Best Shakespeare plays being performed live in London this year
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." Take charge of your destiny this spring and find out the best Shakespeare plays to go see.
We know that the course of true love never did run smooth, so it’s possible that you might have fallen out of love with Shakespeare over the years.
With school curriculums, musical spin-offs and hundreds of movie adaptations, it’s easy to feel over-exposed to the bard and his plays.
But now, it’s time to heal those wounds and rediscover your love for Britain’s biggest playwright.
This spring and summer, we’re spoilt for choice with the number of Shakespeare plays to see across the UK. Whether it’s in the historic Globe Theatre, his birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon or on tour, there’s plenty of ways to see one of his iconic plays.
There’s also a variety of adaptations to suit any kind of theatregoer. Some will be very classic versions for the more traditional viewer, like The Globe’s The Comedy of Errors, while others are really pushing the boat out this year, like Ian McKellen's Player Kings.
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As a medium, Shakespeare has been reimagined so many times and in so many ways which means you’ll never really run out of original performances to see.
So, to help you answer the question of to buy or not to buy, we’ve put together this list of the best Shakespeare plays to see in 2024. We’ve also thrown in some Shakespeare-themed experiences and tours to please the bard-core fans out there.
If you’re a theatre fan, why not take a look at the best West End shows to see in 2024, how to get David Tennant in Macbeth tickets or find the best kids theatre shows.
Check out more of the best musicals on tour UK and the best open air theatre shows.
Best London Shakespeare plays at a glance:
- Much Ado About Nothing at The Globe, from £13
- Richard III at The Globe, from £13
- Taming of the Shrew at The Globe, from £13
- Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe, from £13
- The Comedy of Errors, from £13
- Twelfth Night at The Cockpit, from £14.72
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Wilton's Music Hall, from £16
- Shakespeare's Rough Magic at Sam Wannamaker Playhouse, from £19
- Twelfth Night at Regents Park Open Air Theatre, from £19
- Romeo & Juliet at Duke of York's Theatre, from £25
- Macbeth at Dock X, from £30
- Kiss Me, Kate, from £30
- Othello at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, from £31
- Player Kings at Noel Coward Theatre, from £33
Best Shakespeare plays in London to see in 2024
Romeo and Juliet at Duke of York’s Theatre
'But, soft, what light through yonder window breaks?'
You've probably heard the big news: Spider-Man AKA Peter Parker AKA Tom Holland himself will be performing in a limited West End run of Romeo and Juliet this spring. The actor will be taking on a starring role at the Duke of York’s Theatre from Saturday 11th May until Saturday 3rd August.
Right now, the only tickets left are £275 so think carefully!
Buy Romeo & Juliet tickets from £275 at ATG Tickets
Make sure you also check out how to get Heathers West End tickets.
Twelfth Night at The Cockpit Theatre
'If music be the food of love, play on.'
Presenter and comedian Les Dennis is following in the footsteps of Ken Dodd by taking on the role of Malvolio in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. From Friday 7th June to Saturday 29th June – just three weeks – the actor will be donning the iconic yellow tights at the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone.
Buy Twelfth Night tickets from £14.72 at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Player Kings – Henry IV Part I and II at Noel Coward Theatre
Starring none other than Ian McKellen, this performance brings Shakespeare's two great history plays (Henry IV, parts 1 and 2) into one powerhouse of an event.
The show is at London's Noel Coward theatre for just 12 weeks, from 1st April to 22nd June, before heading on tour to Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich and Newcastle.
Buy Player Kings tickets from £33 at London Theatre Direct
Buy Player Kings tour tickets from £15 at London Theatre Direct
Kiss Me, Kate at the Barbican Theatre
This classic musical combines the musical genius of Cole Porter with one of Shakespeare's most beloved comedies, The Taming of the Shrew. Starring Adrian Dunbar and Stephanie J Block, it's coming to the Barbican from 4th June until 14th September.
Buy Kiss Me, Kate tickets from £30 at Love Theatre
Twelfth Night at Regents Park Open Air Theatre
"What country, friends, is this?"
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre will show Twelfth Night from 3rd May to 8th June. Catch this adaptation directed by Owen Horsley while bathing in the summer sun!
Buy Twelfth Night tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct
Richard III at The Globe
"Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York."
Richard III will run at The Globe from 9th May to 3rd August 2024 starring the Olivier award-winner Michelle Terry as the twisted Shakespearean King.
