There’s something powerful about hearing an actor sing live. Whilst films can rely on visuals to set a scene, musicals tap into raw unfiltered emotions. There’s no time for insignificant dialog, so every spoken word adds depth to a character, and each song enhances both the character’s internal conflict and the vivid colours of their world. Musicals have a unique power of blending music and storytelling, crafting moments that are both deeply personal and universally relatable, often staying with us for the rest of our lives.
2025 is an exciting year for the West End and the rest of the UK. New shows coming to the UK include Friends (a musical parody), Clueless, Disney’s Hercules and Freaky Friday, Scissorhandz, Anne Boleyn: The Musical, Coraline, and Nessie (a musical about the Loch Ness Monster), whilst tours include & Juliet, SIX, Moulin Rouge, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Bodyguard, Chicago, Hairspray, and Mamma Mia. Whether you prefer comedies, romance, book or jukebox musicals, the new year is bringing something for you!
& Juliet
& Juliet explores an alternate ending to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Upset with Juliet’s gruesome end, Anne Hathaway imagines a world where Juliet didn’t kill herself and instead flees to Paris with her Nurse, Angelique, her best friend May, and Anne’s persona, April. The four friends crash the party of Angelique’s former employer, Lance, and his son, Francois, who serves as a love interest for both Juliet and May. With a soundtrack of upbeat pop songs, & Juliet is light-hearted, comedic fun, whilst also diving into themes of female empowerment and taking control of our own destiny.
Venues: Curve Theatre, Leicester (17–22 Feb 2025), Theatre Royal, Nottingham (14–19 Apr 2025), Hippodrome Theatre Birmingham (22 Apr–03 May 2025), Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (12–17 May 2025)
SIX
SIX is a modern retelling of the six wives of King Henry VIII, expressed through a short ‘pop concert’, where the former queens have a sing-off to determine who suffered the most in their lives. Each queen takes inspiration from celebrity artists: Catherine of Aragon channels Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson; Anne Boleyn, Avril Lavigne and Lily Allen; Jane Seymour, Adele, Sia, and Celine Dion; Anne of Cleves, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna; Katherine Howard, Britney Spears and Ariana Grande; and Catherine Parr represents Alicia Keys and Emeli Sandé. Powerful and dynamic, with comedic notes between the serious, SIX makes for an entertaining evening for any musical fan.
Venues: Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent (15–19 Apr 2024); Vaudeville Theatre, London (Now–30 Nov 2025); Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham (11–15 Mar 2025); Curve Theatre, Leicester (27–31 May 2024)
Wicked
A musical based on a book inspired by a film, Wicked is a story most people know in one form or another. Galinda the Good Witch and Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West are two witches with a complex relationship. Whilst Galinda is blonde and popular, Elphaba is green-skinned and values intelligence and integrity over making allies. The two roommates learn to understand each other, but when they uncover the ‘Wonderful Wizard’s’ corrupt government, they’re forced down drastically different paths. Wicked premiered in the West End in 2006 and has remained a staple. With catchy songs and lovable characters, it is a must-see for all theatre fans, especially after the recent movie release.
Venue: Apollo Victoria Theatre, London (Now–04 Jan 2026)
Starlight Express
Starlight Express is a unique experience, famous for its actors skating around the auditorium. Jeevan Braich and Kayna Montecillo made their professional debuts in the production’s revival as Rusty and Pearl, and their chemistry is undeniable. The story follows a child’s toy trains, which come alive and race while the child sleeps. Rusty, an underdog steam train, dreams of winning the race and the heart of Pearl, a first-class coach. Though his rivals Greaseball and Electra make it tough, Rusty is inspired by the legend of the ‘Starlight Express’. The show’s bright costumes (designed by SIX’s Gabriella Slade), catchy soundtrack, and immersive staging make it fun and accessible for all ages.
Venue: Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London (Now–Oct 2025)
Moulin Rouge
Based on the 2001 film, Moulin Rouge follows young poet Christian, who moves to Paris to pursue his dream of composing. After befriending playwright Toulouse-Lautrec and choreographer Santiago, he visits a club to watch cabaret performer Satine. It’s love at first sight, and Christian spends the rest of the musical attempting to compose a happy ending for them both. The most unforgettable parts of Moulin Rouge are the red lights bathing the stage and its dramatic set design, which amplifies the show’s emotional highs and lows.
Venues: Piccadilly Theatre, London (Tickets available up to 5 months in advance); Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham (15 Oct–15 Nov 2025); Palace Theatre, Manchester (20 Aug–04 Oct 2025)
