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
- The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre
- Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
- The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre
- The Woman In Black, Fortune Theatre
- Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre
- Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
- Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
- Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre
- The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre
- The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre
20 Longest-running shows in West End history
- The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre (since 1952) – over 28,735 performances (1)
- Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre (since 1985) – over 14,490 performances (1)
- The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre (since 1986) – over 14,255 performances (1)
- The Woman In Black, Fortune Theatre (since 1989) – over 12,958 performances (1)
- Blood Brothers (1988 production, closed) – 10,013 performances (1)
- Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre (since 1999) – over 9144 performances (1)
- Cats (1981 production, closed) – 8949 performances (1)
- Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre (since 1999) – over 8897 performances (1)
- Starlight Express (1984 production, closed) – 7406 performances (1)
- No Sex Please, We’re British (1971 production, closed) – 6761 performances (1)
- Stomp (2002 production, closed) – 6512 performances (1)
- Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre (since 2006) – over 6188 performances (2)
- Chicago (1997 revival, closed) – 6187 performances (1)
- Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, closed) – 5140 performances (1)
- We Will Rock You (2002 production, closed) – 4659 performances (1)
- Thriller Live (since 2009) – over 4613 performances (1)
- Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, closed) – 4566 performances (1)
- The Black and White Minstrel Show (1962 production, closed) – 4344 performances (1)
- Miss Saigon (1989 production, closed) – 4264 performances (1)
- 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
The Mousetrap
The Mousetrap
St Martin's Theatre
Experience Agatha Christies timeless whodunit - The Mousetrap
Les Miserables
Les Miserables
Sondheim Theatre
Cameron Mackintosh's celebrated epic musical Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera
His Majesty's Theatre
Experience the thrill of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty's Theatre in London
The Woman in Black - UK Tour
The Woman in Black - UK Tour
Susan Hill's spine-tingling tale of The Woman in Black now touring the UK & Ireland
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia!
Novello Theatre
Featuring the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show now playing at the Novello Theatre.
Disney's The Lion King
Disney's The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
Disney's The Lion King, now playing at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Wicked
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Experience the unforgettable, award-winning musical WICKED at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Matilda The Musical
Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre
The RSC's ingenious production of Roald Dahl's Matilda now playing at the Cambridge Theatre
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon
Prince of Wales Theatre
London's hottest ticket and funniest show - The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre
The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong
Duchess Theatre
The smash-hit slapstick comedy The Play That Goes Wrong at the West End's Duchess Theatre.
📷 Main photo: Les Miserables
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