To say that William Shakespeare bestrides our culture like a colossus is to chronically undersell him. Over 400 years since his death, the Stratford-born playwright is virtually uncontested as the greatest writer of English who has ever lived. Even if you’re not a fan of sixteenth century blank verse – and if not, why not? – his influence over our culture goes far beyond that of any other writer. He invented words, phrases, plots, characters, stories that are still vividly alive today; his history plays utterly shaped our understanding of our own past as a nation.
And unsurpisingly he is inescapable in London. The iconic Elizabethan recreation Shakespeare’s Globe theatre is his temple, with a year-round programme that’s about three-quarters his works. Although based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Royal Shakespeare Company regularly visit the capital, most frequently the Barbican Centre. And Shakespeare plays can be found… almost anywhere else, from the National Theatre – where they invariably run in the huge Olivier venue – to tiny fringe productions and outdoor version that pop up everywhere come the warmer months.
This page is simple: we tell you what Shakespeare plays are on in town this month (the answer is pretty much always ‘at least one’). We we tell you which of his works you can see coming up in the future. No other playwright is staged nearly enough to get his own page. But for William Shakespeare, it’s essential.
What is it? Weirdy tragicomedy Cymbeline is one hell of a play to choose for your Shakespeare debut, and rising star director Jennifer Tang somewhat flubs it with a fussy, high-concept take that does nothing to rationalise Shakespeare’s borderline-ludicrous plot.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? The Globe’s outdoor season now traditionally gets underway with a low key, truncated take on a classic Shakespeare play. These ‘Playing Shakespeare’ productions are made with secondary school children in mind but also open for the public. This year it’s Macbeth – always one of The Bard’s most action packed and thrilling works, the gory supernatural tragedy is sliced down to a lean 90 minutes.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Bridge boss Nicholas Hytner is a brilliant director of Shakespeare and Jonathan Bailey is a great stage actor. Hytner’s take on Richard II does nothing to make me think I’m wrong about either of these things. But it falls short of the rigorous textual reinvention of the typical Hytner Shakespeare revival – although he gives it a good try.
Where is it? Bridge Theatre.
What is it? Following his recent RSC hit Cowbois, Globe associate director Sean Holmes returns to the Wild West for a new take on Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy that apparently relocates the action to a world of gunslingers and desperadoes.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? The Bridge’s joyous immersive Dream from 2019 returns for 2025 with a new cast headed by JJ Feild as Oberon/Theseus, Susannah Fielding as Titania/Hippolyta, Emmanuel Akwafo as Bottom and David Moorst returning to the role of Puck/Philostrate.
Where is it? Bridge Theatre.
What is it? Michelle Terry becomes possibly the first artistic director of literally any theatre anywhere to programme Shakespeare’s comedy curio The Merry Wives of Windsor not once but twice. Following its 2019 outing, this time it’ll be directedby Globe associate director Sean Holmes, who had a great track record with the Bard’s zanier comedies.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Always charming but never mired in nostalgia, ever summer the Shakespeare in the Squares company tours a play by the Bard around some of London’s lovliest outdoor squares. This year’s choice of show is forever problematic battle of the sexes comedy The Taming of the Shrew.
Where is it? Various London squares – click through for full list.
What is it? Make what you will of this, but for the biggest name Shakespeare play in the Globe’s summer 2025 season, director Robin Belfield has opted to go for the play’s rarely deployed full name. We don’t really have any as to what’s likely from this production beyond that, though the accompanying publicity image suggests an upbeat and vibrant take on the story of shipwreck and mistaken identity.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
What is it? Perhaps one reason that there is no new writing in the 2025 Globe summer season is that there was actually a Shakespeare play lined up in the ‘we know you’re unfamiliar with this play but please hear us out’ category. Not seen in London for over a decade, Troilus and Cressida is Shakespeare’s extremely odd Trojan War drama that essentially combines a big chunk of the plot of the Illiad with a weirdy love story between the Trojan title characters that is basically just a subplot.
Where is it? Shakespeare’s Globe.
Discover Time Out original video
