Going to the theatre is one of the most popular things to do when you are visiting London. Carelink24 is here to help you decide which of the many theatre shows you should go and see this year.
We have taken the time to read about all of the top shows on offer so that you don’t have to! That’s what we are all about as a top provider of personal alarms – we are happiest when we know we have helped our customers with something important.
As we edge closer to summer, and hopefully better weather, you may be planning to visit this great nation’s capital. During your stay there you will more than likely want to go watch a show in the West End.
But which one should you spend your money on? Here are a few of the very best shows…
Le Misérables
Le Misérables, or Les Mis as it is also known, is arguably the most famous and most successful musical of all time. The show is based on the novel written by French poet Victor Hugo and made it’s stage debut in Paris in 1980.
The first London production took place five years later and due to its success is still running now – making it the longest-running musical in the West End. It is also the second longest-running musical in the world and has been seen by 70 million people in 44 different countries – How impressive is that!!!
The show is set in 19th century France and tells a story of broken dreams, sacrifice, love and redemption. The main character in Les Mis is Jean Valjean, a French peasant who has just been released from jail after 19 years.
Valjean narrowly avoids going back to jail thanks to the kindness of the Bishop of Digne and decides to change his ways and start a-fresh. Over the years he changes his name, becomes a factory owner and even becomes a Mayor! When it is discovered that one of his workers has an illegitimate child she is banished by the other woman and forced into a life of selling her body.
During an incident with one of her ‘customers’ she is about to be taken to prison by Police Inspector Javert before Valjean uses his authority to save her. Following another act of bravery to save a man, Valjean is caught by Javert but manages to escape, promising the young factory worker that he will track down and save her illegitimate daughter….
Jersey Boys
The Jersey Boys musical is ideal if you are a fan of 60’s Rock ‘n’ Roll music. This documentary-style musical is based on the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons band. The Four Seasons had a hugely successful career, with 16 Top 40 songs in a just 28 month period in the early 60’s.
The band are the only group to have a Top 100 Billboard hit in each decade of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and were inducted into the Rock and Role Hall of Fame in 1990.
The musical is split into four parts with each section narrated by a different member of the band. The show looks back through their career together as well as going through all of their biggest hits.
Since making its debut on Broadway in November 2005, The Jersey Boys has gone on to win several Tony Awards, a Grammy and Laurence Olivier Award – as well as several other awards around the globe.
You will feel truly connected to the band when you leave the theatre and you won’t be able to get the amazing songs out of your head.
Wicked
If you enjoyed watching the Wizard of Oz when you were growing up then you will love Wicked. This musical tells the untold story of Elphaba, aka The Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with the popular Glinda at Shiz University.
The sorcery students have an unlikely alliance until they have an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz which sees their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s thirst for popularity sees her seduced by power, whilst Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself leads to unexpected and shocking consequences.
The audience gets to witness their adventures in Oz as they eventually become Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Wicked is one of the most popular and entertaining shows ever made and is the ninth longest running show in London’s West End. The show has also picked up several accolades around across the world, in countries such as America, Germany and Australia.
A visit to see Wicked will introduce you to a whole new Oz story. One that you will be able to impress your grandchildren with.
Phantom of the Opera
If you are in to your opera music and dramatic performance then this is the London show for you! The Phantom of the Opera has been running at Her Majesty’s Theatre for 30 breathtaking years and has claimed plenty of top awards along the way.
The show’s fantastic music was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and will leave a lasting effect on the audience. The plot itself is about the mysterious ‘Phantom’ who hides below the Paris Opera House, shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all those living above.
The Phantom chooses the young Christine Daaé to be his protégée of music and quickly becomes obsessed with the her as he falls in love. This tragic love story will have you wanting to go back and watch it all over again… just as millions of others have around the globe.
Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history and has a total estimated worldwide gross receipt of over $5.6 billion – which is the highest in history.
