Best Shakespeare plays being performed live in London this year

But now, it’s time to heal those wounds and rediscover your love for Britain’s biggest playwright.

This year, we’re spoilt for choice with the number of Shakespeare plays to see across the UK. Whether it’s in the historic Globe Theatre, his birthplace Stratford-upon-Avon or on tour, there’s plenty of ways to see one of his iconic plays.

There’s also a variety of adaptations to suit any kind of theatregoer. Some will be very classic versions for the more traditional viewer, like productions at The Globe, while others are really pushing the boat out this year, like Jamie Lloyd's Much Ado About Nothing.

As a medium, Shakespeare has been reimagined so many times and in so many ways which means you’ll never really run out of original performances to see. Plus, the Bard's birthday (23rd April) is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate than by buying tickets to a new Shakespeare production?

So, to help you answer the question of to buy or not to buy, we’ve put together this list of the best Shakespeare plays to see in 2025. We’ve also thrown in some Shakespeare-themed experiences and tours to please the bard-core fans out there.

If you’re a theatre fan, why not take a look at the best West End shows to see in 2025, the biggest celebrity names coming to the West End in 2025 or find the best kids theatre shows.

Check out more of the best musicals on tour UK and the best open air theatre shows.

Best London Shakespeare plays at a glance:

• Cymbeline, from £6
• Romeo and Juliet, from £8
• The Merry Wives of Windsor, from £8
• Rough Magic - Globe, from £8
• Twelfth Night, or What You Will, from £8
• Trolius and Cressida, from £8
• Richard III, from £17.60
• Richard II, from £24
• Much Ado About Nothing, from £60

Best Shakespeare plays in London to see in 2025

Cymbeline

• 17th Jan – 20th Apr 2025

Shakespeare’s late, tragic comedy of love and rebellion, has returned for the first time in ten years. If you want to experience a lesser-known Shakespeare work in a beautiful theatre (London's only candlelit theatre), then don't miss out on tickets!

Buy Cymbeline tickets from £6 at LOVEtheatre

Romeo and Juliet

• 25th April – 2nd August 2025

This classic Shakespeare tragedy is getting a brand-new perspective in Sean Holmes's production. This time we're heading to the Wild West for an exciting showdown between the Montagues and Capulets, featuring saloon brawls and gunfights. Hold onto your (cowboy) hats!

Buy Romeo and Juliet tickets from £8 at TodayTix

The Merry Wives of Windsor

• 4th July – 20th September 2025

Fun fact: despite being one of Shakespeare's lesser-known plays, The Merry Wives of Windsor served as the inspiration behind the 2006 rom-com John Tucker Must Die.

This summer you can watch the original in all its glory, as Sir John Falstaff finds himself by the two wealthy ladies he's attempting to double cross.

Buy The Merry Wives of Windsor tickets at TodayTix

Rough Magic - Globe

• 19th July – 23rd August 2025

One for the kids this time. If you're looking for a way to keep your childrens' brains engaged and learning over the summer holidays, why not use this time to introduce them to the works of Shakespeare?

Rough Magic is a show specially targeted at children, based on the famous three witches from Macbeth. Be prepared to come dressed up as your favourite magical creature.

Buy Rough Magic - Globe tickets from £8 at TodayTix

Twelfth Night, or What You Will

• 8th August – 25th October 2025

This bittersweet comedy is one of Shakespeare's most popular plays. The playwright does what he does best here, weaving a tangled web of love and desires that turns into a glorious tale showcasing the power of love and freedom.

Buy Twelfth Night, or What You Will tickets from £8 at TodayTix

Trolius and Cressida

• 26th September – 25th October 2025

Trolius and Cressida is a lesser-performed Shakespeare drama, so it's best to grab tickets to see it while you can. This genre-defying satire takes place eight years after Trojan prince Troilus falls deeply in love with Cressida, and it explores the cult of celebrity, even as far back as ancient Greece and Troy.

Buy Trolius and Cressida tickets from £8 at TodayTix

Richard II

• 10th Feb – 10th May 2025 – Bridge Theatre

Jonathan Bailey is swapping Bridgerton for Bolingbroke this year, as he will be appearing in a brand-new London production of Richard II. This is one of Shakespeare's lesser-known works, which tells the exciting tale of a disastrous king and the plot to destroy him.

Buy Richard II tickets from £24 at London Theatre Direct

Richard III

13th May – 17th May 2025 – Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre

You've heard of Richard II, now get ready for Richard III! Shakespeare takes on the tale of the next King Richard in this play focusing on a villain who manipulated his way to the throne, which is part history and part tragedy.

Buy Richard III tickets from £17.60 at ATG Tickets

Much Ado About Nothing

• 10th Feb – 5th Apri 2025 – Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Jamie Lloyd is back once again with a Shakespeare production starring a big name of the silver screen. This time, Shakespeare's beloved comedy will star Tom Hiddleston.

Buy Much Ado About Nothing tickets from £60 at London Theatre Direct

Taking a loved one to see a Shakespeare play would be a brilliant birthday gift, and for more gift inspiration, take a look at the best experience birthday gifts and top London experience gifts.

More Shakespeare plays and other live experiences in 2025

Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour for Two

If history’s more your thing than literature, you can honour the Bard in another way by going on the Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour.

With an expert guide, who was once a Shakespearian actor, you can follow the footsteps of the playwright as he lived in 16th century London and learn all about his works and troubled personal life.

Buy Shakespeare in the City Walking Tour for Two for £31 at Virgin Experience Days

The Swan at The Globe afternoon tea for two

Right next to Shakespeare's Globe is the historic Swan restaurant, which gives you not only one of the best views of the River Thames around, but also a beautiful afternoon tea to enjoy. We dare anyone to bite their thumb in the direction of these scrumptious scones.

Buy The Swan at The Globe Afternoon Tea for £70 at Virgin Experience Days

Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour

If you find yourself in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, you can take a closer look at the Bard’s childhood with a tour of his schoolroom and the Guildhall. The interactive experience lets you sit in the very room where Shakespeare studied as a boy, plus you can take part in a Tudor-style lesson and even dress up in period costume for a selfie.

Buy Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall Entry Ticket and Tour for £13 from Viator

Shakespeare Distillery Tour

Learn the secrets of gin making and find out how the spirits were produced in the Tudor period in this Shakespeare Distillery Tour. You’ll get to sample and discover the process of Stratford gin, and you can walk around the distillery at your leisure.

Buy Shakespeare Distillery Tour for £19.50 at Viator

Stratford-upon-Avon Audio Walking Tour

If you fancy taking the lead yourself, you can simply grab an audio guide and wander around Stratford-upon-Avon as you please. Put together by an expert literature historian, you’ll get information on all the town’s most iconic buildings and get a closer look into all the facets of Shakespeare’s life.

Buy Stratford-upon-Avon Audio Walking Tour for £6.99 at Viator

If RadioTimes.com be the food of love, read on, and find our guides on the best steam train experiences and the best murder mystery experiences.

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