10 New London Theatre Shows to See in August 2026

Think London’s theatre scene winds down in August? That's not the case this time. This is the month when some of the most exciting new productions are quietly taking over the city.

This month brings a major new production of 'Cats' to Regent's Park, the first London staging of 'Death Note: The Musical', and a new Simon Stephens play. It also includes Cate Blanchett's return to the stage and a large free outdoor arts festival across Greenwich and East London.

You can also catch a new production of 'As You Like It' at Shakespeare's Globe, a large-scale 'Now You See Me' magic show at the London Coliseum and Alexandra Burke playing Chaka Khan in 'I'm Every Woman'.

Whether you want a musical, comedy, drama, Shakespeare, magic or free outdoor theatre, here are 10 of the best new London theatre shows and productions to see this August.

Cats at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre

If you want to see one of the biggest new musicals of the summer, start with 'Cats'.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical returns to London in a new production directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie. It opened at Regent's Park Open Air Theatre on July 28 and continues until August 29 before embarking on a UK tour.

The production is based on T.S. Eliot's 'Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats' and follows a group of Jellicle cats gathering for their annual ball. Old Deuteronomy must choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and begin a new life.

You will recognise some of musical theatre's most famous songs, including 'Memory', 'Macavity', 'Magical Mr Mistoffelees' and 'Skimbleshanks'.

What makes this production particularly significant is its place in the history of 'Cats'. This is the first new UK production since the original opened in 1981. The original West End production ran for 21 years before closing in 2002.

Drew McOnie brings a strong dance background to the production. As Artistic Director of Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, he has also established a reputation for large-scale musical theatre and choreography.

The cast includes Gary Wilmot as Gus the Theatre Cat and Rachael Wooding as Grizabella, the character associated with 'Memory'.

The open-air setting also changes the experience. You are watching one of the world's most recognisable musicals in the middle of Regent's Park.

• Dates: Until August 29, 2026
• Venue: Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
• Address: Inner Circle, Regent's Park, London NW1 4NR
• Nearest Tube: Baker Street
• Running time: Approximately 2 hours including interval
• Price: From £15
• Tickets: Click here to book

Death Note: The Musical at the Barbican

If you want something completely different from traditional West End theatre, 'Death Note: The Musical' is one of August's most unusual new productions.

Based on the hugely popular Japanese manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, the musical follows Light Yagami, a brilliant student who discovers a supernatural notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written inside it.

Light begins using the Death Note to eliminate criminals and eventually takes on the identity of Kira. His actions attract the attention of L, an enigmatic detective determined to discover who is behind the unexplained deaths.

That setup leads to a psychological battle between two exceptionally intelligent characters.

The London production is particularly notable because it represents a major new Western staging of the musical. The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Jack Murphy and additional lyrics by Morgan Reilly. Ivan Menchell provides the book.

Stephen Whitson directs the London production, with choreography by Fabian Aloise.

The cast includes Xander Pang as Light Yagami, Colin Ryan as L, Stephanie Zaharis as Misa Amane and Telly Leung as Ryuk.

The production runs at the Barbican Theatre from July 30 to September 12, giving you plenty of opportunities to see it during August.

• Dates: July 30 to September 12, 2026
• Venue: Barbican Theatre
• Address: Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
• Nearest Tube: Barbican
• Running time: Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes including interval
• Age guidance: 12+
• Price: From £25
• Tickets: Click here to book

How the Other Half Loves at The Old Vic

For something more traditional, Alan Ayckbourn's 'How the Other Half Loves' is one of August's strongest comedy options.

The play follows three couples whose lives become tangled after accusations of infidelity. Two people having an affair attempt to use an unsuspecting couple as an alibi, creating a chain reaction of misunderstandings.

What makes the play particularly clever is its staging. Two dinner parties take place simultaneously on the same stage, allowing different households to occupy the same physical space while experiencing different moments in time.

Written in 1969, 'How the Other Half Loves' was one of Ayckbourn's breakthrough works and remains known for its combination of domestic comedy, social observation and intricate theatrical structure.

This new Old Vic production is directed by Phillip Breen and stars Roger Allam and Dorothy Atkinson.

The production forms part of Matthew Warchus's final season as Artistic Director of The Old Vic, making the revival part of a larger moment in the theatre's history.

The production runs from July 29 to September 19.

• Dates: July 29 to September 19, 2026
• Venue: The Old Vic
• Address: The Cut, London SE1 8NB
• Nearest Tube: Waterloo
• Written by: Alan Ayckbourn
• Director: Phillip Breen
• Starring: Roger Allam and Dorothy Atkinson
• Price: From £15
• Tickets: Click here to book

Greenwich + Docklands International Festival 2026

If you want theatre without paying for a ticket, put GDIF on your August calendar.

