A number of great plays are set to open in London during 2026.

These include major revivals of classic dramas featuring A-list talent, new work from some of the UK’s and the world’s most exciting playwrights, and a variety of comedy, thrillers and farce!

Find listings, below, for all of the new Plays opening in the West End and across London in 2026.

More shows to be added as they start booking.

Official Shakespeare's Globe 2026 Summer Season Ticket Poster
Shakespeare's Globe & Sam Wanamaker Playhouse New Season
Shakespeare's Globe
The new 2026 season of classic and modern plays at Shakespeare's Globe in London
Starts: 17 Jan 2026

The Importance of Being Oscar Show Image
The Importance of Being Oscar
The Importance of Being Oscar: Alastair Whatley stars in Micheál Mac Liammóir's acclaimed portrait of Oscar Wilde at London's Park Theatre.
Poster for a production titled 'Twelfth Night: Under the Stars' featuring four actors in colorful costumes against a starry night background and a large moon motif.
Twelfth Night
Book Twelfth Night at Theatre on Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens to see Shakespeare's comedy performed under the stars.
Paranormal Activity - Returns from 8 August - London - Tickets
Paranormal Activity
Ambassadors Theatre
Get tickets to Paranormal Activity - Live on stage at London's Ambassadors Theatre
Starts: 11 Aug 2026

Theatrical poster for Truman Capote with Jesse Tyler Ferguson; black-and-white portrait of a man smoking, over large vertical letters TRU M AN.
Tru at Menier Chocolate Factory
Menier Chocolate Factory
Book tickets to Tru at the Menier Chocolate Factory, starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Truman Capote, and showing until 14 November 2026.
Starts: 19 Sep 2026

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? starring Gillian Anderson & Billy Crudup Tickets London
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
@sohoplace Theatre
Gillian Anderson and Billy Crudup star in Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at @sohoplace. A fierce, in-the-round West End revival.
Starts: 21 Sep 2026

The Standard of Living Final Production Artwork
The Standard of Living
Theatre Royal Haymarket
See Rory Kinnear as economist John Maynard Keynes in James Graham's new play The Standard of Living, directed by Nicholas Hytner.
Starts: 21 Sep 2026

Poster for the play Hay Fever featuring Christine Baranski and Richard E. Grant in formal attire at Wyndham's Theatre, with the subtitle A Comedy of Appalling Manners.
Hay Fever
Wyndham's Theatre
Noël Coward’s uproarious comedy returns starring Christine Baranski & Richard E Grant. Follow the eccentric Bliss family as mischief ensues in this beloved West End classic.
Starts: 22 Sep 2026

'Affluenza' at Riverside Studios poster image
Affluenza
Riverside Studios
Book tickets for the world premiere of Andy Sandberg’s Affluenza, starring Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp.
Starts: 26 Sep 2026

★  Save up to 50%
The Cherry Orchard Tickets - Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, Harold Pinter Theatre London
The Cherry Orchard
Harold Pinter Theatre
Kristin Scott Thomas stars in The Cherry Orchard at The Harold Pinter Theatre in London. Book Tickets.
Starts: 3 Oct 2026

Man's face partly obscured by a tall glass of blue water on a teal table, with bold yellow text reading 'AN OAK TREE' in the background
An Oak Tree
The Other Palace
From the producers of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer, experience Tim Crouch’s extraordinary drama An Oak Tree at The Other Palace.
Starts: 7 Oct 2026

Some Woman Tickets - National Theatre, London
Some Woman
National Theatre - Dorfman Theatre
BAFTA-winner Anne-Marie Duff stars in Some Woman at the National Theatre, a powerful new play by acclaimed writer Helen Edmundson.
Starts: 7 Oct 2026

Ghosts poster title card for Jermyn Street Theatre production. Large white “GHOSTS” lettering on fiery orange-red background. Credits read: “By Henrik Ibsen, Adapted by Richard Eyre, Directed by Kwame Owusu.” Theatre name in upper left.
Ghosts
Book tickets to see Ghosts, Richard Eyre's contemporary adaptation of Ibsen's masterpiece, starring Flora Montgomery and Oliver Alvin-Wilson at Jermyn Street Theatre.
Starts: 8 Oct 2026

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - The One-part production - Tickets - London
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Palace Theatre
Book tickets for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre, the award-winning stage spectacular now in a reimagined one-part production.
Starts: 9 Oct 2026

