Earlier this year, the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre published their annual report which found that more than 37 million people visited a UK theatre last year, 17.64 million in the West End alone. That, dear reader, is nearly three million more than Broadway attracts each year, and two million more than the entire Premier League.
Put plainly by Kate Varah, Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive at the National Theatre: "Those are remarkable figures, and they underline something we don’t always say loudly enough: theatre isn’t niche, it’s central to how people choose to spend their time."
Every one of these shows has been seen and given five out of five stars by your reviewing team, and we want to tell you exactly why. From off-beat comedies, to glitzy favourites to poignant plays, there's just so much to see, so here's every five-star show we'd recommend right now.
Top 5 best West End shows of the summer 5-star West End shows4-star West End showsMeet your critics: Olivia & Joanna
Hi! We're Olivia and Joanna, your Radio Times theatre critics who have reviewed more than 60 West End shows between us. While our tastes sometimes differ, we can definitely agree the best musical is Fiddler on the Roof and that Operation Mincemeat is a work of genius. On musical theatre karaoke nights our picks would be A Little Priest from Sweeney Todd (Olivia) and Maybe This Time from Cabaret (Joanna).Our top 5 best West End shows of the summer
Best West End play: Oh, Mary!, from £25Best West End musical: Jesus Christ Superstar, from £73Best West End show for families: Paddington The Musical, from £29Best comedy West End show: Operation Mincemeat, from £63.30Best new West End show: Midnight at the Never Get, from £55.75Oh, Mary!
– Best West End play
When is it on until: 2 Jan 2027
We love this show for its unhinged ranting mixed with proper emotion. It's hilarious, unexpected and oddly moving at all times.
TodayTix (from £33)LOVEtheatre (from £33.50)
Into the Woods
– Best West End musical
When is it on until: 22 Sep 2026 to 9 Jan 2027
The show is a mash-up of well-known fables Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. In the first act, these stories fold around the quest of a cursed baker in search of the ingredients to bring him a child from the evil witch. In the second, a reckoning comes in the form of a giant, and all our fairy-tale heroes are forced to answer the question of what can happen after happily ever after comes?
And the best part? This production simply gets better every time you see it, thanks to the richness of the book and score, the supremely talented cast and the hidden details in the costume and set design.
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £28)SeatPlan (from £30)Paddington the Musical
– Best West End show for families
When is it on until: 2028
Now the winner of seven Olivier Awards, this show is a simply wonderful experience. From the minute Paddington enters the stage, the ensemble belting out his name in a pleasingly Hamilton-esque introduction, you're guaranteed to tear up because he is just so. damn. cute. With music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher, the songs definitely carry McFly's brand of universal appeal, blending orchestral layers with fluffy pop and few healthy belters for good measure. Plus, the set and extravagant dance routines work to turn this whole thing into a huge spectacle.
Tickets available at:
ATG Tickets (from £28.95)LOVETheatre (from £28)Virgin Experience Days (£100 for two)Operation Mincemeat
– Best West End comedy show
When is it on until: February 2027
In terms of comedy, the show pokes fun at just about everyone, from cockneys to the upper class, and wastes no time in satirising the ‘brave’ men behind the scenes at the government who feel they’re the ones really putting in the effort to win the war. The opening two songs especially, Born To Lead and God That’s Brilliant, do a great job of establishing these ‘great minds’ whose only plan is to somehow kill Hitler when he’s on a train. Plus, every song becomes a wild ride with lighting, choreography and set design constantly in motion.
Tickets available at:
ATG Tickets (from £63.30)Ticketmaster - UK tour tickets (from £30.95)Midnight at the Never Get
– Best new West End show
When is it on until: 12 Sep 2026
The music carries the flavour of the Great American Songbook with witty lyrics, urbane delivery and complex jazz harmonies blending together to bring us a song sheet perfectly reminiscent of Cole Porter. The songs feel stolen out of time and are definitely repeat listens for classic musical fans. This, and the stellar swing band behind it makes the production feel as if it could have been made 60 years ago, which is entirely the point. For the queer community, it's the tender old-school tale of love they deserved when Kiss Me Kate and High Society were hitting the stage, but it's only now a story like this can be brought to the fore. However if you're thinking its just a schmaltzy romance, it's worth saying there is so much more to this story, I just can't tell you what it is.
Tickets available at:
Menier Chocolate Factory (from £55.75) View Riddle on the source websiteMore 5-star best West End shows you can see in London this month
Jesus Christ Superstar
When is it on until: 16 Oct to 9 Jan 2027
From the off, this show has a wonderfully eerie feel to it. The ensemble are in constant flow with every movement carrying a deeper meaning thanks to incredible choreography from Drew McOnie. Instead of the expected group of rabble rousing supporters, their devotion to Jesus comes across as stranger and far more disturbing. This version does such an effective job at showing the unsettling nature of the crowd; there can be no mistaking that Jesus has lost control. What’s more, the decision to have Sam Ryder's Jesus start the production by revelling in the so-called glory and attention, only to become frightened and tired by it later on, helped this even more so.
Read our full review here.
