The best LGBTQIA+ gay theatre shows and gay plays in London can be found at the following venues and if you’d like to purchase theatre tickets then please click on the link to the Theatre where you’ll find theatre tickets.
Best Gay LGBTQ+ Queer Theatre in London for September 2024 onwards
Frank’s Closet at Wilton’s Music Hall, 3 – 14 September 2024
★★★★★ ‘A wonderful invention, rich in comedy…. Everything about this production is spectacularly good.’ Curtain Call Reviews. The cult hit musical is back at Wilton’s Music Hall. It’s a glittering, eccentric, high-camp tribute to musical theatre. This show is considered a classic of 21st-century British musical theatre. Picture seven Divas, a closet full of frocks, a riotous blush of Gaiety Girls, and the slightly bemused, but always dashing, Frank, who is on the verge of matrimony. Add a collection of glorious and original songs that draw inspiration from the great British, Broadway (and Swedish) songbooks, and you have Frank’s Closet. It’s an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of love, London, and musical theatre. Use promo code DIVA20 at check-out to get 20% OFF stalls and balcony seats (aka the best seats in the house).
Tickets: http://www.wiltons.org.uk/whatson/899-frank-s-closet
Wilton’s Music Hall, Graces Alley, London E1 8JB, United Kingdom.
The Real Ones at Bush Theatre, 6 September – 19 October 2024
Olivier award-winning writer Waleed Akhtar’s new play will premiere at the Bush Theatre. The Real Ones is a funny and honest love letter to platonic soulmates centred on the relationship between Zaid, a young gay man, and Neelam, his straight female friend. It’s a relatable, funny, emotional story taking us from our student days to our mid-thirties, and two South Asian people are experiencing the challenges of self-acceptance and being accepted by their families. Waleed says, “I think we often prioritise romantic loves, but friendships are some of the greatest loves of my life.”
Tickets: https://www.bushtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/
Bush Theatre, 7 Uxbridge Road, London W12 8LJ, United Kingdom.
Small Town Boys at the Union Theatre, 10 September – 5 October 2024
The world premiere of Tim McArthur’s Small Town Boys is based on a true story, which follows two strangers as they reminisce about growing up as gay men in their hometown of Middlesborough. The men discover they both dated the same boy at the same time when they were teenagers, unaware of each other’s existence. The show explores the journey of first love and how it’s not always what it seems.
Tickets: http://uniontheatre.biz/show/small-town-boys/
Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 0LR, United Kingdom.
Antony and Cleopatra – A Dream Of Passion at The Divine Basement, 12 – 27 September 2024
Robert Chevara directs a unique production of Antony and Cleopatra featuring an all-male cast. The play offers a dream-like interpretation of Shakespeare’s classic love story. The roles include William McGeough as Antony, Jonny Woo as Cleopatra, Alexis Gregory as Charmian, and Jonathan Blake as Dolabella. The performance takes place in a site-specific setting, staged in the basement club of The Divine. The explosive relationship between the characters unfolds in the confined space of a nightclub, set against a backdrop of neon lights, pulsing techno music, occasional karaoke interludes, and psychedelic drugs. The production aims to be both dizzying and electrifying, all while maintaining the unmatched poetic verse of Shakespeare at its core.
Tickets: https://thedivine.co.uk
The Divine, 33 Stoke Newington Road, London N16 8BJ, United Kingdom
Darling Boy at Camden Peoples’ Theatre, 18 & 19 September 2024
Darling Boy feels like he’s failing in his 20s. He hates the apps and can’t do clubs or casual sex. He’s also trying to get over his first love, and there is so much he and his family aren’t talking about. It’s a hugely relatable comedy-drama about connection and loneliness. “A deeply textured rendering of the complexity and plurality of life for young gay men in modern times” Edinburgh Reporter.
Tickets: https://cptheatre.co.uk/whatson/Darling-Boy
Camden People’s Theatre, 58 – 60 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PY, United Kingdom.
Cock by Mike Bartlett at The Tower Theatre, 18 – 28 September 2024
The Olivier Award-winning play Cock, written by Mike Bartlett, is both funny and poignant. It´s a sharp focus on the meaning of gender, sexuality, and relationships in the twent-first century. John has always known he is gay, so how is it possible that he has fallen in love with a woman? How will he tell the man he has lived with for years about this? Can a person truly love two people simultaneously, and do we really understand what makes us feel the way we do? Is it possible to love two people simultaneously, and do we really know what makes us feel the way we do? QX promo code gets you 10% OFF all standard tickets. Simply quote QX10 at the checkout.
