Top 13 Musicals to Book Right Now

The UK's vibrant musical scene has long been a destination for creativity, innovation, and unforgettable performances. Whether you're an ardent musical enthusiast or a newcomer to the scene, we've combed the stage offerings to give you the best upcoming musicals to book right now...

By George Maguire | Updated Feb 17 2024

A young man and woman sit on a wooden bench facing each other on stage. The man wears a green and white striped polo shirt under a gray hoodie, and the woman wears a denim jacket over a floral dress. They hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes, with a lamp and mug on a table beside them. A partial digital screen displays numbers in the background. — Dear Evan Hansen

1) The Drifters Girl

A glowing vinyl record with a center label features the text A New Musical above large, luminous words The Drifters Girl. The label also includes the notation 33 ⅓ RPM. The background consists of scattered blue and white light specks, giving a festive atmosphere. — The Drifters Girl

Tue 27 Feb - Sat 4 May 2024 | 5 venues across the UK

Following a hit run at London’s Garrick Theatre, the celebrated nominee for Best New Musical at the 2022 Olivier Awards, The Drifters Girl, is back and now playig in Liverpool, Oxford, Sunderland, Glasgow and Edinburgh! Led by Carly Mercedes Dyer as Faye Treadwell, the production follows the the story of the manager and driving force behind the popular American R&B group, The Drifters, during the 1960s, with a soundtrack full of Drifters hits like ‘Under The Boardwalk’ and ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’.

See it wherever you can! Book your tickets here

2) Hamilton

Sat 11 Nov 2023 - Sat 22 Jun 2024 | Palace Theatre Manchester & Bristol Hippodrome.

With upcoming performances in both Manchester and Bristol, the award-winning Hamilton is back for a 2023-23 tour! Brought to the stage by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this groundbreaking musical tells the story (mostly through rap!) of American ‘founding father’ Alexander Hamilton and his place in the American Revolution.

The compelling music and its performace will have you hooked to your seats following the twists and turns and ups and downs of the political hero hardly anyone had heard of before this production (now, of course, a household name) burst on to the scene back in 2015. From humble Off-Broadway beginnings it soared to dizzying heights in New York, London, and now Manchester and Bristol - you’d be mad to miss your chance!

Book your tickets here

3) STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE

A dynamic, theatrical scene shows actors in dramatic poses on and around a dimly lit stage. One character is suspended mid-air. The set resembles a chaotic classroom or office, with overturned desks and scattered papers. Spotlights pierce the smoky, dark atmosphere.

From 8 February 2024 | | London | Gillian Lynne Theatre

Running from 8th February at Drury Lane's Gillian Lynne Theatre, STANDING AT THE SKY’S EDGE is a musical that had great success at both National Theatre and Sheffield Theatres. This is a beautifully put-together performance exploring themes of community as it charts the hopes and dreams of three generations, over six tumultuous decades, in one inconic Sheffield housing estate (portrayed to stark effect on the stage).

The production now makes its highly-anticipated transfer to the West End following rave reviews since its inception at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in 2019. When it played at London’s Olivier Theatre (in the National Theatre), ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’ received 8 Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Best Original Score - an exciting arrival on London’s musical theatre scene!

Book your tickets here

4) The Book of Mormon

A group of men dressed in short-sleeved, white shirts with black ties and name tags stand in formation on stage, singing. A detailed backdrop features a majestic temple and mountainous landscape. The men’s expressions vary from serious to joyful.

Now Playing in London | The Prince of Wales Theatre | Coming to Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh

Now a household name, the confrontational musical comedy The Book of Mormon is hilarious and a great entryway into musicals for those new to the format. Created by the makers of South Park Trey Parker and Matt Stone, with music by Robert Lopez (creator of Frozen, Frozen II and Coco!), it’s side-splittingly funny AND a feast for the eyes and ears.

The plot follows two earnest missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as they attempt (with hilarious results!) to spread their religious message in a Ugandan village affected by famine, poverty, AIDS - oh, and the local warlord! The script takes a satirical swipe at everything from organised religion to consumerist culture and the economy - it might be one to leave the kids at home for!

As far as we know, The Book of Mormon is booking at The Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s Picadilly, and will play at Manchester Palace Theatre from 11 September 2024 to 5 October 2024, Edinburgh Playhouse from 15 October 2024 to 2 November 2024, and Birmingham Alexandra Theatre from 3 December 2024 to 28 December 2024.

