Posted on
| By
Sian McBride
(Updated on Aug 29, 2025)
Spring forward, fall back. It’s that time of year again – when the clock in your car either shows the right time, or is mysteriously one hour ahead (and not even Doc Brown has figured that out yet). As the nights draw in and tomorrow gifts us an extra hour of sleep, we’re left both confused and well-rested.
It’s surprising what a difference just sixty minutes can make. But what if you could move through hours, days, even decades at will? If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to live inside a time-bending show, wonder no more. London theatre is full of stories that skip between centuries, dive into the past, and glimpse into the future.
Here are the best time-travelling theatre shows to catch right now in the West End and beyond…
What if you could step back into 1985 and witness the making of one of the greatest concerts of all time? That’s exactly what happens in Just For One Day.
When Suzanne hands her daughter Jemma her treasured Live Aid programme, the two are transported back to the extraordinary day that changed music forever. The show shifts between the present day and the summer of 1985, charting how the legendary concert came together and why its message still resonates today.
Featuring the music of Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, Queen, U2, Paul McCartney, Elton John and more, this musical celebrates the power of community, compassion, and rock ‘n’ roll history. It’s not just a trip down memory lane, it’s a reminder of what humanity can achieve when it comes together.
The Olivier and WhatsOnStage Award-winning stage adaptation of the iconic 80s film is still the ultimate time travel trip.
Climb into a souped-up DeLorean with teenage hero Marty McFly as he crashes from 1985 into 1955 and meets some very familiar faces. But when his presence threatens to erase his own existence, Marty must make sure his parents fall in love – all while trying to get back to his own timeline.
Packed with dazzling effects, laughs, and that unbeatable Alan Silvestri score, Back to the Future: The Musical is a family favourite that’s been delighting West End audiences for four years. Think your family’s complicated? At least you’re not accidentally competing with your dad for your mum’s affection.
The eighth story in the Harry Potter universe continues to cast its spell on the Palace Theatre.
Set nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts, Harry is now an overworked Ministry of Magic employee and struggling father of three. His youngest son, Albus, feels crushed by the weight of the Potter legacy – and decides to take matters into his own hands. With best friend Scorpius Malfoy (yes, Draco’s son), Albus uses a Time-Turner to travel back and alter the past. But in the wizarding world, changing one small detail can unravel everything.
As past and present collide, both Harry and Albus must face uncomfortable truths about family, legacy, and destiny. Whether you devoured the books on release day or discovered the films years later, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is magical theatre for all generations.