Five to keep – my desert island shows
There are lots of great shows on at the moment, and I I’d hate to see some of them finishing. But I managed to whittle the list down to five, so here it is:
Five top shows to run and run
- Hairspray – well of course
It’s won so many awards I’m sure it’s safe! - The Sound of Music – it’s just got to become an institution really.
- Mamma Mia! – with the songs of Abba ringing in our ears, the greatest girls night out destination.
- Cabaret – I love it but I do worry for it. Is it secure? Should we grab tickets ASAP?
- Chicago - timeless and clever casting to keep it fresh.
- Spamalot – well, ageing Monty Python fans need something to keep them off the streets.
- The Wedding Singer
- Zorro
- Eurobeat
- Shout.
- Legally Blonde
- Bat out of Hell
- Oliver
- A Girl Called Dusty
- Sleeping Beauty
- Heck, even perhaps, Priscilla?
- The Lion King – it’s just not my sort of thing plus I don’t like Elton John’s score.
- Wicked – I just know people will hate me for this but I walked out at the interval! I loathed it with a passion.
- Lord of the Rings – oh please, cute Hobbits and orks on springs? Yuk
- Avenue Q – tasteless, not funny, and too American
Possible Newcomers
But lots of new musicals are touring in the regions and suburbs “prior to West End”, and I’m thinking in particular of the following:
Then there are also the new shows which have already been announced for the London West End at some point, (but we don’t know where yet)
So that could mean as many as nine new West End shows. Where are they all going to go? And consequentially, which unfortunate shows are going to have to close in order to make room for them? Well I know which I would nominate:
We don’t want to lose you, but we think it’s time to go…..
I should stop now, I’m getting way too negative!
Please note: this post is just my opinion and doesn’t represent that of the London Theatre team. (I have to say that or I’ll be in trouble!)
Now over to you. Which shows would you keep on forever and which could you close without flinching?
Posted by L
One that should close is Billy Elliott
again the Elton John score is just bland pap, the production is tired, Bye Bye boring Billy,
What are you talking about? Wicked is an amazing show – a difficult, technical score which only really strong vocalists can manage, songs that can make the hairs stand up on your neck one minute and have you in tears the next, amazing sets on a scale not often seen in the West End and an interesting story and take on a much loved old film. I went to see it when it first opened with Idina Menzel in it (she is an absolutely incredible performer who puts most of our West End stars to shame) and I haven’t stopped singing it since…so highly recommended, I can’t even find the words to express it. Everyone should see this show (all the way through!).
I suspect that I didn’t see Wicked at it’s best. I will admit there are some songs that have stayed with me – Defying Gravity for example. The set was impressive, the cast were mostly fine.
I just didn’t enjoy it and was happy to play hooky and sneak off at the interval. It was a combination of Glinda’s voice and seeing the woman behind me buy yet another giant tub of popcorn that did for me.
The hairs on the back of my neck were unaffected, I shed not a single tear. I simply didn’t like it. It comes down to personal preferences, taste or possibly the lack of it
I’m prepared to admit I may have a blind spot. Wicked is very popular and people are still booking and enjoying it. It’s just not my cup of tea. I’m glad you loved it and had such a great time there.