The Play That Goes Wrong
From£22
London plays
Best London Plays 2026
Shakespeare, classics, transfers and contemporary new writing on the West End
Overview
London plays, where world-class theatre lives
- Shakespeare, classics and contemporary new writing
- Star-led transfers and limited runs
- Shorter runtimes, often 2 hours including interval
- Official tickets, no resale, full-refund guarantee
Plays are the beating heart of the London stage. From Shakespearean revivals at the Bridge Theatre and the Globe to contemporary new writing at the Royal Court, the Almeida and the Old Vic, the West End and its surrounding circle host more straight-play productions than any other English-speaking city. Recent runs include Hamlet, The Mousetrap, The Play That Goes Wrong, Witness for the Prosecution, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, 2:22 A Ghost Story, and a steady stream of award-winning transfers.
Every play on this page is on sale through tickadoo with official box-office inventory. Book a live-seat-map seat, pay securely, get a mobile ticket. If your performance is cancelled, you receive a full refund automatically.
Use the chips to filter by genre and the price chips to set a budget. Plays tend to run shorter than musicals (around 2 hours including interval), making them ideal for a pre-dinner curtain or a Sunday matinée. Search by show name in the hero if you already know what you want to see.
What sets London plays apart
London draws Hollywood and Broadway stars to its stage every season. Recent and upcoming runs have featured Andrew Scott, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Rylance, Sheridan Smith, Cate Blanchett, Cynthia Erivo and dozens more world-class performers in limited 12-week engagements that don't tour.
Plays usually run six performances a week (Tuesday to Saturday with a Saturday matinée) plus an occasional Sunday. Limited runs sell out fast — book early for star-led productions and Royal Shakespeare or National Theatre transfers.
Choosing the right play
For first-time visitors, the West End's long-runners are reliable: The Mousetrap (over 70 years and counting), The Play That Goes Wrong and 2:22 A Ghost Story all deliver consistent, crowd-pleasing nights. For something more substantial, look at recent Olivier nominees and the National Theatre transfers playing in the West End.
Each show's tickadoo page lists running time, age guidance, content warnings and a seat-map view, so you can match the production to your group and budget.
FAQ
Frequently asked
Quick answers on booking, access and what to expect.
The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie has run continuously at St Martin's Theatre since 1952, making it the longest-running play of any kind in the world. Tickets are still available most nights.
Often yes. Plays typically have lower top-end pricing than long-running musicals, with seats from £20 in many West End venues. Star-led limited runs and high-demand revivals can exceed musical prices for premium seats.
Most plays run between 1 hour 45 minutes and 2 hours 30 minutes including a 15-minute interval. A few longer productions (epic dramas, Shakespeare) extend past 3 hours. Each show page lists the exact runtime.
Some plays are family-friendly (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Play That Goes Wrong). Others contain adult themes, language or violence. Each show's page lists age guidance from the producer.
Yes. Every play we sell comes from official box-office, producer or licensed partner inventory. Direct from box-office and licensed partners, with live availability.
There is no formal dress code. Most audience members wear smart casual; jeans and a smart top are perfectly acceptable. Black-tie is reserved for opening nights and gala performances.
Why tickadoo
Why book London plays with tickadoo
- Official box-office inventory for every West End play
- Star-led limited runs and award-winning transfers
- Live seat-map booking with competitive pricing
- Full refunds on cancelled performances, automatic
- 24/7 support from a London-based theatre team
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