5) Pretty Woman The Musical

Promotional image for Pretty Woman: The Musical featuring three actors. The woman on the left wears a red gown and gloves, the man in the middle dons a black tuxedo, and the man on the right is in a green suit with a red tie. Text reads, Pretty Romantic, Pretty Magical.

Playing Now | 8 UK Venues

You’ve seen the movie (haven’t you?) - now see it on the stage! Following its run at London’s Savoy Hotel, Pretty Woman: The Musical will now tour the UK aross 8 venues, with a blazing rock score from Grammy-Award winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance.

If you didn’t already know, Pretty Woman is a modern take on the classic Cinderella story, in which a prostitute and a wealthy businessman fall hard for one another, forming an unlikely pair. A feel-good hit set in late-80s LA (with a soundtrack that takes you right back), Pretty Woman The Musical is a true romantics dream. Described as a 'dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages' prepare to have your mood lifted as Richard Gere and Julia Roberts's much-loved protagonists get a new lease of life on stage.

Book tickets here

6) Shrek The Musical

Poster for Shrek the Musical featuring Shrek holding a large, illuminated green S and smiling, Donkey in a furry costume, and Princess Fiona in a green dress. The background is blue with stars, and various characters are dancing in the distance. — Shrek The Musical

Touring until 31st August 2024 | 13 venues across the UK

Shrek The Musical surely needs no introduction.

The classic film is still fun for all the family, and the musical is not just a cash-in on its phenomenal succss; adapted from the storyline of the DreamWorks 2001 animation, Shrek The Musical incorporates elements from Shrek 2 and Shrek Forever After, as well as William Steig's 1990 book Shrek!.

Shrek: The Musical is now touring the UK, from Southampton to Hull (and even flying over to visit Belfast and Derry!). Join Shrek and Donkey on their quest to save the princess and defeat the dragon in the land of Far Far Away. The set design and decortion is colourful, bright nd brilliant, and the soundtrack, featuring (of course) ‘I‘m a Believer!‘ will have the whole family singing along.

You can find out where Shrek and pals will be, and book your tickets, here

7) Guys & Dolls

A stylized, retro-themed poster features five people dressed in vintage 1940s attire. From left to right: a woman in a blue dress, a man in a suit and tie, a man in a vest and fedora, a woman in a red dress, and a man in a plaid suit and hat. Neon signs light up the background.

London | Bridge Theatre | 3 Mar - 31 August 2024

Have you seen Guys & Dolls yet? The classic story centres on two couples: gambler Nathan Detroit and his fiancee of 14 years Adelaide, and the suave Sky Masterson, who accepts a bet from Nathan to take Sarah Brown, the local mission leader, to Cuba.

The Bridge Theatre brings the scenes of Manhattan and Havana to life and, to make things interesting, they had the stalls seating removed; the audience stands and follows the action around platforms that move and raise into the air, for an in-the-round immersive experience in promenade.

What do the critics say? "A theatrical extravaganza that explodes every which way" The Telegraph.

Book you tickets here.

8) The Devil Wears Prada

Promotional image for The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical. The image features a shiny red stiletto heel with a devil's tail. Text includes credits: music by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub, book by Kate Wetherhead, and direction by Jerry Mitchell. Dominion Theatre from October 2024.

From October 2024 | London | Dominion Theatre

First it was a book, then it was a film, and now it’s a West-End musical!

The Devil Wears Prada follows Andy Sachs (played in the film by Anne Hathaway) as she begins a new job at the prestigious Runway fashion magazine under boss-from-hell Miranda Priestley (played in the film by Meryl Streep).

First announced in 2019, the stage adaptation premiered in Chicago for just one month in Chicago before the pandemic forced it to close, but now it’s coming to The Dominion Theatre and is scheduled to run until July 2025. With music provided by the legendary Elton John and lyrics by singer Shaina Taub, plus an all-new production team, the work has gone into making this stage outing spectacular.

You can book your tickets here.

9) Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Bright blue poster for Everybody's Talking About Jamie, a hit West End musical. The title is in large white letters, with rave reviews and yellow stars above. Below, white text reads The Hit West End Musical for Today, and pink text quotes, Punchy, Funny, Fabulous.

