The London Theatre Shows & Exhibitions To Book In 2025
THEATRE
Unicorn
Garrick Theatre
Playwright and screenwriter Mike Bartlett is probably best known for his 2015 TV show Doctor Foster, starring Suranne Jones and Jodie Comer. His latest project for the stage stars Nicola Walker (Unforgotten, The Split), Stephen Mangan (The Split, Episodes) and Erin Doherty (The Crown). Polly and Nick have it all: a happy marriage, two children and successful careers. And yet there's something missing. When their lives collide with the confident Kate, their world is turned upside down as old boundaries blur and new desires awaken.
Tues 4th Feb-Sat 26th Apr
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Elektra
Duke of York Theatre
This adaptation based on award-winning poet Anne Carson’s translation of Sophocles’ tragedy stars Brie Larson (Room, Lessons in Chemistry) and Daniel Fish (Oklahoma). Elektra, haunted by her father's assassination, is consumed by grief, a need for survival and a thirst for vengeance. When her long lost brother Orestes at last returns, she urges him to a savage and terrifying conclusion. But it comes at a terrible cost…
Fri 24th Jan-Sat 12th Apr
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The Score
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Legendary actor Brian Cox (HBO’s multi-award-winning Succession) stars as Johann Sebastian Bach in Oliver Cotton’s play, set in 1747 Prussia. Bach reluctantly visits the court of Frederick II, a powerful ruler with opposing views – Bach is devout and peaceful, Frederick is an atheist and a warrior. Despite their differences, Frederick admires Bach's genius and sets a musical challenge for him. What unfolds in the days that follow surprises both men, as tensions rise in this gripping historical drama.
Thurs 20th Feb-Sat 26th Apr
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Richard II
Bridge Theatre
Multi award-winning actor Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, King Lear, Wicked) returns to the stage to take on the tragic role of Richard II. Richard is a charismatic and witty but disastrous, dishonest, dangerous and politically inept king. Shakespeare’s play tackles the timeless dilemma of a ruler with a legitimate right to reign but who threatens to destroy the nation he governs. At its core are two contrasting figures: Richard, convinced of his divine right to rule, and Henry Bolingbroke, a pragmatic leader with real authority.
Mon 10th Feb-Sat 10th May
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The Seagull
Barbican Theatre
In this new adaptation of Chekhov's timeless story, Cate Blanchett stars as Arkadina, a celebrated actress whose larger-than-life presence dominates her personal relationships. Arriving at her family's country estate for the weekend, she finds herself caught in a storm of conflicting desires. Her playwright son, Konstantin (Kodi Smit-McPhee), struggles to step out of her shadow as he pursues his own artistic ambitions, while her lover Trigorin (Tom Burke) becomes the object of affection for the aspiring young actress Nina (Emma Corrin).
Wed 26th Feb-Sat 5th Apr
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The Deep Blue Sea
Theatre Royal Haymarket
Tamsin Greig stars in Terence Rattigan’s 1950s drama that explores obsession and the destructive power of love. Hester Collyer, a judge’s wife and daughter of a clergyman, finds herself trapped in the final stages of a doomed affair with Freddie Page, a charming but emotionally unavailable ex-Battle of Britain pilot. As passion clashes with loyalty, Hester is torn between two worlds, facing a heart breaking decision in this intense study of unrequited love.
Weds 7th May-Sat 21st Jun
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Alterations
National Theatre
Set against the backdrop of the Windrush generation's aspirations and sacrifices, this reinvigorated version of Michael Abbensetts’ era-defining comedy follows Walker Holt, a tailor with big dreams and a near-impossible order to complete. Over 24 hours, Walker works tirelessly to meet his client’s demands, but as tensions rise, friendships and relationships begin to unravel. Directed by Lynette Linton, this production highlights the personal costs of success for London’s Guyanese community in the 1970s.
Thurs 20th Feb-Sat 5th Apr
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EXHIBITIONS
Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism
Royal Academy
This exhibition will offer UK audiences an expanded view of Brazilian modernism, showcasing work by key figures like Anita Malfatti and Tarsila do Amaral, as well as lesser-known artists such as Alfredo Volpi, Djanira da Motta e Silva, Rubem Valentim and Flávio de Carvalho. The exhibition highlights Brazilian artists' unique fusion of indigenous, Afro-Brazilian and local cultural influences with modernist trends. It also features works from rare Brazilian private collections, many never before seen in the UK.
