School trips to London theatres typically need a show that ties to a curriculum text, fits into a school day, and is suitable for the age group travelling. The list below is a rolling editor's pick of what is currently playing.
Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11)
- Matilda the Musical - the most-used school musical of the last decade for a reason.
- The Lion King - good for art and music links as well as English.
- Horrible Histories Live - explicit history curriculum tie-ins.
Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14)
- Shakespeare productions at the Globe, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse and the RSC's London transfers.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - frequent National Theatre and tour revivals.
- SIX - eighty minutes, no interval, history curriculum.
Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16)
- A View from the Bridge, An Inspector Calls and other set-text revivals when they tour or transfer.
- National Theatre productions of Othello and Macbeth.
- Hamilton - paired with US Studies, History and English programmes.
Most West End venues run a schools booking team and group rates. The TodayTix Education programme is a good first stop if you have not used it before.