What are the running times of West End shows?
Going to see a West End show is always a great experience, but you may need to know the running time of a production before you go. There are some shorter shows as well as mammoth-length performances in the West End. Let us take you through the running times of Theatreland to find out how long West End shows are.
Want to see a show in the middle of the week? We’ve also put a guide together of when every matinee performance happens in the West End.
Running time of West End shows
Shows with a running time of under 2 hours
Nominated for five Olivier Awards, Six is a one hour 15 minute musical whirlwind of Tudor history.
Come From Away is a whirlwind musical, with a performance time of just 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The Woman in Black has enjoyed a continuous run in the West End since 1989 and plays at the Fortune Theatre for 2 hour long performances.
Shows with a running time from 2 hours to 2 hours 29 minutes
Although it has had the longest run in the West End, performances of The Mousetrap run for 2 hours 15 minutes.
Witness for the Prosecution has a running time of 2 hours 15 minutes.
Jam-packed with Michael Jackson’s greatest hits, Thriller Live runs for 2 hours 20 minutes.
Starring Tom Burke and Hayley Atwell, Rosmersholm has a running time of 2 hours 20 minutes.
The West End transfer of Sweat at the Gielgud Theatre starring the Donmar Warehouse cast runs for 2 hours 25 minutes.
Shows with a running time from 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 44 minutes
On average, productions last for around 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval.
Saying “Hello!” to audiences, The Book of Mormon plays for 2 hours 30 minutes.
The Lion King tells the story of Simba becoming King of the Pride Lands in a musical that runs for 2 hours 30 minutes.
Running at Her Majesty’s Theatre since 1986, The Phantom of The Opera has a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Aladdin sends audiences to the fictional town of Agrabah in a show with a performing time of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Sending audiences into a rocking frenzy, School of Rock brings the battle of the bands to audiences for 2 hours 30 minutes.
9 to 5 tells the story of three female workers taking over their boss in 2 hours 30 minutes.
Only Fools and Horses is 2 hours 30 minutes including an interval.
Serving up delicious pies in the West End, Waitress has a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes.
Bringing the feel good vibes of ABBA to the West End, Mamma Mia runs for 2 hours 35 minutes.
Roald Dahl’s book comes alive in the stage adaptation of Matilda, telling the story of the gifted child in 2 hours 40 minutes.
Based on a true story, Everybody’s Talking about Jamie plays for 2 hours 40 minutes.
Shows with a running time of over 2 hours 45 minutes
With songs including “Proud Mary” and “Nutbush City Limit”, Tina the Musical celebrates the life of Tina Turner with a running time of 2 hours 45 minutes.
Transporting audiences to the Land of Oz, Wicked tells the stories of Elphaba and Glinda with a running time of 2 hours 45 minutes.
Bringing the French revolutionary era to life, Les Miserables has ran in the West End with a performance time of 2 hours 50 minutes since it first opened in 1987.
Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, Golde and his family in 2 hours 50 minutes.
Matthew Broderick makes his West End debut in The Starry Messenger, with a running time of 2 hours 50 minutes.
The running time of The Lehman Trilogy is 3 hours and 20 minutes, including two 15 minutes intervals.
