Best musicals for teens in London

Fun, silly, edgy, cool. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a West End musical that your flavour of teenager will love!

SIX

An absolute favourite among young theatre viewers is SIX The Musical at the Vaudeville Theatre. This fresh, high-energy, female-forward show won’t just entertain your kid, it’ll give them a new perspective on historic events.

Telling the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII from their perspectives, we’ll get a more rounded account of events, all set to incredibly catchy songs. Watch as the wives sing about their individual stories, comparing their treatment and suffering, all to determine who had it worse.

The modern twist on history has become a cult hit, as well as a critical success. SIX The Musical was nominated for five Oliver Awards and eight Tony Awards, winning two. If your kid hasn’t seen it yet, be sure to book your tickets because it really is one of the best musicals for teens in London right now.

Hamilton

If your kid hasn’t already badgered you to see this, maybe they’ve not listened to the soundtrack yet. Hamilton was a global phenomenon when it hit the Broadway stage in 2015, and the hype hasn’t stopped since. The Lin-Manuel Miranda show about the lesser-known Founding Father brought rap and hip-hop musicals into the mainstream, while emphasising the necessity for diverse casting in musical theatre.

Watch as the underdog, Alexander Hamilton, works his way up New York society and lands a position at George Washington’s side during the American Revolution, before helping the first President draft the Constitution.

This rapped through musical features Miranda’s signature word play and catchy rhythms that make people want to come back for more. Throw in the fact there have been countless TikTok trends based on the show, to be honest, we’re not sure why they’ve not forced you to go at this point. Be the cool parent and take your teen to see Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre.

RENT

The 90s are cool again! And what show is more 90s than RENT? Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking show about artists trying to make ends meet in New York rocked the musical world when it opened in 1996. The gritty yet heartfelt show features the struggles of young people trying to follow their passions in a capitalist world, but highlights the joy, hope and love experienced too.

RENT rarely comes to the West End, so don’t miss your chance! Plus Gaten Matarazzo (Stranger Things) will be starring as Mark, playing at the Duke of Yorks Theatre from September 2026. 

Though this is a teenage-friendly theatre show, the age recommendation is 14+.

Avenue Q

So they’ve moved on from Sesame Street. Bring back some of that nostalgia, but make it mature enough that they’ll feel like they’re being a bit naughty with Avenue Q at the Shaftesbury Theatre. 

Avenue Q is a tongue-in-cheek musical set in a poor area of New York. Following a young puppet who’s moving into a run-down apartment building, we see the struggles faced by young graduates… especially when they don’t choose useful degrees. Watch as the building’s residents (both human and puppet) discuss their daily hardships in the form of fun songs and a bit of bad language.

This show is suitable for children aged 14+. In addition to adult language, topics such as racism and homophobia are discussed, and it features some puppet nudity.

Heathers The Musical

Do they think their school is hell? Let them see how bad it can really be with Heathers The Musical.

Set in Westberg High, where popularity is life or death. Outsider Veronica is on the cusp of breaking into the popular gang - a group of powerful, beautiful and ruthless girls all named Heather - until a mysterious rebel called J.D. enrols at the school. With his help, Veronica takes revenge on the school’s bullies, and everything descends into chaos, with deadly consequences.

Though this is one of the best musicals for teens, please bear in mind that we mean older teenagers. There are some very dark themes within the show, and it’s recommended for children aged 14+. You can see more content warnings on our listing. Bring your older teen to Heathers The Musical at The Arts at Marble Arch. 

Best plays for teens in London

If musicals aren’t quite the teenage-friendly theatre in London you’re looking for, how about a play instead? There are loads of screen-to-stage adaptations that they’ll find it hard to resist.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Let them relive their favourite TV show with this on-stage prequel to Stranger Things at the Phoenix Theatre. 

Set in 1959, before the Upside Down, Stranger Things: The First Shadow tells the story of the town’s new family, the Creels. But settling into a new town and a new school is too much for the eldest child, Henry. As the shadows of the past spread far and wide, the unexplained starts to happen, leading to disaster.

Strange Things: The First Shadow is recommended for children aged 12+ and contains suspenseful and eerie moments.

The Hunger Games On Stage

One of the best Young Adult book series in history has landed on stage, and it is fire. Literally. There’s actual fire used in the show. The Hunger Games On Stage is an absolute physical spectacle that will make you utter, “how did they do that?”

Telling the story of Katniss Everdeen as she bravely navigates the deadly Hunger Games, it’s an action-packed nail-biter that will make them want to go straight home and re-read the books.

It’s definitely one of the hottest tickets in theatre for teenagers in London. See Hunger Games On Stage at the Troubadour Canary Wharf Theatre. 

My Neighbour Totoro

Who doesn’t love Studio Ghibli? And Totoro is the most iconic character. Bring your teen’s favourite animated character to life with this stage-adaptation of My Neighbour Totoro at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

Set in rural Japan, we follow two girls trying to come to terms with their new home and family dynamics now their mother is sick. Lonely and bored, the sisters go exploring and stumble upon a forest sprite who takes them on a magical journey through his world.

Full of nostalgia and wonder, this incredible stage adaptation will capture the imagination of any audience member, no matter their age.

Winner of six Olivier Awards and five What’s On Stage Awards, it’s not only one of the best plays for teenagers in London, it’s one of the best plays in London full stop. My Neighbour Totoro is one to see. 

This is just a fraction of the amazing teenage-friendly theatre in London right now. You can find more family-friendly musicals and shows, plus what’s on the West End currently, right here with us