Top Ten Shows in London
London theatre and its shows continue to be the heart and soul of the London tourist scene. Millions of people each year venture to see their favourite show and come away mesmerised by the brilliance of what they have just seen. From Andre Lloyd Webber to Cameron McKintosh London theatre continues to prosper and show the world what amazing talent lies here in the UK. Below you will find London's top 10 most popular shows and if you are planning a London Vacation then treat yourself to at least one!
The Lion King: With the massive success of the movie it seemed only right to make the musical. With a cast of over 40 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes to tell the story of young Simba's epic adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king. The stunning simplicity of The Lion King is the work of a team of designers who draw on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated films of all time. The Lion King is not recommended for children under 5 and no child under the age of 3 will be admitted. Customers should also be aware that strobe lighting is used several times during the performance.
Phantom of the Opera: Lloyd Webber's romantic musical is based on Gaston Leroux's gothic novel of life beneath the stage of the Paris Opera House. A mysterious masked man falls in love with Christine, a singer who inspires The Music of the Night. Still going from strength to strength in London and surely not to be missed.
Mamma Mia: A mother. A daughter. 3 possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget. Over 27 million people all around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show. Catherine Johnson's sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago! The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives! No matter who you are you will be dancing in the aisles with this musical.
Les Miserables: Without doubt one of the great stories of all time and its success as a musical is tough to beat. Seen by over 50 million people worldwide in 38 countries and in 21 languages, Les Misérables is one of the world's most popular musicals. There have been 31 cast recordings of Les Misérables, including the multi-platinum London cast recording and the Grammy Award-winning Broadway cast and complete symphonic albums. The video of the 10th Anniversary Royal Albert Hall Gala Concert has sold well over one million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling musical videos ever in the UK.
The Mousetrap: Richard Attenborough starred in the first production of this play and still fifty years on and we still don't know whodunit. A group of people are gathered together in a remote part of the countryside, and one of them is a murderer. Agatha Christie's classic thriller continues on the world's longest run and who is to say it will still be here in another fifty years.
Chicago: Transferring from the Adelphi Theatre, and still the West End's sexiest show. Murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, treachery... All those things we hold near and dear to our hearts. So begins the musical CHICAGO... and creators John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse never back off from their bold and sinister promise. The kiss-and-tell tale of Roxie Hart, a nightclub singer who kills her lover; Velma Kelly the glamorous double-murderess vying to keep her press supremacy; and Billy Flynn, the slick lawyer who has the power to keep them from death row and make them in to stars. The musical, which won the 1998 Olivier Award for Outstanding Musical Production, includes the songs All That Jazz, Razzle-Dazzle, Class and All I Care About.
We Will Rock You: The Queen musical by Ben Elton and the band continues to rock the West End...Everywhere; the kids watch the same movies, wear the same fashions and think the same thoughts. It's a safe, happy, Ga Ga world. Unless you're a rebel. Unless you want to Rock. On Planet Mall all musical instruments are banned. The company computers generate the tunes and the kids download them. It is an age of boy bands and of girl bands. Of boy and girl bands with a couple of boys in them that look like girls anyway. Nothing is left to chance; hits are scheduled years in advance. But resistance is growing. Underneath the gleaming cities, down in the lower depths live the Bohemians. Rebels who believe that there was once a Golden Age when the kids formed their own bands and wrote their own songs. They call that time, The Rhapsody. Legend persists that somewhere on Planet Mall instruments still exist. Somewhere, the mighty axe of a great and hairy guitar god lies buried deep in rock. The Bohemians. Is the one who calls himself Galileo that man? But the Ga Ga Cops are also looking for Galileo and if they get him first they will surely drag him before the Killer Queen and consign him to oblivion across the Seven Seas of Rye. Who is Galileo? Where is the Hairy One's lost axe? Where is the place of living rock?
Blood Brothers: Written by the legendary Willy Russell, Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. The incredible score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers, which, having opened in 1988 to tremendous acclaim, continues to enjoy standing ovations at almost every devastating performance. In the US, Blood Brothers enjoyed a record breaking run, a hugely successful coast to coast tour and was nominated for 7 Tony Awards®.
Mary Poppins: Is it Jane and Michael Banks who need a nanny? Or is it their parents, George and Winifred who actually need more looking after? Only one thing is certain - after Mary Poppins arrives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane, with her no-nonsense approach to making the right choices in life, nothing will ever be the same again.
The witty, imaginative books, aglint with magic and many of the much-loved Sherman Brothers songs from Walt Disney's Academy Award-winning motion picture, have been re-invented and created afresh by Academy Award-winning writer Julian Fellowes and Olivier Award-winning songwriters George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, who have also composed several terrific new songs to add to a score that already boasts more than a spoonful of sugar. For one of the most eagerly awaited theatrical events for decades, Disney and Cameron Mackintosh have teamed up to produce Mary Poppins, bringing to life Pamela Travers' fantastic stories filled with eccentric and perceptive characters whose adventures have delighted every generation since they first appeared in the 1930's.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Originally written by Ian Fleming (James Bond Fame) as a story for his son Casper, nearly everyone somewhere at some point has heard of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Although the famous movie was adapted by Roald Dahl for screen the new and superb West End production is truly a jewel in the the London Theatre crown. You all know the songs and you will find yourselves singing along. But just watch your jaw drop when the famous car makes its grand appearance!
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