Now playing in London
West End Plays
Discover the best West End plays currently on stage in London — from gripping new dramas to timeless classics, with ticket prices, cast details and booking links.
FAQ
FAQ
What are the best West End plays on right now?
The current West End plays to prioritise are the long-running thriller The Mousetrap at St Martin’s (the longest-running play in the world), Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace, and the Olivier Award-winning comedy The Play That Goes Wrong at the Duchess. Strong new writing and revivals on sale now include Oh, Mary!, Inter Alia starring Rosamund Pike and To Kill a Mockingbird (returning this summer). For the latest cast and press-night coverage, the WestEnd.com blog tracks openings and reviews.
How long do West End plays usually last?
West End plays tend to be shorter than musicals — typically between 90 minutes and two-and-a-half hours, often with a single interval, though some contemporary pieces run straight through. The Mousetrap runs for about two hours fifteen with an interval; The Play That Goes Wrong comes in at around two hours including interval; Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the exception — it’s a single epic evening of around three hours twenty. Running times for every West End play are listed on their individual show pages.
Are West End plays a good choice for someone who usually watches films?
Absolutely — and often a better gateway than musicals. The performance conventions are closer to cinema: naturalistic acting, dialogue-driven scenes, and a single coherent story told without breaking into song. West End plays like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child sit right at the intersection — using film-grade visual effects, projection and illusions alongside live performance, so the leap from screen to stage feels small. If you prefer character-driven drama, try To Kill a Mockingbird or Inter Alia.
Which West End plays work for a first theatre visit?
For a first West End play, pick something with a strong hook and a clear story. The Mousetrap is the gentle, classic choice — a whodunnit that’s been running in the West End since 1952 and still works. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the spectacle-led choice if you know the source material. The Play That Goes Wrong is a riotous, low-pressure introduction where laughing out loud is the whole point. Avoid dense Shakespeare or experimental new writing for your first visit unless that’s specifically what you’re drawn to.
What’s the longest-running West End play?
Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is the longest-running play of any kind in the world. It opened at the Ambassadors Theatre on 25 November 1952, transferred to St Martin’s in 1974, and has been running there continuously ever since — that’s over 70 years of performances. Audiences are traditionally asked not to reveal the ending after they leave, a convention the production still honours. If you want to tick off a genuine West End landmark, this is the one.
Are West End plays just classics, or is there new writing too?
Both, and the mix is stronger now than it has been in decades. The classic end of the spectrum covers returning productions like To Kill a Mockingbird (back at Wyndham’s this summer). Recent and upcoming new writing and revivals sit alongside them: Inter Alia with Rosamund Pike, Grace Pervades with Ralph Fiennes at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Ava Pickett’s Tudor drama 1536 at the Ambassadors, and the new comedy The Comedy About Spies from the creators of The Play That Goes Wrong. Thrillers, biographical drama and adaptations of novels and films are all having a strong run in the West End.
