Shakespeare in London

Shakespeare wrote 39 plays that are still performed today. Some of the most popular ones include the tragedies Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo & Juliet, and the comedies A Midsummer Night's Dream and Twelfth Night.

Shakespeare plays tend to be geared toward older audiences due to the old-fashioned language, length, and, in some cases, adult themes such as violence, sex, and death. Shakespeare plays are suitable for older children and teenagers, however, and abridged, edited productions for young audiences occasionally appear on London stages, such as the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre's 2023 production of The Tempest re-imagined for everyone aged six and over.

Most Shakespeare theatre companies present his plays on a rotating basis, with multiple productions running for a few weeks or months each per year, so the best Shakespeare shows at any given time are always changing. A Midsummer Night's Dream and Much Ado About Nothing are popular, frequently performed comedies, though, and Macbeth, Hamlet, and Othello are popular tragedies. Be sure to check this page's shows' reviews to see what the critics had to say about the Shakespeare plays in London right now.

Lots of London venues show Shakespeare plays periodically, but two major institutions show primarily Shakespeare plays year-round. One is Shakespeare's Globe in Southwark, a recreation of the same-named theatre from Shakespeare's era, and the other is the Royal Shakespeare Company, which produces Shakespeare plays at its three Stratford-upon-Avon theatres and other venues across the city.