20 of the biggest and best West End shows to book tickets for in 2022 including Cabaret and Moulin Rouge
Despite West End shows being cancelled due to Covid, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2022.
West End theatre has officially made its long-awaited return and there’s some big shows to catch in 2022.
Venues in London and across the UK opened their doors for the first time in over 12 months, with classic and new shows entertaining audiences once again.
This includes fan-favourites like Wicked and The Lion King which have made welcome returns, alongside new musicals including Cabaret and Moulin Rouge which will debut on the West End for the first time.
Looking ahead to 2022, there are plenty of amazing shows you can book on London’s West End and keep the magic of theatre alive.
We’ve put together a list of 22 of the best shows you can book.
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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is returning to the Apollo Theatre in May 2021. (Photo by Robbie Jack/Corbis via Getty Images)
Where: UK tour
Tickets: ATG Tickets & official website
The feel-good musical – inspired by a true story – follows Jamie New, a teenager living on a council estate in Sheffield. He doesn’t quite fit in and he’s terrified about the future, but he knows he’s going to be a star and with support from his mum and friends he overcomes prejudice to step into the spotlight.
It’s also been adapted into a feature length film starring Max Horwood in the title role alongside Sarah Lancashire and Richard E Grant, which is due for release on Amazon Prime Video from 17 September.
SIX the Musical
SIX the Musical is returning to Lyric Theatre in May 2021. (© Pamela Raith)
Where: UK tour
Tickets: ATG Tickets & official website
This breakout hit musical follows the six wives of the infamous Henry VIII who take to the stage to tell their stories in a pop concert inspired by some of the biggest modern day artists.
The show features the likes of Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour who tell their story against the backdrop of songs including “Don’t Lose Ur Head”, “Get Down” and “All You Wanna Do”. Henry VII definitely deserves to be cancelled for his behaviour. Will this West End show end up being cancelled due to COVID? We certainly hope not!
Magic Mike Live
Magic Mike Live is back at London’s Hippodrome Casino. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Where: London Hippodrome Casino
Tickets: Love Theatre and London Theatre Direct
Conceived and directed by Channing Tatum, Magic Mike Live is inspired by the hit film based on Tatum’s early career. The show is a night of 360-degree entertainment featuring “some of the world’s sexiest, most talented guys” who will perform dance routines in front of, above and all around audience members.
Cinderella
Carrie Hope Fletcher stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cinderella. (Tristram Kenton)
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre
Tickets: LW Theatres
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-anticipated Cinderella finally opened at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in June 2021. The musical features an original story from Oscar-winner Emerald Fennell and stars Carrie Hope Fletcher in the lead role.
The story is set in the picturesque Belleville but the only person refusing to live in the fairy tale is the loud-mouthed and dripping with disdain Cinderella, in a new retelling of the classic story.
Pretty Woman
Danny Mac and Aimie Atkinson star as Edward and Vivian in the West End adaption of Pretty Woman. (Helen Maybanks)
Where: Savoy Theatre
Tickets: ATG Tickets
Based on the iconic 1990 film starring Julia Roberts, the musical’s original West End run was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s now running at the Savoy Theatre where fans can relive the love story of Vivian and Edward, who’s worlds are far apart.
Come From Away
Come From Away is heading back to the Phoenix Theatre. (Craig Sugden)
Where: Phoenix Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
The Tony Award-winning Come From Away tells the real-life story of 7,000 passengers from all over the world grounded in their planes on an island in Canada called Newfoundland during the wake of 9/11. The small community of Gander invites these ‘come from aways’ into their lives. From feelings of unease and fear comes trust and music as the passengers and the residents of Gander come together and share their stories.
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera is back at Her Majesty’s Theatre. (Matthew Murphy)
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
The highest grossing musical of all time is celebrating a record-breaking 32 years at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End. Audience members can get tickets for the show from 27 July, which follows the Phantom who lives in a shadowy existence as he’s shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all. But his love for his protégée Christine Daaé is so strong that even her heart can’t resist.
The score from Andrew Lloyd Webber is combined with “jaw-dropping scenery and breath-taking special effects” which help bring the tragic love story to life.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical is heading to Aldwych Theatre. (Manuel Harlan)
Where: Aldwych Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
This musical celebrates the icon Tina Turner, who defied her age, gender and race to become one of the best-selling artists in history. It follows her story from leaving an abusive marriage to rebuilding her life and staging a huge solo comeback which helped her become the superstar that’s loved across the globe.
The show features some of Tina’s most beloved songs including “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, “Proud Mary”, “Private Dancer” and “River Deep – Mountain High”.
Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is reopening on the West End in August 2021. West End shows cancelled COVID
Where: Prince Edward Theatre
Tickets: Ticketmaster and London Theatre Direct
After an 11 year break, the musical was revived for the West End in 2019 with Zizi Strallen and Charlie Stemp starring as Mary Poppins and Bert and it’s set to reopen from 7 August at the Prince Edward Theatre.
Based on the book by PL Travers about a flying nanny who swoops in to save the Banks family, the musical features songs including “A Spoonful of Sugar”, “Let’s Go Fly a Kite”, “Practically Perfect” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.
