Best Musical Theatre Shows Touring the UK
Musical theatre is one of the most popular forms of live entertainment in the UK, and you do not need to go to London to see a world-class production. The biggest musicals regularly embark on national tours, visiting theatres in cities and towns from Edinburgh to Plymouth. Touring musicals bring the spectacle, the talent, and the excitement of the West End to stages across the country, often at significantly lower ticket prices.
How musical theatre touring works in the UK
When a major musical goes on tour, the production company assembles a cast through open auditions, builds a touring set designed to fit multiple theatre stages, and schedules a route covering dozens of venues over many months. The largest tours carry everything with them: sets, costumes, lighting rigs, sound equipment, and a full orchestra. Production values match or come close to the West End original.
Tours are typically produced by the same companies behind the West End or Broadway originals. Cameron Mackintosh, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group, Delfont Mackintosh, and ATG are among the most prolific touring producers. New shows from emerging producers also tour, alongside revivals of classic musicals.
Types of musical theatre on tour
Long-running West End hits
Shows that have achieved long runs in the West End frequently launch national tours. These are typically the safest bets for a guaranteed good night out, as the productions have been refined over hundreds of performances. Audiences know and love the songs, the sets are spectacular, and the touring casts are hand-picked for quality.
New musicals
Some musicals are created specifically for touring or premiere on tour before potentially transferring to the West End. Seeing a show on its first tour is exciting because the production feels fresh and the buzz is palpable. Keep an eye on announcements from major producers for details of new touring musicals.
Revivals and classic musicals
Beloved musicals from past decades are regularly revived for new tours. These give audiences the chance to see shows they may have missed first time around, often with updated staging and fresh interpretations. Classic titles draw multigenerational audiences, with parents introducing children to shows they loved growing up.
Where to see touring musicals in the UK
Major touring venues include the Birmingham Hippodrome, Manchester Palace Theatre, Edinburgh Playhouse, Bristol Hippodrome, Sunderland Empire, Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, the Lowry in Salford, and the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. These are the venues where the biggest productions with the largest sets tend to play.
Smaller touring musicals visit mid-scale theatres in towns like Woking (New Victoria Theatre), Bromley (Churchill Theatre), and Stoke-on-Trent (Regent Theatre). Even if you do not live near a major city, there is a good chance a touring musical will visit a venue within reasonable travelling distance.
How to book touring musical tickets
The most popular touring musicals sell out quickly, so book as soon as tickets go on sale. Sign up for email newsletters from your local theatre to receive on-sale alerts. Venues often offer priority booking to members or subscribers.
Ticket prices for touring musicals are generally lower than equivalent West End seats. Stalls seats for a major touring musical typically range from £30 to £70, depending on the show and the venue. Midweek performances are usually the most affordable, while Saturday evenings are the most expensive. Many venues offer group booking discounts for parties of ten or more.
If you are on a tight budget, check whether the venue offers concession prices for students, under-25s, over-60s, or people on low incomes. Some venues also have day seats or last-minute ticket schemes.
What to expect from a touring musical
Touring musicals aim to deliver the same experience as the originating production. The sets are designed to be assembled and dismantled quickly but still look impressive on stage. Casts are selected through rigorous auditions, and the performers on tour are talented professionals. Do not assume a touring cast is second-best; many actors move between West End and touring engagements throughout their careers.
Sound quality at touring venues can sometimes differ from the West End original, as each theatre has its own acoustic characteristics. Production teams adjust their equipment for each venue, but you may notice subtle differences if you have seen the same show in London.
For more information about touring shows, see our guide to touring productions in UK cities. To explore London theatre, read our guide to West End shows. Browse the Tickts homepage to find upcoming musical theatre events near you.
Touring schedules are announced throughout the year and are subject to change. Check the producing company's website and your local theatre's listings for confirmed dates.
