London’s West End is a treasure trove for parents of theatre fans (and those looking to lure teens away from screens).
It’s home to the oldest theatre site in continuous use, Drury Lane, and welcomed 17 million guests in 2024.(1) That’s five million more than New York’s Broadway. There’s a reason they call the West End the ‘theatre capital of the world’!
Scroll down to find the perfect West End show to inspire your teen in 2026. Or if you’re in a rush, here’s our quick-fire overview.
Best West End show for teens: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child won’t fail to delight fans of the series. For older teens (perhaps budding actors), All My Sons is a five-star show with a star-studded cast.
Best West End musical for teenagers: Wicked is a great pick, especially for those who loved the recent films. Many teens will connect with its recognisable songs and theme of friendship.
Best new West End show: Wicked fans can see Cynthia Erivo play another iconic character. The Elphaba actress will star as Dracula – plus 20(!) other characters – in a hotly anticipated upcoming production.
Need something for the youngest family member, too? London’s best shows for toddlers & babies
Teen-friendly shows on in London’s West End in Winter 2026
Phantom of the Opera
Book from £29.00: Phantom of the Opera
Story of Phantom of the Opera, London
Phantom of the Opera follows a masked musical genius who dwells beneath the Paris Opera House.
It is one of the West End’s longest-running shows, opening at His Majesty’s Theatre in 1986. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical has won 70 major theatre awards and is one of the highest-grossing shows of all time.
Event details
Ages: 8 years+
Where: His Majesty’s Theatre, SW1Y
Duration: 2 hours & 30 minutes (including a 20 min interval)
Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 7,799 reviews
Wicked
Book from £28.25: Wicked
About Wicked the musical
Wicked takes audiences back to the Land of Oz to follow the journey of two university friends. It explores their relationship and the decisions that lead them to becoming ‘Glinda the Good’ and the ‘Wicked Witch of the West’. Two well-known characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Wicked has become a musical classic, winning multiple awards in its 18th year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The musical includes the song ‘Defying Gravity’, one of the most famous in musical theatre.
Event details
Ages: 7 years+
Where: Apollo Victoria Theatre, W1D
Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes (including a 15 minute interval)
Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,060 reviews
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Book from £17.50: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes audiences back to Hogwarts in a play set after the original JK Rowling books.
Harry has grown up with three children, the youngest of whom, Albus, is about to start at Hogwarts. As the story unravels, truths of the past are revealed, and relationships are tested.
This original story has won a record‐breaking nine Olivier Awards.
Event details
Ages: 8 years+
Where: Palace Theatre, W1D
Duration: Part 1 is 2 hours 40 minutes (including interval), and Part 2 is 2 hours 35 minutes (including interval)
Reviews: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,947 reviews
Six the musical
Book from £34.50: Six the musical
About Six the musical
Six the musical is a retelling of the historical figures Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr: the six wives of Henry VIII. In the style of a pop concert, each shares their story of love, loss, and their infamous ex.
Created in 2022 by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Six is one of the most exciting new musicals of recent years.
Event details
Ages: 10 years+
Where: Vaudeville Theatre, WC2R
Duration: 80 minutes
Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars from 195 reviews
Hamilton
Book from £24.00: Hamilton
About Hamilton
Hamilton tells the story of one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies. It explores how Hamilton became George Washington’s right-hand man during the Revolutionary War and shaped America.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical has won 11 Tony Awards and 7 Olivier Awards. It’s a musical about American history that has captivated a generation. It blends genres of hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap, R&B, and Broadway to offer something a little different to what we might expect from a musical.
Event details
Ages: 10 years+
Where: Victoria Palace Theatre, SW1E
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)
Reviews: 4 out of 5 stars from 762 reviews
MAMMA MIA!
Book from £18.00: MAMMA MIA!
About MAMMA MIA!
MAMMA MIA! is a feel-good musical based on the songs of ABBA. Set on an idyllic Greek island, it tells the story of Sophie, who wants her dad at her wedding.
The problem is, she doesn’t know who he is. To discover the truth, Sophie invites three men from her mum’s past to the island. Who will walk her down the aisle?
Event details
Ages: 5 years+
Where: Novello Theatre, WC2B
Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes, including interval
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 3,242 reviews
My Neighbour Totoro
Book from £30.00: My Neighbour Totoro
About My Neighbour Totoro
My Neighbour Totoro is a coming-of-age story exploring the magical world of childhood. Sisters Satsuki and Mei move to the countryside with their father to be closer to their mother as she recovers from illness. In the countryside, the sisters discover magical creatures and adventures in a fantasy realm.
After sell-out runs at the Barbican, this production by the RSC and Joe Hisaishi transferred to the West End last March. The play won multiple awards, adapting Studio Ghibli’s 1988 animated film My Neighbour Totoro for the stage.
Event details
Ages: 6 years+
Duration: 2 hours 45 minutes (including interval)
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre, Holborn, WC2B
Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars from 700 reviews
Back to the Future The Musical
Book from £23.00: Back to the Future The Musical
About Back to the Future The Musical
Back to the Future The Musical brings the classic 1985 film to the stage with new music and spectacular special effects. It’s a fun, exciting musical loved by new audiences and original film fans.
Marty McFly is transported back to 1955 by Doc Brown’s time machine, the DeLorean car. He accidentally changes history and races against time to make things right.
Event details
Ages: 6 years+
Where: Adelphi Theatre, Covent Garden, WC2R
Duration: 2 hrs 40 minutes (including interval)
Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 218 reviews
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Book from £42.00: Stranger Things: The First Shadow
About Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a prequel to the Netflix series Stranger Things. It takes audiences back into the world of Stranger Things, exploring the story’s beginning.
It’s set in the town of Hawkins, with the Creel family and their son Henry arriving to settle there. However, they find that the shadows of the past still reach them.
Event details
Ages: 12 years+
Where: Phoenix Theatre, WC2H
Duration: 3 hours (including interval)
Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews
Operation Mincemeat
Book from £49.50: Operation Mincemeat
About Operation Mincemeat
Operation Mincemeat follows a secret mission involving a well-dressed corpse that may have won World War II.
Upon opening in 2024, the show got the theatre world talking and won Best New Musical at the Olivier Awards. It’s extending its run at the Fortune Theatre for the ninth time.
About Operation Mincemeat
Ages: 6 years+
Where: Fortune Theatre, WC2B
Running Time: 2 hours 35 minutes (including interval)
Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 45 reviews
What’s on for teens in London
London is one of the best cities in the world to see theatre and musicals. If you want to see more events and activities for teens you can also search Loopla and see what’s on near you.
FAQs
What is the best theatre show for a 13-year-old?
The best theatre shows for a 13-year-old are Back to the Future The Musical, My Neighbour Totoro, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and Wicked. These tell relatable stories with engaging performances, special effects and music.
What is the best theatre show in London for children?
The best theatre shows in London for children are Matilda and The Lion King. These stories will engage children, while the musical performances will amaze them.
In our article ‘10 Best West End Shows for Kids‘, you can find more shows in London for kids.
What age are West End shows for?
There are West End shows for all ages. Every show will have different age restrictions and recommendations. You can find shows that are for all different ages, such as Stick Man for 3 years+ and Matilda for 6 years+.