Avenue Q
Avenue Q returns to the West End for the first time in 20 years, bringing irreverent humour, mischievous puppets and outrageously bold songs to the Shaftesbury Theatre. Follow Princeton and his quirky neighbours as they navigate adulthood, love and identity on the most chaotic street in New York. Packed with big laughs, clever satire and surprisingly fuzzy heart, this Tony Award-winning musical comedy from Robert Lopez (The Book of Mormon) is the perfect feel-good night out. Book now for its strictly limited run!
FIND TICKETS
Booking from 11 May 2026 until 29 August 2026
Box Office Contacts
| Box Office: | +44 (0) 20 7379 5399 |
| Access Booking: | +44 (0) 20 7379 5399 |
| Group Booking: | 020 7379 5399 |
| Stage Door: | 020 7379 3345 |
History
Designed by prolific theatre architect Bertie Crewe, the Shaftesbury Theatre first opened in 1911 under the name of the New Prince’s Theatre, with a production of The Three Musketeers. In 1914, the building was renamed the Prince’s Theatre and housed several Gilbert and Sullivan operas.
Early productions at the venue included a well-received production of Funny Face (1928), starring Fred and Adele Astaire, Diplomacy (1933), starring Basil Rathbone, The Rose of Persia (1935), the ballet Carmen (1949), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1962) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1963-1964).
In 1973, part of the theatre ceiling fell down, forcing early closure of musical Hair, which had been running at the venue since 1968. Following repairs, the theatre reopened with a production of West Side Story (1974), followed by They’re Playing Our Song (1980-1982), Follies (1987-1989) and Out of Order (1990).
Subsequent productions included a series of musicals such as Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992-1993), starring Chita Rivera, Carousel (1993-1994), Eddie Izzard: Definite Article (1995), Tommy (1996-1997), Rent (1998) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003-2004), starring Amanda Holden and Maureen Lipman.
Since then, a variety of shows have graced the Shaftesbury Theatre stage, including Bat Boy: The Musical (2004-2005), Fame: The Musical (2007), Hairspray: The Musical (2007-2010), starring Michael Ball, Burn the Floor (2010), Flashdance (2010-2011) and Derren Brown – Svengali (2011).
Following this, the theatre became synonymous with hosting large-scale musicals, with revivals and premieres that included Rock of Ages (2011-2013), From Here to Eternity (2013-2014), The Pajama Game (2014-2015), Memphis (2014-2015), starring Beverley Knight and Matt Cardle, and The Illusionists (2015).
Broadway import Motown: The Musical opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2016 and will entertain audiences until April 2019, followed by a UK tour. International magic show The Illusionists will run for a limited summer season.
Autumn 2019 saw new pop musical & Juliet by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Max Martin take to the stage, following a hugely successful premiere in Manchester. The theatre closed its doors in March 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and remained closed until May 2021.
In June 2021, Broadway cult phenomenon Be More Chill played a summer season at the theatre, alongside ABBA tribute show ABBA Mania.
Smash-hit musical & Juliet returned to the venue in September, starring many members of the original cast. Its closure was announced for 25 March 2023.
In May 2023, the West End premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire, a musical based on the hit film, opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It closed in April 2025.
In May 2025, jukebox musical Just For One Day, based on the story of Live Aid, transferred from the Old Vic Theatre for an extended season. It closed in February 2026.
In March 2026, Avenue Q returns to the West End for the first time in 20 years, for a limited run at the Shaftesbury.
Early productions at the venue included a well-received production of Funny Face (1928), starring Fred and Adele Astaire, Diplomacy (1933), starring Basil Rathbone, The Rose of Persia (1935), the ballet Carmen (1949), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1962) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1963-1964).
In 1973, part of the theatre ceiling fell down, forcing early closure of musical Hair, which had been running at the venue since 1968. Following repairs, the theatre reopened with a production of West Side Story (1974), followed by They’re Playing Our Song (1980-1982), Follies (1987-1989) and Out of Order (1990).
Subsequent productions included a series of musicals such as Kiss of the Spider Woman (1992-1993), starring Chita Rivera, Carousel (1993-1994), Eddie Izzard: Definite Article (1995), Tommy (1996-1997), Rent (1998) and Thoroughly Modern Millie (2003-2004), starring Amanda Holden and Maureen Lipman.
Since then, a variety of shows have graced the Shaftesbury Theatre stage, including Bat Boy: The Musical (2004-2005), Fame: The Musical (2007), Hairspray: The Musical (2007-2010), starring Michael Ball, Burn the Floor (2010), Flashdance (2010-2011) and Derren Brown – Svengali (2011).
Following this, the theatre became synonymous with hosting large-scale musicals, with revivals and premieres that included Rock of Ages (2011-2013), From Here to Eternity (2013-2014), The Pajama Game (2014-2015), Memphis (2014-2015), starring Beverley Knight and Matt Cardle, and The Illusionists (2015).
Broadway import Motown: The Musical opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in 2016 and will entertain audiences until April 2019, followed by a UK tour. International magic show The Illusionists will run for a limited summer season.
Autumn 2019 saw new pop musical & Juliet by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Max Martin take to the stage, following a hugely successful premiere in Manchester. The theatre closed its doors in March 2020 in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and remained closed until May 2021.
In June 2021, Broadway cult phenomenon Be More Chill played a summer season at the theatre, alongside ABBA tribute show ABBA Mania.
Smash-hit musical & Juliet returned to the venue in September, starring many members of the original cast. Its closure was announced for 25 March 2023.
In May 2023, the West End premiere of Mrs. Doubtfire, a musical based on the hit film, opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It closed in April 2025.
In May 2025, jukebox musical Just For One Day, based on the story of Live Aid, transferred from the Old Vic Theatre for an extended season. It closed in February 2026.
In March 2026, Avenue Q returns to the West End for the first time in 20 years, for a limited run at the Shaftesbury.
