It’s undeniable that one of the best things to do in London is to see a theatre show in the vibrant West End. Some of the world’s best talent take to the stages of London to give the performance of their lives each and every night. If you are a lover of theatre, you will appreciate the musicals, the comedies, the dramas and the pantomimes. We’ve tried to include each and every one of these in our list. Some of the big shows like Lion King and Matilda can be quite pricey, but if you’re on a budget there are some other incredible shows you can see for under £35. These are our top picks, tried and tested:
Tip: Performances on weekdays are a lot cheaper so keep this in mind when booking your tickets
Need a hostel in London?
In no particular order...
1. COME FROM AWAY
Come From Away tells the true story of the week that followed 9/11, when 38 planes had to unexpectedly land in a little rural town called Gander in Canada. You might think “what’s fun about watching that on stage?” But really, this musical has won multiple awards for good reason. It’s one of the most heartwarming and absolutely hilarious stage shows you could see on London’s West End at the moment and the music is simply perfection. Get your tickets to the Phoenix Theatre and however affordable your ticket, you’ll get a great view. Be prepared to cry with laughter, happiness and heartache, almost all at the same time.
Our tip for this one is just to bear in mind that there is no interval - so no clock watching, just sit back and fall in love with this amazing show!
Ticket price: From £19.50
St Christopher’s rating: 10/10
2. ALADDIN
Head to the Prince Edward Theatre to watch the Disney classic ‘Aladdin’ come to life on stage. This musical contains all of the hit songs from the movie, as well as some extra surprises along the way. This spectacular show is a cross between a pantomime and top end theatre production perfect for all ages. If you’re a fan of the movie, you’re guaranteed to love the theatre show where some of the best scenes are recreated for the stage in fascinating ways. You can get a seat near the back but with a good view of the stage for around £27.
Ticket price: From £27 on weekdays
3. THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG
You’ll be laughing your head off from the moment you sit down at the Duchess Theatre to watch this one, as it really is exactly as the name suggests. The Play That Goes Wrong could not go more wrong but in the most hilarious way, and it is genius! Whether it’s the set falling apart, actors forgetting lines or just ‘rubbish’ actors generally (but really, they’re brilliant), you’ll never be able to guess what’s about to happen next. If you’re after a show that’s light-hearted, has no real storyline to follow and is sure to make you cry with laughter, we definitely recommend you give this comedy a try.
Ticket price: From £23 on weekdays
4. SCHOOL OF ROCK
One of our favourites in the list has to be School of Rock with music composed by the legend himself Andrew Lloyd Webber. Based on the movie, School of Rock tells the story of Dewey Finn an aspiring rock n’ roll star who gets kicked out of his band, left broke and jobless. The amazing thing about this show is the young kids play their own instruments and sing their own songs - it’s so impressive and you’ll want to be part of their band. The show is almost like a rock concert at the same time; you’ll remember why you love rock music again! Plus, the Gillian Lynne Theatre is a modern London theatre where you can get a good view from any seat.
Ticket price: From £18 on weekdays, From £30 on Fridays, From £35 on Saturday’s and from £30 on Sunday’s
St Christopher’s Rating: 10/10
5. A COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY
A fantastic comedy produced by the same guys who masterminded ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’. A Comedy About a Bank Robbery will have you almost falling off your chair with laughter at London’s Criterion Theatre. The storyline is all about a diamond hidden in the City Bank, but there are a few criminals who want to get their hands on it! Will it be the escaped convict, the maintenance man or someone completely unexpected?
Ticket price: From £13
6. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Her Majesty’s Theatre plays hosts to one of the best theatrics in the world; The Phantom of the Opera. This show is absolutely phenomenal and it will knock your socks off. Even if you’re not an opera fan, Phantom of the Opera will blow you away. The dramatics, the darkness, the love story and the talented voices make it our favourite musical in the list. It’s all about a phantom who hides away in the Paris Opera House, too afraid to show his face to the world. To get a seat in the stalls with the best view, you’ll have to fork out some more money as it gets a little more expensive. However, you can get a fairly good seat in the Grand Circle for under £30.
Ticket price: From £29.50 on weekdays and weekends
St Christopher’s Rating: 10/10
7. WAITRESS
After being a massive hit on Broadway, Waitress landed at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre in February 2019. Jenna is a waitress in a pie shop who falls pregnant by a man she’s unhappily married to. The story is about her affair with her gynaecologist while she tries to find ways to escape her abusive husband through her love (and talent) of making the best pies in town. If you love musicals, Waitress is for you as the star of the show, Lucie Jones, has one of the most incredible voices in the West End.
Waitress also has seen a few famous faces pop up for a few months as guest stars like Ashley Roberts and Joe Sugg so keep your eyes peeled for more…
Ticket price: From £19.50
St Christopher’s rating: 8/10