has won numerous Oliviers for her work in shows like Guys and Dolls, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd and Follies, as well as playing Elizabeth II in The Crown. She’s joined in Hello, Dolly! by Andy Nyman, Jenna Russell, Tyrone Huntley and Harry Hepple, and is directed by Dominic Cooke.

Book Hello, Dolly! tickets on London Theatre.

Mean Girls, Savoy Theatre

Finally! The long-awaited UK premiere of Broadway musical Mean Girls arrives in 2024 – that’s so fetch. Follow Cady Heron as she enters the wild world of high school and, teaming up with outcasts Janis and Damian, takes on Regina George and the infamous Plastics.

Tina Fey adapts her beloved 2004 movie comedy into a stage musical along with composer husband Jeff Richmond and Legally Blonde lyricist Nell Benjamin (and next year also sees a movie version of that musical hitting the big screen!). Casey Nicholaw directs.

Book Mean Girls tickets on London Theatre.

Long Day’s Journey Into Night, Wyndham’s Theatre

Here’s an irresistible prospect: Jeremy Herrin directs the great Brian Cox in Eugene O’Neill’s mighty family drama. Set in 1912, in Connecticut, the autobiographical Long Day’s Journey Into Night tackles addiction, mental health issues, jealousy, and shattered dreams.

Succession star Cox is joined by an exciting company for this revival: acclaimed Hollywood actress Patricia Clarkson, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’s Anthony Boyle, Daryl McCormack of movie Good Luck to You, Leo Grande, and Derry Girls actress Louisa Harland.

Book Long Day’s Journey Into Night tickets on London Theatre.

Opening Night, Gielgud Theatre

Ivo van Hove directs Sheridan Smith in this new musical adaptation of the John Cassavetes film Opening Night, about an actress who is haunted by a dead fan, and how backstage drama fuels the onstage action. The show will have original songs written by Rufus Wainwright.

That’s a serious collection of talent. Van Hove has won praise for his distinctive productions of everything from All About Eve (starring Gillian Anderson and Lily James) to his bold Broadway revival of West Side Story, while the Olivier-winning Smith has starred in Legally Blonde, Funny Girl and more.

Book Opening Night tickets on London Theatre.

The Hills of California, Harold Pinter Theatre

The dream team of Jez Butterworth and Sam Mendes – who last collaborated on The Ferryman – are back together. Mendes directs Butterworth’s new play, a family drama set in the stifling heatwave of summer 1976, in Blackpool.

The excellent cast includes Laura Donnelly (another holdover from The Ferryman), Ophelia Lovibond, Leanne Best, Helena Wilson, Bryan Dick, Shaun Dooley and Corey Johnson. This one is bound to sell out fast, so don’t wait too long.

Book The Hills of California tickets on London Theatre.

The Devil Wears Prada, Dominion Theatre

London audiences, beware: Miranda Priestly is on her way. Yes, the stylish musical adaptation of the iconic movie about a cut-throat fashion magazine is coming to London – so don the Chanel boots, gird your loins, and prepare to hit the runway.

Elton John has supplied the score for this new take on Lauren Weisberger’s tell-all novel, which inspired the blockbuster film starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt, and Jerry Mitchell directs. Who will strut their stuff as Miranda in the West End? We’ll soon find out!

Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on London Theatre.

Just For One Day, Old Vic

The Old Vic takes us back to that incredible day in July 1985 when music brought the world together, with the record-breaking Live Aid concert watched by billions and raising $127 million for famine relief.

This new musical, written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard, revisits the landmark event. It’s an extraordinary piece of modern history, plus a great excuse to celebrate music by Live Aid performers like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Diana Ross and Queen.

Book Just For One Day tickets on London Theatre.