London


<p>Forget Netflix – the real drama is happening live on stage this year. Across the the capital, theatres are serving up fresh premieres, old classics, big-name stars, and some big musical numbers. Here’s our pick of the best.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arcadia-old-vic-24-jan-21-march"><em><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45695-arcadia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arcadia</a></em>, Old Vic (24 Jan &#8211; 21 March) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1024x683.png" alt="Arcadia " class="wp-image-17915" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Opening this weekend, a clever new production of Tom Stoppard’s masterpiece which is a fitting tribute to the playwright who passed away in Nov (RIP). Linking  1809 and present day via maths, history, truth and sex – the attraction Newton left out &#8211; it&#8217;s as dazzling as it was when it debuted in 1993. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broken-glas-s-young-vic-2-feb-18-april"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45213-broken-glass" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Broken Glas</em>s</a>, Young Vic (2 Feb &#8211; 18 April) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="796" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px-1024x796.jpg" alt="Broken Glass " class="wp-image-17896" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px-1024x796.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px-300x233.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px-768x597.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px-1536x1194.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/ec_youngvic_brokenglass_webportrait_700x900px.jpg 1929w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>You&#8217;ll want to snap up tickets to see this Olivier Award-winning<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Arthur Miller<strong>&nbsp;</strong>play set in 193os Brooklyn, which delves into the consequences of turning a blind eye to the rise of fascism in Europe. The talented cast includes Olivier Award winner&nbsp;Nancy Carroll&nbsp;(<em>Hamlet</em>),&nbsp;Pearl Chanda (<em>Hedda</em>), Juliet Cowan (<em>Am I Being Unreasonable?</em>), Eli Gelb (<em>Stereophonic</em>) and Alex Waldmann (<em>Intimate Appare</em>l). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dracula-noel-coward-theatre-4-feb-30-may"><a href="https://www.noelcowardtheatre.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Dracula</em></a>, Noël Coward Theatre<em> </em>(4 Feb -30 May)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="819" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2-819x1024.jpeg" alt="Cynthia Erivo " class="wp-image-17899" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2-819x1024.jpeg 819w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2-240x300.jpeg 240w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2-768x960.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2-1229x1536.jpeg 1229w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px" /></figure>