Buy Richard III tickets from £13 at London Theatre Direct
Taming of the Shrew at The Globe
"Why, there’s a wench! Come on, and kiss me, Kate."
Lucentio is a young lover eager to win the hand of the beautiful Bianca. But an obstacle is thrown in his path when Bianca's father declares she may only marry after her older sister Katherina is wedded. Determined to succeed, Lucentio enlists the help of the larger-than-life Pertruchio to help woo the lady.
Taming of the Shrew will play at The Globe from 6th June to 26th October.
Buy Taming of the Shrew tickets from £13 at London Theatre Direct
Plus, did you know the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me, Kate is coming to London this summer?
Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe
“Egypt, thou knew’st too well. My heart was to thy rudder tied by th’strings and thou shouldst tow me after. ”
This iconic story of loyalty, lust, and power is coming back to The Globe this summer after over 10 years away. Playing from 4th August to 15th September, Antony and Cleopatra is one for history buffs, romance fans and Shakespeare lovers alike.
Buy Antony and Cleopatra tickets from £13 at London Theatre Direct
The Comedy of Errors at The Globe
"I to the world am like a drop of water."
One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors is basically the story of the Parent Trap. Two twins are separated at birth by divorced parents and one day, when they end up in the same city, chaos ensues.
This year, The Comedy of Errors is coming to The Globe from 21st August to 27th October 2024. Tickets will go on sale later in the year.
Buy The Comedy of Errors tickets from £13 at The Globe
Shakespeare's Rough Magic at Sam Wannamaker Playhouse
Shakespeare’s Rough Magic is a play that brings all the Bard’s weird and whackiest characters together into one family-friendly show. Taking place for a limited time this summer, audiences are promised: “Witches’ spells, ghosts galore, Feisty fairies, monsters and more!”
The show will run at The Globe from 20th July to 24th August at the Sam Wannamaker playhouse.
Buy Shakespeare's Rough Magic tickets from £19 at London Theatre Direct
Taking a loved one to see a Shakespeare play would be a brilliant birthday gift, and for more gift inspiration, take a look at the best experience birthday gifts and top London experience gifts.
More Shakespeare plays and other live experiences in 2024
Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour for Two
If history’s more your thing than literature, you can honour the bard in another way by going on the Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour.
With an expert guide, who was once a Shakespearian actor, you can follow the footsteps of the playwright as he lived in 16th century London and learn all about his works and troubled personal life.
Buy Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour for Two for £30 at Virgin Experience Days
The Swan at The Globe afternoon tea for two
Right next to Shakespeare's Globe is the historic Swan restaurant, which gives you not only one of the best views of the River Thames around, but also a beautiful afternoon tea to enjoy. We dare anyone to bite their thumb in the direction of these scrumptious scones.
Buy The Swan at The Globe Afternoon Tea for £70 at Virgin Experience Days
Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour
If you find yourself in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, you can take a closer look at the bard’s childhood with a tour of his schoolroom and the Guildhall. The interactive experience lets you sit in the very room where Shakespeare studied as a boy, plus you can take part in a Tudor-style lesson and even dress up in period costume for a selfie.
Buy Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour for £12 from Viator
Shakespearean Cooking Experience in Stratford-upon-Avon
Step back in time with this unique Elizabethan cooking experience set in Stratford-upon-Avon. You’ll get a taste of culture and history as well as food as you’re taught how to make a full meal. The menu includes pies, salmon, and shortbreads – all of which you’ll get to taste.
Buy Shakespearean Cooking Experience for £118 at Viator
Shakespeare Distillery Tour
Learn the secrets of gin making and find out how the spirits were produced in the Tudor period in this Shakespeare Distillery Tour. You’ll get to sample and discover the process of Stratford gin, and you can walk around the distillery at your leisure.
Buy Shakespeare Distillery Tour for £19.50 at Viator
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Stratford-upon-Avon Audio Walking Tour
If you fancy taking the lead yourself, you can simply grab an audio guide and wander around Stratford-upon-Avon as you please. Put together by an expert literature historian, you’ll get information on all the town’s most iconic buildings and get a closer look into all the facets of Shakespeare’s life.
Buy Stratford-upon-Avon Audio Walking Tour for £6.99 at Viator
If RadioTimes.com be the food of love, read on, and find our guides on the best steam train experiences and the best murder mystery experiences. Plus, check out our review of The Hills of California.
