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.

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

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.

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

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 !

I’ve just seen this after recommending it!

My favourite s (don’t know which are currently running)-
Les mis
wicked
mousetrap
hamilton
blood brothers

I don’t feel I ever need to see Phantom. Nope.

Absolutely agree with this.

Into The Woods and The Producers are outstanding right now.

Moulin rouge by a million trillion miles.

I’m not even remotely interested after seeing the film.

Phantom, hands down!

Would agree with operation mincemeat. Went last December. But enjoyable as it was, not nearly as good as (virtually anything) by The the mischief theatre company.....in particular 'the play that went wrong' or 'bank robbery that went wrong'. Granted, not a musical, but I defy anyone to not be hurting when they come out. So so good.

The current production of Oliver! Is also really good! A bit darker than it's sometimes played.

I don’t like musicals but took my then 16 year old to see Hamilton as he loved it and I was enthralled!

Back to the Future

I took my 14 year old son to see Oliver! last year and we were really disappointed. I love Oliver Twist as a novel, I love the musical adaptation too (so many bangers!). But this production just left us cold (other than Nancy’s performance, which was terrific). i thought Fagin’s performance was way OTT and the ‘bawdy’ humour was just cringey…Not for me.

re Hamilton, I think if you aren’t familiar with the story (and probably the music), I imagine it would be hard to follow and boring. We love it as a family, as we became big fans of the Disney+ televised Broadway production, starring Lin-Manuel Miranda in the titular role. I took my 11 year old son to see it live last October and he was enthralled, moved, all the ‘feels’.

Although I agree with the PP - some of the casting was shockingly poor! It really affected my enjoyment (esp Hamilton himself, I’m sorry to say!).

We are also looking forward to Beetlejuice this spring and Totoro is a gorgeous production too! Different from everything else and really quite special.

I recently saw Into The Woods at the Bridge Theatre and it was great.

I also saw the weirdest show - Dracupella - at Park Theatre, but I think it's possibly finished now. That was the one of the best shows I have seen.

The Park is a magic little theatre! We saw ‘The Forsyte Saga’ there a couple of years ago and were blown away

Fair enough!

That production transferred to the RSC in Stratford. It was on Dec - Jan. Brilliant theatre.

Have just seen the opening night of Miss Saigon in Plymouth this evening…. It is on the way to the West End… it was phenomenal….I have see it three times now (but the first two times were 18 and 23 years ago) and it is by far the best version I have seen… the staging was another level… and the casting was brilliant! Definitely one to see if you haven’t already…

Just seen operation mincemeat tonight and it was brilliant. Very funny in parts and catchy music

What did you think?? I went opening night and thought it was absolutely amazing

Oh fabulous- I'll be back in London for a few weeks and I'll go and see it again!