Looking to see something new in 2023? From autobiographical musicals and Broadway transfers to adaptations of much-loved movies, there’s plenty of new musicals to see in the West End.
Whether you want to learn all about the history of Operation Mincemeat through song, take a trip down the yellow brick road with The Wizard of Oz, or tap along to Crazy For You, here's our round-up of the must-see new musicals in the West End in 2023.
Musicals based on a true story
Want to learn something while you watch a musical? There are many autobiographical shows hitting London this year. This includes the multi-awarding winning MJ The Musical, and Ain't Too Proud, which documents the rise of iconic band, The Temptations.
Here are some new musicals which are all based on a true story!
Ain't Too Proud The Musical
Ain't Too Proud at Prince Edward Theatre
Where: Prince Edward Theatre
Opens: 31 March 2023
Age recommendation: 12+
Take a trip back to the 60s and 70s, and discover how The Temptations went from the streets of Detroit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This Tony Award-winning show features a myriad of Motown hits including My Girl, Just My Imagination and Get Ready. Playing the Temptations in this West End transfer are:
- Cameron Bernard Jones (The Wiz) as Melvin Franklin
- Kyle Cox (Elf) as Paul Williams
- Sifiso Mazibuko (Hamilton) as Otis Williams
- Tosh Wanogho-Maud (The Drifter's Girl) as David Ruffin
- Mitchell Zhangazha (Dear Evan Hansen) as Eddie Kendricks
So get ready to dance along to the band which inspired modern soul and RnB music as we know it.
Mandela
Mandela at the Young Vic
Where: Young Vic Theatre
Booking until: 4 February 2023
Age recommendation: 14+
Infused with the rhythms of South Africa, Mandela tells the story of Nelson Mandela, and his courageous activism which led him to be arrested for 27 years. The cast includes:
- Michael Luwoye (Hamilton) as Nelson Mandela
- Danielle Fiamanya (Frozen) as Winnie Mandela
- Leanne Robinson (Book Of Mormon) as Zindzi Mandela
- Posi Morakinyo (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical) as Thembi Mandela
- Zion Battles (Everybody's Talking About Jamie) as Bongani
- Earl Carpenter (Les Miserables) as the Prime Minister
- Stewart Clarke (Cabaret) as the Warden
- Adam Pearce (The Prince of Egypt) as Kobus
Celebrating an extraordinary man and his quest for freedom which swept the country, find out how Nelson Mandela changed the course of global modern history forever. Mandela is presented in proud partnership with Nandi Mandela, Luvuyo Madasa and the Mandela family.
Operation Mincemeat
Operation Mincemeat at Fortune Theatre
Where: Fortune Theatre
Opens: 29 March 2023
Age recommendation: 6+
The true story of Operation Mincemeat has to be seen to be believed, literally. A hilarious musical about an eccentric secret mission, find out how a smartly dressed cadaver helped the allies win WW2, despite the odds being stacked against them. After sell-out runs in multiple London venues including Southwark Playhouse and Riverside Studios, this comical production finally hits the West End in 2023.
Book Operation Mincemeat tickets
Sylvia
Sylvia at the Old Vic
Where: Old Vic
Opens: 27 January 2023
Age recommendation: 12+
An avid campaigner who played a key role in the Suffragette movement, Estelle Sylvia Pankhurst was the daughter of the legendary Emmeline Pankhurst. This new musical is her story. Set to a soundtrack of hip hop, funk and soul, and featuring choreography that brings important feminist history to life, the Sylvia cast includes:
- Beverley Knight (Sister Act) as Emmeline Pankhurst
- Sharon Rose (Hamilton) as Sylvia Pankhurst
- Jay Perry (Hamilton) as Winston Churchill/George Lansbury
- Ellena Vincent (Hamilton) as Christabel Pankhurst
- Kirstie Skivington (&Juliet) as Adela Pankhurst/Mrs Bird
- Bradley Charles (Some Like It Hip Hop) as Lord Cromer/Richard Pankhurst/Alan
- Alex Gaumond (Company) as Keir Hardie
- Kelly Agbowu (Waitress) as Mrs Flora 'The General' Drummond/Mrs Savoy
- Kimmy Edwards (Get Up, Stand Up!) as Emily Davison/Lillie Hardie/Mrs Watkins
A story of revolution and a remarkable woman, Sylvia is an important musical that's not to be missed.
Musical adaptations
There's a whole host of brand-new musicals adapted from well-known films, TV shows and books hitting the West End in 2023. Whether you want to see a show under the sea with SpongeBob, or step into the Bake Off tent, there's something for everyone!
