Written by Beth
I recently saw a wonderful post from WhatsOnStage celebrating the Olivier Awards, which celebrated a plethora of nominees and reminded readers that as long as you like music, there’s a musical for you. This got me thinking about so many people I have encountered that perhaps scoff at my love for all things theatre or question aloud ‘do they really have to sing ALL of the time?’ [Of course, my simple answer is YES but I appreciate not everyone feels the same!] Singing aside though, I truly do believe that the magic of theatre is, indeed, for everyone and that if you have never yet experienced the utter euphoria that being part of a theatre audience can bring, then you simply haven’t found the right show for you. So I thought I’d group some pieces of theatre, past and current, to help you or a theatre-novice you may know to find the show for you!
If you like sports …
The National Theatre’s recent production of Dear England is a captivating story of the England team’s journey to success including manager Gareth Southgate. It is a fictional script based on extensive interview and research and can be viewed both live at The National until 24th May 2025 or via cinema release through NT Live before it tours the UK in the Autumn.
The National Theatre’s recent production of Dear England is a captivating story of the England team’s journey to success including manager Gareth Southgate. It is a fictional script based on extensive interview and research and can be viewed both live at The National until 24th May 2025 or via cinema release through NT Live before it tours the UK in the Autumn.
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| The cast of Dear England. Photo by Marc Brenner |
If a football themed musical is more up your street, then Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game might be for you, telling the story of a group of teenagers during the troubles and the life-changing power of sport. Finally, But I’m A Cheerleader is a popular film and newer musical depicting teenage life for the it-girl who is a popular cheerleader with the typical handsome footballer boyfriend, coming to realisations about her own sexuality.
If you like Science Fiction …
There are so many wonderful sci-fi musicals that it would be impossible to list them all here. Menken and Ashman’s Little Shop Of Horrors tells the story of killer plants and one mean, green mother from outta space! If a jukebox musical is more your thing, both Bat Out Of Hell (featuring the music of the great Meatloaf and Jim Steinman) and We Will Rock You (Queen anthems, yes please) bring zaney, sci-fi storylines and a killer soundtrack of songs you will already know and love. You can catch Bat Out Of Hell on a UK Tour currently.
There are so many wonderful sci-fi musicals that it would be impossible to list them all here. Menken and Ashman’s Little Shop Of Horrors tells the story of killer plants and one mean, green mother from outta space! If a jukebox musical is more your thing, both Bat Out Of Hell (featuring the music of the great Meatloaf and Jim Steinman) and We Will Rock You (Queen anthems, yes please) bring zaney, sci-fi storylines and a killer soundtrack of songs you will already know and love. You can catch Bat Out Of Hell on a UK Tour currently.
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| The cast of Bat Out Of Hell. Photo by Chris Davis Studio. |
For a familiar story, Back To The Future - currently playing on London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre and internationally - brings a cult classic to life with some incredible special effects!
If you like crime fiction …
We are incredibly lucky to have TWO Agatha Christie plays on in London at the moment; both The Mousetrap at The St Martin’s Theatre and Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall, both will have you on the edge of your seat wondering whodunnit! Also currently on a UK tour is JB Priestly’s An Inspector Calls, perhaps one from your GCSE days!
We are incredibly lucky to have TWO Agatha Christie plays on in London at the moment; both The Mousetrap at The St Martin’s Theatre and Witness for the Prosecution at County Hall, both will have you on the edge of your seat wondering whodunnit! Also currently on a UK tour is JB Priestly’s An Inspector Calls, perhaps one from your GCSE days!
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| The cast of The Mousetrap. |
If you like horrors/thrillers …
The Girl on the Train is a gripping thriller and whether you are a fan of the book or new to the story, it is sure to have you on the edge of your seat. New casting has also recently been announced for the star-studded 2:22 A Ghost Story, with Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley leading a new UK tour with which follows the sinister events of a singular night as a dinner party unravels. Sadly not currently running in the West End but other gems to look out for include the haunting play of The Woman In Black and Carrie: The Musical.
The Girl on the Train is a gripping thriller and whether you are a fan of the book or new to the story, it is sure to have you on the edge of your seat. New casting has also recently been announced for the star-studded 2:22 A Ghost Story, with Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley leading a new UK tour with which follows the sinister events of a singular night as a dinner party unravels. Sadly not currently running in the West End but other gems to look out for include the haunting play of The Woman In Black and Carrie: The Musical.
If you like history …
For American history, Hamilton is the obvious choice, combining incredible rap music with real facts and untold stories of the founding fathers of America. The show continues in London and on tour. If you are interested in WW2, Operation Mincemeat is an absolute smash hit of a musical that tells an inspiring true story in a truly unique way, opening recently on Broadway as well as the West End from its off West End roots. Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse and Private Peaceful are more seriously toned, providing moving fictional depictions of the very real impact of the world wars on ordinary people. For more British history, Six The Musical brings girl power pop vibes to the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives, whilst Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World brings inspiring women from all over the world and throughout history to life in an equally upbeat and fabulous way!
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| The cast of Operation Mincemeat. |
If you like a family favourite …
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, now a huge West End hit as well as a Netflix favourite, is the perfect introduction to musical theatre for both young ones and adults alike. The RSC are also currently developing their new Christmas show, The BFG, which I am super excited to see! Other wonderful family friendly shows include Disney’s The Lion King and upcoming Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the magical Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park amongst many others!
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, now a huge West End hit as well as a Netflix favourite, is the perfect introduction to musical theatre for both young ones and adults alike. The RSC are also currently developing their new Christmas show, The BFG, which I am super excited to see! Other wonderful family friendly shows include Disney’s The Lion King and upcoming Hercules at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and the magical Starlight Express at Troubadour Wembley Park amongst many others!
On the back of the smash-hit first part of the big screen adaption of Steven Schwartz’s Wicked continues to draw audiences in its 19th year at The Apollo Victoria Theatre in London. The show has recently welcomed new cast members including Emma Kingston as Elphaba and Zizi Strallen as Glinda. The second film titled Wicked: For Good releases into cinemas from November.
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| Zizi Strallen as Glinda and Emma Kingston as Elphaba in Wicked. Photos by Matt Crockett |
If you like comedy …
The Mischief Theatre Company are providing smash after smash at the moment; The Play That Goes Wrong is one of the funniest plays I have ever seen, and soon we will be blessed with new shows by them including Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and The Comedy About Spies; both music free and absolutely hilarious! For more adult humour, both Titanique and The Book of Mormon are racy, campy musicals that are such a hit with audiences right in the heart of the West End.
The Mischief Theatre Company are providing smash after smash at the moment; The Play That Goes Wrong is one of the funniest plays I have ever seen, and soon we will be blessed with new shows by them including Christmas Carol Goes Wrong and The Comedy About Spies; both music free and absolutely hilarious! For more adult humour, both Titanique and The Book of Mormon are racy, campy musicals that are such a hit with audiences right in the heart of the West End.
There is so much diversity in theatre, be it a jukebox favourite, a serious play, a Shakespeare retelling or a comedy masterpiece. There is truly no joy quite like experiencing live performance and if you haven’t found it yet, I urge you to give it a try. I promise you won’t regret it; it might just change your life.
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