Oxford Events
Stage Watch: 2:22 A Ghost Story, Beetlejuice, The Lives of Others, War Horse & Waitress
Welcome to your round-up of unmissable productions across Oxford, London and the wider region.
This edition of Stage Watch brings together five standout productions across Oxford, Aylesbury and London, spanning supernatural thrillers, cult musical theatre, powerful drama and a landmark National Theatre revival. From intimate tension to large-scale spectacle, these shows offer something for every kind of theatre-goer within easy reach of Oxford.
2:22 A Ghost Story
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. 08 to 13 June 2026.
The record-breaking supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story arrives in Aylesbury following multiple West End runs and an international touring success. Written by Danny Robins, creator of Uncanny and The Battersea Poltergeist, the play has become one of the most recognisable modern British stage phenomena.
Jenny and her husband Sam have just moved into a new home. When Jenny becomes convinced the house is haunted, scepticism quickly gives way to tension as their dinner guests are drawn into the argument. As the night unfolds, the group agrees to stay awake until 2:22am — the time when something unseen may finally reveal itself.
Blending humour, psychological tension and jump-scare suspense, the play asks a simple question: what do you believe when logic runs out?
Best for: Fans of thrillers, ghost stories and interactive “edge of your seat” drama.
Tips: Go in cold — the less you know, the more effective the tension becomes.
Read our review of 2:22 A Ghost Story to find out why the supernatural thriller continues to captivate audiences on tour.
Beetlejuice
Prince Edward Theatre, London. Opening May 2026 (limited run).
Say his name three times… The mischievous spirit with the most arrives in the West End as Beetlejuice brings its riotous energy to the Prince Edward Theatre. Based on Tim Burton’s cult film, the musical follows Lydia Deetz, a teenager drawn into a chaotic afterlife when she moves into a house already occupied by two very confused ghosts — and one dangerously unhelpful demon.
What follows is a fast-paced blend of gothic comedy, theatrical spectacle and unexpectedly heartfelt storytelling. With a Tony-nominated creative team and a sharply irreverent score, this production thrives on controlled chaos, big visuals and relentless energy.
Best for: Fans of dark comedy, cult adaptations and high-energy musicals.
Tips: It’s dense, fast and visually packed — you’ll catch new details on a second viewing.
The Lives of Others
Adelphi Theatre, London. Booking open. 29 Oct 2026 to 09 Jan 2027.
The acclaimed German film The Lives of Others makes its West End stage premiere in a major new adaptation starring Keira Knightley, Stephen Dillane and Luke Thompson. Set in East Germany in 1984, it follows a Stasi officer tasked with surveilling a writer and actor whose private lives begin to challenge his own beliefs.
As observation turns into emotional entanglement, the production explores surveillance, morality and the quiet human cost of authoritarian control. Directed by Robert Icke, the piece continues his reputation for bold, psychologically precise reinterpretations of existing texts.
Originally an Academy Award-winning film, this stage version leans into intimacy and tension, drawing the audience into a world where every gesture may be watched.
Best for: Fans of intense drama, political storytelling and performance-led theatre.
Tips: Expect a slow-burn structure — attention to detail is everything here.
War Horse
Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, London. 16 May to 30 July 2026.
The National Theatre revival of War Horse returns to where it all began, bringing Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel back to the Olivier stage. At the outbreak of the First World War, young Albert’s horse, Joey, is sold to the cavalry and sent to France, setting off a journey that spans continents and conflict.
Renowned for its extraordinary puppetry by Handspring Puppet Company, the production transforms Joey and the other horses into astonishingly lifelike stage creations, supported by a sweeping, emotionally charged score.
This is a story of loyalty, endurance and the bond between human and animal, set against the vast devastation of war.
Best for: Families, first-time theatre-goers and fans of epic storytelling.
Tips: The puppetry is central to the experience — allow yourself to fully suspend disbelief.
Read our review of War Horse as the National Theatre’s acclaimed production returns to the Olivier stage.
Waitress
New Theatre Oxford. 29 June to 04 July 2026.
The hit musical Waitress returns to Oxford on tour, serving up a heartfelt story of resilience, friendship and self-discovery. Jenna, a gifted pie-maker stuck in a difficult marriage, finds her life shifting when an unexpected pregnancy forces her to reconsider everything she wants.
Set to Sara Bareilles’ acclaimed score, the musical balances humour with emotional honesty, following Jenna and her friends as they navigate love, loyalty and the possibility of change.
With a female-led creative team and a proven track record on Broadway and in the West End, Waitress remains a warm, contemporary musical that continues to resonate with audiences.
Best for: Fans of uplifting musicals and character-driven storytelling.
Tips: Expect big emotion, catchy songs, and yes — plenty of pie references.