With 2025 on the way, we are sharing with you 10 of the plays you need to look out for across the city in 2025 including My Neighbour Totoro and Second Best.
The plays to watch in London during 2025.
As we step into 2025, theatre enthusiasts have a dazzling array of plays to look forward to. There is so much on offer in the New Year which will delight both regular and new theatregoers. Fans of celebrated productions will be thrilled by the highly anticipated West End transfers of My Neighbour Totoro and Punch, bringing their critically acclaimed stories to a wider audience.
Meanwhile, if you enjoy diving into a fresh and original narrative, new productions like Second Best and My Master Builder are definitely worth waiting for. With such a rich and diverse lineup, here’s 10 of the shows you need to look out for in 2025:
1. Unicorn
Unicorn artwork.
Enjoy Mike Bartlett’s new play Unicorn which takes a bold, humorous and thought-provoking exploration into the life of what looks like the perfect marriage. Starring an epic line up including Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Erin Doherty, Unicorn heads to the Garrick Theatre early in the New Year.
- Playing at Garrick Theatre from 3 February 2025
2. Dear England
Dear England production image.
The production which won the Olivier Award for ‘Best New Play’ returns to the London Stage for a limited run at the National Theatre. Inspired by the journey around England’s football team under manager Gareth Southgate, Dear England also includes some new additions to the play from the recent Euros tournament.
- Playing at Olivier Theatre from 10 March 2025
3. My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro production image. Photo by Manuel Harlan.
Six-time Olivier Award-winning production My Neighbour Totoro will deliver a plethora of vibrant visuals, jaw-dropping puppetry and delightful characters when its West End transfer opens in 2025. Loved the popular 1988 Studio Ghibli film? You’ll be utterly captivated by this stage production.
- Playing at Gillian Lynne Theatre from 1 March 2025
4. The Last Laugh
The Last Laugh production image. Photo by Pamela Raith.
Heading to the West End fresh from a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, this hilarious new play reimagines the lives of three of Britain’s most iconic comedy legends. The Last Laugh is a funny, nostalgic and poignant play devoted to Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.
- Playing at Noel Coward Theatre from 25 February 2025
5. Punch
Punch production image. Photo by Marc Brenner.
From the Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham, Punch tells an extraordinary true story of tragedy, forgiveness, redemption and reform that will stick with you long after the curtain falls. Based on a powerful memoir by Jacob Dunne, the production heads to London following a sold-out and critically acclaimed run in Nottingham in 2024.
- Playing at Young Vic from 1 March 2025
6. Elektra
Brie Larson (Suhaimi Abdullah Getty Images)
Being revived in over a decade, Sophokles’s electrifying Greek tragedy Elektra heads into the West End following a premiere in Brighton planned for January. The production which stars Academy Award winner Brie Larson will be translated by the award-winning poet Anne Carson, expect big things from this production when it arrives!
- Playing at Duke of York’s Theatre from 13 January 2025
7. The Seagull
The Seagull at Barbican.
Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull is a masterful blend of comedy and drama, arriving at the Barbican for a limited season this February. The production delves into timeless themes of human longing, artistic ambition, and emotional intricacies. Cate Blanchett stars in the lead role, marking her highly anticipated return to the stage after six years.
- Playing at Barbican Theatre from 26 February 2025
8. Giant
John Lithgow as Roald Dahl in GIANT at the Royal Court. Photo by Manuel Harlan
After a sold-out run at the Royal Court Theatre, Mark Rosenblatt’s Giant transfers to the West End. Directed by Nicholas Hytner, the play presents a fictionalized portrayal of a pivotal afternoon in the life of celebrated author Roald Dahl. John Lithgow returns to reprise his acclaimed role as Dahl in this compelling production.
- Playing at Harold Pinter Theatre from 26 April 2025
9. Second Best
Asa Butterworth in Second Best.
Asa Butterworth will make his stage debut in the one-man play, Second Best early in 2025. Based on David Foenkinos’ bestselling novel, it tells the fictional story of the boy who came second to play Harry Potter in the beloved films. You'll experience a playful yet poignant new comedy from Barney Norris’ production.
- Playing at Riverside Studios from 24 January 2025
10. My Master Builder
Ewan McGregor. Photo by Steven Simko/Feast Creative
Directed by the multi-award winner Michael Grandage comes a brilliant new play which will star Ewan McGregor. My Master Builder is set on the eve of Independence Day and follows Elena Solness, a powerful publishing magnate and her architect husband, Henry. The play which draws inspiration from Ibsen’s works heads to London in April.
- Playing at Wyndham’s Theatre from 17 April 2025
There’s no better time than now to start planning your trips to the theatre in 2025! With such a rich array of plays heading into town we know audiences are being spoilt by what’s on offer. Make sure you follow our guide to the Best Plays to see in London to keep up to date with what’s to come.
