Top Plays to See in London's West End in May 2025
As the weather warms up, London’s West End continues to offer a rich selection of exciting and diverse plays. Whether you're looking for gripping dramas, heartwarming performances, or theatrical events inspired by popular TV shows, May 2025 has something for everyone - including a huge amount of celebrities like Ewan McGregor, Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman on stage.
Check out these must-see plays and secure your May theatre tickets for an unforgettable experience!
1. Stereophonic – Duke of York’s Theatre
In Stereophonic, the creative pressures of a rock band on the cusp of superstardom come to life in a 1976 music studio. As the up-and-coming band records a new album, tensions build and their future hangs in the balance. The play, written by David Adjmi and directed by Daniel Aukin, captures the agony and ecstasy of creation, with live original music by Arcade Fire's Will Butler. The intimate setting allows the audience to feel like a fly on the wall, witnessing the highs and lows of a band on the verge of a breakthrough—or breakup.
2. Mrs Warren’s Profession – Garrick Theatre
In George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession, Vivie Warren, a modern woman determined to forge a successful career in a male-dominated world, confronts the shocking truth about her mother’s past. Mrs. Warren, who built her fortune by exploiting the patriarchal system, reveals the moral cost of Vivie’s privileged education. This gripping play explores the clash between traditional and progressive values and is brought to life by Olivier Award-winning Imelda Staunton and her daughter Bessie Carter, making their stage debut together. Directed by Dominic Cooke, the production reimagines Shaw's 1902 classic for the 21st century.
3. The Fifth Step – @sohoplace
The Fifth Step takes audiences on a profound journey through the world of recovery in a contemporary setting. James, a seasoned member of Alcoholics Anonymous, agrees to sponsor Luka, a newcomer struggling to stay sober. As the pair builds a fragile friendship, they reach Step 5 of the program, where Luka must confess his darkest secrets. However, James also harbors dangerous truths, threatening the fragile trust they’ve built. This intense and emotionally charged play, directed by Finn den Hertog, was originally a hit in Edinburgh and features a stellar cast, including Jack Lowden and Martin Freeman, who bring these complex characters to life.
4. Stranger Things: The First Shadow – Phoenix Theatre
Stranger Things: The First Shadow transports audiences back to Hawkins, Indiana, in 1959, to explore the origins of the supernatural events that fans know and love. Young Jim Hopper, Bob Newby, and Joyce Maldonado navigate everyday struggles, while the arrival of new student Henry Creel unveils darker forces lurking beneath the town’s surface. Created by the award-winning team behind the Netflix series, this thrilling prequel to Stranger Things combines stunning special effects with a captivating story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Directed by Stephen Daldry, this production offers fans a deeper look at the world of Hawkins.
5. My Neighbour Totoro – Gillian Lynne Theatre
The enchanting world of Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro is brought to life in this mesmerizing stage adaptation, which has already captivated audiences in the UK. The magical story of sisters Satsuki and Mei and their adventures with the lovable forest spirit Totoro is a theatrical triumph. The production, adapted by Tom Morton-Smith and directed by Improbable in collaboration with Nippon TV, combines stunning puppetry, imaginative staging, and a powerful score to create a visually spectacular experience. Winner of six Olivier Awards, this captivating show is a beautiful coming-of-age story that will delight audiences of all ages.
