West End Reviews

Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England tells the story of passionate football fan Billy Kinley, whose decision to insert a flare up his bum during Euro 2020 propels him to viral fame. What follows is a hilarious, raw, and surprisingly moving exploration of identity, loyalty, and belonging. One flare. One man. One bum. One unforgettable story. Sometimes, a show comes along that is so sharp, so brilliantly executed, and so wildly entertaining that you think: this is exactly

Citizens of Panem. Prepare for an epic spectacle. The stage is set for the premiere of The Hunger Games: On Stage, arriving in London in a purpose-built, state-of-the-art venue: Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. Follow the journey of fearless heroine Katniss Everdeen as she defies the odds in this gripping tale of courage, hope and unbreakable human spirit. Turning The Hunger Games into a live theatrical experience was always going to be an ambitious challenge. How exactly do

Ancient Greece. A time of gods, mortals… and Hercules, who isn’t quite either. But if he can learn what it means to be a true hero, he might just find out where he belongs. Inspired by the beloved Disney animated film, Hercules delivers a wisecracking, column-shaking, underworld-rocking adventure packed with bigger-than-life songs, thrills and laughs. 📷 Johan Persson Direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw, co-choreographed by Tanisha Scott, are strong overall. The paci

In a quiet room at an Episcopal church, two couples meet for a conversation no parent should ever have to face. As defences fall away and memories surface, they attempt to reach across a divide carved by violence. Fran Kranz’s devastating play explores grief, forgiveness and the impossibility of understanding the unimaginable. There are some plays you watch, enjoy, applaud politely and then immediately forget the second you reach the Tube station. Mass is not one of those pla

We meet Myra as she wakes in a shelter before heading back onto the streets, searching for her “medicine”—the alcohol that numbs her pain. As she shares her story, audiences are taken back through her life: from first love at sixteen, through friendships, relationships, heartbreak, and devastating loss, before returning us to her present reality—isolated, vulnerable, and surviving day by day. From the moment Myra’s Story begins, it is clear you are in for something special. T

It's 1946 in Mississippi, and Rosetta is a rising star with problems rumbling under the surface. The world is segregated, the church struggles with her freedom, and she needs something fresh, which she finds in Marie: a younger singer with a gorgeous gospel voice. Rosetta needs to somehow convince Marie to hit the road with her. Through musical numbers and bartering, the two find themselves getting closer throughout the night as Rosetta's dreams and Marie's principled attitud

Shadowlands is a play about the one and only C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman, the American poet whose presence in Lewis' life changes him in ways he never could have expected. This play celebrates the coming together of two brilliant individuals, which quickly becomes something devastating and life-changing as Lewis learns the love of his life is dying from cancer. One word that perfectly captures the feel of this production is charming. From the gentle humour shared between Jack

Jim Hacker, who was hoping for a quiet life in academia until a committee revolt and outrage threaten to remove him from his employment and his home. Sir Humphrey Appleby must help Hacker before it's too late. Returning to the world of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minister is a little like reopening a particularly witty political briefing you didn’t realise you missed. The satire may be rooted in decades-old television, but the humour, language, and observations about governm

Alec Leamas is a worn-down British intelligence officer during the height of the Cold War who is preparing to leave a long career of espionage behind him, until spymaster George Smiley presents him with one final, very dangerous assignment. Leamas is then pulled back into a web of betrayal and manipulation. Sent undercover into East Germany, he must take on the new identity of a disgraced agent in order to ensnare an enemy operative. This mission becomes far more complex when

Woman in Mind is a play about a woman named Susan, who seems to be living a quiet, ordinary life until a minor accident in her garden fractures reality as she knows it. Upon awakening from a state of unconsciousness, Susan is stuck between two worlds. One is real, bleak, and emotionally distant; the other is idealised, filled with love, and entirely a figment of her imagination. As these realities begin to collide dangerously, Susan has a hard time discerning what is real and

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ From the moment you step into the Apollo Theatre, Christmas Carol Goes Wrong wraps you up like a festive jumper you didn’t know you needed — slightly chaotic, extremely comforting, and guaranteed to make you smile. Even before the curtain rises, the pre-show music playlist sets the tone beautifully. A selection of instrumental, jazz-inspired Christmas classics drifts through the auditorium, instantly creating a warm, cosy atmosphere. It feels like being gently eased int

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When a small, lost bear from Peru arrives in London in search of a new home, a chance encounter with the Brown family leads him to the wonderful world of Windsor Gardens. But London isn't all afternoon teas and friendly faces - and even the happiest families have their cracks beneath the surface. So when a mysterious and vengeful villain sets her sights on Paddington, the Browns embark on a thrilling rescue mission, realising they need this special bear as much as

Direction by Seth Sklar-Heyn was wonderfully clear and consistent — not a wasted beat or misplaced flourish in sight. It felt like someone finally found the instruction manual for “How to Direct Epic Musicals Without Losing the Plot.” Choreography / musical staging by Chrissie Cartwright matched that energy: clean, polished, and confident. Nothing show-offy, but it supported the storytelling instead of distracting from it. The set & image design by Matt Kinley (based on Maria

Down-on-his-luck Broadway producer Max Bialystock and timid accountant Leo Bloom scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a musical designed to fail, "Springtime for Hitler," to create the biggest flop in history. However, their plan backfires when high-brow audiences mistake the offensive show for a brilliant satire, turning it into a smash hit. The show follows the duo as they deal with the unexpected success, a vengeful playwright, and the consequences of their con,

Plug into the electric atmosphere of an up-and-coming rock band recording their second album in 1976. The one that could propel them to superstardom. As the tape rolls, egos flare, relationships break down, tensions run high and something extraordinary takes shape. This is how great art is made. One take at a time. Daniel Aukin’s direction is both clever and purposeful, maintaining a delicate balance between realism and theatricality. He doesn’t overstage the drama, but inste

Director Bijan Sheibani deserves serious credit here—his vision is razor-sharp, playful, and full of clever little tricks that keep you hooked. Even when things get emotional (and oh, they do), the production never loses its heart. It’s the theatrical version of someone who can juggle while crying… and somehow make it look effortless. Samal Blak’s set and costumes? Chef’s kiss. The set is gorgeous, still managing that intimate feel I was worried might get lost in a bigger spa

The Comedy About Spies might just be Mischief’s slickest, silliest, and most stylish caper yet. Direction by Matt DiCarlo was razor-sharp. Every movement felt intentional, yet completely chaotic in that signature Mischief way. It’s the kind of precision where you know if anyone sneezed in the wrong place the whole scene would fall apart—but it never does. Perfection. Movement director Shelley Maxwell deserves a medal. She clearly studied each actor’s quirks and turned them in

Maizy and Beau are getting hitched, when the corn that protects their small community starts to die. The town needs answers. But who will dare to venture beyond the borders of Cob County? Including the knockout songs ‘ Woman of the World’ , ‘ Somebody Will ’ and ‘ Independently Owned ’, this Broadway hit about an unlikely hero, an unscrupulous con artist, and a battle for the heart and soil of a small town, is not to be missed. Let’s start with Jack O’Brien’s direction—brilli

Retrograde is a sharp, stylish exploration of integrity and identity in 1950s Hollywood.

This is a truly remarkable show—one that effortlessly blends breathtaking visuals, masterful storytelling, and deeply immersive performances. It’s rare to find a production that fires on all cylinders, but this one delivers in every possible way. From direction to design, from movement to music, everything has been crafted with precision, care, and an undeniable sense of magic. Let’s start with the direction. Phelim McDermott’s work here is nothing short of flawless. Every mo