West End shows and London theatre reviews from the UK newspaper The Telegraph.
Here’s a selection of reviews of London shows from the theatre and arts critics at The Telegraph newspaper.
The chief theatre critic at The Telegraph is Dominic Cavendish. Also Claire Allfree writes reviews for the Telegraph.
See below for a full run-down of star ratings and theatre opinions about West End shows in London from The Telegraph.
The Cherry Orchard at the The Harold Pinter (2026)
★★★★
"Displaying her gift for clenched emotion (winningly evident as MI5 boss Diana Taverner in Apple TV’s Slow Horses), [Scott Thomas]…
Hay Fever at the Wyndham's Theatre (2026)
★★★
"It’s all enjoyable enough, and there are laughs to be had" "The play still amuses, but it’s a patchy evening"…
The Standard of Living at the Theatre Royal Haymarket (2026)
★★★★
"With slick direction from Nicholas Hytner, a winningly clipped but charismatic star turn from Rory Kinnear as the suited and…
Tru at Menier Chocolate Factory at the Menier Chocolate Factory (2026)
★★
"Does anyone still care about Truman Capote?" "An awful lot of the script fails to land." "Watching Tru is a…
The Last Ship at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane (2026)
★★★
"The evening, directed by Leo Warner, nails its gritty colours to the mast early on: simulated sparks fly as welders…
for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf at the The Yard Theatre (2026)
★★★★
“The Yard reopens with a thrilling, stripped-back revival that proves bricks and mortar matter less than what happens on stage”…
The Children at the Lyric Hammersmith (2026)
★★★
“A drama that loops around in a vaguely mind-numbing fashion without ever reaching a satisfying crescendo” “My principal problem, then…
Electra/Persona at the National Theatre (2026)
★★★
"It’s a coup too for the National to get Blanchett who here gives [Persona] a blast of fresh air and…
Who Killed Marilyn? at the Emerald Theatre (2026)
★★
“Only the most devoted fans will get excited by these stubbornly spark-free two hours at London’s Emerald Theatre.” “This iteration…
As You Like It at the Shakespeare's Globe (2026)
★★★
“Even if it doesn’t always convince emotionally, this pacy production, which leans into the play’s bawdy humour, is still rambunctious…
Abigail's Party at the Harold Pinter Theatre (2026)
★★★★
“Abigail’s Party turns 50 next year, yet Mike Leigh’s popular satire of the aspiring lower-middle classes still has the power…
How the Other Half Loves at the The Old Vic (2026)
★★★★
"Skilfully navigated by a terrific cast" "Phillip Breen’s production is in the round, as originally intended, heightening our voyeuristic sense…
Game of Thrones: The Mad King at the Royal Shakespeare Company (2026)
★★★★
“The Mad King has a propulsive energy redolent of Shakespeare’s history plays – only here there are puppeteered dragons too.”…
CATS at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (2026)
★★★★
"This Cats is tremendous fun. Dignity is restored." " this version of Cats wisely focused on the dancing and the…
Love’s Labour’s Lost at the Shakespeare's Globe (2026)
★★★
"A fun, warm, flamenco-soaked account of Love's Labour's Lost." "The cast's labours aren't in vain. It works, but more clarity…
The Oresteia at the Bridge Theatre (2026)
★★★
“It’s almost four hours of electrifying spectacle, yet Stone’s all-out vision at times ends up diminishing rather than enhancing his…
Jesus Christ Superstar - London Palladium at the London Palladium (2026)
★★★★★
"Sam Ryder is divine in a fabulous Jesus Christ Superstar." "When Ryder applies his falsetto and lung-busting heft to Gethsemane,…
PRIDE The Musical at the National Theatre (2026)
★★
“It hasn’t yet found the right sound or dramatic depth to do full justice to its subject matter.” “Sadly, nothing…
Cyrano de Bergerac at the Noël Coward Theatre (2026)
★★★★★
“Adrian Lester delivers a commanding performance in an impressive revival of the Edmond Rostand classic.” “Simon Evans’s production revels in…
Sinatra The Musical at the Aldwych Theatre (2026)
★★★
"A lavish West End production packed with immortal songs and lifted by terrific performances." “Sinatra: The Musical is a turbulent…
The Truth at the Apollo Theatre (2026)
★★★★
“It’s flimsier fare, but this classy revival, led by Stephen Mangan as an adulterous businessman, elicits loud yelps of incredulous…
The Misanthrope at the National Theatre (2026)
★★★
“The Canadian actress commands attention, effortlessly.” “Whether Martin Crimp’s witty but underpowered new version affords the best showcase for Oh’s…
Much Ado About Nothing at the Shakespeare's Globe (2026)
★★★★
"When Shakespeare's Globe is in its element, there's no more magical spot." "The emphasis on much-needed fun continues with a…
Glengarry Glen Ross at the The Old Vic (2026)
★★★
"This all-female revival at the Old Vic makes an intelligent case for itself, yet never fully captures what made the…
High Society at the Barbican Theatre (2026)
★★★★
"Felicity Kendal steals the show in this delightfully frothy High Society" “Bolstered by star turns – including an impish Felicity…
War Horse at the National Theatre - Olivier Theatre (2026)
★★★★★
"Wondrous puppetry, perfect casting and Adrian Sutton’s wistful music make for a beautiful staging of this devastating First World War…
Beetlejuice at the Prince Edward Theatre (2026)
★★★
"Fresh from Broadway, the stage version of Tim Burton’s comedy-horror is full of swearing, smut and local in-jokes. It’s overkill."…
Equus at the Menier Chocolate Factory (2026)
★★★★
"A teenage boy’s perverted obsession with horses once again proves thrilling to watch" "This raw, stripped-back revival of Equus at…
Mother Courage and Her Children at the Shakespeare's Globe (2026)
★★★★
"Brecht’s anti-war play can be daunting – but this staging is a gripping triumph." “The Globe’s first ever foray into…
Sherlock Holmes at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (2026)
★★
“Involving a case of “cursed” treasure, and hurtling from imperial India to Victorian London, it has all the ingredients of…
1536 at the Ambassadors Theatre (2026)
★★★★★
"It moves apace from some of the freshest, funniest writing around to some of the most devastating, with nuanced performances…
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