London is home to some of the best theatre in the world, with a huge variety of shows on offer. From long-running musicals like Les Miserables and The Lion King, to serious dramas and comedies on the West End and fringe theatres, there is something for all tastes. With so much choice, it can be hard to decide what the ‘best’ show in London is right now.
What makes a show the ‘best’?
There are a few factors that contribute to making a show the best in London at any given time:
- Popularity – Shows that are selling out and attracting large audiences are clearly doing something right. The crowds don’t lie.
- Critical acclaim – Positive reviews from respected theatre critics can help elevate a show to ‘must-see’ status.
- Buzz – When a show is the hot topic of conversation and the thing that everyone wants to see, it generates an infectious excitement and demand.
- Longevity – If a show has been running for years or even decades, its enduring popularity demonstrates its high quality and timeless appeal.
- Awards – Recognition through prestigious awards like the Olivier Awards and Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards demonstrates a show’s merit according to industry experts.
Of course, assessing a show’s quality is ultimately subjective, but shows that score highly across all these factors have a strong claim to being the best in London at any given moment.
The current contenders
There are several shows right now that could make a claim for ‘best in London’ based on the criteria above. The front-runners include:
Les Miserables
Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production of the Boublil and Schönberg musical has been a permanent West End fixture for over 30 years. It recently relocated to the newly refurbished Sondheim Theatre. The epic tale of love, injustice and redemption set against the backdrop of 19th century France continues to captivate audiences.
- Originally opened October 1985, over 70 million people have seen it worldwide
- Multi award-winning, including 8 Tony Awards
- Regularly tops lists of London’s most popular shows
The Lion King
Another incredibly successful musical production, Disney’s The Lion King has been running for over 20 years in London. Julie Taymor’s visually stunning stage adaptation uses creative costumes and puppetry to bring the animated film to life.
- Opened in London 1999, still performs 8 shows a week
- Earned over 70 major theatre awards worldwide
- Consistently high demand for tickets, often sold out months in advance
Life of Pi
A brand new stage adaptation of Yann Martel’s Man Booker Prize-winning novel, Life of Pi has earned rave reviews since opening in late 2021. The National Theatre and Sheffield production directed by Max Webster uses ingenious visual effects to dramatize the story of a boy adrift at sea with a tiger.
- Opened November 2021, booking until June 2023
- Five star reviews from critics, praised as ‘scene-stealing theatre’
- Strong ticket sales and buzz from audiences
Cabaret
The Kit Kat Club has reopened its doors in the West End. Oscar, Tony and Olivier award-winning musical Cabaret returned to London in 2021 in a critically acclaimed revival starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley. Its intimate and immersive atmosphere makes it one of London’s hottest theatre experiences.
- Opened in December 2021, booking through June 2023
- Hailed as ‘the hottest ticket in town’ by critics
- High demand sees frequent release of extra tickets
The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
This adaption of Philip Pullman’s novel is another acclaimed new production. The Bridge Theatre brings Pullman’s world to life through inventive puppetry and stagecraft. It’s an enchanting experience for fans of His Dark Materials.
- Opened October 2022, booking through January 2023
- Mark Shenton calls it ‘a technical and artistic triumph’
- Part of sold out season of Pullman adaptations
And the winner is…
Based on an assessment across all the criteria – popularity, reviews, buzz, longevity and awards – there are strong arguments for several of the shows mentioned above to hold the title of London’s ‘best’ right now.
While Les Miserables and The Lion King are undoubtedly theatrical phenomenons that have stood the test of time, the newest hit productions like Life of Pi and Cabaret are earning rave responses and generating an exciting theatrical energy that’s hard to ignore.
For the sheer spectacle of its puppetry and storytelling, I would give the edge to Life of Pi as London’s current hottest show and most unmissable theatrical experience. Its original adaptation of the novel has earned unanimous acclaim, selling fast despite the large Lyttelton theatre space.
But feline and nautical adventures aside, you really can’t go wrong with any of these brilliant productions gracing London’s stages right now. The city is truly spoiled for choice with an exceptional calibre of shows. Whatever you decide to see, you’re guaranteed a spectacular night of world-class theatre.
