Check out the hottest shows coming to London & the West End in 2025, as predicted by London’s theatre critics

Every year London’s theatre critics make their selections of the best London and West End Shows to see in the coming 12 months.

So here’s our round-up of what the critic’s think are the hottest new shows of 2025, from big-name musicals to comedy, drama and entertainment.

This Hot List 2025 – Critics’ Picks will be updated as the critics publish their lists.

Also check out: Hot London shows in 2025 | All Shows playing in London in 2025

Best of the Best

Here’s a “Best of the Best” list of London theatre in 2025, aggregating the critics’ picks. Shows featured in this list have 3 or more mentions.

8 mentions:

  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)

6 mentions:

  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)

5 mentions:

  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)

4 mentions:

  • Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Aviva Studios Manchester from 27 April 2025 & Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 June 2025)
  • Krapp’s Last Tape starring Gary Oldman (Theatre Royal York, from 14 April 2025)
  • Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma (The Old Vic London, from 21 January 2025)

3 mentions:

  • 4.48 Psychosis starring Daniel Evans (Royal Court Theatre London, from 12 June 2025)
  • Hercules (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 6 June 2025)
  • My Master Builder (Wyndhams Theatre London, from 17 April 2025)
  • Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey (The Bridge Theatre London, from 10 February 2025)
Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey in London. Photo by Jason Bell
Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey in London. Photo by Jason Bell

Sarah Hemming, Financial Times

  • Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma (The Old Vic London, from 21 January 2025)
  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Unicorn starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan & Erin Doherty (Garrick Theatre London, from 4 February 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)
  • Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey (The Bridge Theatre London, from 10 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • Dear England (National Theatre London, from 10 March 2025; Lowry Salford, from 29 May 2025)
  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Aviva Studios Manchester from 27 April 2025 & Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 June 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • London Road (National Theatre London, from 5 June 2025)
  • 4.48 Psychosis starring Daniel Evans (Royal Court Theatre London, from 12 June 2025)
  • A Moon for the Misbegotten starring Ruth Wilson and Michael (Almeida Theatre London, 17 June 2025)
  • Intimate Apparel (Donmar Warehouse London, from 20 June 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Sarah Hemming >

More reviews from The Financial Times >

Unicorn in London starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan & Erin Doherty
Unicorn in London starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan & Erin Doherty

Andrzej Lukowski, TimeOut

  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Tambo & Bones (Theatre Royal Stratford East London, from 29 April 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • Hercules (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 6 June 2025)

Read the article >

Reviews by Andrzej Lukowski >

More reviews from TimeOut >

Sarah Crompton, Whatsonstage

  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma (The Old Vic London, from 21 January 2025)
  • Hamlet starring Luke Thallon (Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 8 February 2025)
  • Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Aviva Studios Manchester from 27 April 2025 & Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 June 2025)
  • Girls & Boys (Nottingham Playhouse, from 8 February 2025)
  • Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey (The Bridge Theatre London, from 10 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • Rhinoceros (Almeida Theatre, from 25 March 2025)
  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Krapp’s Last Tape starring Gary Oldman (Theatre Royal York, from 14 April 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • London Road (National Theatre London, from 5 June 2025)
  • 4.48 Psychosis starring Daniel Evans (Royal Court Theatre London, from 12 June 2025)
  • A Moon for the Misbegotten starring Ruth Wilson and Michael (Almeida Theatre London, 17 June 2025)

Read the article >

Oedipus at The Old Vic starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma. Photo by Nadav Kander
Oedipus at The Old Vic starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma. Photo by Nadav Kander

