The Real Kyle McCarren continues at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard until 30 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a must-see, must-hear, must-feel show. One of the best original scores this year, if not all time.
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Death Note: The Musical – Barbican Theatre
Death Note: The Musical continues at the Barbican Theatre, London until 12 September 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ There is no denying that the result is a taut, compelling tale that is accessible to anyone unfamiliar with the source material.
EVITA TOO – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
EVITA TOO continues at Main House at ZOO Southside until 30 August 2026 (not 17, 24). Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Presented with so much devastating wit, charm and sheer bloody passion that it will live long in the memory.
The Singer – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Singer continues at Traverse 1 at Traverse Theatre until 30 August 2026 (except 17, 24). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Great story, wonderful music, top rate performances.
Solo from the Pit – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Solo from the Pit continues at Studio at theSpaceTriplex until 29 August 2026 (except 16). Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ It’s well worth the journey down to the centre of the earth to join unusual trombonist Elias Faingersh in his pit.
Acid’s Reign – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Acid’s Reign continues at Forth at Pleasance Courtyard until 31 August 2026 (except 12). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ This is a fabulous and musically sophisticated show that is compellingly ‘now’.
I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical – Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
I’m Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical continues at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, London until 27 September 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ What I’m Every Woman needs to do is show us how Khan became a pioneer in the music industry, rather than simply telling us that she was one.
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The Ballad of Isobel Gunn continues at the Annexe at theSpace @ Symposium Hall until 29 August 2026 (except 16, 23). Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩ This is an appealing and entertaining show, brimming with songs. Melanie Gall has created a fascinating bio-musical of an unknown early 19th century woman who lived a very […]
The King of All Birds – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The King of All Birds continues at the Former Gents Locker Room at Summerhall until 31 August 2026 (except 17, 24). Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Martha Knight’s quirky storytelling practice creates new musical theatre.
Calendar Girls – Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Calendar Girls was reviewed at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick where it continues until 5 September 2026. The tour continues until 31 October 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Empowering, uplifting with tears and belly laughs abounding.
Take Me Home County Road – Royal Court, Liverpool
Take Me Home County Road continues at the Royal Court, Liverpool until 29 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It is easily one of the best new works to grace this stage in quite some time.
Cats – Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Cats continues at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, London until 19 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ It’s not a reinvention but an improved and dusted-off version of a classic.
Badgers – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Badgers continues at Traverse Two at Traverse Theatre until 30 August 2026 (except 10, 17, 24). Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Moving, profound and haunting.
Zog – Cadogan Hall
Zog continues at Cadogan Hall, London until 23 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ The stage adaptation certainly captures the scrappy appeal that has made the character so popular.
Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Jess Robinson: Elton Reimagined continues at Piccolo Tent at Assembly George Square Gardens until 30 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Robinson almost belts the Piccolo tent into space.
Little Pink Dress – Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Little Pink Dress continues at studio at C ARTS, C venues, C aquila until 3 August 2026 (except 17 and 24). Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Joey Jennings gives us his best, and his best is very good.
Dog Man: The Musical – Queen Elizabeth Hall
Dog Man: The Musical continues at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London until 16 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Based on four of Dav Pilkey’s immensely popular graphic Dog Man stories, this is a decent enough children’s musical.
Fame The Musical – Theatre Royal Plymouth
Fame The Musical continues at Theatre Royal Plymouth until 15 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This story feels relevant and important, and I pray it sees a life beyond the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Grease The Immersive Movie Musical – Evolution London, Battersea Park
Grease The Immersive Movie Musical continues at Evolution London, Battersea Park until 13 September 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Grease is a mostly, visually exciting, well executed and enjoyable production, but it could have been electrifying!
Asian Pirate Musical – Upstairs at the Gatehouse
Asian Pirate Musical continues at Upstairs at The Gatehouse, London until 2 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Asian Pirate Musical has created an incredibly in-depth exploration of isolation, grief, perseverance and solidarity.
Let the Sun Shine – Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester
Let the Sun Shine continues in repertory at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, Chester until 23 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ The perfect show to let your hair down with a glass of something chilled under the setting sun.
Malory Towers – Alexandra Palace
Malory Towers continues at Alexandra Palace, London until 2 August. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ For younger audiences especially, it offers an engaging introduction to Blyton’s world.
The Summer Knows: Melissa Errico – Ronnie Scott’s
The Summer Knows was performed by Melissa Errico at Ronnie Scott’s, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ There is a moment in any great concert when the room stops being just a room, when the walls of the venue – the sight lines, the drinks orders, the ambient clatter – all dissolve, […]
My Fair Lady – Chichester Festival Theatre
My Fair Lady continues at Chichester Festival Theatre until 5 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I have no doubts this production will transfer to the West End, so catch it at Chichester while you can.
Waitress – Curve Leicester and Touring
Waitress was reviewed at Curve Leicester where it continues until 25 July 2026. The tour continues until 31 October 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ An excellent cast and a score that remains among the finest of the past decade.
Trainspotting: The Musical – Theatre Royal Haymarket
Trainspotting: The Musical continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, London until 5 September 2026. Star rating: two stars ★ ★ ✩ ✩ ✩ Like the final act of theft, Trainspotting feels like an unsatisfying cash grab that leaves everyone feeling robbed.
