Knowing exactly how long a show runs helps you plan pre-theatre dinner, post-show drinks, transport home, and childcare. No surprises, no stress.

Quick Reference: Shows by Length

Under 90 Minutes (No Interval)

• SIX - 75 minutes

• The Play That Goes Wrong - 80 minutes

90 Minutes to 2 Hours

• ABBA Voyage - 90 minutes (no interval)

• The Woman in Black - 100 minutes (one interval)

• The Mousetrap - 2 hours 10 minutes (one interval)

2 to 2.5 Hours

• The Lion King - 2 hours 30 minutes (one interval)

• Wicked - 2 hours 45 minutes (one interval)

• The Phantom of the Opera - 2 hours 30 minutes (one interval)

• Mamma Mia! - 2 hours 35 minutes (one interval)

• The Book of Mormon - 2 hours 30 minutes (one interval)

• Starlight Express - 2 hours 15 minutes (one interval)

• Hadestown - 2 hours 30 minutes (one interval)

2.5 to 3 Hours

• Les Misérables - 2 hours 50 minutes (one interval)

• Hamilton - 2 hours 50 minutes (one interval)

• Matilda the Musical - 2 hours 40 minutes (one interval)

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical - 2 hours 35 minutes (one interval)

• Crazy For You - 2 hours 45 minutes (one interval)

• Back to the Future - 2 hours 40 minutes (one interval)

Over 3 Hours

• Stranger Things: The First Shadow - 3 hours (one interval)

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - 3 hours 30 minutes (one interval)

Detailed Show Runtimes

Mega-Musicals

Les Misérables

• Venue: Sondheim Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 50 minutes

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:20pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Les Misérables tickets

The Lion King

• Venue: Lyceum Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:00pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Lion King tickets

Wicked

• Venue: Apollo Victoria Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 45 minutes

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:15pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Wicked tickets

The Phantom of the Opera

• Venue: His Majesty's Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:00pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Phantom tickets

Hamilton

• Venue: Victoria Palace Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 50 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:20pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Hamilton tickets

Mamma Mia!

• Venue: Novello Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:05pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Mamma Mia! tickets

Modern Hits

SIX

• Venue: Vaudeville Theatre

• Runtime: 75 minutes

• Interval: None

• Typical finish: 8:45pm from 7:30pm start

• Book SIX tickets

Matilda the Musical

• Venue: Cambridge Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:10pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Matilda tickets

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

• Venue: Phoenix Theatre

• Runtime: 3 hours

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:30pm from 7:30pm start

• Book Stranger Things tickets

Back to the Future

• Venue: Adelphi Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 40 minutes

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:10pm from 7:30pm start

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

• Venue: Piccadilly Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 35 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:05pm from 7:30pm start

Hadestown

• Venue: Lyric Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 30 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 10:00pm from 7:30pm start

Unique Experiences

ABBA Voyage

• Venue: ABBA Arena, Stratford

• Runtime: 90 minutes

• Interval: None

• Typical finish: 9:00pm from 7:30pm start

• Book ABBA Voyage tickets

Mamma Mia! The Party

• Venue: The O2

• Runtime: 4+ hours (dinner + show + party)

• Typical finish: Midnight

• Book Mamma Mia! The Party tickets

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

• Venue: Palace Theatre

• Runtime: 3 hours 30 minutes

• Interval: One (20 minutes)

• Typical finish: 11:00pm from 7:30pm start

Plays

The Mousetrap

• Venue: St Martin's Theatre

• Runtime: 2 hours 10 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 9:40pm from 7:30pm start

The Woman in Black

• Venue: Fortune Theatre

• Runtime: 1 hour 40 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 9:10pm from 7:30pm start

Witness for the Prosecution

• Venue: County Hall

• Runtime: 2 hours 15 minutes

• Interval: One (15 minutes)

• Typical finish: 9:45pm from 7:30pm start

Planning Your Evening

What Time Will I Finish?

Most West End evening performances start at 7:30pm. Use this formula:

Start time + Runtime + Interval(s) = Finish time

For a 7:30pm start:

• 2-hour show with interval = ~9:50pm finish

• 2.5-hour show with interval = ~10:20pm finish

• 3-hour show with interval = ~10:50pm finish

Last Train Considerations

If your show finishes around 10:00pm: You'll have time for most last trains from major London stations.

If your show finishes around 10:30pm or later: Check your specific train. Some suburban services stop earlier than you'd expect.

For 11:00pm+ finishes: Night tubes run Friday and Saturday. Plan alternatives for weeknights.

Matinee Timings

Most matinees start at 2:30pm or 3:00pm.

A 2:30pm matinee of a 2.5-hour show finishes around 5:15pm, perfect for early dinner.

Tips for Timing

Arrive 15-30 minutes before curtain This isn't just for finding your seat; it's for programmes, bathrooms, and drinks.

Intervals are typically 15-20 minutes Long enough for a quick drink, short enough that the queue matters.

Shows rarely run over Professional productions hit their marks. Times listed are accurate.

First preview performances may run slightly long The show is still being refined.

Don't plan tight connections Allow 30 minutes buffer between show finish and train departure.

Book Your Show

Now you know exactly how long each show runs. Book London theatre direct through tickadoo:

• Les Misérables - 2h 50m

• The Lion King - 2h 30m

• Wicked - 2h 45m

• Hamilton - 2h 50m

• SIX - 75m

• ABBA Voyage - 90m

• Stranger Things - 3h

Plan your evening with confidence.

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