For many people, musical theatre basically is theatre, and certainly there are a hell of a lot of musicals running in London at any given time, from decades-long classics like Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera to short-run fringe obscurities, plus all manner of new shows launched every year hoping for long-running glory.
Here Time Out rounds up every West End musical currently running or coming soon, plus fringe and off-West End shows that we’ve reviewed – all presented in fabulous alphabetical order.
SEE ALSO: How to get cheap and last-minute theatre tickets in London.
What is it? This surprisingly indie style musical adaptation of the blockbuster 2004 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore romcom radically tinkers with the set up and running time (ie it’s short) to leave a sweetly quirky love story with some nice ’60s-style tunes.
Where is it? The Other Palace.
What is it? This long-gestating musical version of ‘Back to the Future’ is so desperate to please that the producers would doubtless offer a free trip back in time with every ticket purchase if the laws of physics allowed.
Where is it? Adelphi Theatre
What is it? Technically known as Beetlejuice The Musical. The Musical. The Musical, this massive scale Broadway adaptation of the classic Tim Burton comedy horror movie has been a big hit in the States. For those unfamiliar, Burton’s 1988 film concerns a couple who die and awaken in the afterlife, only to discover that a ghastly new family has occupied their dream home. They summon the batshit mental ‘bio-exorcist’ Betelgeuse to drive the interlopers away, with catastrophic results.
Where is it? Prince Edward Theatre, dates TBC.
What is it? South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Broadway-munching musical is a somewhat improbably big-hearted affair that sails close to the wind at times but nonetheless pays note-perfect homage to the sounds and spirit of Broadway’s golden age.
Where is it? Prince of Wales Theatre.
What is it? Years after its original superstar leads Eddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley moved on, Rebecca Frecknall’s stylish take on the Kander & Ebb classic keeps going, thanks to Tom Scutt’s virtuosic delight and a steady stream of talking point leads.
Where is it? Playhouse Theatre.
What is it? A labour of love that has worked its way slowly to the West End over the five years since it debuted at Southwark Playhouse, at its best Jethro Compton’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is an extraordinary thing, a soaring folk opera that overwhelms you with a cascade of song and feeling.
Where is it? Ambassadors Theatre.
What is it? The Devil Wears Prada is an all-singing adaptation of the 2006 millennial classic about a mousy young journalism graduate who blunders into the job of PA to a tyrannical, Anna Wintour-alike fashion editor. The songs are by none other than Elton John. The director-choreographer is Broadway veteran Jerry Mitchell. There’s some serious talent involved. And yet being turned into a musical does… almost nothing for it.
Where is it? Dominion Theatre.
What is it? What a long, strange trip it’s been. Indie-folk musician Anaïs Mitchell’s musical retelling of the Orpheus story began life in the mid-’00s as a lo-fi song cycle – going through the next 14 years blow-by-blow would be time-consuming, but in short thanks to what I can only describe as THEATRE MAGIC, Hadestown is now a full-blown musical directed by the visionary Rachel Chavkin, its success as a show vastly outstripping that of the record.
Where is it? Lyric Theatre.
What is it? Okay, let’s just get this out of the way. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ludicrously hyped rap musical Hamilton is stupendously good. Even if it’s become a slight victim of its own cultural ubiquity, it is undoubtedly the musical of our age.
Where is it? Victoria Palace Theatre.
What is it? Disney’s latest stage musical is a solidly entertaining, kiddie-orientated adaptation of its beloved Greek mythology based 1997 animated smash.
Where is it? Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
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