Other noteworthy shows
While Life of Pi stands out as a highlight, it’s by no means the only excellent theatre production in London at the moment. Here are just a few more of the top-quality shows worth catching if you get the chance:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
The award-winning Harry Potter play continues to work its magic at the Palace Theatre.
Jersey Boys
This jukebox musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a toe-tapping crowd-pleaser.
The Woman in Black
The chilling ghost story has been scaring audiences for over 30 years in the West End.
Mamma Mia!
There’s not much chance of this feel-good Abba musical slipping through your fingers.
Mary Poppins
Everyone’s favourite nanny descends on her umbrella again in this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical.
The Play That Goes Wrong
This Olivier Award-winning comedy never fails to leave audiences aching with laughter.
Wicked
Rediscover the untold story of the Witches of Oz in one of the West End’s most popular musicals.
Best theatre shows by genre
Rather than an overall ‘best’, it can also be helpful to break things down into categories and look at the top shows in specific genres right now:
Best musical
- Les Miserables
- The Lion King
- Cabaret
- Wicked
Best play
- Life of Pi
- The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
- The Woman in Black
- The Play That Goes Wrong
Best drama
- Life of Pi
- Cabaret
- The Woman in Black
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Best comedy
- The Play That Goes Wrong
- The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Best family show
- The Lion King
- Mary Poppins
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage
How to get tickets
If you’re looking to get tickets for any of London’s top shows, here are some tips:
- Book well in advance – months ahead for the most in-demand shows
- Be flexible on dates and times if possible
- Sign up for theatre newsletters and follow shows on social media for priority booking
- Check official theatre websites regularly for new tickets and added shows
- Consider day seats – cheaper same-day tickets released each morning
- Look into ticket lotteries and standby queues at the venue
- Check online ticket agencies like London Theatre Direct for availability
- Beware inflated prices from unofficial ticket resellers and touts
Planning ahead, being flexible and using all possible options will give you the best chance to secure tickets to London’s top shows, even when they are in high demand.
Theatre in London – FAQs
How much do West End shows cost?
Ticket prices vary hugely between different shows, dates and seat locations. As a general guide, regular prices tend to range from £20-£40 for fringe shows up to £50-£150 for big West End musicals, with best seats over £200 for the most premium shows. There are often deals available including reduced midweek prices, family discounts and cheap student/youth tickets.
Where can I find cheap theatre tickets?
Options for cheap London theatre tickets include:
- Entering ticket lotteries – some shows like Hamilton offer £10 front row tickets
- Getting day seats on the day at the box office
- Looking for concession discounts
- Booking for previews early in a show’s run
- Using offers like Kids Week for reduced children’s tickets
Is there an age limit for shows in the West End?
There is no set age limit, but most shows provide an age guidance, which is generally:
- PG – Parental guidance for under 12s
- 12A – Unsuitable for under 12s
- 15 – Unsuitable for under 15s
- 18 – Adults only recommended
It’s always worth checking before booking for younger children. Many family shows and pantomimes have no age limit.
What are the closest Tube stations to London theatres?
Here are the nearest Tube stations for reaching key London theatre locations:
- West End – Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden
- South Bank – Waterloo, Embankment
- North Bank – Charing Cross, Tottenham Court Road
Most West End theatres are within a short walk of a major station on the Underground network. South Bank venues like the National Theatre, Old Vic and Young Vic are near Waterloo and Lambeth North stations, while Charing Cross station serves the Trafalgar Studios.
How do I get cheap coach travel to London theatres?
To save money on getting to London theatre shows, look for coach tickets with National Express or Megabus. These long distance express coach services connect cities across the UK to London at low fares if booked in advance. There are multiple coach drop off points in central London, ideal for accessing the West End.
Conclusion
London’s reputation as a theatrical powerhouse is well-deserved. At any given moment, its stages offer an unrivaled breadth and quality of shows to rival anywhere in the world. While it’s tricky to definitively crown one production as London’s absolute ‘best’ right now, the current run of hit shows demonstrates the phenomenal talent on display.
From time-honored musicals like Les Mis and The Lion King to critically acclaimed new works like Life of Pi, Cabaret and The Book of Dust, London theatregoers are spoiled for choice. Whichever show you choose, you’re guaranteed a night of spectacular entertainment. Just be sure to book well ahead for the hot tickets in town.