The Great British Bake Off Musical
The Great British Bake Off Musical
Where: Noel Coward Theatre
Opens: 25 February 2023
Age recommendation: 7+
Step inside the Bake Off tent, and take a bite out of this brand-new musical! Featuring 16 new songs written by Pippa Cleary and Jake Brunger, the all-star cast includes:
- John Owen Jones (Les Misérables) as Phil Hollinghurst
- Haydn Gwynne (Anything Goes) as Pam Lee
- Grace Mouat (Legally Blonde) as Izzy
- Charlotte Wakefield (Spring Awakening) as Gemma
- Zoe Birkett (Moulin Rouge) as Kim
- Scott Paige (The Addams Family) as Jim
- Michael Cahill (Les Misérables) as Russell
- Claire Moore (Mary Poppins) as Babs
After five years in development, and sold-out summer performances in Cheltenham, this show is fully cooked, and ready for its limited West End run!
Book The Great British Bake Off Musical tickets
Mrs Doubtfire
Mrs Doubtfire at Shaftesbury Theatre
Where: Shaftesbury Theatre
Opens: 12 May 2023
Age recommendation: 12+
An adaptation of the much-loved 1993 film, Euphegenia Doubtfire is coming to the West End in just a few months! Created by a team of award-winning artists, Mrs Doubtfire's creative team includes original music and lyrics by Tony Award winning writers Wayne and Karey Kirkpatrick (Something Rotten!) and direction by four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks (Hello, Dolly!). Funny and heartfelt, the musical has already seen success in Manchester, and its London run is likely to be no different!
The SpongeBob Musical
The SpongeBob Musical
Where: Queen Elizabeth Hall
Opens: 26 July 2023
Age recommendation: 6+
If you know who lives in a pineapple under the sea, you'll love this musical! Having seen success on Broadway, everyone's favourite cartoon sponge is plunging into a UK tour, and has a limited London run. An all-singing, all-dancing dynamic stage show, The SpongeBob Musical features your favourite characters, magical choreography and dazzling costumes which are bound to make a splash!
Book The SpongeBob Musical tickets
Rebecca
Rebecca at Charing Cross Theatre
Where: Charing Cross Theatre
Opens: 4 September 2023
Age recommendation: 12+
There have been ten worldwide productions of Rebecca, and now it's finally the UK's turn to witness this new musical. An adaptation of the best-selling Daphne Du Maurier novel, this new musical will be the English language premier and feature 22 original songs. Bringing the music to life will be an 18-piece orchestra. Over two million people globally have seen Rebecca, and now you can too!
The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium
Where: London Palladium
Opens: 23 June 2023
Age recommendation: 6+
Follow the yellow brick road and enter the magical world of Oz at the London Palladium. This joyous musical features memorable songs from the Oscar-winning movie, including Over The Rainbow and We're Off To See The Wizard. Additional songs are by the iconic duo of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. What are you waiting for? The Wizard is waiting for you!
Dance Musicals
Looking for a toe-tapping treat this year? Be prepared to be blown away by incredible choreography and dazzling dancers with Crazy For You and Newsies!
Crazy For You
Crazy For You at Gillian Lynne Theatre
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre
Opens: 24 June 2023
Age recommendation: 5+
After a successful sold-out run in Chichester, Crazy For You is dancing into the Gillian Lynne this summer. Reprising their roles from the Chichester run, its cast include:
- Charlie Stemp (Mary Poppins) as Bobby
- Carly Anderson (Wicked) as Polly
- Tom Edden as Bela Zangler
A revival of the Olivier Award-winning production, expect plenty of gorgeous Gershwin tunes, including Someone to Watch Over Me, I Got Rhythm and They Can't Take That Away from Me.
Newsies
Newsies at Troubadour Theatre
Where: Troubadour Theatre
Opens: 16 April 2023
Age recommendation: 5+
This musical is fresh off the press and ready to delight you with spectacular dancing! The cast includes:
- Michael Ahomka-Lindsay (Legally Blonde) as Jack Kelly
- Moya Angela (Dreamgirls) as Medda Larkin
- Bronte Barbe (What's New Pussycat) as Katherine Plumber
- Cameron Blakely (Mrs Doubtfire) as Joseph Pulitzer
- Samuel Bailey (Dirty Dancing) as Specs
- Ross Dawes (Bonnie and Clyde) as Snyder
- Damon Gould (Grease) as Finch
- George Crawford (Waitress) as Morris Delancey
- Alex James-Hatton (The Book of Mormon) as Oscar Delancey
Based on a true story and adapted from the popular Disney movie, Newsies has music by multi-awarding winning composer Alan Menken and Jack Feldman. Seize the day and book your tickets to Newsies!
Which new musical will you see in 2023? Let us know which one you're most excited about by tagging us on social media!
It’s the festive season and there’s plenty of Christmas shows in the West End to get you into the yuletide spirit! Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly show for the whole gang, something completely new this year or a big sparkly musical night out, there’s lots to choose from!