From big-budget spectacular shows like Disney’s The Lion King, Aladdin and Wicked to critically acclaimed small scale productions like Violet, Six and Come From Away this is our regularly updated guide to the best musicals on the London stage now.
9 to 5 The Musical ★★★
Where: Savoy Theatre
Address: Strand London WC2R 0ET
Until: 31 August 2019
In a nutshell: A definite crowd pleaser. Dolly Parton’s musical stage adaptation of the classic revenge comedy follows three harassed female colleagues who take their loathsome boss hostage while putting everything right in the workplace.
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Disney’s Aladdin ★★★★
Where: Prince Edward Theatre
Address: 28 Old Compton Street London W1D 4HS
Until: 29 June 2019
In a nutshell: Disney’s Aladdin is the most spectacular show currently in the West End. Based on the award-winning animated film, this musical extravaganza features exhilarating choreography, show-stopping numbers and astonishing visual effects to create the perfect theatrical night out.
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Fiddler on the Roof ★★★★★
Where: Playhouse Theatre
Address: Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5DE
Until: 15 June 2019
In a nutshell: Trevor Nunn’s revival ‘bursts from the stage’ (Financial Times), bringing new life to one of the most beloved musicals of all time. Old traditions and young love collide in this joyous and timely celebration of life. Featuring the iconic score including ‘Tradition’, ‘Matchmaker, Matchmaker’, ‘Sunrise, Sunset’ and ‘If I Were a Rich Man’.
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Come From Away ★★★★★
Where: Phoenix Theatre
Address: Charing Cross Road London WC2H 0JP
Until: 14 September 2019
In a nutshell: A heart-warming Broadway smash-hit, based on real-life events of how the residents of small Canadian town took in 7,000 stranded air passengers after their flights were re-directed following 9/11.
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Disney’s The Lion King ★★★★★
Where: Lyceum Theatre
Address: 21 Wellington Street London WC2E 7RQ
Until: 1 June 2019
In a nutshell: Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. You’ve got Elton John and Tim Rice’s anthemic pop efforts with award-winning costumes and puppetry.
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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie ★★★★★
Where: Apollo Theatre
Address: 31 Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 7ES
Until: 25 January 2020
In a nutshell: A fearless, funny, coming of age musical about a young boy who wants to become a drag queen. Wowing audiences and critics alike, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie features a pop inspired score by lead singer-songwriter of The Feeling, Dan Gillespie Sells.
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Follies ★★★★★
Where: National Theatre
Address: South Bank London SE1 9PX
Until: 8 April 2019
In a nutshell: Stephen Sondheim’s legendary musical returns to the National Theatre with Janie Dee, Joanna Riding & Tracie Bennet. Featuring such classic songs as ‘Broadway Baby’, ‘I’m Still Here’ and ‘Losing My Mind’ the show follows a 30 year reunion of the Follies girls, where they get to sing a few songs and lie about themselves.
Hamilton ★★★★★
Where: Victoria Palace Theatre
Address: 126 Victoria Street, SW1E 5EA
Until: 29 June 2019
In a nutshell: Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award winning musical phenomenon – the most talked-about musical of the century – retells the life and times of Alexander Hamilton (c1755 – 1804), first Secretary of the US Treasury, using a predominantly non-white cast and a welter of rap music.
Les Miserables ★★★★
Where: Queens Theatre
Address: 51 Shaftesbury Avenue London W1D 6BA
Until: 13 July 2019
In a nutshell: Cameron Mackintosh’s original landmark production of Boublil and Schönberg’s Les Misérables. This epic story of broken dreams and unrequited love features the songs ‘I Dreamed A Dream’, ‘Bring Him Home’, ‘One Day More’ and ‘On My Own’. This is the final opportunity to see the ORIGINAL stage version – the updated show returns to the Queen’s Theatre December 2019.
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Mamma Mia! ★★★★
Where: Novello Theatre
Address: 5 Aldwych London WC2B 4LD
Until: 14 September 2019
In a nutshell: A show that needs no introduction, Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good musical. Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity are cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA.
