2025 Preview: All The Best Shows To See Next Year

2024 is coming to a close with no shortage of incredible shows that kept us going through the year. It’s time to look ahead to what 2025 has in store for us and it is shaping up to be another sensational year. New plays, musicals, world premieres, returning favourites and West End transfers of acclaimed shows means there is plenty to enjoy over the next 12 months.

Here are 70 shows you will be able to catch in 2025:

BAT OUT OF HELL (UK Tour)

6th January – 20th September

It’s time to go back into Hell as the musical featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits kicks off a new tour in Edinburgh and travelling to 26 venues this year. Glenn Adamson, Rob Fowler and Sharon Sexton return to the show joined by Katie Tonkinson.

Dates and tickets at BatOutOfHellMusical.com

KYOTO (@SohoPlace)

9th January – 3rd May

Following an acclaimed run at the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon, the politically charged thriller comes to the West End telling the extraordinary story of an unlikely group of international diplomats, scientists, politicians and activists working together to reach the first global agreement on climate change

Tickets from www.sohoplace.org

ELEKTRA (Theatre Royal, Brighton/Duke Of York’s Theatre)

13th – 18th January/24th January – 12th April

Brie Larson makes her West End debut in this revival of Sophokles’s Greek tragedy directed by Daniel Fish. It plays a week in Brighton before moving to the West End

Tickets at www.ElektraPlay.com

CALAMITY JANE (UK Tour)

14th January –27th September

Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in the lead role in the whip crackin’ musical touring the UK in a production kicking off in Aylesbury and marking 10 years since the show last hit the road.

Dates and tickets at www.calamityjanemusical.com

KINKY BOOTS (UK and Ireland Tour)

17th January – 26th July

A brand new production of the iconic musical featuring a score by Cyndi Lauper tours the UK and Ireland starring Dan Partridge as Charlie, Johannes Radebe as Lola and Courtney Bowman as Lauren.

Dates and tickets at https://kinkybootstour.com/

INSIDE No. 9 – STAGE/FRIGHT (Wyndham’s Theatre)

18th January – 5th April

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith star in the world premiere stage adaptation of their award winning BBC Two series. Featuring comedic, spooky and dramatic moments from familiar characters and stories mixing with brand new material.

Tickets from www.Insideno9onstage.com

OEDIPUS (Old Vic)

21st January – 29th March

Rami Malek and Indira Varma star in Ella Hickson’s adaptation of Sophocles’ play, co-directed by Matthew Warchus and Hofesh Shechter.

Tickets from oldvictheatre.com

SCISSORHANDZ: A MUSICAL REINVENTED (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)

23rd January – 29th March

Co-producers Lance Bass and Michelle Visage bring the European premiere of this fresh and funny reinvention of Edward Scissorhands. This pop-musical parody extravaganza is packed with a killer soundtrack.

Tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

THE SHARK IS BROKEN (UK Tour)

23rd January – 17th May

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic blockbuster Jaws, this brilliantly funny play peeks behind the scenes to imagine what happened on the set of the movie with co-writer Ian Shaw starring as his father.

Dates and tickets at TheSharkIsBroken.com 

THE YEARS (Harold Pinter Theatre)

24th January – 19th April

The critically acclaimed sell-out production transfers from the Almeida Theatre to the West End as a cast of five play one woman in this mesmerizing, personal and political story, set against the backdrop of our rapidly changing world.

Tickets from www.theyearsplay.com

SECOND BEST (Riverside Studios)

24th January – 22nd February

Asa Butterfield makes his stage debut in this one-man-play. A fictional story about the boy who came second to play Harry Potter, it is based on David Foenkinos’ best-selling novel and has been written by Barney Norris.

Tickets from riversidestudios.co.uk

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (Noel Coward Theatre)

3rd – 22nd February

Before a transfer to New York for its US premiere, Rebecca Frecknall’s acclaimed production of the Tennessee Williams classic returns to the West End for three weeks only with Paul Mescal, Patsy Ferran and Anjana Vasan reprising their roles.