Tues 28th Jan-Mon 21st Apr
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The Face Magazine: Culture Shift
National Portrait Gallery
This exhibition celebrates the ground breaking fashion photography and portraits from The Face, the influential youth culture magazine that shaped British creative scenes. Published from 1980 until 2004, The Face propelled musicians and models like Kate Moss to fame and launched the careers of leading photographers and stylists. Relaunched in 2019, the magazine continues to champion new talent. The exhibition showcases over 200 images from more than 80 photographers, many of which are being displayed off the page for the first time.
Thurs 13th Feb-Sun 1st June
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Linder: Danger Came Smiling
Hayward Gallery
The Hayward Gallery will soon present the first London retrospective of acclaimed British artist Linder. The exhibition spans her 50-year career, showcasing her ground breaking photomontages and exploring her experimental practice. Featuring early works from the punk scene and new, never-before-seen pieces, it critiques the sexual commodification of the female body and shifting attitudes to sex, food and fashion.
Tues 11th Feb-Mon 5th May
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V&A East Storehouse
The V&A East Storehouse, a free visitor attraction and working store, will open its doors this spring at Stratford East Bank in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Featuring over half a million objects from fashion to fine art, it will offer behind-the-scenes experiences, self-guided tours and rotating exhibitions. Excitingly, it will also house the David Bowie Centre (opens September) – the V&A recently acquired Bowie’s private archive collection, featuring over 80,000 items – from fashion to lyric sheets, all of which will be on display. Elsewhere, the storehouse’s first major exhibition will open in 2026, charting the extraordinary contribution Black British music has made to culture around the world.
Opens Sat 31st May
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Leigh Bowery!
Tate Modern
This immersive exhibition celebrates the boundary-pushing career of Leigh Bowery, the iconic artist, performer and fashion innovator. Known for his daring performances and radical approach to clothing and make-up, Bowery redefined the boundaries of art, gender and sexuality. The exhibition will feature his most iconic looks alongside collaborations with artists such as Michael Clark, Lucian Freud, and Nick Knight. With references to club culture, fashion and performance, it offers a fresh insight into Bowery's influence on contemporary art and fashion.
Thurs 27th Feb-Sun 31st Aug
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Grayson Perry: Delusions Of Grandeur
The Wallace Collection
Delusions of Grandeur will feature over 40 new works by Sir Grayson Perry, alongside masterpieces from the collection that influenced his vision. It will be the largest contemporary show at the museum, exploring the nature of craft, comparing intricate handcrafted objects with digitally made pieces. Curated to mark Perry’s 65th birthday, the exhibition also examines 'outsider art' through works by Aloïse Corbaz and Madge Gill.
Fri 28th Mar-Sun 26th Oct
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Splash! A Century of Swimming & Style
Design Museum
The Design Museum’s spring exhibition will explore the cultural and social history of swimming over the past 100 years. Key items include Pamela Anderson’s Baywatch red swimsuit, 1980s Speedos and a banned LZR Racer swimsuit. Over 200 objects will be on display, examining swimming’s impact on design, fashion and architecture, from lidos to natural swimming spots.
Fri 28th Mar-Sun 17th Aug
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Cartier
V&A
The V&A will host the UK’s first major Cartier exhibition in nearly 30 years, showcasing over 350 stunning objects. It will explore Cartier's evolution as a global name in jewellery and watchmaking, highlighting its craftsmanship, designs and clientele, including royalty and celebrities. Featuring jewels, historic gemstones, watches and unseen drawings from the V&A and Cartier archives, it will also include significant loans from major museums and private collections, including His Majesty The King.
Sat 12th Apr-Sun 16th Nov
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Kerry James Marshall
Royal Academy of Arts
The UK’s largest survey of American painter Kerry James Marshall will include 70 works, from new paintings to pieces from his evolving sculpture collection. Known for centring Black figures in his art, Marshall blends memories, art history, culture and science fiction to explore the past, celebrate daily life and imagine brighter futures. Organised thematically, this exhibition will highlight his lyrical, large-scale figurative works.
Sat 20th Sep-Sun 18th Jan 2026
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Jenny Saville: The Anatomy of Painting
National Portrait Gallery
The Anatomy of Painting will be the UK’s first major museum exhibition dedicated to one of the world’s leading contemporary artists. Featuring 50 works spanning Jenny Saville’s career, from her 1990s figurative paintings to new virtual age portraits, this exhibition highlights her exploration of the human form and female beauty.
Fri 20th Jun-Sun 7th Sep
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