London Theatre: New Musicals

London Theatre: New Musicals

03 November, 2008
by: Joe Harrod

From big-budget Broadway-style musicals to typical English music hall comedy, via outdoor adventures and Hollywood makeovers, the West End offers the best variety of musicals in the world. Check out our regularly updated guides to the new shows making waves in theatreland:

Avenue Q
Until 19th December
The puppets return for another blockbusting run in the West End, telling it like it really is in a selection of 'educational' songs.
Best For: Funny lyrics

Thriller Live
Until January 2010
A songbook tribute to the King of Pop that doesn't touch on any of the controversies in his weird life. Instead it's a high-octane celebration of Jacko at his best, featuring dozens of irresistibly brilliant tunes from 'I Want You Back' to 'Earth Song'.
Best For: Pop music

Sister Act
Until December 2010
Whoopi Goldberg is one of the producers for the latest Hollywood musical based on the smash film. All the music is different (boo!!) but this show promises huge musical numbers and fantastic production values as we follow nightclub singer Deloris into the Witness Protection Programme... and a stint teaching nuns how to sing!
Best For: Spiritual uplift

La Cage Aux Folles
Until 09th January 2010
A lavishly costumed homage to the quite brilliant French film, this is one of a couple of breakout hits in this list that started life in the Menier Chocolate Factory. It's camp, funny and poignant.
Best For: Camp humour

Annie Get Your Gun
Until 2nd January 2010
And why not? The Young Vic take a break from all the serious drama this autumn and pack in full houses up until Christmas with their lavish production of the classic Irving Berlin cowboy musical.
Best For: Fancy shootin'

Thriller Live
Until 3rd January 2010
A spellbinding tribute to the King of Pop, this show opened before Michael's death but carries all the more punch for the fact that that he's gone.
Best For: Music

Oliver
Until February 2011
Rupert Goold directs a host of stars (currently including the nation's favourite, Rowan Atkinson as Fagin) in this traditional but brilliantly realized version of the Lionel Bart classic, based on the novel by Charles Dickens.
Best For: Traditional English musical theatre

Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Until May 2010
Three drag queens head for Alice Springs and discover prejudice, camaderie and love in the outback. This ritzy stage version of the hit Australian movie is a bold as brass disco romp. The plot is flimsy enough but the fun is non-stop and this is a real dancing-in-the-aisles number.
Best For: Disco Divas

The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas
23rd September - 21st November 2009
Frank, Sammy and Dean return for another triumphant run in the West End, recreating the glory days when they sang at the Sands Casino and spent their days watchinggirls go by.
Best For: Classic crooning

Legally Blonde
5th December 2009- 23rd May 2010
Sheridan Smith heads a stellar cast in this big-budget Hollywood adaptation. This show was a massive hit on Broadway – abhorred by the critics and loved by the fans – a bit like the seemingly vacuous but actually razor sharp Elle.
Best For: Irresistible mainstream candy


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Joe Harrod