Tickets from www.streetcarwestend.com

UNICORN (Garrick Theatre)

4th February – 26th April

Mike Bartlett’s explicit, funny and provocative new play stars Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty

Tickets from www.unicorntheplay.co.uk

DOUBT (Theatre Royal Bath)

7th February – 8th March

John Patrick Shanley’s Tony award and Pulitzer Prize winning drama heads to Bath with a cast led by Maxine Peake and Ben Daniels

Tickets from www.theatreroyal.org.uk

RICHARD II (Bridge Theatre)

10th February – 10th May

Everyone’s favourite winky prince is back on stage as Jonathan Bailey leads Nicholas Hytner’s brand new production of Shakespeare’s powerful work to Bridge Theatre.

Tickets from www.bridgetheatre.co.uk

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

10th February – 5th April

Jamie Lloyd’s Shakespeare season continues with Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell starring as Benedick and Beatriice in this savagely funny and beautifully tender battle of wits.

Tickets from www.thejamielloydcompany.com

OTHERLAND (Almeida Theatre)

11th February – 15th March

The world premiere of Chris Bush’s new play explores what it means to be true to yourself in the face of unstoppable change.  

Tickets from www.almeida.co.uk

STALLED: A NEW MUSICAL (King’s Head Theatre)

13th February – 23rd March

Lauren Ward leads the cast in the world premiere of this new musical about mothers, daughters and moving on.

Tickets from www.kingsheadtheatre.com

CRUEL INTENTIONS (UK Tour)

13th February – 28th June

The classic movie gets the stage treatment with this 90s musical full of hts from Britney Spears, TLC, Ace Of Base, Natalie Imbruglia and much more. It follows a London run with a short tour to give the ultimate 90s night out.

Dates and tickets from https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/cruel-intentions

KENREX (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

14th February – 16th March

After an acclaimed run in Sheffield, the world premiere of this part true crime story, part Western transfers to London with writer Jack Holden starring.

Tickets from southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

CLUELESS THE MUSICAL (Trafalgar Theatre)

15th February – 14th June

30 years since the movie was released, the stage adaptation gets its West End premiere with original writer Amy Heckerling returning to pen the book alongside  an original score by KT Tunstall.

Tickets from www.CluelessOnStage.com

ALTERATIONS (Lyttlelton Theatre)

20th February – 5th April

British writer Michael Abbensetts’ era-defining comedy from the Black Plays Archive illuminates the Guyanese experience of 1970s London and the aspirations and sacrifices of the Windrush generation. Refreshed with additional material, it is directed by Lynette Linton.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

THE SCORE (Theatre Royal Haymarket)

20th February – 26th April

Brian Cox stars as Johann Sebastian Bach in Oliver Cotton’s new play, directed by Trevor Nunn as the world’s greatest composer is summoned by Europe’s most tyrannical ruler.

Tickets from www.trh.co.uk 

BACKSTROKE (Donmar Warehouse)

14th February – 12th April

Celia Imrie and Tamsin Greig play mother and daughter in this kaleidoscopic and compassionate new play, written and directed by Anna Mackmin. 

Tickets from www.donmarwarehouse.com

THE LAST LAUGH (Noel Coward Theatre)

22nd February – 26th March

This new play which re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's all-time greatest comedy heroes – Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. Filled with great gags and touching stories, it is nostalgic, poignant and guaranteed to be an unforgettable night out.

Tickets from www.delfontmackintosh.co.uk

THE SEAGULL (Barbican Theatre)

26th February – 5th April

Duncan Macmillan and Thomas Ostermeier bring a new version of Chekhov’s masterpiece to the Barbican Theatre with Ostermeier directing a cast including Cate Blanchett and Emma Corrin.

Tickets from www.theseagullplay.co.uk 

GLORIOUS! (Hope Mill Theatre)

27th February – 30th March

The true story of the worst singer in the world. Wendi Peters stars as Florence Foster Jenkins in the hilarious and heart-warming story of the 1940s New York socialite who dreams of becoming an opera singer despite her famously dreadful singing voice.

