Check out our selection of 25 great plays and musicals to see in 2025...

BOY ON THE ROOF

Vamos Theatre has an impressive reputation for presenting shows which tackle difficult subject matter - and they’re at it again here. The Worcester-based company uses full masks to tell its stories without words - and having previously turned the spotlight on dementia, the health service, post-traumatic stress and death, they’re here returning with a show that tells the tale of an unlikely friendship between a young man struggling with ADHD and a lonely pensioner. 

Arena Theatre, Birmingham, Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 February; The Bridge House Theatre, Warwick, Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 February;  MAC Birmingham, Friday 28 February; The Swan Theatre, Worcester, Sunday 9 March

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ETERNAL LOVE

Steve Steinman here presents the next chapter in his epic Vampires Rock chronicles. Brand-new rock musical Eternal Love is set in ‘a fantastical dark world filled with vampires’, where the Vampire Baron - played by Steve himself - is searching for his next bride... 

If the show is in keeping with previous Vampires Rock offerings, audiences can expect a humorous narrative which not only parodies classic vampire tropes but also combines the drama and romance of musical theatre with elements of a rock concert. 

All in all, then, a fun night out seems in prospect - always assuming vampires are your thing, of course!

Buxton Opera House, Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 February; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Thursday 6 - Saturday 8 March; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Thursday 27 March

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BAT OUT OF HELL

A jukebox musical set in a dystopian future and positively awash with greatest hits from an impressive back-catalogue, Bat Out Of Hell is not to be confused with Queen’s stage blockbuster We Will Rock You, which can be pretty much summed up in exactly the same way.

Premiered in 2017, the Jim Steinman/Meat Loaf extravaganza is heavy on rock music and light on plot - which is yet another thing it has in common with We Will Rock You. 

The story is a loose retelling of Peter Pan and unfolds in a Manhattan of the future - one which has been turned into a desolate wasteland and is lorded over by a ruthless dictator named Falco. The evil tyrant is determined to rebuild the city by destroying disused tunnels and subways which have become residential areas for the homeless community. But a group of kids whose DNA is permanently frozen - meaning they will be 18 years of age forever - are equally determined to thwart his dastardly plans... 

Featured hits include I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise By The Dashboard Light, Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer For Love, and of course, Bat Out Of Hell.­

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 10 - Saturday 22 February; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 30 June - Saturday 5 July; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Monday 14 - Saturday 19 July

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COMING TO ENGLAND

“I was 10 years old,” recalls television personality Baroness Floella Benjamin, in talking about her arrival in the UK in 1960. “When we got to England, we lived in one room in London. There were eight people in that one room, but my mum said, ‘Don’t cry, because this room is full of love.’

The story of Floella’s journey from her home in Trinidad to begin a new life in the UK is here being told on stage, returning to the Midlands with a new look. “This show is so joyful,” she says, “the music, the sets, the colour; it’s like a cauldron of excitement. It’s a rich tapestry of sadness, frustration, laughter and joy, all coming together as the big H - hope.”

The Rep, Birmingham, Wednesday 19 - Saturday 22 February

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WAR HORSE

Described as ‘the theatrical event of the decade’ when it opened in the West End in 2009, War Horse has continued to garner great praise in the ensuing years. Based on Michael Morpurgo’s hugely popular 1982 novel, it tells the story of a young man named Albert, whose horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France at the beginning of the First World War. Joey’s subsequent adventures lead to him finding himself alone in a no man's land. But Albert is in no mood to give up on his beloved companion, and sets out to find him and take him home to Devon...

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 March; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 11 - Saturday 22 March

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NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A MUSICAL

EastEnders’ Nina Wadia, former X Factor winner Sam Bailey and 80s pop icon Sonia are the terrific trio tasked with lighting up this brand-new musical comedy.

Directed & choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, and marking 40 years of the chart-topping NOW That’s What I Call Music compilation albums, the show is set in Birmingham and finds old school friends Gemma and April facing up to the challenges of a 20th anniversary school reunion... Featured hits from an evening of 80s classics include Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Tainted Love, Hey Mickey and Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves.

