What’s on stage? A rundown of the most unexpected shows hitting the West End

T  he Hunger Games: On Stage

Where: Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre, London

When: Autumn 2025

This was definitely not on my 2025 bingo card but I’m kind of loving the idea. The Hunger Games: On Stage will arrive in London led by an award-winning creative team including Playwright Conor McPherson and Director Matthew Dunster, who said the following about what to expect:

“I think what we’re trying to do is make something that is unique theatrically. People know the story. It’d be great if people can come along and not just be re-energised by the story being told theatrically but actually being blown away by the kind of piece of theatre that we’re making.”  (Matthew Dunster, Director).

This theatrical event of the year will be performed in a brand-new state of the art venue, Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. John Maddox, Flying Director, stated that “this is definitely not going to be like any other show anyone’s seen,” and Kev McCurdy, Fight Director, simply stated, “It’s going to blow your heads!”

Turning The Hunger Games into a theatrical spectacle actually makes complete sense in my mind and I can’t wait to see what becomes of it.

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The Great Gatsby: A New Musical

Where: London Coliseum

When: April 2025

The Tony Award-winning new musical The Great Gatsby is coming to London for a limited summer season (April 11 – September 7 2025), fresh from its success currently on Broadway. I fell in love with the original cast (including Jeremy Jordan and Eva Noblezada) and can’t wait to see what the new West End cast brings to the show.

In a teaser video, it was announced that Jamie Muscato and Frances Mayli McCann would play the leading roles for its West End run.

Muscato, taking on the role of Jay Gatsby, said he was “thrilled” to be leading the UK premiere, continuing that Gatsby was “a character so full of mystery, passion, and longing. Bringing this iconic role to life on the West End is an incredible honour, and I can’t wait to share this production with audiences.”

McCann, taking on the role of Daisy Buchanan, said she views her as “a complex, captivating character” and that she “can’t wait to dive into her world and share this timeless story with audiences in the heart of the West End.”

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The Greatest Showman

Where: Bristol Hippodrome

When: Spring 2026

After much speculation, Disney confirmed in August 2024 that the musical of The Greatest Showman is in development for the stage, with a possible Broadway and/or London production coming in 2026/2027. This news comes as a sort of relief for me as I have always felt that The Greatest Showman is something which truly belongs on stage.

This new stage adaptation will premiere in Bristol with a casting search currently underway. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the geniuses behind the music of The Greatest Showman, said “we are continuously surprised and moved by how much the songs from [the show] seem to have resonated around the world, and to now have the opportunity to bring them to the stage is truly thrilling.”

Performance dates, run time, and the venue all remain a mystery, but one thing is for certain: this is the moment we have all waited for, and it has finally arrived. The stage adaptation of the 2017 box-office hit, The Greatest Showman, will have its world premiere in London’s West End in 2026. I can’t wait.

Fiddler on the Roof

Where: Barbican

When: May 2025

Following a critically acclaimed run at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, The Fiddler on the Roof transfers to the Barbican for a strictly limited run (May 24 – July 19 2025).

Since its first premiere on Broadway in 1964, Fiddler on the Roof has garnered a whopping nine Tony Awards and has been adapted into an Oscar-winner blockbuster film. In 1972, the show became the longest-running musical in Broadway history and was awarded a special Tony in recognition.

Casting is yet to be announced but has previously included actors such as Zero Mostel, Maria Karnilova, Bea Arthur, and Austin Pendleton.

Directed by Jordan Fein, choreographed by Julia Cheng, and designed by Tom Scutt, don’t miss this strictly limited eight-week opportunity to watch one of the greatest musicals of all time.