Big new theatre openings in London typically pause during the summer holidays, so most major shows premiere around now. June 2026 offers an exceptional roster of the 10 best London theatre openings, so packed that one might argue it is actually the 12 best. A brilliant summer season at the National Theatre leads the way with three shows offering something for everyone. Elsewhere, the month features a gloriously varied lineup, from a massive new Frank Sinatra jukebox musical to a topical Iranian horror story.
1. War Horse / The Misanthrope / Pride
Yes, it is three shows not one, but the National Theatre has such an absurdly stacked month that it seems unfair not to include all of them, especially as they cover different bases. In the Olivier, the mighty War Horse canters back into the theatre where it was first staged in the 2000s, bringing its extraordinary spectacle to a new generation. The Lyttelton boasts The Misanthrope, an exciting modern update of Molière's classic starring the mighty Sandra Oh in her UK stage debut. Over in the Dorfman, there is Pride, where the team behind the beloved queer 2014 Britflick turns it into a new musical, marking the start of a new NT initiative to develop big musicals in its smallest theatre. War Horse runs at the National Theatre, Olivier, until July 30. The Misanthrope runs June 16 to August 1. Pride runs June 11 to September 12.
2. Under the Shadow
This was an enticing prospect when announced and has been made grimly topical by subsequent global events. Under the Shadow is a brand new stage adaptation by Carmen Nasr of Babak Anvari's acclaimed 2016 cult horror film. Set in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, it centres on a mother and daughter stalked by a malevolent entity after they refuse to evacuate the bombed city. Nadia Latif directs a cast headed by Leila Farzad. Almeida Theatre, June 2 to July 4.
3. Glengarry Glen Ross
David Mamet's 1980s classic about ferociously competitive realtors is a popular celebrity vehicle revived often, but never with a female cast. Director Patrick Marber did a traditional all-male production on Broadway last year but wanted to explore it with a female cast, and now he does so with this fresh Old Vic revival. The cast is headed by US actor Rosa Salazar as hotshot seller Ricky Roma and Indira Varma as her washed-up colleague Shelly Levene. It will be fascinating to see what a gender flip does to the testosterone-charged action. Old Vic, June 4 to July 18.
4. The Guilty
Punchdrunk boss Felix Barrett recently directed his first normal play in over a decade with West End hit Paranormal Activity. Now he returns with a stage adaptation of another film property. The original The Guilty was a 2018 Danish film remade into a higher-profile US version three years later, both concerning a lone police call centre operator dragged into a web of intrigue late at night. Adapted for the stage by Chloe Moss, this is a UK remake with Russell Tovey as the operator. Barrett's technological trickery promises to be the big draw. Donmar Warehouse, June 20 to August 15.
5. Sinatra the Musical
Paddington ran largely unchallenged as 2025's only really big musical. This year, a contest emerges as gigantic Broadway import Beetlejuice does box office battle with Sinatra the Musical, a glossy big-budget Ol' Blue Eyes bio drama that is at least superficially homegrown, though the creative team is largely American. There is reason for optimism, as jukebox musicals are now expected to tell a decent story. This one focuses on a pivotal night in Frank's career on New Year's Eve 1942, though the songlist is not short on later classics. Aldwych Theatre, booking June 3 to April 10, 2027.
6. Archduke
US playwright Rajiv Joseph is not a huge name in the UK but has enjoyed sleeper hits that often arrive well over a decade after their US premieres. Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo had its UK premiere at the Young Vic last year, 16 years after its US one; now Archduke arrives almost a decade after its US bow. It is a dark comedy about the assassins of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, directed by Lyndsey Turner with a set by Es Devlin. Royal Court Theatre, June 20 to July 25.
7. Cyrano de Bergerac
Distinctly more traditional than the minimalist Jamie Lloyd version a few years ago, this RSC production starring Adrian Lester as the big-nosed, panache-tastic romantic scored terrific notices in Stratford-upon-Avon last year. Now it heads to London for a summer stint, with Lester returning alongside Susannah Fielding as his love Roxane. It is clearly not as aggressively edgy as Lloyd's take, which some will see as a relief, but by all accounts Simon Evans and Debris Stevenson's adaptation is fresh and emotional. Noël Coward Theatre, June 13 to September 5.
8. High Society
Fans of this round-up will note that High Society made it into May's openings as well, but the opening moved to June. This is a doubtless radiantly fun Barbican revival of the classic Cole Porter musical comedy, a sort of spiritual sequel to the delicious Anything Goes that reopened the venue after the pandemic. Helen George stars as socialite Tracy Lord, with Felicity Kendal as her mum and Freddie Fox as heartthrob tabloid reporter Mike Connor. Barbican Centre, until July 11.
9. A Midsummer Night's Dream
Can you have too many Midsummer Night's Dreams? The answer is no. The fact that the Globe and the Open Air Theatre are both doing it should not cause eye-rolling, especially when Atri Bannerjee's supposedly blissful OAT production embraces the venue's twinkly charm and gives a purely delightful take on the play, not an obtuse reinvention. It also trials 12:30pm matinees to protect audiences and actors from the worst summer heat. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, June 20 to July 18.
10. The Truth
Florian Zeller's infidelity comedy The Truth debuted at the Menier Chocolate Factory a decade ago during a period of mania for the French dramatist. Zellermania seems to have cooled off, largely because he has not had a new play in ages, but this West End transfer is welcome. Lindsay Posner's Menier production is brought back with a starry new cast of Stephen Mangan, Ardal O'Hanlon, Sarah Hadland, and Janie Dee. Apollo Theatre, June 9 to September 12.