<p><em>Wicked</em> fans take note, because global super star Cynthia Erivo has been cast in one of the toughest gigs in the West End this year &#8211; playing all 23 roles in Kip Williams&#8217; version of the Victorian gothic horror. You read that correctly, she&#8217;s on stage the entire time in this one-woman show which promises to be the hot ticket of 2026. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teeth-n-smile-s-duke-of-york-s-theatre"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45248-teeth-n-smiles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Teeth &#8216;n&#8217; Smile</em>s</a>, Duke of York&#8217;s Theatre </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="768" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1-2-1024x768.jpeg" alt="Teeth n smiles " class="wp-image-17897" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1-2-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1-2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1-2-768x576.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-1-2.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>We&#8217;ll also be queueing round the block to see Rebecca Lucy Taylor (aka singer Self Esteem) make her West End debut as Maggie, the washed up front woman of a 60s counterculture band who goes on a night of booze-fuelled fury. Helen Mirren originally played the lead role in David Hare&#8217;s play which turns 50 this year, and is as electric as ever. Warning: the run&#8217;s only 12 weeks long and tickets will sell like hot cakes, so snap up tickets asap. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-romeo-amp-juliet-harold-pinter-theatre-16-mar-6-june"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/18792-romeo-&amp;-juliet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Romeo &amp; Juliet</em></a>, Harold Pinter Theatre (16 Mar-6 June) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="679" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.03.30-1024x679.png" alt="Romeo &amp; Juliet " class="wp-image-17904" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.03.30-1024x679.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.03.30-300x199.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.03.30-768x509.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.03.30.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p><em>Stranger Things</em> fans: this is Sadie Sink&#8217;s (aka Max) UK stage debut. Shakespeare fans: this is Brit director Robert Ike&#8217;s exciting new take on the original. Noah Jupe (<em>The Night Manager, A Quiet Place, Hamnet</em>) fans: he&#8217;s playing Romeo. Enough said. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-les-liaisons-dangereuses-lyttleton-theatre-21-march-6-june"><em><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45580-les-liaisons-dangereuses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Les Liaisons Dangereuses</a></em>, Lyttleton Theatre (21 March &#8211; 6 June) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-3-3-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Les Liaisons dangereuses " class="wp-image-17902" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-3-3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-3-3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-3-3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-3-3.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Sound the celeb klaxon! Lesley Manville&nbsp;(<em>Phantom Thread</em>) AND&nbsp;Aidan Turner&nbsp;(<em>Rivals</em>) are directed by Marianne Elliott&nbsp;(<em>Angels in America</em>) in this striking new adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ classic novel. Love, lies, social warfare and Aidan Turner in an unbuttoned white shirt &#8211; what more could you want? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-flew-over-the-cuckoo-s-nest-the-old-vic-1-april-23-may"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45812-one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>One Flew Over The Cuckoo&#8217;s Nest</em></a>, The Old Vic (1 April &#8211; 23 May) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="612" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.36.14-1024x612.png" alt="One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest " class="wp-image-17906" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.36.14-1024x612.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.36.14-300x179.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.36.14-768x459.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-20-at-08.36.14.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>It&#8217;s the first big production of this dark satire on a London stage for more than 20 years, so expect demand for tickets to be high. Clint Dyer directs a bold new staging that reignites the spirit of the original novel about two inmates in a psychiatric ward, starring Aaron Pierre and Giles Terera. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1536-ambassadors-theatre-2-may-1-aug"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45845-1536" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>1536</em></a>, Ambassadors Theatre (2 May &#8211; 1 Aug) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-6-1024x683.jpeg" alt="1536 play " class="wp-image-17909" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-6-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-6-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-6-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-6.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Essex girls unite in this historical drama with a modern edge, which transfers to the West End following a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre. The plot? Three women hurry to their childhood meeting place in Essex countryside, thirsty for tea from London &#8211; think Anne Boleyn&#8217;s execution and love interests. Ava Pickett&#8217;s debut play is an absolute must-see. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beetlejuice-the-musical-prince-edward-theatre-20-may-17-april"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45407-beetlejuice-the-musical" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Beetlejuice the Musical</em></a>, Prince Edward Theatre (20 May &#8211; 17 April) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-7-1-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Beetlejuice the musical " class="wp-image-17912" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-7-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-7-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-7-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-7-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Hot Broadway musical incoming! This stage production of Tim Burton&#8217;s comedy horror movie is brilliant according to critics in the US, so come spring you&#8217;ll find Muddy in the stalls ready to watch the story of a dead couple who enlist the help of an exorcist to oust the new owners of their home. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kimberly-akimbo-hampstead-theatre-28-aug-7-nov"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45917-kimberly-akimbo" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Kimberly Akimbo</em></a>, Hampstead Theatre (28 Aug &#8211; 7 Nov)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-8-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Kimberley Akimbo " class="wp-image-17914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-8-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-8-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-8-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-8.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Another hit US musical landing in London, though this one revolves around a teen girl trapped inside an old woman&#8217;s body due to a rare genetic condition which prematurely ages her four times faster than her friends. The winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, it&#8217;s well worth heading to Swiss Cottage for. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-man-to-man-royal-court-theatre-5-24-oct"><a href="https://muddystilettos.tixculture.com/london/shows/45676-man-to-man" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Man to Man</em></a>, Royal Court Theatre (5 &#8211; 24 Oct) </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-4-1-1024x576.jpeg" alt="Tilda Swinton " class="wp-image-17907" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-4-1-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-4-1-300x169.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-4-1-768x432.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/01/Unknown-4-1.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Another star on stage. Life comes full circle for star Tilda Swinton, who returns to the stage in the role of Ella/Max which she originated 30 years in the acclaimed 1988 UK premiere of <em>Man to Man</em> at the Traverse Theatre. Set in 1930s Germany, watch Tilda endure war, dictatorship, hunger and humiliation – but always fight to stay alive. Powerful stuff. </p>


The best London theatre to see in 2026

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