London musicals

Yes, it’s a musical adaptation of the 2004 Adam Sandler/Drew romcom. Its aggressively goofy plot about a louche marine biologist – with a posse of eccentric humans and animals – who falls for a woman who can’t remember the events of the previous day would seem to lend itself to the intrinsic silliness of the genre. And it has an impressive US creative team, headed by director Casey Nicholaw, best known for The Book of Mormon, and suggesting this run is a tryout for Broadway.

Where is it? The Other Palace.

After debuting at the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2022, this family musical returns to London for a summer run at the Hammersmith Apollo with Sydnie Christmas starring as Cruella de Vil.

Where is it? Hammersmith Apollo.

After premiering at the New Diorama Theatre in 2023 and touring the UK, Breach Theatre’s verbatim musical about Section 28 – the heinous legislation introduced in the late ’80s to prevent the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality in schools – lands at the Royal Court Theatre after some tweaking and with a mostly different four-strong ensemble cast. It’s funnier, sharper and more damning than ever before.  

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

Brace yourself for a shock: ‘South Park’ creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Broadway-munching musical is a big-hearted affair that pays note-perfect homage to the sounds and spirit of Broadway’s golden age.

Where is it? Prince of Wales Theatre.

This 1947 musical from My Fair Lady writers Lerner & Loewe has faded out of fashion in recent years, presumably largely because its premise of a couple of American tourists stumbling across a magical Scottish village that only appears every couple of hundred years is actually pretty patronising to the Scottish. That’s presumably why top Scottish playwright Rona Munro has been brought in to update the book of the first major UK revival since 1988, which will see Drew McOnie direct his in augural production as Open Air Theatre artistic director. 

Where is it? Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

Amy Heckerling’s musical adaptation of her cult 1995 screen comedy Clueless makes a strong case for the enduring appeal of her slyly clever valley-girl revamp of Jane Austen’s Emma.  

Where is it? Trafalgar Theatre.

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.

The Devil Wears Prada had me flummoxed. It is an 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, with lyrics by Shania Taub and Mark Sonnenblick. 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.

Jamie Lloyd’s superb 2019 production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic returns for 2025, reworked, with massive star Rachel Zeglar as its new lead.

Where is it? London Palladium.