Arifa Akbar, The Guardian

  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Death and the King’s Horseman (Crucible Theatre Sheffield, from 3 Febraury 2025)
  • Romeo and Juliet (Belgrade Theatre Coventry, from 21 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • North by Northwest (Theatre Royal York, from 18 March 2025 then tours)
  • Rhinoceros (Almeida Theatre, from 25 March 2025)
  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Through the Shortbread Tin (Corn Exchange Melrose, from 1 April 2025 then tours)
  • Krapp’s Last Tape starring Gary Oldman (Theatre Royal York, from 14 April 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • Come Fall in Love (Opera House Manchester, from 29 May 2025)
  • 4.48 Psychosis starring Daniel Evans (Royal Court Theatre London, from 12 June 2025)
  • Lost Atoms (Touring from September 2025)
  • The Red Rogue of Bala (Theatr Clwyd Mold, from 3 November 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Arifa Akbar >

More reviews from The Guardian >

Elektra rehearsals - Brie Larson, Stockard Channing, Patrick Vaill. Photo by Helen Murray
Elektra rehearsals – Brie Larson, Stockard Channing, Patrick Vaill. Photo by Helen Murray

Fiona Mountford, The i Paper

  • Unicorn starring Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan & Erin Doherty (Garrick Theatre London, from 4 February 2025)
  • Doubt: A Parable starring Maxine Peake (Ustinov Studio at the Theatre Royal Bath, from 7 February 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)
  • Backstroke (Donmar Warehouse London, from 14 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • Wild Rose (Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, from 6 March 2025)
  • Krapp’s Last Tape starring Gary Oldman (Theatre Royal York, from 14 April 2025)
  • My Master Builder (Wyndhams Theatre London, from 17 April 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Fiona Mountford >

More reviews from The i Paper >

Clive Davis, The Times

  • Churchill in Moscow starring Roger Allam (Orange Tree Theatre Richmond, from 3 February 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • North by Northwest (Theatre Royal York, from 18 March 2025 then tours)
  • Giant starring John Lithgow (Harold Pinter Theatre London, from 26 April 2025)
  • My Master Builder (Wyndhams Theatre London, from 17 April 2025)
  • Punch (The Young Vic London, from 1 March 2025)
  • Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Aviva Studios Manchester from 27 April 2025 & Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 June 2025)
  • Hercules (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 6 June 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Clive Davis >

More reviews from The Times >

Punch by James Graham at Nottingham Playhouse. Photo by Marc Brenner
Punch by James Graham at Nottingham Playhouse. Photo by Marc Brenner

Dominic Cavendish, The Telegraph

  • The Years starring Romola Garai & Gina McKee (Harold Pinter Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Inside Number 9: Stage/Fright (Wyndham’s Theatre London, from 18 January 2025)
  • Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma (The Old Vic London, from 21 January 2025)
  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Hamlet starring Luke Thallon (Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 8 February 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • Manhunt (Royal Court Theatre London, from 28 March 2025)
  • Krapp’s Last Tape starring Gary Oldman (Theatre Royal York, from 14 April 2025)
  • Hamlet Hail to the Thief (Aviva Studios Manchester from 27 April 2025 & Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon, from 4 June 2025)
  • My Master Builder (Wyndhams Theatre London, from 17 April 2025)
  • Giant starring John Lithgow (Harold Pinter Theatre London, from 26 April 2025)
  • Here We Are starring Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton, Jesse Tyler Ferguson (National Theatre London, from 23 April 2025)
  • The Deep Blue Sea (Theatre Royal Haymarket London, from 21 June 2025)
  • Hercules (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 6 June 2025)
  • Evita (London Palladium, 14 June 2025)
  • Ralph Fiennes Season – Grace Pervades, As You Like It, Small Hotel (Theatre Royal Bath, from 27 June 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Dominic Cavendish >

More reviews from The Telegraph >

The Years at the Almeida Theatre. Photo by Ali Wright
The Years at the Almeida Theatre. Photo by Ali Wright