Tickets: https://www.towertheatre.org.uk/cock/
The Tower Theatre, Northwold Road, London N16 7HR, United Kingdom.
Section 28 and Me at Camden Peoples’ Theatre, 27 & 28 September 2024
This heartfelt show explores what it was like growing up during Section 28. Section 28 was in place from 1988 to 2003 and was legislation that stopped schools from mentioning queer life. This is a playful, honest and heartfelt portrait based on Theatre maker Tom Marshman’s personal experience and his research in the queer community.
Tickets: https://cptheatre.co.uk/whatson/Darling-Boy
Camden People’s Theatre, 58 – 60 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PY, United Kingdom.
Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope at The Other Palace, 1 October 2024
In his acclaimed solo play Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope, Mark Farrelly brings us an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York. From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable queer figures of the 20th century. Openly queer in the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being roughed up on London’s streets for refusing to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, still inspire us today. “An uncanny feat of resurrection. Farrelly’s mastery of his audience is total” – Time Out.
Tickets: https://theotherpalace.co.uk/quentin-crisp-naked-hope/
The Other Palace Theatre, 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA, United Kingdom.
Gay Pride and No Prejudice at Union Theatre, 8 October – 2 November 2024
Darcy has loved Bingley since they were boys, but if he admits his love, will Bingley and the judgemental lens of adulthood cast him out of Society? Bingley attempts to fall for the demure and lovely Jane Bennet while Darcy, already suffering, falls foul of Jane’s sister, the not-at-all demure Elizabeth (Lizzie). Lizzie is outspoken in her wish for gender equality. Peppered with comedy, Gay Pride and No Prejudice is the story of two men and one woman’s struggle for acceptance in an era when the few had the right to judge the many.
Tickets: http://uniontheatre.biz/show/gay-pride-and-no-prejudice/
Union Theatre, Old Union Arches, 229 Union Street, London SE1 0LR, United Kingdom.
Limp Wrist & The Iron Fist at Brixton House, 9 – 12 October 2024
Set in London, Limp Wrist & The Iron Fist is a vibrant celebration of Black queer identities. This is a community that is rich with cultural history and diversity. The show explores themes of love, resilience, and self-discovery and encourages young Black gay men to embrace their culture, race, religion, and sexuality. Limp Wrist & The Iron Fist also presents the reality of a real male body.
Tickets: https://brixtonhouse.co.uk/shows/housemates-2024-limp-wrist-the-iron-fist/
Brixton House, 385 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9 8GL, United Kingdom.
Queen Bette at King’s Head Theatre, 5 – 23 November 2024
Jeanette Cronin plays the legendary movie star Bette Davis after sold-out performances across Australia. Bette Davis is one of the 20th century’s most iconic and talented film actors. In this one-woman show, Queen Bette traces Bette Davis’s incredible journey from a budding stage actress to a Hollywood legend. Directed by Peter Mountford, this intimate cabaret-style performance explores her battles with Warner Studios for artistic independence and highlights Davis’s fascination with Queen Elizabeth I. She portrayed Queen Elizabeth twice during her career. With four husbands, two Oscars, and a notorious reputation as Hollywood’s biggest “bitch,” Bette Davis’s life was as dramatic off-screen as on. Queen Bette captures it all. Australian actress Jeanette Cronin returns to the role she was born to play in this captivating exploration of Hollywood’s golden era and the challenges faced by women in the industry. “For fans of Bette Davis, Queen Bette is a must.” – Theatre Diary
Tickets: https://kingsheadtheatre.com/whats-on/queen-bette
King’s Head Theatre, Islington Square, 116 Upper Street, The Angel, London N1 1AB, United Kingdom.
Premier LGBTQIA+ Gay Theatre In London:
VENUE CLOSED AboveTheStag Theatre London
An independent Charity and Theatre Company serving the LGBTQIA+ community and its supporters. It is the only designated queer theatre in London and is located in Vauxhall. It´s very convenient for after theatre drinks at one of the many gay venues in the area, so you have an excellent opportunity to make a night of it. The theatre is London’s delightful LGBT thespian oasis. A gorgeous corner of performance and campery, and they’re the only theatre in the UK that’s exclusively LGBT-focused! They also have a very nice bar so you can enjoy pre-theatre and interval drinks, plus bar snacks.