Tickets available at:
Palladium tickets at London Theatre Direct (from £73)Theatre Royal Drury Lane tickets at London Theatre Direct (from £40)The Mousetrap
When is it on until: Ongoing
The essence of the play is simple – a small cast of 8 with everything playing out in one room, one set design. But, that leaves nowhere to hide with the cast rise to the occasion as you investigate the murder of Mrs Boyle. Everything from set design to costume feel so considered. The play ends by the audience being asked not to reveal the identity of the killer to anyone outside of the theatre. This supposedly comes from Christie becoming frustrated with the twist of her plots being spoilt in reviews but it also has the added benefit of you leaving feeling like you're part of a secret club.
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £28)Hadestown
When is it on until: December 2026
Unsurprisingly, Hadestown is the recipient of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for the Best Musical Theatre Album, and we challenge you to not stamp your feet in time to some of the huge, sing-a-long tracks, such as musical's Way Down Hadestown and When the Chips Are Down. The brilliant live band blends American folk with New Orleans-inspired jazz, and you'll hear the recurring sound of a steam train, which represents the two lovers' fateful journey.
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £28)Nimax Theatres (from £25)Cabaret
When is it on until: January 2027
Cabaret is currently showing at the KitKat Club at the Playhouse in London's West End and, like 2:22 A Ghost Story, has a constantly changing cast. Right now you can see Busted's Matt Willis who, we can unequivocally say, gives off one of the best and most accomplished performances we've ever seen. Completely unrecognisable, he masters the Emcee's transformation from salacious to terrifying Nazi drone, alongside a wondrous Katie Hall as Sally Bowles. We'd strongly recommend seeing this pair but if not, Jamie Muscato and Joy Woods are taking over soon and are sure to keep up the streak.
Tickets available at:
LOVETheatre (£36)TodayTix (from £35)KitKat Club (from £35)Witness for the Prosecution
When is it on until: Ongoing
Based on the 1925 short story, Traitor Hands, the play follows Leonard Vole, a young man accused of murdering a widow in cold blood to get a hold of her fortune. Despite protesting his innocence, the evidence of the case seems to be against him, helped along by those determined to see him face the noose. As the courtroom drama unfolds and secrets are revealed, the members of the jury (who are in fact paying members of the audience) must decide Leonard’s fate: innocent or guilty?Read our full Witness for the Prosecution review.Tickets available at:
London Theatre Direct (from £16)LOVETheatre (from £19.25)Six the Musical
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £35)LOVETheatre (from £40)Death Note the Musical
When is it on until: 12 Sep
Tickets available at:
London Theatre Direct (from £50)LOVEtheatre (from £48)The Producers
When is it on until: September 2026
Read our The Producers review.
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £28)ATG Tickets (from £30)The Book of Mormon
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
London Theatre Direct (from £20)TodayTix (from £23)LOVEtheatre (from £24)Titanique
When is it on until: August 2026
Tickets available at:
London Theatre Direct (from £25)LOVEtheatre (from £32.50)Hamilton
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
LOVETheatre (from £24)TodayTix (from £23)Wicked
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
LOVETheatre (from £28)Red Letter Days (£90 for two)Les Misérables
When is it on until: Ongoing
Your critic Olivia has seen this show three times, and with 40 years at the West End under its belt it's easy to understand why. In equal parts devastating and inspiring with the best of the best performing every night, it's probably a six-star.
Tickets available at:
LOVETheatre (from £30)SeatPlan (from £30)Ticketmaster (from £30)Mamma Mia!
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
LOVEtheatre (from £18)London Theatre Direct (from £19)The Lion King
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £39)LOVEtheatre (from £39)And a few 4-star best West End shows for you too
Phantom of the Opera
When is it on until: Ongoing
Tickets available at:
LW Theatres (from £25)London Theatre Direct (from £31)The Devil Wears Prada
When is it on until: February 2027 (Vanessa Williams until October 2026)
Read our full Devil Wears Prada review.
Tickets available at:
LOVE Theatre (from £30)Stranger Things: The First Shadow
When is it on until: September 2026
Tickets available at:
ATG Tickets (from £38.80)Avenue Q
When is it on until: 29 August 2026
Tickets available at:
TodayTix (from £28)Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
When is it on until: Ongoing (one-act play starting from 9 October)
Tickets available at:
LOVETheatre (from £17.50)Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (from £30)If you're travelling to London for a West End show, it makes sense to spend a few days in the city; especially if you're planning on seeing an evening performance which will have you leaving the theatre at around 10pm (that's our bedtime!).
Plus, as it's a package deal — a theatre show and hotel combo — you'll save a couple of quid, too.
What is the easiest way to get to the West End?
Travelling to the West End when you live outside of London can seem like a mean feat. But we're here to reassure you that it can be done with minimal faff and on a budget, too.
Railcards are also a great way to save a couple of quid on your travel — 1/3 of the total ticket fare to be precise. Find the right Railcard for you at Trainline.
Can you get theatre gift vouchers for the West End?
Wondering what could be the perfect gift for your theatre-loving friend or family member? The obvious choice is to buy them theatre tickets, but with people's jam-packed schedules and with so many plays and musicals with a whole-host of genres to choose from, buying specific theatre tickets for a specific date might not be the easiest idea..
Buy a West End gift voucher at LOVEtheatreBuy a theatre voucher at ATG TicketsBuy a London gift card at FeverBuy a theatre gift card at London Theatre DirectBuy a theatre gift experience at Virgin Experience Days
Head to our Going Out section for exclusive interviews with West End stars, like why Elaine Paige would never return to the West End and Rachel Zegler on the Evita balcony scene.
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