Everything Opening in London This Month: Your Guide to the West End's Biggest New Shows
- My Box Office
- May 15
- 4 min read
May is always one of the most exciting months in the theatre calendar — and 2026 is no exception.
From a long-awaited Broadway blockbuster finally landing in the West End, to a glamorous Cole Porter revival and a tribute to the King himself, there's a ridiculous amount of brilliant live entertainment arriving in London over the next few weeks.
Whether you're a regular theatre-goer or you've been waiting for the right show to make your move, here's everything opening in May — plus how to grab your tickets without paying full price.
🕷️ Beetlejuice the Musical — Prince Edward Theatre (From 20 May)
The one everyone's been waiting for. Beetlejuice the Musical — Tim Burton's gloriously weird, pitch-black comedy — has finally found a West End home big enough to contain it: the Prince Edward Theatre in Soho.
The Broadway smash follows the recently-deceased Maitlands as they haunt their beloved home, accidentally befriending the gothic teenager Lydia Deetz — until they make the catastrophic mistake of summoning Beetlejuice, the ghost with the most.
Leading the London company is David Fynn (Olivier Award nominee, School of Rock) as the anarchic Beetlejuice himself, opposite Hannah Nordberg (Euphoria) as Lydia. They're joined by David Hunter (Waitress), Chelsea Halfpenny (9 to 5 the Musical), and Olivier Award nominee Aimie Atkinson (Six, Pretty Woman) — a cast that, on paper, looks almost unfairly good.
Expect jaw-dropping staging, a killer score full of showstoppers, and the kind of theatrical spectacle that genuinely has to be seen to be believed. The run is booking through April 2027, but with word of mouth already building, premium seats won't last.
Best for: Fans of Tim Burton, musical theatre enthusiasts, anyone who wants a genuinely jaw-dropping night out. Older children will love it too.
Performances: Tuesday–Sunday evenings, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday.
🥂 High Society — Barbican Theatre (From 19 May)
If Beetlejuice is the theatrical spectacle of May, High Society is its elegant counterpart — a lavish revival of Cole Porter's sparkling musical comedy, playing at the Barbican through 11 July.
The story follows the fabulously wealthy Tracy Lord on the eve of her second wedding, as her ex-husband and a pair of celebrity journalists descend on her Newport estate and turn everything delightfully upside down. It's witty, romantic, and stuffed with some of the most beloved songs Porter ever wrote: True Love, Well Did You Evah!, I Love Paris, and more — all performed alongside a full-size live orchestra.
The cast is, frankly, a treat: Helen George (Call the Midwife, The King and I) heads the company as Tracy Lord, flanked by Felicity Kendal, Freddie Fox (Slow Horses) and Julian Ovenden (South Pacific). Choreography is by Anthony Van Laast, the man behind Mamma Mia!.
Best for: Lovers of classic musicals, date nights, fans of golden-era glamour and Cole Porter. A sophisticated, gorgeous evening.
Performances: Running 19 May – 11 July. Check the Barbican's schedule for matinee and evening performance days.
🎸 The Elvis Years — Dominion Theatre (24 May)
The King comes to the West End. For one night only!
The Elvis Years is a high-energy celebration of Elvis Presley's life and music, and the Dominion Theatre — one of London's biggest stages — is the perfect home for it.
Starring Mario Kombou in the lead role (officially endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises and Elvis's own cousin, Donna Presley), the show spans the full arc of Elvis's career with over 50 classic hits — from Heartbreak Hotel and Jailhouse Rock to Suspicious Minds and An American Trilogy — alongside no fewer than 12 costume changes across two-plus hours of pure spectacle.
Think standing ovations, singalongs, and more sequins per square metre than anywhere else in London.
Best for: Elvis fans (obviously), anyone who loves live tribute shows with serious production values, great fun for groups and multi-generational families.
🎭 Off West End Picks: Two Unmissable World Premieres
Beyond the big musicals, London's smaller stages are where theatre gets its cutting edge — and this month has two world premieres worth your attention.
Are You Watching? — Royal Court Theatre (From 29 May)
The Royal Court has long been the home of provocative new writing, and Are You Watching? looks set to continue that tradition. This world premiere explores the unsettling intersection of technology, voyeurism and consent — timely, urgent theatre that will give you plenty to think about long after the curtain falls.
The P Word — Bush Theatre (From 28 May)
Olivier Award-winning playwright Waleed Akhtar brings his latest work to the Bush Theatre — one of London's most respected fringe venues. The Bush consistently punches above its weight, and an Olivier-winning writer attached to a world premiere here is an unmissable combination for anyone who takes theatre seriously.
How to See Any of These Shows for Less
Here's the thing: great theatre doesn't have to cost the earth. A few ways to see any of the above without paying full headline prices:
Special Offers: Ticket sites such as My Dayz Out gives access to discounted and last-minute tickets across West End and Off West End shows. It's the easiest way to see something brilliant at a special rate (note these often apply for limited times so don't delay!)
Midweek matinees: Tuesday–Thursday matinees are almost always cheaper than weekend evening performances — often significantly so.
Book early for new shows: The first few weeks of a run (especially for bigger musicals) can have promotional pricing before reviews and word of mouth drive demand up.
All shows are subject to change. Check individual theatre websites for the most up-to-date performance schedules. Ticket prices vary — last-minute and discounted availability through My Dayz Out is subject to show by show.
