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London Theatre TicketsLondon musicals
London musicals
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Top shows: Musicals
MUSICALS
(7.7K)
The Lion King
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£45.60
MUSICALS
(2K)
Hamilton
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£24
MUSICALS
(4.9K)
Phantom of the Opera
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£30
MUSICALS
(4.9K)
Mamma Mia!
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£14.70
MUSICALS
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Matilda The Musical
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£24
MUSICALS
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Moulin Rouge! The Musical
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£30
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ABBA Voyage
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£66
MUSICALS
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MJ The Musical
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£24
MUSICALS
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The Book Of Mormon
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£24
MUSICALS
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Wicked
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£30
MUSICALS
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Six
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£41.40
MUSICALS
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Back to the Future
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£23.46
MUSICALS
(473)
Mrs. Doubtfire
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£30
MUSICALS
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TINA: The Tina Turner Musical
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£24
MUSICALS
Starlight Express
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£34.80
MUSICALS
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Hadestown
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£24
MUSICALS
Mean Girls The Musical
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£30
MUSICALS
(200)
Magic Mike Live
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£46.80
MUSICALS
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Cabaret
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£36
MUSICALS
The Devil Wears Prada
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£30
MUSICALS
Why Am I So Single?
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£24
MUSICALS
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - The Musical
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£42
MUSICALS
Oliver!
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£36
MUSICALS
Shen Yun
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£101.40
MUSICALS
Clueless The Musical
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£30
MUSICALS
Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
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£21.96
MUSICALS
Pretty Vacant: The Story of Punk and New Wave
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£22.80
MUSICALS
Titanique
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£24
MUSICALS
Just For One Day
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£42
MUSICALS
Peter Andre: The Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
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£42
PLAYS
Cymbeline
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£6
MUSICALS
Tammy Faye
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£51.70
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Viennese Christmas Spectacular by Candlelight
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£25.20
What makes London musicals special?
London's West End is internationally recognized for its musicals. No visit to London would be complete without a night out at a majestic London theatre, watching one of its famous musicals. Magnificent sets, beautiful costumes, melodious songs, and brilliant actors performing some of the most amazing scripts are only some of the things that you can look forward to at a London musical.
Some London musicals are staple must-sees for any theatre enthusiast in the West End which play to standing ovations night after night and year after year. Not only that, but the West End also has an equal number of new shows, ground-breaking production announcements, and star casts every year.
London musicals vs plays
West End theatre is known for its colossal contribution to the catalog of musicals. But, how is it different from plays? While musicals aim to narrate the story in the form of lyrical verses and music, plays take the route of prose. Plays employ written script and dialogues while musicals use choreography to convey the message. Even though the distinction may seem all too clear, art does not always adhere to the rulebooks.
West End musicals & Off West End musicals
With more than 40 theatres to its name, West End refers to the main district where the majority of the West End theatres like Apollo, Adelphi, and Piccadilly are located. There are, however, numerous other theatres that are located outside the West End district, known as Off West End or fringe theatres. These theatres are generally smaller in size and can seat up to 400 guests.
Best London musicals
When it comes to the best London musicals, the verdict is quite subjective. Everyone has their own preference in terms of lyrical quality, plot, presentation, individual performance, and various other factors. However, there are some London musicals that have awed the critics and audiences alike with their near-perfect productions and have gone on to earn legendary status.
Longest-running London musicals
In the world of London musicals, like in every other arena of performance arts, some creations attain a reputation that etches their names in stone. West End has seen quite a few such London musicals. The best part is that some of these London Musicals can still be experienced in West End.
- Les Misérables - running since 1985
- The Phantom of the Opera - running since 1986
- Mamma Mia! - running since 1999
- Disney's The Lion King - running since 1999
What are the different type of musicals in London?
While categorizing a show into a specific category is not always straightforward, there are some broad categories that a London musical can be classified under.
Musicals for kids
Take your children to watch family-friendly musicals to inspire a lifelong passion for live theatre in them. A London musical for kids will guarantee a great time with all the melodious songs and striking costumes. A London musical over a play is definitely a better choice for kids as they are more likely to understand and be entertained via the mode of song.