The Greenwich + Docklands International Festival returns from August 21 to September 6 with a programme of free outdoor theatre, circus, dance and large-scale performance across Greenwich, Docklands and East London.

GDIF takes place in public spaces. You can encounter performances in parks, markets, squares and waterfront locations rather than sitting inside a theatre.

The festival's 2026 programme includes international artists and large-scale productions designed specifically for outdoor settings.

One of the biggest highlights is 'Efectos Especiales' from Argentina on August 29 and 30. The production creates an atmosphere similar to that of a live action movie, complete with large-scale effects and physical spectacle.

Other highlights include '360' in Woolwich on August 21 and Greenwich Fair on August 23 and 24, alongside a wider programme of free events.

Because the programme changes from location to location, it is worth checking the schedule before you go.

• Dates: August 21 to September 6, 2026
• Entry: Free
• Locations: Greenwich, Docklands and East London
• Headline highlight: Efectos Especiales, August 29 and 30
• Other highlights: 360, Greenwich Fair and additional outdoor performances
• More Details: GDIF official website

This is particularly good if you want to combine theatre with a summer walk, food stop or day out in East London.

Now You See Me Live at the London Coliseum

If you are looking for a family-friendly spectacle, 'Now You See Me Live' brings large-scale magic to the London Coliseum.

The show takes its inspiration from the 'Now You See Me' film franchise, but it is not a stage adaptation of the films in the traditional sense.

It is a live magic spectacular built around the idea of the Four Horsemen, the group of illusionists featured in the movies. The production combines large-scale illusions, escapology and theatrical staging. It has already played in Australia and Singapore before arriving in London for a summer run.

The London performers include Enzo Weyne, Andrew Basso, Gabriella Lester and Matthew Pomeroy.

The London Coliseum gives the production plenty of space for its larger illusions and visual effects. The theatre itself is one of London's grandest performance venues and the home of English National Opera.

The show is suitable for children aged five and above, making it one of the easier options if you are planning a family theatre trip during the school holidays.

• Dates: July 31 to September 6, 2026
• Venue: London Coliseum
• Address: St Martin's Lane, London WC2N 4ES
• Nearest Tube: Charing Cross
• Age guidance: 5+
• Format: Large-scale magic spectacular
• Price: From £30
• Tickets: Click here to book

If you enjoy magic, big theatrical effects and visual spectacle, this is likely to be more appealing than a conventional play.

As You Like It at Shakespeare's Globe

Shakespeare's Globe is returning to one of Shakespeare's most accessible comedies this summer with 'As You Like It'.

The story follows Rosalind, who is forced to leave the court and eventually enters the Forest of Arden disguised as a young man named Ganymede. There she encounters Orlando, the man she loves, without revealing her true identity.

The forest setting allows Shakespeare to explore love, identity and freedom away from the restrictions of court life.

This production is directed and co-created by Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine, with Josephine also playing Orlando. Lola Shalam plays Rosalind.

The production takes a somewhat unconventional approach, partly because of the creative team behind it. Holmes is the Globe's deputy and Josephine is known for work that often plays with gender, identity and contemporary theatrical forms.

The production began on August 14 and continues until October 25, giving you a long window to see it.

• Dates: August 14 to October 25, 2026
• Venue: Shakespeare's Globe
• Address: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
• Nearest Tube: Blackfriars, Mansion House or London Bridge
• Director: Sean Holmes and Charlie Josephine
• Starring: Lola Shalam and Charlie Josephine
• Price: From £5
• Tickets: Click here to book

If you have never seen Shakespeare at the Globe before, this is also a good opportunity to experience the theatre's open-air setting and distinctive relationship between performers and the crowd.

A Slow Fire at Jermyn Street Theatre

For something darker and more intimate, A Slow Fire opens at Jermyn Street Theatre on August 20.

Written by Simon Stephens, the playwright behind 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time', the play is set years after an unspecified apocalypse.

Two people survive inside a bunker on the edge of an imaginary city. As their situation develops, the play explores survival, relationships and what happens when the outside world has effectively disappeared.

The production comes to London from Ireland's Glass Mask Theatre after its earlier Dublin staging.

Rex Ryan directs the London production, with Ross Gaynor, Fionn Ó Loingsigh and Ian Toner in the cast.

Jermyn Street Theatre is a 70-seat venue in the heart of St James's, so this is very different from watching a large West End production. The intimate setting should suit a three-person drama particularly well.

