West End Theatre Reviews
Welcome to Theatre Reviews London. Here you can find reviews of the theatres and musicals in London’s West End. You can buy tickets here for all the great shows, including musicals such as the Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Hairspray, the Lion King, or comedy shows such as Spamalot. Most of the shows we review are in the West End, in London, around the Strand or Shaftesbury Avenue, including Aldwych theatre, Vaudeville theatre, Prince of Wales theatre and Her Majesty’s theatre.
We give our honest opinions and ratings about the plays and musicals to help you decide which show to see. It isn't only our opinion, but also those of other people wishing to rate a show they have seen. This is the perfect place for you to get an idea of what a show is really like, before you make any bookings. You can also add your own reviews to help and advise other people which shows to see or not to see. And once you have decided which play you want to go to, our search partners will help you find the tickets you require and you can make bookings, often at discounted rates.
You can also advise other people what to see or not to see by adding review syourself. Just click on the show you have seen and click the "add a review" button. A pop up box will ask for your comments, name and age. Please note that you don't have to supply your name nor your age if you don't want to.
Latest Reviews of Shows in the West End
Dancing at Lughnasa  
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This play is about five unmarried sisters who all live together. Christina, one of the sisters’ young son, Michael, also lives with them and he tells the story about a summer when he was young. The sisters’ brother, Father Jack, comes home after many years in Africa but isn’t the same as he used to, he is sick in malaria and forgetful. They’re poor and struggling to get by. The oldest sister is the only one working away from home, as a teacher, and two of the sisters do some knitting, but this income is threatened by a newly opened factory. Michael’s father comes by for a visit for the last time that summer, Christina is still clearly in-love with him still, but he is unreliable and only hurts her.
The acting was brilliant.
It was interesting how they transformed the Old Vic, the stage surrounded by the audience so it felt weird sitting around it. Almost the whole play was in one place; their kitchen. I’m happy I wasn’t in the first row, which would have felt a bit too close. The only negative I would say is that it felt a little slow at times, there wasn’t much action, but then again, their conversations were interesting, about their lives, about love, their pasts and present happenings.
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The Pitmen Painters
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The Pitmen Painters is a brilliant thought provoking play set in the 1930s. Exploring social boundaries within a captivating and inspiring plot, the play projects the frustration and determination of the miners. The miners are so alive, that just by watching the play you feel as though you are part of their WEA Art Appreciation Class. This play is well worth seeing.
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Quidam
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Quidam is very good, but not the best Cirque Du Soliel Performance I've seen. Although some of the magic seemed to have disappeared, parts of show were jaw dropping and incredible. It is worth going to see, but does feel a little disjointed at times. The second half is much more fun that the first.
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Thriller Live
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Very disappointing and somewhat of an embarassment to see this kind of show in London's West End. This reminded my boyfriend and I of a very average tribute act - for which we were robbed of £40 each for the privilege (or rather, the pain!). There are only 3 performers worthy of being in this show: Kieran Alleyne, Denise Pierson and Ricko Baird, all of whom give strong performances - the rest are an embarassment and I am shocked that theatre-goers are presented with such poor talent. The dancers are never properly synchronised and they all seem to be street-dance trained rather than classiscally trained - so their dancing lacks the sharpness and accuracy that you would expect to see on a London stage, and certainly in any show carrying the name Michael Jackson. Jackson was perfection in every way - this show is slopppy at best. As for the singing, Ben Foster does Jackson no justice whatsoever. Are we that hard up on talent in Britain that we have to cast someone in a West End show who has no rhythm whatsoever and exudes awkwardness through every single leg move?
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Oliver!
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Truly amazing show. Do not listen to the press or critics. Rowan Atkinson was amazing as Fagin and Jody and rest of cast truly outstanding. Listen to your audience and not the press.
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Oliver!
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The best show I have ever watched, I thought Rowan Atkinsons performance was world class. Excellent and well worth going to see..If I have lived closer I would go again!
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Shows opening soon
Dorian Gray
Show opens 07 July 2009
Show closes 19 July 2009
Oscar Wilde's classic gothic fable, becomes a darkly seductive dance theatre event from master storyteller, Matthew Bourne.
Set in the image-obsessed worlds of contemporary art and politics, this dark fairy tale tells the story of an exceptionally alluring young man who makes a pact with the devil. Amongst London's beautiful people, Dorian Gray is the "It Boy" - an icon of beauty and truth in an increasingly ugly world.
We're Going On A Bear Hunt
Show opens 07 July 2009
Show closes 16 August 2009
An adaptation of Michael Rosen's best-selling children's story. Join one happy happy family as they wade through grass, splash through water and squelch through mud on the hunt for a big bear. Are you brave enough to journey with the and discover what scary surprise is waiting for them on the other side of the dark forest?
Adam Cooper's Shall We Dance?
Show opens 23 July 2009
Show closes 30 August 2009
Askonas Holt, Raymond Gubbay and Sadler's Wells present international dance sensation Adam Cooper with his first new production at Sadler's Wells since his spectacular Les Liaisons Dangereuses in 2005. Set to a score comprised entirely of melodies by Richard Rodgers, Shall We Dance tells the story of one man's extraordinary quest to find true love. His panoramic voyage transports us from the Orient to the Wild West by way of Russian folk dance, New York jazz and the delirious waltzes of a Viennese ballroom.
