by Annie Vischer
When it comes to winter, a musical is a must. It’s the ultimate form of escapism. Impressive stage effects, captivating story lines, and songs you’ll still have in your head the next day. Well chosen tickets make an impressive Christmas present, and if you can bag the plus one spot, bonus!
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Olivier Award winning musical has been delighting audiences since its first performance in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane this year. As you might expect, the show thrives on spectacle. The classic Roald Dahl tale, directed by Sam Mendes takes to the stage with as much colour and flair as the movie. Book tickets here.
Memphis The Musical is fresh from a smash hit run in Broadway and a 55 city North American tour, and has already garnered multiple awards along the way. It’s a love story that will have you rooting for a happy ending the whole way through, and jigging along to multiple rock ‘n roll, blues and gospel numbers along the way. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to see the wonderful Beverley Knight at her best. Memphis The Musical is playing at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Read our full review here and book tickets here.
Wicked is always a crowd pleaser. It’s the one you take a begrudging guy to and they end up whooping along with the little girls during the curtain call. No matter how many times I’ve seen it, I can never resist the opportunity to go again. It’s got laughs, tear-jerkers and one hell of a star song (if you’ve never heard Defying Gravity before, have a Google). The key to a stellar Wicked performance is a top Elphaba and Jennifer DiNola gives it everything she’s got and then some. Wicked is still selling out nights at the Apollo Victoria. Buy tickets here.
It might not be the most promising premise for a musical, a dystopian world where everyone must pay to use the loo and private toilets are banned, and those who flout the laws are sent to Urinetown (or killed as it turns out), but this unlikely musical has something about it. The storyline is involving, the gags hilarious, the characters engaging and the songs spectacular. If you take a chance on a show this season, make it this one. Buy tickets for Urinetown at the Apollo Theatre here.
It’s had a recent cast re-jig, and it’s just as good, if not better than ever. This classic 80’s corker is as hilarious on stage as it was on the big screen. Read our full review here. The musical is glitzing up The Savoy Theatre, and you can buy tickets here.