Mon 25 Mar - Sat 15 Jun 2024 | Coming to 15 UK Venues

If you haven’t heard about Jamie, you must have been living under a rock - everybody’s talking about him! Following a three-year London residency (when it won Best New Musical at the WhatsOnStage Awards) and having been turned into an award-winning film, the smash hit all-singing, all-dancing (and vogue-ing) musical is back for a UK tour stretching from Plymouth to Aberdeen.

Featuring an all-star cast from the stage and the screen, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is a funny and fabulous story about a flamboyant boy who doesn’t seem to fit in to his native Sheffield, set to an original soundtrack of pop tunes from Dan Gillespie Sells (lead singer of The Feeling) - it’s a guaranteed feel-good hit with a great message for young people around identity, relationships and self-esteem.

You can book tickets here.

10) Hadestown

A theatrical performance featuring a person playing a guitar in the center of a dimly lit stage. They are surrounded by four individuals sitting or kneeling, with fog effects and warm, overhead lighting creating an atmospheric scene.

February 2024 to December 2024 | London | Lyric Theatre

Starting life bak in 2006, Hadestown was turned into a concept album (released in 2010) by folk singer Anaïs Mitchell, who wrote the music, lyrics and book of this re-telling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice; Eurydice, desperate for something to eat, goes to work in a hellish industrial version of the Greek underworld, and her poor singer-songwriter lover Orpheus follows in an attempt to rescue her.

The Broadway production opened to critical acclaim, nominations and awards; at the 73rd Tony Awards, Hadestown received 14 nominations (the most for the evening) and won eight of them, including Best Musical and Best Original Score. Premiering at London’s Lyric Theatre (the one in Picadilly) it promises to be ‘an epic celebration of music, togetherness and hope' (Forbes).

You can book tickets here.

11) MJ The Musical

A theatrical performance scene featuring a lead performer in a white top and black pants, surrounded by dancers in dynamic poses. In the background, a large sign reads THRILLER IS A MONSTER HIT with vibrant lighting effects and dramatic scenery. — MJ The Musical

From 6th March 2024 | London | Prince Edward Theatre

No introduction is needed for MJ The Musical. MJ and his entourage are coming to London... Created by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage and Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, MJ: The Musical is centered around the making of the music legend’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour.

New York’s Miles Frost is MJ, singing, dancing, and showing a side you havent seen before, as the show delves into the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson to phenomenal worldwide fame and acclaim.

Book your tickets here.

12) Madagascar The Musical

Madagascar The Musical

14 Feb - 24 August 2024 | 26 UK venues

Another guarantee of family fun, Madagascar: The Musical is touring all around the UK, from Southampton to Belfast to Glasgow and more.

Based on the hit animated film but with original music, lyrics and script, it follows Alex the lion, Marty the zebra and Gloria the hippo as they make their escape from the shelter of the New York Central Park Zoo to explore the world with the help of those plotting penguins. Eventually they make it to Madagascar, where they meet King Julien...Filled with outlandish characters, adventure galore and an upbeat score, you’ll have no choice but to “Move It, Move It!” to a theatre near you!

You can check tour dates and book tickets here.

13) Dear Evan Hansen

A group of people stands against a light blue background. At the center, a person in a striped shirt holds a piece of paper. Surrounding the scene are text reviews and praise for the musical Dear Evan Hansen, noting its awards and creators, Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul. — Dear Evan Hansen

Tue 15 Oct 2024 - Sat 29 Mar 2025 | 28 UK Venues.

Evan is an anxious high-schooler who wants nothing more than to fit in. The thing is, along the way, he didn’t tell the whole truth - now he has to give up on a life he never dreamed he’d have. As events spiral and the truth comes out, Evan faces a reckoning with himself and everyone around him.
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A musical theatre sensation packed with some of the biggest songs from the genre of the last decade, DEAR EVAN HANSEN has a score by the Oscar-winning composers of The Greatest Showman and has won several big awards, including the Tony Award AND The Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Score.
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Directed by Adam Penford (Artistic Director at Nottingham Playhouse), this brand-new production marks the first time that the Broadway and West End phenomenon will tour the UK and Ireland - don’t miss it!

Book tickets here