You can accuse Andrew Lloyd Webber of many things – you often do – but you can’t level the charge of uniformity at the subjects he chooses. If you can forgive this blasphemy, given that one such subject was the superstar Jesus Christ, Stephen Ward is arguably his most interesting. He is also the most widely misunderstood. This could have been his own fault, if fault it was. But it was also the fault of a censorious old England not quite yet in its death throes as postwar morality gave ground … [Read more...]
Book Tickets for London West End Musicals 2023 - 2024
Book Tickets for London Musicals 2023 - 2024
Here is our guide to some of the best shows in London's West End, including long-running musicals such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables and Disney's The Lion King to new shows, such as Mary Poppins, Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman.
What are some of the most popular London musicals?
There are a variety of popular London musicals that cater to a range of interests and preferences. For example, the long-running musical Les Misérables continues to be a popular choice for theatre-goers, while newer musicals such as Hamilton and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have also been well-received. Other popular musicals currently playing in London include The Lion King, Wicked, Mamma Mia!, and The Phantom of the Opera.
What are the origins of London musicals?
The origins of London musicals can be traced back to the city's rich history of theatre and music. The first professional theatre in London was the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, which opened in 1663. This theatre was home to many of the city's most popular musicals, including The Beggar's Opera (1728), The Maid of the Mill (1765), and The Beggar's Opera (1728).
How have London musicals evolved over time?
The history of London musicals is a long and rich one, dating back to the early days of the city's theatre scene. The first musicals in London were probably those that were performed in the city's inns and taverns, which were popular entertainment venues in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These early musicals were often quite bawdy and featured crude humor and sexually suggestive lyrics. As the city's theatre scene grew and developed, so did its musicals.
How expensive are London musicals?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the cost of London musicals can vary greatly depending on a number of factors. The price of a ticket will usually depend on the popularity of the show, the venue, the time of year and the day of the week. For example, a musical that is playing at a popular West End theatre is likely to be more expensive than one playing at a smaller venue.
London West End Shows
The Phantom of The Opera North American Tour
Following an acclaimed United Kingdom sell-out tour, Cameron Mackintosh’s spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s phenomenal musical success, The Phantom of the Opera, has its U.S. premiere in Providence, Rhode Island, launching a new North American Tour. Critics are gushing that this breathtaking production that is “bigger and better than ever before.” This Phantom features a magnificent new scenic design by Paul Brown, Tony Award-winning original costume design by Maria … [Read more...]
Review of Thriller Live at the Lyric Theatre
The music of Michael Jackson is very recognisable. No matter what your age you will have come across some of the greatest pop music ever written or a current artist that has been directly influenced by the "King of Pop". Thriller Live - currently rocking the house at the Lyric Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue celebrates this fact by taking its audiences on a journey through all of Jackson's classic tracks. From the earliest hits of the Jackson 5 (complete with a young MJ), to the phenomenon of … [Read more...]
Review of The Phantom of the Opera with Geronimo Rauch as The Phantom
The Phantom of The Opera… a mystery never fully explained. Well, that may be so, but as one of the West End’s longest running shows it is safe to say that many will know what the musical is about. Even if the story is unknown, what is guaranteed are the lavish costumes, vast sets and songs which you will definitely have heard, intentionally or otherwise. If you are after drama and a spectacle then this is absolutely the right show. As you walk in, you are faced with a stage full of dust … [Read more...]
Merrily We Roll Along Harold Pinter Theatre
Review of Merrily We Roll Along at the Harold Pinter Theatre. When a popular show transfers from an ‘Off-West End’ theatre to a mainstream West End theatre, expectations are always high and questions surround the production; Will it pull in a big enough audience? Will the intimacy of a small space be lost in a big theatre? Will the cast project the original sentiment across the bigger auditorium? And so on. Proving to be a hit with audiences at the Menier Chocolate Factory, Maria Friedman’s … [Read more...]
The Lion King with the West End’s first ever autism-friendly performance
A trip to the theatre used to be a very upper-class activity in days gone by, but now, it really is for everyone and West End theatres regularly entertain a fully-inclusive audience from all walks of life. Making available heavily discounted or free tickets for such events as Kids Week and Get Into London Theatre (GILT), have become an annual occurrence, not only affording entire families and those on the ‘working class’ end of the spectrum an opportunity to enjoy a top-quality theatrical … [Read more...]
Wicked Review Apollo Victoria Theatre 2012
In just under a weeks time Wicked the smash hit musical which tells the hidden story of the Wizard of Oz, will celebrate it's 6th year of residency at the Apollo Victoria Theatre and judging by the packed theatre on a Wednesday evening performance, this is a show that is not yet short of steam. Stephen Shwartz's Wicked, in short, tells the story of Frank Baum's classic the Wizard of Oz, but pans the camera slightly off frame. It follows the story of two unlikely friends Glinda and Elphaba who … [Read more...]