New Theatre this Month

Posted on 7 Jul 2026

The West End has a reputation for producing some of the best theatre in the world. And it’s a reputation it both earns and defends consistently. As well as being home to [*The Mousetrap*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-mousetrap-tickets) – the longest-running play in the world – London is the birthplace of many groundbreaking shows that will soon experience global success. From fresh new plays and highly anticipated transfers to innovative revivals and A-list casts, there’s always something exciting opening in London. Whether you’re making last-minute plans, want to be the first to see the next big thing, impress your friends with your theatre know-how, or you’re just curious, you can find out about all the new theatre opening this month right here with us. Every year there is a truly incredible array of shows available to see, and this month is no exception. So keep your finger on the pulse of West End plays as we dive into all of London’s new theatre this month. ## **Theatre Starting This Month** There are so many new plays opening this month in London. From West End giants to family shows, you can see it all – and book it all here while you’re at it. ### **All The Things We Can’t Explain** This community production at [Kiln Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/the-kiln-theatre) is an original piece exploring the speculative future of Kilburn. When the area starts to go through a "rejuvenation," a mysterious object appears – the bloody, beating heart of Kilburn itself. The residents go into chaos as they discover the fate of their neighbourhood is under threat, and they must come together to save the town they love. [*All The Things We Can’t Explain*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/all-the-things-we-cant-explain-tickets) opens on 31 July 2026. ### **Allegra** **Dame Maureen Lipman** stars in the new comedy, [*Allegra*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/allegra-tickets). Allegra sees the world differently. She hears it differently, too. All because she can’t stop herself from singing. Her carers are trying to look after her the best they can, but when Allegra’s musical world slips from her mind into the real world, the boundaries between imagination and reality start to blur, and her joy becomes an issue that needs to be resolved. *Allegra* opens at the [Harold Pinter Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/harold-pinter-theatre-london) on 8 July 2026. ### **Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story** For seven performances only, you can see Awkward Prods’ hilarious and ridiculous show that wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe. This is a celebration of Princess Di. It mixes drag, multimedia, audience participation, puppetry and queer joy to create a truly unique show. It’s one of the unmissable pieces of new theatre this month. [*Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/diana-the-untold-and-untrue-story) will be playing at the [Arcola Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/arcola-theatre-london) for one week only from 6 July 2026. ### **Dreamscape** This award-winning production is a truly unique and important piece of new theatre opening this month. Telling the shocking true story of the shooting of Tyisha Miller, [*Dreamscape*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/dreamscape-tickets) combines beatboxing, rap and hip-hop dance to explore how the 19-year-old was shot four times by Californian police officers in 1998. Powerful and moving, it’s a must-see for July. *Dreamscape* opens at the [Arcola Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/arcola-theatre-london) on **28 July 2026**. ### **Gruffalo** Everyone’s favourite forest beast is coming back to London just in time for the summer holidays. **Julia Donaldson** and **Axel Scheffler**’s beloved picture book is coming to life once more as [*The Gruffalo*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/gruffalo-tickets) stomps onto the [Lyric Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/lyric-theatre-london) stage. Watch as Mouse manages to trick his way out of the bellies of a bevy of predators in this uplifting and charming show. *The Gruffalo* opens on 17 July 2026.

### **Love’s Labour’s Lost** It’s not summer if you’ve not seen a **Shakespeare** play at [The Globe](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shakespeares-globe-london). And luckily for you, one of the new theatre shows opening this month is [*Love’s Labour’s Lost*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/loves-labours-lost-tickets). But this isn’t your standard production of Love’s Labour’s Lost. It’s a flamenco-inspired production by **Indiana Lown-Collins**. Celebrating human connection and romantic tension, it’s a must-see for any Shakespeare fan. *Love’s Labour’s Lost* opens at Shakespeare’s Globe on 17 July 2026. ### **Noda Map – 320°F** In this Japanese movement-forward play, you’ll go on a Faustian descent through myth, memory and bad ideas. [*Noda Map - 320**°F*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/noda-map-320-fahrenheit-tickets) opens at [Sadler’s Wells](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/sadlers-wells-london) on 2 July 2026. ### **The Oresteia** First performed in Athens in 458 BCE, [*The Oresteia*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/oresteia-tickets) may be one of the oldest plays in recorded history, but this is a brand new show opening this month. Adapted by **Simon Stone** (fresh from his critically acclaimed production of *The Lady of the Sea*), The Oresteia is a gripping and tense story about the House of Atreus. After returning from the war, Agamemnon is murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra. To exact revenge, their son Orestes kills her, only to be hunted by the Furies for the crime. Told as a trilogy, it’s an intense theatrical experience that’s not to be missed. *The Oresteia* opens at the [Bridge Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/bridge-theatre-london) on **15 July 2026**. ### **The Smile of Her** Hold on to your hats because Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning actress Christine Lahti is bringing her new show, [*The Smile of Her*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/the-smile-of-her-tickets), to the [Marylebone Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/marylebone-theatre-london) this month. The achingly personal autobiographical show is set to bring humour and rage together while it confronts familial values, misogyny, and the consequences of being "a good girl" all your life. Make sure not to miss one of the hottest new theatre shows this month in London. ### **Tilly No-Body** Confronting toxic relationships, co-dependency, and silencing women, [*Tilly No-Body*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/play/tilly-no-body-tickets) is a powerful performance by **Bella Merlin** based on her own lived experiences of surviving coercive domestic violence. It opens at the [Arcola Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/arcola-theatre-london) on 4 July 2026 for a strictly limited run.