In London's West End, where stories comes to life, there are a few plays that have captured the hearts of audiences for an astonishing number of years. These productions have not only stood the test of time but have also broken records, becoming legendary in their own right. From the gripping murder mystery of The Mousetrap to the chaotic goodness of The Play That Goes Wrong, here are some of the longest running West End plays.
The Mousetrap
- A legendary whodunit written by Agatha Christie, The Mousetrap is a murder mystery that first hit the stage in London's West End in 1952.
- The Mousetrap holds the record for being the longest-running show in the history of West End, boasting an impressive 28,915 performances as of November 2022.
- If you catch this thrilling production at St Martin's Theatre, don't forget to snap a photo next to the wooden counter in the theatre foyer. It displays the total number of performances.
West St, London WC2H 9NZ, United Kingdom
The Play That Goes Wrong
- The Play That Goes Wrong premiered in 2014 at the Duchess Theatre, completing 3000 performances on 19 January 2023.
- A tribute to the art of theatre and a parody of the whodunit genre, The Play That Goes Wrong is the story of an amateur theatre troupe that aspires to stage a murder mystery.
- However, as the name suggests, in their chaotic attempts to stage a play many things go wrong.
- The show holds the titles of the longest-running play at Duchess Theatre and the longest-running comedy in West End.
3-5 Catherine St, London WC2B 5LA, United Kingdom
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong played at West End's Apollo Theatre from December 2015 to February 2016, starring the original cast of The Play That Goes Wrong.
- It had a subsequent run from 2019-2020 at Alexandra Palace Theatre.
- The play follows the characters from The Play That Goes Wrong in their hilariously chaotic attempt to stage J M Barrie's 'Peter and Wendy'.
- Peter Pan Goes Wrong returns to Lyric Theatre on November 23, 2023.
29 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 7ES, United Kingdom
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child turned 7 years old on 30 July 2023 at the Palace Theatre.
- This hit play began its run in 2016 and has been watched by 1.5 million attendees.
- The 8th story in the Harry Potter series delves into the lives of Harry and his son, Albus Severus Potter as they navigate the waters of family, fame and legacy.
- Unbeknownst to them, sinister forces lurk in the background threatening to destroy the Wizarding World.
113 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5AY, United Kingdom
Witness for the Prosecution
- Witness for the Prosecution is a story and a show authored by the iconic Agatha Christie.
- The play debuted at London County Hall in 2017 with an innovative courtroom staging.
- The story unfolds in London and centres on the trial of Leonard Vole, charged with the murder of wealthy widow Emily French.
- The critically acclaimed production is set to celebrate its 6th year in 2023, securing its status as the London County Hall’s longest-running play.
Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7GP, United Kingdom
Honourable Mentions
Although these two productions playing at the West End anymore, they have stood the test of time, entertaining audiences for decades. "The Woman in Black" boasts an impressive 33-year run and over 13,000 spine-chilling performances. Its horror-thriller plot follows a lawyer who finds himself face-to-face with a vengeful ghost in a remote village.
If you found this article interesting, you might also want to check out Timeless Hits: The Longest-Running West End Musicals and Headout's A – Z London Theatres Guide.
