
Giovanna Fletcher, actress, author and host of Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, shares her favourite shows to help you plan your next great night out.

Paddington The Musical
98%
55 ratings
OK, I’m majorly biased here because my husband wrote all the songs for this BUT Paddington The Musical has so much heart, warmth and joy that it’s impossible to go along and not weep, laugh and fall in love with the cutest bear on the block!

John Proctor Is the Villain
The National’s West End transfer of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible was a massive success, so I predict this fresh new take from Kimberly Belflower is also going to go down a storm. The show promises ‘pop music’, ‘optimism’ and ‘dark secrets’… yes please!

Teeth 'n' Smiles
Self Esteem is a total powerhouse who has a lot of empowering things to say. She’s a creative that makes you stop, listen and think. So I’m chuffed that she’s heading up the revival of this David Harewood play that was first put on 50 years ago – with Helen Mirren in the original cast! I love that this revival is coming with new songs written by Self Esteem. It’s certainly going to be a show we’re all talking about!

Cabaret
92%
1.8k ratings
I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never made it along to the Kit Kat Club BUT 2026 is my year. This show always announces the most exciting casts, bringing new energy to a musical that’s sexy and wild. I cannot wait to FINALLY see it!

Starlight Express
92%
1.6k ratings
My eldest son made their stage debut as Control earlier this year, meaning I got to see this production in Wembley a LOT! So much to see and lots of fun for the whole family.

Avenue Q
Oh it’s naughty, silly and very clever. I got to see this 20 years ago and I’m so glad it’s still going strong! The character work using the puppets is sublime.

Hadestown
90%
2k ratings
Wow. Just wow. I went to Nicola Roberts’ press night and the whole thing just blew me away. The musicality and artistry within the piece makes it so special.

Beetlejuice
As a family we’ve been listening to the Broadway cast recording of this musical for a very long time. It’s so funny and quirky. Get ready to laugh along to some very dark humour.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow
93%
2.7k ratings
I wasn’t sure how they were going to bring such an iconic series to life on stage, but this creation is full of the same intensity, gore and nostalgia that we love. Brilliantly scary storytelling which had me watching through my fingers at points.

Ivanov
My West End debut was in the Donmar’s West End season at the Wyndhams alongside Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hiddleston in 2008. The play? Ivanov, of course. So I’m thrilled it’s making a return! Chris Pine is a phenomenal actor and The Bridge is such an exciting venue. Who knows what fun ways will be created to retell this classic Chekhov play, which is billed as a ‘bold’ adaptation from playwright Simon Stone.