London shows for kids
Musical dramas
If you thought a London musical could only be romantic or humorous, think again. At any point, you will surely find some of the most compelling and dramatic stories being renditioned into jaw-dropping musicals.
London drama shows
Romantic musicals
Skip out on the usual movie and dinner date and take your loved one to a romantic musical at West End instead. There's nothing quite as enchanting as watching your favourite fairytale or love story play out on stage.
Romantic West End shows in London
Musical comedies
What could be more fun than a comedy show at West End? A musical comedy, of course! These are a great hit since usually they are enjoyed by people regardless of age. After all, what's not to like about musicals with fun and delightful songs which also serve to make you laugh?
Comedy shows in London
Family-friendly musicals
Watching a musical with the entire family is surely an unforgettable experience. A great storyline spruced up by delightful songs, elaborate sets and costumes are just some of the things you can expect from a London musical - nothing short of a complete entertainment package.
Family-friendly shows in London
Jukebox musicals
A jukebox musical is a stage musical that utilizes previously released famous songs as the musical score. While some jukebox musicals take their musical score from a wide variety of artists, there are other jukebox musicals that stick to just one particular artist or band.
Jukebox musicals in London
Pantomimes
Pantomimes are traditional to London and include songs, dances, comedy, and audience participation. Pantomimes take the musical category and add their own spin on it with elements of clownish comedy, funny costumes, and of course song and dance.
Pantomimes in LondonFinding the right London musical for you
There are various factors that you may need to consider before you decide which musical will be the best fit for you.
Genre
Reviews
Budget
Earlier, it was thought that musicals were only suited to showcase romantic plots. However, those days are far behind. Musicals have now broken their own glass ceiling and have begun exploring uncharted territories. Theatre-goers can now pick from a wide range of musicals based on their personal preference. From comedy to crime, parody to period, London musicals have it all!
The most popular factor to consider while choosing a musical is the review of the production. There are several critics and media agencies that are devoted to bringing a detailed review of every musical. You can use these sources to gain more information regarding various productions and have complete information before booking your tickets.
If the West End experience is what matters to you and not so much the content of the musical or if you are trying to be mindful of your budget, you could search for shows that offer tickets at a discounted rate. There are many ways in which you can obtain a ticket at a cut-price deal. Some of these include London TKTS, Day Seats, Lottery, and Rush tickets.
Discounted London Theatre ticketsChoosing the best seats for musicals in London
Where you choose to sit for a musical in London theatre at West End can play a big role in determining the kind of experience you have. Let's take a look at some factors based on which you can select the best seat.
Best views
The best seats in the house for almost all of West End’s theatres are near the middle of the stall area. These provide the best view of the stage and lie in the acoustic sweet spot of the theatre. As a result, these seats come at a higher rate than the rest of the seats in the area.
Budget-friendly
If you are looking for budget options, head over to the Dress Circle, which is the first elevated section at any West End theatre. The middle section of the Dress Circle offers a good view of the stage without being too expensive.
Handy tips for musicals in London
- Watch out for early-bird discounts on tickets for London musicals online.
- Grab a bite at one of the restaurants close to a West End theatre before a show to avoid spending a fortune on theatre food.
- Avoid driving to the theatre as free parking could be very limited or even unavailable at the theatre. Reach the theatre well ahead of time as you may not be allowed entry after the show commences.
- Do not carry or use videography/audiography/photography devices during any show as this is an unlawful act.
- Do not leave during the curtain call as it is regarded as a rude gesture.
- Visit the TKTS booth to score cheap musical tickets.
- Attend all shows in smart casual or semi-formal attire. Baggy tees and sweatpants could make you stand out in the crowd in a bad way.
Frequently asked questions about London musicals
How is a London musical different from a play?
A musical tells a story through song and dance whereas a play may or not have these elements. A play relies on dialogue over songs and dance.
What is the most popular London musical?
Phantom of the Opera and Hamilton are some of the most famous musicals in London.
What is the longest-running musical in London?
Now in its 39th year, Les Miserables is the longest-running West End musical.