What's on at London's theatres this summer
Discover the best upcoming plays, musicals, and open-air theatre performances in London this summer.
11 Jul 2022
London sustains its long famed reputation as one of the cultural capitals of the world this summer as theatres and playhouses continue to dazzle their attendees. Whether you are seeking a show-stopping musical, a play at The National, or an outdoor affair staged beneath the summer sun in Regent’s Park, here is a collection of our most anticipated shows for the summer ahead.
Upcoming musicals in London
Hamilton
Guests staying at Hotel 41 or The Rubens at the Palace this summer are ideally located to attend the astounding Hamilton, currently running at Victoria Palace Theatre. Whilst the show’s name gives way to its tale of the American founding father, Alexander Hamilton, its blend of hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and a touch of classic musical buoyancy makes it a show that not only tells history but creates it. If that doesn’t sell it enough, the musical also earnt a reputation as one of the greatest shows on Broadway since its release in New York.
Hamilton ticket holders can also enjoy an exciting 15% saving when visiting any of the bars and restaurants at The Rubens thanks to an exciting partnership with the theatre.
Victoria Palace Theatre, London
My Fair Lady
What better way to immerse yourself in London’s past and present than attending a performance of My Fair Lady? After more than two decades away, the show has returned to the big smoke and landed its feet at the London Coliseum where it continues to tell the tale of Eliza Doolittle – a Cockney flower girl turned Lady thanks to phonetics professor, Henry Higgins. Whilst the story is based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, attendees to this performance will be met with a reinterpreted ending that has been met with applause from critics.
The London Coliseum
Pre-theatre Afternoon Tea
Why not elevate your trip to the theatre and enjoy a day of true indulgence by preceding your show with a delicious Afternoon Tea at The Rubens.
Book your tablePlays and dramas
The Seagull
Visitors to London this year are privileged with the arrival of a unique modernisation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, a tale that encapsulates the clashing forces of dreams and hopes, and love and loneliness. The play is directed by the award-winning director Jamie Lloyd and spotlights Game of Thrones star, Emilia Clarke, in her debut West End performance. With a strictly limited run, you won’t want to miss tickets to this show.
Harold Pinter
To Kill a Mockingbird
Another classic takes to the stage this summer as Harper Lee’s celebrated, Pulitzer prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird shapeshifts into an award-winning play. Told through the narrative of a young girl living within a small town in Southern America, To Kill a Mockingbird is a tale of racial injustice that raises valuable questions of justice and the cost of defending what is right. For fans of Harper Lee and excellent drama alike, it is a play not to be missed.
London Theatre
The Play That Goes Wrong
Guests seeking a taste of slapstick comedy and silliness will be won over by The Play That Goes Wrong. As the name suggests, the play capitalises on failure and mishap as a fictional troupe endeavour to make it towards the final curtain call against a series of disasters and misfortune. Attendees can expect a humorous display of pure calamity and a troupe that succeeds in one thing – leaving their audience with a smile on their face.
Duchess Theatre
Outdoor theatre
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
The summer months in London offer a unique opportunity to experience theatre al fresco. A notable (and renowned) example of an open-air theatre space in London is Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where guests can catch a show whilst immersed in the serenity of one of London's most prestigious royal parks. Alongside a promise of excellent entertainment, the unique venue makes it a wholly magical experience.
The shows change month to month, with August spotlighting the family favourite 101 Dalmatians (running from 12th – 28th August). Succeeding the Disney classic is Antigone, running from 3rd – 24th September.
Globe Theatre
Any mention of outdoor theatre spaces in London would be amiss without the inclusion of the most notable and historical open-air theatre in London: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. This replica of Shakespeare’s ‘O- theatre’ showcases anything from the works of Shakespeare to those of his contemporaries, including Ben Jonson, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Middleton. With interactive audiences, exceptional theatrics, and its renowned historical character, a visit to the Globe is one to remember.
This summer's performances include Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar (believed to be the first play performed at the original Globe in 1599), Henry VIII, King Lear, The Tempest, and I, Joan.