Les Miserables

Top 10 longest-running West End Shows

A list of the Top Ten longest-running shows in the West End, including the Top 10 longest-running shows currently playing on the London stage.

The list includes The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theatre – the world’s longest running show ever, and naturally the longest-running play; and Les Miserables (pictured), the longest-running musical of all time.

10 Longest-running shows now playing in the West End

  1. The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre
  2. Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
  3. The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre
  4. The Woman In Black, Fortune Theatre
  5. Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre
  6. Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
  7. Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
  8. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre
  9. The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre
  10. The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre

20 Longest-running shows in West End history

  1. The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre (since 1952) – over 28,735 performances (1)
  2. Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre (since 1985) – over 14,490 performances (1)
  3. The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre (since 1986) – over 14,255 performances (1)
  4. The Woman In Black, Fortune Theatre (since 1989) – over 12,958 performances (1)
  5. Blood Brothers (1988 production, closed) – 10,013 performances (1)
  6. Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre (since 1999) – over 9144 performances (1)
  7. Cats (1981 production, closed) – 8949 performances (1)
  8. Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre (since 1999) – over 8897 performances (1)
  9. Starlight Express (1984 production, closed) – 7406 performances (1)
  10. No Sex Please, We’re British (1971 production, closed) – 6761 performances (1)
  11. Stomp (2002 production, closed) – 6512 performances (1)
  12. Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre (since 2006) – over 6188 performances (2)
  13. Chicago (1997 revival, closed) – 6187 performances (1)
  14. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, closed) – 5140 performances (1)
  15. We Will Rock You (2002 production, closed) – 4659 performances (1)
  16. Thriller Live (since 2009) – over 4613 performances (1)
  17. Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, closed) – 4566 performances (1)
  18. The Black and White Minstrel Show (1962 production, closed) – 4344 performances (1)
  19. Miss Saigon (1989 production, closed) – 4264 performances (1)
  20. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre (since 2011) – over 3841 performances (1)

Information on performance numbers:

(1) Information provided by The Society of London Theatre as at July 2022

(2) 6188 performances as at 16 December 2022

The Ten Longest-running West End Shows now booking in London




📷 Main photo: Les Miserables

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