10 shows of 2025 that stayed with me after the curtain fell

Join the West End Wilma mailing list!

Signup for news and special offers!

Name

Nearest City

Would you like to hear about upcoming Relaxed Performances for those who require a non judgemental atmosphere at the theatre.

Yes please

No thank you

As 2025 comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on the shows I’ve seen and reviewed over the past year.

It’s been a brilliant year for theatre. While the West End has delivered some huge musical highlights, there have also been outstanding plays and truly exciting Off-West End productions.

My top ten reflects that balance. Five are musicals and five are plays, with an even split between West End and Off-West End shows.

Choosing wasn’t easy, but these are the ten productions that stayed with me long after the curtain fell.

1. EVITA (London Palladium) ★★★★★

Jamie Lloyd’s Evita at the London Palladium left me on a Five Star Rainbow High. The tagline is “the truth is I never left you” – and this show still stays with me today.

REVIEW: EVITA at the London Palladium ★★★★★ – July 2025

2. Ride The Cyclone (Southwark Playhouse) ★★★★★

With brilliant performances and a wonderful production, this show left me beaming from ear to ear, full of excitement, having had the ride of my life!

REVIEW: Ride The Cyclone at Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★

3. Interview (Riverside Studios) ★★★★★

Interview was as thrilling as a thriller gets and with stunning performances and a beautiful set design, this is one play I implored readers to go and see.

REVIEW: Interview (Riverside Studios) – September 2025

4. FANNY (King’s Head Theatre) ★★★★★

I think Fanny has real potential to create a splash on the London theatre scene. Some people can say they were one of those people who saw Operation Mincemeat in a 50 seat theatre before it became huge – I am excited to say that I saw Fanny at the Kings Head Theatre.

REVIEW: FANNY (King’s Head Theatre) ★★★★★

5. Punch (Apollo Theatre) ★★★★★

Punch is not only brilliantly written, acted and staged but it is a true story of actions and consequences that leaves not a dry eye in the house and an educated audience who leave the theatre thinking.

REVIEW: Punch at the Apollo Theatre ★★★★★

6. THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES (Noel Coward Theatre) ★★★★★

Mischief Theatre’s The Comedy About Spies at the Noel Coward Theatre is perhaps the funniest thing I have ever seen on stage.

If you’re a fan of their work then this is them at the top of their game. If it has never particularly tickled your pickle, this may just be the one to change your mind.

THE COMEDY ABOUT SPIES (Noel Coward Theatre) ★★★★★

7. Elf The Musical (Aldwych Theatre) ★★★★★

This is, without doubt, the best version of Elf The Musical I’ve seen. There’s something about this production that hits you right in the heart, overflowing with enough festive joy to make even the bleakest sleigh soar.

🎄 Elf The Musical Review – Aldwych Theatre, London (2025)

8. Cabaret (Kit Kat Club) ★★★★★

There have been some wonderful actors cast in this production over the past few years, from Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley to the likes of Callum Scott Howells and Madeline Brewer, Luke Treadaway and Cara Delevingne to Jake Shears, Layton Williams, Rob Madge and Marisha Wallace.

However, there was something very special about this cast of Cabaret – it was perfect.

REVIEW: Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club ★★★★★ – October 2025

9. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Southwark Playhouse) ★★★★★

The entire cast of this production shocked me with how brilliant they all are as actors (and at such a young age). They each gave the part everything they had and it was a joy to watch. I left the theatre feeling ten years younger and with a little magic in my heart.

REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Southwark Playhouse ★★★★★

10. 101 DALMATIANS THE MUSICAL (Eventim Apollo) ★★★★★

This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs and even a cheeky little real puppy on stage at the end!