Matilda The Musical ★★★★★
Where: Cambridge Theatre
Address: 32-34 Earlham Street London WC2H 9HU
Until: 24 May 2020
In a nutshell: Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical is the captivating musical masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dares to change her destiny.
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Motown The Musical ★★★
Where: Shaftesbury Theatre
Address: 210 Shaftesbury Avenue London WC2H 8DP
Until: 20 April 2019
In a nutshell: A classic juke-box musical charting the rise of Motown records and its stable of stars from Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder to Michael Jackson. Featuring over 50 Motown tracks including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, I’ll Be There, Dancing In The Street, Stop! In The Name of Love, My Girl and I Heard It through the Grapevine.
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Only Fools And Horses The Musical ★★★
Where: Theatre Royal Haymarket
Address: 8 Haymarket London SW1Y 4HT
Until: 31 August 2019
In a nutshell: Based on the much-loved tv comedy starring David Jason & Nicholas Lyndhurst, take a trip back to 1989 and get reacquainted with Britain’s most loveable rogues, as the Trotters of Peckham are brought to life once again through an ingenious and hilarious original score.
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School of Rock ★★★★
Where: Gillian Lynne Theatre (formerly New London Theatre)
Address: 166 Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5PW
Until: 20 October 2019
In a nutshell: Andrew Lloyd Webber and Julian Fellowes have made the grade in turning this much-loved film into a musical. The stage version cleaves closely to the film, following the misadventures of Dewey Finn, a rock-loving slob who wangles an illicit gig as a supply teacher (faking his best friend’s identity) at a posh prep school. Once there, Dewey courts the risk of exposure while giving his over-regimented charges a liberating education in rock… It’s the most enjoyable few hour’s money can buy.
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Six The Musical ★★★★★
Where: Arts Theatre
Address: 6-7 Great Newport Street London WC2H 7JB
Until: 5 January 2020
In a nutshell: From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a 75-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power. Critically acclaimed, everyone seems to be losing their head over this British musical phenomenon.
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Violet
Where: Charing Cross Theatre
Address: The Arches, Villiers Street London WC2N 6NL
Until: 6 April 2019
In a nutshell: The UK premiere of Tony-nominated musical from Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley. Based on the short story The Ugliest Pilgrim by Doris Betts, this heartfelt musical follows Violet, a young woman who embarks on a life-changing personal journey.
The Book of Mormon ★★★★★
Where: Prince of Wales Theatre
Address: Coventry St, London, W1D 6AS
Until: 25 May 2019
In a nutshell: With 9 Tony Awards and 4 Olivier Awards to its name, The Book of Mormon is an irreverent musical comedy by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone plus Avenue Q’s Robert Lopez, and follows a pair of Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from Salt Lake City.
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The Phantom of the Opera ★★★★★
Where: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Address: 57 Haymarket London SW1Y 4QL
Until: 5 October 2019
In a nutshell: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s magical score with jaw-dropping scenery brings a tragic love story to life. One of the longest-running musicals in London, this is a must-see for any theatre fan.
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Tina – The Tina Turner Musical ★★★★★
Where: Aldwych Theatre
Address: 49 Aldwych London WC2B 4DF
Until: 21 December 2019
In a nutshell: From humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, to her transformation into the global Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll this Tina Turner biopic combines the aesthetic finesse of British director Phyllida Lloyd with the political instincts of Memphis-born, Olivier nominated playwright Katori Hall.
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Waitress ★★★★
Where: Adelphi Theatre
Address: 409-412 Strand London WC2R 0NS
Until: 19 October 2019
In a nutshell: An irresistible all-American Broadway transfer featuring original music and lyrics by 6-time Grammy® nominee Sara Bareilles (Brave, Love Song). A waitress and expert pie-maker dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. This highly anticipated new musical stars Katharine McPhee (American Idol) and Jack McBrayer (30 Rock).
Wicked ★★★★
Where: Apollo Victoria Theatre
Address: 17 Wilton Road London SW1V 1LG
Until: 30 November 2019
In a nutshell: The gravity-defying ‘Wizard of Oz’ prequel tells the story of two best friends destined to become Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West. Already the 9th longest running musical in West End history, this unforgettable show features spectacular sets and costumes and show-stopping songs by Stephen Schwartz.
