Top 10 Must-See West End Shows This Spring: Insider’s Guide
Spring’s here, and London’s West End is buzzing like a bee on its first flight after winter. From big Hollywood names to theatre legends and the brightest new talents, everyone’s getting ready to hit the stage. They’re jazzing up Shakespeare, tugging at our heartstrings with classics from Arthur Miller and Eugene O’Neill, and bringing fresh voices to the forefront. Here’s the lowdown on the top 10 shows you’d be crazy to miss.
At the Garrick Theatre, ‘For Black Boys’ is making waves again. Imagine a play that’s as deep and thought-provoking as it is a rollercoaster of emotions – that’s Ryan Calais Cameron’s masterpiece for you. It’s a vibrant mix of laughter, ambition, and heartache, telling the stories of six young Black men in group therapy. This year’s cast brings fresh faces like Tobi King Bakare and Shakeel Haakim, who’s jumped from usher to stage. If you’re looking to be moved to tears (the good kind), this is it.
Sheridan Smith is lighting up the Gielgud Theatre in ‘Opening Night’, a musical that’s all about the drama of theatre life, with Rufus Wainwright’s tunes setting the mood. Smith’s diving deep into a role that hits close to home, promising a show filled with raw emotion and maybe a bit of personal healing.
‘Cabaret’ at the Playhouse Theatre is still the talk of the town. If you haven’t caught this immersive spectacle yet, now’s your chance to see Cara Delevingne shine as Sally Bowles. It’s Berlin, jazz is hot, and the Kit Kat Club is the place to be. This production’s got glitz, glam, and a whole lot of sass.
‘Soho Place’ is bringing ‘Red Pitch’ to the stage, a play that’s all heart and hustle. Follow three young footballers from south London dreaming big and facing the city’s changes. It’s a story that scores big on friendship, dreams, and the spaces we call home.
‘Instructions for a Teenage Armageddon’ at the Garrick Theatre is your ticket to reliving the rollercoaster of being a teen. Charithra Chandran stars in this one-woman show that’s as funny as it is poignant, tackling everything from grief to growing up.
‘Long Day’s Journey into Night’ at Wyndham’s Theatre has Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson leading a family drama that’s intense and all too real. It’s like watching a slow-motion train wreck – in the best way possible.
Ian McKellen as Falstaff in ‘Player Kings’ at the Noël Coward Theatre? Yes, please. This is your chance to see a legend breathe new life into Shakespeare’s beloved rogue.
‘Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)’ at the Criterion Theatre is the feel-good musical of the season. Follow Robin and Dougal’s unlikely romance from a Brooklyn bakery to the heart of New York. It’s sweet, it’s funny, and it’s got tunes you’ll hum all the way home.
Tom Holland as Romeo in ‘Romeo & Juliet’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre? The internet broke when this was announced, and for good reason. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see Spider-Man tackle Shakespeare.
Lastly, ‘A View From The Bridge’ at the Theatre Royal Haymarket sees Dominic West as Eddie Carbone in a tale of love, jealousy, and betrayal. With a star-studded cast, this production is bound to be a knockout.
So, there you have it. The West End’s spring lineup is packed with must-sees. Better start booking those tickets – these shows are too good to miss!
Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com
A theatre visit to London’s West End is a must for any visitor. It always was, but right now it’s because new productions are now more economical to try in the UK than on Broadway, meaning you’re more likely to see something new and/or adventurous, and also because it’s worth a visit just to see the style of the West End theatres, eras distant from our own Performing Arts Centres, and most of them owned and renovated by Cameron Macintosh or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Not enough credit can be given to these icons for putting their money back into their passion. Australia has lost so many classic theatres because they require massive resources to rebuild. Our population can’t recoup what these two can. And let’s face it, from “Cats” onwards when we all travelled Sydney to show how a show can boost the economy, these two have also been responsible for causing our PACs to be built, and providing the need for our training institutions to fill the casts of the shows that have followed. Which brings up an essential point about booking your show(s) in the West End. Book a favourite or one with another Brit icon you want to see on the boards, but otherwise, book something very new or very British or something that may not have the legs to reach Australia. Why? Because you can see a comparable production of all the Big-Name Shows right here Down Under. Don’t automatically expect the London Productions of those money-earners to be “better” just because it’s London. Australian casts are world standard (note how many get transferred TO London) and the productions are equivalents anyway. See those shows in Oz. When in London, pick something that’s very London.