• Dates: August 20 to September 26, 2026
• Venue: Jermyn Street Theatre
• Address: 16B Jermyn Street, London SW1Y 6ST
• Nearest Tube: Piccadilly Circus
• Written by: Simon Stephens
• Director: Rex Ryan
• Cast: Ross Gaynor, Fionn Ó Loingsigh and Ian Toner
• Price: Starts £40
• Tickets: Click here to book

I'm Every Woman: The Chaka Khan Musical

If you want a musical built around a major music icon, 'I'm Every Woman' brings Chaka Khan's life and music to Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre.

Alexandra Burke stars as Chaka Khan in this biographical musical, which follows the singer's career and explores the personal and professional experiences behind her music.

The show includes major Chaka Khan songs such as 'Ain't Nobody', 'I'm Every Woman', 'I Feel for You', 'Tell Me Something Good' and 'Through the Fire'.

The production also explores Khan's early life and her involvement with the Black Panther Party, giving it a broader historical context.

The show runs until September 27, so you have most of August to see it.

One important booking detail is that Alexandra Burke does not perform at every performance. If seeing Burke specifically is important to you, check the individual performance information before booking.

• Dates: Until September 27, 2026
• Venue: Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre
• Address: 1 Fulton Road, Wembley
• Nearest Tube: Wembley Park
• Starring: Alexandra Burke as Chaka Khan
• Running time: Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes including interval
• Age guidance: 14+
• Price: Starts £15
• Tickets: Click here to book

Electra/Persona at the National Theatre

One of the biggest new drama openings of August arrives at the National Theatre on August 19.

'Electra/Persona' brings together two very different works: Sophocles' ancient Greek tragedy 'Electra' and Ingmar Bergman's 1966 film 'Persona'.

The production is written and adapted by Benedict Andrews, who also directs it.

The story begins with Electra, a daughter consumed by grief and anger as she seeks justice. The production then connects this ancient story with the psychological world of 'Persona', creating an exploration of identity and the fragile boundary between a person and the role they perform.

The cast is led by Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss, who previously appeared together in 'Tár', alongside Ella Lily Hyland.

The creative team also includes Oscar-winning composer Hildur Guðnadóttir, making this one of the most notable new productions arriving on the South Bank this month.

The show runs from August 19 to October 10 at the Lyttelton Theatre.

• Dates: August 19 to October 10, 2026
• Venue: Lyttelton Theatre, National Theatre
• Address: South Bank, London SE1 9PX
• Nearest transport: Waterloo
• Director and adapter: Benedict Andrews
• Starring: Cate Blanchett, Nina Hoss and Ella Lily Hyland
• Price: £30 to £120
• Tickets: Click here to book

The Story at the National Theatre

The second major National Theatre opening in August is 'The Story', a UK premiere arriving on August 27.

Written by American playwright Tracey Scott Wilson, the play follows four journalists competing to report on the murder of a white teacher in a Black neighbourhood.

As they pursue the story, new evidence changes their understanding of the case and forces them to confront how far they are willing to go to tell their version of the truth.

Letitia Wright leads the cast, alongside Ashley Thomas, Lorraine Toussaint and Wilf Scolding.

The production is directed by Clint Dyer and is based on Wilson's 2003 play, which was originally staged Off-Broadway.

The National Theatre describes it as a newsroom thriller, making it a particularly strong option if you prefer contemporary drama with a political and journalistic edge.

• Dates: August 27 to October 24, 2026
• Venue: Olivier Theatre, National Theatre
• Address: South Bank, London SE1 9PX
• Nearest transport: Waterloo
• Director: Clint Dyer
• Starring: Letitia Wright, Ashley Thomas, Lorraine Toussaint and Wilf Scolding
• Price: £20 to £85
• Tickets: Click here to book

Which new London theatre show should you book in August?

There is no single answer because these productions offer very different experiences:

• If you want a big musical, 'Cats' offers a new take on one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most famous shows, while 'Death Note: The Musical' delivers something much darker and more unusual.
• For comedy, 'How the Other Half Loves' is a classic British farce starring Roger Allam and Dorothy Atkinson.
• If you want something free, GDIF is the best option, offering a full day of outdoor theatre, circus and street performance across East London without a ticket.
• For families, 'Now You See Me Live' brings large-scale magic to the London Coliseum, while 'As You Like It' offers an outdoor Shakespeare experience at the Globe.
• If new writing is your preference, 'A Slow Fire; is a small-scale post-apocalyptic drama, while 'Electra/Persona' is one of the month’s biggest star-led productions featuring Cate Blanchett and Nina Hoss.
• If you want music, 'I’m Every Woman' features Alexandra Burke as Chaka Khan.

August may be quieter than the rest of London's theatre year, but you still have plenty to choose from. The key is deciding whether you want a big musical, a serious new drama, an outdoor Shakespeare production, a free festival or something completely different.

For the widest choice, book the longer-running productions now and keep August 19, August 20, August 21 and August 27 in mind for the month's newest openings.