Top theatre to see in London in June

Find out the best shows to see in London in June 2024, from a new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe's Starlight Express to Kiss Me, Kate.

June is bustin’ out all over! West End summer musicals are already lighting up the city: shows like Kiss Me, Kate, starring Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J Block, Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder!, and Babies the Musical.

It's also a great month for plays, with the Dominic West-led A View from the Bridge, which has transferred from Theatre Royal Bath, as well as the West End return of People, Places & Things, starring Denise Gough, who reprises the role of Emma. We are also eagerly anticipating a new, immersive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe's Starlight Express.

Book theatre tickets for London shows in June.

Babies the Musical, The Other Palace

Heartstopper’s Bradley Riches stars in Jack Godfrey and Martha Geelan’s coming-of-age musical about a school’s sex education department that decides to take matters into its own hands after a rise in teenage pregnancies. Alongside the pressures of adolescence, the year 11 students are given the responsibility of caring for robot babies to teach them about the demands of parenthood. Babies is about what it is to be young right now, and the musical is sure to make you nostalgic for your school days. Jaina Brock-Patel (SIX tour), Lauren Conroy (Shetland), and Zoe Athena (Breeders) also star.

Book Babies the Musical tickets on London Theatre until 14 July.

A View from the Bridge, Theatre Royal Haymarket

The Crown’s Dominic West stars as working-class longshoreman Eddie in Arthur Miller’s classic play about hidden desires, forbidden love, and the boundaries of loyalty. Transferring from Theatre Royal Bath’s Ustinov Studio, which had a sold-out run earlier this year, the production also features Olivier and Tony Award nominee Kate Fleetwood, as well as Callum Scott Howells from the acclaimed series It’s a Sin.

Book A View from the Bridge tickets on London Theatre until 3 August.

People, Places & Things, Trafalgar Theatre

Denise Gough reprises her Olivier Award-winning role of Emma in Duncan Macmillan’s groundbreaking play People, Places & Things almost 10 years after it premiered at London’s National Theatre. An in-depth look at the complexities of addiction, Gough’s performance attracted praise for its brave and realistic exploration of the issues faced by drug users. Jeremy Herrin also returns to direct, alongside a new ensemble cast that includes Sinéad Cusack (V for Vendetta), Kevin McMonagle (Scoop), and Malachi Kirby (Small Axe).

Book People, Places & Things tickets on London Theatre until 10 August.

Next to Normal, Wyndham's Theatre

Tom Kitt and Brian’s Yorkey’s impassioned Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a mother diagnosed with bipolar disorder returns to the West End this month, along with the Donmar Warehouse’s original cast, including Broadway star Caissie Levy, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, and Jack Wolfe, all of whom were Olivier nominated for their performances. Don’t miss this incredible show, which intimately explores mental health, fizzes with humour, and enthrals with a breathtaking score.

Book Next to Normal tickets on London Theatre from 14 June.

Kiss Me, Kate, Barbican

It’s time to brush up your Shakespeare, because Cole Porter’s classic musical is heading to the Barbican! Line of Duty’s Adrian Dunbar and Broadway actress Stephanie J Block play director Fred Graham and his ex-wife Lilli Vanessi, as well as Petruchio and Katherine — the stars of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew — in this metatheatrical comedy. A talented ensemble cast includes Charlie Stemp, Georgina Onurah, Nigel Lindsay, and Hammed Animashaun.

Book Kiss Me, Kate tickets on London Theatre from 4 June.

Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder!, Ambassadors Theatre

Lovers of true-crime need look no further than Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder!, an exciting tale about two amateur sleuths whose podcast gets a boost when their favourite author is murdered and they become real-life detectives. Following hot on the heels of other popular, original British musicals currently creating a storm in the West End such as Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Kathy & Stella is set to have a bright future. Bronté Barbé (Newsies) and Rebekah Hinds (Oklahoma!) star as the detectives.

Book Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder! tickets on London Theatre until 14 September.

Sister Act, Dominion Theatre

One incredible talent is about to be swapped for another in Sister Act the Musical, as Alexandra Burke takes over from Beverley Knight as lounge singer-turned-nun Deloris Van Cartier. Can I get a hallelujah? But the talent doesn’t stop there in Alan Menken and Glenn Slater’s musical, which features toe-tappers such as “Take Me to Heaven” and “Raise Your Voice”. Lemar, Lizzie Bea, Lesley Joseph, and Clive Rowe also star in this much-loved show about an undercover nun.

Book Sister Act tickets on London Theatre until 31 August.

Starlight Express, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre

Start your engines! This new, immersive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe's musical about trains heads to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, which has been transformed into the Starlight Auditorium. Expect a cast on roller skates and a specially engineered track in this much-anticipated revival, which follows a child's train set as it magically comes to life and the engines race to become the fastest in the world. Luke Sheppard (& Juliet) directs and there will be new choreography by Ashley Nottingham, with Arlene Phillips returning as creative dramaturg.

Book Starlight Express tickets on London Theatre from 8 June.

Photo credit: Denise Gough in People, Places & Things. (Photo by Marc Brenner)