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 March

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THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW

Hook up your fishnets, tighten your corsets and prepare to ‘do The Time Warp again’ - The Rocky Horror Show is returning to the Midlands! Richard O Brien’s cult production tells the tale of the straight-laced Brad and the deliciously corruptible Janet, who arrive at the castle of the alien transvestite Frank N Furter and witness the birth of the monster, Rocky. Along the way, they take the audience through a selection of love-’em-or-loathe-’em musical numbers, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn It Janet and The Time Warp. Great fun’s a guarantee - particularly if you get into the spirit of things and attend the show dressed in your very best stockings & suspenders (as many patrons do).

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 17 - Saturday 22 March; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Monday 7 - Saturday 12 April; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 5 - Saturday 10 May

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 THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN

Rachel Watson thinks the couple she watches through the train window every day are happy and in love. But when she discovers that one of them has disappeared, she finds herself inextricably drawn into a truly baffling mystery - not only as a witness but also as a suspect...

First a bestselling novel, then a hit film, Paula Hawkins’ The Girl On The Train took the world by storm, so there’s little wonder Rachel Wagstaff & Duncan Abel’s stage adaptation has made a similarly impressive impact. 

Giovanna Fletcher takes the lead role at Theatre Severn. Casting for the show when it visits The Alex has yet to be announced. Laura Whitmore plays Rachel during the production’s Malvern Theatres run.

Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 March; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 29 April - Saturday 3 May; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 June

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BOYS FROM THE BLACK STUFF

Television viewers of a certain vintage are likely to remember Boys From The Blackstuff and the impact that it made. 

Alan Bleasdale’s bleak, Liverpool-located, award-winning seminal drama series from 1982 followed the trials and tribulations of five out-of-work tarmac layers struggling to make ends meet in an era of high unemployment. The series made a star of actor Bernard Hill, whose portrayal of mentally disintegrating headbutter Yosser Hughes - complete with his catchphrase of “Gizza job. Go on, gizza job. I can do that” - captured the nation’s imagination... 

This powerful new stage adaptation of Bleasdale’s iconic masterpiece is visiting the region direct from the National Theatre and London West End.

The Rep, Birmingham, Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 June

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CLAMITY JANE

Boasting songs such as The Deadwood Stage, Black Hills Of Dakota, Windy City and Secret Love, Calamity Jane tells the story of the Wild West’s most notorious female outlaw, along the way offering an all-in combination of music, comedy, drama and dance.

The famous 1950s film version, starring Doris Day and Howard Keel, remains one of the best-regarded Hollywood musicals of its era. 

Multi-award-winning West End performer Carrie Hope Fletcher takes the title role.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 March; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 
Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 9 - Satday 13 September

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PIG HEART BOY

Cameron wishes his life was all about having friends, going to school, and diving to the bottom of his local swimming pool. 

But it isn’t. The 13-year-old desperately needs a heart transplant, and time is running out. When he’s finally offered a new heart, he finds himself needing to choose how far he will go in order to get his life back... 
Written by Malorie Blackman, the multi-award-winning author of Noughts And Crosses, Pig Heart Boy is here brought to life in a brand-new adaptation by Winsome Pinnock.

Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Wednesday 2 - Saturday 5 April; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 8 - Saturday 12 April

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ORDINARY DAYS A MUSICAL

The success eight years ago of Ordinary Days’ initial run at the Old Joint Stock Theatre no doubt played its part in the venue’s decision to make the show its latest in-house production. Hailed by its publicity as ‘a life-affirming and heartfelt musical that will leave audiences laughing one second and weeping uncontrollably the next’, the show follows the fortunes of four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love... and cabs.

The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham, Wednesday 9 - Sunday 20 April 

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A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

Khaled Hosseini’s spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner finds orphaned Laila all alone in an Afghanistan ravaged by war. But then her older neighbour Rasheed takes her as his second wife and makes her pregnant. Rasheed’s decision kickstarts a rivalry between Laila and his first wife, Mariam. But as the Taliban take over and life becomes a desperate struggle against starvation and brutality, the two women find themselves engaging in an unlikely alliance... 

Former Birmingham Rep Artistic Director Roxana Silbert returns to helm the show.

