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Shakespeare in London
Whether you cry at Shakespeare tragedies, laugh at Shakespeare comedies, or just want to experience the Bard's classic works, there's nowhere better than London. Open-air productions of Shakespeare plays in London take place all summer at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in Southwark. Nearby, in the playwright's birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, is the Royal Shakespeare Company, which presents a rotating lineup of Shakespeare shows, including classical productions alongside others with unique and modern twists. Book Shakespeare tickets in London now.
Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, so there's bound to be at least a few Shakespeare plays in London to discover any day. Come rain or shine, Shakespeare theatre in London is always taking place. There are Shakespeare productions in the West End, too, including shows from the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican. You can catch Shakespearean actors taking on the Bard's iconic roles, and many of these actors are stage and screen celebrities who are unmissable live. Some of the best Shakespeare plays in London are happening right now, and you can check out our complete guide to Shakespeare London theatre and beyond to learn more.
At the Shakespeare Globe, the RSC, and elsewhere, you can catch a Shakespeare show as soon as tonight. See why Shakespeare plays stood the test of time, and buy Shakespeare tickets on London Theatre. A Shakespeare ticket by any other name would land you a seat.
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Frequently asked questions
Where are Shakespeare plays performed in London?
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.
What Shakespeare play is the most popular?
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.
Are there Shakespeare plays for kids?
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.
How many plays did Shakespeare write?
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.