★  Exclusive prices
Donmar Warehouse 20206 Ilford Boy Official Artwork
Ilford Boy
Donmar Warehouse
Book Ilford Boy tickets at the Donmar Warehouse, Danny Lee Wynter’s funny, moving world premiere drama, directed by Tim Sheader.
Starts: 10 Oct 2026

The Lives of Others - Tickets - London
The Lives of Others
Adelphi Theatre
Keira Knightley stars in The Lives of Others at the Adelphi Theatre—a powerful new West End adaptation of the Oscar-winning drama.
Starts: 14 Oct 2026

Two eyes in the background with a man, naked on his top half, holding his hands on his head.
Tell Me Straight and Aggy
King's Head Theatre
Paul Bradshaw's acclaimed double bill returns to London, transferring from Park Theatre to the King's Head Theatre this autumn.
Starts: 15 Oct 2026

Poster for The Master Builder at Arcola Theatre: a man's face merged with construction scaffolding against a cloudy sky.
The Master Builder
Arcola Theatre
Book tickets for The Master Builder, Ibsen's masterpiece on ambition and legacy, starring Greg Hicks at Arcola Theatre.
Starts: 16 Oct 2026

Promotional theatre poster: woman in a red top with headphones poses on a mint backdrop, large red 'ROLEPLAY' text.
ROLEPLAY
Soho Theatre
Book tickets for ROLEPLAY at Soho Theatre, Hannah Reilly's darkly funny psychological thriller on sex, power and fame.
Starts: 28 Oct 2026

Dogstar theatre poster featuring a ship-in-a-bottle image and a purple diagonal banner with text: by Daisy Hall, directed by Lucy Morrison, Oct 30–Dec 5, 2026 (Hampton Theatre).
Dogstar
Hampstead Theatre
Book tickets for Dogstar at Hampstead Theatre, Daisy Hall's darkly comic new play set aboard an icebound whaling ship.
Starts: 30 Oct 2026

Hamlet Hail to the Thief Updated Artwork
Hamlet Hail to the Thief
Barbican Theatre
Book tickets for Hamlet Hail to the Thief at the Barbican Theatre, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet blended with Radiohead’s iconic album, reworked for the stage by Thom Yorke.
Starts: 31 Oct 2026

Cloud 9 - National Theatre - Tickets - London
Cloud 9
National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre
See Caryl Churchill's landmark satire at the National Theatre's Lyttelton, directed by Dominic Cooke. November 2026–January 2027.
Starts: 2 Nov 2026

Tamsin Greig as Matty Jenkyns in Cranford, standing in a snowy Victorian landscape holding a red hand muff.
Cranford
Orange Tree Theatre
Book tickets for Cranford, a stunning new adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's 1853 Victorian novel, starring Tamsin Greig at the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond.
Starts: 3 Nov 2026

Two people in an intimate embrace, bathed in deep red theatrical lighting against a white background.
Desire Under the Elms
Almeida Theatre
See Desire Under the Elms, Eugene O'Neill's shattering classic starring Zackary Momoh and Kelly Gough, at the Almeida Theatre between 10 November and 23 December 2026.
Starts: 10 Nov 2026

Poster for Nine Night featuring a diverse group of people posing against a beige floral wallpaper, with bold red 'NINE NIGHT' on the right.
Nine Night
Kiln Theatre
Natasha Gordon’s critically acclaimed debut play Nine Night returns to London
Starts: 12 Nov 2026

★  Save up to 38%
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic
A Christmas Carol
Old Vic
A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic - 10th anniversary production.
Starts: 12 Nov 2026

Eurotrash Tickets, Young Vic London
Eurotrash
Young Vic Theatre
Ben Whishaw and Kathryn Hunter star in Eurotrash at the Young Vic - a darkly comic new play about family, fortune and redemption.
Starts: 13 Nov 2026

The Afronauts Ticket Poster, Royal Court Theatre London
The Afronauts
Royal Court Theatre
Acclaimed writer Ryan Calais Cameron (Retrograde) presents his visionary new play The Afronauts, inspired by the true story of the 1960s Zambian Space Programme.
Starts: 14 Nov 2026

Unicorn Theatre. Santa's First Christmas Artwork
Santa's First Christmas
Unicorn Theatre
Book […]
Starts: 14 Nov 2026

Murder, She Didn't Write at the Duchess Theatre
Murder, She Didn't Write
Duchess Theatre
Book tickets for Murder, She Didn't Write, a classic murder mystery, improvised live at the Duchess Theatre until 19 April 2027.
Starts: 16 Nov 2026