Tickets from hopemilltheatre.co.uk/event/glorious

PUNCH (Young Vic)

1st March - 26th April

James Graham brings Jacob Dunne’s powerful true-life account to the stage of how an impulsive punch leads to fatal consequences.

Tickets from www.youngvic org

WILD ROSE (Lyceum Edinburgh)

6th March – 5th April

The world premiere stage adaptation of the acclaimed film, this is an uplifting and heartwarming new musical about motherhood, dreams and finding your three chords and the truth.

Tickets from https://lyceum.org.uk/

MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO (Gillian Lynne Theatre)

8th March – 2nd November

After two runs at the Barbican, the stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s record-breaking hit transfers to the West End for a 34-week run

Tickets from https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/gillian-lynne/

RETROGRADE (Apollo Theatre)

8th March – 14th June

Following its sold-out run at the Kiln Theatre, Ryan Calais Cameron’s gripping thriller transfers to the West End capturing the moment when a young Sidney Poitier is about to sign a career-defining Hollywood contract that could make him a star. 

Tickets from www.nimaxtheatres.com

DEAR ENGLAND (Olivier Theatre/The Lowry)

10th March – 24th May/29th May – 29th June

James Graham’s smash hit returns to National Theatre followed by a four week run at The Lowry with Gwilym Lee taking on the role of former England manager Gareth Southgate.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS – THE MUSICAL (Theatre Royal Bath)

22nd March – 12th April

The world premiere of this brand new musical is a unique theatrical journey through the imagination of Alfred Hitchcock bringing together episodes from his classic series. Scarlett Strallen, Sally Ann Triplett, Alistair Brammer, Joaquin Pedro Valdes and Liam Tamne are among the cast.

Tickets from theatreroyal.org.uk

STILETTO (Charing Cross Theatre)

24th March – 15th June

This major new musical gets its world premiere with a story set in Venice during the winter of 1730-31

Tickets from www.charingcrosstheatre.co.uk

RHINOCEROS (Almeida Theatre)

25th March – 26th April

Omar Elerian directs and translates Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist satire about resisting conformity and holding onto what’s left of our humanity as we resist the rumbling power of the herd. 

Tickets from www.almeida.co.uk

MANHUNT (Royal Court)

28th March – 3rd May

Robert Icke writes and directs this world premiere about Raoul Moat and provides a chilling portrait of a man on the run.

Tickets from www.royalcourttheatre.com 

MIDNIGHT COWBOY (Southwark Playhouse Elephant)

4th April – 17th May

Famous for its triple Academy Award-winning film, the world premiere musical stage adaptation breathes new life into the classic story, exploring the depths of friendship and ambition. It features a soundtrack from award-winning composer Francis “Eg” White.

Tickets from midnightcowboymusical.com

MURIEL’S WEDDING (Curve Leicester)

10th April – 10th May

The UK premiere production of the musical based on the cult classic movie stars Megan Ellis as Muriel with original writer/director PJ Hogan updating his own screenplay for the stage.

Tickets from www.curveonline.co.uk,

THE BRIGHTENING AIR (Old Vic)

10th April – 14th June

Conor McPherson returns to The Old Vic with his new play. He also directs this entrancing tale of fate, family and unseen forces in 1980s Ireland,

Tickets from oldvictheatre.com 

THE GREAT GATSBY (London Coliseum)

11th April – 7th September

One year on from its Broadway debut, the new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic novel opens in the West End for a limited run

Tickets from londongatsby.com 

A KNIGHT’S TALE (Manchester Opera House)

11th April – 10th May

Based on the film starring Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany, the world premiere musical adaptation opens for a strictly limited run in Manchester. Expect a rockin’ soundtrack packed with chart-topping hits.

Tickets from AKnightsTaleMusical.com

CORALINE (UK Tour)

11th April – 22nd June

After worldwide success as a bestselling book and cult movie, Coraline is headed for the stage in this world premiere that premieres in Leeds ahead of a tour.