Midnight at the Never Get – Menier Chocolate Factory
Midnight at the Never Get continues at the Menier Chocolate Factory, London until 12 September 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ Mark Sonnenblick’s richly crafted score and Ben Platt’s captivating performance make this a production well worth seeking out.
Hit Machine – Soho Theatre
Hit Machine continues at the Soho Theatre, London until 15 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This engaging, unpredictable tale of two brothers “born from the same wound” is expertly played out.
I Can Die Too – Pitlochry Festival Theatre
I Can Die Too continues at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre until 2 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ A show that lives on long after the curtain – virtuoso performances all round.
Here Comes J. Edgar! – King’s Head Theatre
Here Comes J. Edgar! A Comedy Musical continues at the King’s Head Theatre, London until 16 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ This could be the most purely entertaining new musical of the year and it is surely bound for big things.
Remember That Time? A Musical – The Queer Comedy Club
Remember That Time? A Musical was reviewed at The Queer Comedy Club, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Cullen’s first original musical is a confessional about starting over – a work shaped by loss, acceptance and growth.
Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares – Underbelly Boulevard Soho
Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares continues at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho, London until 26 July 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ As autobiographical storytelling goes, this is one of the best.
Sweeney Todd – Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street continues at Birmingham Repertory Theatre until 15 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The Birmingham Rep production shines like the blades of the man himself.
9 to 5 The Musical – New Theatre, Peterborough and Touring
9 to 5 – The Musical was reviewed at the New Theatre, Peterborough. The tour continues until 13 September 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ There is undeniable pleasure in spending an evening with these characters, helped enormously by an accomplished cast.
The Jonathan Larson Project – Southwark Playhouse Borough
The Jonathan Larson Project continues at Southwark Playhouse Borough, London until 22 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The musical Rent has become a perennial hit since its debut in the mid-1990s, with a new West End revival due to open in September. The show’s success is partly due to […]
Heathers The Musical – The Arts at Marble Arch
Heathers The Musical continues at The Arts at Marble Arch, London until 22 August 2026. The show then tours until 1 May 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Heathers has returned to London and is sure to continue receiving standing ovations throughout the summer.
Fun Home – Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Fun Home continues at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester until 1 August 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The UK regional premiere production of Fun Home has opened at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, and it is hard to imagine a better place (or time) for it to receive this much anticipated revival.
Shanay Holmes in Concert – Cadogan Hall
Shanay Holmes in Concert at Cadogan Hall, London. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Fresh from her award-winning West End run as Nancy in Oliver!, Shanay Holmes performed her first-ever solo concert at Cadogan Hall in London.
The Sound of Music – Grand Theatre, Leeds
The Sound of Music continues at the Grand Theatre, Leeds until 1 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Nikolai Foster keeps the story moving briskly along while allowing the 20-odd songs sufficient breathing space.
Jesus Christ Superstar – London Palladium
Jesus Christ Superstar continues at the London Palladium until 5 September 2026, before transferring to the Theatre Royal Drury Lane from 16 October 2026 to 9 January 2027. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Anything Goes – Kilworth House Theatre
Anything Goes continues at Kilworth House Theatre, Leicestershire until 2 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Anything Goes is frivolous, fun and guaranteed fabulously joyful entertainment.
Royal Academy of Music – Chess
Chess at Susie Sainsbury Theatre, London was performed by students from the Royal Academy of Music. Rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ There are no weak links in this fine cast.
Arthur – Polka Theatre
Arthur continues at the Polka Theatre, London until 9 August 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ At its heart Arthur is a quest story, obviously. It’s also a warm exploration of friendship, support and determination featuring five accomplished actors.
Summer Holiday the Musical – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Summer Holiday the Musical was reviewed at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield where it continues until 18 July 2026. The production then transfers the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from 29 July to 8 August 2026. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★
Rapunzel – Half Moon Theatre and Touring
Rapunzel was reviewed at the Half Moon Theatre, London. The tour continues until 30 August 2026. Star rating: 3.5 stars This feisty, feminist show for young children from Wrongsemble, written and directed by Elvi Piper, is Rapunzel as you’ve never seen it before.
Evangeline – The Glitch
Evangeline was reviewed at The Glitch, London. Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ The musical would feel much stronger with some editorial judgement that could focus the storytelling and performance more solidly.
Brassed Off – Leeds Playhouse
Brassed Off continues at the Quarry Theatre, Leeds Playhouse until 11 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ Pretty much like the film from which this production is adapted, Brassed Off emotionally leaves no prisoners.
Liberace & Liza: A Tribute – Harold Pinter Theatre
Liberace & Liza: A Tribute continues at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London until 4 July 2026. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ It oozes an ineffable charm through its mixture of comedy, great music and an uncanny portrayal of two celebrity giants.
Operation Mincemeat – Fortune Theatre
Operation Mincemeat continues at the Fortune Theatre, London. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A crowd-pleaser that never dumbs down.
Pride – Dorfman, National Theatre
Pride continues at the Dorfman, National Theatre, London until 12 September 2026. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ To celebrate their story so vividly and joyously is a privilege. Forty years on, it’s as inspiring and as beautiful as ever.
