To ask for help deciding on a London theatre show?

[Theda13]

I really can’t decide, the more I look into London shows, the more get added to my wishlist.

So far, I have seen: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Wicked, Nye, Calamity Jane, The Lion King, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Beautiful and Motown: The Musical. There must be others that I’ve forgotten about too.

My top contenders this time round are: The Phantom of the Opera, Hamilton and the Book of Mormon.

Phantom and Les Mis are classics and I think on the must-do list for musical fans.

The new Oliver is very good - go before Simon Lipkin stops as Fagin.

I loved Book of Mormon. It is funny with great songs but very irreverent.

Not seen Hamilton but everyone I know who saw it loved it. It just wasn't to my taste, musically.

Phantom is a classic.

Hadestown is great.
Cabaret, also strong possibility.
Totoro is fantastic if you are a Studio Ghibli fan. Not sure how much non-fans would love it. Our whole family of all ages just wanted to see it again straightaway. Very cute and feelgood.

Oliver is outstanding!
I loved Matilda too
Phantom of the Opera is great…so many good choices!

I heartily agree with the Globe suggestion!

Their tours are terrific too - super for kids, an excellent base for studying Shakespeare at school.

if it returns, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was utterly delightful too.

Paddington is supposed to be awesome (as are the ticket prices…)

(you can keep Wicked, Phantom, Miss Saigon, etc. But this is an entirely subjective thread anyway!)

I'm completely not getting the hype about Hamilton.

If Beetlejuice ever comes around, go and see it. We saw it in Abu Dhabi a few months ago and unanimously agreed it was brilliant.

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

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 .

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.

Enjoy! :-)

Oh, no! How did it ruin theatre for you?!

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

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.

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.

Yes, Paddington is getting rave reviews.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

Gosh, I thought Book of Mormon was awful.

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

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!

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???