Incredible Musicals And West End Shows In London

Whether you are an absolute theatre brat or simply love the spectacle as a causal viewer, ticking off your watch list of the most incredible musicals in London is the easiest activity to indulge in in the city. Wandering the West End provides a vibrant night out on the town for locals and visitors alike, without worrying about the weather or overthinking how to make the most out of your time in Central London. 

I love how catching a show can be a spontaneous solo date or be a special occasion to celebrate with friends and family. The opportunities to have a great time are endless. Spend your whole day wielding magic at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or enjoy an evening with Mary Poppins – it’s all up to you because there is a wide selection musicals and plays to experience and appreciate. Some have even been running for over a decade!  

Because there is a never-ending list, I thought I’d share so of my favourite West End shows which I genuinely believe are worth your time and money.

Incredible Musicals In London

The Lion King

The adaptation of Disney’s classic African (specifically Kenyan) tale is, without a doubt, the most popular and enchanting West End musical of all time. It’s a story we all know and love brought to life through incredible art and design – from actors decked out in over-the-top animal costumes and giant hollow puppets to gorgeous sets, all strung together by the iconic soundtrack. 

The Lion King West End production will forever remain the musical I recommend to anyone visiting London if they only have time to catch one show.

Location: Lyceum Theatre
Buy tickets for The Lion King Musical here.

Wicked 

Another timeless piece of theatre, Wicked, is the prequel to The Wizard of Oz and shares the story of Elphaba (the future Wicked Witch of the West) and her friendship with Glinda (the Good Witch of the South) in a heart-wrenching but loving way. It’s flashy and fantastical and connects to the original story through fun easter eggs.   

Location: Apollo Victoria Theatre
Buy tickets for the Wicked Musical here.

& Juliet

The greatest literary tragedy of all time is turned into a colourful, modern love story through a creative vision driven by narrative-relevant songs from famous pop musicians like Billy Joel to Katy Perry. In this incredibly meta-universe, Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway playfully squabble and rewrite the ending of Romeo and Juliet to give audiences the contemporary drama they’ve been seeking. Dance and sing along with the cast, and marvel and gorgeous costumes – when you’re not laughing breathlessly.

& Juliet is one of the more underrated musicals in London and is perfect for a girls night out.

Location: Shaftesbury Theatre
Buy tickets for the & Juliet Musical here.

The Book Of Mormon 

From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes the profane and outrageous comedy musical about a group of Mormon missionaries attempting to spread their faith in Uganda – where the locals couldn’t care less about their presence. It’s one of the funniest productions on the West End, and its irreverent sense of humour and catchy songs makes it stand out from the crowd.

Location: Prince Of Wales
Buy tickets for The Book of Mormon Musical here.

Mamma Mia

Few can resist singing along to an ABBA song. If you are a Dancing Queen or like to spend your Money, Money, Money on the finer things in life, it’s time to transport yourself to Kalokairi and meet Donna and Sophie, the mother-daughter duo who have been captivating audiences with musical bliss and sunshine delight for years. 

Mamma Mia is a musical sensation on screen and on stage and has cemented its legacy as one the liveliest production to grace theatre. Join in on the paradise of Greek island life and immerse in 70’s style, beach bling, family fun, and all things love and romance for a good 3 hours.  

Location: Novello Theatre 
Buy tickets for the Mamma Mia Musical here.

What Time Do West End Shows And Musical Start and End

Most West End musicals have afternoon and evening shows running throughout the week. Afternoon shows begin at 2:30pm and end at 5pm (depending on the running time), while evening shows begin at 7:30pm and end at 10pm. Both timeslots include a 15-minute interval.

Booking Seats For Musicals In London

Ticket prices range anywhere from £20 to £120 depending on the show, the day, the time and where within the theatre you want to sit. 

Every theatre is divided into three sections: the stalls, the dress circle, and the grand circle.

• The Stalls are considered the best seats in the house as they’re on the ground floor and closest to the stage. You can choose to be on the front row, somewhere in the middle, or right at the back but of course, the closer you are to the stage, the pricier your seats will be. 

In saying that, you can sometimes get incredible seats for low prices, so look out for the offers! I booked stall seats for Wicked for only £30 and Mamma Mia seats for only £50!

• The Dress Circle, a.k.a. the Royal Circle, is a level up from the ground floor and gives the audience an advantage as they can see what’s happening across the entire stage.
• The Grand Circle is right at the top and sells the cheapest tickets in the house. You’ll be able to see everything on the stage but will miss the finer details, such as the actor’s faces.

How To Buy Cheap West End Tickets

If you’re worried that attending musicals in London will be challenging and out of budget, here are five tips on how to get affordable West End tickets:

1. Shop online on London Theatre Direct or TodayTix, both of which will be cheaper than the musical’s official site or Ticketmaster. 
2. Attend shows on weekdays over the weekends and in the afternoon instead of the evening whenever possible.
3. Book tickets at least 2 months in advance for the best rate for popular shows like Mamma Mia and Book of Mormon.
4. If you are not worried about being close to the stage, always buy tickets in the Grand Circle. While the view is far from perfect, tickets are no more than £35 even for the most popular musical. 
5. Gamble with the West End Lottery which takes place either on the day or online.

The day lottery takes place 3 hours before the performance and those wishing to participate must be present during the draw of the winning names. Winners can purchase at least two tickets at a discounted rate. Most online lotteries let winners choose their preferred date over a week and these tickets are usually limited to 2 people but depends on the theatre’s discretion.           

Practical Information About London

Location: England, United Kingdom

National Languages: English 

Currency: Sterling Pound

Neighbouring Countries: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland