Theatre Thrills: Must-See Musical Revivals in the West End in 2025
The UK theatre scene is set to dazzle in 2025 with an array of musical revivals breathing new life into timeless classics. From open-air productions to reimagined stagings, here are the top picks for the year ahead, along with a brief synopsis and history of each show.
Evita
Jamie Lloyd revisits the Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice masterpiece with an evolved take on his 2019 production. Who will step into the iconic role of Eva Peron? Speculation is already mounting.
The London Palladium, 14 June–6 September
Synopsis: Evita tells the story of Eva Perón, the charismatic and controversial First Lady of Argentina, charting her rise from poverty to political power and her tragic death.
History: Premiering in London’s West End in 1978, Evita has won multiple awards, including the Olivier and Tony Awards, and features iconic songs like ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’.
Evita is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) that chronicles the life of Eva Perón, Argentina’s iconic political leader, activist, and actress. The story explores her early years, rise to power, charitable efforts, and untimely death.
Originally released as a rock opera concept album in 1976, its success led to a West End premiere in 1978, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical. It debuted on Broadway in 1979, becoming the first British musical to win the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The show has since enjoyed numerous productions worldwide, several cast recordings, and a 1996 film adaptation. Revivals include a London run in 2006, a Broadway production in 2012, and a UK tour in 2013–14, culminating in a limited engagement at the West End’s Dominion Theatre in 2014.
tick, tick… Boom!
Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical about the struggles of a young artist is set to shine at Theatr Clwyd. Directed by Kate Wasserberg, this revival coincides with the reopening of the venue, promising an intimate and heartfelt production.
Theatr Clwyd, 2–28 June
Synopsis: Set in 1990, tick, tick… Boom! follows Jon, a struggling composer on the brink of turning 30, as he questions his life choices while chasing his artistic dreams.
History: First performed off-Broadway in 2001, it gained renewed attention with a 2021 film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Tick, Tick… Boom! is a semi-autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson about Jon, an aspiring composer in 1990s New York, grappling with doubts about his career in the performing arts. Larson originally performed it as a solo piece in 1990, but after his death in 1996, playwright David Auburn reworked it into a three-actor format, premiering Off-Broadway in 2001.
The show has since been staged internationally, with productions in the West End, Off West End, and two Off-Broadway revivals (2014 and 2016). In 2021, Netflix released a film adaptation directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Andrew Garfield, who earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
The Harder They Come
Celebrating its roots in reggae, The Harder They Come returns to Stratford East as part of the venue’s 140th anniversary. Featuring songs by Jimmy Cliff and a new book by Suzan-Lori Parks, this musical is set to be a highlight of the season.
Stratford East, 13 September–25 October
Synopsis: The Harder They Come is a 1972 Jamaican crime film directed by Perry Henzell, co-written by Trevor D. Rhone, and starring Jimmy Cliff. Renowned for its reggae soundtrack, which helped popularize the genre globally, the film achieved massive success in Jamaica and gained international acclaim. It is considered one of the most influential Jamaican films and a landmark in Caribbean cinema.
History: The original film helped popularize reggae music internationally. The stage adaptation premiered in 2006 at Stratford East and has since enjoyed multiple revivals.
My Fair Lady
Closing the year is a revival of Lerner and Loewe’s classic My Fair Lady. Directed by Joseph Pitcher, this production will grace The Mill at Sonning.
The Mill at Sonning, 20 November 2025–17 January 2026
Synopsis: The story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, and Professor Henry Higgins, who transforms her into a proper lady, set against Edwardian London.
My Fair Lady is a musical by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music), based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. It follows Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as she takes speech lessons from phonetics professor Henry Higgins to pass as a lady. Over time, Higgins, despite his cynicism, grows fond of her.
The 1956 Broadway premiere, starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews, was a critical and commercial triumph, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and setting a record for the longest Broadway run at the time. Subsequent revivals and the 1964 Academy Award-winning film adaptation have cemented its place as a classic.
History: Premiering on Broadway in 1956, the musical is based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion and features classics like ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’.
Kinky Boots
The award-winning Harvey Fierstein-Cyndi Lauper musical returns with Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe making his musical theatre debut as Lola. Joining him are Dan Partridge as Charlie Price and Courtney Bowman as Lauren. This Made at Curve production kicks off in Leicester before touring the UK and Ireland.
Touring from January
Synopsis: The story of Charlie Price, who saves his family’s shoe factory by teaming up with drag queen Lola to produce stylish footwear for performers.
History: Inspired by a true story, Kinky Boots debuted on Broadway in 2013, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Kinky Boots is a musical by Cyndi Lauper (music and lyrics) and Harvey Fierstein (book), based on the 2005 British film inspired by true events. The story follows Charlie Price, who inherits a struggling shoe factory and partners with drag queen Lola to create high-heeled boots, saving the business and discovering unexpected connections along the way.
The show premiered in Chicago in 2012, directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, before opening on Broadway in 2013 with Stark Sands and Billy Porter starring as Charlie and Lola. Initially an underdog, the musical gained momentum after earning 13 Tony nominations and winning 6, including Best Musical, Best Actor (Billy Porter), and Best Score (Lauper, the first solo woman to win in this category). It later launched a US tour and a six-year Broadway run, closing in 2019.
Kinky Boots debuted in London’s West End in 2015, winning three Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, in 2016. Its cast album also achieved significant success, debuting at number one on the Billboard Cast Albums Chart.
How to Win Against History
To celebrate Henry Cyril Paget’s 150th birthday, this Edinburgh Fringe hit about the flamboyant fifth Marquis of Anglesey will be staged in a larger venue, bringing humour and heart to Bristol audiences.
Bristol Old Vic, 19 June–12 July
Synopsis: A whimsical and satirical look at the life of Henry Cyril Paget, a cross-dressing aristocrat whose extravagant lifestyle made him a scandal in Victorian society.
History: The musical comedy premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2016 and has since garnered critical acclaim for its wit and charm.
42nd Street
Leicestershire’s Kilworth House Theatre will host an open-air revival of the 1980 Broadway classic about staging a musical. Expect a tap-dancing extravaganza under the stars.
Kilworth House Theatre, 3 June–13 July
Synopsis: Aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer gets her big break when the leading lady of a Broadway show can no longer perform.
42nd Street is a 1980 stage musical with a book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, music by Harry Warren, and lyrics by Al Dubin and Johnny Mercer. Based on Bradford Ropes’ 1932 novel and the 1933 film, it’s a backstage musical set during the Great Depression, following the making of a Broadway show.
The original Broadway production won Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Choreography and became a long-running hit. A 1984 London production won the Olivier Award for Best Musical, and the 2001 Broadway revival earned the Tony for Best Revival.
The show incorporates songs from the 1933 film as well as other period hits by Dubin and Warren, including tunes from Gold Diggers of 1933, Roman Scandals, and The Singing Marine. A 2017 revival added “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” further enriching its timeless appeal.
History: Based on the 1933 film, the stage version premiered in 1980, winning multiple Tony Awards for its dazzling choreography.
Grease
Grease fans can look forward to ‘Summer Nights’ in Leicestershire as Kilworth House Theatre stages a lively revival in its unique open-air setting.
Kilworth House Theatre, 29 July–7 September
Synopsis: The tale of Danny and Sandy’s high school romance, featuring iconic songs and ’50s nostalgia.
History: Premiering in 1971, Grease became a cultural phenomenon, further popularized by the 1978 film adaptation starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
Grease is a musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School. Inspired by the 1950s greaser subculture, it follows ten working-class teenagers navigating peer pressure, love, and rebellion. Originally a raw, raunchy production in Chicago, later versions softened its edgier elements while retaining its rock-and-roll-inspired score.
Premiering in Chicago in 1971 and opening on Broadway in 1972, Grease became Broadway’s longest-running show at the time, running until 1980. It has since enjoyed West End success, Broadway revivals, and widespread popularity in community and school theaters.
The 1978 film adaptation, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, altered the original’s urban Chicago setting and introduced new songs, many of which have been incorporated into stage revivals. A live TV version in 2016 blended elements from both the stage musical and the film. Grease remains a cultural icon and a staple of musical theatre.
Follies
Stephen Sondheim’s Follies heads to Belfast, marking a rare revival in Northern Ireland. Directed by Cameron Menzies, this production promises a poignant tribute to the legendary composer.
Grand Opera House, Belfast, 13–20 September
Synopsis: Former showgirls reunite at their old theatre on the eve of its demolition, reflecting on their past lives and missed opportunities.
Follies is a musical by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Goldman (book). Set in a crumbling Broadway theater slated for demolition, it follows a reunion of former Weismann Girls, showgirls from an interwar musical revue, as they relive their past alongside the ghosts of their younger selves. The score features nostalgic pastiches of 1920s and 1930s musical styles.
The original 1971 Broadway production, directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, won seven Tony Awards despite running at a financial loss. Since then, Follies has seen numerous revivals, with songs like “Broadway Baby,” “I’m Still Here,” and “Losing My Mind” becoming classics.
History: Debuting in 1971, Follies is celebrated for its haunting score and intricate storytelling.
Miss Saigon
This ‘fresh look’ at Miss Saigon directed by Jean-Pierre van der Spuy will launch a UK tour in Newcastle, reaching theatres the original production didn’t visit.
Touring from October
Synopsis: A reimagining of Madame Butterfly, this musical follows Kim, a Vietnamese girl who falls in love with an American GI during the Vietnam War.
Miss Saigon is a sung-through musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby Jr. Inspired by Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, it tells the tragic love story of a U.S. Marine and a young South Vietnamese bargirl set during the Vietnam War.
The show premiered at London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in 1989, running for over a decade with 4,092 performances. It debuted on Broadway in 1991 with a record-breaking $39 million advance, becoming an international success with numerous productions and tours. A 2014 London revival set a world record for opening day ticket sales, earning over £4 million.
Following the success of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon solidified Schönberg and Boublil’s reputation as musical theatre icons and remains Broadway’s 14th longest-running show as of 2024.
History: Premiering in London in 1989, Miss Saigon became one of the most successful musicals in history, with its dramatic score and heart-wrenching story.
The Last Five Years
Jason Robert Brown’s two-person musical will be part of the Barn Theatre’s 2025 season, offering an intimate exploration of love and heartbreak.
Barn Theatre, 17 October–15 November
Synopsis: Cathy and Jamie narrate their relationship, with Cathy’s story told in reverse and Jamie’s in chronological order.
The Last Five Years is a musical by Jason Robert Brown that premiered at Chicago’s Northlight Theatre in 2001 and Off-Broadway in 2002. It has since been staged widely in the U.S. and internationally.
The story chronicles a five-year relationship between Jamie, a rising novelist, and Cathy, a struggling actress. Its unique structure has Jamie’s perspective unfold chronologically while Cathy’s is told in reverse, with their timelines meeting only during a wedding duet in the middle.
A 2014 film adaptation, directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, brought the musical to a wider audience.
History: First staged in 2001, The Last Five Years is celebrated for its innovative storytelling and emotional depth.
London Road
Alecky Blythe and Adam Cork’s London Road returns to the National Theatre, depicting a community’s resilience after a series of tragic events. Directed by Rufus Norris, this run will also be filmed for future streaming on National Theatre at Home.
National Theatre, 5–21 June
Synopsis: Based on real events, the musical explores how a community in Ipswich comes together after the discovery of a serial killer.
London Road is a musical by Alecky Blythe (book and lyrics) and Adam Cork (music and lyrics). Directed by Rufus Norris, it premiered at the National Theatre’s Cottesloe Theatre in London on 14 April 2011, following seven preview performances.
History: Premiering at the National Theatre in 2011, London Road broke new ground with its verbatim theater style and innovative music.
What’s Your Pick?
With such a vibrant lineup, 2025 is shaping up to be a golden year for musical theatre lovers. Whether you’re a fan of tap-dancing classics or contemporary tales, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