Tickets from  leedsplayhouse.org.uk

THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES (Noel Coward Theatre)

From 14th April

Mischief Comedy return with a brand new show starring members of the original company. Expect an uproarious 1960’s spy escapade, bursting with bungled missions, tangled identities, and miscommunication that’s anything but covert

Tickets from www.SpiesComedy.com

MY MASTER BUILDER (Wyndham’s Theatre)

17th April – 12th July

Ewan McGregor returns to the London stage for the first time in 17 years in this new play by American playwright Lila Raicek. Directed by Michael Grandage, this startling new play lays bare the vulnerabilities we expose, when we leave ourselves open to love.

Tickets from www.mymasterbuilderplay.com/

MOULIN ROUGE (World Tour)

From 22nd April

After wowing audiences in the West End and on Broadway for years, the musical is hitting the road and going all over the world with a major new tour kicking off in Edinburgh.

Dates and tickets at https://moulinrougemusical.co.uk/world-tour/

HERE WE ARE (Lyttlelton Theatre)

23rd April – 28th June

The UK premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s final musical stars Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Richard Fleeshman, Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Tracie Bennett, Denis O’Hare and Rory Kinnear in what might be the most stacked cast of the year!

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

GIANT (Harold Pinter Theatre)

26th April – 2nd August

One of the plays of the year moves to the West End with John Lithgow reprising his role as Roald Dahl in Mark Rosenblatt’s critically acclaimed play inspired by real events and focusing on the fallout from Dahl’s anti-Semitic outbursts.

Tickets from gianttheplay.com.

THE DEEP BLUE SEA (Theatre Royal Haymarket)

7th May – 21st June

Terence Rattigan’s 1950’s study of obsession and the destructive power of love transfers to the West End after a run in Bath in 2023. Directed by Lindsay Posner, it stars Tamsin Greig and Finbar Lynch.

Tickets from www.trh.co.uk

JUST FOR ONE DAY (Shaftesbury Theatre)

15th May – 10th January 2026

2025 marks 40 years since the iconic Live Aid events in London and Philadelphia which makes it the perfect time for the new musical about that day to transfer to the West End following a run at the Old Vic in 2024. Craige Els returns in the role of Bob Geldof with further casting to be announced.

Tickets from www.theliveaidmusical.com

THE FROGS (Southwark Playhouse Borough)

23rd May – 28th June

GLEE star Kevin McHale will make his UK stage debut in this ancient tale retold as a laugh-a-minute musical comed y with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

Tickets from www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk/productions/the-frogs

COME FALL IN LOVE – THE DDLJ MUSICAL (Manchester Opera House)

29th May – 21st June

A new musical inspired by Bollywood’s most successful film opens in Manchester directed by Aditya Chopra, the film’s original director.

Tickets from www.comefallinlovemusical.com

tick, tick… BOOM! (Theatre Clwyd)

2nd – 28th June

Theatre Clwyd Artistic Director Kate Wasserberg directs Jonathan Larsson’s musical about the exciting mess of being young, chasing your dreams and reaching for greatness.

Tickets from www.theatrclwyd.com

LONDON ROAD (Olivier Theatre)

5th – 21st June

Originally directed by Rufus Norris in 2011, the musical makes a long-awaited return as part of his final season as Artistic Director for National Theatre.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk

HERCULES (Theatre Royal Drury Lane)

⁸From 6th June

Inspired by the animated Disney film, based on the ancient myth, Hercules  heads to the stage with Luke Brady taking on the title role as he realises going from zero to hero might take a different kind of strength.

Tickets from www.herculesthemusical.co.uk  

4.48 PSYCHOSIS (Royal Court/The Other Place)

12th June – 5th July/10th – 27th July

The original cast and creative team re-visit Sarah Kane’s final masterpiece 25 years on with runs at the Royal Court in London and the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon with the final performance taking place at 4.48am

Tickets from www.royalcourttheatre.com 

EVITA (London Palladium)

14th June – 6th September

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical returns to the West End in a production directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Tickets are not on sale yet. Sign up to www.evitathemusical.com for priority booking

INTIMATE APPAREL (Donmar Warehouse)

20th June – 9th August

Pulitzer prize-winning writer Lynn Nottage reunites with director Lynette Linton for this new production of one of Nottage’s most acclaimed plays starring Samira Wiley as Esther.

