This is shaping up to be an extraordinary year for Andrew Lloyd Webber fans visiting London. The composer's 40th anniversary celebration of The Phantom of the Opera coincides with major revivals, a star-studded limited run, and the final chance to catch one of his most beloved spectacles. Whether you're a longtime devotee or curious newcomer, here's everything playing in London this year from Britain's most successful musical theatre composer.

What's Currently Playing

The Phantom of the Opera - His Majesty's Theatre

The Phantom of the Opera celebrates 40 years in the West End in October 2026, making it the second longest-running West End musical of all time. The original Harold Prince production continues at His Majesty's Theatre, where it opened in 1986 with Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in the lead roles.

The show tells the story of a masked musical genius who haunts the Paris Opera House and becomes obsessed with Christine, a young soprano. Lloyd Webber's score includes some of musical theatre's most recognisable melodies: "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," and the thundering title song.

His Majesty's Theatre (renamed from Her Majesty's following the accession of King Charles III) is itself part of the experience. The ornate Victorian venue perfectly suits the gothic romance of the production, and the famous chandelier crash remains one of theatre's great spectacles.

The show runs approximately 2 hours 30 minutes with one interval. Evening performances begin at 7:30pm, with matinees on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Starlight Express - Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Until May 2026)

Time is running out to see Starlight Express in London. The award-winning revival at Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre closes in May 2026 before embarking on a world tour, meaning you have only a few months left to experience one of Lloyd Webber's most technically ambitious creations.

The show features performers on roller skates racing around a specially constructed track that surrounds the audience. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way: trains zoom past at eye level, the sound design puts you in the middle of the action, and the updated staging incorporates cutting-edge effects while preserving the show's 1980s energy.

The story follows Rusty, a steam engine competing against diesel and electric rivals, but plot is secondary to spectacle here. This is pure theatrical entertainment, particularly well-suited to families and anyone who enjoys their musicals with a heavy dose of adrenaline.

Getting to Wembley Park requires a bit more planning than central West End venues. The nearest station is Wembley Park on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines, about a 10-minute walk from the theatre. Allow extra time, especially for weekend performances.

The production won Best Costume Design at the 2025 Olivier Awards, recognition of how successfully this revival has reimagined a show first staged in 1984. Don't miss your last chance to see it.

Coming in 2026

Jesus Christ Superstar - London Palladium (20 June - 5 September 2026)

The most anticipated Lloyd Webber production of the year brings Sam Ryder to the West End in his theatre debut. Jesus Christ Superstar plays a strictly limited 11-week season at the London Palladium from June to September.

Ryder, best known for his Eurovision success with "Space Man" and subsequent chart-topping albums, takes on the role of Jesus in the Olivier Award-winning production originally staged at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre. Director Timothy Sheader, choreographer Drew McOnie, and designer Tom Scutt reunite for this Palladium transfer, bringing their acclaimed creative vision to one of London's most prestigious venues.

Jesus Christ Superstar was Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's breakthrough work, originally released as a concept album in 1970 before reaching the stage. The rock opera tells the story of the final week of Jesus's life as seen through the eyes of Judas Iscariot. Songs like "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Gethsemane," and the title track showcase Lloyd Webber's gift for combining theatrical drama with genuine rock sensibility.

The London Palladium's scale suits the production's ambition. With a cast of 30 performers and full orchestral backing, this promises to be a defining theatrical event of summer 2026.

Tickets are already selling quickly for this limited run. If you're planning summer theatre visits, book early to secure good seats.

Cats - Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (25 July - 12 September 2026)

Drew McOnie directs and choreographs a brand-new production of Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, bringing the show back to London for the first time since the 2014-15 Palladium revival starring Nicole Scherzinger.

Cats, based on T.S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, introduced the world to "Memory" and ran for 21 years in its original West End production, making it one of the longest-running shows in theatre history. The musical depicts a tribe of Jellicle cats gathering to decide which among them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.

McOnie, who previously choreographed the acclaimed Regent's Park production of Jesus Christ Superstar and was himself a Cats cast member earlier in his career, brings deep personal connection to this revival. Lloyd Webber has called him the perfect person to bring a new vision to the Jellicle world.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre offers a unique summer theatre experience. The outdoor setting means performances only run during warmer months, and audience members should dress for the weather (blankets are available for purchase). The magical atmosphere of theatre under the stars suits Cats particularly well.

