{"id":1906,"date":"2026-10-22T13:05:23","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theatrebookings.com\/blog\/?p=1906"},"modified":"2026-10-22T13:05:24","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T13:05:24","slug":"the-oldest-and-newest-west-end-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theatrebookings.com\/blog\/the-oldest-and-newest-west-end-shows\/","title":{"rendered":"The Oldest and Newest West End Shows"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sometimes you want to see something brand new, and sometimes you’re just in the mood for an old classic. Here’s a list of the three longest-running and three newest musicals on the West End right now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Longest Running<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Les Mis\u00e9rables<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Ensemble of Les Mis\u00e9rables by Danny Kaan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seen by over 150 million people worldwide in 57 countries, 455 cities and in 22 languages, Les Mis\u00e9rables is undisputedly one of the world\u2019s most popular musicals. The show opened in London in 1985, and has been playing ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking place during the early-to-mid 19th centuries, Les Mis\u00e9rables<\/a> follows convict Jean Valjean on his journey of redemption. With a sweeping score and stirring story, it’s no wonder this is the longest running musical of all time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Phantom of the Opera <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
Beatrice Penny-Toure and Dean Chisnall by Johan Perrson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The mid-1980s was the perfect time to see musicals set in 19th century France! The Phantom of the Opera<\/a> debuted a year after Les Mis\u00e9rables, and likewise has been playing ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the Paris Opera, gifted singer Christine Daa\u00e9 is caught between her childhood friend Raoul and the mysterious Phantom, a musical genius living beneath the opera house. Their gothic love triangle explores the tension between familiar reality and dark fantasy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The original London production still plays today. It remains breathtaking, romantic, and technically exacting, a living piece of theatre history that continues to welcome new audiences as well as devoted ‘Phans’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mamma Mia! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And now for something completely different!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since premiering in London\u2019s West End over 27 years ago, \u2018the ultimate feel-good show\u2019 (Classic FM) has thrilled over 70 million people around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mamma Mia<\/a> is the irresistibly funny tale of a mother, a daughter and three possible dads on a Greek island idyll, all unfolding to the magic of ABBA\u2019s timeless songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newest Shows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

*For the purposes of this article, we’re defining “newest” as the shows most recently written.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sinatra The Musical<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Start spreadin’ the news: the West End’s newest musical biography is here! After opening this past June, Sinatra the Musical<\/a> is the newest musical currently playing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is New Year\u2019s Eve, 1942. A skinny 27-year-old Italian-American singer is about to step onto the stage and change music history. As Frank Sinatra\u2019s voice captures a nation, his heart is torn between his wife, Nancy, and movie goddess, Ava Gardner. When scandal and a hostile press send his career into a tailspin, the young crooner fights back and stages the greatest comeback in show business history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titan\u00edque<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Celine Dion just sang the theme song, she wasn’t really on board the Titanic… or was she?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Titan\u00edque<\/a> is the Olivier Award-winning musical comedy bursting with nostalgia, non-stop laughs and killer vocals. It\u2019s the musical that\u2019s making hearts go on\u2026 and on, so get on board as this ship of dreams is one voyage you simply can\u2019t miss!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Devil Wears Prada<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whether you’re a fan of the film or not, The Devil Wears Prada<\/a> has something for everyone. It premiered on the West End in October on 2024, and just last week welcomed Teri Hatcher into the role of Miranda Priestly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion\u2019s most powerful and terrifying icon \u2013 editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. But how far will she go to succeed… and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she\u2019s always wanted?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes you want to see something brand new, and sometimes you’re just in the mood for an old classic. Here’s a list of the three longest-running and three newest musicals on the West End right now. Longest Running Les Mis\u00e9rables Seen by over 150 million people worldwide in 57 countries, 455 cities and in 22 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[72,5],"tags":[46,22,50],"yoast_head":"\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\t\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\r\n