Back to the Future: The Musical

The Show and the Venue

Back to the Future: The Musical is a stage adaptation of Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale's 1985 film, with a book by Gale himself and new songs composed by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard. Directed by John Rando with choreography by Chris Bailey, the production premiered at Manchester Opera House in February 2020 before transferring to the Adelphi Theatre in the West End, where it opened on 13 September 2021.

The Adelphi Theatre on the Strand is the fourth building on a site that has hosted performances since 1806. The current Art Deco structure was designed by Ernest Schaufelberg and opened in December 1930, notable for its angular interior devoid of curves. Black marble walls are relieved by deep rose-coloured doors, chromium-plated grilles and Lalique fountain lights. The auditorium seats approximately 1,500 across stalls, dress circle, upper circle and balcony.

What to Expect

The show runs for two hours and forty minutes including an interval. Marty McFly accidentally travels from 1985 to 1955 in Doc Brown's time-travelling DeLorean and must ensure his parents meet at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance to secure his own existence. The stage version stays faithful to the film's plot while expanding the story through musical numbers.

The production's centrepiece is Tim Hatley's DeLorean, built from 3D scans of the real car and packed with motors, smoke machines, speakers and lighting rigs. It lifts off the stage, flies over the audience and performs a full 360-degree rotation. Behind the action, Finn Ross's LED wall recreates Hill Valley in both 1955 and 1985 using environments based on the original film's production design. Pyrotechnics, fiery skid marks and Chris Fisher's closely guarded illusions — including Marty's skateboard chase — complete the spectacle. The show uses strobe effects, smoke, haze and pyrotechnics throughout.

Booking and Nearby

Tickets are available through the Adelphi Theatre box office and major ticketing platforms, starting from around £20. The show is recommended for ages six and over, and children under four are not admitted. The production closes in London on 12 April 2026 before embarking on a UK tour from October 2026.

The Adelphi sits on the Strand between the Savoy Hotel and the Lyceum Theatre, placing it within easy reach of Covent Garden's restaurants and shops to the north. Pre-show dining options abound — Rules on Maiden Lane, London's oldest restaurant, is a five-minute walk, while the Strand itself offers everything from casual chains to the Savoy Grill. Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery are ten minutes on foot to the west.