Stars on Stage in the West End – February

The West End stage is a common place to find celebrities, whether it be award-winning musicians, uproarious comedians, or even A-list film stars. In the past year alone, theatreland has hosted the likes of Jason Donovan, Nicole Scherzinger and, perhaps most famously, Academy Award nominee Paul Mescal. This tradition shows no sign of slowing down, with several celebrities appearing on the West End stage right this very moment!

And, without further hesitation, here are the various stars on stage appearing in London’s glitzy West End…

Jake Shears and Self Esteem in Cabaret

Jake Shears and Self Esteem stepped into Cabaret in September 2023, and will continue to delight audiences up until March! In this legendary retelling of German history, Cabaret transports us to the enchanting Kit Kat Club of 1930s Berlin. The production first opened with Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley in the leading roles, though their shoes have since been filled by the musicians Jake Shears and Self Esteem! Shears is best known for having been the co-lead vocalist in Scissor Sisters, before pursuing a career as a solo artist. Self Esteem has had similar success as a solo artist, having been given a prestigious award by BBC Music. These two musicians have now teamed up to foray into the world of theatre, ready to give their audience a “perfectly marvellous” time!

Tickets for Cabaret can be bought from £60 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/cabaret/

Catherine Tate and David Threlfall in The Enfield Haunting

Fresh off her grand return to Doctor Who, Catherine Tate has now revisited London’s West End to start in The Enfield Haunting, alongside David Threlfall! Inspired by true events, this dramatic thriller depicts one of the most famous ghostly occurrences to have ever taken place. At the centre of this drama is dedicated single mother Peggy Hodgson, portrayed by the magnificent Catherine Tate. Tate is perhaps best known for having had her own show in the early 2000s, which in turn propelled her to stardom. David Threlfall, on the other hand, is known for his leading role in the black comedy Shameless, as well as the drama What Remains. The Enfield Haunting will only be playing up until 2^nd March, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible to see these two legends live onstage!

Tickets for The Enfield Haunting can be bought from £18 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/the-enfield-haunting/

Lee Mack, Frances Barber, and Sarah Alexander in The Unfriend

After having first opened in January 2023, The Unfriend returned by popular demand in December, with a largely new and all-star cast! This dark comedy tells the story of a suburban couple on vacation, who naively extend an offer of friendship to a fellow traveller, with a proposal to stay at their house. Little do they know that this fellow traveller may actually be a murderer! In this comical escapade of mishaps, comedian Lee Mack stars in the leading role of Peter. Having been a staple of British TV for many years, Mack is recognised as having been a team captain on Would I Lie to You? He is joined by well-known actress of stage and screen Frances Barber, who will be familiar to audiences for having starred in The Escape alongside Gemma Arterton.

Tickets for The Unfriend can be bought from £30 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/the-unfriend/

Mark Gatiss, Tuppence Middleton, and Johnny Flynn in The Motive and the Cue

Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre earlier this year, The Motive and the Cue is now back in London! This show gives us a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most renowned productions of Hamlet to have ever played, with Richard Burton playing the titular character and direction by John Gielgud. In what some critics have deemed to be a love letter to theatre, this play gives audiences a peak into life behind the stage curtain. In this production, Gielgud is brought to life by Emmy Award winner Mark Gatiss, who is most famous for having created and starred in the hit comedy The League of Gentlemen. Gatiss is accompanied by Tuppence Middleton in the role of Elizabeth Taylor, Burton’s wife and popular movie star.

Tickets for The Motive and the Cue can be bought from £24 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/the-motive-and-the-cue/

Helen George in The King and I

This production of The King and I first delighted West End audiences in in 2018, after which it toured throughout the U.K. and Ireland. The show has proved so popular that it is once again returning to London for a strictly limited six-week season! This celebrated classic follows the life of British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who ventures to Siam in pursuit of new adventures. Taking on the lead role of Anna is Helen George, who will be familiar to audiences for her starring role in Call the Midwife. George is making her grand return to the West End after a seven-year hiatus, and fans are enthusiastic to see her back on stage. The production itself is also eagerly anticipated, having previously won numerous Tony and Olivier Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

Tickets for The King and I can be bought from £27 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/the-king-and-i/

Jonny Lee Miller and Tanya Reynolds in A Mirror

Following a critically acclaimed run at the Almeida Theatre, A Mirror has now transferred to London’s West End at the Trafalgar Theatre! With critics having hailed this play as ingenious, A Mirror is unlike anything else currently in the West End. Exploring issues of censorship, authorship, and free speech, this play will certainly leave you with food for thought. Acting legend Jonny Lee Miller assumes the leading role, in what is his first London stage appearance since 2011. Miller’s most famous role is arguably that of Sherlock Holmes, whom he portrayed on the hit crime drama Elementary from 2012 up until 2019. He is joined by Tanya Reynolds, who starred alongside Gillian Anderson in the popular comedy-drama Sex Education. A Mirror sold out during its initial run in the Almeida, so this is likely to be a hot ticket!

Tickets for A Mirror can be bought from £24 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/a-mirror/

Matt Smith and Jessica Brown Findlay in An Enemy of the People

Ibsen’s classic play ‘An Enemy of the People’ is returning to the West End in this completely new and re-imagined version by German theatre director Thomas Ostermeimer. This distinguished play revolves around Doctor Thomas Stockmann; a medical professional responsible for inspecting public baths. Upon finding the water in their village is contaminated, he is compelled to speak out. When higher powers try to silence him however, he is deemed an enemy of the people. Portraying Stockmann is none other than Matt Smith; one of Britain’s most beloved actors! Smith rose to stardom playing the titular character in Doctor Who, and his incarnation of the character is often viewed as a fan-favourite. Starring as Stockmann’s wife is Jessica Brown Findlay, who earned fame for her leading role in Downton Abbey.

Tickets for An Enemy of the People can be bought from £36 here: https://www.westend.com/shows/an-enemy-of-the-people/