London musicals

What is it? Yes, it’s a musical adaptation of the 2004 Adam Sandler/Drew Barrymore 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.

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? 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? There is some very stiff competition, but I think Lerner & Loewe’s Brigadoon might well stand as the maddest musical of all time, certainly in terms of seriously intentioned mainstream work. This story of a magic time-hopping Highland village hasn’t been staged in the UK for over 30 years, but now it’s back with a polish of the script from top Scots playwright Rona Munro.

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

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.

Where is it? Apollo Victoria.