Tickets from www.donmarwarehouse.com

NYE (Olivier Theatre)

3rd July – 16th August

Tim Price’s celebrated Welsh fantasia which charts the life of Aneurin ‘Nye’ Bevan and his battle to create the NHS returns to National Theatre. Directed by Rufus Norris, it will also play at Wales Millennium Centre with Michael Sheen returning to the lead role.

Tickets from www.nationaltheatre.org.uk 

SING STREET (Lyric Hammersmith)

8th July – 22nd August

The UK premiere of this new musical based on the 2016 movie by John Carney is a heartfelt, joyous coming-of-age story set in 1980s Dublin and  is directed by Tony Award winner Rebecca Taichman.

Tickets from www.lyric.co.uk

101 DALMATIANS (Eventim Apollo)

18th July – 30th August

Following a successful UK tour, the new musical version of Dodie Smith’s classic book transfers to London for a strictly limited run.

Tickets from 101dalmatians.co.uk

HEDDA (Theatre Royal Bath)

25th July – 23rd August

Matthew Dunster writes and directs this re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler with Lily Allen starring as the enigmatic and destructive title role.

Tickets from www.theatreroyal.org.uk/

HERE & NOW (UK & Ireland Tour)

29th August –10th May 2026

After a well-received run in Birmingham this year, the Steps musical heads out on an extensive tour of the UK and Ireland. Featuring all of the greatest hits from the chart-topping band against the story of four friends who work at seaside superstore Better Best Bargains.

Dates and tickets at TheStepsMusical.com

THE BODYGUARD (UK and Europe Tour)

20th September – 13th December

The award-winning smash hit musical will return in a major new tour kicking off in Birmingham. It will then play other dates in the UK as well as Zurich with further UKand Europe dates to be announced.

Dates and tickets at www.thebodyguardmusical.com

13 GOING ON 30 (Manchester Opera House)

21st September – 12th October

Following workshops in 2023, the world premiere stage production of the classic rom-com stars Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink, a 13 year old girl who wishes she could skip high school and be thirty, flirty and thriving only to wake up to find her wish has come true.

Tickets from 1330musical.com

FAWLTY TOWERS (UK Tour)

30th September – 18th July 2026

Currently playing to sold-out houses in the West End, John Cleese’s play based on his iconic TV series hits the road kicking off in Bromley and touring all over the UK into 2026.

Dates and tickets at www.FawltyTowersTour.co.uk

MISS SAIGON (UK Tour)

From 4th October

The legend is reborn as a spectacular new production begins a major UK tour in Newcastle with further dates and casting to be announced.

Dates and tickets at miss-saigon.com

MATILDA (UK and Ireland Tour)

6th October – 25th April 2026

The smash hit musical based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book will embark on its second major tour of the UK and Ireland, kicking off in Leicester.

Dates and tickets at https://uk.matildathemusical.com/tour-schedule/

DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE (Capital Theatre)

23rd October – 1st March 2026

A brand new theatre will open in London with Capital Theatre at Westfield Shepherd’s Bush. Its first production will be the triumphant return of the classic story in a new intimate experience where no customer will be more than 9 rows from the stage.

Tickets from dirtydancingonstage.co.uk

MAMMA MIA! (UK Tour)

From 24th October

The sensational feel-good musical bursting with the hits of ABBA will launch a new UK tour in Southampton with more dates to be added

Dates and tickets from www.mamma-mia-musical.com

FREAKY FRIDAY (HOME Manchester)

27th November – 31st December

Based on the beloved 1972 novel and hit Disney films, the UK stage premiere of the classic story will take place in Manchester. Drected by Andy Fickman, it tells the story of an overworked mother and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies.

Tickets from https://homemcr.org

What a year 2025 is shaping up to be – and with much more to be announced through the year, there is plenty to keep all of us going. Look out for reviews of many of these on the website throughout the year and let me know what shows you are most excited to see on all my socials - @ATDazzles on X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and Facebook and @AllThatDazzles on BlueSky.

I hope you all have a happy new year and that 2025 is all you want it to be. See you in the theatre!