tickadoo is built by the founders of London Theatre Direct, so we have spent 25 years watching what sells out, what is worth the trip, and when the good seats actually go. Here is our read on the West End this week. The short version: if there is a play you have been meaning to catch, this is a decisive weekend, and the musicals are as strong as ever.
At a glance (prices verified Wednesday 3 June 2026)
- This week or never: three acclaimed shows give their final performances on Saturday 6 June, Les Liaisons Dangereuses (National Theatre), Mass (Donmar) and Teeth 'N' Smiles (Duke of York's).
- Just opening: an all-female Glengarry Glen Ross begins previews at the Old Vic, and Under the Shadow opens at the Almeida.
- Always worth it: the long-running musicals are all playing, from Mamma Mia! (good value, from £18.75) to the 4.8 out of 5 rated Hamilton, The Lion King and Les Misérables.
- Coming up: West End LIVE returns free to Trafalgar Square on 20 and 21 June.
This week or never: three shows that close on Saturday
Three of the most talked-about productions in town give their final performances on Saturday 6 June, so this is genuinely your last chance.
- Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the National Theatre is the one we would move things around for. Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner lead Christopher Hampton's adaptation, directed by Marianne Elliott in her first production at the National in nearly a decade. It has been a strictly limited run and Saturday is the last of it. An insider tip: if you cannot get a seat, the National's NT Live cinema broadcast follows from 25 June, so the performance is not lost entirely.
- Mass, Fran Kranz's tense four-hander, closes at the Donmar Warehouse on Saturday after its world-premiere run.
- Teeth 'N' Smiles, David Hare's revival, gives its final performances at the Duke of York's, also ending Saturday.
If one of these has been on your list, treat this as the weekend to do something about it.
Just opening: two to watch in previews
Two notable productions are in previews this week, which means you can see them before the critics weigh in.
- Glengarry Glen Ross at the Old Vic is an all-female revival of Mamet's classic, with Rosa Salazar and Indira Varma, directed by Patrick Marber. It is in previews this week ahead of a 17 June press night.
- Under the Shadow at the Almeida, a stage version of the BAFTA-winning horror film starring Leila Farzad, is in previews before opening on 9 June.
An insider note on previews: they are usually better value and easier to get into than a settled hit, the trade-off being that the production is still finding its feet.
The musicals worth booking this week
The West End's long-running musicals are all playing and bookable, and this is where most visitors get the best night out for the money. We checked the entry prices on Wednesday morning.
The most accessible right now is Mamma Mia!, from £18.75, less than two cinema tickets for a full West End show. A clutch of favourites, Hamilton, Matilda The Musical, Oliver!, The Book of Mormon and The Play That Goes Wrong, all start from £25. If you want the highest-rated room in town, Hamilton, The Lion King and Les Misérables all sit at 4.8 out of 5 from thousands of reviews.
The rest of the West End is in fine health too. The Phantom of the Opera is in its 40th year at His Majesty's, from £30; Wicked, Hadestown and The Devil Wears Prada all run from £31.25; and SIX and Cabaret round out the bigger nights. Paddington the Musical, a seven-time Olivier winner at the Savoy, is also on if you are bringing younger ones.
| Show | From | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Mamma Mia! | £18.75 | 4.6/5 (5,134) |
| Hamilton | £25.00 | 4.8/5 (3,926) |
| Matilda The Musical | £25.00 | 4.6/5 (4,075) |
| The Book of Mormon | £25.00 | 4.7/5 (3,988) |
| The Play That Goes Wrong | £25.00 | 4.6/5 (2,163) |
| Moulin Rouge! | £26.46 | 4.8/5 (4,194) |
| Hadestown | £31.25 | 4.8/5 (1,310) |
| Les Misérables | £31.25 | 4.8/5 (5,597) |
| The Devil Wears Prada | £31.25 | 4.8/5 (2,499) |
| Wicked | £31.25 | 4.6/5 (4,379) |
| SIX | £43.13 | 4.7/5 (1,875) |
| The Lion King | £43.75 | 4.8/5 (8,231) |
One to catch before it goes: Moulin Rouge! moves into its final stretch this summer, so it is edging into last-chance territory. Booking through tickadoo, you see live seat prices across the run rather than one headline number, and members save more every time with tickadoo+. Prices verified Wednesday 3 June 2026; entry-price seats move fast.
Insider booking tips
A few things 25 years in the business teaches you:
- The marquee shows sell a long way out, with booking already open well into 2027 for several. Weekend evenings go first, so for better availability and value, look at midweek performances and matinees.
- A just-opened or closing-week hit is the hardest seat in town; a long-running show with an open run is the easiest to get a good seat at short notice.
- A booking window only tells you a show is running, not what is left in the house, so always check live availability when you book.
Coming up
West End LIVE returns free to Trafalgar Square on 20 and 21 June, with over 50 performances from across the West End, the largest free musical-theatre event in Europe. Worth putting in the diary now. And at the Criterion, Titanique changes its leading role in mid-June, one for the fans.
Frequently asked questions
What is closing in the West End this week?
Three acclaimed shows give final performances on Saturday 6 June: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (National Theatre), Mass (Donmar Warehouse) and Teeth 'N' Smiles (Duke of York's).
What is the best-value West End musical right now?
Mamma Mia!, from £18.75 (verified Wednesday 3 June). Hamilton, Matilda, Oliver! and The Book of Mormon start from £25.
What new plays are opening in London this week?
Two are in previews: an all-female Glengarry Glen Ross at the Old Vic, and Under the Shadow at the Almeida.
What is the highest-rated West End show?
Hamilton, The Lion King and Les Misérables all rate 4.8 out of 5 from thousands of reviews.
When is West End LIVE 2026?
Free in Trafalgar Square on 20 and 21 June 2026.
How far ahead should I book West End tickets?
Popular weekend performances sell weeks or months ahead; midweek and matinee performances are usually easier to get and better value.
See what is on and live seat prices at West End theatre on tickadoo, or read our wider guide to what is on in London this week.
Built by the founders of London Theatre Direct, with 25 years of expertise in theatre ticketing. The tickadoo editorial team covers West End and Broadway shows, attractions, tours and experiences across 700+ cities.
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