The Story of Beetlejuice
Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager dealing with her mother's death while her father moves on with a new girlfriend. When the family moves into a new house in Connecticut, Lydia discovers it's haunted by Adam and Barbara Maitland, a recently deceased couple who are trying to navigate the afterlife. The Maitlands need help scaring the new living inhabitants away, so they call on Beetlejuice - a scheming, outrageous bio-exorcist ghost who promises to help. When Lydia and Beetlejuice become unlikely friends, chaos inevitably ensues.
Lydia's Journey
At the center of the story is Lydia, a goth teenager who's obsessed with "the whole being dead thing." While her father tries to move forward with a new relationship and career, Lydia feels invisible and alone. Her connection with the Maitlands and especially with Beetlejuice gives her something her living family can't - understanding and acceptance of her darkness. The musical deepens Lydia's character beyond the film, making her grief and isolation palpable while celebrating her uniqueness.
The Ghost-With-The-Most
Beetlejuice is crude, selfish, and utterly outrageous - a demon who thrives on chaos and lives (or rather, doesn't live) for himself. But beneath the striped suit and manic energy, the musical reveals unexpected vulnerability. Beetlejuice is lonely, desperate to be seen and summoned, and his friendship with Lydia - despite his ulterior motives - becomes genuinely moving. He's the perfect combination of villain and antihero, impossible to fully trust but equally impossible not to love.
The Maitlands' Afterlife
Adam and Barbara Maitland were a mild-mannered, happy couple whose biggest adventure was staying home. Their sudden death leaves them confused and stuck in their house for 125 years. As they try to navigate the bureaucracy of the afterlife and deal with new living inhabitants, they become unlikely parental figures for Lydia. Their journey from trying to scare the Deetzes away to protecting Lydia from Beetlejuice's schemes forms the emotional backbone of the story.
Dark Comedy Meets Heart
While Beetlejuice delivers non-stop laughs, jaw-dropping visual effects, and outrageously fun musical numbers, it's also surprisingly touching. The musical explores grief, loneliness, and what it means to find your people - whether they're alive or dead. The story celebrates weirdness, embraces darkness, and ultimately affirms that life (and death) is better when you're not alone.
From Broadway Sensation to West End Debut
The Broadway Journey
Beetlejuice The Musical premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre in April 2019, earning eight Tony nominations including Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Alex Brightman's tour-de-force turn as Beetlejuice. David Korins won an Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for his spectacular set design. The show became a word-of-mouth sensation, with fans returning multiple times to experience its infectious energy.
Multiple Broadway Runs
After closing due to the pandemic and a planned move to make room for The Music Man, Beetlejuice returned to Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in 2022 by popular demand. The show returned again to Broadway in October 2025 at the Palace Theatre for a limited run, proving its enduring appeal. Each return has been met with sold-out houses and renewed critical acclaim.
The US Tour Phenomenon
From 2022-2025, Beetlejuice toured 88 cities across the US and Canada, playing to packed houses and introducing the show to audiences nationwide. The tour demonstrated the show's broad appeal beyond Broadway tourist audiences, with fans of all ages embracing its unique blend of comedy, spectacle, and heart. International productions in Tokyo, Seoul, Melbourne, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi have further proved the show's global appeal.
The Creative Team
Director Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Gutenberg! The Musical) brings his signature theatrical inventiveness to the material. The book by Scott Brown and Anthony King (both Tony-nominated for this show) balances outrageous comedy with genuine emotion. Eddie Perfect's score features instantly memorable songs that range from hilarious to haunting. The design team reads like a who's who of Broadway excellence: David Korins (Hamilton) on sets, William Ivey Long (The Producers) on costumes, Michael Curry (The Lion King) on puppets, and Jeremy Chernick (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) on special effects.
Practical Information
Show Times
- Monday - Saturday: 7:30pm
- Wednesday & Saturday: 2:30pm matinees
- Sunday: 3:00pm
Getting There
- Underground: Leicester Square (3 mins walk - Northern & Piccadilly lines)
- Alternative: Tottenham Court Road (5 mins), Piccadilly Circus (7 mins)
- Buses: Routes 14, 19, 38 to Old Compton Street
- Parking: Q-Park Chinatown, NCP Lexington Street
Theatre Information
- Grade II listed West End theatre
- Capacity: 1,618 seats
- Excellent sightlines throughout
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infrared and induction loop systems
- Accessible toilets
- Bars and refreshments available
Running Dates
Beetlejuice The Musical runs at the Prince Edward Theatre from 20 May 2026 to 17 April 2027. This is a strictly limited West End engagement of the Broadway sensation - book early to say his name three times!
Age Guidance
Recommended for ages 12+ due to strong language, adult humor, supernatural themes, and some scary moments. The show contains crude jokes, sexual innuendo, death-related themes, and spectacular but potentially intense special effects. While the overall tone is comedic, younger or more sensitive children may find some content frightening or inappropriate. The humor is often irreverent and edgy, making it most suitable for teenagers and adults who can appreciate the show's dark comedy sensibility.
