Planning a romantic evening in the capital? Look no further than London’s world-class theatre scene for an unforgettable date night! From captivating storytelling and dazzling performances to something hilariously different the city has the perfect blend of shows that are guaranteed to deliver a truly special experience for you and your significant other. Here is our short list of ‘something different’ that is available to book now!
Janie Dee Beautiful World Cabaret
Olivier Award winner Janie Dee brings her critically acclaimed Beautiful World Cabaret to Charing Cross Theatre with a series of rip-roaring, star-studded shows that aim to raise awareness of our relationship with nature. With seventeen shows packed into a busy nine days from 5 to 13 July, each evening is a carefully crafted collage of songs, stories and standout numbers beautifully delivered by Janie and her team of talented performers.
No two shows are the same and each artist brings their own individual light to their cabaret evening, performing playful songs, reading poems and engaging with the audience through conversations that talk about the love of nature and bring inspiration, information and hope. With plenty of wit and mischief, each performance is sincere and playful and wise and by the end of the night, it’s clear that Beautiful World Cabaret is more than just a lovely evening of music but it also feels like a night spend with friends and a reminder of small glimmers of joy that are all around us, and that we can all make a difference if we try.
Full show schedule is available on the theatre website. Tickets from £29.
Till the Stars Come Down
This Olivier Award nominated show just transferred from the National Theatre to the beautiful Theatre Royal Haymarket for 13 weeks only. Set over the course of one wedding day in a small working-class town, the play drops us into the chaos and tenderness of a family trying (and often failing) to hold it together. In Till the Stars Come Down, playwright Beth Steel takes the happiest day in a family’s calendar and cracks it open, revealing the tensions, loyalties, and unspoken grief simmering underneath. The result is a sharply funny, deeply humane play with a brilliant cast that includes Julian Kostov, who was in season 3 of The White Lotus, and Dot Atkinson, who is in BBC’s Ludwig.
With on-stage seating available, audience members are given the opportunity to feel like they are close to this family and very much part of their ‘wedding of the year’. This is a bold, funny and heartfelt play that celebrates the chaos of being human — and reminds us why, despite everything, we still gather together.
Till the Stars Come Down is running at the Theatre Royal Haymarket until 27 September 2025. Tickets from £20 available throughout the run. Suitable for ages 14+.
The Empire Strips Back
The Empire Strips Back is at the iconic Riverside Studios is every bit as outrageous, cheeky, and visually dazzling as fans of both burlesque and the classic Star Wars films could hope for. From sultry Stormtroopers to a dominatrix Darth Vader, this adults only show delivers a high-energy spectacle that has the power to transport the audience to a world of burlesque fantasy that’s in equal parts comedy, choreography, and cosplay. Read our full review here.
The Empire Strips Back is produced by Foster Entertainment and Neil Gooding Productions in partnership with Fever. The show is at the Hammersmith Riverside Studios until 17 August 2025. Tickets from £29. Age requirement: 18+ . Duration: 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission.
For the latest reviews, updates and recommendations follow @younglondonist on Instagram. For our selection of London theatre and performing arts shows for children and families please visit our Theatre & Dance page.