Shows ending soon
Waiting For Godot
Show opens 30 April 2009
Show closes 12 July 2009
When Samuel Beckett's Waiting For Godot exploded on to the London stage 50 years ago, it shocked as many people as it delighted. There had never been a play like it; two men clowning around, joking and arguing, repeating themselves, as they wait through one day and then another, waiting for the mysterious Godot. The combination of music hall, poetry and tension redefined what is possible in theatre, so that these days, Waiting for Godot is accepted as one of the most significant plays of the 20th century.
Beckett's characters have lost none of their power to fascinate and amuse and this production, directed by the acclaimed theatre and film director, Sean Mathias, has attracted the sort of great actors that the play deserves.
Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are both renowned Shakespearean actors at Stratford-upon-Avon, in the West End and on Broadway. They first worked together in Tom Stoppard's Every Good Boy Deserves Favour for the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1977 and more recently in the X-Men film trilogy, as Magneto and Professor X. Each of them has established their own iconic screen persona, as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and as Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard.
Also in the cast are Simon Callow and Ronald Pickup whose extensive theatre, film and television credits span four decades.
This collaboration with Beckett promises to be the theatre event of the year.
Blood Brothers
Show opens 01 January 2008
Show closes 18 July 2009
Blood brothers is a long-running musical about twin brothers separated at birth. The story is set in Liverpool in the 1960s.They grow up and live totally different lives at different ends of the social spectrum but are reunited and fall in love with the same girl, which has tragic consequences. This highly praised and award-winning musical was written by Willy Russell in the 1980s.
Joseph
Show opens 09 February 2009
Show closes 18 July 2009
With a crash of drums and a flash of light, Gareth Gates as Joseph has burst into the West End in his dazzling coat of many colours.
In an energetic and vibrant new staging of the record breaking 1990s London Palladium production, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's family classic is entertaining a whole new generation.
This colourful retelling of the biblical story about dreamboat Joseph, his uncanny abilities and his designer coat sings out to young and old alike with a score which is wall to wall hits - including Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do - and is now booking with Gareth Gates until 18 July 2009.
Derren Brown - Enigma
Show opens 15 June 2009
Show closes 18 July 2009
Derren Brown: Enigma promises to be a baffling, shocking and hilarious theatrical experience from the Laurence Olivier Award-winning psychological illusionist. Derren Brown is the UK's most popular magical practitioner, bringing an edgy feel to his brand of mind manipulation.
His television shows including Mind Control, Trick Of The Mind and Trick Or Treat have won him as much audience and critical acclaim as his specials have caused controversy. Beginning with Russian Roulette, which saw him take part in a solo version of the life or death game live on television, Brown went on to make waves with the medium-debunking Séance and the criminal-creating The Heist.
Dorian Gray
Show opens 07 July 2009
Show closes 19 July 2009
Oscar Wilde's classic gothic fable, becomes a darkly seductive dance theatre event from master storyteller, Matthew Bourne.
Set in the image-obsessed worlds of contemporary art and politics, this dark fairy tale tells the story of an exceptionally alluring young man who makes a pact with the devil. Amongst London's beautiful people, Dorian Gray is the "It Boy" - an icon of beauty and truth in an increasingly ugly world.
The Woman in Black
Show opens 01 January 2008
Show closes 25 July 2009
This classical English thriller is based on the Susan Hill's horror novel about a haunted small town. This show came to the West End in 1989 and is still popular today. A lawyer believes think there is a curse on him by this "woman in black".
Carousel
Show opens 22 November 2008
Show closes 25 July 2009
This classical musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein is based on the play Liliom from 1909 by Ferenc Molnar. Carousel opened on Broadway in 1945 and came to London for the first time in 1950. It was later made to a film in 1956. The plot is about Billy Bigelow, a carousel barker who falls in love with the mill worker Julie Jordan. The setting is New England, end of the 19th century. It includes songs such as You’ll Never Walk Alone and If I Loved You. Starring Lesley Garrett, Jeremiah James and Alexandra Silber.
Duet For One
Show opens 07 May 2009
Show closes 01 August 2009
Stephanie Abrahams, a brilliant concert violinist, who seemingly has it all, is forced to re-evaluate her life when struck down by an unforeseen tragedy. Faced with a truth too difficult to comprehend she consults psychiatrist Dr Feldmann and through a series of highly charged encounters is led to examine her deepest emotions and finally to consider a future without music.
Kempinski's play, premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1980 and enjoyed successful runs in the West End and on Broadway. It was subsequently made into a film with Julie Andrews and Alan Bates. Two of Britain's finest actors; Juliet Stevenson and Henry Goodman, perform this gripping and deeply moving psychological drama in its first major revival.
Juliet Stevenson's stage work includes Rosalind in As You Like It (RSC) and most recently Arkadina in The Seagull (National Theatre). On film she received numerous awards for Truly Madly Deeply and a BAFTA nomination for The Politician's Wife.
Henry Goodman was last at the Almeida in The Hypochondriac. Other stage work includes his award-winning performance in The Merchant of Venice (National Theatre) and recently in the leading role in Fiddler on the Roof in the West End.