Matt Wolf, The New York Times

  • The Merchant of Venice 1936 starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (Trafalgar Theatre London, until 25 January 2025)
  • Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey (The Bridge Theatre London, from 10 February 2025)
  • Cymbeline (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse London, from 10 January 2025)
  • Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell (Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, from 10 February 2025)
  • Macbeth (Lyric Hammersmith Theatre London, from 28 February 2025)
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Almeida Theatre London, until 1 February 2025)
  • Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma (The Old Vic London, from 21 January 2025)
  • Elektra starring Brie Larson (Duke of York’s Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke & Emma Corrin (Barbican Theatre London, from 26 February 2025)
  • The Little Foxes (The Young Vic London, until 8 February 2025)
  • Oliver! (Gielgud Theatre London, booking to 28 September 2025)
  • Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 (Donmar Warehouse London, until 8 February 2025)
  • The Producers (Menier Chocolate Factory London, until 1 March 2025)
  • Cabaret starring Marisha Wallace & Billy Porter (Kit Kat Club London, from 28 January 2025)
  • Titanique (Criterion Theatre London, booking to 2 March 2025)
  • Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake: The Next Generation (Sadler’s Wells Theatre London, until 26 January 2025)
  • The Years starring Romola Garai & Gina McKee (Harold Pinter Theatre London, from 24 January 2025)
  • Dear England (National Theatre London, from 10 March 2025; Lowry Salford, from 29 May 2025)
  • Alterations (National Theatre London, from 20 February 2025)
  • Three Sisters starring Paul Ready and Michelle Terry (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, from 31 January 2025)
  • Kyoto (@Sohoplace London, from 9 January 2025)
  • The Lonely Londoners (Kiln Theatre London, from 10 January 2025)
  • Churchill in Moscow (Orange Tree Theatre London, from 3 February 2025)
  • Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew (Bush Theatre London, from 8 February 2025)
  • Backstroke (Donmar Warehouse London, from 14 February 2025)
  • Punch (The Young Vic London, from 1 March 2025)

Read the article >

More reviews from Matt Wolf >

More reviews from The New York Times >

Oliver! at Chichester Festival Theatre. Photo by Johan Persson
Oliver! at Chichester Festival Theatre. Photo by Johan Persson

