To ask for help deciding on a London theatre show?

If you are going soon (like this month or early next) can I suggest Ballad Lines at Southwark Playhoue Elephant? Absolutely phenomenal score and performers.
If you want to go more established, Operation Mincemeat or Hadestown.
Cabaret is my best overall theatre experience ever.

Thanks @PumpkinSoupIsBetterThanYouThink !

Beetlejuice is coming this year. beetlejuicemusical.co.uk/

Miss Saigon will be back in London in May 2027.

Of your list:

• The Phantom of the Opera - you should probably see this once, does it need to be this trip?
• Hamilton - I saw this on Disney+ and found it OK. Did not find going live adding anything to it, it's not my favourite
• Book of Mormon - it's a particular kind of humour, if you think South Park is "too much" or "just mean," then this is probably not for you. My young adult children found it uncomfortable.

I agree with those who are recommending Cabaret and Oliver and those are much more likely to be limited runs compared to Phantom.

I also like Operation Mincemeat, but it is touring so you may not need to see it in London.

Have you thought about Totoro? That is truly something special and won't last forever.

Seeing Grace Pervades with Ralph Feinnes in May. Considering Cabaret this summer.

I saw the ballet Giselle last night in Covent Garden - absolutely mesmerising, especially the second half when they are all ghosts.

Les Mis and Phantom are the classics. And for good reason. Exceot ... bring back Ramin Karimloo as the Phantom and / or Jean Valjean (anyone unfortunate enough to be unaware of this man, please google - you're welcome)!

Saw Hamilton and really enjoyed it.

Did someone say Miss Saigon is coming back? When???

I’m not sure where its touring but choir of man is great fun.
saw it in London a couple of times with friends - its just a great way to spend an evening and wasnt silly money either!

Gosh, I thought Book of Mormon was awful.

Hamilton and Les Mis for me. I saw Phantom in a box and it was wonderful.

Check who the cast is for Hamilton

Its incredible but last time i went the cast were....deeply questionable.

Lafayette and hamilton werent fit for purpose.
so much so I was vaguely embarassed to have taken people to see it.

Book of Mormon is hands down the funniest thing I have ever watched at the theatre. Lots of swearing, but I still find myself humming songs from the show 2 years later!

Hamilton is my favourite show I've seen, but I had already watched it on Disney+ beforehand (at the repeated request of DD1), so I had a good idea of the story and what they were singing, as it's easier to follow/hear on screen than it is in the theatre.

If I was offered tickets and could only go to one of those 2, I would probably choose Hamilton as it's such an experience, really emotive and exciting. I wish BoM was available to watch online somewhere!

Another vote for Hadestown - loved it
Moulin Rouge - epic
Hamilton

The current production of Cabaret is superb - but I was lucky to see Eva Noblezada doing it on Broadway. Not someone I'd think of as Sally Bowles but an performance to remember.

Hadestown is good fun & leaves you with ideas, feelings, and lovely tunes.

I would definitely recommend

Operation Mincemeat
Matilda
The Producers

Not terrible but wouldn’t especially recommend

Hadestown
Back to the Future
Book of Mormon
Cabaret

I’ve seen Hamilton on Disney+ not live. I think I’d get a bit bored and possibly lost seeing it live. Better with subtitles!

Best musicals in London at the moment:
The Producers
Paddington
Into The Woods

You need to book VERY far ahead for Paddington unless you have a very sizeable bank balance.

Book of Mormon is great and extremely funny but not for those who don't like a LOT of swearing. Example from just one song: "Fuck you God in the ass, mouth and cunt-a" (repeated many times).

Hamilton is OK. I say that because when I went I could actually only tell what they were singing/rapping about half of the time. As there's no dialogue, you need to be able to follow the lyrics to get the plot. I much preferred listening to it on the recording for this reason.

This was my first musical over 35 years ago,.I was 16 and didn't understand the fuss then went to see it and was as you said...absolutely blown away.

I also loved Oliver! It is a wonderful production. If I was going to see a show again, I'd probably go see this again above anything else on.

I didn't enjoy Matilda - I think you need to know the music. It was really loud and I couldn't make out the lyrics at all. I also wasn't mad about Hamilton.

Yes, Paddington is getting rave reviews.

I saw Phantom recently and loved it. Also really enjoyed Caberet.

six is amazing - loved it

I didn’t enjoy Hamilton.

if not a musical then Witness for the Prosecution is amazing.

Saw back to the future in October- was excellent. Book of Mormon is good. Really enjoyed priscilla queen of the desert a few years back - if it's on i recommend that! Haven't seen six or moulin rouge or Hamilton to be able to comment.

Phantom of the Opera, the first time you watch it will blow you away.

Enjoy! :-)

Spent my uni years working in a theatre and it put me off for life, but other half saw Book or Mormon some years ago and said it was superb.

We are going to see The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry-cannot wait!
I have seen the film, reading the book, listening to the CD in my car, on repeat.
Haven't been in London to see a show for many years
Going 1st class on the train, with our DD
The show looks amazing .

Beetlejuice is coming to the Prince Edward Theatre in May - I’m really looking forward to it