A look back at the best West End and London theatre of 2025, in photos.
2025 was a vintage year for theatre in London and the West End, with audiences treated to blockbuster musicals, daring new plays and landmark revivals.
From viral stage moments to award-winning performances, these productions lit up London’s stages. Take a look back at the year’s theatrical highlights in pictures.
London Theatre 2025 – In pictures
Evita starring Rachel Zegler
A show went viral in 2025 in the same way as EVITA, Jamie Lloyd’s stunning and critically acclaimed revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, starring Rachel Zegler. Zegler’s nightly turn at the top of Act II, singing Don’t Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony outside the London Palladium became a major London tourist attraction – for one summer only. (Photo provided by PR)
Paddington The Musical on Strictly Come Dancing
Paddington The Musical has proved box-office gold at the Savoy Theatre in London. Paddington has been everywhere, including featuring in this year’s Royal Variety Performance and posing with the Prince and Princess of Wales. One of the most touching TV moments for Britain’s favourite bear, who is now starring in Paddington in the West End, was with the show’s composer Tom Fletcher during Strictly Come Dancing’s Musicals Week. (Photo: Screenshot)
Savoy Theatre, London
Much Ado About Nothing with Tom Hiddleston & Hayley Atwell
Lightning struck twice for director Jamie Lloyd in the West End this year. His production of Much Ado About Nothing not only brought Shakespeare back to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, but also brought together Hollywood stars Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell. (Photo by Marc Brenner)
The Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum
Like a decadent party that is over before it has really begun, The Great Gatsby burst onto the West End stage in 2025, with much opulence and a fabulous cast. It was only ever visiting the London Coliseum for a limited season, but it certainly made its mark. (Photo: Amber Davies and company. By Johan Persson)
Les Misérables celebrates its 40th birthday
There aren’t many musical productions that reach their 40th birthday. Correction: There weren’t any, until Les Misérables hit the major milestone on 8 October 2025. Cameron Mackintosh’s juggernaut of a production is still going strong in the West End, Now and forever? (Photo by Craig Sugden)
Sondheim Theatre, London
The Seagull at the Barbican Theatre
There is star casting and then there was The Seagull. It’s hard to remember a recent production that managed to up the star quotient this high – Cate Blanchett, Emma Corrin, Jason Watkins, Tom Burke & Tanya Reynolds anyone? (Photo by Marc Brenner)
Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike
Inter Alia, Suzie Miller’s follow up-play to her smash-hit Prima Facie, opened at the National Theatre, featuring a much-talked about performance from Hollywood star Rosamund Pike. The play is transferring into the West End in 2026. (Photo by Manuel Harlan)
Wyndham's Theatre, London
Disney's Hercules opens in London
Disney’s Hercules opened in London in June 2025, the latest Disney musical to run at the lavish Theatre Royal Drury Lane. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Stereophonic arrives direct from Broadway
Stereophonic came to London this year, fresh from Broadway – and Tony Awards buzz. The set was a breathtaking recreation of a recording studio, at the heart of this slow-burn and satisfying drama about the highs and lows of creating music. (Photo by Marc Brenner)
Sondheim's Into the Woods in London
Jordan Fein is back in London following his five-star productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Oklahoma! This time he tackles Stephen Sondheim classic Into the Woods, featuring a cast of West End heavyweights. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Noël Coward Theatre, London
Sean Hayes & Rosalie Craig in Good Night, Oscar
Following a successful Broadway run, Will & Grace star Sean Hayes reprised his acclaimed performance as Oscar Levant in Good Night, Oscar at the Barbican Theatre, teaming up with West End & TV star Rosalie Craig (Riot Women). (Photo Johan Persson)
Bryan Cranston in All My Sons
A revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, directed by Ivo van Hove and starring Bryan Cranston. That’s kind of all you need to know to book a ticket. But five-star acclaim from most of London’s critics, and a cast that also stars Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Paapa Essiedu? Okay, we’re in! (Photo by Jan Versweyveld)
Wyndham's Theatre, London
Cameron Mackintosh revives Oliver! in the West End
Cameron Mackintosh’s inspired reboot of Oliver!, directed by multi-Olivier Award-winner Matthew Bourne, returned to the West End in 2025, playing the Gielgud Theatre. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Gielgud Theatre, London
Giant starring John Lithgow
John Lithgow took home the Best Actor Olivier Award this year for his extraordinary performance as Roald Dahl in Giant – originally at the Royal Court, and then transferring to the Harold Pinter Theatre. The play is moving to Broadway in 2026. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Alice in Wonderland at the Marylebone Theatre
Alice and the Queen of Hearts played croquet with flamingos in London this year, as an acclaimed stage adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland played the Marylebone Theatre. (Photo by Steve Gregson)
Stephen Fry in The Importance of Being Earnest
Max Webster’s revival of Oscar Wilde comedy The Importance of Being Earnest is enjoying a much-deserved West End run, with Stephen Fry giving his most imperial Lady Bracknell, alongside pop star Olly Alexander. (Photo by Marc Brenner)
Noël Coward Theatre, London
Burlesque The Musical makes its West End premiere
The long-awaited movie-to-stage adaptation of cult classic Burlesque finally made its West End debut this summer at the Savoy Theatre. (Photo by Pamela Raith)
Sydnie Christmas in 101 Dalmatians
Britain’s Got Talent Winner Sydnie Christmas made her London musical debut this year, playing Cruella del Vil in 101 Dalmatians The Musical. (Photo by Johan Persson)
Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bleumel in Born with Teeth
The RSC sexed up Shakespeare in 2025, with Edward Bleumel playing the Bard and Ncuti Gatwa playing Christopher Marlowe, in Elizabethan drama Born with Teeth. (Photo by Johan Persson)
The Producers returns to the West End
Following a wildly successful run at Off West End venue the Menier Chocolate Factory, Patrick Marber’s perfect production of The Producers transferred to the Garrick Theatre starring Andy Nyman and Marc Antolin. (Photo by Manuel Harlan)
Garrick Theatre, London
The Hunger Games opens in new London arena
Go big or go home! The first ever stage adaptation of The Hunger Games was never going to slink into London on the downlow. But no one expected a whole new arena to be built to house this epic new London show! (Photo Lions Gate Entertainment)
Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, London
Othello starring David Harewood
David Harewood, Toby Jones and Caitlin FitzGerald star in a major West End revival of Shakespeare’s Othello at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. (Photo by Brinkhoff-Moegenburg)
Theatre Royal Haymarket, London
Fright night at Paranormal Activity
Paranormal Activity has put the frighteners on London! Based on the terrifying movie franchise, London critics and audiences have been shocked about how scary live theatre can! (Photo by Johan Persson)
Ambassadors Theatre, London
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