To purchase LGBT+ theatre tickets visit the QXTickets portal with links to theatre websites that are currently staging LGBT+ gay theatre London.
The Soho Theatre London
Soho Theatre is one of the country’s busiest venues with a year-round festival programme of theatre, comedy and cabaret featuring several gay plays. There are six shows a night across three stages, with a very popular bar. The Theatre is based in the heart of gay soho and a very gay friendly theatre in the heart of Soho that includes a lot of queer theatre content in its programming. Tickets at The Soho Theatre
Soho-Theatre-Whats-On-LGBT
The Pleasance Theatre London
Located in Islington, The Pleasance Theatre has three production spaces. Mainhouse: Capacity 230. Downstairs: Capacity 75. Stagespace: Capacity 54. This Off-West End theatre welcomes artists at all stages of their careers with a commitment to new work that pushes boundaries. They stage several LGBTQ and gay theatre shows every year. Tickets at The Pleasance Theatre
Park Theatre London
Located very close to Finsbury Park station, Park Theatre describes themselves as a neighbourhood theatre with a global ambition. They focus on staging a mix of both new writing and modern revivals. This stunning playhouse aims to stage content that resonates and reflects the world around them and the neighbourhoods close by. This London Theatre therefore includes a lot of LGBTQ+, queer and gay theatre in their programming. Located very close to Finsbury Park station, Park Theatre describes themselves as a neighbourhood theatre with a global ambition. They focus on staging a mix of both new writing and modern revivals. This stunning playhouse aims to stage content that resonates and reflects the world around them and the neighbourhoods close by. Tickets at the Park Theatre
Kings Head Theatre
Located in Upper Street, Islington and established in 1970, The King´s Head was the first pub theatre to be founded since Shakepeare’s day and has staged numerous LGBTQ+ and gay plays in it. The pub is a cozy traditional Victorian pub and a great place to meet up. In the winter customers get to enjoy a roaring fire! The theatre is located at the back. This is the Theatre where Hugh Grant made his acting debut. The Theatre is firmly committed to equality and diversity in everything it does. It regularly stages LGBTQI+ gay theatre shows and will run a whole season of gay theatre in London. Tickets at The Kings Head Theatre
Brixton House Theatre
As they embark on a new journey as Brixton House, the team told QX, “we are proud to continue expanding on Ovalhouse Theatre’s renowned legacy for creating safe-spaces for artists across the LGBTQI+ community and beyond, to authentically create and fearlessly share their voices with audiences keen to hear their stories.” Tickets at Brixton House.
The Other Palace Theatre
A theatre situated 3 minutes for Victoria tube. There is a 300-seat Main Theatre space and a smaller Studio space that accommodates up to 120 people. They offer a varied programme of drama, musical theatre, cabaret and jazz. There is also an excellent restaurant and bar. Tickets at The Other Palace.
The Vaults
London’s home for immersive theatre and alternative arts is set in a maze of disused railway arches under Waterloo Station and regularly puts on LGBTQ+ focused shows and gay plays in London. They are on a mission to inspire. Tickets at The Vaults
Southwark Playhouse
The Playhouse is 5 minutes from Borough Station in an area with excellent eateries. Described as quirky and classy at the same time (The Stage), the theatre has two distinctive theatre spaces. They seek to showcase the U.K.’s best up and coming talent in London, including queer theatre, offering such talent the opportunity to present their first fully realised productions. Content focuses on reinterpreting classic plays and contemporary plays of note. Tickets at the Southwark Playhouse
The Donmar Warehouse
This is a 251-seat, not-for-profit theatre in Covent Garden, and they have won more than 100 awards in their 27-year history. They bring together a wide variety of people in an intimate warehouse space. For this theatre representation really matters. Tickets at The Donmar Warehouse.
Other Theatres that stage excellent LGBTQIA+ gay theatre shows in London:
ICA
The Apollo Theatre : Everybody´s talking about Jamie
Charing Cross Theatre
Leicester Square Theatre
And many other fantastic gay theatres across London…
Please send press releases for LGBTQ+ gay plays in London and LGBTQ+ gay theatre London releases to info@euroworldwidemedia.co.uk
Other sources of London gay plays and London gay theatre shows in London