The Lion King
The Lion King is reopening at Lyceum Theatre. (Johan Persson)
Where: Lyceum Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
This classic musical based on Disney’s animated favourite will be back at the Lyceum Theatre from 10 August. It features music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, with songs including “The Circle of Life” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” as well as stunning animal costumes and large puppets to help bring Pride Rock to life.
Hamilton
Hamilton the Musical follows the story of the Founding Fathers. (Joan Marcus)
Where: Victoria Theatre
Tickets: Ticketmaster and London Theatre Direct
Hamilton, which tells the story of America’s Founding Fathers, is notable for featuring non-white actors as historical figures as a way to weave the tale of “America then, as told by America now” as well as drawing heavily from hip-hop, soul and R&B in its soundtrack.
Lin-Manuel Miranda recently confirmed the shows reopening saying “it is with tremendous gratitude that we announce the return,” adding “we will safely gather to tell this story again.”
Back to the Future: the Musical
Back to the Future: the Musical will open at the Adelphi Theatre. (Sean Ebsworth Barnes)
Where: Adelphi Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
Based on the 80s cult classic – but this time with music. The Back to the Future The Musical tells the story of teenager Marty McFly and eccentric scientist Doc Brown. When Doc invents a time machine inside a DeLorean, Marty’s world gets turned upside down as the course of history is accidentally changed, so Marty has to fix the present, escape the past and send himself back to the future.
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! is reopening at the Novello Theatre in August. (Brinkhoff Moegenburg)
Where: Novello Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
Feel-good musical Mamma Mia is heading to the Novello Theatre from August, which takes audience members to a Greek Island for a celebration of friendship, family and love all set against the backdrop of classic ABBA songs. What more do you want from a musical?
Frozen
The spectacular musical is a must-see. (Disney Theatrical Productions)
Where: Theatre Royal Drury Lane
Tickets: LW Theatres
After many delays due to the pandemic, the incredible West End show Frozen the Musical is set to open at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 27 August. The story is similar to the film version as it takes audiences to the magical world of Arendelle and follows sisters Anna and Elsa. Elsa is gifted with ice-manipulating powers but after tensions arise she runs away from home and it’s up to Anna to bring her back and save Arendelle.
The Tony Award-nominated show features songs from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez who also wrote the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning 2013 film and its sequel including “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”.
Wicked
Wicked is returning to its West End home at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in September 2021. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)
Where: Apollo Victoria Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
The show tells an alternate story of Oz as audience members find out how Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West come to fulfil their destinies. The pair meet at school and despite getting off to a bumpy start, they go on to form a strong friendship and head on a journey to meet the Wizard of Oz. The musical features an iconic soundtrack including “Defying Gravity” and “Popular” and made a welcome return to the Apollo Victoria Theatre in September.
& Juliet
& Juliet returns to the Shaftesbury Theatre. (Johan Persson)
Where: Shaftesbury Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
& Juliet features some of the biggest pop hits of the last three decades from songwriter Max Martin including “…Baby One More Time”, “Since U Bene Gone”, “Roar” and “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)”. The musical follows the “what if?” story of Juliet from Shakespeare’s famous play as she wakes up instead of having a dagger to the heart and chooses her own fate. She gathers Nurse and her best friends and heads to the city of lights to prove there is life and love after Romeo.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Moulin Rouge! The Musical will premiere at Piccadilly Theatre in November 2021. (Matthew Murphy)
Where: Piccadilly Theatre
Tickets: ATG Tickets
Moulin Rouge! The Musical will make its West End debut at Piccadilly Theatre in November. Based on the 2001 film of the same name, it will weave together original songs with popular music including queer anthems “Toxic”, “Bad Romance” and of course “Lady Marmalade”.
The story is set at the turn of the 20th century during the Belle Epoque, in the Montmartre Quarter of Paris and follows Christian, a young composer who falls in love with cabaret actress Satine and the musical promises audiences will “enter a world of splendour and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur and glory.” Consumption got Satine, lets hope COVID doesn’t get this West End show, as it is a real triumph.
Cabaret
Eddie Redmayne stars in the West End revival of Cabaret.
Where: Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre
Tickets: ATG Tickets
Eddie Redmayne, Jessie Buckley and Omari Douglas star in this revival of classic musical Cabaret. The show takes place at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre and is performed in the rounds for guests, to create an immersive experience.
Redmayne stars as The Emcee, while Jessie Buckley takes on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in a celebratory show that also serves as a stark reminder of the rise of fascism.
Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen. (Matthew Murphy) West End shows cancelled COVID
Where: Noël Coward Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
The Tony Award-winning musical follows Evan Hansen who struggles to connect with a hyper-connected world. After a classmate commits suicide, he finds himself at the centre.
He invents a friendship with the boy in a misguided attempt to comfort the grieving family, fabricating email chains as proof. When this spirals out of control, Evan becomes the face of a viral video about loneliness, and the importance of speaking out.
Dirty Dancing
Dirty Dancing is returning to London’s West End in early 2022. (Mark Senior)
Where: Dominion Theatre
Tickets: Love Theatre
Dirty Dancing is returning to London’s West End at the Dominion Theatre from February 2022. It tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, who come together for the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
The iconic show features hit songs “Hungry Eyes”, “Hey! Baby”, “Do You Love Me?” and of course, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”.
West End shows being cancelled due to COVID might be a fact of life for a while, but we can continue to support these amazing theatres in the mean time.