The Rep, Birmingham, Friday 11 April - Saturday 3 May

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KINKY BOOTS

The newly appointed manager of his late father’s shoe factory in Northampton, Charlie Price has got some tough decisions to make as he attempts to save the struggling business. After a chance meeting with drag queen Lola, Charlie identifies a potentially lucrative niche market: creating footwear to cater for men who like to dress as women... 

A topical story about diversity and acceptance, Kinky Boots is based on the 2005 film of the same name and features music & lyrics by ’80s pop star Cyndi Lauper. 

Expect a feelgood evening of catchy tunes, fierce anthems and warm-hearted humour. 

Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe stars as Lola.

*Johannes Radebe will not perform at Wed 16 & Thu 17 April 2pm performances.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 April

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LITTLE WOMEN

Adapted for the stage by Anne-Marie Casey, Louisa May Alcott’s famous tale was written in the 19th century and is widely considered to be the first US children’s novel to become an enduring classic. 
The story focuses on four sisters - Jo, Beth, Meg and Amy - as they experience passion, romance, heartache and hardship during the brutal and challenging years of the American Civil War.

Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 April; The Rep, Birmingham, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 May

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JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

Joseph was Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s first foray into the world of musical theatre, paving the way for later offerings Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita. 

Fabulously frivolous, frothy and fun, the show offers great entertainment for anybody who fancies the kind of night out that lets you leave your brain at home. 
Joseph sees the future in dreams, and tells his 11 brothers that he’s had a vision in which he’s seen them all bowing down to him. 

Not surprisingly, the lads are a tad annoyed with him about this - and feel even less enamoured towards their happy-go-lucky sibling when their dad gives him a coat of many colours... 

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 20 May - Sunday 1 June

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GHOST STORIES

After a couple of years spent giving London West End theatre-goers the heebie jeebies, Ghost Stories is this year spooking audiences across the UK! The brainchild of Andy Nyman - co-creator of Derren Brown’s television and stage productions - and The League Of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson, the show focuses on the character of Professor Goodman, a ‘man of reason’ who’s determined to debunk the paranormal. But when he embarks on an investigation into three apparent hauntings, as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child, the professor finds himself at the outer limits of rationality - and fast running out of explanations for what he’s experiencing...

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 May; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 1 - Saturday 5 July; Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury, Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 July; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 July

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THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

This much-loved story from the pen of CS Lewis is rightly regarded as an all-time classic of children’s literature. It sees the lion-god Aslan coming to the aid of four youngsters who’ve accidentally stumbled into his mystical world of Narnia - via a wardrobe... 

Making a welcome return to the Midlands, this highly acclaimed stage adaptation features ‘magical storytelling, bewitching stagecraft and incredible puppets’.

“We have this epic stage, and fantastic imagery,” says the production’s director, Michael Fentiman, “but there’s not a lot of literal depiction of location of the show. Instead, we’re asking the audience to take a leap with us. We work with an illusionist to try and do things that seem impossible. So the way we use magic and lighting and shift-of-focus achieves the possible from the seemingly impossible.”

The Alexandra, Birmingham, Tuesday 27 - Saturday 31 May; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 June; Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Tuesday 28 October - Saturday 1 November

 

 

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HAMLET HAIL TO THE THIEF

This ‘dynamic’ new version of Hamlet sees Shakespeare’s words illuminated by seminal Radiohead album Hail To The Thief, with the deconstructed record - reworked by the band’s frontman, Thom Yorke - performed live on stage by a cast of 20 musicians and actors. 

Commenting on the unique theatrical initiative, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s co-artistic directors, Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey, said: “Hamlet Hail To The Thief is a momentous project for us. To combine the totemic talents of William Shakespeare, with Radiohead and Thom Yorke, into a thrilling experiential piece of theatre... is a dream. It’s an event that embodies a core strand of our work, which is to be a meeting place for the work of our in-house playwright with the most exciting artists of our time, both nationally and internationally.”

Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, Wednesday 4 - Saturday 28 June

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TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL

This celebration of the late, great Tina Turner visits Birmingham as part of its first-ever UK tour and tells the story of one of the brightest stars in the musical firmament. 