Leather jacket with a 'TOP GUNCHAINED' patch, an American flag patch, and mirrored aviator sunglasses reflecting jets, conveying a Top Gun theme.
Top Gunchained
Wilton's Music Hall
Top Gunchained at Wilton’s Music Hall, 16 to 21 November 2026. A very unauthorised Top Gun parody from Richard Marsh.
Starts: 16 Nov 2026

Poster for 'Tilly Taylor in association with Bush Theatre': 'ATTENTION' title in bold blue, pink background with repeating orange 'ATTENTION' text, and credits 'Co-created by Jules Head & Georgia Bruce' with Bush Theatre logo at bottom.
ATTENTION
Bush Theatre
Book tickets for ATTENTION at Bush Theatre, a queer play about love and attention from Jules Head and Georgia Bruce.
Starts: 19 Nov 2026

The Snowman - Tickets - London
The Snowman
Peacock Theatre
The Snowman returns to London’s Peacock Theatre for Christmas 2026 in a brand-new production. Discover dates, ticket updates and festive family theatre magic.
Starts: 21 Nov 2026

★  Save up to 44%
Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas
Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas
Alexandra Palace Theatre
Book tickets for Sherlock Holmes and the Twelve Days of Christmas, a festive whodunnit spoof at Alexandra Palace.
Starts: 24 Nov 2026

★  Save up to 36%
Jumpers at the Hampstead Theatre
Jumpers
Hampstead Theatre
Tom Stoppard's dazzling comedy of murder, marriage and metaphysics returns to London after 20 years, at Hampstead Theatre.
Starts: 25 Nov 2026

Poster for Global Majority, a Bush Theatre co-production by Chris Fung, directed by Rupert Hands, on a blue background with bold yellow title(s).
Global Majority
Bush Theatre
Book tickets for Global Majority at Bush Theatre, a gripping new political thriller by Chris Fung.
Starts: 25 Nov 2026

Fly You Fools Artwork
Fly, You Fools!
Southwark Playhouse Borough
Book tickets for Fly, You Fools!, Recent Cutbacks' five-star live fantasy parody with mime, shadow puppetry and Foley.
Starts: 25 Nov 2026

Poster for Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, with a green background and Christmas tree made of books.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley
Park Theatre
The UK premiere of Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon's hit US play gives Mary Bennet, Pride and Prejudice's most overlooked sister, the festive story of her own.
Starts: 2 Dec 2026

Poster for the National Theatre announcing The Rise and Fall of Little Voice with a gold tinsel background.
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
National Theatre - Dorfman Theatre
Experience Jim Cartwright’s masterpiece at the Dorfman Theatre. Starring Francesca Mills and directed by Robert Hastie, this 2026 revival brings small-town dreams and iconic music to life.
Starts: 2 Dec 2026

Stick Man Tickets – Bloomsbury Theatre, London
Stick Man
Bloomsbury Theatre
Book Stick Man tickets for Bloomsbury Theatre in London. Julia Donaldson’s beloved family Christmas show returns from 3 December 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Starts: 3 Dec 2026

Bold yellow title 'MONUMENT' on a red poster, with 'BY RHYS WARRINGTON' and white brushstroke mountain shapes at the bottom.
Monument
Royal Court Theatre
Monument, Rhys Warrington’s new play about a Welsh farming community debating how to remember a tragedy, at the Royal Court from 3 December 2026.
Starts: 3 Dec 2026

Stacks of hundred-dollar bills tied with bands, with brown aviator sunglasses resting on top (image evokes wealth)
The King's Ransom
Donmar Warehouse
See The King's Ransom, Stuart Slade's dark comedy world premiere starring Charlie Cox and Blake Harrison, at the Donmar Warehouse in London from 5 December 2026.
Starts: 5 Dec 2026

There's a Bear on My Chair - Tickets - London
There’s a Bear on My Chair
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The first ever stage adaptation of There’s a Bear on My Chair by Ross Collins, returns to London.
Starts: 9 Dec 2026

Poster for a play titled 'Mother Russia' featuring a yellow matryoshka doll holding cash and a pistol, beside an orange diagonal panel with production details.
Mother Russia
Hampstead Theatre
Book tickets for Mother Russia, the UK premiere of Lauren Yee's acerbic comedy at Hampstead Theatre.
Starts: 11 Dec 2026

The Animals Come to the Table at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The Animals Come to the Table
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Book tickets to The Animals Come to the Table, making its world premiere at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Starts: 11 Dec 2026



Sign-up for news and booking alerts about these shows and more:
Main photo: New Shows - Plays

Related What's On guides

See all

Latest News

See all