Critics’ Picks shows to book right now

Poster art for The Years - West End play
The Years
Harold Pinter Theatre
Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux’s critically acclaimed “masterpiece” The Years transfers to the Harold Pinter Theatre
Unicorn - London
Unicorn
Garrick Theatre
Get tickets to Unicorn - Mike Bartlett's funny & provocative new play stars Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan & Erin Doherty.
Oedipus - The Old Vic Theatre London
Oedipus - Old Vic
Old Vic
Rami Malek and Indira Varma star in Oedipus at The Old Vic in London from January 2025
Elektra - Duke of York's Theatre London
Elektra
Duke of York's Theatre
Brie Larson stars in Elektra - an electrifying production of Sophocles’ classic revenge thriller
The Seagull - Barbican Theatre London
The Seagull
Barbican Theatre
Oscar winning actress Cate Blanchett and acclaimed actor Tom Burke star in a new production of Anton Chekhov's The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre in February 2025.
My Master Builder - London 2025 starring Elizabeth Debicki, Ewan McGregor, Kate Fleetwood
My Master Builder
Wyndham's Theatre
Hollywood stars Ewan McGregor & Elizabeth Debicki return to the London stage in thrilling new play My Master Builder, directed by multi award-winner Michael Grandage.
Manhunt - Royal Court Theatre
Manhunt
Royal Court Theatre
Manhunt - a thrilling new play from Robert Icke premieres at the Royal Court in London
Here We Are - National Theatre
Here We Are
National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre
Stephen Sondheim's final musical Here We Are comes to the National Theatre with an all-star cast including Jane Krakowski, Martha Plimpton & Jesse Tyler Ferguson
Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey - Bridge Theatre London
Richard II
Bridge Theatre
Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Wicked) stars in Richard II at the Bridge Theatre, directed by Nicholas Hytner.
Dear England - UK Tour - Tickets
Dear England
The National Theatre's hit play Dear England returns to UK theatres in 2025 in 2026.
London Road - National Theatre
London Road
National Theatre - Olivier Theatre
Hit musical London Road returns to the National Theatre in 2025
Disney's Hercules logo with lightning bolt and tagline at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London on radiant blue background.
Disney's Hercules
Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Book Hercules tickets to see Disney’s spectacular West End musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London.
★ Tickets from £25
Come Fall in Love - Manchester
Come Fall in Love - The DDLJ Musical
High energy new musical Come Fall in Love is bursting on to the UK stage in 2025 based on Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ)
Man in wet white shirt promotes Punch at Apollo Theatre, London,
Punch
Apollo Theatre
Punch is a hard-hitting new drama from BAFTA and Olivier Award winning writer James Graham, based on a true story - coming to the Apollo Theatre in London
Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre London
Giant
Harold Pinter Theatre
Golden Globe-winner John Lithgow stars as Roald Dahl in the West End transfer of Giant at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London
The Deep Blue Sea - Theatre Royal Haymarket
The Deep Blue Sea
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Tamsin Greig stars in The Deep Blue Sea at Theatre Royal Haymarket
EVITA - London Palladium - Starring Rachel Zegler
Evita
London Palladium
Jamie Lloyd directs Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler
The Merchant of Venice 1936 - UK Tour
The Merchant of Venice 1936
Richmond Theatre
Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice 1936 starring Tracy-Ann Oberman returns to London
Oliver! West End Theatre London
Oliver!
Gielgud Theatre
Book Oliver! tickets to see Lionel Bart’s much-loved musical at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End.
★ Save up to 36%
Poster Art: The Little Foxes - Young Vic. Picture of a woman from neck up looking obliquely to left. Pensive look on face.
The Little Foxes
Young Vic Theatre
Olivier Award-winning director Lyndsey Turner (The Witches) directs a savage new staging of Lillian Hellman’s classic drama The Little Foxes at the Young Vic.
Cymbeline - Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Cymbeline
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
This coming-of-age romance is stunningly retold in the candlelit playhouse.
Macbeth - Lyric Hammersmith 2025
Macbeth
Lyric Hammersmith
Book tickets to Macbeth at the Lyric Hammersmith London
Cabaret poster, glamorous performer with cocktail at Kit Kat Club, Playhouse Theatre, London
Cabaret
Playhouse Theatre (Kit Kat Club)
Book Cabaret tickets London for the Olivier Award-winning revival at Kit Kat Club London in the West End. See show dates and ticket availability.
★ Tickets from £35
Woman dressed as Celine Dion with outstretched arms in front of ship. Poster art for Titanique - Criterion Theatre, London
Titanique
Criterion Theatre
The Olivier Award-winning musical comedy Titanique brings its camp, Céline Dion-inspired chaos to the Criterion Theatre for a night of pure entertainment.
★ Save up to 49%
Poster Art: Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake 2024
Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
Matthew Bourne's extraordinary production of Swan Lake returns to theatres for its 30th anniversary
Alterations - London
Alterations
National Theatre - Lyttelton Theatre
Lynette Linton directs the first major revival of Michael Abbensetts era defining comedy Alterations at the National Theatre
Three Sisters - Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Three Sisters
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Experience the timeless work of Chekhov in London’s only indoor candlelit theatre
Kyoto - sohoplace theatre
Kyoto
@sohoplace Theatre
Book tickets to new Royal Shakespeare Company production Kyoto in London, directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin
The Lonely Londoners - Kiln Theatre
The Lonely Londoners
Kiln Theatre
Sam Selvon’s iconic novel, The Lonely Londoners is brought to life on stage at the Kiln
poster art for play Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew at the Bush Theatre, London
Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew
Bush Theatre
Lavender, Hyacinth, Violet, Yew Tickets - A Funny and Beautifully Queer Play at the Bush Theatre starring Omari Douglas


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Main photo: Hot List 2025 - Critics Picks

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