Taking audiences on a journey from Tina’s humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, the musical was fully endorsed by the rock & roll legend prior to her death. “It’s really important to me to have the chance to share my full story,” said Tina. “This musical is not about my stardom. It is about the journey I took to get there. Each night, I want audiences to take away from the theatre that you can turn poison into medicine.” 

Expect a pulse-pounding soundtrack of Tina’s iconic hits, including The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It?, Private Dancer and River Deep, Mountain High.

The show has been written by Olivier Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall (The Mountaintop) and is helmed by the internationally acclaimed Phyllida Lloyd, who’s best known for directing Mamma Mia!.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Tuesday 17 - Saturday 28 June

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MARY POPPINS

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Everybody’s favourite magical nanny is opening her umbrella and flying back into the Midlands!

PL Travers’ popular fictional character has been a global superstar since Julie Andrews brought her to life in Walt Disney’s hugely successful 1964 movie. 

Not surprisingly, the success of the film led to a stage version, albeit some 40 years later - and Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s award-winning musical has been doing great business in theatres across the world ever since.

The show’s timeless score includes the songs Jolly Holiday, Step In Time, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious and Feed The Birds. 

New songs and additional music & lyrics are provided by the Olivier Award-winning British team of George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Wednesday 16 July - Saturday 23 August

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BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY

Seen by millions of people across the globe, Buddy is an enormously enduring and touchingly affectionate portrayal of one of rock & roll’s earliest and brightest stars. Charting the singer’s meteoric rise to fame and fortune, and following his career through to his very last performance, the show features timeless Buddy classics such as That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Rave On and Everyday.

Birmingham Hippodrome, Wednesday 27 - Saturday 30 August; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 9 - Saturday 13 September; Crewe Lyceum Theatre, Friday 19 & Saturday 20 September; Lichfield Garrick Theatre, Monday 2 - Saturday 7 March 2026

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2:22 - A GHOST STORY

Husband & wife Jenny and Sam are divided. Jenny believes their new home is haunted; Sam isn’t having any of it. Something certainly feels strange and frightening. Determined to find out the truth once and for all, they decide to stay up until 2:22 - at which time, all will be revealed. Or not... 

“We are beyond excited to be taking 2:22 - A Ghost Story around the UK again,” says Danny Robins, the creator of popular BBC podcast The Battersea Poltergeist and the writer of this smash-hit supernatural thriller. “It’s a play that will make you laugh, scream, cry, think, and jump out of your seat - a proper spooky night out!” 

The show premiered in the West End back in 2021, not only becoming a major hit but also providing Lily Allen and, more recently, Cheryl and Stacey Dooley with a chance to tread the boards.

Malvern Theatres, Monday 22 - Saturday 27 September; Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Monday 29 September - Saturday 4 October; The Alexandra, Birmingham, Monday 13 - Saturday 18 October

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 FRIENDS! THE MUSICAL PARODY

If it’s not broken, don’t turn it into a stage musical, would surely have been the advice that millions of Friends fans would’ve given the creative team who set out to make this show. So it’s probably a good thing that those millions of fans were never actually canvassed for their opinion, because Friends! The Musical Parody makes for a thoroughly enjoyable night out at the theatre. 

Lovingly lampooning the hit TV sitcom from the 1990s and early noughties, the show is a good-hearted romp through the series’ most memorable moments, but with the addition of some high-energy song & dance routines. What’s not to like?...

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Monday 13 - Saturday 18 October; Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 November

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MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

Moulin Rouge! The Musical can-cans its way into the Midlands this year, complete with all the glitz, glamour and grandeur that you might expect from the stage adaptation of visionary director Baz Luhrmann’s extraordinary 2001 film. 

Neither the movie nor the musical are to everybody’s taste - Moulin Rouge is most definitely a ‘Marmite’ experience - but if you love and adore the film, then this is most definitely an evening at the theatre not to be missed. 

As with the movie, the stage show celebrates 160-plus years of music - from Offenbach to Lady Gaga - and features in excess of 70 iconic songs. 

Best brace yourself for an evening of eye-popping excess! 

Birmingham Hippodrome, Wednesday 15 October - Saturday 15 November