Following its London run, this production tours the UK through July 2027, visiting Plymouth, Hull, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Llandudno, and Glasgow.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber Experience

What makes a Lloyd Webber musical distinctive? Several elements recur across his work:

The melodies stay with you. Whether it's the chromatic descent of "Music of the Night" or the driving rhythms of "Superstar," Lloyd Webber writes tunes that lodge in your memory. You might find yourself humming them days later, which is exactly the point.

Spectacle matters. From Phantom's chandelier to Starlight's roller-skating trains, Lloyd Webber productions embrace theatrical technology. Sets, lighting, and staging are integral to the experience, not afterthoughts.

Strong source material. Lloyd Webber has consistently drawn on existing works: T.S. Eliot's poems, Gaston Leroux's novel, the Gospels, Andrew Lloyd Webber's own childhood love of trains. This gives his musicals narrative foundations that audiences already connect with.

Emotional directness. These shows don't hide their feelings behind irony or sophistication. When a Lloyd Webber musical wants you to feel something, it goes for it without apology.

Planning Your Lloyd Webber Theatre Trip

If You Can Only See One Show

The Phantom of the Opera remains the essential Lloyd Webber experience. Its 40th anniversary year adds historical significance to an already exceptional production, and His Majesty's Theatre provides the perfect setting. If you've never seen it, 2026 is the year.

For families or those wanting something more energetic, catch Starlight Express before it closes in May. Nothing else quite replicates the experience of trains racing around you at speed.

If you're visiting in summer, Jesus Christ Superstar with Sam Ryder offers a once-in-a-generation casting opportunity at one of London's most prestigious venues.

If You're Planning Multiple Shows

A Lloyd Webber marathon across 2026 might look something like this:

January to May: Starlight Express at Wembley Park and Phantom at His Majesty's. These represent opposite ends of his theatrical range, from high-energy family entertainment to gothic romance.

June to September: Jesus Christ Superstar at the Palladium and Cats at Regent's Park. Both limited runs, both significant productions, both outdoor or outside central West End options that make them feel like special events.

Throughout the year: Phantom continues, giving you flexibility on timing for what should be every Lloyd Webber fan's priority.

Booking Tips

Phantom has the most availability due to its long-running status, so you can often book closer to your visit. Premium seats in the centre stalls or dress circle sell out furthest in advance.

Starlight Express closes in May, so book now if you want to catch it. The unique venue means all seats offer a different experience; some audience members prefer being closer to the track for maximum immersion, while others enjoy the full picture from slightly further back.

Jesus Christ Superstar's 11-week run means limited tickets overall. Book as early as possible for the dates and seats you want.

Cats at Regent's Park is weather-dependent and popular with summer tourists. Book early in the run if you want flexibility to reschedule in case of rain.

When you book through tickadoo, joining the free tickadoo+ membership means you earn rewards on every ticket. If you're planning to see multiple shows, those rewards add up quickly.

Getting Around

The three 2026 Lloyd Webber venues are spread across London:

His Majesty's Theatre (Phantom) sits on Haymarket, steps from Piccadilly Circus station. This is classic West End territory with restaurants and bars everywhere.

Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre (Starlight Express) requires the Metropolitan or Jubilee line to Wembley Park station. It's about 30 minutes from central London, so factor that into your planning.

The London Palladium (Jesus Christ Superstar) is on Argyll Street near Oxford Circus, another central location with excellent transport links.

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre (Cats) is accessible via Baker Street or Regent's Park stations, with a pleasant walk through the park to reach the venue. Allow extra time for the walk, especially if you're unfamiliar with the park layout.

The Legacy Continues

Andrew Lloyd Webber has shaped musical theatre for over 50 years, and 2026 demonstrates that his work remains vital. New productions find fresh perspectives on familiar material while the original Phantom continues to captivate audiences decades after its premiere.

Whether you're a longtime fan completing your Lloyd Webber collection or a newcomer curious about the composer's work, London in 2026 offers exceptional opportunities. From the grandeur of Phantom to the innovation of the Jesus Christ Superstar revival, from Starlight Express's farewell to Cats' return, this is a remarkable year to experience one of theatre's most successful bodies of work.

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